Page 111 of Beyond The Maples
"We haven't been able to fully assess the barrier. But the actual integrity of the wall seems to deteriorate and then revitalize itself. Essentially, we are concerned it can act as a weapon of sorts. It's unpredictable and its reach is unknown. We've always been able to approach the barrier to a certain distance without harm, but as of late, those distances have varied, resulting in casualties." She runs a hand down her clothes, smoothing out invisible crinkles. She's lying, nervous, or both.
I frown.
Another hand flies up.
"Why are we still sending resources there if that's happening? Why not just put all our resources into the issue with Zaphira, and leave the barrier alone? Especially if we can't seem to get a grasp on what it is, or how to control it." I recognize the girl speaking from our cohort. I'msurprised by her brazenness. She almost sounds… angry.
"That's classified, for now. Your superiors are aware of the situation, and we will let you know more when the time is right," Zander cuts in with a smarmy smile from beside the woman.
The councilwoman then goes on to say that we need to prepare ourselves for the worst. She suspects a long haul ahead.
Then she surprises me.
"We have seen significant agricultural growth in the last month. We are pleased to announce that the Gods have finally taken notice of all our hard work and devotion, and for that, we have you to thank. For protecting us and upholding our ideals, as we make our way back to greatness." She scans the crowd slowly, as if giving us each an ounce of her attention is enough thanks.
There's a roar of applause and whooping, everyone celebrating the prospect of new growth and new beginnings.
I glance down at my friends, who are all shifting nervously. I start clapping, hoping they'll follow. The last thing we need is to draw attention to ourselves. I feel eyes are on all of us now.
I see I'm correct, as I look back to the front and see Zander's attention on me. He gives me a curt, pompous nod, which I return, while keeping my expression blank and my shoulders slack—hoping he can't see the anxiety flitting through my body. If he thinks he's going to collect on our agreement already, he must be insane. I haven't even unpacked yet.
The speaker dismisses us with a monologue about avenging our fellow soldiers who have died for the mission, and about how close we are to reviving what once was. She then leaves us by saying that we must keep our faith; we must continue to sacrifice, and be worthy so the Gods may continue to bless us. My stomach curdles with how many devote nods I see in the crowd. All I can think is:
I can't waitto get out of here.
I am riddled with anxiety. The kind that makes me angry and tight, like I'll sink my teeth into anyone who dares to speak to me. It's the worst kind because all my energy goes into wrapping it up inside myself, tangling it in a web within my gut and locking it away.
We just had what Leo likes to call afamily meeting,and I was outvoted— by everyone. Including Tarius, who is now up to speed. Knowing Berkley's full story, we gave him the option of coming with us, and he agreed without hesitation. There's nothing here for him anymore.
The vote was whether or not we should meet with Sibs again before we leave. I voted no; I already have to find and meet with Macklin and Briggs, convince them to act as guides for us.
The crew was adamant, and while I agree that we need as much information as we can get before we go, I'm unsure meeting with the eccentric woman is the best option. The last time I met with her was... catastrophic, Farra paying the price with the scars on her back, and despite knowing that it wasn’t Sibs' fault, I can’t help but feel dread at all the possibilities of things going wrong while I’m there. Farra was the one who sealed the deal for me going. She said she's still determined to find out what happened to her brother; she pulled the best friend card, and there was nothing else to be said. We've gotten nowhere with the library. We've been unsuccessful in every other attempt to gain information.
I stalk through the city, feeling a bitterness I can't quite place. Maybe visiting Willow and Linden amplified this feeling. Thepressure that had become a distant nag comes roaring back to the front of my mind. I just need to get us all out of here, before things get worse.
There's also a whisper inside of me, so faint I can barely hear it, saying that leaving is somehow wrong. I feel responsible for the fate of everyone I'm leaving behind. I tell myself it's ridiculous—that there's nothing I can do. I already have so many people I want to keep safe, and leaving is our only option. But that whisper is still there— telling me I could do more—be more. And I hate it.
I walk alone, head down, and completely lost in my brain. I do a loop around a couple of streets, just to be sure I'm not being followed. The last thing I need is for Zander to find out about Sibs and ransack her house––or worse.
With that thought, I walk up her steps; lifting my hand to knock just as the door falls open before me, I gasp.
There stands Sibs, a sneaky grin plastered across her crinkled face. She doesn't give me a chance to say hello, just grabs my arm and yanks me inside, slamming the door behind me.
I stumble and, because of my horrible mood, I am turning to scold her, when she lunges at me, covering my mouth before I have the chance. My eyes fly wide. She looks crazed. I start to say something, but she flicks my nose, putting a stern finger to my lips, commanding silence. I relent, giving into the old woman. Right as I do, I hear a thud outside. A unfamiliar man's voice, I don't recognize, booms from the other side of the door. Panic floods me. How was I followed? I was so careful.
Sibs gives me a gentle nod and she motions for me to hide, and I duck into the small bathroom.
Sibs talks to the man, her raspy, tired voice not sounding at all worried as he barks at her, asking questions I can't quite make out. My heartbeat drums against my ribs loudly as I try to even out my breathing. I realize that if I'm found in here, everything is ruined, making me feel desperate. But then, to my utter surprise, I hear the door firmly shut. I wait, counting in my head.
"Come on out, dear, he's gone," says Sibsgently.
"Were they looking for me? I'm so sorry, Sibs, I thought I was careful. What did he want?"
"Calm yourself, child. Everything's fine. They have been doing routine checks for the last week or so. Raids. They always leave me alone fairly quickly, though," she sighs, sounding exhausted.
I frown, looking around her house again, still covered in all things "bad". Not to mention the fact that the officer must've seen me. I had literally just come in the door. I give her a questioning look.
"I haven't gotten here without a few tricks up my sleeve, dear. I have my ways." She winks at me and then continues, "also, I always seem very keen on the young gentlemen staying and keeping me company, there's nothing that makes young people run away faster than a talkative, old woman who wants to hold them captive. Fools!" She laughs, and my body relaxes slightly.
