Kora Exiled (Kora Series Book 2) Page 4

  Wreck finally removes his arm and sits up.

  “Kora,” he says sternly. “Pull yourself together. This is no time to fall apart. Tartis is planning to kill us. We need to be prepared.”

  He exits the room.

  He’s right, I think. I need to pull myself together.

  I close my eyes instead, willing myself back to sleep.

  CHAPTER 5

  When Gabriel visits me on the fourth night, I’m waiting for him. I stab him in the chest before he has a chance to grab my neck. He lunges forward, his arms reaching out for me. I withdraw the blade and stab him repeatedly until he drops at my feet.

  I awaken with a smile, feeling strong and energized.

  It’s still dawn, but I can’t remain in bed another second. Strange excitement fills my body like electricity. I guess there may be some advantages in being emotionally unstable. Suffering mood swings, you don’t remain happy or calm for too long, but you also can’t remain depressed more than a few days.

  I approach the window to take a peek outside. The sky is gray and an eerie fog snakes above the ground. I like it. I like creepy, weird things. Maybe that’s why part of me is drawn to Wreck.

  I smile and pull off my nightgown. I put my sports bra and pants on, lace up my boots and run outside. I need to burn off some energy.

  The woods are quiet. I sprint down a dirt path, my frizzy hair waving in the morning breeze. A startled rabbit crosses in front of me and a few birds take off from the brush. I laugh, waving to them, feeling ecstatic. Memories of long distance runs along the ocean shore flash across my mind. At least for the moment, these are only happy recollections.

  After a few minutes of running, I become short of breath and my legs begin aching. My shape is much worse than what it used to be. I slow to a casual pace the rest of the way.

  An hour later, I return to the house to witness a ridiculous scene. Wreck is doing push-ups in the front yard, with Maxine sitting on his back. I cover my mouth to suppress my laughter, watching them from the distance.

  “Damn you, Maxie,” he groans. “You’re heavy as a cow.”

  “Stop whining, boy,” she snorts. “C’mon. Give me twenty more.”

  “Goodness gracious! You’re killing me.”

  She rolls her eyes. “You’re such a cry baby! All right then, let’s spar.”

  They both rise to their feet.

  “That’s it, I’m gonna put you in your place,” Wreck threatens, curling his hands into fists. “You’ve been asking for it for a while now.”

  Maxine laughs. “Not in this lifetime, pumpkin.”

  He moves in toward her, throwing a few quick blows at her head. But she covers, blocking the punches, then slams a kick into his thigh. Wreck takes a couple steps back and lunges forward again. Maxine deftly moves off the line of attack and shoves him past. I’m watching them open-mouthed, unable to look away.

  “That’s enough,” she commands after a few minutes.

  “What am I doing wrong?” Wreck asks, breathing hard.

  “You’re dropping your left every time. Stop doing that, will you? And you’re telegraphing your movements again.”

  “Oh shoot,” he sighs. “All right, I got it. Let’s continue.”

  As I approach, they turn to face me. They’re both wearing face paint today, looking like twins, each dangerous and tough.

  “I’ll be!” Wreck chuckles. “Sleeping beauty finally woke up.” He waves to me. “Welcome back, badass!”

  “You feeling better, sweetie?” Maxine asks, stretching out her arms.

  “I feel great!” I exclaim, giving her a hug, something completely foreign for me. Wreck watches, grinning. He probably wants a hug too, but he’s not going to get one.

  “You look overheated,” Maxine says. “Like to go for a swim?” I nod and she commands, “Kris, you can tag along. You’re gonna make sure nobody bothers us.”

  “No problem,” he smiles.

  Maxine grabs my hand, leading me toward the woods. Wreck walks along behind, whistling. I realize I don’t have anything to swim in.

  “The water is very nice there,” she says. “You’ll love it.”

  “Um,” I mutter. “Okay.”

