Radioactive (30 page)

However, on the surface is pure chaos. People run disoriented and panicked. There is wild screaming.

I press close to Finn and look around helplessly. What shall we do now? We must get away from here before the Legion explodes.

At that moment Ruby plunges angrily at us. “There you are at last. We have been waiting for you!” She grumbles angrily and takes us through the crowd. She keeps her laser in front of her like a shield.

Beyond the throng is a waiting helicopter, the propeller is already revolving impatiently. Inside are Asha, Iris, and A350. I am relieved to see her.

“What took you so damn long? Your goodbye should have been short, you didn’t have to visit every area of the safety zone,” she hisses at me angrily. But no matter what she says, nothing can tarnish my mood. Smiling, I turn to Finn. But he does not return my smile. His gaze is serious. Maybe he understands the situation around us more than I do.

“You first,” he tells me, and I obediently jump I the helicopter. I’m hardly inside when I hear the doors close behind me. Horrified, I turn around and look Finn in the face. His hand is on the door handle. He has closed the door without getting on himself.

Frantically, I start to shake the handle on the inside, but Finn holds it shut. He shakes his head sadly and apologetically tears stream down his cheeks. He places his hand on the window of the door and the helicopter starts to take off. A350 comes behind and holds me. I scream and try to escape her. The helicopter continues rising. If I jump now, I could make it.

Silently, Finn forms the words “Forgive me,” before he turns and runs away with Ruby, who also stayed with him.

We get higher and higher into the sky, so high that I can no longer see Finn. Soon we are so far away that the whole Legion commander sphere is only a small dot on the horizon. I can barely see it explode.

Breathless, I fall against the door and look up at A350. She knew. That was her plan. That was what she and Finn discussed. How could he agree with her?

“Why did you do this to me?” I hiss toward her softly and full of hate.

“Because I love you,” she replies simply. “I am your mother.”

I
hope that you enjoyed “The Forgotten Ones” as much as “The Outcast Ones.” I read every single comment and am happy about all of your reviews, even your criticisms.

Often misspellings are criticized. I have tried to do more editing on this novel to avoid them. Nonetheless, as an indie author, it is very difficult. I do not have an editor to look over my shoulder. Therefore I am dependent on others for help and support. I have many preliminary readers who find errors and I am always looking for more. That is why I would be very happy if you were to contact me and continue to support me.

As you might know, “The Forgotten Ones” is the second part of a four part series. The next part, “The Lost Ones” will be available later in 2016, with the fourth available part soon after.

Many thanks for reading!

Yours,

Maya Shepherd

...H
enny Schäfer-Einfinger. You’re the best mother that I would wish to have. You believed in me from the start. In times when I could barely see a light on the horizon, you held my hand and showed me the horizon. I praise you and I am glad that you enrich every day of my life with your presence.

...Sabrina Stocker. They say a piece of the author is in every character in a novel. There is at least as much of you as there is of me in this book. Each role that I write reminds me of you. You are strong and brave and my soul sister. I do not want to imagine a life without you. Thank you for always standing by my side and celebrate every little success with me.

... Robert Schäfer, Sabrina Keim und Anika Zandra Welter. You are the people who make me happy. You are my sunshine.

...Michaela Wiedau. Through your many small corrections, Radioactive gets better with each little bit. Your opinion is important to me and I hope I can still count on your help in many subsequent works. I am glad you exist!

... Simone Möller, Anja Gollasch and Manja Teichner for many corrections and subtleties. Each message you sent me encouraged me to continue to work and never lose sight of my goal. Because of you I was able to keep the release date.

... Jennifer Schymanski, Mandy Krolmann, Julia Mohr, Mara Remmlinger, Stefanie Bauer, Petra Künzelt, Iris Obermann, Simone Belack and Venwar Newroly. You helped to bring “Radioactive” to the people. The blog tour for “The Outcast Ones” with you was a wonderful experience that cries out to be repeated.

...All readers of my novels. I appreciate every comment and every word of love. To see and hear that I can entertain people with my imagination is more than I could have ever hoped. Thank you for your support.