The Tainted (The Tainted Series Book 1) (9 page)

“I’ve got to get some things done before the end of the day,” Maverick mumbled as they walked into the house through the garden door. His face had gone hard and he refused to make eye contact with her. “The kitchen is in the other wing on the first floor. Etain will help you with dinner.” Then, without another word, Maverick turned and headed off down the hallway.

“Thanks.” Rebecca muttered sarcastically, as her anger surged up in her chest. How could he be so rude to her after everything she’d been through?

Rebecca spun around and marched down the hallway toward the kitchen, repeatedly clenching and releasing her hands at her sides. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, Maverick had gotten under her skin. She stopped for a second as she approached the kitchen and shook her head, trying to throw away the rush of emotions he’d caused in her. She wouldn’t allow him to make her feel like this again.

Inside the kitchen, Rebecca saw all the others, even Faolan, had joined for dinner. Somehow Etain had managed to pull together a delicious meal of eggplant parmesan and fresh green salad.

The group ate unceremoniously, each perched in various spots around the kitchen, as they laughed and joked with each other. Owen was by far the funniest, making the others laugh so hard that they could barely eat their food. But he wasn’t the only comedian, as everyone took part in playfully berating each other, swapping stories of past antics.

Although Rebecca laughed at the jokes, she stayed mostly silent, quietly watching them. They all seemed so happy and close, like they really were family. Rebecca felt touched that they’d accepted her so readily, brought her into their group without a hesitation, but she struggled to do the same. She’d spent so much of her life keeping people out that now she’d placed a distance between herself and others. As nice as the crew was, she wasn’t ready to fully trust them.

After the meal, Rebecca thanked Etain for the food, said goodnight to everyone, and headed to her room alone. It was late, and it had been such a long, eventful day that all she wanted to do was lie down and pass out. But she’d barely made it into her room when she suddenly felt like someone was behind her.

Rebecca turned around to see Faolan leaning up against her doorframe.

“You gonna be alright tonight?” Faolan asked. Her face was always so straight that Rebecca couldn’t quite tell if she was concerned or just simply checking in.

“I’ll be fine, I’m just tired.”

Faolan looked at her for a moment before continuing. “I’m down the hall from you. If you need anything, feel free to come ask me. I don’t sleep much.”

Rebecca chuckled cynically, “Nor do I.”

“Because of your dreams?”

Rebecca fell silent. As far as she knew, the others didn’t know about her ability. Had Maverick told them? And if so, how much did they know?

“Don’t worry, the others don’t know. Only Maverick, Etain, and I. I sensed it in you the moment we met in the woods. If it weren’t for my own ability, I never would have known…but your power was almost overwhelming. You shouldn’t be afraid of your ability though. We call them gifts for a reason.”

Rebecca looked away, unable to respond. She didn’t see her ability as a gift. In fact, it felt more like a curse, a plague she couldn’t cure herself of. She hated it, everything about it

“You’ll see in time. Goodnight, Rebecca.”

With a quick nod, Faolan disappeared down the hallway. After a moment, Rebecca turned back around and slowly started to get ready for bed, hoping that tonight she would be able to sleep peacefully.

The room was dark, almost pitch black except for the few rays of light that pierced through the barred window in the thick, wooden door. The walls were made of cold, heavy stones that were cemented together, giving the room an impenetrable feeling. Rebecca sat curled up in the back corner with her head resting on her knees, shivering from the chilly, damp air that surrounded her.

Suddenly, a loud clunk came from across the room, as a heavy metal bolt was pulled back. The rusty hinges on the door creaked heavily as it slowly swung inward, sending dancing flashes of torchlight cascading across the floor.

Rebecca kept her head down, listening as two different sets of footsteps entered the room. Then, once again, the door was swung shut and the bolt replaced.

“Are you done feeling sorry for yourself?” A harsh voice spat at her from near the door.

