The Knife Thrower

Chapter 9

The question circles inside my head, over and over, making me dizzy. What do I say? He studies me critically, like a hawk watching its prey. His solid brown eyes have triumph written all over them, it is obvious he believes he has me. This act of arrogance clears my brain and I clench my jaw. Tilting my chin up I stare back at him. For a long time neither of us move. I won't back down. Finally his gaze drops to the floor in an act of defeat. Now I have the upper hand.

"Why?" I ask him. Two can play this game.

"That's not of your concern," he says icily, muscles tensing like he is awaiting a fight. There is definitely more to this question than he's letting on. My mind races as I try to think of something to say, something to do.

"I'm gonna ask ya one last time, missy," he says, snapping me out of my thoughts,"Were you born in Australia?"

My mind races through answers. I don't know. My parents never told me and I don't remember. What happens if I say no? A little voice in the back of my head nags at me, telling me to say yes. I follow my gut instinct, hoping that this is the answer he is looking for.

"Yes," I say firmly, not wanting to come across as lying. He looks me up and down with a wary eye, trying to see if I am telling the truth. I stand perfectly still and resist the urge to stare at the floor or bite my nails. He looks at his partner, who hands him the notepad. The head guard scans it over and nods in approval, gesturing at me to go back inside. He follows me in and I walk to my seat. Everyone watches me and from the corner of my eye I see Blake sitting in a seat towards the back of the class. I look straight ahead until I get to my seat and then stare out the window to my left.

Tonight I have to ask dad about my memory, why I don't have a memory. Assuming he is back at home. I need to know. My heart only slows down after the policemen leave with their next suspect, a geeky boy called Ivan. After my own interview the rest go quickly, taking about two minuets each. In that time Mr Evlo tells us to read Chapter 7 on Philosophy, but I can't focus.

Why is it so important that they know where we were born? Why is it I feel that I had to say 'yes'? Is it a coincidence that they appeared the day after we were told about the war? I'm sure it's not. Are they questioning all the grades? Well Izzy and Jay are safe, they were both born here. I was there for Jay's birth and Izzy... I heard mother say that she was born here. But one thing is becoming clearer and clearer as I sit here thinking. I have to know about my memory. There is no way that it is natural. I remember everyday after June 12th, 2240. My 10th Birthday. But I can't wait to find out tonight. That might be too late.

In this class I sit in the seat next to the window. Unfortunately, we just happen to be on the third floor. I saw earlier that there is a a ledge under the window that can hold my weight. I sneak a look through the open window and, thank goodness, thee is a thick drain pipe running next to it. I'm not sure that it reaches to the bottom, but it's sturdy and fairly new-looking. Perfect.

Finally the last person is interrogated and the policemen leave. Mr Evlo continues on with his lecture on 'philosophy is a beautiful art, you must respect it,' and I put my plan into action. Quietly I zip up my bag and pull it onto my back. He doesn't notice. But Vanessa does. She gives me a questioning look and opens her mouth to ask me what I'm doing. I can't afford to get the teachers attention right now, I only have one shot at this. I put my finger to my lips and move onto the other side of my chair, cocking my head ever so slightly towards the window. She gives me a wink and turns her attention back to Mr Evlo.

I wait for a minute, waiting for the right opertunity. Mr Evlo turns to write something on the board and I take my chance. I lunge out of my seat and jump through the open window. My feet hit the windowsil and I grab the window frame with both my hands, trying to get a good grip. I look over my shoulder to see if he has noticed that one of his students is standing outside a three-story window.

Nope, he's too busy scribbling something down on the chalk board. Everyone else has though and twenty-four pairs of eyes follow my every move. Some try hard not to laugh, but most just stare at me open-mouthed. I turn myself around fully, so I can slide down the drain pipe. One of the girls, Emma, looks like she is about to tell Mr Evlo so I look her straight in the eye and give her my best 'Don't mess with me' stare. Just in case she doesn't get the message, I mouth 'You tell him and your dead,' Ponting to her, the teacher and then a death sign. Her eyes widen and she goes pale, mouth snapping shut so fast I hear a click. She does not doubt that if I will climb down a three story building through a window, the chances are I will just as readily kill her.

I grab onto the drain pipe that runs vertical down the building. I take a deep breath and jump, hooking my legs around the pipe and sliding down. My hands sting from the friction and the speed at which we are going, causing my hair to fly out above me. I pass a window on the secand story, filled with eighth graders, who stare at me in amazement. I can see the end of the pipe coming, about halfway down the first story. I tense my muscles and shut my mouth, readying myself for the fall the rest of the way. I am airborne for a secand and then I land on me feet in the soft dirt. The force of the drop cause my to fall backwards onto my butt and my ankles sting from the impact. I get up and brush myself off, looking up at the window. Thank goodness there were no teachers walking past when I made my dramatic escape.

I start walking across the oval towards the main road, hoping to get away before an alarm goes off. Half-way across I look over my shoulder one last time and see someone leaning out of the window. Oh, it's just Mr Evlo yelling at me to come back and waving his chubby fist in the air. Stuff him.

Walking up to the road I see a bus pulling up. I check the time on the big clock outside the school, 10:30am. I wonder if there is always a bus at this time? I jump on before it stops moving and grab a seat at the back. Good thing I don't wear school uniform, or people would have been suspicious. I wonder if he is at home? What if he is still looking for mother? Or what if... I push the thought out of my head and stare out the window instead, lost in thought of how beautiful The Divider is. I wonder what it would be like to stand on the edge of it and look over Relang, see the world like the birds do.

I stop the bus when I see my street coming up and walk down its long driveway. A warm breeze ruffles my hair and cools my heated checks. My heart races from adrenaline, sweat dotting my brow from the excitement. I walk through the open back door, alarm ringing in my mind. I'm sure I shut this earlier. Do I call out? If raiders are inside than its better they know I'm hear, so they can scram. But the house is silent, too silent.

"Hello?"