Eyera (The Eyera Series Book 1) Read online

  “It’s me,” he says weakly, lost for words.

  CHAPTER twenty-eight

  I’ve known Cyren for a short amount of time and seeing his name on that file churned my stomach. He was aware that it was coming any day, but I think deep down he wasn’t expecting it. We don’t know when it’s happening, but only he is next.

  I didn’t talk much to Cyren, he went quiet and left, he didn’t say anything funny or witty but seemed to accept the fact. Cyren didn’t look at me; he ran off with his head down. I didn’t say anything because I had no words whatsoever. We both went to our cells, Cyren is still there and has been for the last hour in the same position sitting on the floor looking at the wall.

  “Acelyn Shader, follow me,” a guard says snapping me out of my thoughts. My heart doesn’t beat hard this time. I’m too busy thinking about Cyren.

  I get out of the bed and trail behind, we past Cyren’s cell and I have the urge to peer inside, but I know he is in the same position. The guard clears his throat and I follow. I’m not sure where I’m going. He turns left going through a set of doors; I do too, seeing hundreds of stairs. He walks down three sets of grey stairs, my hand slides down the silver railings, the walls painted in silver with a blue line in the middle. We go through another set of doors, and he stops, and I panic.

  “Relax kid, you’ve been cooped in that cell for days, and the Director makes sure that people like you get fresh air, although I think you people shouldn’t,” he says. I stare as if this is a joke.

  “Go to the end of the corridor and turn right, go through those doors and the garden is there.” he says leaving.

  I take small steps being cautious, the corridor coats in white with a few steel doors fixed. I peek through, but blinds stop me, the plaque is blank. I tug at the door, but it doesn’t budge. I leave; following the guard’s instruction. Being locked away in solitude, it’s weird that Eyera lets people out, especially into a garden which I didn’t know they have. These people take our freedom, and get to play with it, they tell us what to do and what not to do, and let us out like we should be thankful. The Director and Miss Katherine Bennett let us roam around the building doing these schedules, and in a flash they can punish us whenever they feel like it. It’s sickening and terrifying.

  I look out of the large single glass that takes up an entire wall space; the sunbeams inside making the room glow and shadows hover. The glass door automatically opens and I take a deep breath and make my first step into the forbidden light, the sun is harsh it’s been days since I’ve seen it, I almost forgot what it looked like it. Gorgeous orchid plants sprout to the side, the grass is so green, fluffy cotton clouds rooted in the vibrant sky, everything looks fake, every bit of it. An illusion. We are trapped behind a tall, bulky grey wall with wires on top, the only thing that is blocking us from the world out there. A few people sit outside, some of them looking at the forgery fake sky with sad looks, they are probably missing their family. I sit down on the grass; a breeze twirls around the garden making little goose bumps on my arms, I pull down my sleeve for warmth. Everyone is quiet, no one is moving and it doesn’t sound like they are breathing. I hate this. All of this. It’s not real. Living in a sick twisted world just waiting to be picked off and become something else. I bring my hand unwrapping the bandage tracing over the cut and green pus seeps out.

  “That is a nasty cut you got there.”

  I jump out of my skin.

  “Whoa, jumpy didn’t mean to scare you,” Parrish laughs.

  He sits down.

  “Here let me help,” he offers.

  Parrish touches my hand; his fingers lightly run over the cut. ‘Infected,’ he mutters underneath his breath. Parrish goes to the orchid plant and picks the flower off and rubs it along my cut. I wince a little but after a few moments the sting eases and feels slightly better.

  “That feels much better, I didn’t know orchid plants could do that,” I say gleefully.

  “Yeah, it’s the chemical Eyera throws out, the plant soaks it up,” he says.

  “How did you know?” I ask.

  “From Phaedra. I wanted to be a doctor when I was younger, you should see her sometime, she is different from the …”

  “Other Eyera workers,” I finish off his sentence.

  “Yeah,” he mutters.

  We sit in silence; awkwardly. I’m not sure what else to say, and I dislike small talk.

  “You wanted to be a medic,” I say.

