Pulse Point by Colleen Nelson

Author:Colleen Nelson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction
Publisher: Great Plains Publications
Published: 2018-05-24T20:43:37+00:00

Kaia

Akrum’s words echoed in my head as he led me through the trees to the Prims’ camp. “You’re trying to scare me,” I shot back at him, forcing myself to stay calm.

He shook his head and pointed to the gash on my knee. “It will kill you. You have no immunity to the germs and bacteria that exist outside your City.” There was no animosity in his voice, but his words still stabbed, ripping into my chest. I stared at my knee, imagining miniscule bacteria writhing inside the cut, needling their way into my bloodstream. The bug bites had turned into red, itchy bumps on my legs, arms and neck. Was their poison deadly to me too?

I swallowed, trying to still my trembling hands. My blood had betrayed me. Again. How much time did I have? Hours? Days? “Why didn’t you just leave me to die?”

“Ask Gideon,” was all he said. “If it’s any comfort, when you die, we will return your body to the City. You should be with your people.”

I gave him a strange look, not understanding. There was no reason to be returned. Balanced Citizens were incinerated, their ashes mixed into cement. Why would Prims risk their lives to return a body?

I dropped my pack. “I came here to find someone. A female named Raina.”

Akrum shook his head. “We have no Raina here.”

It took a moment for his words to sink in. We have no Raina here, echoed in my head. Of course there wasn’t. Sy was a fool and I was an idiot for believing him. I was too exhausted to cry. Leaving the City had been pointless.

Akrum picked up my bag and gestured for me to follow. “Come. You need to eat.” He gave my knee a doubtful look, “Our healer might be able to help. Make you more comfortable, at least, when the fever sets in.”

I closed my eyes and ignored him. I couldn’t face the Prims and their menacing looks. What if they hissed at me as I walked through camp? Akrum tried cajoling me, but I sank to the ground. He lifted my elbow and tried to drag me, but I fought back and he gave up. “Suit yourself,” he said with a resigned sigh. “It’ll be dark in a couple of hours. Camp’s that way.” He pointed down the path the other Prims had taken and then left.

I huddled with my satchel, wishing I still had my knife. I trusted the Prims as much as they trusted me. I’d seen the looks on their faces. They’d as soon slit my throat as welcome me into their camp. I was the enemy.

But worse, there was no Raina. I’d left the City to chase a dream and now I’d die for it.

⌓

“Kaia!” Gideon crouched over me, light from his torch flickering across his face.

“You need to come to camp. It’s dangerous for you to stay out here,” he whispered. I woke up with a start, remembering where I was. I hadn’t meant to fall asleep.

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