Eyera (The Eyera Series Book 1) Read online

  The truck drives down a narrow end, he beeps the horn letting us know that it’s time to jump.

  “We need to jump,” I say, and they look at me like I’ve gone crazy.

  “We have to, or we won’t go home,” I say.

  The four children take a shaky breath and link arms together.

  “Now,” I say.

  They jump apart from one he breaks the link feet planted to the truck, the other three land roughly scraping their knees in the process.

  “Jump now!” I shout, but he stumbles back

  He takes a deep breath, he’s not going to do it. I grab the boy by his collar and throw him off. He tumbles and a loud scream follows, I leap off rolling to protect myself, and the truck enters through the tunnel.

  The children run closer panicking as the boy cries hysterically, his bone pokes out of his leg. I didn’t mean to do that.

  The children try to pick him up, but he howls, not being able to move. A revving noise echoes through the tunnel, which freaks out the children. They are coming, they are close.

  “Stop freaking, behind those bushes there is a hole, go through that now,” I say.

  “What about Arden?” says a little girl.

  “Don’t worry, I got him,” I say.

  The children scurry to the bushes, and a hole is there, I’m glad to see it. I watch till all three enter into the city, and I look back at Arden.

  “What is going to happen to me, I can’t get through that,” he cries.

  “You’re going to have to try,” I say.

  I touch his body slightly and he thrashes hitting me in the jaw.

  “I can’t, I can’t, I can’t,” Arden screams.

  The car is getting closer it’ll be here in a minute, it’s not enough time to pick him up and take him through the hole. I kneel beside Arden.

  “It’s for the best,” I say.

  Arden looks confused, but I wipe it off as I elbow his face knocking him out. I pick up his body and I see lights reflecting, it’s too late. I do one thing that saves my skin and I leave him on the road. I dart behind the bushes, two vehicles finally arrive and they stop near Arden, the doors open and slam shut.

  “They couldn’t have gotten that far,” a familiar voice says.

  Linxston.

  “There is nothing for miles, they’ll be dead within days,” says a guard.

  They look around and walk to Arden’s body, Linxston kneels putting two fingers on his neck.

  “He’s alive,”

  They lift up his leg with their gun.

  “Ouch, wonder what happened here,” the guard says.

  The car behind opens and boots crunch across the smooth road, he towers over Arden. Lieutenant Larcival, looking pissed.

  “Anything?” he says.

  “No Sir, only this boy,” Linxston says straight and shoulders pinned.

  Lieutenant Larcival stomps to his car and kicks it hard, making a huge dent. He marches back teeth gritting.

  “Well, let’s find out where they are,” Lieutenant Larcival says.

  “We can’t Sir, he’s out cold,” Linxston says.

  Lieutenant Larcival growls and clenches his fist.

  “I will capture every last one of them, they will regret this,” he shouts.

  Lieutenant Larcival clicks his finger and the guard picks up Arden.

  “Let’s move,” Lieutenant Larcival says getting into the car.

  I watch the cars head back, and I relax a little. I go through the hole, dragging sticks and dirt with me. I stand up, patting of the twigs, buildings and houses plant everywhere. The children cheer, smiling and laughing, they face me looking behind and confusion sits on their little faces.

  “Where’s Arden?” the little girl says.

  “I couldn’t save him,” I say.

  She looks down sadly, all of them do.

  “You did what you could, it doesn’t matter now, we are free, we can go back to our family,” she says.

  Two children start running of eager to be reunited back home, the girls take off too, but stops halfway.

  “Thank you, Acelyn,” she says and turns on her heels to catch up with the others.

  The sun breaks up the grey sky lighting it up; I run to the alleyway shadows will cover me from being seen, all Eyera guards will know about my little stunt, if the citizens in the city and the sections know about it, it can cause problems for Eyera. I get to a large building climbing the ladder on the side. I stand on the roof looking above Elspeth City. The sun breaks up shadows, and the city paints in orange glow rays; it’s astonishing … I take it all in, every detail, all the memories, the pain, the city falling into my hands.

  I sprint to the edge of the building jumping from roof to roof; the gaps are not that big, the wind blows my hair and the rush of excitement courses through my veins screaming of pure joy. One place slips into mind and that is home. I make no hesitation and go. I get to the edge of the roof and climb down the ladder running down the streets not stopping to rest. I pass stores and markets not many people are out in the city which is good, it’s early hours, only a few which they give me strange looks as I quickly pass them not hanging around too long. They are probably wondering why an Eyera guard is running so fast, if only they knew that I was the girl that shot two guards in Elspeth Centre and escaped Eyera Corporation.

