The Dying Light (Bloodwitch #1)

Nika’s face fell, and she stole a frightened glance towards the soldier at the far end of the holding area. ‘He just showed up this morning. We hadn’t heard anything to suggest they would be deploying anyone here … but then, no one ever does, I suppose.’ She glanced at the soldier, looking uncomfortable and anxious. ‘Everyone’s on edge because of him. Some people were even saying it might be …’ She trailed off, biting her lip.

Charlie frowned. ‘Has there been any trouble here in the last few days?’

Nika shook her head. ‘Nothing.’ She paused before lowering her voice further. ‘You don’t think it might have something to do with that earthquake, do you? Could that column of light over the mountains have been –?’

Charlie shook his head. ‘Has no one tried asking him what he’s doing here?’

Nika raised her eyebrows. ’Would you want to be the one to ask him? Look at him. No, he just went and stood by the entrance to the ward, and he’s stayed there all day. He hasn’t said a word to anyone so far.’

‘What’s so special about today?’ Charlie wondered aloud. The soldier was still staring directly at him, his expression fierce, and Charlie did not blame the patients in the holding area for feeling unnerved. ‘Has anything else happened that could explain it?’

‘Nothing out of the ordinary,’ Nika said with a shrug. ‘You can go through to the ward now, Charlie. Patients with employment get priority,’ she added, seeing his confused look. ‘Oh, and we have a new nurse starting today. She’s shadowing Doctor Zhang. Try not to frighten her off.’

‘If she can handle Doctor Zhang then she doesn’t need to worry about me.’

‘What am I going to do with you?’ Nika smiled, rolling her eyes as he left.

The soldier was still staring at him, his brow furrowed. His dark eyes followed Charlie as he approached the far end of the holding area, and Charlie was keenly aware of how close the soldier’s finger was to the trigger of his rifle. Neither of them said a word, and Charlie kept his eyes downcast. Even as he walked through the archway leading into the ward, he could feel the soldier’s gaze burning into his back.

The examination ward was a long, narrow room with plain white walls. Metal cot beds lined both sides of the room, each separated from the other by screens of thin white material for privacy. A walkway through the middle of the room led up to an unoccupied desk at the far wall. Charlie could hear the low moans of patients behind screens, but otherwise the room seemed completely empty. The sensation that he had entered somewhere he should not be prickled through him, and he cleared his throat loudly.

‘Nurse Woods, set Carroway up in Bay Nine, please,’ a clipped male voice said.

‘Yes, Doctor.’

The young woman who had answered the doctor appeared from behind a screen in the middle of the room and strode straight towards Charlie. She was golden brown, like him; half a head or so shorter than he was; and slim, with straight, chestnut brown hair that fell past her shoulders. Her deep brown eyes were darker even than his. A huge, warm smile spread across her face as they regarded each other. Charlie swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. Her eyes widened as she stared at his injuries, her smile faltering as her mouth fell slightly open. But she did not look afraid.

‘Are you Mr Carroway?’ she asked, smoothing her navy-blue scrubs.

Charlie nodded. ‘I need a fitness to work certification. My boss sent me.’

‘I’m Nurse Woods,’ she said, looking straight into his eyes. ‘This is my first day here.’

Charlie nodded again. ‘Yeah, I heard.’

There was a look of curiosity in the young woman’s face that Charlie did not understand. ‘Please follow me, sir,’ she said. ‘Doctor Zhang will be with you soon.’

Charlie blinked. He was sure he had never once been called ‘sir’ in his whole life. Lost for words, he followed her into a free bay.

‘You should sit down,’ the nurse said, indicating the bed. When she joined him there, Charlie instinctively shuffled away from her a little. ‘That must hurt,’ she said, seeming not to notice. ‘Have you been icing your face, sir? When did you last take any medicine for the pain?’

Baffled, Charlie watched her hand race across a small notepad, which she had drawn from the pocket of her dress. He did not know where she expected him to find the money to buy pain medication in Penumbra.

