***
Anna lowered the pipe that had inflicted the sedative-coated dart. ‘I’m sorry Emily, but it was my job to make sure he did not escape.’
‘I–I know,’ Emily stammered, as she made her way over to Steven. She sat down next to him and studied his now calm and innocent expression. ‘I’m glad you did it. I would never be able to contain him against his will. He’s going to hate us.’
Anna made her way over, and folded her arms in front of her chest. ‘They all forgive in the end.’
‘I’m not as sure as you are about that,’ Emily sighed.
‘No-one likes being confined. All new changelings always feel unbeatable. He’ll get over it.’
‘Maybe,’ Emily remarked, deep in thought. ‘I just hate the way it’s done.’
‘It’s for his own good.’
‘Really, for his own good?’ Emily snapped, coming out of the trance. ‘Not for the good of the community? I hate my life here. Everything I am, I hate. I can’t lie to my own son. I can’t tell him it’s all wonderful. I don’t want to be here, why should he? We should have let him run; we should have let him decide his fate. Perhaps death is a better option than this existence.’
Anna’s eyes widened. In a quiet voice, she asked, ‘Do you really think that? Has your life been that terrible?’
Emily studied the ground for a moment. She lifted her head, eyes narrowed, her hands in fists. ‘No, it’s been worse. You have no idea, no-one ever understood. I did not want this,’ she spat, her nostrils flared.
‘I feel sorry for you. You are what you are and so is Steven. Maybe for him, you should make an effort to fit in. Maybe you should try to accept some of the advances you get – I know you have rejected many admirers. Move on with your life – help Steven make the best of his.’
‘Maybe,’ Emily replied, deflated.
Anna did not get her. ‘Let’s get on with it, and get him home. The last thing we want is to have to sedate him again.’
Emily nodded and waited in silence.
With great care, Anna lifted Steven off the floor and cradled him in her arms. Emily did not look like she could carry him in her current state and it was definitely time to go.
Chapter 40
Getting A Part Of Your Life Back
Steven opened his eyes and looked around, confused again. He could feel himself being jostled around as though he was on water.
He saw Emily in front of him. They were on a boat of some sort. She smiled, wary, then spoke to someone behind him. ‘He’s awake.’
It had to be Anna.
‘Steven, I’m very sorry to have had to sedate you, but you made things difficult for yourself. We will be back in a few hours so I suggest you stay put and don’t try anything funny. I’m sorry, but I had to tie you up.’
Anna did not sound sorry to him.
‘You’re a liability out in the open. We do everything it takes to protect our way of life,’ Anna said.
He did not care what she thought. With deep loathing, he scowled.
‘I’m sorry,’ Emily muttered, her eyes glazed.
Any emotion was wasted on him.
‘I’ll never accept this,’ Steven slurred, as he turned away and closed his eyes.
*
Emily gave Steven a gentle shake to rouse him. The ropes that bound him were gone. With a grunt, Steven opened his eyes, looked at her and narrowed his eyes. Emily gave a half smile as she stood next to her sister. Side by side, they waited. With limited choices, Steven got up and shuffled to the door, a permanent scowl on his face. His mind whirled in confusion. There was so much to take in and so little explanation. It looked like they were back in the community – his prison.
They had drugged him. Even if his own mother had not drugged him, he knew she was in on it. She was a far cry from the only mother he’d ever known. He would give anything to have Clara back.
‘So, where to now? Are you always going to drug me every time I don’t do what you want?’ he growled. He was surprised at the venom in his tone.
‘If we have to,’ Anna said. A nervous chuckle followed.
‘It’s not a joke,’ he snapped.
‘Don’t bother trying to look threatening, I am much stronger than you,’ Anna added, as she rolled her eyes. ‘You are not the first, or the last, to be drugged. We do everything it takes to protect our family. You will learn our way of doing things – in time.’
‘But I will get stronger,’ he stressed, defiant.
‘Yes, but not yet. Let’s go.’ Turning towards a set of double doors, she walked away from him. It was obvious he had no choice in the matter – he had to follow.
