Edge of Mercy (Young Adult Dystopian)(Volume 1) (The Mercy Series) by Marks C. C

Author:Marks, C. C. [Marks, C. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Young Adult, Dystopian, Paranormal, Romance, Post-Apocalyptic, Apocalypse
Publisher: Timbercreek Press
Published: 2012-07-28T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Keeping Star with me all day was harder than I ever could have imagined. She required constant attention, which was difficult in the fields especially, and now that we were in the midst of harvesting the fields, the work was harder and the pace faster. Yet, the alternative of allowing her to be experimented on screamed unthinkable.

I still couldn’t believe what I’d learned. Quillen had appeared to be harmless and helpful, but the whole time, he’d been using my sister as a pin cushion. Not for the first time, I looked at her arms and saw the damage for myself. All up and down, her skin was marred by needle marks. It was enough to make me want to cry.

“You want some help with her?”

Zeke stopped for a moment to watch as I adjusted the homemade sling I’d managed to piece together with laundry scraps. I couldn’t risk Star crawling into the forest or into the path of a garden tool, so I wore her—literally. It was something I recalled an aunt doing with one of my young cousins long ago when I was five or six, and though it was uncomfortable and she constantly tried to crawl free, it was the best solution I could come up with for now.

“No, I just wish I could put her down for a while.” As if in answer, she reached up and grabbed at my shirt, making pleading fussy sounds, but I just pulled her hand free and began carefully picking the beans off the plants low to the ground.

With a quiet chuckle, he went back to work and so did I. We worked in the sun for a long time before stopping for some water. Off to the side of the field, Peter brought the water bucket around for all to cool off. As usual, he wasn’t nice about it. But, I didn’t bristle at his attitude for once. Now that I knew what I knew about him, I kind of felt sorry for the guy.

“Oh, look who’s on babysitting duty.”

I sipped the water and gave a little to Star. I really didn’t want to discuss it. “Not your concern.”

“It is when it cuts down your work production. What’s the good of having you here if you can’t contribute?”

Okay, maybe he didn’t deserve my sympathy. “I’m doing just fine contributing.”

“Shut-up, Petie. Like he said, it’s none of your business, so stay out of it.” Zeke stepped toe to toe with Peter, forcing him to take several steps back.

“Well, it can’t go on much longer. You just need to leave that baby with Quillen.”

Anger burned under my skin. I wanted to throw out a fist and shut him up with it, but I couldn’t risk harming Star, so I turned away, walking a short distance in the opposite direction.

“You run your mouth too much. One of these days it’s going to get you in trouble.”

“Gee, and who will I get in trouble with? You? What’s Charlie going to do when you’re no longer around to protect him?”

I swiveled around slowly.

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