Nowhere by Jon Robinson

Author:Jon Robinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780141346557
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2013-05-24T04:00:00+00:00

25

‘How’s the hand?’ Jes said, smiling sympathetically at Ryan in the canteen later that day.

He tried to smile back. ‘It’s all right. Didn’t hurt that much. I got bored after the first few minutes.’

‘Don’t lie. I could see you flinching across the table.’ Jes lifted his wrist and examined the papercuts on his hand. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘It wasn’t your fault. It’s not like you wanted to do it. What kind of maniac would make you do that?’

‘She’s a sadist.’

‘She’s crazy. And what was that lesson about? Showing us those weird old videos …’

Jes was about to share her discovery when she noticed Julian had just settled into a seat. ‘I’ve got to go,’ she said. ‘And I’m sorry. Again.’

Ryan nodded and walked away, holding his hand protectively.

Julian eyed Jes as she neared his table. ‘What do you want?’

‘A favour.’

‘Go on.’

‘I need something,’ she said in a hushed voice as she sat down. ‘Something I know you’ve got …’

‘Cunning? Intelligence?’

‘A screwdriver.’

Julian made eyes at her then looked away. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘Come on, Julian – I saw you steal it that time. And I didn’t say anything to the guards.’

Julian smiled, enjoying her frustration. ‘Why do you need a screwdriver?’

‘Forget it,’ she huffed. ‘It doesn’t matter.’ She went to stand up but Julian stopped her.

‘I might be able to help. But first I’ll need to know why.’

It took Jes some moments to gather the courage to say it. ‘We want out.’

‘I figured as much. Why now?’

‘Look around.’

Julian glanced up. There seemed to be an endless array of blank faces, each in identical grey boiler suits. He looked at the defeated expressions and the distant eyes, and felt his skin prickle.

‘How long is it going to be before they break us too?’ Jes said. ‘I don’t know how much longer I can go on. That’s why I need the screwdriver, Julian. So we can get out of here.’

Julian hesitated. ‘I’ll think about it.’ He stood up from his seat. ‘I’ve seen them too,’ he said, in parting. ‘The spliced frames in the films. They’re subliminal messages.’

‘They’re what?’

Julian looked weary. ‘Advertisers used to sneak them into films to try to make you buy their products. They probably still do for all I know but that may just be the cynic in me talking. They’re flashed up so quickly that you aren’t supposed to see them. Consciously anyway. Brainwashing is probably too strong a term. It’s more … suggestive.’

‘And why are they trying to suggest bombs? Are they trying to get us to blow something up?’

Julian shrugged. ‘That, Jes,’ he considered languidly, ‘is a very good question.’

‘Julian?’ said Ryan, as the group were stood together in a corner of the yard, a short while later. ‘You mean the one nobody trusts? No way. What were you thinking?’

‘If we don’t get that screwdriver, we don’t get in the vent. If we don’t get in the vent we don’t find the plans, and we don’t find the tunnel – and we don’t get out of here.

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