  I run inside the dome seeing people preparing their markets; some guards are oblivious that I am here, maybe because they haven’t been radio yet and my ‘disguise helps.’ I sneak pass them quietly, I run out of the dome and keep going and going till my legs become jelly and my chest hurts. I get to the fountain, and head to the bus stop feeling exposed and vulnerable. I catch my breath, and my body aches tremendously, I hope no Eyera cars pass here, I’ll have nowhere to run, apart from the field, but I wouldn’t make it that far, they catch me within an hour or so. I hear a noise from my left, and I see the bus pulling up and stops beside me, it opens, and I hope the driver doesn’t recognise me. The driver looks at me surprised, shocked and confused.

  “Are you here to inspect? I didn’t know there was an inspection,” he says nervously.

  “I’m inspecting Siver,” I reply.

  “Oh, er- come on in,” he fakes a chuckle.

  I take a seat at the back, and the bus takes off heading down to Siver, and I think to myself I’m nearly home. I figured I be excited but something doesn’t feel right, I don’t feel like myself anymore.

  I wonder how everything is. I wonder if the people will look at me differently or tell the guards as soon as I’m seen, I hope not. I hear a loud, powerful noise, and I look out of the window to see Eyera cars speeding towards the city, their fast cars zooming like lightening, the driver looks in his rear-view mirror.

  “That is the fourth car I’ve seen today. I wonder what has happened; someone has done something wrong for them to send out more than one car,” he says.

  “You’re right, maybe something bad has happened in the city or Nisahles,” I say.

  “Shouldn’t you be in the city too?” he asks.

  “I’ve been assigned to check out Siver,” I say.

  The driver looks away and it goes back to silence.

  My head is everywhere, I’m thinking about Eyera and then I’m thinking about Cyren, Raiya, Parrish, Orin and Avra, who wanted me to kill her, I couldn’t do that, I can’t have her blood on my hands.

  I let out a small sigh and look out of the window to see the bus stop coming up, finally in Siver, I feel weird about it. The bus stops, and I get up walking to the doors. The bus leaves letting out warm air on my legs. I look down the pathway and home is at the other end. I walk down the path feeling blue more than anything, I thought I feel anxious or worried, but I don’t, I don’t feel any butterflies, it’s an empty hole that feels nothing. Most people are in bed, there are an odd few people out, but they don’t stop to look up, busy getting on with the jobs they have to do. I run to my house and stop in front of it. I look at my house for a mome
nt. I thought I never see this place again. I dash to the back, climbing up the vines. I push open the window and enter into my bedroom, a sweet smell travels to my nose, a brisk of coldness lingers around. My room hasn’t been touched at all, only clouds of dust lodged in, as much as I want to absorb this moment a little longer, I know I can’t, they could be here any moment now. I pull a bag from underneath my bed grabbing the essentials and important things I need; I’m not sure where I would go, but I know this place is dangerous for now unless Eyera has already been here. I look in every room to find clothes tossed around, picture frames smashed, but they aren’t in here. I make my way downstairs pictures slant and some have been knocked off. I hear noises coming from the living room and slowly open the door, but I don’t see them, the sound from the TV is about Eyera Corporation, Miss Katherine Bennett talks about order and other nonsense, seeing her makes me see red, I hate her, so, so much.

  Footsteps hit the floor alarming me straight away, and I turn to face two Eyera guards with guns in their hands.

  “Subject 1444, Acelyn Shader, put your hands in the air and get on your knees,” he orders.

  I reach into my pocket only having a blade, knife vs. guns I don’t exactly have a fair chance. They both see me reach for my pocket and they hold their weapons tighter.

  “Don’t make us shoot you,” he shouts.