‘It’s fine,’ he said, hastily rubbing his hand on his jeans before offering it to her. ‘You can call me Charlie.’

She regarded his outstretched hand for a moment, before meeting his eyes and smiling. ‘Alice,’ she said, shaking it. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Charlie.’ Her skin felt feather-soft under his calloused fingers. She wore a delicate gold chain around her neck, weaved around red stones of varying sizes that glinted in the lights from above their heads.

‘On your feet, Carroway. You know how this works.’

Doctor Zhang burst through the screen. Middle-aged, with thinning hair, and wearing round glasses, Charlie had been examined by this doctor during his last three annual health inspections. He braced himself for what he knew was coming next.

‘Nurse Woods, watch carefully,’ the doctor snapped, busying around with a number of complicated-looking machines that stood beside the bed. ‘You’ll be doing this for our next female patient.’

Charlie removed his t-shirt. He was aware of Alice’s eyes widening as they fell on the patchwork of vicious scars that covered his right shoulder. The sprawling spiderweb tattoo that had marked him as property of the Pen gang had been there once, but he had got rid of it himself, years ago. Charlie drew one hand behind his back to keep the base of his spine hidden. Then he allowed his mind to drift as the doctor prepared his other arm. A long needle pierced his skin. Charlie swayed on his feet as his blood was drawn, wincing a little as the doctor prodded and probed his chest and torso with rough fingers.

From the corner of his eye, Charlie had the sense that Alice was watching him closely, a troubled expression on her face. He thought he saw her motion to the bruising around his ribs. He watched as the doctor pointed at her in a way that made Charlie think he was giving her a warning. But there was no reason for the doctor to do that. He guessed that the loss of blood must be making him see things.

He was so tired. His body felt heavy. The machines whirred and beeped, the noises smothered as though he was hearing them from underwater. Charlie felt himself gradually sinking, growing steadily weaker. The thought crossed his mind that, if he were to simply close his eyes now, he might never have to wake up again.

*

‘He still hasn’t woken up?’

‘It’s been far too long. I’ve told the doctor, but he doesn’t seem to care at all.’

Charlie’s head shifted against the pillow. He recognised both of those voices.

‘I still don’t understand why you wanted to come here. The risks involved are –’

‘I can’t keep living my life like a bird in a cage,’ he heard Alice say. ‘I want something more than that, Vasco. I need to experience what’s really out here while I still have the chance.’

‘What do you mean by that?’ Vasco asked. ’I tried my best to warn you about this place, didn’t I? I need to return soon. We’ve been gone far too long already. We must leave, Alya.’

‘I know, I know. You should go. I’ll find you when he wakes up.’

Charlie heard the sound of heavy footsteps fading away and felt soft skin on his.

‘Can you hear me, Charlie? Try to squeeze my hand if you can manage it.’

Blinking in the bright lights above his head, Charlie slowly opened his eyes, and found himself looking directly into Alice’s face. Her expression softened from concern to relief, and she withdrew something rectangular from the pocket of her dress.

‘Here, you need to eat some of these,’ she said, opening the packet and offering it to him. ‘Apparently, there’s not a single biscuit in this entire building. But luckily for you, I don’t go anywhere without a snack. I need to find the doctor about the readings on your chart.’

Wary, Charlie took a biscuit and nibbled the corner. He had never tasted anything like it before.

‘I couldn’t find any juice either, so water will have to do. I’ll get you some now.’

She made to get up from the bed, but Charlie grabbed her wrist and held it tightly. He did not know what she meant by ‘juice’, but that was not important at the moment. ‘Please don’t leave me,’ he said, his voice low and weak. ‘I don’t want to be alone. I don’t feel right.’

Alice paused, regarding him with the same warm expression she had worn when they had first met. She sat down again. ‘I won’t leave,’ she said, her voice so gentle that it sent a shiver along his spine. ‘Finish that biscuit for me – and you should have another one after that, too. Your blood pressure went so low that I was worried you wouldn’t wake up.’

