Free Haeven by S. M. Bowles Page A

a
distraction after all that's happened. It's been very emotional for
me and she's been so...!"
    "You have to accept responsibility for what
you have done and whatever consequences it brings. The rules are
clear and there can be no exceptions." Herrik stood up. "Tomorrow
morning," he said conclusively. Penny got up intending to see him
out. "Stay. All of you," he met each of our eyes one by one. I
could see how frustrated and remorseful he was and that somehow he
felt responsible for the turn of events. No matter how determined I
was not to regret trying to escape I lowered my eyes shamefully and
at least for Penny's sake wished I hadn't done it.
    As he walked past I impulsively reached out
and grabbed Herrik's hand. "Please don't send Penny away," I
whispered. "It wasn't her fault."
    "I know," Herrik replied. He laid his hand on
my cheek and tilted my face so that I was looking up at him. There
was something...something strange in his eyes. My heart stilled,
the throbbing in my temples; the pain, the worry, my
fears...everything was fading, dulling.
    He started to say something, thought better
of it and instead, "Get some rest, Emily."
    It sounded like forgiveness but certainly
didn't feel like it. There was so much tension in his expression
that I knew he hated me for what I had done. After he was gone
Avery asked Penny if there was anything she needed. She shook her
head no and a moment later he walked towards the front door and
stationed himself directly in front of it just as I had seen him do
at Herrik's apartment.
    I tried to apologize to Penny but she held
her hand up to show how averse she was to hearing anything I had to
say. "You should get ready for bed."
    "But..." I started to protest then quickly
realized the futility of it and trudged down the hallway towards my
bedroom.
    The next morning I woke quite late. I felt
much better and tried to be optimistic as I encouraged myself to
believe that things wouldn't turn out as badly as I imagined they
would. I immediately went to the kitchen hoping to find Penny there
but only found a note from her instead.
    There is fruit in the refrigerator and some
cereal in the pantry. Eat some breakfast and get ready to start
your day. I will be here soon.
    Love,
    Penny
    I pushed the note aside and found the fruit
and cereal like she suggested. After eating and carefully cleaning
up I went to my room and got dressed. I fixed my hair as best I
could and went back to the kitchen to wait for Penny.
    The minutes passed and soon an hour had
ticked by. Just as I considered going to the living room and
watching TV while I waited my buzzer rang. I went to the door fully
expecting Penny but Carah was the one standing there instead.
    "They're ready for you," she said without
ceremony. "Is there anything you need to do first?"
    I nervously looked over my shoulder and shook
my head.
    "Good," she stepped toward the elevator and I
reluctantly followed her after closing my door.
    Carah didn't look at me or say a single word
the entire ride down. When we reached Herrik's floor we walked down
the hallway towards his apartment. I couldn't help noticing that
there were no people along the way. All the offices and other rooms
we passed were completely empty. Herrik's door was wide open when
we got to it and Carah led us straight in.
    I followed her beyond the living room and
down the hallway past the garden and along another hallway. At the
end was another set of doors and these were wide open as well. I
could hear the hum of dozens and dozens of voices as we neared and
fearfully slowed my pace then stopped.
    "What are you waiting for?" Carah glanced
back expectantly.
    "What's happening?" I asked.
    Carah came towards me and tried taking my
elbow but I shook it away. She moved around behind me and I thought
she was about to shove me towards the doorway. Avery was standing
just beyond and to the left of it though and when he saw us I
immediately felt his strange grip again forcing me forward. I