Rebecca looked up and met eyes with a harsh, tall man in a strict green uniform. She recognized him instantly as the man she’d seen in the woods before being taken. He was no less frightening now in the cell than he’d been in the forest. His face was thin, with cheekbones so sharp they threatened to pierce through his taut skin. He was older and thin, but held an air of power about him that made Rebecca cower. His mouth was a stiff, straight line across his face, and his dark brown eyes held nothing but hatred.

Rebecca shifted her gaze away from the imposing figure and scanned the area around her. She thought she had heard some other movement, possibly someone else entering the room, but her limited vision could see nothing in the darkness that surrounded her.

“I know you’re an impure, there’s no use trying to hide it.” The man stepped closer to her, slowly bringing his hands back and clasping them behind his back.

“I…I don’t know what you mean.” Rebecca’s voice wavered and she refused to meet the man’s gaze.

“Don’t play games with me girl, I don’t have the time,” he snapped back at her, taking yet another step closer.

Rebecca’s body started to shake with fear as she tried to press herself back even further into the corner. “Really…I don’t know what you want.”

Suddenly, the man made a swift movement with his arm and a thick vine shot up out of the ground, wrapped around Rebecca’s neck, and wrenched her into an upright position. She struggled against the tightening vine, pulling as it closed ever stronger around her throat, slowly closing off her airway.

The man took a final step toward her and leaned over until his face was only inches from her own. A malicious grin split his taut mouth as he watched her struggle. “You think you’re brave? I guess I’ll have to break you of that.”

The man stared at her a moment longer, watching her fight for air, then turned around and nonchalantly flicked his hand. The vine instantly loosened its grip and Rebecca fell to the floor, desperately gasping for air. As she lie trembling on the ground, waves of despair and terror washed over her, plunging her into a state utter panic.

Rebecca sat up with a jolt, breathing heavily as she frantically felt around her neck, making sure she was alright. It had only been a dream, a nightmare, but it had all been so real. She could still feel the vine’s unyielding grip around her throat as she slowly asphyxiated; see the evil man staring maliciously into her frightened eyes.

Goosebumps rose up on her flesh and she realized she was soaked in sweat. Looking down at the bed, she saw the covers had been torn off the mattress and pillows thrown on the floor. Clearly, she’d been thrashing in her sleep, though with all hope she hadn’t been screaming.

Slowly, Rebecca pulled her knees to her chest, curling up into a ball on the disheveled bed. This was not a gift, it was a curse, and one she wanted nothing more than to be free of.

How are you? How is school? With all the craziness going on in my life lately, I almost miss the monotony of it. But more than anything, I miss you.

I know I didn’t tell you much about why I was leaving town, but it was something I needed to do, and I’m glad you could understand that.

Life has been such a whirlwind since then, that it’s hard to believe it was only a month ago. I left town with Maverick, which you probably already figured out, since he’s been gone too. He knows about my parents, and where I can find them. He’s helping me uncover my past.

I’m living with him and his friends. You’d like them. They’re all orphans like me, and we all want to find our parents. It’s nice to have them around and they’ve taken me in as a member of their group, but it’s still not the same without you.

They’re teaching me to fight and defend myself. I know that probably sounds strange and, trust me, if I could get out of if, I would. But they say it’s for my own good. We spend every day, rain or shine, training out in the woods by the house. Etain, one of the crew, works with me, teaching me how to kick and punch and block, and whatever else she feels I need to know. She’s relentless, Emily! I swear, most days I can barely walk back out of the woods after we finish. But after a month of training, I’m actually starting to notice changes. I’ve got biceps--I mean real biceps. I didn’t even think that was possible.

I’m still getting my nightmares most nights. One of the crew members, Faolan, has been helping me. On nights where they’re really bad, she’ll come in and curl up on the end of my bed and sleep. It may seem weird, but having her there helps somehow. I don’t feel so alone and afraid.

Except for Faolan, no one else here knows about my dreams. And I haven’t even told her what I dream about. As much as I trust and like everyone here, I’m just not ready to tell them yet.

