The Scourge (A.G. Henley) - By A.G. Henley Page 0,18

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Peree shot Jackal? The grief intensifies, clarified by anger. How could he kill a defenseless Groundling, especially when his people had the water—water I’d provided them with—to put out the fire? How could he do it? And why did I ever think I could trust him?

After breakfast Sable makes a solemn announcement about the deaths of Jackal and Rose. Amid quiet sobs, he reminds us we need to be strong during the difficult times when the Scourge is here, to stick together, and to trust in the Three to make the decisions that will be best for the community. He urges us not to take matters into our own hands like Jackal did. Then he calls me up to the front.

People move out of my path, murmuring. Some voices sound angry, some sympathetic. I keep my head up, but my heart stutters, and sweat musters under my arms.

“Fennel—being honored with Sightlessness and thus protected from the Scourge, you have more responsibility than most of your peers. Normally you perform your duties in a manner that makes our community proud. Yesterday, however, you displayed a serious lapse of judgment that may have contributed to the deaths of several Groundlings. I know you regret this lapse, and I know you will not allow it to happen again.” I nod, not trusting my voice. “Still, there must be punishment,” Sable says. “Today you will collect six sacks of water and transport them here without assistance. You will not collect any for the Lofties.” He pauses. The crowd is silent. The torches on the wall flicker and crack. “And you will spend the night in the forest, among the Scourge, as a reminder that you can either stand together with your community . . . or you will stand alone.”

Shocked murmurs roll through the cave.

“Do you understand what’s expected of you?” I nod again. “Then go and perform your duty.”

I’m burning with guilt, anger, and fear, but I must obey the decision of the Three. Legs trembling, I push through the silent stares to the tunnel entrance. As I step into the dark passageway, someone presses a pouch into my hand.

“Bread, dried meat, and herbs—from Mother,” Eland whispers in my ear. He sounds like he’s crying. I kiss his cheek and thank him, then I walk until the tunnel swallows me, hiding my own tears in its familiar, comforting blackness.

I sit at the entrance to the caves, my back against the sun-warmed wall. Flesh-eaters pace outside, shrieking and howling at me. They’re hungry as always. I’m torturing them—intentionally—by sitting just out of their reach.

I should go; it’s going to be a long day. I have no idea whether Peree will be waiting for me, or what he’ll say, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve already decided I’ll collect the six sacks of water without his help. After last night, it’s obvious I can’t trust him, as much as I had hoped otherwise.

I wipe away my tears, stand up, and march into the sunlight toward the forest. The creatures scream all around me. I scream back, until it occurs to me I must look mad having a shouting match with a pack of half-humans. I stop, and realize Peree’s yelling, too. I can barely hear him over the flesh-eaters’ furious noise.

“Fennel! I need to talk to you.”

“Go away,” I shout, and continue on to the clearing. Sweat trickles down the back of my neck. It’s steaming, even at this early hour.

He follows me through the trees. “I didn’t want to shoot him; it was my duty. I was the lookout this morning–”

“Your duty? To kill an unarmed man? He was frustrated from staying in the caves for days. He didn’t do any real harm!”

The creatures groan. I notice, not for the first time, that the more upset I am, the more agitated they become.

“Did you know his partner was pregnant?” I say. “And that she left the caves to find him, and that she was taken by–” I choke on my tears. I don’t want to completely break down again.

“I heard,” he says. “I’m sorry.”

“Sure you are,” I say. “You Lofties are known for your compassion, aren’t you? Always looking out for us, up in your safe little nests. More like looking down on us.” I’m going too far, but I can’t seem to stop now that I’ve started. “Why are you even pretending to be my friend, with your swim and your compliments? You said I don’t need a Keeper, and now I don’t want