The Weapon Within: A Paranormal Dystopian Adventure (The Unexplainables Book 1) (13 page)

‘
That’s understandable.’

‘
It was really hard to deal with. Then one day she came home from work and told me that she’d been invited on a night out and the next morning she was suddenly all happy again, cooking breakfast and singing. She told me that she’d met someone.’ I rested my head against the back of the chair and sighed. ‘They began spending time together – just a couple of evenings a week at first. Then she told me that he was coming to dinner so that I could meet him. I worked really hard to cook a meal and make sure the house was tidy. He wasn’t at all what I was expecting though.

‘
Which was what?’

‘
Someone like my father I suppose. But he was the total opposite. He was bald, he had enormous muscles and his entire back and arms were covered in tattoos.’

‘
Hmmm.’

‘
The thing was it wasn’t his appearance that put me off, it was the way he watched me.’

‘
How do you mean?’

‘
Well, whenever Mother was talking he was all absorbed in her but whenever she left the room or wasn’t looking, he would just stare at me. It made me feel really sick.’

‘
Did you mention this to your mother?’

‘
I did when he left. She spent a good ten minutes yelling at me and telling me that I was being selfish, that the world didn’t revolve around me, and that she needed some adult company because she couldn’t cope any more.’

‘
That seems a bit harsh.’

‘
Tell me about it! The only thing that kept me going was the knowledge that our lease was almost up on the house, but then Mother told me that Gareth had asked us to go and live with him. I begged her not to but she’d already made up her mind.’

Simeon took a sip of water.
‘That must have been hard for you.’

‘
It was,’ I agreed. ‘I hated him and I hated his house. It was one of those big, three-storey terrace ones. Gareth had painted my bedroom a sickly baby pink colour and stuck up a border with teddy bears all around the walls. The only good thing about it was that it had its own en suite. We spent the first few weeks playing at happy families.’ I shuddered. ‘Mother was in her element but I didn’t trust Gareth. Then, one day, I walked into the kitchen and saw him slip something into a glass of orange juice. I tried to warn Mother but she didn’t believe me.’

The yellow fish was joined by a bright blue one. They circled the outer perimeter of their tank together.

‘Then she got really sick. She quit her job and spent all her time in bed. I was beside myself with worry. Gareth told me that I wasn’t allowed to go and see her but I went anyway. Mother just told me off for causing trouble and said I had to do whatever Gareth asked me to do and help him around the house. He had me running around doing all sorts of nasty jobs pretty much all day long. I tried to sneak up there again at one point but he was there. They were talking about me. Mother told him that I was really powerful but that I didn’t know how to use my powers yet. And she told him that I’m invincible.’ I broke off, my heart racing.

Simeon leaned forwards in his chair and put his elbows on the table.

‘What happened, Ava?’

‘
He was suddenly behind the door and I had to jump down the flight of stairs,’ I whispered. ‘I tried to make it look as though I was coming out of my bedroom but he grabbed me and he hit me really hard. I bounced all the way down the stairs.’

‘
Why didn’t you tell your mother?’

‘
Because he said he would do the same to her if I did,’ I replied.

Simeon rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands and sighed. ‘Oh, Ava, I’m so sorry. Did he do that a lot? Hurt you, I mean?’

‘
All the time,’ I replied. ‘And his friends did too. They treated me like an animal. I had to run around after them all day long then sit in the draughtiest corner of the kitchen to eat the leftovers from their meals.’

‘
Did you not think about running away?’

‘
Every day.’ I nodded. ‘And I almost did. One of Gareth’s friends walked in one day carrying a stack of pizza boxes and didn’t shut the front door properly. So I made a run for it.’

‘
What happened?’

‘
I got as far as the doorstep before they caught me and all hell broke loose. They knocked me out and when I woke up I was in my bedroom. They’d put bars over the window and had painted the glass black. The only things left in the room were a bar of soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a roll of toilet paper, a thin blanket and pillow, and my bed. They’d put a little flap in the bottom of my bedroom door and every now and then they’d push food through it, but after a while they just stopped coming.’

‘
How long were you in there?’

‘
I’m not entirely sure. Three, maybe four . . .’

‘
Months?’

‘
No, years.’

His mouth popped open and he stared at me, aghast.
‘Are you serious?’

‘
Yes. It was awful – always dark and cold. I was so lonely.’

