CHAPTER 3: FAMILIAR FACES

Once I had said my goodbye to the Elders, I slowly turned around and made my way to the great brown door of the Jobless Hut. I stepped into the building and was shocked by the sight before me: dangerously skinny little children crawling around, covered in dirt, new adults, not much older than I was, walking about bare-footed and coatless, shaking as they were bitten by the harsh winter winds. I made my way through the small crowds, my stomach like a stone, sinking inside me. I could feel warm tears forming in my eyes. I missed my home. My mother. The warmth of the fire in our living room. Even Henry.

All of a sudden, I felt a nudge on my shoulder. "Hey, you alright?" I heard a soft, familiar female voice asking. I looked up and saw a young girl with long, golden-brown locks, and sea-blue eyes, peering down at me.

"I'm new here," I whispered, slowly standing up. The girl was only a little bit taller than me. "I was just brought here, and I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

"That's normal here," the girl started to explain, "It's always pretty scary the first few weeks. But it gets better, I promise." She smiled at me, gently taking me by the hand. "Come with me." She said.

I followed her up a crooked flight of stairs into a small room on the east side of the building. In the room was a rotting wooden table, some chairs, a broken sofa and some old mattresses propped up against the walls. I could see 3 figures in the dim light.

"Hey guys! I found us a newbie!" The girl called out.

"What do we have here?" came a thick, raspy voice, followed by a plump young man, probably the same age as the girl, with thick brown curls covering his forehead. As he looked at me with his golden eyes, a wave of relief flooded my chest.

"Chester?" I asked, not believing my eyes.

"Sela?!" He replied, overjoyed, yet surprised, "how did you end up here?"

Chester was Karl's best and oldest friend. I'd known him my entire life. I always wondered what had become of him after Karl.

The other two figures emerged from the shadows: a boy and a girl, same height, same brown hair, same round faces. I assumed they must be twins.

"Are you going to introduce us?" Asked the boy.

"Ah, yes!" Said Chester, "Guys, this is Karl's sister, Sela. Sela, this is Matt and his twin sister Morgan, and the lovely one who you followed here is Tula."

I nodded at everyone, giving each of them a small smile. "Why do all of you seem so familiar?" I asked, looking to my four new friends.

"Matt and I went to Education with Karl and Chester," explained Morgan, "Tula was Karl's partner on the crewship. You may have met her briefly before they departed."

My heart leapt at those last words. I spun around and grabbed Tula's arm.

"You were with him!" I cried, "Do you know what happened to him? How did you come back? Why are you in here?"

"My memory of that day is quite foggy," Tula began, "It was, I think, 3 weeks into the journey? We were around a day away from our final Port, somewhere in the Dark Forest, and something attacked our canoe. For some reason, I have no memory of what it was, only that it was strong, and it nearly ripped the boat in half. I remember Karl grabbing a sword and screaming as he flailed it around… I think… I remember being knocked onto the floor or hit on the head. The last memory I have is of Karl screaming my name as he was being dragged into the distance… I woke up in the Medcare to the with the Elders surrounding me, saying that Karl was gone, and I'd be sent here."

I looked down at my feet, tears falling down my cheeks as a stone formed in my throat. My fingernails were digging into my palm, warm blood trickling down my fingers. I was sat on the sofa with Morgan and Tula on either side of me, and the boys were sat on their dirty mattresses.

"I had it all planned out!" I shouted angrily, my sight blurred with tears, "once I got my Brand, I was going to take a boat and go after him. I was going to find him and bring him back…" I felt my voice breaking as I fell into Morgan's arms.

"Maybe you still can," Matt said quietly, "There will be one hour next week during which the boats will be left unguarded."

I looked at him, confused, "I don't understand-" Then it hit me: The full moon.

Every month, on the full moon, my people would gather in the village center at twilight to celebrate the full moon and give their sacrifices to the moon sprites. With the exception of the Jobless, it was mandatory for everyone to go. The nightguards would not be at the Port that night; they would also be at the Moon Festival.

Everyone in the village was obliged to attend the Moon Festival, or they would be given 'new life,' which Henry told me was the elders' way of saying exile. As soon as the boat keepers left for the Moon Festival, I would have easy access to the boats, and would easily be able to make my getaway.

"I estimate 5 minutes from here to the port at a full run." Said Tula, "We'll head into the village first, as soon as the Nightguards leave their posts, to get food and supplies. We can meet at the Port when the music starts, find a canoe and sail away, quick and quiet as shadows."

"Chester and I can take care of supplies, Morgan, you take Sela and head for the Food Shops and Tula can get to the Port and start preparing our canoe." Suggested Matt.

I stared at them in disbelief, "You don't have to come-" I began, but Tula cut me off.

"Chester is Karl's best friend. I was his Crewpartner. We both owe it to him to at least try."

"My brother and I will be coming too." Said Morgan, "We've known Karl since we were Threes, he's our friend, too. Besides, you'll need someone who can cook and someone who can track."

My heart swelled with excitement and gratitude.

"Thank you, thank you!" I cried, laughing with relief and joy. The others nodded, large grins appearing on their faces.