Destined (The ARC Book 4) Read online

  I walk alongside the row of carriages, deeper into the darkness. This place gives me the creeps, especially when I’m traipsing around the empty tunnels while everyone else is asleep. The light from my torch does little against the all-consuming darkness down here and treacherous black shadows line the concrete walls of the tunnel. My keen sight helps me navigate without too much difficulty though. Where once I would have seen nothing in the darkness, deepest night has become more like twilight with my talented sight.

  When we first moved here, I’d been surprised by April’s choice of hideout. Returning underground? I would have preferred to stay in a crumbling house in South Hope or perhaps one of the abandoned warehouses that line the far side of West Hope. Hell, anything would have been better than the dark depths of the subway system under Hope. But April had been adamant and, as much as I hate this place, it does feel safer than all the other options.

  There had been a layer of dust covering everything, from the train carriages to the ground, when we arrived in the subway station. The place had smelt stale, like the air inside had been bottled up and soured over time. It was the smell of a place long forgotten and even now my nose tickles at the dust in the air.

  There is no power in this area of the city, which is great for keeping our location a secret, but not so good for the computers they are trying to set up in the security office of the station—or for midnight walks through the tunnel. Most of our supplies went in the fire that destroyed our camp, and we’ve been slowly scavenging more to get our operation up and running again.

  As I move down the tunnel, past the carriages, the only sound that reaches my ears are my soft breaths and near silent footsteps. I listen carefully for any sound of movement or conversation to indicate where the voices have come from, keeping my senses alert in case the sound echoes down the tunnel again.

  All the carriages are silent and I think of the people sleeping soundly inside. I feel so sorry that they have been forced back underground again but we had no choice other than to leave our old hideout after it was attacked. Not with the constant risk that recruiters would return to finish the job they started. I was more than happy to leave the charred remains of our camp. There were too many bad memories from the fire to stay.

  Eventually, far beyond the final carriage, the tunnel widens and opens up to reveal an area covered in train tracks. Tall stone pillars divide the tracks and there are six different lines all running alongside each other. I can see the end of the tunnel from here and the rain pelting in through the gaping mouth that opens onto the surface.

  I pause as I look across at the other tracks, a frown crinkling my forehead. There should be a lookout at this point, but I can’t see anyone here. Shivers crawl up the back of my spine as I look around for them. I extend my senses out to see if I can hear the voices that brought me from my bed or at least catch the sound of a lookout nearby.

  The silence becomes deafening as I listen and, after minutes of not hearing anything out of the ordinary, I heave out a sigh. I should head back and tell April about the missing lookout and the voices I’d heard. I’m sure there’s a valid explanation for their deserted post, but I’d rather tell her just in case.

  I turn to leave, but then I hear the voices again. I freeze and my head whips back to look at the opening at the far end of the tunnel. The voices came from outside.

  I follow the train tracks to the opening of the tunnel, carefully avoiding the pile of rocks and rubble that have collapsed from the roof and block part of the mouth. The howl of the wind is louder outside and the constant patter of rain on the concrete is more defined.

  A breeze brushes against my face as I hesitate by the entrance. The train tracks beyond are covered in rugged and untamed weeds. Overgrown bushes line the rusted wire fences that border both sides of the tracks. There’s a large and empty field beyond the fence on the right side of the track. The other fence separates the track from an empty street. The rain falls so heavily, that even with my enhanced eyesight it’s difficult to see as far as the other side of the road where I know a row of houses stands.

  My heart beats faster and my skin hums with my talent awakening as I look out into the night. I take a deep breath in. I need to stay calm. I can’t allow myself to lose control.

  I place one hand up against the damp concrete wall of the tunnel and I look out into the darkness, narrowing my eyes in an attempt to see more clearly. The thick deluge of rain slaps harshly against the ground, creating a torrent of water that washes down along the tracks. There is no movement in the dark shadows but, as I listen, I catch a whisper of sound. A voice. No, two voices talking.