Emily gave him a fleeting look as she followed her sister.
Resigned to his present fate, he moved.
Anna keyed in a password. A loud click gave them access to the lit tunnels on the other side. After walking for about twenty minutes they began a steep ascent. At the top of the narrow corridor an archway engraved with the words the gift of life offered the last obstacle.
‘Are you ready?’ Anna asked, her face transformed into an overenthusiastic smile.
Steven thought she was trying too hard. ‘You make it sound like something exciting.’
‘Your new life will be exciting,’ Anna added, full of confidence.
Through the archway, Steven frowned. It looked like a hotel lobby. The chairs and tables around the room were exquisite. Crafted out of wood, they must have been made by someone skilled in the art of carpentry. A drinks area to his right was surrounded with snacks ranging from sandwiches, to cakes, and biscuits. Starved, Steven walked over, ignored the people sitting around the room and stuffed three biscuits in his mouth at once. He picked up a glass jug filled with a red, translucent liquid and took a huge slug. He was famished and thirsty.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sensed someone coming closer to him. Like a wild animal, he sprung back, fixed against the wall. A familiar voice surprised him.
‘Steven, is that you? You look terrible.’
He tried to relax when he realised it was Jensen.
‘Come and sit down. You’ve been through a lot,’ Jensen said. With a clenched fist he nudged his shoulder. ‘I promise, it all gets easier from here. You’ll see.’
Steven wanted to go with his old friend. He wanted to believe nothing had changed between them. But, a lot had happened. Nothing was the same. ‘How can I trust you?’
Jensen laughed. ‘We’re all in this together. We have to earn our trust, right?’
‘You sure do.’ Steven walked alongside him. The sedative had knocked the life out of him and he was still reeling from the effect. ‘I need to sit down.’
‘I guess you tried to escape from them?’ Jensen mocked.
‘You too?’
Jensen laughed again.
‘I’m glad I amuse you,’ Steven remarked sarcastically.
Jensen sat next to him, his arm casually placed over the sofa cushion. ‘Everyone does it. Instinct, I guess.’
‘They forgot to tell us about that one,’ Steven sulked.
‘To be honest, I did not try to escape. I wanted to come back, for personal reasons.’
‘Susanna,’ Steven stated, with a shrug.
Jensen blushed slightly. ‘Maybe. Anyway, I just fancied a run. They did not let me get far,’ he laughed. ‘It’s a hell of a shot. It took me three days to feel normal again.’
‘Something else to look forward to,’ Steven sighed.
Steven noticed Emily approaching out of the corner of his eye. He hoped she did not intend to help him again. She spoke to Jensen.
‘Jensen, can you help Steven to settle into his new accommodation?’
‘It’s the least I can do. We are family after all,’ Jensen bantered.
‘Great, thanks,’ she said.
Steven refused to look at her.
‘Right, see you later,’ Emily added, regret thick in her voice.
Jensen changed the subject; he was good at steering a
way from awkward discussions. ‘So, are you ready to see your new room?’
Steven could not help wondering if Jensen knew Emily more than he let on. Ignoring the suspicion, he replied. ‘Sure, so long as it has a bed where I can rest, I’ll be happy.’
‘Oh, you’ll be happy,’ Jensen remarked. The way he raised his eyebrows made Steven wonder what Jensen was up to now.
Steven doubted anything about his new accommodation would be exciting. The fact Jensen looked smug, and kept giving him little amused glances made him remotely curious. En route to the usual accommodation area, they suddenly forked to the left not right, as he had grown accustomed to. After passing a few curtained entrances, they got to a room with a black door – at least his room had a door. It was a welcome relief. Jensen opened it and stepped aside. He wanted Steven to walk in first.
