Eyera (The Eyera Series Book 1) Page 5

“I don’t see anyone, are you sure?” he says like I’m crazy.

  “I wouldn’t make it up,” I snap, feeling frustrated.

  “Hey calm down, it’s okay,”

  “No it isn’t, she looked hurt Hunter, we should do something.”

  “Acelyn I know your heart is in the right place and want to do the right thing, but what could we possibly do?”

  “At least something,” I say as I get up.

  Hunter pulls me back to the seat putting his hands on my shoulders.

  “Relax, we are nearly there.” he soothes.

  I sigh, rubbing my temples, how can I relax? She looked troubled and no one bats an eye. Two white Eyera cars speed like lightning, windows tinted and doors black. They whiz past roaring loudly. It gets Hunter’s attention and he automatically looks out of the window, same with the people.

  “Something bad has happened,” he says.

  The only time Eyera use these sort of cars if someone is on the run, the cars are sonic fast and slick too, they have blinding lights that can light up the field – they’re that powerful. The front of the car looks unusual; it’s carved in and quite low to the ground. This girl has done something wrong for them to use these cars, they mainly use the bigger cars and vans.

  If she is caught, they most likely take her to Eyera Corporation and she is never getting back out the same. Hunter holds my hand squeezing it lightly bringing me back.

  “There’s nothing we can do,” he says.

  I hate those words. There has to be something we can do.

  People remain back in their seats muttering about what is going to happen to her.

  The bus slows down as we reach into the city. Doors open and we step off entering Elspeth City. We head inside the dome right at the back to another entrance, a lot of Eyera guards fill the city, holding weapons in their hands, some guards carry heavy black guns pressed to their chest. I don’t know what has happened here, but something has, it’s jam-packed with vans on patrol.

  Hunter pulls me through the surging crowd into Elspeth Circle, people stop in their tracks looking at the large monitor, a few talk amongst them, some people are worried, agitated and scared. The monitor turns on and a shield appears with the phrase Eyera Corporation, their logo, powerful music blares around the city, a traditional hymn. After a few minutes the logo fades and a woman walks into view and people flinch, I do too. Miss Katherine Bennett the Director’s assistant. The Director makes the rules and she enforces them anyway she likes.

  “Good morning citizens, it has come to my attention of people not obeying rules. If anyone is caught breaking the law, you will be punished severely,” she says drastically.

  She pauses for a minute.

  “You will not see another day,” she says through gritted teeth.

  “That is all.”

  And the screen fades out. The crowd part ways, Hunter and I look at each other feeling uneasy.

  “I hope I never meet her,” Hunter shivers.

  It’s odd to see Hunter scared, he rarely shows it, but this is Miss Katherine Bennett, she can make anyone cower just by looking at her.

  “Let’s sell this ring and get food and go, don’t think I can stay in this city much longer,” Hunter says.

  We walk by markets that sell clothes, fabrics, books, arts, and crafts but the ones that get to us the most are food markets. We walk by a bakery selling cupcakes and hot fresh bread; the smell is notorious melting our noses. Hunter and I could feel our feet lift up in the air and our noses following the smell like the cartoons, our stomachs howling like hungry wolves. We walk down a posh alley with higher and fancy stores, a store in the corner selling leather jackets and fur coats, looking at it makes me sick, it belongs to the animals, they should not be skinned at all. I just wish animals didn’t have to suffer horrendously. Hunter notices me feeling uncomfortable, and he places his hand in mine and firmly presses it. People sit outside a cafe sipping their coffee and eating fresh pastries, sending us dirty looks like we don’t belong in this part of the city.

  We get to a red shop with gold letters on top ‘Your finest jewels’ I look at the displays, diamond necklaces, diamond rings, gold rings, bracelets and watches costing a fortune. Hunter and I enter the store and the man at the counter look at us in disgust.