  I stop breathing as I extend my senses out to listen. Though I can’t hear their words clearly, I can tell the voices are coming from behind the fence, amongst the houses on the other side of the road.

  I should go back to the train and warn the others that someone is out there. A feeling in my gut stops me though and, instead of heading back to the safety of the tunnel, I step out into the rain.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Within moments of leaving the tunnel I am drenched from head to toe. Water rushes over my bare feet, and my clothes and hair are completely soaked. The wind buffets at my wet clothes. Coming in waves, it whips against me like an icy lash biting into my skin. I’m aware of how cold it is, but the temperature doesn’t seem to bother me the way it should and I’m not even shivering.

  I clamber down the side of the tracks and over to the rusted wire fence. I pull back a loose section and crawl under it. Bushes scratch at my arms as I push my way through them to get to the road. I hope I’m not making too much noise, but the rain is making more than enough racket to cover the rustling sound from anyone without talented hearing. All the same, you can never be too careful.

  I look up and down the dark street before stepping onto it. The storm is still raging out here, and feels even more violent without the small protection the bushes by the fence provided. I’m exposed out here in the open, so I keep as close as I can to the bushes in case I need to hide.

  Looking back at the tunnel entrance, I feel a stab of longing for my bed. For a moment I truly miss the comfort and small safety the space seems to provide. I know I won’t be able to sleep if I go back now though, not when there could be people out here lurking in the shadows.

  I turn back to survey the street. Water pelts against my face, rushing down it so fast I feel more like I’m swimming than walking. It makes it difficult to see anything out of the ordinary. I cup my eyes with my hands and blink them open to take in the area. As I concentrate on my surrounds, my senses heighten. My sight becomes keen and unnaturally perceptive.

  With an uncanny efficiency, my eyes focus in and out on the smallest details as I look for where the voices have come from. They scan the street and I notice everything, from the way the rain ricochets off the ground to the leaves on the bushes nearby that shudder in the breeze. I search for movement, for any sign of people out here, but I can’t see anything out of the ordinary. Even as I focus in on the darkened shadows that crawl up the buildings nearby, I’m unable to see any people out here.

  I’m beginning to wonder if I imagined the voices when I hear them once again, louder and more clearly this time, despite the deafening downpour of rain. I know immediately who it is.

  ‘Look, I don’t have long; the next lookout is scheduled to start in fifteen minutes. Why are you back here?’ I hear April ask, her voice unmistakable.

  I frown and turn to where her voice is coming from. She sounds close by, somewhere down the street in one of the houses that face the tracks. I move in that direction, pulling my arms tightly around my body as I go. I can’t understand why she’s out here in the rain of all places. Who could she be talking to? Why has she left the tunnels to seek them out? Is she in trouble?

  I follow the sound to a house several doors down and pause when I catch sight of her. She’s standing on the patio in a doorway that provides some protection from the wind. There’s a
man standing beside her, but he has his back to me and I can’t see his face.

  ‘You know why,’ comes the man’s response. His voice is surprisingly familiar and a strange pit forms in my stomach. I move closer to get a better look at him and recognise Ryan standing in the doorway with April. What is he doing here?

  ‘You shouldn’t have come…’

  ‘I know,’ comes his strangled response. ‘But I have to keep trying. Even if it does seem impossible.’ He pauses. ‘I thought I could save her from all this, but each time I try to help, it only seems to put her more on course for what’s to come.’

  My heart races as I listen to his words. He sounds so serious and April sounds scared. Who are they talking about?

  I move closer to the house, hiding under the shadow of a tree by the small fence that borders it. It’s unlikely that they’d notice me out in the rain, but I don’t want to risk being caught eavesdropping.

  ‘Have you tried telling her the truth about you?’ April asks.

  Ryan sighs sadly. ‘I don’t think that will help. If she knows the truth it will only scare her. I think a part of her knows already, but still, I have no idea how she’ll react.’

