Protected Slaves

7. Wounded

It felt great being able to see my mother again. I've spent nearly every night in the last week sitting in her tiny apartment and talking about our life, mine in the Protected Zone and hers in the Restricted Zone. Our lives were so different that it fascinated me to hear everything she had to say. Miles also seemed intrigued with life in the Restricted Zone for the Innovative and he always seemed to have a million questions to ask her but I could see in his eyes that he really wanted to know about his mother.

Ever since my mother had let it slip that she had known Miles' mother I could see that he wanted to really ask her everything he wanted to know. But he never did ask those questions. He allowed me to spend the time getting to know my mother's life and I knew that I would give him one night to ask whatever he wanted to know.

I sat beside my mother and listened to her describe the way the Innovates were treated in this place. I thought that it would have been at least a little better than the treatment in the Protected Zone considering the fact that Viktor wanted them for an army.

The Officials began their nightly patrols through the Restricted Zone and I was forced to leave my mother not knowing if she would be here the next night. Miles once again allowed me to be silent as we made our way out of the Restricted Zone. He kept doing this night after night because he knew that it upset me to leave my mother behind back in that place.

We crossed the line without any interruptions from the Officials. I stopped in my spot and slowly turned back to stare at the ominous Restricted Zone with a desire to race through its streets back towards my mother's arms. I was aware of Miles' hand on my shoulder but I couldn't bring myself to turn around and look at him.

"Ray," he whispered.

Slowly I turned to face him. "Yes?"

"I know how badly you want to go back in their but the Officials are patrolling it to make sure that we don't go in there," Miles explained. "It's best if we both go to our homes."

I turned my whole body away from the Restricted Zone.

"Okay," I whispered. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Miles smiled apologetically at me. "That a girl. I'll see you tomorrow too."

Miles dropped his hand from my shoulder then spun on his heel and darted towards his warehouse. I turned and made my way back to the dormitory, being careful to not be detected by the Officials and their dogs that now roamed the area. The moment I was in the dormitory I was careful to not disturb anyone as I made my way into the room. Kellin had been staying more frequently and I wasn't sure if it was on Tom's orders or his own. I collected my things and quickly slipped out of the room.

I carried a clean shirt and pair of jeans over my left arm and carried the soap in my other hand and I had a towel draped over my right shoulder. The dormitory was silent as the orphans slept soundly enjoying the night. Unlike them, I had been spending the night with my mother and I was eager to get back to see her. I reached the bathroom and entered the silent room in hopes of washing the sweat away. I placed my soap in one of the holders in the shower before turning the water on. I stuck one hand under the rush of the water and used it as a thermometer to find the perfect water temperature. I hummed quietly to myself but I fell silent the moment I heard the bathroom door slam loudly. I quickly turned the shower off and pressed my back against the stall's wall.

Someone whistled as they made their way into the bathroom. The whistle grew louder the closer they got to me causing my heart to pound in my chest. The whistler stopped just behind the spot I was hiding in.

"I know you're there Rayla," a familiar voice said.

My body stiffened as my brain put a name to the voice. Tom Davidson was here. I remained silent as he started to walk again but I knew that he would find me. He stepped into the light and turned his head to look at me with a grin on his face.