Imperfection

Imperfection Chapter 16

I wake to a sharp pain in my shoulder as I am thrown from one end of the steel carriage to another while crossing over a monstrous patch of uneven ground.

I shoot up, panting, shivering and sweating, immediately being completely overtaken by the sudden rush of feeling in my veins, replacing the cold numbness that had previously lingered. I am scared and confused, shocked and relieved all at the same time. I close my eyes, try to slow my heart rate and regain control of my senses.

I don't know where I am or why I am here. My mind is a pure canvas, unblemished, free of the dark stains of the truth.

I open my eyes to a smeared world of blur. It's dark, save of the rose stream of dawn sunlight that leaks in through the tinted windows. The rush of wind blows past me, scattering strands of my hair. The sputtering of an old engine and the thud of tires bounding along an unpaved road make my ears chime. The thick scent of dried sweat mixed with the metallic smell of blood make it hard to breathe.

I try to look around but the slicing pain in my shoulder stops me in my place. All I feel is fire in my shoulder, burning, ruthless fire clawing at my tender skin, murdering my tendons and sending harsh signals through my nerves.

I groan loudly, reaching to clutch my shoulder. My fingers come back wet and sticky with my blood. My stomach heaves.

I'd been shot.

I feel like vomiting and crying and my shoulder is hell. I'm lost. I'm so lost and I don't know anything.

For the first time, I feel completely and utterly hopeless and victimized.

And so I sob.

My shoulders tremble and my chest heaves, my shoulder painfully moving along with it. I bury my face in my knees and wrap my arms around my shins.

I think of Valor, Aurum, Modesty, even Walker and Truth. Hell, I even think of the Alpha. And I am so lost in my thoughts that I don't even notice the car stop.

I hear the door slide open, but don't bother to look up.

"Hey," A soft, calm voice coaxes. "It's okay. You're safe here."

Lies.

"I promise." it continues. "You're free from the Base. They can't hurt you anymore,"

I grunt.

A hand lightly brushes over my leg. "You're not an Imperfection here. We're all different here; there are no errors, no flaws. We are the Liberatus; the Liberated ones."

I raise my head, slowly, cautiously, fearing someone maybe pointing a gun to my head.

There is no gun. Just a young, fire-haired boy with a smile and a sea of freckles across his cheeks, with pale hand out stretched towards me.

"Why?" I ask, squinting at his silver eyes. "How?"

He chuckles. "We are the hidden society, the misfits of Beta, if you will. Welcome to our land."

I take his hand and he helps me out of the van, cautious of my shoulder.

I stagger out, my legs suddenly weak under the weight of my torso. He grins and helps me straighten myself.

I mutter a thank you and try to step away from him. His gentle hands turn out to have a fierce grip on my good shoulder and I am stuck standing in his arms.

"Don't," He whispers. "You have nothing to run from anymore. Just stop and look around."

I hesitate, slightly frightened by the strength of his grip and oddly calmed by the tone of his voice, but I chose to trust him. He walks me from the van, his hand gripping my good shoulder.