  “Wanted, can’t exactly do that now,” he says sadly.

  I think he would have made an excellent medic. He has a friendly smile and a gentle touch.

  “I think you be a great medic,” I say which makes him chuckle.

  “Yeah, whatever. Eyera ruined that for me,” he laughs.

  I look at my lap silently and play with the grass.

  “My papa owned a pharmacist, and he taught me about different medicines and plants. Papa was in debt and couldn’t pay it off, Eyera threatened him, they did what they are best at. They destroyed the store. I pulled out my pocket knife and threatened the guards. I didn’t get anywhere close they were too quick. They stomped on my chest to the point I can feel my organs shut down, and the rest is history,” he says throwing grass.

  “That is why I’ll never be allowed to work as a medic, got that right taken from me.”

  I look at Parrish sadly. So that is why he breathes unusual. I feel Parrish wanting to talk more but doesn’t. He fiddles with his fingers.

  “Cyren is upset,” I say.

  “He’ll be fine,” he replies.

  “He’s next for the drug,”

  “I know,”

  “How?” I say.

  “I spoke to Cyren, he has a plan. Just give him time,” Parrish says.

  Parrish doesn’t seem to be that worried, he must really trust Cyren and his plan. Or maybe Parrish know there’s not a lot we can do.

  “I cannot wait for the drug to be used on me,” Parrish says.

  I don’t know how to respond. I’m angry that he wants to give up but the more I let that sentence play in my head, the more it makes sense. He’s broken and wants to go home, we all do. We are broken, if not, we will be soon, we break laws and they break us. It’s how the system works.

  “Once they use the drug on you, they send you home, and I can’t wait to see my family, especially my boyfriend, he means the world to me,” Parrish says.

  It’s sad hearing he’s ready; he’s given up hope and accepted his fate. They took so much from him, they have taken his spirit and hope.

  “How do you know if you remember them? From what I saw, it doesn’t look like you’ll remember anything,” I say.

  All he does is shrug, he hasn’t thought it through clearly but willing to give up anything just to be home.

  “You don’t want that Parrish, none of us do, you don’t want them to take who you are,”

  “What if it’s the only thing that will keep me alive though?” Parrish says which catches me off guard.

  He doesn’t want to die. As long as he is breathing, he is okay. I can’t imagine not remembering Hunter or my parents, especially Hadrian, how can I live not knowing who he is? The thought scares me so much.

  Parrish stands up stretching his arms letting out a big yawn.

  “Well, I got to get back, you coming?” he asks.

  “No, I’m going to stay out a little longer,” I say

  “Alright, I see you soon.”

  And with that, he leaves.

  I keep my head down; the drug is taking a toll on me, I know this sounds selfish and I should never think like this, but I rather die than have the drug. It would be too painful for my family to have me alive and like that. How did the Director create this drug? Why are they doing this?

  I see people get up and head back inside, I stay till the sky changes colour, it gets dark each minute, and finally, darkness falls. The stars dot everywhere; it’s beautiful.

  The moment is soon disturbed by a raspy speak
er.

  “Everyone must be back in their cells. You have ten minutes till lights out.”

  And it cuts off.

  I look at the memorising sky one last time, and I’m eager to get out of this hell hole.

  CHAPTER twenty-nine

  Morning comes pretty quick, most people leave for the cafeteria, but I don’t, I stay put. I don’t want to eat what they are providing. I cannot stomach it. Linxston would bring me food once in a while, which I’m glad he does thankfully. I’m slowly trusting him even though I shouldn’t. I have lost a bit of weight and sometimes my body hurts and wants to shut down, I know for sure that I cannot eat an animal, that be is crazy and goes against everything I believe in.

  I don’t leave my cell till afternoon; guards order us all to the canteen for lunch, and I know I will be skipping it. I grab my tray and Eyera workers throw food on it, I’m pretty sure Eethia does it on purpose, she splashes the meat and sauce over the vegetables because she knows I’m not going to touch it, she is hoping I’ll give in and eat it. I recklessly toss my tray on the table and food splatters, a few people look my way but resume back to their lunch. I hear Cyren, Raiya, Parrish and Orin take a seat and dive into their food.

