The Phoenix Curse (Book 2): After by Johnson D.R

Author:Johnson, D.R. [Johnson, D.R.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: D. R. Johnson
Published: 2013-10-30T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 5 – JOSS

My first few hours as a prisoner were overcome by depression as I adjusted to the grim situation. I was appalled by what Anna had revealed to me about this place. She was an elderly woman, a school teacher back before the world changed. Reed had taken her captive nearly three years ago and forced her to be the matron of their orphanage and nursery.

This hotel had been operational for three years. That fact took a little while to sink in, but the more I thought about it, the more disgusted I was.

This floor, the nursery, had plenty of occupants running around, mostly children. They ranged in age, some barely walking and others not that much younger than me. There was even at least one newborn here. I had heard the small cries periodically through the morning.

Catching what little sleep I could, I curled up in a chair in the small lobby with only a thin blanket that Anna had thrown over me. The children woke up early, chasing away any thoughts of sleep. I found myself the subject of their curiosity.

It felt odd to see kids being normal, running up and down the hallway and playing inside rooms. It surprised me, but it also helped me relax. They didn't know fear, at least not yet. However, the subdued attitude of their caretakers didn't let me forget about the danger I was in.

It was still early morning when a girl, not much older than me, approached. She seemed shy, but also just as curious as the children. Her long dark blond curls framed her round, freckled face, and her smile was reassuring.

"Hello." She said, still standing a few feet away.

"Hi." I suddenly felt awkward.

"Anna says you're new." She continued and I nodded in return. I shifted uneasily under her stare, not exactly sure what she wanted. Finally, she questioned me. "Where are you from?"

"Oklahoma." I answered. Her look was still expectant, but I wasn't sure how much information I wanted to tell her. "I was just traveling through."

"I see." Her dark eyes fixated on my bandaged shoulder for a moment before turning back to me. "You and your sister, right?"

"Yes." I perked up, growing eager at the mention of Ali. "Do you know where they're keeping her?" The mocking laugh I got in response wasn't comforting. It was dull and unfelt.

"In the pits, probably." She sobered and her expression turned sour. "Is she pretty?"

"Yeah," I answered, wondering why she would ask. She turned slightly to the side and rubbed a hand over her swelling belly, and my eyes grew wide. I swallowed hard, the implications shocking me to silence.

"They'll use her just like they use the rest of us." Her voice was still flat, and I had to drag my eyes away from her stomach back to her face. There was sadness there and maybe even a little pity.

All the life went out of me. I fell back in the chair, only wincing slightly at the pain in my shoulder.

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