Sleeping

Chapter Five

“How could you tell? That I-I’m…” I said.

Just then, Ashley and Ashton came back with a roll of bandages that looked like it had been used a thousand times before. Ashton handed the roll to Martha and said “The birthmark on your cheekbone. All of the Isarians have it somewhere on their body. Yours is just really obvious. And the white hair and eyes was also kind of a giveaway.”

“I could just be albino or something.” I said back to him as Martha began wrapping up my foot. But I didn’t really believe what I was saying. My birthmark was shaped like a perfect outline of a five-pointed star—the edges, sides, and angles are too neat to be natural. It almost seems to change day-to-day. Small symbols and parts are just a little different from the day before.

“But you’re not. Okay?” Ashley said, obvious disdain showing on her face. “You’re one of them. So get used to it.” She grabbed her brother’s wrist and tugged him away. The words stung, I will admit that. But she’s

“Okay,” began leader-man “we’ve all had a little too much excitement for one day. Get some sleep. We’ll have a meeting to decide what to do about the Ice tomorrow morning, right after breakfast. Can’t have a trial on an empty stomach. Martha, show the girl to her cell.”

Martha grabbed a thick ribbon from her back pocket. “Sorry—rules are rules.” She tied it around my eyes. I couldn’t see anything. I began breathing heavily. “Is something wrong?”

“It’s the dark. I’m scared of the dark.” I said.

“One second. I’ll be right back.” Martha said. I heard scraps of her conversation with leader-man. “…poor girl…scared of the dark…How can you be so insensitive?…didn’t even know…put her in a room…just for tonight…she’ll be guarded…” I heard Martha’s footsteps approach me. “We’re going to put you in a room for the night.” She helped me to my feet. “Can you walk?”

I tried putting some pressure on my ankle. It hurt a good bit, but it wouldn’t be unbearable to walk on. I nodded.

“Good. Let’s go then.” Martha wrapped her arm around my waist to guide me and gripped my hand. She led me through what I thought was a series of tunnels, stairs and turns. I heard a door creak open and we stepped inside. She pulled my blindfold off and I at once felt relieved. It was still a very tiny room with no windows, but at least it had a small cot and blanket. “Is this good for now?”

“Yes. Thank you.” I replied.

“Well don’t thank me yet. Your trial’s tomorrow. The group is gonna decide what to do with you and—trust me on this—Craig may be a big softie at heart, but he’s a ruthless leader when it comes to protecting everyone.” Martha paused. “But I think they’re gonna go easy on you.”

“Why?” I asked. “If apparently ‘my kind’ is so evil and terrible, why would they let me live?”

“Come on, let’s sit.” We did. “You’re down here too. If you weren’t an Isarian, you would just be some poor girl who got stuck down here, just like everyone else.”

“Wait. Where is ‘here’ exactly?” I had already been deep underground before and I had fallen at least fifteen feet when I jumped from the closet. So where was I now?

“Well…it’s kind of complicated.” She took a deep breath and looked as if she was thinking. “This entire area where we are is a kind of penal colony.”

“What? Like Australia?”

“Yes.”

“So you’re all criminals?” That sick feeling of fear that had settled in my stomach since I first heard what was to be done with me deepened.

“Yes and no. We’re all either people who asked too many questions or the children of people who did. We turn away anyone who actually did do something unforgivable.” Martha said. “Now. Get some sleep. Well, try to at least. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow.”