She Wore Black Page 9

  Alyx’s face softened, a happy memory of his mother obviously.

  “I’d been locked up for I think it was three months, Maria worked out when we got back to her place. But this last time, he decided to be cocky, and I managed to hurt him and get away, after I’d broken his nose, kneed him in the face, and kicked him in the balls, amongst other things.”

  Both boys winced at the mention of the kick to the delicates.

  “He’d picked me up on the way to Selection Day and thrown me into the back of a car. Why? What's the thing with only a month?”

  Maddox grimaced. “Most of those who we have that were taken, they join us a lot longer afterwards. When they’ve had a chance to work through the issues that can come with what usually happens when women are taken in GreyBrook.” I nodded, “So, for it to have only been a month, I’m just figuring out what we may encounter for you that… ah, could be a problem for us.”

  “I get it, Maddox, can I call you Maddox?”

  He nodded.

  “I’m doing fine. I promise.”

  “No flashbacks?”

  I grimaced.

  “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  I nodded.

  “Often?” Shaking my head, he nodded, “We can usually deal with those.” He lapsed into silence, thinking.

  “Maddox, why are you so understanding of this?” I asked, murmuring.

  Maddox looked up, confused, “GreyBrook law states that should a female citizen be harmed by the actions of a man citizen the fault of the actions is on the female, as she will have done something to necessitate those actions. That the female the actions were taken against is not to speak of the harm caused, nor mention the name of the male who they may accuse or have pushed into those actions, on penalty of imprisonment, expulsion or death.”

  Maddox shook his head. “I know it does. Ferox is different. Within the Section, we live by the rules, except for some that govern the treatment of women. We are as close to equals as the law will allow. So, not quite. But you will find more respect in Ferox than other sections.” Alyx was smiling; clearly, he shared some of his mother’s wishes for change. “But, the rest stands. I need to know in order to allow you time to heal and provide ways of making that happen. But, aside from here in this carriage, and with me, you aren’t to speak of it. Others have been taken, and I know you will talk amongst yourselves when you figure out who has and who hasn’t, but the law around naming, or announcing still stands, okay?”

  I nodded. “Thank you.”

  “Is there anything else I need to know? The scar on your jaw? From him?”

  I nodded, my heart starting to race, my chest becoming tight, knowing what he was going to ask me next.

  “Any more?”

  I swallowed, nodding, surprising myself by sliding the jacket off my shoulders, and placing it on the table. I glanced at both him and Alyx, who looked uncomfortable and stood up, turning my back to them both. A small intake of breath from Alyx as he visually traced the scar from jaw down the back of my neck and under the collar of the dark grey t-shirt I was wearing. I bit my lip and took a deep breath as I gripped the bottom of my shirt and pulled it up to the back of my neck. Alyx gasped, as rustling of a leather uniform told me Maddox had stood and was walking over to me. He reached out and gently touched a couple of the scars. From what Maria had said, a few were still red, but all of them had healed. I shuddered, unable to stop myself, even though he was gentle. Hands roaming my body without consent, touching scars that bore memories that even I didn’t know what they held, confused my body and my brain. I was fighting the need to pull away, fighting back the need to hurt someone for touching me. I had lifted my shirt, I had basically invited them to touch them.

  “Walker,” Maddox quietly grunted through clenched teeth, as he moved my hands to lower my shirt again, “Walker Barlow.”

  I pulled the jacket on before I turned around, and stared open mouthed at Maddox, shocked he knew.

  “The fucker.” Maddox sighed, as he sat down again, “You don’t need to say more. Despite the loosening of the law in Ferox, you still cannot name or accuse those who may have harmed you, you will be arrested. However, if it is him, you will find you aren’t the only survivor of his… attentions. You need not say anymore, I know what his proclivities are.”

  Anger writhed barely concealed under the surface of his features. It actually scared me just a little how angry he was, and he’d only met me that morning. I gathered the others in Ferox were women close to him for him to have such a deep seated anger for something that had happened to me. Alyx looked slightly ill.

  “Sorry, Alyx.”