  ‘Don’t you?’ April responds, cautiously.

  ‘Look, if we can pull this off without her knowing, all the better. I’ve come to terms with my fate, but if I can fix hers…well… it’ll all be worth it then.’

  I find I’ve stopped breathing as I listen. I’m desperate to hear more. Ryan has always been mysterious but, right now, I feel like I’m finally getting close to answering the many questions I have about him.

  ‘Have you told Sebastian?’ he asks.

  April pauses. ‘No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. He might do something stupid.’

  Ryan laughs under his breath. ‘True.’

  April sighs and then I hear a sniff. I glance around the side of the tree and see her face is in her hands. ‘I don’t want to lose you,’ she says. ‘But, I don’t want to lose her either.’

  He slowly puts his arm around her shoulders. ‘It will work out,’ he says. ‘You’ll see.’

  He steps back, still grasping both her shoulders. ‘Now, you better get going. Tomorrow is going to be a big day for you and you need to get some sleep.’

  I hear her laugh under her breath. ‘No clues about what to expect then?’

  ‘No. You’ll know soon enough…’

  She takes a step away from him, turning towards the street. I have so many questions for April about what I’ve heard, but I know I can’t ask her them. Not without admitting creeping out into the darkness to listen in. Yeah, I can imagine that would go down really well.

  Through the rain I can see April making her way towards me. I don’t have time to linger over their conversation now. My hands drop from shielding my eyes, allowing the rain to run down my face and, before April can catch me, I hurry back to the tunnel. As I descend into the darkness I find myself wondering about the girl Ryan is trying to protect. It sounded like she was in trouble and I worry that perhaps he was talking about me.

  The carriage is quiet when I wake in the morning. It’s impossible to tell the sun has risen on the surface, but the lamps in the tunnel are always lit during the day and the light filters in through the carriage window. I ease myself from the bed and immediately notice that Kelsey is no longer with me.

  The floor is cold beneath my feet and I pull my cardigan in close to my chest as I move for the carriage door. I’m surprised Kelsey didn’t wake me when she got up. It’s not like her to creep out without telling me where she’s gone.

  Yawning and rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I make my way down the carriage steps and begin to slowly move through the tunnel towards Alta Park Station. I hear the rumble of voices well before I reach the platform. They drift down the tunnel to me like a lost echo.

  When I reach the platform, I can see a group of people standing around in the corner of the station, where the food rations are stored. Someone is handing out cans of food to the people lined up before her.

  As I climb up onto the platform and make my way over to the crowd I realise it’s Mia. She smiles warmly as she shares out the rations. With her stunning short black hair and cloudy grey eyes, most of the men down here ogle her, but she’s so sweet I doubt she even realises she has their attention.

  She’s ten years older than me and has a daughter, Amber, who is hugging her leg tightly today. She often helps me out with Kelsey, so we’ve formed a firm friendship over the last few weeks.

  ‘What are we having today?’ I ask, when I reach her.

  ‘Oh hey, Elle,’ she says, smiling kindly. She glances at the can in her hand. ‘Corn today.’

  ‘Thanks,’ I reply, reaching out and taking the can. The canned food is always well beyond its best before date, but we’ve been eating it for weeks and no one’s been sick from it yet. The camp’s crops all went in the fire and it’s risky to go to the market for food too often.

  ‘Sebastian and Kelsey are over there,’ she says, nodding over my shoulder.

  I follow her gaze to see the two of them sitting on a set of bucket seats. Kelsey has a small frown and a look of complete concentration on her face as Sebastian shows her how to open her can by herself. She claps with delight when she manages it. I try to cover a smile as I watch them. For just a moment they both look so carefree. The smile falls from my lips as I am struck by how different life would be if we weren’t in hiding.

