Free Edge of Mercy (Young Adult Dystopian)(Volume 1) (The Mercy Series) by C. C. Marks Page A

“At first, I was going to do it. I was going to turn her away. I figured she was probably part of a band of traveling criminals, using her as bait to flush out any small communities, but just look at her once. When you see her, you’ll see she’s practically starved and wasted away to nothing. It’s obvious she’s not being fed and kept by anyone. She needed help.” With a determination I didn’t really feel, I squared my shoulders and said, “I told her we would help her.”
    Zeke pushed me backwards. “If he didn’t, I would have. I had the same idea. Charlie just beat me to it. Besides, I’m the one who should know better. You warned me before. I’ll take all consequences.”
    “No. I’ll take the punishment. Zeke tried to warn me.”
    The faces of the five council-men grew more uncomfortable, grimmer. The wrinkles framing their eyes deepened right before my own. They looked so worn and weary. Just plain tired. I didn’t know what I’d expected, but I so rarely caught a glimpse of these men. They seldom ventured out of chambers. For the first time, I saw the individuals of the Council as more than a pathetic, narrow-minded group of fat, old men telling us all how we had to live. Sure, they were bombastic and pale as corn silk, but they weren’t fat. Not a single one looked like he ate more than one meal a day. And exhausted, they all looked like they hadn’t slept peacefully…ever. I didn’t want to think of them as anything more than the men who made my life harder each day, but maybe there was more to being a member of the Council than I knew.
    Peter’s father, Jonas, was head of the Council and spoke for them all. Yet the members around the table often leaned away from him and whispered in hushed tones. I couldn’t help but wonder how cohesive this group actually was.
    Thomas’s father leaned over and whispered to Jonas. Jonas nodded, but his grim expression never changed.
    “We will deliberate and call you back with a decision as to your consequence.”
    “And, the woman?” I was overstepping my bounds. Their narrowed eyes told me as much.
    “Leave that to us. It is none of your concern now,” an elderly, bald man on the end explained. Joseph was the oldest member of the community. He had no family remaining and was not the most pleasant person to talk to. But I wasn’t put off by his hateful tone. Not when they were about to make a decision whether the woman lived or died. Every life should matter, even a stranger.
    “But, she needs us. She’s all alone.”
    Thomas’s father stood, leaning his hands on the table. “We’ll hold a trial here, but the decision will be made logically. It’s out of your hands, Charlie. It’s best you never mention her again.” His voice was gentle, but his stern expression made it clear, he expected nothing less than complete compliance.
    A glance at the remaining two council members revealed a stone wall of faces. Graham Mills was slightly younger than Joseph, and just as stodgy.  Cane Moore, in his late twenties and the youngest member of the Council, was the only one who showed the slightest softening around his mouth and eyes, but his gaze shifted down to the tabletop, and I knew he’d vote with the majority.
    I gave a shaky nod and felt Zeke’s hand pull me by the elbow toward the exit.
    Once we were outside the closed door of the chamber, Zeke released a heavy breath, as if he hadn’t dared breathe normally the whole time we were inside. That threw me off a little. I’d always suspected Zeke wasn’t as brave as he made himself out to be, but to actually witness his anxiety in front of the Council, my heart sunk to my knees. I must have messed up big-time.
    “Stay here. I’ve got to find Thomas.”
    “Why? Will he talk to his father about the woman?”
    “Trust me. I’ll take care of everything.” Zeke started down the hall, toward the upper areas, leaving me alone to watch him walk away.
    Even as Zeke sprinted in the opposite