  He shook his head. “No, I needed to see that.” He looked sad, “I knew it happened, I knew that some men were just evil. But I’d never seen it in the flesh, if you will.” He paused, considering his words, “It’s not that I didn’t believe it when people whispered about the Taken, and when female friends disappeared permanently or for a short time, and came back somewhat different. I did. But never had it presented so plainly before me.” He looked up, and fixed me with steady eye contact, “Reed, thank you for trusting me with seeing your scars. I appreciate it, and will do what I can to prevent it happening to others.”

  Maddox considered him quietly, a sad but proud expression softening his features. “See, I knew you were a good choice to bring with me, Alyx. Someone who can start the change we need to make. I have to toe the Confederation line or I could be removed as Ferox Leader, but a voice within the section can start a change.” He must have noticed the confused expression on my face, because he grinned again, “We do try in Ferox to make some laws governing women less restrictive, but we’re slowed by the upbringing of many of Ferox’s newcomers, and a culture in GreyBrook that is usually resistant to change.” He looked sideways, to the small window, “Almost there.”

  He stood to use the restroom and left Alyx and I in the carriage alone. Alyx sat down near me in the seat.

  “Reed, just so you know, and ‘cause someone told me, I’m paying it forward. They may play on your, for want of a better word, issues, to conduct some tests. I appreciated being warned, so I thought you might.”

  I nodded. “Thanks for the warning.” I glanced up, as the door opened, “Oh, and yeah, I know that board game, I used to have to lose or my brother would throw a tantrum.”

  Alyx frowned, then smirked when he realised Maddox was back.

  The carriage had now come to a complete stop, a small jolt the only indication. Maddox stood, and waited by the door, Alyx signalled I should stand next to him, but behind Maddox. The doors hissed open, and a dark room greeted us. Maddox stepped forward, and the several lights came up lighting the way out of the tunnel we seemed to be in. Following Maddox in silence we exited into a greater hall where the noise of a crowd suddenly quietened. Maddox quietly signalled to Alyx to keep me back for a minute as he stepped forward to greet the crowd.

  “Loyal Ferox.” A quiet cheer. “We return from the Confederate Circle, numbering one more than when we left.” A louder cheer. “Member Smith, please bring new Member Reed Taylor to me.”

  Alyx gently took my arm and lead me forward to Maddox.

  “Ferox, this is Member Reed Taylor - this year’s Non-Sel, who has selected and been accepted to Ferox, pending the positive outcome to the many trials we will put her through in the next few days.” He glanced at me, “Welcome her as you would any new Ferox member post Selection Day. That is all.” He paused, considering, “Member’s Paige Raeburn, and Jennifer Randell, can you please meet me after this.”

  Alyx moved to lead me away, Maddox shook his head.

  “Leader Cohen, you requested we stay?” a young, strawberry blonde woman asked as she and another woman both dressed head to toe in Ferox uniform approached Maddox. I couldn’t take my eyes off the speaker, my body forgetting to breathe, as I stared. Her uniform fit her better than mine fit me, and she had the body to pull it off. I bit my lip and tore my eyes away before she caught me starin
g. Not the best time to give away I thought she looked hot. Maddox was speaking with them both, quietly, and the blonde one kept looking my way before he led them to me.

  “Reed, this is Paige,” pointing to the hot blonde one, “and Jennifer” pointing to the other, “Remember when I said, ah… you weren’t the only one?” I nodded, “You weren’t. Both Paige and Jennifer are more than aware of a certain GreyBrook member’s proclivities.” He turned back to them, “Girls, it’s only been a month since Reed escaped, just so you are aware.”

  Paige sucked in a quiet breath, whilst Jennifer turned to stare at me.

  “Jesus, and you chose Ferox already?” she asked.

  “Yes. They only gave me a month to make a decision. The Confederate Circle, aside from Maddox, think I was a Runaway.” Paige nodded knowingly. “So Pius wouldn’t have me back… not that I wanted to go back.”