  “I haven’t seen you eat, Acelyn, are you feeling okay?” Parrish asks.

  “I’m all right, I’m still full from breakfast,” I lie.

  “We had to miss breakfast, it’s my favourite part of the day,” he smiles.

  I’m glad they missed it, they would catch me out in my lie. Two evident orbs pierce through me, Cyren taps excitedly, any minute now he will blow. It’s good to see he’s back to his usual self.

  “Guess what, Acey,?” Cyren says.

  I roll my eyes at my new nickname. I’ve not had one before; apart from Hunter; he calls me by my surname, but that’s not really a nickname. I wait for Cyren to tell me this exciting news, he pauses for a minute and leans lower making sure no one else can hear.

  “We are gonna escape, I am not going ta be next for that drug,” he says brightly as his pupils dilate.

  He has thought this through in his cell carefully, a plan he knows is going to work but will be difficult.

  “How?” I question. I’m not keen like he is, but at this moment I’m willing to try anything. I want to get out of here like everyone else, but how can we possibly pull it off?

  Cyren part his lips to speak but gets cut off short by a boy screaming and running inside the cafeteria, his face is red and sweaty, he stops looking for a way but there’s nowhere for him to run. Sweat drips from his shaggy brown hair down his frightened face, a cut is slashed along his forehead, the blood is fresh. Two guards charge in with blood on their clubs, he freezes, chest heaving profoundly. The guards lunge and pin his emaciated body on the table bending his arms backwards snapping it, he screams making everyone cover their ears and eyes. Raiya and Parrish do the same, while Cyren covers Orin’s ears. Cyren focusses on me telling me to do the same, just look at him nothing else, but I cannot help but shift to the crying boy. I slightly move out of my seat, but Cyren doesn’t let me. I sit helplessly.

  “You want to ignore me, huh?” the guard bellows as he smashes the boys head on the table a loud thud startling everyone. The boys tears soak his clothes and snot runs down his lip.

  “I’m going to show you what happens to delinquents like you defying orders!” he thunders.

  The guard pulls out a razor sharp knife and hangs it over the boy’s face, a flick of his wrist he slices it down onto his ear. I watch in horror as his ear bounces across the table; landing in someone’s food. His cry chills the room, horror peels off people’s faces and tears fall. The guard drags him out of the cafeteria, and the other guard orders us back into our cells, everyone panics, running out. I can’t comprehend on what just happened. All sorts of emotions come, and I’m close to throwing up. A tear leaks down scarring my cheeks, not a bone in my body moves. Cold hands touch my cheek; Cyren brushing them softly, lively wet eyes stare filled with anger, he holds his tears.

  “We will get out of here,” he promises.

  Cyren puts my hand in his, it’s cold and makes me shiver as I absorb his terror. We both walk out together. Guards watch us merciless as we march ourselves to the cells, a little whimper captures my attention. I turn around seeing a little girl crying in the corner; her blonde hair swept over her face, she is small and fragile, she must be nine. I break contact from Cyren and his face bewildered, I can’t ignore the girl, my heart knows it isn’t right. I barge people as they pass her like she’s a ghost.

  “Hey, hey, hey, it’ll be okay,” I reassure her.

  Her head whips up and tears fall from her blemish blue eyes, she wipes the tears with her sleeve and sniffles with the odd few hiccups.

  “I’m scared, so, so scared,” she mutters as she hides behind her hands.

  All I see is Hadrian when he gets scared, he hides behind his hands; imagining he’s somewhere else. I bring her into a hug stroking her long dangling hair. I hush, and she relaxes as she lets the last few tears fall.

  “I promise everything will be alright.” I lie.

  She looks at me with hope, how can I promise such a thing? It’s all I can say to make her feel better. I wanted to give her that positivity and hope, something to hold on to.

  “I’m Avra,” her voice squeaks.

  I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and bring her close as we walk down the gaunt narrow corridor.

  “Acelyn,” I say.

