SAFE by Dawn Husted

Author:Dawn Husted [Husted, Dawn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kindle
Published: 2013-12-17T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Although the keypad to the perimeter door was damaged by the blast, blocking anyone from crossing where we did, we weren’t out of danger yet. We needed to keep going, but there was no need to sprint like before.

Our location was new to all three of us. We had no idea how far or in what direction the ocean was. James made the decision to head north and walk one way without veering off in either direction. Lucan and I both agreed with the plan and we started our journey. I hoped by the time we reached the end of our Land, there would be a better game plan in regards to crossing the water, not exactly sure how we planned to do so.

Currently, the sun sat in the west, our right, which meant we needed to go straight. As we walked, I didn’t see much difference from this side of the perimeter to our side. The only change was the animal life. In the Colony, animals were bred in specific buildings, the majority of them cloned mainly for food consumption. The only live animals I’d ever seen outside the breeding grounds were birds and anything else that could fly, migrating from Land to Land. We were told not to touch the birds, especially if any were found dead for fear of transmitting a new disease.

Within half an hour of hiking, I counted dozens of squirrels, varying in shades of brown and gray, and a few cottontail bunnies hopped across the path we walked on, startled by our presence. Lucan shot one, putting the meat in a bag for later consumption. It was a gross process watching him skin the poor bunny, seeing the blood all over his hands. However, it was necessary and neither James nor I had been taught how to hunt, let alone skin an animal. It was not the purpose of our vocation back in the Colony. Lucan was kind and eager enough to give us a quick tutorial.

Even the birds seemed more plentiful on this side of the perimeter, either that, or I was becoming more observant due to our situation. Every twig that snapped while we walked, or rustling in the bushes, made me apprehensive, causing me to search constantly for any sign of human life—guards.

Yet, every breath I breathed felt cleaner. I was sure the change in the oxygen was all in my head.

Either way, one thing was for sure, I had never seen this much wildlife before—ever.

All of a sudden, James broke the pleasant silence. “Lucan, stop.”

Lucan twisted around on his feet, facing us.

“I have to know. How did you know what you were doing back there? Who gave you the guns in your duffel? The explosives?” James rubbed the back of his neck. “Don’t give me some crap about how you’re just helping us out of the kindness of your heart.”

“Look, I told you, I have my own reasons and I don’t feel like it’s any of your business. As

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