20 Years Later by Emma Newman Page B

rather unpleasant dream. “Oh …” was all he managed to say. His mind ran over the events of the night before, how Mark had slid down the wall, how Grame had slammed into the post. He wasn’t surprised, but it still made him feel odd. He hadn’t been particularly close to them, but they’d always been around. Boys died in fights with the Gardners with depressing regularity, but none had ever been killed like this. He wondered how Jay had survived.
    Miri kissed his forehead and went into the bedroom to check on her first patient. Zane stood there for some moments, looking down at Jay’s injury, feeling numb.
    â€œGood morning,” he heard his mother say, and he surmised that the boy had woken. “I’m Miri, and you’re in my house. Don’t worry, I’m looking after you. No, stay still. You’vegot a couple broken ribs and that’s why you’re hurting.”
    A pause.
    â€œWhat’s your name?”
    Silence.
    â€œI have a son–I think he’s about your age–called Zane. Do you know how old you are?”
    Nothing.
    Zane went to the entrance to her bedroom. She was sitting on the edge of the bed. The boy lay still, staring up at the ceiling. “I think he’s called Titus,” he said. “The girl said it last night.” Miri grimaced at his insensitivity and he mouthed “Sorry” to her silently.
    The boy looked across at Miri. “Where’s Lyssa?” he whispered plaintively.
    Miri sighed heavily. “I’m afraid Callum couldn’t find her … she’s gone.”
    Zane watched the flash of panic in his eyes, and then all of a sudden it was gone. He simply stared back up at the ceiling, his blank expression forming a mask.
    Zane and Miri exchanged a worried look. She drew a thin blanket over Titus and stood slowly. “I’ll make you some food,” she told him quietly. Zane followed her to the kitchen.
    She began to chop fruit earnestly, the pregnant silence hanging between them. Zane sulkily picked at a rogue splinter of wood in the door frame, resentful of being kept in the dark. Miri focused on her task with the fervour of one avoiding an unpleasant conversation.
    â€œDid Callum tell you about last night?” he finally ventured.
    She nodded and then stilled the knife for a moment to look at him. “Zane, I’m sorry I shouted at you yesterday.”
    Zane gave a lopsided smile. “I’m sorry I made the deal. Callum explained to me why you were upset. I know how bad it is.”
    â€œWell … it’s done now,” she said as lightly as possible. “We’ll just make the best of it.”
    Zane watched her struggling to keep her brave face on. Several times he almost spoke but the resolve left him. Then he decided to jump in. “Mum … that wouldn’t have happened if you told me more about what’s going on.”
    â€œIt’s best for you not to know these things, Zane, else you’ll only worry, and I can do that enough for both of us.”
    Zane puffed out a frustrated breath. “Mum, that girl, Lyssa, what happened to her?”
    Miri chopped rapidly.
    â€œMum!”
    She stopped, hanging her head over the chunks of fruit. “I don’t want you to know. I want everything to stay as it is!”
    He stepped towards her. “But it can’t … Callum said it can’t be like that anymore. I want to know.”
    She looked at him as if seeing him for the first time. “You’re so tall now, Zane,” she murmured. “You look so much like …” Her voice trailed off and she laid the knife down. She wiped her hands on a cloth, looking tired and worn. “We think that the Unders have Lyssa,” she whispered.
    â€œUnders?”
    â€œShhh.” She pointed at the way to her bedroom and the open doors in between. “Someone else, a friend of Callum’s, called them that, but I don’t know