When I’m done crying, I wipe my face on my sleeve and just sit on the ground, thinking of what to do next. I close my eyes, trying to relax.
“Boo!” somebody yells into my ear, grabbing my shoulders from behind.
I scream, jumping to my feet, and turn around. Wreck stands before me, chuckling like an idiot. The thought of breaking his neck comes to mind.
“Damn it, Kris! What are you doing?”
“Checking the speed of your reactions.”
“Jerk!” I give him a hard look and plop back down on the ground.
He sits down beside me. I shuffle away, frowning.
“Come on, Kora,” he sighs. “Don’t be so angry. Look what I have for you.”
He hands me the knife he took from Samuel. It’s identical to the one that Gabriel carried. I guess each member of the high master’s family has one of these knives.
“This is your trophy,” I say.
“Nah, I want you to have it. You earned it. You led me to Samuel.”
I don’t argue because I do want the knife. Samuel’s guards took mine.
“Why are you so sad?” Wreck asks. “Cheer up! Samuel is dead. It’s time to celebrate.”
“I’m not sad,” I lie.
“Liar. Your eyes are all red and swollen. Here, wash your face.” He hands me a flask. “What happened? Did you have a little spat with your lover boy?”
“No,” I lie again, splashing water over my face.
“Well, just forget about that fool. You already have somebody much better, someone all the girls are dreaming about.”
“Who might that be?” I ask, although I already suspect what he’s about to say.
Wreck grins. “Me of course.”
“Oh sure,” I sigh. “Now I realize how miserable my life really is.”
“Oh c’mon. We both know you’re deeply in love with me. You’re just playing hard to get.”
“Kris, there’s nothing about you to fall in love with.”
“What?” He pretends astonished. “How about my charming smile and mysterious gaze?”
He stares at me, crossing his eyes while managing the most idiotic smile possible. I press my lips together, doing my best to suppress laughter.
“C’mon, kiss me,” Wreck mumbles, leaning in, a streak of saliva now dripping down his chin.
I push him away and burst out laughing. “You’re so gross!”
He wipes his mouth, obviously pleased with himself. I wonder how many times he’s made me laugh.
“But seriously,” he says. “Instead of crying over your lover boy, you’d best be thinking of what we should say to Tartis. I believe he already knows about everything.”
I stop laughing, staring at him. “Oh no!”
“Oh yeah,” he grins. “He sent a truckload of rangers to escort us back to the village. They’re waiting for us back at Jin’s right now.”
“Are we in big trouble?”
“What do you think? We violated the main rule around here, not to attack Central Settlement. Maxie isn’t a ranger, so Tartis won’t bother her. And I guess nobody knows that Tanya was with us, because you know… she’s just a kid. So it’s only you and I. We must offer Tartis some sensible explanation as to where all these escapees came from.”
“Well,” I smile. “I guess we’ll have to do a lot of lying today.”
“You betcha,” he chuckles, rising to his feet.
We head back toward Jin’s. Wreck keeps his hands inside his pockets, whistling as usual. I don’t feel devastated or sad anymore. I instead become stronger and more determined with each step, because I can’t allow myself any weakness now. We’ll have to face Tartis today. I’m sure he’ll want to have us all killed. So we’ll have to be ready to defend ourselves.
I’m also certain that the masters from Central Settlement will soon come looking for us. They won’t simply forgive and forget. Perhaps, we’ve just started a war, but even that thought doesn’t scare me. I’m willing to fight. I finally know and accept who I really am. I’m a trash picker, racer and roamer. And I’m also the new Jingfay, one who both saves and takes lives. I now know what my destiny is, and believe in myself. I’m going to make Prince Christopher the high master of Central Settlement, and together we will free all those still enslaved throughout our land.
TO BE CONTINUED
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Learn what happens next with Kora and Wreck in book 2, Kora Exiled.
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Sample
KORA EXILED
CHAPTER 1
The door opening wakes me. I sit up, feeling suffocated, still sensing his hands squeezing my throat. Then I remember that Gabriel is dead. I killed him along with his mother.
Two rangers enter the shack and walk across the room toward me. I remain motionless. They grab my arms and yank me to my feet, causing a sudden burst of intense pain in my shoulders. I grind my teeth, but don’t resist which would be pointless.
They half lead, half drag me outside, and I squint into the bright sunshine. The sky is unusually cloudless. The village streets are empty, so I assume it must be early morning. I don’t know how many hours I’ve spent locked in that gloomy shack.
The last thing I recall is walking through the woods toward Jin’s house. Several guys in black hoodies stepped out from the fog in front of us. Upon seeing them, Wreck gripped my elbow to pull me closer.
“You were out hunting with Maxie and Jin,” he whispered. “You’ve
