The Vanished Read Online Free PDF Page B

this morning?”
    It was Angela with a glass of water for Daniel. I had no idea how she managed to find the most inappropriate times to interrupt me, but it was certainly a talent.
    “Umm, yes.”
    She stepped past me and handed the water to Daniel. “Good. General Lloyd is a bit scary isn’t he?”
    “Umm… yeah… sure.” I jumped up from my chair, dropping Daniel’s hand. “I’ve got to… I’ve got to go find my dad. I’ll see you guys later.” I backed away from the bed, bumping into the nurse. Before I knew it, I was running out of the room. But I didn’t know what I was running away from.

6
    I put my hands on my knees outside the castle gates taking in gulps of air. It was as though everything hit me at once; getting out of Area 14, sleeping in a cramped up tent, climbing the stairs in the castle, the smell of the hospital. I hadn’t eaten for so long that my stomach lurched and I gagged.
    “Y’all right, lass?” asked the red haired soldier. I tried to remember his name… Cam.
    “Yes,” I said, lying through my teeth and trying to straighten my back to prove a point.
    “Nah,” he said. “Ah’ve seen them on tha death bed look better. Sit down. Stick tha head between tha knees, eh.”
    “I can’t understand a word you’re saying.” I collapsed to the floor and rested my head against the gate which was open to let troops come and go. Some of them looked down at me and stared.
    Cam disappeared leaving me in charge of the gate and hurried back seconds later with a glass of water. “Here, lass.” He passed it to me in a hurry. “Dunnae go shooting yer mouth about me leavin’. The General would have me knackers fer earrings.”
    I sipped on the water. “Don’t worry. I don’t think I’d be able to tell anyone anything you say to me.” I laughed, and Cam laughed back. “Where are you from?”
    “Glaz-ge.”
    “Where?”
    Cam laughed again, a long belly laugh that sounded deep and satisfying. “Fe Gad’s sake lass, ah’ll sey it posh fer yers then - GLASGOW.”
    I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. “I’m sorry! I’ve never been to Scotland before.”
    “Nay kidding,” he chuckled. “Least ah’ve put a smile on yer face though, ey?” He held his hand down to me to help me up. “Ah think ye need some fud in yer belly and a kip.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “Breakfast and sleep.” He raised his voice with a smile on his face. “Get te Stevie’s. He’ll sort ye out, lass.”
    For a boy younger than me he knew how to give orders, but it was in a warm, friendly way. He gave me a cheerful shove towards the markets and I saluted him before giggling again. As I walked away, I forgot all about what I was running from.
    *
    A spring day in Scotland felt like winter, despite the glow of the sun. I pulled the sleeves of my top down over my hands and hugged myself as I walked into the chilly wind, hurrying past the crèche. I didn’t want to stop and stare like before. I didn’t want those eyes examining me again; the girl from Area 14, the one who brought a GEM. Did they know about my powers? I couldn’t be sure.
    I crossed the grass, following the length of the castle border. The army had put up a wall of strong metal sheeting to keep the rest of the Clan population out. It seemed like a strange thing for a community to do, but there was a lot I needed to learn about the Clans before I started to pass judgement on their way of life. I knew what it was like to be judged for doing things differently, and I had to stop myself from being the kind of person that I hated. I kicked a few grass stems in frustration. My thoughts were of a person who sounded strong and confident yet deep down I was a coward. How could I behave like that in front of Daniel? After he had said those beautiful words to me I’d turned and run away like the biggest scaredy-cat around. With a hefty sigh I turned right onto the grass and approached the market.
    The stalls lined up along the outskirts of the crèche in