Beasts and Savages (The Beastly Series Book 1) (30 page)

“What about this one?” I handed him the book on natural remedies.

He shook his head. “Never seen it before. I 'm already training with my father to become medicine man. Why do you want me to know these books?”

I picked up the book Striker had put down. “Having a baby is a medical condition. It can be dangerous. Deadly. Some of these girls may have more than one baby, which is even more dangerous. I need someone who can help. Someone who understands medicine and can direct others.”

His features became serious. “I can learn this and help. How many weeks do I have?”

“You have months, but you’re going to need help. Striker tells me that Tanner and Miller can read very well and would be best suited for assistants.”

“Assistants?” Flynn raised an eyebrow. His blue eyes sparkled. “They follow my direction?”

I laughed. “Yes, they follow your directions.”

“What if they don't?” he challenged.

“Then you can find assistants that will.” Striker inhaled sharply at my words. I gave him a look that meant I wasn't fooling. I waited on Flynn's response. He was examining the book I held, and didn't seem ready to answer, but I could tell he was intrigued by my bold response.

“Okay.” Flynn agreed. “But I need to read about this before I take on assistants. I want to get started as soon as possible.” His deliberate way made me like him. He helped Striker and me load up the books and take them downstairs. We set Flynn up at a table near the back of the bunker, and he sat there for the rest of the day, going through books and underlining things with a pencil.

While the other boys ate in a circle on the floor, he carried his food back to the table and studied while he ate. I took my plate and two cups of tea and joined him.  He looked up long enough to watch me move books and sit down across from him.

“No sugar. Sorry.” I sipped on my own mug of tea.

He made a face, but took a drink. “How’d you make this without fire?”

“Electricity. The stovetop works, but I'm afraid to try the oven.” I looked back at the kitchen. Boys were stacking dishes in a sink full of water. One boy poured boiled water onto them. I decided I’d ask Tanner for help with the water situation after I ate.

“Electricity. Hmm, I’ll ask about that later.” He looked away from his book long enough to scribble on a paper. I watched him, his careful deliberate movements, and the fluid movement when he stopped and scratched something on the paper. Something about him was familiar.

I thought back to my examination, the doctor with red hair and blue eyes that moved deliberately, like he did. Dr. Flynn. I hesitated, but finally spoke. “Flynn, I think I’ve met your mother.”

His eyes didn’t leave the page. “I don’t have a mother. I have my father, Torres, and he’s teaching me how to be a medicine man.”

“No, I mean… in the women’s city, there’s a Dr. Flynn and she looks like you-”

He flicked his blue eyes up for a second. “I said I don’t have a mother. I’m Torres’ son. Did you come here to annoy me, or could you answer some questions?”

I sighed. “What questions do you have?”

Flynn closed his book and rubbed his bloodshot eyes. It looked as if he had read half the books I had given him. The one closest to him was the guide to natural remedies. I had guessed he would read that first because it would be most familiar to him, but he was just getting to it.

“You change every month? On a schedule?” He watched me, undecided if I would answer.

“Yes. I can't control when it happens.  It's like I have something inside, controlling me.”

“Well, according to this book, you have a cycle. An inner clock. And it sounds painful.” His voice was soft, full of pity. “So does childbirth.”

“It is. But don't pity us. We’re strong. We’ve handled it for generations.” My voice was loud and other boys stopped talking long enough to listen.

He shook his head. “I'm not sure I can do what you’re asking of me. I’ve never heard of most of the medications listed in those books. We don’t have any of the medical equipment listed. There’s no place called hospital here. What you are asking, it’s too dangerous. What you said earlier was not a good description.”

“Don't you think I know that? We didn't ask to be here!” I pointed an accusing finger at him.

He stared at me. “I know. I'm sorry this has happened to you.”

“This isn't about me. It's about those girls. They need taken care of. They deserved better than to rot in a basement.” I was almost yelling and my face and cheeks warmed.

“I’ll do everything I can,” He whispered. I could tell that he meant it. He opened the book and went back to reading.

“Everything okay over here?” It was Tanner. There was a group of boys standing behind him. I didn't realize we’d had an audience. When I looked into the crowd, no one would meet my eye. It was obvious they had heard most of our conversation. My anger melted away and I gave Flynn an apologetic glance. It wasn't his fault we were in this situation.

“Tanner, can I talk to you?” My voice was just above a whisper. Miller shot me a look of disgust. I returned with one of loathing.

“Sure. Upstairs?”  Tanner's eyes lit up and I could tell he was relieved I was talking to him again.

