What if he rejected her?
Rejection? Her heart skipped from light and fluttering to heavy and stone-like.
“We should be going,” she said, averting her eyes.
She crawled from the space into the empty passageway. Rein popped out, holding the music box. He grasped her hand and led her down the corridor toward the back.
“I thought the meeting hall was the other way,” she said, pulling free of his grip.
He stopped and turned toward her. “It is. I want to put this up.” He held out the box. “Is that okay?”
She nodded as he reached for her hand again. Entwining her fingers around his, she cherished the feel of his skin against hers, not knowing how long such things would last.
They followed the set of holeys away from Jordan’s and turned down another passageway. More quarters lay before her, all looking exactly the same, holes carved out of rock.
He walked to the very end and lifted a red sheet. Squatting, he yanked out a knapsack and a ragged square of an old blanket. He wrapped the box in the blanket and placed it inside the knapsack, then cinched the bag tight and draped it over his shoulder.
“Let’s go,” he said, capturing her hand again.
Eric and Brenda looked up from where they sat, at the ends of the rectangular table, when Ellyssa and Rein crossed the threshold. Worry lined each of their faces. A quick glance around confirmed that Mathew wasn’t present, much to Ellyssa’s dismay, and neither was Jason. Both absences, her fault.
Woody caught her attention with a flick of his head. He smiled when she met his eyes, but when his gaze dropped down to her and Rein’s hands, a small line formed between his brows. His smile faltered for the briefest of seconds, then was replaced with an even wider, albeit forced, one. Crossing his arms across his chest, he looked away and pretended to pick a thread off the sleeve of his shirt.
Unsure what Woody’s reaction meant, Ellyssa’s eyes moved from him and traveled over the solemn faces. Rein pulled her to the empty chairs next to Woody. Councilmembers’ stares followed. Rein squeezed her hand, but it didn’t alleviate the uncomfortable pressure surrounding her.
Ellyssa wanted to know what they were thinking. What they believed had happened last night. Did they blame her? That had been Rein’s and Mathew’s first inclination. Why should they be any different? Unlike Rein, the doctor, or even Woody, they barely knew her. Why shouldn’t they place fault on her?
Ellyssa’s head lowered, unwilling to look at the others. She concentrated, hard, zeroing on Brenda. The older woman’s mind opened to her like a blooming flower. Within the din of the other’s thoughts, Ellyssa was able to glean that Brenda knew Jason was hurt, and speculations were floating around the community.
She shifted to Eric, who thought Jason had gotten off too easy, if what Mathew had said was true. Then the static and buzz broke her concentration and incapacitated her ability to read. She raised her wall.
“No one is blaming you for anything, hon,” said Eric as if he knew she was snooping.
Steadying her emotions, she looked at Eric. “I am sorry for causing trouble, but I will protect myself,” she stated.
Even Ellyssa could hear the monotone of her voice. It sounded heartless and cold. Robotic. She’d never really paid attention to the sound before. She shifted in her seat, trying to relax.
Eric and Brenda looked at each other, the sudden change in her demeanor surprising them. Eric lifted a shoulder and returned his attention to Ellyssa. “When Jason fully recovers, he will stand trial.”
“You have trials?”
“Of course,” said Rein. “That surprises you?”
“Yes. Society does not have lawbreakers. The gene for deviant behavior is tested in vitro, and if it is found, the baby is aborted.”
Brenda leaned forward, obviously appalled. “The woman isn’t even given a choice. It’s one of the many reasons I left.”
“Ha,” Eric said, “that’s laughable.”
Narrowing her eyes, Brenda shot him a look. “What?”
“No, not that. You misunderstand.” Eric chuckled. “You’re a criminal. And so is Woody, for that matter.”
“Hmm, you’re right,” Brenda said, settling back in the chair.
Eric turned his gaze on Ellyssa. “Doesn’t seem their way really works.”
A small smile formed on Ellyssa’s lips. “There are many flaws in society.”
“Here, we have trials. And Jason will have his chance to plead his case,” Rein continued.
“So,” Eric said to Rein, “Doc filled me in on a few of the details last night. Why don’t you finish?”
Rein launched into the story, starting with the old barn and ending with leaving the truck behind and sneaking away. As he spoke, Ellyssa’s smooth countenance melted, and she shuddered with impending horror. Sooner or later, the police would find the Renegades.
“The barn is about fifty kilometers away,” he concluded. “That’s what took us so long to return, and empty- handed.”
Eric placed his elbows on the table, clasping his hands. “They’re close.”
“We need to start evacuation procedures right away,” piped in Woody.
Ellyssa shook her head. “No. They are after me. If I turn myself in, they will go.”
“Uh-uh,” Rein protested. He turned toward her, the sunburst around his pupils darkened a shade. He gathered her hands into his. “This is your home now.”
For a moment, as the warmth of his touch singed her skin and traveled through her body, she drowned in his green pools and wanted to believe. To be part of a family, and accepted, and explore the sensations Rein evoked in her.
But she couldn’t.
The danger was too great. If the Renegades were discovered, they would be murdered.
“Do not be ridiculous, Rein,” Ellyssa said. “It is far too dangerous.”
“I agree with Ellyssa,” Brenda said.
Rein faced Brenda. “It’s not going to happen. I don’t care what you say. If it was anyone else in the community, we would protect them. Ellyssa is now part of the community, whether you,” he pointed at Brenda, “accept it or not. Jordan trusted her and made her a councilmember. We will honor his request.”
Ellyssa placed her hand on his forearm. “Rein, listen.”
A grimace tightening the corners of his mouth, he pulled away. “No,” he repeated.
Ready to argue, Ellyssa scooted her chair back, preparing to stand, but a light touch on her shoulder stopped her.
“He’s right,” Woody said.
“No, he is not,” she said. “I will do what I have to do.”
“Wait a minute,” Woody said, cutting Rein off in the middle of an objection. “They know we’re here.”
“Why do you say that?”
“It has been weeks. They should have moved on. They haven’t.”
“That does not prove anything.”
“But it does. Rein said they had dogs. They tracked your scent.”
“Your scent was lost within ours,” Woody said, finishing her thought. “They might not know exactly where, but they know there is a group of us somewhere within the vicinity.”
“But, if I turn myself in…”
“Do you honestly think they will stop the search for us?”
Ellyssa didn’t answer. She knew they wouldn’t.
“Time to vote,” Rein said, a smile of satisfaction spread across his face.
“No. It is my decision.”
“Oh no, it’s not. We do this the democratic way.”
Her mouth parted in protest, but Rein held his hand up.
“You accepted the invitation to be part of the council. You follow the rules.” Rein turned toward the others. “All in favor of protecting a member of the community?”
Rein, Woody, and Eric raised their hands.