  A man clears his throat in the queue behind me and I turn back to Mia, giving her a smile. ‘Thanks again. I’ll see you later.’ She nods and smiles back before turning to the next man in the line to hand him some corn.

  ‘Are those from yesterday,’ she asks him, pointing at the two empty cans he holds in his hand. He nods. ‘Just put them on the floor down there,’ she says, pointing to the ground by her side.

  Once he does as she asks, Mia reaches out and holds her hand above the empty cans. A small black hole gradually appears in the air between her hand and the ground. The metal cans begin to rattle and shake before slowly lifting up off the floor. In a flash they shoot up towards the tiny dark abyss and disappear into the darkness, gone forever. Without glancing away from the line in front of her, Mia closes her hand and goes to grab a can of corn for the next person. I don’t understand where the cans go, but her talent still amazes me every time I see it.

  I turn and walk away, ignoring the looks some of the people in line shoot me as I pass them. Some blame me for what happened at our old camp. Not everyone, but enough that I never feel truly welcome here. I don’t hold it against them, not when I blame myself too. I think they would be happier if I were to disappear from here. Seeing me every day is a reminder of what we’ve lost, so I can’t hold that against them either.

  I approach Kelsey and give her a cuddle. ‘What’s for breakfast?’ I ask her.

  ‘Corn,’ she says, a large grin on her face. ‘Do you want some?’

  ‘I got my own Kels,’ I say, holding up the can in front of her.

  ‘Can I open it?’

  I laugh and pass it over to her, going to sit in the spare seat next to Sebastian as I wait.

  ‘Did you sleep okay?’ he asks. ‘You were out cold when I poked my head in this morning, so I brought Kelsey here for breakfast. I didn’t want to wake you.’

  ‘I slept okay,’ I respond. I reach over and steal a piece of corn from his can and pop it into my mouth. ‘It took a while though, I heard voices in the tunnel after you left last night.’

  Sebastian’s eyes shoot up to mine and I immediately realise my mistake mentioning them. ‘But I couldn’t find anyone there,’ I quickly rush on. I can’t imagine he’d be happy hearing about April’s middle of the night meeting with Ryan on the street. He’s as protective of her as he is of me.

  ‘What do you mean you couldn’t find anyone?’

  I glance away from him. ‘I went and took a look, but there was no one there.’

  ‘You shouldn’t be
walking the tunnels by yourself at night. You know that. What were you thinking?’

  I frown. ‘I was thinking that I wanted to know if there were people out there. It wasn’t a problem, there wasn’t anyone there.’

  ‘And what if it was a recruiter and you’d been found? You know they’re looking for us.’

  ‘I’m not completely helpless,’ I mutter in response.

  Sebastian sighs. ‘You’ve been getting better with your talents, but you’re not ready to face a recruiter with them. They’re too unpredictable. What if they’d got to you and you didn’t have a chance to remove you inhibitor band?’

  I unconsciously pull at the long sleeve of my top that covers my wrist where my inhibitor band should reside.

  ‘Well, it was fine.’

  He nods, trying to keep the anger from flashing in his eyes. I know he’s only looking out for me, but I really was fine last night.

  ‘Are they still holding the meeting today?’ I ask, hoping to change the topic.

  ‘That’s the plan,’ he replies. ‘April’s hoping she can get everyone to finally agree on a more effective plan of action. We can’t keep talking about our options forever and that stunt with the cuffs yesterday isn’t going to change things. Something needs to be done about Joseph.’

  He sighs, and reaches over to take the can from Kelsey who is struggling to open it. He lifts the ring tab on it to start her off and passes it back to her. ‘If M was still here, there would be no problem. People follow him without question. But, April? She’s just turned eighteen and, while I know she’s led important assignments for M in the past, the others don’t see her as their leader.’

  I purse my lips. ‘The crazy thing is, she could easily have everyone follow her without question if she used her talent on them.’

  Sebastian glances up at me. ‘Yeah, but can you really imagine her doing that?’