Oasis by Eilís Barrett

Author:Eilís Barrett [Barrett, Eilís]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic, Suspense, Science Fiction, Coming of Age, Social Themes, Genetic Engineering, Dystopian, Politics & Government, Survival, Fiction, Thriller, Action & Adventure, Young Adult
ISBN: 9780717169252
Google: w5C_CwAAQBAJ
Amazon: B01CZXARKC
Publisher: Gill Books
Published: 2016-03-11T00:00:00+00:00

29

The forest is cold as we march through it. I am at the front of the group, more because everyone dropped into step behind me than that I actively put myself there. Clarke is somewhere to my right, and Mark somewhere to my left, but I keep my eyes dead ahead.

Twelve. Twelve people followed me out here today, and twelve people are coming back home tonight. That’s what I keep telling myself.

We’ve been out here for hours. I’m not sure exactly how long, but my feet ache and I’m beginning to see double. Clarke’s the best tracker we have, so she leads the group as we follow, searching for any signs of life. A footprint, disturbed undergrowth, ashes, anything that could be a sign Officers have passed through.

I can’t get Kole’s face out of my head, the panic in every tense muscle in his body, all for these people. I glance around me, watching everyone as they watch the forest around them. They are wound tight, all flashing eyes and quick reflexes, and I wonder why he cares so much.

And then I think of Beatrice. I wonder, if I could have her back again, would I be as terrified to lose her as he seems to be of losing them? And suddenly it clicks together in my mind: he has seen so many people die, he feels he needs to hold on to the ones he has. And I can see it. I can understand it, but somehow I can’t feel it. It’s like the moment before you feel pain, when you watch the blood trickle across your skin, but you can’t feel anything. When you just watch, in sick fascination, as it stains your skin red.

‘Quincy?’ Walter pokes me.

‘Huh?’ I look up at him, shaking my head as if I can shake the thoughts out of it.

He points towards Clarke, who is kneeling down three metres from me.

I pause, holding up a hand for the group to stop.

‘Clarke?’ I step towards her.

‘They’ve been here,’ she says, leaping to her feet. Her eyes are bright, but she won’t look at me, her gaze drifting after the trail she’s picked up. ‘This way.’

We fall into step behind her.

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