Rymellan 2: Shattered Lives by Sarah Ettritch

Author:Sarah Ettritch [Ettritch, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: scifi, lesbian, Science Fiction, society, Lesbian Fiction
Publisher: Sarah Ettritch
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CLOSING RANKS

Jayne gingerly felt the gap in her top teeth with her tongue, careful not to move her mouth or open her eyes. Someone was sitting next to the bed, and she didn’t want them to know she was awake. She ran her tongue along her lower teeth. Intact. Next she wiggled her fingers and toes—they seemed to work. She wasn’t feeling any pain, thanks to whatever they were pumping into her. Best of all, she could see light through her eyelids. For one panicked moment, as she’d lain on the path after the attack, she’d thought she was blind.

Hearing her mystery guest shift position, Jayne cracked open her left eye, hoping to see Carol and not Lesley or Mo. Not blind, but her field of vision was impaired. It took a moment for the room’s other occupant to swim into focus. “Carol,” she croaked.

Carol leaned forward, her forehead creased. She bit her lip, then released it to say, “Well, good afternoon.”

Afternoon? “What time is it?”

“It’s just gone one. How do you feel?”

“Pleasantly numb.”

“You gave us such a scare.” Carol held her hand to her chest, blinking rapidly. “But you’re going to be all right.”

“How do I look?” She could tell the areas around her eyes were swollen.

Carol grimaced. “You’ve looked better, but who cares? You’re alive. That’s all that counts.”

But for how long? Ironic that the physicians had saved her, considering most Rymellans wanted her dead.

“Do you remember what happened?” Carol asked.

“Yes. And don’t say I told you so.”

Carol opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again. “They caught them, the two who attacked you.”

Did she know them? It had happened so fast. “What are their names?”

“Cameron Gibbs and Nicholas Peck.”

Nicholas Peck? He lived in the building next to hers, just a few minutes away. She’d never had a problem with him beyond the usual glares.

“They were executed a few hours ago.”

Jayne closed her eyes and groaned.

“They violated Article 235! The military couldn’t look the other way this time.”

Maybe not, but she doubted many would have objected if it had. “I agree, but now everyone will resent my existence even more.” If that was possible. “They probably think my attackers should have been awarded medals, not executed.”

“That’s why your apartment isn’t the best place for you right now,” Carol said slowly. “You should stay with Ronald and me for a while.”

No! She wouldn’t be driven from her home. Words spoken by one of her attackers rang in her memory: Thought you’d stay away and hide? “I won’t hide, Carol. I won’t let them keep me away from my apartment.”

“Jayne, it would only be for a couple of weeks, until things settle. Please don’t be stubborn about this.”

Jayne clenched her hands. “You wouldn’t like it, if you couldn’t go home.”

Carol nodded. “You’re right, I wouldn’t. But I hope I’d have the sense to realize that my life is worth more than making a point. We talked about it, and we all agreed that—”

“You didn’t talk about it with Lesley and Mo, did you?” Jayne asked, mortified.

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