Simeon wiped a tear from his eye.
‘Did anyone ask you about the history between you and Gareth prior to that day?’

‘
Not really. I found it difficult to talk about him and I was scared to let myself get too emotional in case it triggered my powers.’

‘
But they asked you after you were kidnapped?’

‘
No. Brock got fined you see, because I used my powers, and they were all really mad with me. I tried to tell them that Gareth killed Mother but they didn’t believe me.’

‘
But you used your powers in anger because your friend the panther was killed trying to save your life, right?’

‘
Yes, that’s right.’

‘
And nobody got hurt except Gareth?’

‘
No, of course not. I would never have hurt anyone.’

‘
So you showed a tremendous amount of control despite losing control, if you see what I mean, and yet you were punished?’

‘
Well, Brock was the one who got punished I suppose, but everyone stopped talking to me and Oscar was mad at me too.’

Simeon shook his head slowly, his eyes full of pain.
‘Terrible. Simply terrible.’

‘
The panther didn’t deserve to die.’ I said, quietly.

‘
But Gareth did.’ Simeon stated flatly. ‘You’re absolutely right about that.’

It was my turn to stare at him in shock. He noted my expression and smiled warmly.

‘I’m so glad that we managed to bring you here and I only wish that we’d done it sooner. Is there anything worrying you about being here?’

‘
Only that I’m not sure if I can control myself. I’m ok at the moment but having to hide my powers all the time is hard when they keep bursting through of their own accord.’

‘
But you don’t have to hide them.’

‘
I don’t?’

‘
No, not at all. We want you to be yourself, Ava. You are no longer classed as a Nex. You belong to the Paradise Community now, and as such you’re free to do whatever you feel is right, and if that means using your powers every now and then, so be it. Ok?’

I nodded numbly.

‘Right, well how about we bring this conversation to an end here and find something fun for you to do this afternoon?’

‘
That would be great.’

‘
But if it’s all right with you I’d like very much to talk to you again. We can leave it a few days if you like, whatever works best for you.’

‘
Ok,’ I agreed. ‘I think maybe in a few days if that’s all right? It’s hard remembering all this stuff. I haven’t really talked about it with anyone before. But I do appreciate you listening to me.’

‘
That’s what I’m here for.’ He stood and gestured towards the office door.

*

It was well over a week before I spoke to Simeon again. I was having so much fun that I didn’t have time to think about it. Every single day brought something new, from basket weaving to card making to tennis. I made my very own clay pot in the shape of a fish, knitted several little squares which I decided would eventually become a blanket, and learned how to make little figures from fondant icing. One blissful afternoon was spent sitting in a field, painting a picture of the farmhouse and the fields surrounding it. After my experience at college, I was wary of showing it to anyone; however, when they finally persuaded me to let them see, I was greeted by a round of applause. The picture was hung up in the dining room where everyone could enjoy it.

My favourite activity
, though, was helping out at the farm. The first time I went up there I walked into the biggest barn and stood in the shadows, watching the workers. I spotted the girl I’d seen on my tour and sat myself down at her table. She looked up in surprise.

‘
Can I join you?’

‘
Oh . . . sure.’

‘
I’m Ava.’ I held my hand out.

‘
Yeah, I know,’ she replied but she shook my hand anyway. ‘I’m Gracie.’

‘
What are you doing today, Gracie?’

‘
Actually, I was thinking about making some bread. Do you want to help?’

‘
Oooh, yes please. I love making bread.’

We moved over to some benches at the side of the barn and were soon kneading and stretching balls of sticky dough.

‘How old are you?’ I asked her as we worked.

‘
Seventeen.’

‘
So how come you don’t go to college?’

‘
We don’t have to go if we live at Paradise,’ she replied. ‘The leaders assume responsibility for our education. They do run official classes for the younger ones – you know, reading and writing and all that. But once we reach sixteen we can choose whether we want to continue with classes or work within the community. I’m not really academic so I chose to work in here.’

‘
Well, that seems like a better system. I didn’t like college much.’

‘
Yeah well, it’s changed a lot. You used to have a lot more choice but nowadays, it’s really restrictive.’

‘
But not here, right? The commune seems like a really nice place to live.’

‘
Oh, it’s
paradise
all right,’ she replied, although her tone didn’t imply that she meant it.

