Free Becoming by Chris Ord Page A

rhythm and rattle was different as the drops smashed against the leaves above. Still they listened. They were trained to listen and look for any signs, any movement or sound, any small change, however suspicious. There was nothing, just the sound of the rain.
    Gaia focused on the cracks between the trees, scanning the furthest point for any movement. She noticed Aran approach, but did not respond. He waited, not wanting to speak for fear of alarming her, crouched by her side. Gaia scoured the dark woods, head moving back and forth. She could see the vapour from Aran’s breath from the corner of her eye. Without stopping and breaking her focus Gaia whispered.
    ‘What do you want?’
    ‘I just wanted to check you were OK after last night, and if you read my note?’
    ‘Yes, I read it.’
    ‘And?’
    ‘And what? You tell me. What’s changed so suddenly?’
    Gaia continued to look ahead, scanning the woods.
    ‘I can’t say here, but there’ve been some things, worrying things. I’m planning to leave in the next few days. There’s a full moon and I can’t wait another month. It’s too risky. Are you in?’
    Gaia took her time before answering. The options played out in her mind, but Kali and Hakan kept flashing through her head.
    ‘I could be, but don’t build your hopes up. I think you might be right about me being watched. I had a meeting with Kali this morning. Let’s just say she’s keeping close tabs on me.’
    Gaia paused, thinking about Hakan and the incident the night before. Should she tell Aran? Perhaps it was best if she was honest with him.
    ‘Something happened last night when I got back to the dorm.’
    Gaia stopped looking into the woods and faced Aran. His face was wet, skin red with the cold.
    ‘Did someone find you?’
    ‘Hakan was waiting for me when I got back. I gave him some bullshit about needing some air, but he knew I was lying. I had to give him the key. I said it was left in the door.’
    ‘You did what?’
    Aran stabbed his spear into the sodden earth.
    ‘Don’t worry! He isn’t going to say anything. The problem is now he has something on me, and you know what that means with Hakan.’
    Aran was well aware of the behaviour of some of the leaders. Boys were largely left alone. It was the girls that suffered at the hands of a few. Hakan’s reputation was known, and Aran knew what this meant for Gaia. She now had to make a tough choice.
    ‘I’m sorry Gaia. You know it’s only a matter of time now. He won’t let this go.’
    ‘I know, but Hakan is just one more reason to get out of this place.’
    ‘I understand, but I need to know you’re committed to this. I can’t carry people.’
    There was a pause. Gaia began to scan the woodland again, not looking and not caring. She focused on Aran’s words, her excitement, her fear. There were doubts, but Gaia knew what she had to do.
    ‘Count me in, but there’s a condition. There are holes in your plan. You need to convince me this isn’t a suicide mission. Sort them and I’ll come. You’ve got twenty-four hours. Now go, before someone sees us talking.’
    ‘OK. Give me a day and I’ll let you know.’
    Aran moved away from Gaia and crouched about ten metres to her right. She continued to scour the cracks in the trees while they both settled in and waited for their orders.
    Gaia was annoyed and relieved. Aran’s timing was far from ideal. Her mind was cluttered now, awash with thoughts of the escape. The questions tumbled inside her head, the many questions and doubts. There was the memory of the previous night, a sequence of events she had hoped to bury. The decision had been made for her though, and it felt as though at least one of the weights had been lifted. Now Gaia needed to focus. The mission was dangerous, the risks were high. Any weakness could mean there would be no need for escape. For now the rats were the main concern.
    Gaia looked along the line to left and saw Freya who was looking in Gaia’s direction.