  We soon arrive at a large lake, and Wreck turns his back to us. Maxine begins undressing, and I can’t help from staring at her. Her body is curvy and stunningly beautiful, although she’s a bit overweight. Her arms and legs have nice strong muscles. I become very self-conscious of my own unattractiveness. I’m long, bony and flat-chested.

  “Go ahead, sweetie,” she encourages. “Don’t worry about that goofball. He won’t look.”

  “I can still hear you!” Wreck shouts. “Stop calling me names.”

  She shushes at him. I remove my clothes and slip into the water, which is pleasant and clean. Maxine quickly follows suit.

  After we swim far enough from the bank, I say quietly, “Maxie… Wreck’s real name is Christopher, right?”

  “Yeah. Why do you ask?”

  “His aunt called him Nicholas.”

  “Oh really?” She seems surprised. “That’s strange. Are you sure about that?”

  I mutter something incoherent because I’m not sure about anything. Could I have misunderstood Wreck’s aunt? Possibly.

  “Do you know anybody named Nicholas?” I ask.

  “No, I’ve no idea who that could be.”

  I bite my lip, puzzled, and glance back at Wreck. He’s busy entertaining himself by tossing a knife into a tree, his back turned to us.

  “Thanks for helping us,” I say. “I mean… I don’t think we could have killed Samuel or freed my friends without you. But why did you do it?”

  “I always wanted to do something great in my life,” she sighs. “Life in this village suffocates you. We’re too isolated. Nothing interesting ever happens here. Nothing to do. I believe that’s why many rangers turn to crime. They just don’t have a purpose. When your life is meaningless, you begin rotting from the inside. I want to be different.”

  “Is that why you didn’t join the rangers?”

  “It’s one of the reasons. I also don’t want to serve under Tartis.”

  We swim in silence for a while.

  Part of me regrets joining the roamers. It wasn’t really my decision. Wreck coerced me.

  “Do you think we could take Central Settlement?” I ask.

  “Well, we’d have to have an army,” Maxine smiles. “Two hundred rangers won’t win a battle like that. Although we do have a secret weapon. My brother is the legitimate high master of this land. People would follow him.”

  I’m becoming anxious.

  I do need Prince Christopher’s help, if I hope to achieve my goals and fulfill my destiny. But if Wreck isn’t him, if I didn’t misunderstand what his aunt said…

  I will myself to stop thinking.

  He is Prince Christopher, period. He has to be.

  A half hour later, we head back toward Jin’s. Trent is standing on the front porch, and my legs quiver upon seeing him.

  “Kora,” he says. “I need to speak with you.”

  I drop my eyes, speechless.

  “Ooh… Kora is embarrassed,” Wreck teases.

  Trent gives him a hateful glare. Maxine grips Wreck’s elbow, dragging him inside the house.

  “Have fun, kids,” he winks at me. “But don’t do anything you’ll regret later.”

  Maxine slaps his head. Once they’re gone, I force myself to look at Trent.

  “What the hell do you want?” I ask angrily.

  CHAPTER 6

  “I just want to talk,” Trent says, taking a step closer.

  I don’t know what to do. Should I even speak to him? I remember how he called me somebody else’s leftovers, and I feel anger burning again inside my chest. But then I look into his dark, warm eyes and recall that this is the same person who used to protect me from bullies. He was kind toward me when nobody else was.

  I frown, saying, “I don’t think you should talk with s
omebody else’s leftovers.”

  I turn to leave, but he grips my arm.

  “Kora, wait. Please talk to me. I’m sorry I said that. I wasn’t thinking… I was just confused.”

  I lower my eyes, standing unmoving. I could easily free my arm, but don’t want to.

  “Please forgive me,” he adds. “I’m not one to judge you.”

  I cringe inside because I know precisely what he really thinks of me. He must think there was something between Wreck and I. And that feels awful, because good, decent girls aren’t supposed to have any sort of intimate relationship before their wedding. At least not in the Recycling village, where we’re from.

  “There’s nothing between Wreck and I,” I say flatly.

  “You don’t have anything to explain.”

  Probably not, because Trent isn’t even my boyfriend. But his opinion is important to me. I can’t help myself.

