“Has my sister been here this morning?” I asked for the millionth time.
“I haven’t seen Elonyah since yesterday on the way home from the river,” Brena said. “I’m sure she’s off visiting a friend.”
“I’ve checked with everyone. No one knows where she is.” Despair was creeping in. At first I’d thought it a terrible joke, but now…now it was far too real.
“Well, she’ll be back soon. Do you want some breakfast?” Brena’s hand found my arm and she pulled me to the table. “I have more than enough for myself.”
I slumped onto a stone stool. “I…suppose. Thank you.”
“Of course. Here.” She handed me a bowl. I dug my fingers into, finding a cavemeal paste, cold and sticky. I scooped it to my mouth with my fingers. “How are your attempts at warming food?”
Brena sighed. “I can’t seem to get it to work. Blankets won’t work, and I can’t get the stone warm enough to hold any heat.”
“Don’t give up,” I said rather suddenly. If we give up trying, we will never get anywhere.
“I don’t know, Ceceleah. I’m running out of ideas.”
We sat in silence for a while, and then I stood. “I need to find my sister. Thank you for the meal.”
I traced my way back to our room, checking for Elonyah again, reading the mangled words on the clay tablet. “El, why? Why would you do this?”
I sighed, then turned to exit the room. Maybe Jeris would know where she was.
* * *
Elonyah was truly gone, leaving me with one option.
I’d finally given in.
I’d made my way to the Leaders’ chambers and was now standing in front of them. I had just finished explaining what had happened, leaving out a few details here and there. They didn’t need to know everything she’d said.
“This does not bode well for you,” one of the Leaders finally said. “Your parents attempted similar things.”
I swallowed. “I just want my sister back. Please. I need help finding her.”
“Ceceleah Trace, this is an offence punishable by imprisonment.”
Treason. The word hung in the air.
This was a mistake. I shouldn’t have come here.
“We will help you find her.”
I sagged in relief. “Oh, thank you! I will—”
“And when we do, she will face just retribution for her crimes.”
My throat closed in. “But…she hasn’t done anything wrong!” I knew it was a lie before I said it.
She had done something wrong. She had questioned the Leaders’ authority by leaving our colony. It was the ultimate act of distrust.
“Do you agree with such sentiments as Elonyah Trace has expressed?”
I froze. This was a trap. If I said no, then it would be no hardship to release El into their care. That’s what happened with Mum and Dad.
But if I agreed…I would die along with Elonyah.
“Well?”
“I…” My heart pounded. What do I do? What do I do?
I took a step back. My foot didn’t make a sound as it hit the floor.
I slowly continued to back up until my back hit the edge of the doorway. I slipped through it and crept down the hall.
Maybe they’re hiding something. Maybe I should find El myself. We can find out together.
Another question was asked, but I ignored it.
Footsteps rang out. A shout of indignation.
I ran.
The End of Part II
