Page 31 of Wrath

When the van finally stops, some of the boys are asleep. And as the door opens again, I realise it’s now dark. There’s a lady waiting as the man bangs on the side of the van to wake the others up. We’re pulled out and lined up in front of the lady. Shewalks along the line with her hands behind her back. It reminds me of my grandfather checking we’re dressed smartly enough for church.

The cloths are removed from our mouths. “How old are you?” the woman asks me.

“Six.”

She glares at the man, who shrugs. “You were told under-fives from now on.” She moves along the line, and most boys tell her they’re six and seven. Only one claims to be five.

“The forefathers will not be happy,” she tells the man. “Go and explain. I’ll deal with these.”

“It’s hard to find them alone so young,” he mutters as he marches off up a steep hill.

“My name is Ms. Cathy. I will be taking care of you. Follow me.”

We’re led to a wooden trapdoor, which we all go through, and then she leads us through a lot of dark caves. My feet are damp and they hurt. Some of the other boys are crying, asking where they are. She doesn’t answer but just keeps walking.

Eventually, there’s a large cave with thin mattresses on the ground. We’re told to pick one and have a rest.

The boy beside me is Ethan. “I don’t know what’s happening,” he whispers through the dark. Now that Ms. Cathy has taken the lamp, it’s pitch black and we can’t see each other.

“I was taken from my mother,” I tell him.

“Me too. She was talking outside my school, and I was playing on the nearby field.”

“They’ll come for us,” I tell him. “I’m sure.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

WYNTER

Istare up at the village hall at all forefathers. The families stand behind them, including my mother and Summer, along with my father’s new lover. I can see the tension pouring from Summer, but she has that familiar smile in place like Father would expect.

My father moves to the lectern. “We’ve all been awaiting some good news,” he says proudly, “and I have it in abundance.” The crowd claps, and I glance around at the sea of smiling faces. “My beautiful daughter, Summer, is pregnant by the warrior, Maximus. The crowd erupts in cheers, but I shake my head in annoyance.

“He can’t even be sure of that,” I mutter to Martha, who gently pats my hand.

“Not only that, but I have plans to expand our founding families’ bloodline.” The crowd settles. “Each head of the family will take more than one wife.” There’s silence stretching out as people process what he’s saying. “I have recently married Annastasia. She is expecting twins in a few months.” A few people clap, but it’s not as strong as before. It sets my father on edge, and he glances back at the other forefathers. Adrian steps up to the lectern, smiling wide.

“Those of you who have unmarried daughters may present them as possible matches for the forefathers,” he says. “We will hold a gathering, and all families with daughters will be requested to attend.”

A mother to the left of me stares in horror as her husband gives his daughter an excited nod. She looks no older than fourteen. “We can’t let this happen,” I mutter.

“Stay quiet,” Martha warns. “We will talk about it when it’s safer.”

We’re dismissed minutes later, and as the crowd parts, the mother falls into step beside me. “I agree,” she whispers. “We can’t let this happen.” I give a stiff nod. “I run the pharmacy,” she adds. “I’d love you to drop by. My husband isn’t around tomorrow.” I nod again, and she walks off in the direction of her husband.

“We might just be able to cause a rebellion,” I tell Martha excitedly.

“Wynter, wait.” I turn to see Summer running towards me. She glances back to check my father hasn’t noticed, but he’s too busy shaking hands with other men. “I just wanted to check up on you,” she says.

“Congratulations,” I tell her, smiling warmly.

“It doesn’t feel like a celebration,” she mutters sadly.

“How are things at home? How’s Mother?”

The smile no longer reaches her eyes, and she slips her hand in mine. “I miss you,” she tells me. “I’m sorry for the things I said. I didn’t mean them.”

“I know. I miss you too.”

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