  The man is in a black suit, a white shirt and diamond crusted cuffs; his hair is tightly in a bun. Hunter walks to the counter, and I look at the display at the front. I’m not into fancy overpriced jewellery, but there is one that catches my eye, a citrine ring with a silver base, looking like it holds a little flame inside, it’s gorgeous. I’m so memorised about it I don’t notice Hunter and the man arguing.

  “Why would I want that? I have thousands of rings, what makes this one so special?” the man yawns, wiping the glass counter.

  Hunter lets out a cold cackle and pulls his lips back in disgust, he slams his fists on the glass, making it shudder.

  “You want to know why this ring is special?” Hunter says.

  “This ring belongs to my mother, that’s what makes it special.”

  “Kid, I don’t care for the story, I am not taking it,” the man says bluntly. The man puts the ring down on the counter, pushing it away.

  “Look, kid,” the man says leaning forward.

  “Business is tough as it is, I can’t do anything about it.”

  This makes Hunter shakes his head in disbelief.

  “You can’t or won’t,” Hunter spits making the man snarl.

  “Get out of my store, or I will call the guards.” he threatens.

  Hunter is about to respond again, but I step in.

  “Hunter stop, there is no point, you know what the guards will do.”

  Hunter looks at the man viciously and throws his hands up in the air, letting out a restless sigh and stomps out of the store. I turn to face the man and look him dead straight in the eyes.

  “He was willing to give up something so important so he could eat,” I say snatching the ring of the counter, marching outside.

  I run down the alleyway catching up with Hunter.

  “Hunter stop!” I shout.

  Hunter complies. His fists clenched tightly. I bring his hand up brushing my fingers along.

  “It’s okay,” I say.

  He lets out his anger and puts a smile on his face.

  “That guy is a jerk, shouldn’t let him ruin my day,” Hunter says.

  “Let’s go home, maybe this was a sign for me not to sell.”

  On the way back we don’t speak, Hunter fiddles with his fingers staring intensively, all we want to do is get home and forget the day, Elspeth is very draining.

  Hunter and I get off the bus and walk back home. I stop Hunter outside my house, and I can sense a bit of rage, I take his hand opening them up placing his mother’s ring in his palm brushing his knuckles.

  “Are you okay?” I ask.

  “I will be,” he says.

  “I see you soon Acelyn.”

  With that Hunter walks away.

  CHAPTER nine

  I climb the veins beneath my open window. Taking off my jacket and throwing it at the bottom of my bed, I remove my boots. I walk to Hadrian’s room checking on him, and he is sound asleep, his face is a little red. I walk on my heels to go to my room, but his voice stops me.

  “Acelyn,” Hadrian says sluggishly.

  I turn round to see him propping himself up on his elbow rubbing his eyes lazily; he takes a giant yawn and stretches.

  “You’re back,” Hadrian exclaims excitedly.

  “Of course why wouldn’t I be?” I say.

  He looks down, and plays with his fingers and shrugs. I sit on the edge of his bed, and he scoots a bit.

  “How was training?” I ask.

  “It’s horrible, how do you and Dad like it?” he says which makes me laugh.

  Something is troubling him, I know because of the night light is on.

  “Acelyn.”

  “Yeah?”

  �
��Could you sleep here tonight?”

  “You’re big boy, you don’t need me to sleep in here with you,” I say.

  Hadrian sticks out his bottom lip and looks down, trying to make me feel guilty and it works. I get under the covers and his lips peel, he fidgets getting into a comfortable position.

  “Why do you want me to sleep in here?” I ask which takes him a while to answer.

  “I had a nightmare again,” Hadrian shivers.

  I don’t know why I assumed Hadrian dreams peacefully, of course, he has nightmares.

  “He killed Mum and Dad,” Hadrian says.

  I’m alert.

  “He got a gun and shot them; it felt real. I couldn’t move. I froze, I did nothing to help, I just … stared,” he says.

  “Why did I stand there?”

  I hate seeing his nightmares eat him alive.

  “He said … he said that I am next and he put the gun to my head and pulled the trigger, and I woke up.” Hadrian voice cracks.

