The Knife Thrower

Chapter 19

Ryan rolls out a big map made of yellowed parchment on the table in front of me. The corners are fraying and the black ink is faded. I finger the edge of the map, wondering how old it is. Ryan shows me the suburbs, the town, The Divider and the barricades. There are roads drawn on as well. But outside the barricades that keep us locked in, is empty space. I ask him about it.

"Very few people know what is out there. Everyone knows the rest of the world exists, but very few people know what is outside where we live, in the rest of Australia. Those who do know chose not to tell, for they are government officials." Or spies like my dad.

I move my gaze to The Divider, tracing my finger along its rocky, large form. The Divider is wider at the back than the front and is split in half horizontally. The back half, the larger half, is covered in stick-figure trees. The front half is barren and open.

Pointing to the wooded part of The Divider I turn to face Ryan. "What is beyond it?"

"Nothing. You can't go around The Divider, for the barricades connect to the edge of the rock face." The barricades are metal fences that are ten meters tall and a meter thick. They go around the entire Relang country, in a hexagon shape. There is one set of doors in the barricades, on the other side of The Divider, but it is heavily guarded by government officials. Anyone who tries to leave Relang without government consent will be shot on sight.

I let out a sigh, frustration making me impatient with Ryan's 'helpful' rhythms. "So what do you suggest then?"

"Patience is a virtue." Is all he says. He walks out of the room and I follow him, biting my lip so I don't say anything unholy. I watch as he makes himself another cup of tea. He asks if I want but I shake my head. This is taking forever. I still haven't figured out what I am going to do about those metal detectors. They won't fall for the same trick twice.

"On the left side of The Divider," he says in between sips of tea, "there is a set of stairs that have been ground out the rock face. They are narrow and steep, invisible to the naked eye unless you know it is there."

I nod my head, an idea forming and check my watch. Dang it, I have to go. I am going to have to execute my plan another time. I yell thank you over my shoulder and walk towards the front door.

I am halfway there when I here footsteps following me. "Wait!"

I pause at the door, wondering if there is more he has to tell me. Ryan jogs over to me, the map tucked under his arm and something in his hand. "Take this map so you know how to get there. And," he places a compass in my hand, "you will need this if you wish not to fall of the cliff face. Once you reach the top of The Divider, travel west. You will reach the end of the forest and come to the open meadow. Good luck."

He kisses my forhead and gives my one last hug. I melt into his open arms, inhaling his sent of sawdust and sweat. I put the compass into my pants pocket and tuck the rolled-up map under my arm. I slip away quietly, not wanting to attract unwanted attention. There are no shadows at this time of morning, nothing to keep me camaflagued from this cruel land I live in.

*****

I meet Izzy and Jay outside the school grounds. Izzy hands over my jacket and I pull it gladly onto my shivering frame. "Realised you left without it so I thought I'd bring it." I say thank you and huddle into its warmth. I eye the metal detectors once more, considering my limited options. I can't bear to go in unarmed. But it looks like I have no other choice. Why can nothing be easy for me?

As I pace up and down, thinking, an idea comes to me. I hurriedly say goodbye to Izzy and Jay, and race off to the right side of the school. I keep out of sight, circling the building once, then once again to check. There is only one set of doors that allow access into the big building. From that building you can access the rest of the school. But that doorway is flanked by metal detectors.

I decide to use the back of the building, crouching on the floor to watch for any passers by. Most people walk towards the building from the other side, so this back way is deserted.

I scan its unforgiving, rough exterior, trying to make out any invisible entry ways I might have missed. There are three windows, all on the second story. I wring my hands nervously, the hope dying in me with every passing minute.

Something catches my eye. I stare at the opening section of wall which was not there a second ago. A man in a grey jumpsuit exits, looking to the left and right before fully emerging. He shuts the door behind him and locks it with a key hanging from the ring on his belt. He walks away towards the town, keys swaying to his step. I wait till he dissapears and run towards the door.

It is camaflagued with the wall, making it look like there is no door there. Genius, A hidden janitors door! I look at the bare door, searching for the handle. There isn't one. Instead, there is a lone keyhole where the nob should have been. I bend down again, legs groaning in protest. I eye the keyhole, looking at what type it is.

Fishing a bobby-pin out of my hair I glance over my shoulder, aware the janitor could come back any second. I push it into the lock, moving it around until I hear a barely audible 'click.' I stand and shove the door open.

I walk into a cramped, dark room filled with cleaning supplies and ancient school stuff. I shut the door behind me and take in the now green-tinted room. There are a couple broken desks in one corner, a tray covered in cleaning equipment in another. Shelves on each wall hold spare stationary, lost property and out-of-date magazines. There is also a grey box on the wall, that locks like the schools power box. Have to remember that.

The room is so untidy and over stuffed there is hardly any floor space. I wade through the random junk, now ankle high. I reach the other side of the boxed room and feel along it for a door. There has to be a door. I hear footsteps behind me and I freeze. The old janitor is coming back. I frantically feel around for a handle, knocking over the tray in the process. Finally my hand touches the brass handle down to my left. I turn the handle and fling it open, hoping no one is on the other side. I step through it quickly, shutting it just as I hear the other door open. I lean against the door for a second, breathing hard.

I am standing in the first floor hallway, which thankfully is now deserted. I start walking again, going down the hallway towards the staircase. Towards my first class for the day.