Pandora's Genes Read Free Page B

felt a chill go through him. Then she looked away and sat beside her mother at the end of the table.
    “This is Evvy,” said the woman. “Evvy, this is Zach, who will take you to the Capital.”
    Evvy did not answer. A bowl of porridge sat at her place, and she looked down at it but did not pick up a spoon.
    No wonder, Zach thought, the Principal had sent him to this far corner of the District. Though the Principal’s tax men could not have begun to describe Evvy, they surely had made clear how extraordinary she was. Perhaps, he thought, a wild deena was in the girl.
    “Please eat, love,” said the woman. “You have a long journey.” Evvy didn’t move. Zach couldn’t take his eyes off her.
    “Marson, bring some tea,” said the woman.
    Marson, who all this time had stood by the fire, approached slowly, like a man sleepwalking, and put his own cup in front of Evvy.
    She put both her hands around it and drank. Zach saw her grimace as if she were forcing herself to drink the bitter liquid as a kind of penance. There were red-and-blue bruises on her wrists, and Zach realized with shock that she had been kept tied waiting for him.
    As last night, he could no longer bear to sit at the table. “I’ll get the mount ready,” he said.
    In the yard Zach stood with his back to the cabin and took three deep breaths. The forest was now green in the sunlight, and he tried to calculate how far they could ride and where they would stop, but his mind wouldn’t cooperate. All he could think of was the girl: the bruises on her wrists, her shining hair, and the plum-colored eyes which had met his once.
    He went to his mount and adjusted the saddle, then replaced his things, making room for more bundles. When all was secure, he ducked back into the cabin and announced, “It’s time to go.”
    The children were up from the table now, all but Daiv and Evvy. Daiv looked puzzled and apprehensive. The woman was bent over the table tying a woolen satchel, while Marson again stood by the fire, his back to the room. Evvy sat as before, looking down at her untouched bowl of porridge.
    Zach took the bundle from the woman and stepped outside again, grateful that he would never again have to enter that room. When he had tied Evvy’s things securely to the mount, he turned and stood, waiting.
    After a moment the door opened and the woman came out, followed by Evvy and then Marson.
    Marson turned at the door and muttered, “Your sister is going on a trip. Stay here.”
    Evvy seemed to be in a trance as her mother led her across the yard and almost formally offered her hand to Zach. He felt a physical jolt when his fingers closed around her wrist. He drew her forward.
    “Have you ridden a mount before?” he asked.
    Suddenly, with surprising strength, Evvy pulled her hand free and ran to the door, but Marson was blocking it.
    “Please don’t send me away, Father!” She sank to her knees and threw her arms around the little man’s legs.
    Marson stood, unmoving, his face pale but without expression. The woman was even paler, and she spoke through tears. “Marson,” she said. “Perhaps we—”
    “No!” said Marson. Then: “Go with him, Evvy.”
    “No, please.” She stood and looked at him. “I can earn money by trapping, Father. I know how to do it already. Daiv will help me.” Marson didn’t answer, but shook his head, then turned his back to her. Evvy turned to the woman. “Mama, don’t make me do it. Please, let me stay!” She was now sobbing her words, and Zach watched helplessly, his heart breaking for all of them.
    At last the woman knelt and held Evvy in her arms. “We love you, Evvy. Please believe that.”
    “Then don’t send me away.”
    “We don’t want to. But it’s best for everyone. Please try to understand.”
    “I don’t understand!” the girl cried. “You don’t love me and I hate you!” She began to run across the yard, but Marson was close behind her. He pulled her, crying and struggling, to Zach.