Charlie managed a weak laugh. ‘Didn’t they tell you? I’m indestructible.’

Alice rolled her eyes and shook the packet of biscuits in his face. ‘Eat.’

At her insistence, Charlie took another biscuit and chewed it thoughtfully. ‘You know, I think you’re the first Elysian I’ve ever met,’ he said, before correcting himself. ‘Like this, I mean.’

With a frown, Alice got to her feet. ‘What makes you think I’m from Elysia?’

Charlie snorted, wincing a little at the pain the movement caused. ‘I could tell the second you opened your mouth,’ he said, as Alice’s face fell. ‘Besides, us Pennies don’t carry around packets of biscuits in our pockets,’ he continued, as she sat back down on the bed. ‘Or wear rocks like those around our necks. These are more our style,’ he added, indicating the metal collar that he, like all Penumbrans, was always required to wear as protection against the witch covens. It was the Great Protector’s gift to his people.

Alice’s fingers strayed to the delicate gold chain she was wearing. Without a word, she removed it and handed it to Charlie, who examined the red stones intricately woven into the gold band.

‘These are dragonstones, aren’t they?’ he said. ‘They’re my speciality. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was me who dug these out of the ground for you. I thought they were for – I don’t know – weapons against the witch covens, or something.’

‘You work in the mines? I thought that was the most dangerous work there is here.’

‘I have to think about my family. They’re all depending on me.’

Alice did not say anything more. They sat in silence for a few moments, her eyes on Charlie, as he continued to examine her necklace.

‘No one in Penumbra could dream of owning something like this,’ he said, turning it over in his hands. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s beautiful.’

‘It was a gift from my father,’ Alice said flatly. ‘I’ve never liked it all that much.’

‘It’s a dead giveaway for an Elly in disguise,’ Charlie said, grinning, and Alice shook her hair back over her shoulders imperiously. ‘So, d’you come here often?’

‘If you must know, you’re the first Penumbran I’ve ever spoken to,’ she said, a defiant edge to her voice. ‘Or – the first one that I’ve spoken to like this, at least.’ She held his gaze for a moment, a slight crease between her brows. ‘It’s been … interesting.’

They both jumped when Doctor Zhang pulled back the screen and strode into the bay. He stood over Charlie’s bed, ignoring Alice completely, his eyes darting to the chart in his hands before he spoke.

‘I have your test results here,’ he said. ‘You will need to prepare yourself, Carroway.’

At the doctor’s words, a fist seemed to clench in Charlie’s chest. He glanced quickly at Alice, who was frowning at Zhang. Charlie felt her reach for his hand and squeeze it tightly with her own. He shivered.

‘The tests we carried out showed abnormalities,’ Zhang said. ‘Whatever it is, there’s no hope for you. Your body is turning against itself. Have you experienced any coughing yet?’

Charlie froze. There was a ringing in his ears. Everything seemed to be falling away.

‘None of this is surprising, given the age you started working at the Pit,’ the doctor continued evenly, shaking his head. ’Thirteen … I don’t know what you were thinking. Surely they must have warned you of the risks? Our choices always have consequences, you know.’

‘I didn’t have –’ Charlie managed to croak.

‘I understand you came here hoping for a fitness to work certification,’ Zhang continued, ignoring him. ‘Obviously, I cannot provide you with one now. There is nothing more I can do for you. You may see yourself out – as quickly as possible, please. I still have many more patients to get through today.’

‘This isn’t right,’ Charlie heard Alice protest. She sounded as though she was somewhere far away from him.

Doctor Zhang paused before leaving the bay. ‘I suggest you go home and get your affairs in order, Carroway. Time is not on your side. In fact, I would be surprised if you have much of it left at all.’

Then he was gone. The silence that followed in his wake seemed to stretch on forever.