As for Maverick, I barely see him. He’s obviously avoiding me for some reason and he needs to just man up and talk to me. I’ve seen him in the hallways a few times over the past month, and he’ll just stare at me in shock for a moment before mumbling some lame excuse and rushing off. I swear, one of these times I’m just gonna deck him. With all this training, I’m betting I could knock him a good one. Maybe that’s a bit harsh, but he’s the one who brought me here and took me away from everything--including you. All because he promised he’d help me find my parents. I don’t see how that’s ever going to happen if he refuses to talk to me.

Still, as angry as he makes me, I miss having him around. There’s something different about him. Even though it’s hard for me to trust people, I trust him. I may be crazy for it, but I do. I just don’t know how long that trust will last if he doesn’t start talking to me soon.

I know you probably still have a lot of questions and that this letter hasn’t done much to explain what’s going on. But for now, I just need you to know that leaving was something I had to do for myself. Hopefully, someday, I’ll be able to better explain all of this to you. Until then, I need you to trust me and know that I’m alright.

Please tell Ingrid and Thomas that I’m so sorry for leaving, and I miss them very much.

Not a day goes by where I don’t wish you could be here with me. I miss you more than anything, Emily. I hope everything is going well for you. I’ll try to write you as often as I can.

Your sista’ from another mista’,

Becs

The sun had yet to light the horizon outside of Rebecca’s window. It was barely three in the morning, but she knew she wasn’t going to be able to get back to sleep. She’d had the dream about the horrible prison cell again. It had felt so real. The vine wrapping around her throat, completely cutting off her air. Watching helplessly as the menacing soldier smirked down upon her while she struggled for breath. She was having the nightmare at least once a week now, and every time she awoke from it she found herself fighting for air and drenched in sweat. While none of her dreams were pleasant, this one was by far the worst.

Faolan usually came in and helped her get back to sleep, but she had left the day before to patrol the surrounding woods. Trysten had spotted boot prints out in the trees a few days earlier, and Maverick was worried a scout was closing in on them.

When she’d left, Faolan had taken the letter Rebecca had written to Emily, and promised to mail it for her. Etain didn’t want her writing to Emily, in case the letter was intercepted somehow, but Rebecca needed to contact her friend. It had been over a month since she’d left Cle Elum, and she knew Emily would be extremely worried.

Faolan had agreed to send the letter only if Rebecca didn’t use her real name, and if there was no return address on the envelope. Rebecca knew Faolan was taking a great risk for her, and she could not have been more grateful to her new friend.

Rebecca’s panting breath finally slowed, but her dream had left her anxious and afraid. There was only one place that would make her feel better right now. She crawled off of her bed, grabbed the thick woolen sweater hanging on the back of her door, and pulled on her sneakers.

Being as quiet as she possibly could, Rebecca tiptoed out of her room and down the stairs. Etain would completely freak out if she caught Rebecca slipping out into the woods, especially with the possibility of a scout being out there. Even Rebecca realized that going into the forest was probably pretty stupid, but she felt like the house was suffocating her. She needed the stillness of the woods, the chill of fresh air in her lungs, and the calmness of the trees to help her mind return to normal.

Rebecca snuck out the door at the end of the first floor hallway and quickly made her way through the back garden. With each breath, a white cloud curled out of her mouth as she walked in the brisk fall air, the frosted ground crunching beneath her feet. The weather had been getting steadily colder. As warm as the summer had been, it seemed that the winter was going to be unrelentingly bitter.

She walked out of the garden and into the forest, picking her way through the pine trees and out to the large rock that Faolan usually used as a perch while surveying the woods. When she reached it, Rebecca gripped onto the cold stone and, using the cracks Faolan had showed her, hoisted herself up onto the top.

The rock felt cold beneath her as she lay down, but it was refreshing. Even the goosebumps that were rising up on her flesh invigorated her. Rebecca took a deep inhale and then let the air pass slowly from her lungs, watching the white mist that swirled past her lips.

She closed her eyes and listened to the world around her. The forest was so quiet, not even a breeze danced among the branches above. After a few moments of silence, a calmness drifted over Rebecca and her clenched muscles finally relaxed.