  I bring him into a tight and protective hug.

  “Shh it’s not real, you know that. He won’t hurt you, Mum or Dad, I promise you that. I won’t allow it.” I hush, stroking his hair.

  Hadrian melts into my hug, clinging tightly.

  “You said he? Who exactly?” I ask.

  Hadrian turns and parts his lips.

  “The Director,” Hadrian says small and innocently.

  “He is a scary man, Acelyn.”

  Hearing those words roll off his tongue churned my stomach, the fearful Director haunting dreams.

  “Did you see what the Director looked like?” I ask.

  I hate asking questions, but I heard it’s good to talk about nightmares, it’s supposed to help.

  “No, his voice was deep and daunting. It felt like a male he had that vibe. Do you think it’s a man?” Hadrian says.

  I shrug. Honestly, I’m not sure. Whenever I think about the Director all I picture is some monster, a creature, not human,

  “Let’s not talk about the Director, okay,” I say and Hadrian nods.

  He reaches for his night light and switches it off and turns on his side, snuggling under the quilts.

  “I love you.” Hadrian yawns.

  “Get some rest. I love you too, H.” I let him drift to sleep.

  I hate knowing Eyera haunts him in his dreams, and all I can do is make sure they don’t haunt him in real life. It’s difficult to shield him, but I will try my best to keep him safe and sound.

  CHAPTER ten

  For most of the night, I stay awake hugging Hadrian tightly not able to close my eyes, my mind stayed wide awake worrying about every little thing, food, parents, Hadrian, Hunter and the girl. I wonder what she did. I hope she made it out alive. I would run into the bushes across the field running over the hills, swim the ocean. But that would be stupid as I think deeper, they have cars, most likely have boats, and they have weapons and strength.

  Hadrian fidgets, face crinkling and body quivering. I put his hand on my own, pressing slightly bringing him closer. He talks in his sleeping telling Father he doesn’t want to train, he is tired and is sorry for letting him down. I don’t want Hadrian feeling that, if he’s worried now, I don’t want more added. Maybe I can convince Father to tone it down.

  I grab my bokken and tiptoe downstairs to be greeted by silence.

  I put on my boots and jacket and grab my satchel and head outside, refreshing and enjoyable crisp cold air hits me. I love cold mornings. I prefer winter than summer, winter is like an enchanting miracle whereas summer is too much. I don’t like roasting.

  I sit on the decking watching people wake up, doing their chores and daily routines. I wonder if these people get bored doing the same thing every day, I know I do.

  A young couple walks past with two buckets of water looking euphoric. I spoke to the guy once he is friendly, Hunter and he have this competitive thing going on, not sure what exactly, though, the man’s girlfriend is lovely too, she gave away most of her clothes to the elderly and made them hot tea with biscuits.

  “It’s the Johansson’s annual festival today, they are going to have heaps of food,” the young man says.

  “Do you think they will give us food?” she asks.

  “I hope so, if not we can ask to make a trade,” he says.

  I totally forgot about the Johansson’s festival; I thought it was next week, I haven’t been keeping track of time lately.

  The Johansson’s holds an annual festival in their mansion once every year; they are very, very, very wealthy. Everyone knows who they are and as soon as their annual festival is mentioned, everyone looses their minds, they get caught up and don’t think realistically. Only people in Nisahles and Eishen get invited, people from Siver and Wister don’t. Poor people like us don’t get invited to such events, but that doesn’t stop them from daydreaming. The only time anyone from Siver and Wister gets to go to the annual festival is to work, and even then they are not allowed to eat and talk. A lot of people will head up to Nisahles when the festival starts, queuing outside the gates worshipping them like they are Gods.

  I walk to a little market that is in the centred; many people can trade or help each other. The market is full of life early mornings setting up tents and tables. Thick ash lingers through the air mixed with tomato soup that a lady has prepared.

  I come across an old lady’s table to see she has seeds.

  “How much?” I ask.

