Bound (The Guardians) Read Free Page A

stand in line at my favourite drink cart and fish around in my bag for money. I try and make out like I’m deciding what to get. But in truth there’s only one thing on the menu that I can afford.
    As I pull out a small array of different coloured coins, I hear boot-covered feet walking past me. The hair on the back of my neck stands up.
    Two tall men stride by. They’re wearing black and white blocked uniforms, long pants and pressed jackets. People dressed this way are a common sight in Poridos. They’re members of Sentry. Unlike the policing Concords who worry about keeping the general peace, Sentry officers’ loyalty belongs only to the Guardians. They’re basically their personal army.
    Sentry officers are well protected and have a reputation for being heartless. I heard a story once that they beat a man half to death for looking at them the wrong way. Apparently, another time they threw a woman in jail because she stood outside the Tower too long. Whether those stories are true or not, Sentry serves as a constant reminder of the Guardians rule. There are outposts all over Selestia.
    It makes a lot of people feel like they can never escape the Guardians because Sentry are their ears.
    When I’m sure the officers can’t see me, I turn a bit to watch them disappear around the corner of a shop. From the look of their jackets, those two were fairly high ranked officers. They were walking with a purpose, as if maybe they were looking for something.
    I shrug a little and step up to the counter. The young girl working the machine takes my money. As she processes my order, she says to her co-worker, ‘Why are they patrolling so early?’
    He replies, ‘Probably has something to do with those people that keep going missing. You’ve seen the news. But shush, if they come back and hear you talking about it, they might get rough with you. You can’t even joke about it when they’re around.’
    The nervous girl hands me my beverage. I take it and walk away. The stories of people disappearing have become headline news everywhere. There’s no pattern like age or gender, place in society or even money. People simply disappear and never come home.
    The locals have become restless with questions and Sentry’s numbers have doubled, snatching up anyone who even jests about the issue. My father is convinced it’s the Guardians who are abducting people, unsurprisingly.
    I think that’s stupid.
    If the Guardians were kidnapping people, for what purpose I don’t know, Sentry wouldn’t be on patrol. Plus, there is no way it would be on the news. What’s the point of being powerful if you can’t swish a little media coverage under the rug?
    With my hot drink clenched tightly in my hands, I make my way towards work. I turn and stroll up through the main shopping arcade. The polished floors shine under the bright lights above. The wooden artefacts on the walls are hand carved. Every boutique’s glass window, displaying expensive wares, is polished to perfection. The arcade is not for those shy about splashing some cash. All the stores here sell mostly home gifts and expensive knickknacks.
    However there is one store I pass every day that makes me stop. It’s a beautiful shop selling custom couture uniting gowns. The mannequin is changed almost daily into another stunning design - the lace and beaded dresses flowing down and around her plastic ankles - her shoes adorned with crystal gems. I try not to gawk too much or too long at the faceless woman. It only depresses me.
    I don’t even have a boyfriend.
    I step up to a store’s front window and tap lightly on the glass. I wait for a moment, glancing at the name, “Finishing Touches” painted on the shop front. The glass door opens and a black-haired young man pokes his head out.
    ‘Sorry Miss, I’m not interested in anything you’re selling,’ he says.
    I smile. ‘Let me in, smart ass.’
    The young man moves out of the way and I pass into the shop. He’s my