As he stepped into the room Steven was completely taken aback. All of his memorabilia from his old life was neatly placed everywhere. His old bed covers lay on the bed with his pillow. His books, CDs, DVDs, and even his old board games were stacked on a bookshelf in the far corner. A 32 inch flat screen TV sat happily on a large stand, with his Nintendo Wii console, Xbox 360 and his old games opposite his bed. It was like walking into a different, yet familiar version of his old room. The most important item they had included was a picture of him with his dad. With obvious consideration, it had been placed on the beautifully carved, wooden bedside table.
‘That was my favourite picture,’ Steven said out loud.
‘I’ll leave you to it,’ Jensen said. In a split second he was gone.
Pride made Steven swallow the tears building up. He took a deep gulp to appease the gigantic lump settling in his throat. Had it not been for his incredible control of emotions, he would surely have burst into tears. Instead, he made his way over to the bed, sat down and picked up the frame. After studying it for a few minutes, he lay back on the bed and closed his eyes.
***
Jensen knew Steven was best left alone. The creature comforts would improve his mood.
Pushing the curtain aside, he walked into the room. ‘Emily?’
Emily popped her head out of the side room. ‘Did he like it?’
‘I think so.’
Emily gave a relieved smile. ‘Anything to make him feel at home.’
‘Anyway, I’ll keep an eye on him for you, like I promised.’
‘Thanks, Jensen.’
Jensen turned around to leave.
‘How are you coping with the change?’ Emily asked.
‘Fine, it’s like nothing has really happened. My appetite is not like it used to be. I guess that’s normal. I am developing an infatuation with monkey blood.’
Emily laughed. ‘If you need to talk I’ll always be here for you. You are a great friend to Steven – he needs that right now.’
Jensen smiled and turned to walk out. When he glanced back, he saw signs of apprehension in her face as she stared away deep in thought. She was obviously worried. He was not surprised. He was not the only one wondering if Steven would be any different to the rest of them. Time would tell.
***
Steven had not been able to sleep. He had closed his eyes and tried, only to fail. There were too many thoughts swishing around in his head. The picture in the frame had been taken the day he obtained his A-level results – it had been a great day. He missed his dad, he missed his life. In truth, he still could not get Catlin out of his mind. His collection of books beckoned, so he got up and made his way over. Sentimentally, he picked up his favourite, A Time to Kill by John Grisham. As he flicked through the pages, he wondered if it was his time to kill.
A distinctive smell made his stomach churn. It was an interesting scent. He got up and tried to figure out where it was came from. His eyes focused on the chest of drawers. Someone had left a bottle and a glass. Scrunching up his nose, he studied the bottle. A piece of paper was folded up under the bottle with his name on it. Curious, he opened it and read two simple words, ‘Drink me.’
A reluctant smile graced his face. It was Alice in Wonderland all over again, cute.
With some luck, it would not shrink him.
He pulled out the cork and was instantly overcome by a scent so sweet and delectable that he drank straight from the bottle, unable to wait. The liquid gushed down his throat. Instant gratification for his thirst. Once finished, he wiped his mouth and felt an instant rush. He bounced off the floor and smiled. He doubted he’d want to know what was actually in the bottle. Energised, he ventured out to ascertain the time of day. The lights were still on around him, which made him assume it was daytime.
Now his thirst was appeased, food was his next priority.
Chapter 41
Anger
With caution Steven retraced his steps and made his way to the main food hall. From the entrance, he saw Jensen sitting with the others at their usual table. The hall was busy which meant that it was actually food time; he still maintained his impeccable timing.
Jensen got up to greet him, ‘The prodigal son returns again.’
Steven smirked and replied, ‘I could say the same for you.’ He glanced at Susanna, Gideon, Kayla and a new boy that he did not know as they sat around the table.
Jensen was about to place his hand on his shoulder when he stopped himself. ‘Sorry Steven, I would normally place my hand on you, but at the moment, you smell like, really bad.’
The others giggled and held their noses as a joke.
Steven laughed, at ease for the first time in ages. ‘I know I need to freshen up, but food was my first priority.’
‘Don’t let us stop you,’ Susanna teased, waving him on with her arms held high.