  Jennifer grinned, “You will be great here. If you survived him - you’ll be fine. Come find us if you need anything.” Jennifer bid farewell and left the area. Paige thanked Alyx for looking after me, and then led me away after Maddox advised her I would be staying in the dormitory she was in.

  “You’re in good company here. You’ll be okay. I can’t say much more, but… if you’re struggling, come find me.” She led me to my bunk, and let me get settled in, “Leader Cohen advised your trials will start tomorrow. Though, he said you’d already passed one? May I ask how?” as she sat down. I grinned

  “Stanford, the leader of Pius, assaulted me in Confederate Circle building after I had chosen Ferox. He knew I wasn’t a Runaway and threatened me if I spoke up. Just about strangled me at the end.” She nodded. “I basically told him he’d broken more laws than I had, and that he could get fucked.”

  She laughed then, knowing I was an Ex-Pius, shocked at the language.

  ‘Well done. Rest up, it could be a longer day tomorrow.”

  For the first time in a long time, I had a restful night sleep, dreamless, and peaceful. It was as if my body knew I would be taking a beating the following day.

  “Member Taylor! Up and out of bed, NOW!” I woke to someone shouting above me. I flew out of bed and stood beside the bed swaying with sleep, still unsure who had yelled at me. “Get dressed and meet me outside.” I nodded and began to pull my clothes on. Pulling my long black hair into a ponytail, I stepped into my shoes and walked towards the door. Stepping out into the darkened hallway, no one was there. I had no idea which way I was supposed to go, so paused briefly, looking both ways. I took a deep breath and started heading down the hallway to my right. Walking along in the dimly lit hall, I was keenly aware of any noises, but for the life of me could hear nothing. Damn, it was quiet for a place that housed thousands of people. I was aware it was only one building we were in, but that Ferox was set up differently to the other sections.

  I was lost in my thoughts, trying to navigate my way around in the dark, when a hand slipped over my mouth. I choked on a scream, too startled to fight back straight away. The body attached to the hand over my mouth started pulling me backwards, as my brain finally switched into gear, and reminded me to breathe, starting the panic coursing through my body to fade. The hand over my mouth was covered with a leather glove, so biting it was out. I tried planting my feet, to slow the drag backwards, but whoever was behind me was strong, and kept trying to pull me off my feet again. I breathed slowly, around the glove, and felt the tugs as they tried to pull me further. Reaching up, I grabbed their arm with one hand, jerking my other arm back and elbowing them in the ribs. Rewarded with a grunt, I used the next time they relaxed to pull forward for another tug as momentum to be able to grab their arm with both hands now, and throwing them over my shoulder, a move Maria had shown me. They hit the ground with a grunt as the air was forced out of their lungs. I knelt on their stomach and put one hand around their throat, my other poised to clock them should they try to move.

  “Who the fuck are you, and what the fuck are you doing?” I snarled, through clenched teeth. They waved their hands in surrender as others came out of the darkness.

  “Stand down, Reed.” Maddox’s voice cut through the darkness.

  I grimaced, stood up, reaching down to help up my ‘attacker”.

  “Time for breakfast.”

  And Maddox walked off. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I shrugged and followed, enjoying the huge feed of bacon, eggs, and toast.

  The day consisted of training and proving I could keep up with the rest of the section physically. I had a bit to work on, still not as fit as I would have liked, but with newly healed ribs, I knew I could do better. A task involving heights and spiders, which was just as terrifying as it was ridiculous, but it made sense given I was afraid of them both. Or at least had been. Given some time later in the day, I went back to the dorm and napped.

  I woke suddenly, in the dark, no longer in the dorm. No longer under blankets. I tried to move and found my hands tied. I swallowed a scream, unsure where I was, who had taken me, and whether they were still here. I couldn’t let on that I was awake. A voice sounded in the dark, muttering, ranting, familiar statements, as though they knew me.

  Fuck, not again. Not from here?

  I wriggled, trying to see if the bindings were loose at any point, when suddenly a hand traced its way up my leg, as the voice grew closer, changed, someone else.

  Christ, there are two?

