Scarlen wasn’t sure she would ever be able to let him go. The feeling of someone slipping away in her arms had her numb, almost as lifeless. How could she get up and walk away? It was bad enough the last time someone died in the Zone. Now each part of her was shattered into a million pieces, limp and so alone.
Oxley took a wheezy breath, then breathed no more, his weight sinking into her, his blood staining her clothes, her skin, her soul.
The horn blew, and no one moved.
‘Inside,’ said Kane, his voice cracking on seeing who was on the ground. ‘You have to go inside.’
The inmates started to depart, but Judd was stock-still, and Scarlen’s lungs were fighting for air as she held back tears. She wrapped herself around Oxley, cradling what was left of his warmth, wishing so hard Horstal Island didn’t exist. That someone as kind and sweet as Oxley got to live a happier life.
It wasn’t fair. None of it was. And she found herself screaming into the night as Kane reached for her arm and other guards appeared for Judd.
‘We’ll take care of Torro,’ said Kane quietly, his face so pale.
‘I can’t leave him,’ she croaked, her body as seized as the one in her arms.
Kane got her to stand, her legs shaking, pulse rattling. ‘Go to the shower chamber. Get changed.’
She glanced down at the blood embedded in the material of her uniform. Smeared, damp, not her own, then up at Judd as he passed with a guard either side of him.
A hot whip of wind hit her face as she made eye contact with the killer, a silent scream whirling as he scowled, then with vengeance controlling her, she lunged at Judd, stabbing him in the arm with her weapon, her roar as wild as the beast in the maze.
‘Die,’ she screamed. ‘Die.’
Guards dragged Judd away as he lurched towards her, and Kane grabbed her hand, forcing the blade to the ground, which wasn’t hard, as all energy had left Scarlen the moment she drew blood.
‘You fool,’ snapped Kane. ‘You’ll be sent to Red now.’
But Scarlen heard little of what he had to say as he led her into the building, her body still back with Oxley, or floating somewhere close by. Wherever it was, it wasn’t with her, as she couldn’t even feel her legs moving, taking her all the way to Red Block Two.
19
The whole of Amber Block Two was awake and waiting in the communal area to see who returned, as was allowed during War Zone nights, as no one slept anyway. It was the early hours, daybreak still far away, but no one was tired, all eager to hear the horn blow, to see their friends walk back through the door, wanting to know who died, if they had lost their wager.
Bear was led in by a guard, having just been cleared by the healer. He was still a bit dazed, but nothing a good night’s sleep wouldn’t cure, he had been assured, not that he was going to get one by the look of things.
Raven approached as the guard walked away. ‘Another War Zone was called.’
‘I gathered.’ Bear glanced around at the subdued inmates, most of them playing cards, reading, or talking quietly in groups. ‘Does anyone know why?’
‘No. It’s just the way it is now, I guess.’
Bear went to his cell to sit on his bed, his head pounding, his muscles a little achy.
‘You okay?’ asked Raven, joining him.
‘Healer said he had to cure inner burns.’ Bear huffed, shaking his head slightly at the thought. ‘Inner burns, Rav. That’s how fucked up Binnow is.’
‘I think she was sent home. No one’s seen her since dinner.’
‘They should send her to Red, not home. Lock her up and throw away the key. Fucking bitch.’
Raven sat by his side, leaning closer. ‘Stay focused, Bear,’ he whispered, giving him a knowing look, which made Bear nod briefly.
‘Yeah, I’ll get back to routine.’ Bear yawned, thoughts of finally breaking through the escape hole feeding him motivation. ‘Just need some sleep. I feel like someone stole all my energy.’
‘You rest. I’ll stand guard while the cells are open.’
Bear raised his brow while stifling a yawn. ‘Tell me who went into the Zone, then I’ll decide if I can rest. I know my sister wasn’t named, else you wouldn’t be so calm.’
