The Testing by Charbonneau Joelle & Hesnard Amélie

Author:Charbonneau, Joelle & Hesnard, Amélie [Charbonneau, Joelle & Hesnard, Amélie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Adventure
ISBN: 9780547959108
Amazon: 0547959109
Goodreads: 13326831
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Published: 2013-06-04T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

AT THE FIRST hint of light we are up, packing our bags, storing them on our new bicycles, and slowly riding off to the southwest. Arms wrapped tight around each other last night with our weapons a breath away, we whispered assurances that the screamer was far in the distance. That we were safe from whatever caused the outburst.

While Tomas’s wound appears to be better, I can tell he is having a hard time finding a comfortable spot on his bicycle. Without the rubber tires to absorb some of the friction caused by riding over stones, twigs, and other debris, the ride is a bumpy one. There are also more trees, bushes, and intact houses the farther we get from Chicago. So we decide to head due south, where Tomas’s map claims a large roadway used to exist. Even a road in disrepair will be easier to navigate than the terrain we’re currently riding on. The other reason for our decision remains unspoken. Last night’s scream seemed to come from this direction. We are looking for the girl whose scream kept us alert through the night. If she is injured, we have to help. I couldn’t live with myself if we didn’t at least try.

A flock of crows circling something from above makes my throat tighten. Without a word, we turn and pedal through the patchwork brown grass to whatever has attracted the birds. When we find it, there is no question about helping the screamer or what we would do if she asked to join our team. The body sprawled on the ground is past asking for anything. I think I remember the girl marching in front of Malachi and out the lecture hall door to take the first round of tests. Long white-blond hair that is currently matted with dirt and streaks of blood. Eyes that might have once been blue now bloody sockets as the birds feast. And there in her stomach, a sight that turns my nausea and pity to icy-cold fear.

A crossbow quarrel.

Her Testing bag is empty. Either she lost the contents, which I doubt, or the crossbow shooter took them after bringing down his prey. Which means he is out there somewhere, hunting.

“We should clear out of here.” Tomas gives my hand a squeeze as I stare down at the girl. “The road can’t be too far away now.”

“You’re right. We should go. The crossbow shooter might be nearby.” And yet I do not move. I cannot leave this girl to be pecked away piece by piece. While she is beyond caring, I am not. She has family. Friends. People who love her somewhere—who think she is safely ensconced in Tosu City, showing off her skills in math and science. Those people might never know her fate, but their love for her and hers for them demand respect. This is what my mother and father taught me. It’s the Five Lakes Colony way of life.

Tomas finds a crack in the earth large enough for this slight girl’s body.

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