The Chosen Ones by Lori Brighton Read Free Book Online Page B

He released a harsh laugh.
I too found the idea ridiculous. What could we do, really? “But once in a while
the younger ones have hunting parties. Some for fun, some to weed us out.”
    Weed us out, as if we were rats.
“So they come to the compound once a month to gather food for their harvest.”
We were food. As we kept chickens, they kept humans. The kindness they showed
us was a mere façade. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to vomit, cry, or return to
that city and kill the first beautiful one I came across.
    “They are stronger, faster, more
beautiful than humans,” Will said. “And to them we are nothing more than cattle.”
    Numbly, I followed Will, my mind
spinning. All of it, my entire life, suddenly made sense. Everything they did,
everything I had questioned, fell into place. The reason why we were kept
enclosed, the reason why we were taught only the basics of life. “They move
people from compound to compound so the gene pool isn’t tainted, don’t they?”
    He seemed surprised by my
comment, his gaze jumping to me.
    I shrugged, embarrassed. “They
allow us to read books on farming and agriculture. I read a bit about genetics
in one.”
    He nodded. “Yes, as far as we
know.”
    For a long time we walked in
silence, following the trail. Although the world around me was splendid and
alive in a way I never could have even imagined, the beauty was lost. My thoughts
were a jumble, tumbling around in my head so quickly, that I couldn’t seem to
catch and make sense of them.
    “We have no choice but to
protect ourselves,” he said, as if hoping I’d understand. “The ones you see down
there are chosen ones who escaped, like you. We are all outsiders, merely
trying to survive.”
    Not soldiers then. I studied the
small group hiking in the valley below us, weaving around the trees with sure
and steady steps. People who had saved me, fed me, protected me. Always moving,
always hiding. What sort of life was this? A life of struggle, of fear. No
hope. No thoughts of a future. “What if I don’t want this life?”
    He released a harsh laugh. “You
have no choice. In this world it’s kill or be eaten.”
    I paused on the hill, watching
the others, and he paused beside me. His attention burned, and I wondered what
he was thinking. I didn’t have to wonder for long. Disconcerted, I swiped the
sweat from my temples and glanced at him. “Just say whatever it is you so badly
want to say.”
    “Fine.” He shifted, crossing his
arms over his chest, the dark gray shirt he wore stretching over his broad
shoulders. “You need to decide now, Jane. I won’t let you hold us back. You’ll
either fight with us, or you’ll be on your own. What’s your choice?”
    So, it was survive or die. What
a choice. I took in a deep breath and looked around me. A few bluebirds
flittered from the branches above. This war between us and the beautiful ones
would rage for who knew how long, but the world would still go on as it was. The
trees would still grow. Birds would still fly. Flowers would still bloom. But
we…we had to fight to live.
    I took in a deep breath and
faced Will. “They have murdered my friends, my family. They will murder more if
we don’t stop them.”
    He watched me warily. “What are
you saying?”
    “I want you to teach me
everything you know, Will. Teach me how to kill the beautiful ones.”

 
 
    Chapter
4

 
    “Ready?” Will whispered next to
my ear, his warm breath stirring the hair that had come loose from my braid and
momentarily distracting me.
    I tried to push aside the odd
flare of emotion that swirled through my body at his nearness. Attempted to
ignore the blood pounding through my veins, partly from excitement and partly
from his close proximity. If I wanted to live, I needed to be able to
concentrate. Still, I wasn’t used to being touched, and his hand was tight
around my upper arm, his fingers almost stinging. I rested my hand against my
thigh. Feeling the dagger Kelly had given to