“No, the generator room. I need help with the water,” I explained.

“Oh.” He led the way out of the room. Tanner pushed open the unlocked door to the generator and a mechanical hum filled the stairwell. The air was warm and dry, much warmer than the bunker. He flicked the light switch and closed the door behind us.

I walked around the small room. Lights on the panels flickered. There was a large book chained to a work area and I sat on the floor, searching it for any information on the water system. Tanner sat next to me and read over my shoulder.

“What are you looking for?” Though he had spoken loudly, it was hardly audible over the hum of the generator.

“Water. There has to be a way to turn on the water.” I flipped to the back, hoping there was an index.

“You really asked me to come here with you so I could help you get water?” Tanner asked. “We carry water every day.”

“I know, but this place was set up for running water. Running water would make things so much easier.”

“I thought you just wanted to spend some time alone with me.” Tanner didn’t bother to hide his disappointment as he pushed a stray hair away from my face.

“Don’t.” I grabbed his wrist. “I know what’s going on, and you can't claim me as yours. You know I won't get to choose for myself. And I don’t want to be owned.”

“Is that what you think? That I’m trying to own you? I know you. You're too spirited to be controlled that way. Besides, if you know that the Elders are going to force you into a-a relationship, why not with me?” He crossed his arms and added quietly, “I thought we were running away together.”

“Tanner you know that's what I want. But first, I have to help the girls. Then we escape.” I looked back down at the manual. Running water was the only thing I wanted to focus on. It meant I could take a shower, wash my hair, and even wash my clothes. Feel clean.

“What happens when we move the girls here? Are you still going to want to stay? Because we can’t take them all with us. Eventually, you’ll have to leave them.”

I blinked at him as the realization of his words washed over me. He was right. If I was going to leave here, not let the men control me, I’d have to leave the girls behind. I glanced at the floor, not ready to answer him.

“I’m leaving friends behind too, you know. And betraying my father.” He gave me a sideways look. His comment made me feel guilty. I thought that he wanted to leave, and I never considered it’d be hard for him.

Tanner stared at the wall across from us, chewing his lip. Suddenly, he stood and ran to a small metal door. “What does the symbol on the front of that manual look like again?” He brushed a mix of dust and rust off the front of the door.

“Looks like waves to me.” I flipped to the front of the book. “Why?”

“Lea, like this?” Tanner pointed to a symbol in the middle of the door.

I jumped up as he pulled it open. Inside was a wheel with a gauge in a semi-circle above it. It was labeled ‘water pressure’. He turned the wheel until it groaned and the arrow on the gauge pointed straight up.

“Tanner you did it! You found the water!” Excitement washed over me. Running water was the first thing I missed, after the people I loved. Just thinking of hot water running through my hair, down my back, scalding my skin bright pink made me sigh. I smiled dreamily at the gauge.

“You really like running water.” He laughed. “I’m not even sure I fully understand it, but it must be very exciting.” His eyes twinkled.

“Thank you! You have no idea what this means!” I wrapped my arms in a loose hug around his neck and bounced up and down on my toes.

“You're welcome.” He smiled. His arms wrapped me closer and he bent his head down, kissing me hard. He tasted of tea and salt, his lips still warm and soft despite the force. I unwrapped my hands from his neck and placed them on his chest, trying to push him back. Without pulling away, he moved his hand to the back of my head and held it still. He snaked his other arm around me, and lifted me off the floor. I pushed harder to wedge some space between us, but he was strong and wouldn’t let go.

His kiss was full of want and need. I could feel his heart racing under the hand trapped between us. He pulled back long enough to take a quick breath before kissing me again. The second one was softer, gentler. Butterflies rose from the pit of my stomach. Before I knew what had happened, I found myself returning his kiss. When he pulled away, a moan escaped my lips.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered in my ear as he let me go. “You just looked so– so- happy. I -” Tanner shook his head instead of speaking. He turned toward the door. I stood, trembling, and watched him as he left.

CHAPTER 18

~ Escape Plan ~

“Lea, wake up,” Tanner whispered.

He was shaking my shoulder. I opened my eyes and tried to focus in the darkness. His head looked like it was floating in the shadowy room. I pushed myself up and hung my legs over the edge. Once I had the water running and tested, I stayed up half the night to clean the bathrooms and show the other boys how it worked. I never got my shower, and when I had finally come to bed, I found Tanner asleep in his bunk. A pillow and blanket had been left on the bunk above him for me.