  “There’s nothing between us,” I repeat.

  “Well,” he mutters, averting his eyes. “Even if there was… it wouldn’t be your fault. I’m sure you didn’t realize what you were doing.”

  I want to slap him. “Trent! Are you listening to what I’m saying? Wreck is only a friend, nothing more.”

  “I just know how you could have been manipulated,” he states.

  “I’m telling the truth!” I exclaim. “I would never let him…”

  My voice trails off. What I said isn’t exactly true. I recall offering myself to Wreck in exchange for his help. I remember wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him after his initial rejection. I wasn’t just asking for it, I was desperately begging. And the memory makes me ashamed.

  “I believe you,” Trent says, though his voice doesn’t sound at all convincing. “I’m just worried about you.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m shocked by how much you’ve changed recently. What happened, Kora? How could you kill your master?”

  Here we go again, I think tiredly.

  I say, “I had to defend myself. Gabriel would have killed me otherwise.”

  “I understand that. But why did you allow this Wreck to involve you in killing the high master? It’s a terrible crime…”

  “He killed my mother!” I suddenly shout, moving a step away from him. “What else could I do? I had to avenge her death!”

  He watches me, frowning, and the accusation in his eyes is infuriating.

  “You think I’m so terrible?” I ask. “You believe I did wrong? How can you judge me? You have no idea what I’ve been through. Do you know what it’s like to watch your mother being burned alive?”

  “No, but I know that you killed Samuel’s son. What did you expect him to do?”

  “His son was a psychotic sadist!” I yell hatefully. “Do you remember how he shot the last place finisher of the race? And he enjoyed torturing his servants. I met one of his victims, a girl with scars all over her face.” I pause for a moment, remembering the girl. She helped Tanya and I escape, probably saving our lives. I still don’t know what happened to her afterwards. “Gabriel also tortured and killed Amy,” I add.

  Trent rolls his eyes. “Amy wasn’t behaving appropriately. She attacked him.”

  “She was trying to protect me! Gabriel was beating me!” I take a breath, remembering her limp body falling at my feet. “Do you know what it’s like to watch your best friend being shot? Damn it, Trent! You don’t know anything!”

  “Stop cussing, Kora. It’s not appropriate for a girl.”

  I bite my lip, causing my stitches to hurt. He just doesn’t want to understand. I so wish he’d hug and soothe me. I crave his understanding and support, but Trent appears angry.

  “Stop with all the drama,” he says. “Don’t act like you’re the only one who’s suffered. I didn’t have exactly what you’d call a happy life either. I lost my parents when I was only six. I hated living in the Recycling village. But I never complained or felt self-pity.”

  I remain silent.

  “What happened to you?” he sighs. “You used to be so sweet and nice…”

  “I had to change.”

  “I don’t want you to change. You shouldn’t have become aggressive and violent. There’s already too much violence in the world.”

  “Trent.” I look up at him. “Can’t you understand that I had to free you and the others? You wouldn’t have survived the Terror Races. The chimeras would have eaten you.”

  He doesn’t reply.

  “You should be happy to be free,” I continue. “You can do whatever you want and there’s nobody to give you orders.”

  “How can I be happy?” he asks. “I was the fastest runner and could have earned my freedom. I could have become one of Samuel’s guards. It was my dream and hope and…” He shakes his head disappointedly. “Who am I now? What am I going to do with my life? I’m just an escaped servant.”

  “Well, I’m very sorry for having ruined your life.”

  I start walking away, heading back toward the woods.

  “Kora, wait!” He quickly catches up with me and grabs my elbow. “You’re so oversensitive.”

  I stand unmoving, avoiding looking directly into his eyes.

  “Please, don’t be upset,” he says. “I’m not really angry. I’m just scared for you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re so naive. You’re ready to trust anyone.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Do you really trust that guy, Wreck? Do you really think he’s your friend?”

  I sigh. No matter who I’m speaking with, all conversations seem to lead back to Wreck. It’s as if he’s the center of the universe.

