Edge of Mercy (Young Adult Dystopian)(Volume 1) (The Mercy Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

pushed together like I’d said something ridiculous…again. His shoulders lifted briefly before he looked ahead again and continued on as if I hadn’t spoken.
    “I mean, did I do something to you? Take something from you? I just don’t get it.”
    “You put us in danger. Enough said.”
    I nearly choked as I inhaled, but only exhaled slowly with a low short cough. Would this be it? The time I dreaded every second, every minute, every hour of every day. Would he expose me?
    Yet, he tromped on, and as we passed through the gates with the others, listened to the mechanical grind as they rolled shut, he said nothing more. Maybe he objected to my lack of attention to the routine, like not leaving the field on time or stepping into the forest to take care of my needs. Didn’t matter either way because my exposure was only a matter of time. This kind of secret didn’t last, no matter how carefully guarded. Eventually, someone would find out, and I’d do well to have a plan for that day.
    “Charlie! There you are. Get over here before you miss the feast.”
    Zeke’s face was split into a wide grin, the altercation from earlier no longer a concern. As I drew closer though, I noted a few light bruises around his cheek and chin. Apparently, Peter had gotten in a few good blows. My own mouth was still tender to the touch, but the bleeding had stopped pretty quickly and the swelling had come and gone.
    “Ah, man! You’ve never smelled something so good as geese roasting. Hurry before everything’s gone.”
    Despite my emotional turmoil and the precariousness of my situation, I managed a smile. In this moment, Zeke’s enthusiasm for the coming meal lightened my mood. Things were far from perfect, there weren’t enough breadcrumbs left in the world to line the trail back, but for tonight, we’d all forget our reality for a while and enjoy the rare treat of meat.
     

Chapter 3
     
    Mostly habit ruled my life now. After the fields each day, I washed the field dirt off, changed into my only other pair of oversized pants and bulky sweatshirt with a hood that fell over my eyes when up and would be my work clothes tomorrow. Then I usually grabbed my sister and went straight to work in the laundry room, but not this evening.
    I washed, changed, and charged into the lower level to locate Star. I nodded as I passed Levi and John standing at attention this time, outside the Council chambers. I was mildly curious why the Council would still meet at such a late hour. Usually, they were first to fill their plates at the evening meal, so it must be something pretty important. I shook my head and continued. Whatever crucial decision they currently debated didn’t matter to my grumbling stomach, so I passed quickly, turned left away from the meeting rooms and toward the living spaces.
    If I wanted to listen in on the proceedings, it wouldn’t have been difficult. Zeke told me about a tunnel that led to a small room no bigger than a closet that shared a vent with the sanctuary and was the perfect place to spy on the almighty Council. I’d never actually done it, and I wasn’t going to start now. I only wanted to get my sister and secure a place in line for us in the cafeteria.
    Another couple guards stood outside the Councils’ dwelling rooms, but as soon as they saw me, they smiled, and Thaddeus turned to unlock the large, steel door.
    “I thought you’d come soon. We could smell the feast all the way down here.”
    They were young. This was one of the first duties of the novice soldiers because nothing ever happened down here, but it gave the more experienced soldiers an idea of how well the trainees could be trusted to remain at attention even with such a monotonous job. It was a test of sorts, and they all knew it.
    William ducked his head briefly before giving her a sly grin and asking, “Do you think you could sneak a plate down for us tonight?”
    “Won’t they let you join the feast?”
    Thaddeus answered, “Nah, we have