Trapped | The Trapped Trilogy Book 1

Nine (Part 1)

Nine (Part 1)

We walk for a few hours before coming across a river weaving its way through the trees. It's pretty wide, and it looks very, very deep. I back up a bit from it, feeling almost afraid of its immensity. There are tiny, tiny streams where the gardens are in each Dome, but none like this, and none this long. They usually end in a small lake about as wide as a Domeshouse and as deep as my knees. Compared to that, this river is like an ocean.

Hemmings glances around and then back at the river.

"Follow me," Hemmings says to me, and walks into the water.

He takes three steps, and half his body is already submerged. He turns around and looks at me. I turn away quickly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Come on," He says, waving his hand.

I stare at the water, and watch how it moves quickly around Hemming's body. I can't swim. No one ever taught us in the Dome's. There was no need to. We didn't have any lakes or rivers... Unless a miracle happens, getting into that river would mean certain death for me.

"Come on," He says again, holding out his hand.

"We can't swim," Ken says suddenly, his face red.

I forgot he was there.

Hemmings face fills with realization. "Oh, that's right... You're a city girl," He shakes his head. "You two are a disaster together. Ken, you stay above surface as a look out. I'll take Eenie. Come on. It's not that hard."

Ken nods, and disappears into the trees. Hemmings holds out his hand for me to take, but doesn't move a hair from where he stands. I start to walk forward, my heart racing.

What if I can't do this? What if I drown?

The cold water rushes past my ankles, my knees, my thighs. It reaches past my hips, and my breathing gets shallower.

What if I hit my head on something? Would Hemmings save me? If I died, would the person looking for me kill him? What if I drown? I could drown... But what if I live?

"Don't freak out," Hemmings chuckles. He holds both of his hands out for me. "You can trust me."

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I can trust him. Maybe. He hasn't killed me yet-or at least tried to... so... I guess I can. Everyone deserves a chance, right?

But he did lie to me about who he was... well I guess that doesn't really count. He went undercover to find me. And he hasn't lied to me since then... I don't think. Wait, no he did... He took me to the camp instead of home. But there's really no going back now... I'm so far away... and there's no way in. Maybe this 'Leader' will know how to get back in?

"I can't swim," I tell him slowly. "I'll drown."

"Not if you hold my hand. I'll drag you along behind me."

I look across the water again.

Everyone deserves a chance... I think to myself.

"If you let go, I'll kill you," I say, placing my hands in his.

A chill works its way up my spine, a good one.

He laughs, and his eyes lock on mine.

"Ready?"

"I guess."

Hemmings starts to pull me forward, and the water gets higher. Its cold fingers reach my throat, and I try to keep calm. It isn't working. My breathing speeds up, and my vision goes blurry. Spots appear. I'm drowning. I'm drowning and I'm not even underwater yet-