  “I trust him,” I lie.

  “You’re out of your mind then. That guy is dangerous. Do you even realize he’s a criminal? I don’t want you around him.”

  I get a feeling of deja vu, suffering a flashback from my interrogation with Tartis.

  “Kris is all right,” I say. “He’s just a little… eccentric.”

  “Are you really that naive or just stupid? That guy is a psycho! I saw him walking around carrying a knife during the night… talking to himself. He’s sick and violent. Do you understand the situation you’re putting yourself in?”

  I don’t reply.

  “He’s only pretending to be your friend, Kora. Have you noticed the way he looks at you? Do you know what he really wants?”

  “Why should I care?” I mutter.

  “Well, he might take advantage of you, and you’d be helpless.”

  My face becomes warm and I feel suddenly protective. “You don’t really know him…”

  “Do you?”

  I shrug, my lips pressed tightly together. I met Wreck about two weeks ago, so he’s still virtually a stranger to me.

  “You’re playing with fire, Kora. And you can easily get burned.”

  I remember my dream about Wreck assaulting me, forcing me to kiss him. I also recall him sitting on top of me, pinning my arms to the ground and holding a knife at my throat. That really happened; it’s how we met. So I wonder what he might have done with me if he hadn’t discovered Gabriel’s knife. Would he have… hurt me?

  “I can defend myself,” I say.

  “Don’t make me laugh,” says Trent. “You’re not a fighter. You’re defenseless. And did you see all those herbs in the kitchen? Those are probably drugs… So he could drug you. Where would you be in that situation?”

  I don’t answer. Trent doesn’t need to know that Wreck has already drugged me during my initiation, and with my full consent.

  Trent finally hugs me, gently rubbing my back. He’s taller, and I feel small and weak being near him.

  “Just please, promise to be careful,” he says. “Keep away from that guy.”

  I look up at him, standing on tippy toes, reaching for his face.

  “I promise.”

  Trent smiles and kisses my lips. I close my eyes, enjoying the kiss, happy that he can’t see through me.

 
***

  The next several days I try to avoid Wreck’s company. His presence makes me too uncomfortable. I don’t like the way he looks at me. I don’t like his suggestive hints or double meaning jokes. Maybe I’m overreacting. But I still don’t know who he really is or what exactly he has on his mind. So how can I trust him?

  Most of the racers relocate to the roamer’s village. Martha, Samantha and a few young girls remain at Jin’s. I’m pleased about that. I genuinely enjoy Samantha’s company. She loves reading, so we read together and then discuss the characters and story. Martha and Tanya often join us. They’re fond of books as well.

  Every morning I force myself out of bed and go for a run. Exercising helps me feel stronger and more confident. Trent hates when I wear only a sports bra and camo pants during my runs. He believes that nice, decent girls shouldn’t reveal too much skin. So I always leave the house wearing a t-shirt, but pull it off as soon as I’m far enough into the woods. Sneaky. Trent also doesn’t appreciate my friendship with Maxie, because he believes she’s too aggressive and may have undue influence on me. But I don’t care what he thinks on this particular matter.

  One early morning I’m sitting in the living room, holding a steaming cup of tea. The house is quiet. Jin, Maxie and Tanya went hunting. Samantha and Martha are still asleep. Trent went to the village to visit Sandro, and Wreck… I have no idea where he may be.

  It’s drizzling outside. I feel relaxed and sleepy. I close my eyes, taking a sip of the tea. My mother loved tea, and I remember her sitting at the table, smiling at me, holding her small metal cup in her scarred hands…

  The sound of a truck engine snaps me from my happy thoughts. I place the cup on the table and rise to my feet. The door swings open and four guys with painted faces enter.

  “What do you need?” I ask, my heart pounding heavily.

  “Where’s the old witch?” one of them asks, smiling.

  I don’t answer. My hand wraps around the knife’s handle in my pocket.

  “Are you alone here?” he continues.

  “What do you need?” I repeat.

  They’re blocking the door, so I can’t run outside. My hands start shaking.