  We walk past the iron bars and I watch her run back to her cell, looking at me one final time. I go back to mine and guards lock our cells. I fall to the floor; back resting against the door and cry hard. My tears splash on my clothes and the floor, my chest hurts as I breathe. God, Hadrian would never survive this place. He would try to help everyone. I’m sick of crying and tired of fighting, it’s too much. My freedom is gone, and the drug is going to happen to me, I have nothing else to lose. I’m going to do everything I can to leave this place, even if it means death.

  CHAPTER thirty

  ‘Fight till death … fight till death … fight till death … fight for freedom …’

  Gentle whispers of a ghost taunt my mind, taunting my dreams, turning them into nightmares. I run, escaping those words.

  ‘Death is not the end for you.’ Their whispers become no longer gentle but violent, pecking at my skin; each word leaving marks. I run down the formidable corridor; shades of green, black and grey smear across my eyes. I turn round a sharp corner to hit a dead end, the corner vanishes, and only the corridor is on site. What is going on here? Orange flashes glow and an alarm rings. A large shadow lies upon the other end howling like a hungry wolf, its eyes glow sinisterly and blood drips down its uneasy mouth, making a small puddle underneath.

  “Your time is over,” the shadow booms, running towards me.

  I stumble into the wall. The shadow picks up its speed, each step growing faster and before I know it, it’s charging. Mist of purple flare escape out of the shadow and black liquid drips. My heart feel like it’s stopped beating and my throat closes up, I cannot breathe. My bones begin to crack causing unbearable pains, all snapping out of place and poking out of my skin, the shadow leaps in the air, mouth open and comes crashing down …

  I sit up gasping for air, sweat trickling, and pulse pummelling. What the hell kind of dream is this that? I shake my head and get my breathing under control. It’s just a nightmare, only a nightmare; it’s not real. I’m okay I say to my repudiation mind. I push my legs out of bed; dangling loosely. I feel a presence at the door and I look to see Avra looking scared.

  “I heard you scream, I had to see if you were okay I thought you were dying,” she says innocently.

  Avra keeps her distance. I stand up and she moves back.

  “I’m fine,” I say forcing a smile.

  Her body relaxes, and she shyly rubs her arms.

  “Uhh um … what were you dreaming about?” she asks. I can’t tell her its a nightmare
; she’s seen enough of that.

  “I’m missing my family,” I say.

  Avra looks down, brimming with small tears, but she doesn’t let them fall, she puts on a brave but yet sad face.

  I look into her azure eyes trying to read her.

  “I miss mine,” she mutters.

  I wonder what she did to end up here, she is a little girl.

  “My daddy did something terrible, and couldn’t get out of it. So he did one thing that saved the rest of the family,” she says.

  She bends her head across her shoulders rubbing her arm again like she is dirty. I walk to Avra placing my hands on her shoulders, she flinches and I remove my hand instantly. Avra lifts her head on the verge of tears, and this time round she doesn’t hold them in.

  “My daddy, he … ” she sobs, and wipes her nose.

  “He sold me, he said it’s the only way.”

  My body turns cold, and I feel white, disturbed of those words; my stomach churns and a little heat rages in my veins. I embrace her into a light hug. I don’t say anything to her because I am lost for words.

  “I better go,” she says.

  I watch her leave, she’s brave and so pure. How could her father do that? She is a child, not an item.

  I sit on my bed head throbbing and mouth dry, I take the water underneath the bed, my hand brushes over the sticky label that has been torn. I see writing on it.

  ‘Garden.’

  This must be Cyren. I rip the label and flush it down the toilet. I pick up my ribbon debating if I should wear it, my head says no, but my heart says yes. I listen to my heart and wrap it around my leg and set off to the garden.

  I step outside into the grey ghostly garden seeing Cyren, Raiya, Parrish and Orin sitting on the grass talking in depth, by the look on Raiya’s face she doesn’t agree with Cyren. I walk, and they look at me, Cyren’s face lights up.

  “Finally, Acey, take ya time, we are going over the plan,” he says.

  I sit next to Parrish who notes every word Cyren says.