Blemished, The by Dalton Sarah

Author:Dalton, Sarah [Dalton, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Children's Books, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction, Teen & Young Adult, Dystopian, Children's eBooks, Science Fiction; Fantasy & Scary Stories
Amazon: B008UP8C52
Goodreads: 15730577
Publisher: Feed a Read
Published: 2012-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

27

Theresa made us tea and chatted. She was charmed by Dad and enjoyed the company. After half an hour of idle chit-chat the cracks began to surface and I saw my dad take notice. We sat around the kitchen table. Daniel was there and for some reason that made me feel embarrassed. I tried not to make eye-contact with him but all the time I felt his gaze on me. When I got up to fetch a glass of water he followed me.

“Can I talk to you?” he whispered quietly. “In the lounge.”

I followed him, hoping that my dad didn’t notice our absence. Daniel was different today, almost itchy. He messed with his hair and his clothes, never remaining still for even a second. There was a gleam to his skin as though he was sweating even though it wasn’t particularly warm.

“What did you want to talk about?” I asked. I found it difficult to meet his eyes, because when I did I realised just how much I’d missed him. I missed the three of us in the basement and the way his eyes unfocussed when he talked about his mum. I missed looking over and seeing him, just watching. That connecting thread we had created had never gone away and now he was here everything somehow felt better; complete.

“Angela told me,” he said eventually. “About you and the clone.”

My mouth formed an “oh” but I didn’t say anything. Shame travelled like heat up my body.

“I don’t mind,” he said softly. “As long as he likes you and treats you well.” He took a deep breath.

“Okay,” I said.

“Are you happy? Do you like him?”

“I…,” I began. I thought back to his accusations in the field. Daniel was asking the same thing and yet it felt different, more reasonable and mature; less jealous. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

He nodded. “Just be careful, okay.” He reached into his pocket, shifting from one leg to the other. “I have something for you.”

I watched, wondering what was going on, when he pulled out a silver chain with what looked like a small wooden pendant. He awkwardly held out his hand. “Here.”

Confused, I took the chain from his sweaty palm and turned it over in my hand. The wooden pendant had been carved into a delicate oval shape and stained so that it was glossy. On the oval, in perfect handwriting, and executed with exquisite precision, a word had been carved. The word: Mina.

“Did you make this?” I asked.

Daniel nodded. “Yes. Do you like it?”

“Like it? I love it. It’s… beautiful.” I tore my eyes from the necklace to Daniel who glowed with pride, or maybe just relief. “You made this for me? But… why?”

He shrugged. “I just want you to have it.” He pushed his hands back in his pockets and looked down at his shoes. “I missed you.”

I took the chain and placed it around my neck. “I missed you too.”

He exhaled loudly. “It’s been tough around here. I’ve wanted to visit you and the Prof so many times but I didn’t want to get you into trouble, you know.

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