Forager (Forager - A Dystopian Trilogy) by Peter R Stone

Author:Peter R Stone
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction, post apocalyptic, dystopian, dystopian apocalyptic

Chapter Sixteen

My father was quivering with rage. I had never seen him this angry before, and to be honest, I was scared. I had no idea what he was capable of like this.

"What have you done, Ethan?" he shouted as he took a step towards me. "All of my efforts - weeks of negotiations and discussions - to find you a wife who could elevate your station, who could give you the motivation you need to make something of your life, and you throw it all away. And for what - to have dinner with her?" He pointed at Nanako but did not even grace her with a glance.

Nanako stood and made her way unobtrusively around the far end of the table and came to stand beside me. I was thankful for her silent support, although she appeared as shaken by my father's naked aggression and hostility as I was.

"I know you meant well, Father, but why couldn't you have discussed it with me instead of springing Sienna King on me at the last possible moment? She knew all about me but I was completely in the dark," I answered as strongly as I dared, which wasn’t particularly strongly at all.

"What's that got to do with it?" he bellowed. "I met your mother on our wedding day. You should have considered yourself lucky I agreed to the King's request to let the two of you meet before the wedding. Now go this very minute to the King's residence and apologise for your insulting behaviour and beg their forgiveness."

I did not want to deal with this issue today, I was sore and tired and just wanted to go home and sleep. "Look Father, please don't think I don't appreciate the effort you put into all of this, but I don't want to marry Sienna King."

"What you want has nothing to do with it, Son. To marry a girl above your station like Sienna is an opportunity you will never get again – especially once word gets around about what you’ve done. Now off you go."

I didn’t move.

"I gave you an order, Ethan," he yelled.

To defy my father on any issue, and especially on a major one like this, went against everything I had been taught, yet I still wouldn’t move.

"Now, Ethan!" he shouted furiously.

"Sorry, Father, I just can't do it," I practically whispered.

He took a big step towards me and pulled back his hand to strike me across the face, but little Nanako, a full head shorter than either one of us, suddenly jumped in front of me and dared him to strike her instead.

Father stood there, blinking and shaking uncontrollably, wanting to strike her but unable to bring himself to do so.

"Get out of my home, you confounded nuisance of a girl!" he finally managed to say, his voice shaking with rage.

"What are you going to do if I refuse, Mr Jones - call the Custodians and ask them to throw me out?" she shot back vehemently.

I looked down at

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