Finally, Alice spoke. ‘Charlie,’ she said, whispering his name before shaking herself and staring at him with her large, impassioned eyes. ‘I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry for how he spoke to you. That wasn’t right.’ She fell silent for a moment, her eyes downcast, before raising her free hand to his chest. ‘Maybe I could … there might be something that I can –’

Charlie flinched away from her as though burned. ‘Don’t touch me!’ he snarled.

Alice’s face fell, but she nodded. ‘Talk to me. Tell me what you’re thinking.’

‘What’s going on?’ The curtain was ripped back. Charlie looked up to see the dark-haired soldier scowling down at him, before shooting a glare at the floor as Charlie pulled his t-shirt back over his head. ’Aren’t you needed elsewhere, Alice?’ he added, his face colouring.

‘Not yet.’ Alice sounded desperate. ‘He’s ill. Charlie, what are you going to do now?’

‘I’m going back to the Pit,’ Charlie said. He was not quite sure what he was saying. Someone else seemed to be in control of his voice. ‘I’ll forge the papers myself if I have to. It’s the only way. There’s nothing else I can do.’

‘You can’t work if you’re sick,’ the soldier said, his voice harsh and a bad-tempered look on his face. ‘You shouldn’t be doing that anyway. You’re just a kid. You need to rest.’

‘No.’ Charlie heaved a sigh. ‘I’ve got too many people depending on me to do that.’

‘Isn’t there anyone else you could ask to help you?’ Alice was chewing her nails.

Charlie let out a feeble laugh. ‘Now I know for sure that you’re not from around here.’

‘But you can’t deal with this all on your own …’ Alice’s eyes were misty as she turned to appeal to the soldier. ‘Vasco, tell him! There’s got to be something else we can do to help.’

Charlie’s jaw clenched. ‘Listen, I never asked for your help!’ he snapped. ‘It’s my problem and I’ll deal with it myself …’

He raised his hand and drew it back, his fingernails aiming for the burning itch at his throat. He saw Alice’s eyes widen in fright. He understood what she was afraid of a split second before Vasco’s hand encircled his wrist in an iron grip. Then he was forced back against the headboard.

‘Try that again and you’re dead,’ Vasco said, his voice taut. ‘Get it together, already.’

‘This can’t be happening to me,’ Charlie murmured, his hand dropping to the blanket as Vasco released his wrist. ‘This … this can’t be happening to me.’

‘Vasco, he’s in shock,’ Alice said, giving the soldier a reproachful look. ‘I’m so sorry this is happening to you, Charlie.’

Charlie drew his knees up to his face, bracing his fist against his forehead as he began to rock backwards and forwards, his hands shaking. ‘What am I going to do?’ he said, in a whisper that steadily grew into a strangled howl. ‘What am I … what should I –?’

‘What’s wrong with him?’ Vasco asked, his voice sharp. ‘What do we do?’

‘We need to help him, Vasco,’ Alice said at once. ’I don’t know what to do.’

‘We need to leave – quickly. Before anyone realises you’re gone.’

’But we’ve got to do something!’

Fury erupted in Charlie’s body. ’There’s nothing you can do!’ he roared, staggering out of the bed, and facing them with clenched fists. ‘You Elysians have done enough already!’ With a kind of savage joy, he realised that the fact the soldier was carrying a rifle meant nothing to him anymore. ‘Get out of here and stay the hell away from me!’

‘Charlie …’

He saw tears shimmering in Alice’s huge brown eyes, grief tugging her lips down, before he was knocked sideways by a vicious punch to the head from the Elysian soldier. He fell to the floor with an anguished cry of pain.

‘Vasco, don’t! It’s not his fault –’

’Alexandra, they’re coming. Forget about him. We need to get out of here now!’

The sound of racing footsteps soon faded into the distance. Curled up on the floor, Charlie cradled his aching head in his hands and felt the cool brush of metal against his temple. He unclenched his fist. The dragonstones set into the Elysian girl’s necklace danced like flames in the light reflected off the silver frame of the cot bed. She had left it behind. A familiar dry cough was threatening to burst from his throat. He was alone.