‘
Don’t you like it here?’ I asked

She glanced behind us.
‘Of course I do, it’s great.’ Her tone had lightened but I wasn’t convinced of her sincerity. She threw her ball of dough into a bowl and covered it up with a tea towel. ‘We need to take these into the farmhouse because there aren’t any cooking facilities in here. Are you coming?

‘
Sure.’ I grabbed my own bowl and tipped my dough inside, then ran to catch her up.

*

From that day on, Gracie and I became friends. She was very different from Beth in that she was more reserved and not so easy to talk to. She was also painfully shy around the leaders and, although she did start sitting at the same table as me at meal times, she would eat in silence, not meeting anyone’s eye. It made for some awkward moments at times but I figured that people didn’t seem to like change much and that maybe it would just take time for her to adjust. In the meantime, my other friendships within the community were blooming and within a short space of time I began to feel very much a part of their little society. Everyone knew my name and spoke to me when they saw me. They were all so positive and encouraging. My confidence soared and I started to relax and enjoy myself. When Simeon did finally suggest that we get together again, I entered his office feeling buoyant and happy.

‘
How are things going, Ava?’ he asked as I took my seat opposite him.

‘
Great, thank you. I really love it here.’

‘
Fantastic! I hope that everyone’s being friendly and supportive towards you.’

‘
Absolutely.’

‘
Good, because that’s the way it should be. You’re very special, you know.’

I blushed and took a sip of water.
‘So what do you want me to talk about today?’ I asked. ‘More stuff from the past?’

‘
Not unless you especially want to,’ he replied, his eyes twinkling. ‘If you do, that’s fine but I’m happy to talk about other things too.’

‘
What like?’

‘
Well, for starters, how are you feeling about the people you left behind in the village?’

‘
I miss them a bit, I guess.’

‘
Just a bit?’

‘
Yes,’ my answer surprised myself. ‘I don’t miss them being mad at me. And . . .’

‘
What is it?’

‘
Well, I suppose I was hoping that they would come for me.’

‘
Here?’

‘
No, when I was at the prison. I just felt . . .’

‘
Abandoned?’ he put in helpfully.

‘
Yes,’ I whispered. ‘It hurt.’

He nodded slowly.

‘They did try, you know,’ I added. ‘When I first got to the village they were amazing. They helped me out and took me in but I was just too much for them.’

‘
Why do you say that?’

‘
Well my powers – they’re so much stronger than theirs and I have more of them. They couldn’t cope with me losing control of them.’

‘
And yet another young woman also lost control of her power some time before you did, is that correct?’

‘
Kenzie?’

He tilted his head slightly.
‘I make an effort to keep informed about what’s going on outside our community so that I can protect those inside it.’

‘
Oh, right. Well yes, Kenzie got angry too.’

‘
And she also used her powers in public, correct?’

‘
Yes.’

‘
Did she go to prison?’

‘
No. She was excluded from college.’

‘
Did the others abandon her?’

‘
No, Gwen took her in.’

‘
So it’s not as though they’re unused to young people losing control, right?’ He leaned towards me. ‘It just seems strange to me that they treated you in that way. I mean, they all have powers and some of them can be pretty damaging, I believe. So I don’t buy that they were afraid of you. And fair enough that you have more powers than them, but let’s face it, you’ve shown from the start that you’re able to control them, even if you find that hard to believe yourself. I just don’t understand what the problem was.’

‘
Me neither,’ I replied miserably. ‘I wish I did.’

‘
Well, I suppose there’s no point in dwelling on it. By the way, did you leave anything behind at Brock’s house? Any possessions?’

‘
The only thing that was really mine was a small cloth bag which had a map my mother drew in it.’

‘
Where is it?’

‘
In the wardrobe in my old bedroom.’

‘
Well, I’ll be going to see Brock in the next few days to sort out transferring your guardianship to the Paradise Community. I can ask for your bag then if you like?’

‘
Ok, thanks. It’s no big deal but I wouldn’t mind having it back.’

‘
No problem. Now, I have one last question before I let you go.’

‘
Ok.’

‘
Tell me, what is the one thing you’d like to do more than anything else now that you’re here?’

I thought for a moment.
‘Well, I’d quite like to go to the coast. I’ve never seen the sea before so that would be fun.’

‘
Really? Well, that’s easily sorted out. Leave it with me.’