Unmarked

43. Web Of Lies

Teddy leans against the railing. "I'm glad you called."

I look out across the river, a warm wind whips at my face. I'd always loved this part of the city, watching the boats and listening to the sound of the water lapping at the bank. Sitting here, I'd feel an element of peace and serenity, a rare occurrence for me, especially in public.

Any trace of the calmness I once experienced has disappeared. The bridge is a reminder of the dead Official I rolled off the edge. The industrial area where me and my mum lived for a short period before running is now another symbol of what I had to leave behind because of me.

"I've missed you," Teddy says.

"I saw you this morning, Teddy." I roll my eyes. He always was a bit soft.

"You know what I mean." Teddy slips his arm around my waist.

My stomach lurches and I instantly step out of his grasp. The feeling surprises me. I'm no longer sure how I feel about Teddy. Everything has changed.

"How much of what you told me was real?" I ask.

"Apart from the bit about attending the architecture course everything else was true," Teddy says, "I know you're angry at me but you also lied."

"I lied for survival, you lied because-"

"It was my job. The State gave me a specific task and I had to follow orders." Teddy cuts in. "I'm guessing you don't have a fiancé."

"No. Not many people are lining up to marry an Unmarked," I say flatly. "You're fiancé Freya?"

"She's real," Teddy sighs. His hand moves towards my face but he stops and lowers it back down. "Where did you go when you were supposedly visiting your fiancé for a few days?"

"Let's just say I was being seized against my will. The hazards of working in an illegal world," I say bitterly. "Do you agree with The State? Do you think all Unmarkeds should be killed?"

Teddy shakes his head. "I don't think you're a threat."

"Do you agree with sending people to labour camps for not getting engaged or married within the time frames they set?"

"Cady... are we really going to do this now?"

"I want to know who you are because I thought I did. I believed we had similar outlooks on life, I thought you were a good person, someone I could trust but now I don't know what to think. You are part of The State, you are meant to enforce laws which split families apart, send people to labour camps or worse." I feel my shoulders sag, the weight of the last few days pressing down.

'The laws are there to ensure we have meaning and purpose to our lives. The laws establish and maintain a safe society with ethics and morals."

I laugh harshly. "Teddy, when you worked with me, every one of my clients were corrupt and immoral. Even with all the laws and punishments, it continues. It just functions undercover whilst exploiting those who are forced to hide from normal society."

"The system is not perfect but The State is rapidly closing those places down. Eventually, they will cease to exist."

"If you believe that you're not as intelligent as I thought," I say sarcastically.

"I don't agree with everything The State enforces, Cady. There are laws I wish were different." Teddy exhales slowly.

Why am I talking about any of this? It's not helping either of us. I need to get to the point.

"Teddy, you said if I needed help, I should come to you."

"Is this about your mother?" Teddy sighs and faces the river. "I can't stop her execution. I don't have anywhere near the sort of influence needed."