The Vanished Read Free Page A

last thing Daniel said to me as he went with Angela to the medical centre, still thinking of my needs despite his own more pressing and life-threatening needs. I’d never met anyone as selfless before, as thoughtful and kind. Would my dad ever put me first like that? I was beginning to think not.
    Sebastian snored in the corner, a constant reminder that I was stuck in a small space with a GEM boy. My mind was swimming with the events of just a few short hours, from capture to escape to near death to possible murder. I thought about the car I so casually flipped over, scattering the Enforcers like dolls, the power running through my body. The heat rose from my finger-tips and I had to take deep breaths until I calmed myself enough to sleep.
    *
    “Mina, wake up.”
    I swatted a hand away. “Go away, dad.”
    “It’s Sebastian. It’s morning.” He poked at my shoulder with his finger. “Come on, we have to find your dad, then see Ali about the Council.”
    I blinked and sat up. Sebastian looked worried and I remembered Ali’s concerns about the Council accepting a Child of the GEM into their fold. “My dad.” I sighed.
    “Aren’t you looking forward to seeing him?”
    In truth, I wasn’t. The relief that he was okay and in a safe place had been replaced by anxiety. There was a perfect picture in my mind of the last time I’d seen him, frozen in time, his glasses balancing at the end of his nose, his chin on his chest snoozing on our sofa. It was a fond memory of my dad, the way I liked to remember him. And then thoughts of the note and my uncle would come flooding through that nice memory like a tidal wave, obliterating any warm feelings I had. I felt sick.
    “I’ll give you some privacy,” Sebastian said with a shy smile. He disappeared through the zip in the tent. I squinted as the morning sun filtered in through the fabric.
    There wasn’t much I could do to get ready. I adjusted the bandage on my arm, wrists and ankle. I ran my fingers through my short cropped hair, a momentary image of Murder-Troll with the scissors added to my nausea.
    “I won’t feel like this,” I said aloud. I rubbed my knees, trying to get the blood back into my legs. I made a decision to pull myself together, to stop those morbid thoughts and listen to my gut instinct which was telling me that this was the place I needed to be. I felt at home, and nothing was going to stop me feeling like that. I unzipped the tent door and climbed out, swinging the fabric back with vigour.
    “Back in there, kid.” Ali greeted me by throwing a bundle of clothes in my face. “Get changed. I’m taking ye te the Council for registration.”
    “I want to see Daniel first.” I looked at the clothes with suspicion. Trousers and a basic top, there was nothing sinister about them.
    “Council first. Hospital second.” Ali commanded. He was used to leading the Scavengers into dangerous circumstances. One sullen teenage girl wouldn’t be a problem for him.
    With a sigh I headed back into the tent and pulled off my dirty clothes. No matter how much I hated following orders, I had to admit that fresh, clean clothes felt good. I buried my nose into the soft cotton top, inhaling the floral scent. They had washing powder here, I chuckled to myself.
    It was with some relief that I realised the top was long sleeved and the trousers baggy enough to feel comfortable. I was not Blemished anymore, but that didn’t make me comfortable with showing skin. My day at Elena’s house wearing her tiny skirt felt like a million years ago. I smoothed down the white cotton clothes and exited the tent to see Sebastian and Ali making awkward conversation about the weather.
    “Let’s get this over with,” I interrupted.
    Ali grinned. “Fine by me. This way.”
    He turned to the left and Sebastian and I followed a few paces behind, struggling to match Ali’s long strides. The bright sunshine hurt my eyes and I squinted.
    “Um, Mr Ali,” said Sebastian. “Do we get