At the food counter, he became aware of the fact that he was drawing a lot of attention. It was making him paranoid. What was disconcerting was the fact that he did not know if they were looking at him because of his bad smell or because he had changed and was here to tell the tale. Not wanting to hang around, he took a couple of steaks and a jacket potato and hastily smothered them in a mushroom sauce. Then he made his way back.
Immediately after sitting down, he started to wolf down the food.
‘Slow down tiger, you’ll get indigestion,’ Jensen remarked.
Steven found this hysterical, and burst out laughing. ‘That’s the least of my worries.’
‘But what other worries could you possibly have?’ Susanna’s eyes were wide, startled.
Steven stopped putting food in his mouth, chewed slowly, and stared at her. Her innocent comment had inadvertently tipped him over the edge.
‘What could be more worrying than knowing that my life can go on forever? Isn’t the whole point of human existence to live, learn from our past, and pass on our knowledge and understanding to the next generation? What is the point of my existence now? You have not changed. You have no idea what you are up against. Our whole existence is wrong – don’t you get it?’
Jensen held up his hand and scowled. ‘Enough.’
Susanna’s bottom lip started to wobble.
Steven continued, angry at the fact that no-one was told that they would feel like caged animals, ‘Why do we not explain that…?’
‘Stop,’ Jensen interrupted again, standing up. ‘Just because you don’t understand your existence, does not mean you have to judge ours. Speak to one of the originals if you want to vent – don’t pick on someone like Susanna. She has done you no harm, other than to try to be your friend.’ Jensen placed his hand on Susanna’s shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze.
Steven finished off his mouthful, grimaced at the show of affection, and got up. ‘I’ll go and shower.’
As he walked through the hall, he could sense the stares like prickles on the back of his neck. In a move totally out of character, he turned and shouted, ‘I have changed. I am one of you. Now stop staring at me and leave me alone!’
Everyone paused, frozen by his outburst. Steven grunted and stomped off like a petulant child. A fire deep withi
n him was burning out of control.
The sound of gushing water gave Steven some much needed comfort. The texture of the rock fascinated him. Its sharp edges contrasted with its smooth shiny face. It was amazing how sharp his vision had become. His hearing also seemed magnified. The change was making everything different. It was like for the first time, he knew how to listen, to see, and to taste. Only now could he appreciate how predators used their senses to find unsuspecting prey.
Instinct. It was definitely a powerful commodity.
With a sigh of relief, he stripped off without a further thought and launched himself into the lukewarm water.
At least he was alone.
Under the waterfall, he closed his eyes and tried to forget. After a few minutes, he raced towards the larger expanse and forged ahead, as his powerful muscles took the strain with ease. When he touched the cave wall, he yelled in euphoria.
Speed – the ultimate adrenaline boost.
Disappointment followed. An escape route would have made his sense of freedom complete. Unfortunately, there seemed to be no options open.
With a huge intake of air, he dived under the water to see how deep it went. After swimming for what seemed like minutes, he finally touched the bottom and looked up. He was really far down. He could run out of air before he got back up. The thought of drowning was a good one. It would be an easier way out of his messy existence. As he sat on the bottom, waiting, it dawned on him – he had not run out of breath. He took a gulp of water and blew it out of his nose. It was strange. He was energised not drowned. Fascinating. Somehow, he was able to swallow water, obtain the oxygen from it and release hydrogen gas. Incredible, another new talent.
Another adrenaline surge led to him swimming like a dolphin underwater. In no time at all, he managed to reach the bubbling water under the waterfall. It had to be at least a couple of pool lengths away. As he flipped out to break the surface, his head met the shower of water and he felt rejuvenated. Perhaps he was not in a hurry to return to his former life yet. There was a lot to explore. He cringed as he remembered his outburst – it was highly embarrassing. Jensen had been right. Susanna had done nothing to incur his wrath.
Even though he could have stayed there for days, he decided to face the music and return. Once out of the water, he grabbed his clothes and started to get dressed.