  They raise their guns, and I see their fingers getting close to pulling the trigger, their faces drop and their eyes close as someone hits them at the back of their heads, the two guards fall knocked out, behind them stands a boy, a boy who I thought I never see again, Hunter. He drops my father’s bokken and is stunned, his mouth drops open and then he brings it up into a smile. He walks carefully and then paces and wraps his arms bringing our bodies closer. He tightens the hug afraid of letting go, he doesn’t want to lose me ever again. My hands stick to my side, and I stiffen at his touches feeling odd. Hunter pulls away and caresses my cheeks, his fingers slowly move across my face and down to my bottom lip, Hunter looks at my lips and leans forward connecting his on mine, he brushes my lips so soft and gentle; he doesn’t deepen the kiss, but he savours it. It’s sweet, passionate and he tasted like smoke. I’m shocked. Hunter cups my cheeks sweetly, but I don’t kiss back, I don’t know how to react, stunned by his sudden movements. My brain is full of confusion, and my body is in another world with mixed feelings. I’ve never kissed anyone. Hunter pulls away gently, his eyes are glossy and red. I stare at him he looks like hell, looks like he hasn’t slept for weeks, he looks scruffy, tired and broken but a little part of him gets mended.

  “You’re here,” Hunter’s voice cracks.

  A small smile makes its way on my face but also pains me. This is the boy I’ve missed so much, someone I thought about every day even when I didn’t want too; I thought I lost him. For good.

  Hunter stares deeply, he puts his hands on my shoulders and face changes.

  “Acelyn,” Hunter says worriedly.

  He steps closer studying me from top to bottom and looks into my soul.

  “What have they done to you?” he whispers.

  Hunter sees everything that I have been through, he sees the beatings they gave me, the torture I have been through, the suffering and misery, he sees the deaths, people I’ve killed, he sees the horrors, and he sees the nightmares that have kept me up all night. But there is one thing he can’t see anymore … and that is me.

  “Acelyn,” he says again.

  I turn away quickly avoiding him. His hands creep on my shoulders.

  “Don’t Hunter,” I say sharply.

  “Just don’t,”

  I cannot re-live it. I don’t want to.

  Hunter keeps quiet not looking away from me. His stare is too much; it’s kind, warm and protective.

  “Hunter, where are my parents and Hadrian?” I ask changing the subject.

  Hunter kisses his teeth and put his hands in his pockets.

  “Your family is fine. They are in Wister with a friend,” he says.

  “So they are safe,” I say.

  Hunter’s face changes dramatically, a significant amount of horror.

  “There’s something else,” he says looking down at the floor.

  I quirk an eyebrow. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper, and I look at him in confusion.

  “Acelyn, what happened? How did you get out? What did you do?” he says sternly.

  I accept the piece of paper and unfold it, and I read the bold unrecognisable letters.

  ‘It’s coming for you.’

  My heart doesn’t freeze nor does it speed up, my body doesn’t shake with fear, my blood doesn’t run cold, and I don’t feel pale.

  “Who sent this to you and what do they mean?” Hunter says.

  I lick my lips and narrow my eyes.

  “The Director is coming.”

  End of book one.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Working on this story has been phenomenal. Getting to know Acelyn and understanding who she is and what she will do for family. Acelyn is not just a fictional character; she is someone who has always been with me every step of the way, and I’m glad she has a voice.

  I would like to say a massive thank you to those that have supported me.

  A big thank you to Jade Schiniou for designing my character Acelyn, and a massive thank you to Sean Strong for a fantastic book cover.

  I like to say thanks to my mum and step-dad for putting up with my rambles about this book. Thank you for hearing what I had to say and giving me ideas. You don’t know this, but I admire you both. Love you both so much.

  I like to personally thank my brother Callum, who is my biggest inspiration. Your love and wisdom have taught me so much over the years, and you are the reason why I count my blessings. You inspire me to create and chase my dreams everyday, thank you for helping and believing me.

  I love you forever and always.

  I would like to say thank you to the rest of my family.

  You are all wonderful, talented and beautiful humans.

  I love you all endlessly.

  Thank you to my editor for going through this story, and helping me to shape it and making it the best it can be. I have learnt a lot, and I still got a lot of learning to do, and I’m so excited to learn more.

  Thank you to my lovely friends for supporting and encouraging me. It means so much, and I am excited for you to be a part of this journey, even if you don’t know it. I am proud of you all.

  And last but not least, thank you, the reader. For picking up this book and taking your time to read it.

  Thank you so, so, so much.

  - It doesn’t matter how dark your path is, always remember that light wins. Always. Find your light and hold it tightly and never lose it. -

  - Always create - Always be kind - Always love -

  With love.

  ~

  B.L. Johnston