Kora (Kora Series Book 1) by Marina Epley

Author:Marina Epley [Epley, Marina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-02-22T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 23

Wreck and I come to a small cabin and he invites me inside, holding the door. I hesitate, wondering whether I’m being careless, before walking in. Inside, it’s poorly lit and sparsely furnished. I see a few old blankets spread out across the floor. There are bags and jars lined against a wall. A single wooden shelf containing knives, animal skulls and a handgun. A creepy place.

“This is where I stay,” Wreck says happily, closing the door.

I stand motionless, prepared to use my knife if I have to.

“Come on in, make yourself at home,” he smiles. “I swear you’re one hundred percent safe. I won’t hurt you. I’m a friend.”

I don’t trust him.

“Why do you want to be my friend?” I ask.

“Because you’re awesome,” he states. “Well, you just wait here. I’ll be right back with some grub.”

He leaves and I breathe out a sigh of relief, finally relaxing. I glance around and my eyes moisten with tears, because the dim light and low ceiling in this shack remind me of home.

Curious, I open one of the jars and discover dried leaves inside. I also check a small bag containing dried flowers. Strange. What does he need this stuff for?

I step closer to the shelf, gazing at the skulls and wondering what sort of animals they were. A cow, a dog, a wolf maybe… I freeze, holding my breath. There’s also a human skull. A scary trophy indeed. I tentatively touch the smooth bone and stare into its empty eye-sockets, feeling uneasy. I’ve never before seen a real human skull. I pick up one of the knives and open it, fingering the long sharp blade.

“Have you already checked out all my stuff?” Wreck asks as he walks in, grinning. “Or should I give you a little more time?”

I hurriedly place the knife back on the shelf and sit down on a blanket.

“You did say to make myself at home,” I say sheepishly.

“I see,” Wreck laughs, plopping down across from me.

He opens a large canvas bag, taking out two metal plates and places them on the floor. He fishes out bread, baked potatoes and a couple of juicy steaks wrapped in foil. My mouth waters, and for a moment I can see myself back in the dining room in the racer training facility. I push away the thought, and begin eating. Over the last several days, Tanya and I survived on nothing but wild berries and frog legs.

“Where did you get all this food?” I ask, chewing.

“From our cook’s kitchen. They prepare meals for all the rangers.”

“You mean… roamers?”

“We call ourselves rangers. So after you join us, you’ll never have to cook again. What do you think about that?”

“I’ve never cooked anyway,” I answer, and then the meaning of his words dawns on me. “What do you mean after I join you?”

“When you become a ranger.”

“What?!”

“We need more strong, brave soldiers. You’re a perfect fit for our gang.”

I stare deeply into his eyes, trying to understand whether he’s being serious or not, but can’t read his face.

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