  It dawned on me I was no longer in the uniform pants I’d laid down in. I felt cold, like I was almost completely naked. I took a deep breath, trying to quell rising panic, hands roaming my body forcing my mind to try to escape. But if I “escaped” now, who knows what they would do to me, I had to stay present, even if it was worse than Walker. Hands grabbed at my underwear, as I tried to kick at whoever was trying to touch me, connecting with something soft that grunted. Rough hands changed, and I was hauled up by my hands as I thrashed trying to get free, shoved into a wall, face first, arms above my head, my back exposed. This was too familiar. I stomped my foot hard enough it was painful, trying to remain present as a rope and chain scrapped across the floor.

  “NO!” I grunted, thrashing trying to get my hands to come off the hook, listening to the weapons being dragged across the floor, the ranting still going on, more distant now, as though it was a recording. Rough hands traced the lines on my back, as I fought off the vision I had whilst walking with Maria, unsuccessful this time, falling back into it quickly, to be dragged out of it by a sharp crack to the back with a whip I didn't recall being picked up. I clenched my teeth, and my body, bracing myself for yet another beating.

  “Enough! Jesus, Maddox, enough.” Paige’s voice cut through the darkness, “Don’t be so fucking cruel.”

  “Stand down, Samson. Get her down first, let her get dressed.” Samson? I felt those hands on my arm, more gentle this time, as he unhooked my hands, and undid them.

  “If it means anything, I hated doing that,” he murmured, I nodded at him. He must have been Samson. Jesus, did Maddox force his staff to do that just to see what I would do? I dressed alone after someone had brought one of my uniforms in for me. Dressed, I stood alone in the dark. At least in the dark, no one could see me trembling. It had felt so damn real, the bastards knew what he had done, and used it against me. What the hell had I done, joining Ferox? Hot tears ran down my face that I didn’t move to wipe away. A door scraped open, and I backed away from the light, into the wall. Blinded, I couldn’t see who had come through until they were in my face.

  “Reed, I’m so sorry,” Paige exclaimed. “The bastard said he wouldn’t use it against me, but I didn’t think he’d use it against someone else, especially someone who’s only been free of that other fucker a month.” She looked me in the eye and moved to hug me.

  I stiffened, until I realised what she was doing and let her hug me. I refused to sob in the presence of another Ferox, not to mention the one I had thought was hot just the previous day. She moved back, and took a long look at me, before turning around an
d pulling her shirt out of her trousers from the back, “Go ahead.”

  I reached out and lifted the back of her shirt, her back riddled with the same scars that marked my own. I gently pulled her shirt back down and nudged her to turn around.

  “Thank you.” I choked out, “For stopping it, for showing me.” She nodded, sighing.

  “It actually sucks to know I’m not alone in having survived him” She murmured, as we walked to the door.

  “What was Maddox trying to do, Paige? Why did he try to recreate what he did?”

  She frowned, “I’m thinking it was to see what your reaction would be to something similar, whether you’d freak out, or freeze, or fight back like you did.”

  “Are we likely to be in situations like that a lot?”

  “No, not usually. But if we were he needs to know we aren’t going to spill Ferox’s secrets because we’re scared or get ourselves killed ‘cause we freeze.”

  I nodded, “Almost froze.”

  “I’m not surprised, it’s only been a month” She playfully punched my shoulder, “You’re doing better than you think, I promise. Come on, they’re waiting for you.”

  “Christ, there's more?”

  She nodded.

  I sighed and followed her. She walked through the doors to the dining hall, and into a courtyard of sorts.

  “Come on!” she called, a reasonable way ahead of me as I took in the surrounding city.

  Entirely different to that of Pius, it was a sight to behold having not had a chance to see it yet since I’d got here. She was standing at the door way to a great hall, grinning at me. As I reached the door, she pushed it open to a brightly lit room. A cheer rose as I walked in the door, Maddox standing in the middle grinning.

  “Welcome to Ferox, Reed.”

  I frowned at him.

  “The tests are over for now, you’re in.”

  I grinned, finally understanding what he was talking about.