Read Online After the Fear (Young Adult Dystopian) by Rosanne Rivers - Free Book Online Page B

anymore. We both know why she was being discreet. The Book of Red Ink replaced the Bible long ago. My family were never religious, but I know some people still pass the teachings of their faith down in secret. Dad said that when the Shepherds first came to power, they even tried to ban words like ‘god’ or ‘lord’, but they had been adopted so readily into language that the Shepherds had to give up. I bite my lip.
    ‘Sorry. Um, Mr Winters said you were from city Alpha. What’s it like there?’ I ask, trying to ease the tension as we wait to be greeted by whoever wanted us out here. Of course I’ve heard what people are like in Alpha—totally elitist and close to paying back their Debt—but I don’t have anything else to ask her about. I take another grateful sip from one of the many water bottles Alixis found underneath her bed, along with two first aid packs and some extra blankets. If only I’d thought to look there last night.
    Alixis smiles, looking to a place only she can see. ‘It’s home. I’ve been away for so long, I’m worried I’ll forget what it’s like, but I’ll always know that it is home.’
    Something doesn’t add up.
    ‘So long? It’s only been two days.’
    ‘Maybe for you. I was held with the rest of them in that dingy cell for a week. The tryouts are at the end of the month so if you’re chosen before that, well, they have to keep you somewhere, drugged up and unwashed. A few of the others had been in for longer.’
    ‘I’m sorry. That’s awful.’
    ‘It was. Although, it made me really want to survive.’ She gives me a sly smile. ‘Thanks for saving me from that arrow by the way.’
    I shrug in what I hope is a think nothing of it way. I can’t work her out. She looks older than me, but acts younger and seems more than a little wary. Then again, neither of us is exactly showcasing our personalities right now. It’s been a rough few days. I’m still surprised Mr Winters didn’t sneak into our pod in the night and inject me with poison after he realised I had overheard his conversation. ‘Cherry-picking’—that’s what the other man accused him of. Did he mean the way Mr Winters picked me?
    ‘Our new Demonstrators!’ A cheery voice greets us from across the tarmac. It’s as if I summoned him from my thoughts or something because I instantly recognise the mystery voice from last night. He looks around Alixis’ age, maybe twenty-two, and strides towards us in a pale blue shirt and black jeans. He brings the smell of coffee, and it mixes in with the earthy scent of the camp.
    ‘So it’s true then. Two ladies! Apparently, you lovelies caused quite a stir at the tryouts.’ He stops a metre in front of us. ‘I usually don’t greet the newbies, but I had to meet you for myself. Half of Juliet is already following you on Debtbook! I don’t blame them, a pair of absolute beauties, both of you.’
    He meets my gaze confidently, and it’s hard to believe that this is the man who struck fear into Mr Winters—possibly the creepiest guy on the planet.
    ‘You have to be the infamous Sola. Very clever tactics saving that young boy’s life.’ He winks at me before grabbing my hand in a firm shake. ‘And I won’t ask where you got that sword from, but you owe me one, okay?’ He elongates the okay , like he’s giving a drum roll. I just stare.
    ‘Which makes you Alixis? I’ve heard all about that pin in the eye. Great stuff. Great stuff. Well, I’m sure you have lots of questions but save them for your trainer. I merely wanted to welcome you to the camp.’ He nods the whole time while he speaks; his brown hair so gelled it doesn’t even waver. I get the impression he wants us to respond.
    ‘Thanks. Um, who are you?’ This comes out slightly more offensive than I mean it to, and his smile falters.
    ‘Shepherd Fines, of course.’
    Alixis jolts her head up.
    He’s a Shepherd. A real, honest-to-life Shepherd. The government is only made up of seven and the only