  The old woman looks up, her greyish eyes narrowing and greasy hair is thin that it reveals her scabby scalp. She smacks her dry lips and her hands shake.

  “For you, child four silvers and three coppers,” she says croakily.

  I reach into my pockets feeling the coins scattering and fish them into my palms. Three silvers and one copper.

  “I’m sorry, I don’t have enough. What can I trade?” I ask.

  The old woman licks her lips, body rocking uncontrollably, she scratches her head, and bits of scabs fall on her shoulder, she eyes me up and touches my hand, she looks at my left leg, my blue ribbon flowing.

  “That fabric will be useful. How about that and the coins,” she says.

  I think for a moment as I look at my ribbon, it’s an obvious answer, no lie about that. I bend down slightly, but she stops.

  “Wait I changed my mind, how about that necklace?” she says.

  I take off my jewellery and give it to her.

  “I see you wear your ribbon every day, I don’t want to take it from you,” she smiles.

  “Pleasure doing business.”

  She puts the seeds in a small brown packet and hands it to me.

  “You too, thank you,” I say putting the seeds in my back pocket.

  I pass a group of chatting women hanging their clothes with smiles beaming about the Johansson’s.

  All I hear about is the Johansson’s festival, and I’m curious about it too, maybe there is a way to get in without an invitation. Our food is running low and we need to eat, the Johansson’s festival is the solution.

  It’s handy that I have seeds, but they are not going to grow magically overnight.

  I reach into my pocket pulling out the free pass tapping it lightly; it’s my only option, and it’s better than anything else I’ve come up with.

  CHAPTER eleven

  The bus is cramped with lots of people talking excitedly about the festival, showing off what they want to trade.

  I was going to invite Hunter along for the trip but decided against it; I don’t want him to get in trouble, it is selfish and unfair to do that to him. Hunter has other things to worry about and having him tag along and steal is a bad idea.

  Do I feel bad for what I am going to do? Not in the slightest, I know it’s wrong to steal, but I’m not doing it for fun, I don’t like stealing but when it comes to desperate times, there is no other option. And besides, the Johansson’s are the richest family they have food coming left, right and centre. I’m pretty sure they won’t notice a bit of food is
missing, besides I’ve sneaked in the Johansson’s before.

  I see Elspeth City and the bus stops, a lot of people get off probably getting something for the festival.

  I shuffle deeper into my seat and I sense the driver looking at me, he shakes his head and I do too.

  “Next stop is Nisahles, Siver citizens do not go up there, what is your purpose?” he says.

  “Business, my father sent me to give his crafting as he cannot do it today,” I respond.

  “Ah, you’re the daughter of the craftsman, very well. Next stop is Nisahles,” he says.

  Come to think of it Father is very well known.

  The tall buildings disappear into clouds and slowly the city too.

  As the bus gets deeper into its the journey, the surroundings change; colourful and vibrant flowers planted across the field and on the outskirts of the road, even the weather has changed, and it’s blazing, and I already regret wearing this jacket.

  The grass is lush, I’ve not seen it look alive, the sky has no cloud in sight. Everything is sparkling and clean, no broken or cracked roads. Have I entered into another world? Sure feels like it.

  The journey to Nisahles takes longer than I expected. Nisahles is a huge section with lots of towns. I’ve heard there is one town that is covered in gold. Everything. Their houses, their gardens, trees and roads. I haven’t been to other towns, only where the Johansson’s live.

  I look at the front window faint massive white mansions sit on hills, these mansions are so big that they can have seven families in it. Big families! They live like kings and queens.

  I walk over to the driver holding on the handles so I don’t fall, my mouth opens and eyes wide. This place is unbelievable, it has changed a lot since the last time I’ve been here. New mansions have been added; the electricity company has increased and they have added turbines.

  “Excuse me sir, could you drop me off here?” I ask.

  “We are nearly there,” he responds moving his head to the side.

  “What are you planning?”

  I bite my lip trying to think of a lie; I should have thought this through clearly.