Crimson--A Story of Wolves by Jen Minkman

Author:Jen Minkman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: young adult, dystopian, retelling
Publisher: Dutch Venture Publishing
Published: 2021-07-21T00:00:00+00:00

6.

It really is her.

I have so many questions.

“Where were you?” is the first question that comes out of my mouth. Not just when I knocked on the door a half hour ago, but all these years. All those years in which I only had a father.

She takes a step forward and hesitantly puts a hand on my shoulder. “Sweet Vida,” she says. “I am so happy to see you.”

“I...” Tears spring to my eyes. 'Where is Grandma? And where have you been all this time? What is all this nonsense?”

“I work for the Crimson Guard,” she explains. She gestures to her two companions. “These two men are Thomas and Stefan. There are others who have joined our group, who have staged their own deaths.”

That still doesn't explain anything at all. Why would anyone do that? I think of my father, who had to take care of me all alone. I look at my mother with anger in my eyes. “Do you realize what you've done to us?”

“Yes.” There is sadness in her eyes as well. “I know that all too well. Vida, when I grew up I felt very strongly that I didn’t agree with our Retirement system. I couldn't live with it. When my parents Retired, something snapped in me... I started asking questions, and those questions put me in touch with the Guard. These are people who have fled Riding and are helping older people escape their fate.”

I blink. “So... there are more people like Grandma? She's not the only one?”

“No, not by a long shot. We have built our own village not far from here in the forest, where elderly people can spend the rest of their lives in peace. We only help those people we are sure don’t want to Retire. Our oldest resident just turned ninety.”

Ninety. A staggeringly high number. “But how do you get food?” I ask. “People can't work anymore when they're over sixty-five, can they?”

My mother bursts into laughter. “Everyone in our village works, you know. We grow our own fruits and vegetables. Everyone does their bit, although not everyone works with the same vigor. And admittedly, Martha doesn't do much anymore. That lady who’s ninety years old.” Her face turns serious. “The only thing we can't produce ourselves is medicine. We need messengers like you for that. I hope you put the medication for Grandma Oda in that basket?”

I nod. “Why did you let Dad believe you're dead?' I ask, choking up. “Couldn't he have come with you?”

My mother sighs deeply. “I would have liked that, but he is so understanding of it all. He's fine with the system. And we couldn't risk him telling the wrong people about the Crimson Guard. About me. I'm so sorry, dear. I always intended to reconnect with you, you have to believe that. This is a moment I've been eagerly awaiting. The moment when we could call on you to help your grandmother. To test whether you, too, were willing to be a rebel.”

When she puts her arms around me, I don't push her away.

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