Hazel sensed that the sandstorm was coming. She rode hard, knowing of an abandoned water deposit a few hours away from the Surian Border. After the war it fell into the hands of a band of raiders, however she was certain that after Sam’s endeavours and the efforts of the Surian Military any marauders would have been removed by now. Eventually she glanced back and saw the dark hazy cloud brewing on the horizon, a beast determined to hunt her down. Little did she know that her husband was in that same cloud and on his way to rescue her.
The forefront of the storm swept over her as she rode into the abandoned water reserve. She saw that the well was desolate and crumbling but most of the buildings were still intact. As the sand gnawed into her exposed flesh she dismounted and led her horse into a small square hut with a wooden door. The room was dark. To her relief someone had barred the only window with a plank of wood so that only a trickle of sand poured through the cracks, though the dust that clung to the air inside couldn’t be helped. Two large clay pots filled with water remained sealed along the far wall. The wind whistled noisily outside and crashed against the door. It’s not perfect but it’ll do.
She then heard something peculiar and she believed there might have been an animal inside her shelter, a slow grunted breathing. There, lying within a pile of rough-spun woollen blankets, was a girl no more than eight years old. She had chubby cheeks and a small button nose, and a sliver of drool ran from the edge of her mouth. Hazel judged by the state of her hair, the dust on her face, the scabs on her knees and her travel worn clothes that the girl was lost and alone. She placed a hand on her warm cheek. “How did you end up all the way here by yourself?” she wondered. “I guess you’re not so different from me, actually.”
The girl slowly opened her eyes, and when she saw Hazel sitting in front of her she jumped. “Argh! Geez lady, you frightened me!”
“I’m sorry,” said Hazel, guiltily. “I was just seeing if you were alright.”
She placed a hand on her heaving chest and said, “You almost gave me a heart attack.” Then, quite suddenly, she smiled. “What’s your name, scary lady?”
“Me? I’m Hazel.”
The girl hopped up onto her feet. “My name’s Daisy. You didn’t happen to bump into a group of merchants on your travels around here, did you Miss Hazel?”
“No. I don’t think anyone’s about while this storm is going on. Why? Who are they?”
“I’ve been trying to find my parents for a while now but this place is so big and I’m terribly lost.”
“Well,” said Hazel, “as it turns out I’m a little lost myself. When the storm passes why don’t you stick with me and I’ll help you find your parents.”
Hazel and Daisy stayed cooped up in the little room for the several days it took until the storm died down; by the end they were hungry and their throats ached from inhaling so much dust, but they still had plenty of water. They huddled together under the blanket and talked, borrowing each other’s body warmth. A storm of sand is a frightfully cold place.
When the storm subsided a great deal of their hut had been buried, and Hazel had to force the door open and crawl over it as the sand spilled in. The silence was eerie. The desert was a sea of fresh sand dunes littered with debris, the terrain had transformed into some ghostly apocalyptic wasteland. There was a strange sense of beauty to be found though, mostly the vibrant colour of the sky that made Hazel feel as though she were inside a great sapphire. Surviving the storm made her feel hopeful that she would get through all of this.
Hazel stored what water she could carry and then drank as much as she could, she had Daisy do the same, and the remaining water was given to their horse. They continued north until eventually they reached the Surian checkpoint. First, at the end of the road, there emerged a large tower from which a lookout could see most of the surrounding desert. The checkpoint itself only surrounded the main road: a palisade wall guarded a military camp no larger than the water deposit Hazel had come from. Most of the men were young and sunburnt other than the officer who greeted them.
The leading officer lead Hazel to a scribe who recorded hers and Daisy’s names and businesses. Hazel was urgent to explain the event of her imprisonment by Grey Skull as well as how she escaped, but first she wanted to tend to Daisy’s issue. The logbook that the officer kept had a record of Daisy’s parents returning and requesting for a search to be conducted. “We have a larger camp near Torren where our regiments have been dealing with the last of the raider gangs. Your parents are there.” A beaming smile touched Daisy’s face and she jumped up and down. The officer went on, “If you’re ready I have an escort take you there right away.”
Hazel was happy for Daisy and for herself. She decided that this camp was likely the safest place for her right now, and if she could then make it to Surra she would be able to find a way to contact Christel. The invitation, however, was only for one. The officer spoke to Hazel. “Not you. I understand you have cared for this girl but she is safe now, both of you are.” His eyes jumped frantically from the faces of each of his men.
Hazel was allowed a quick farewell from Daisy. They embraced and a tear showed in Daisy’s eye. “Thank you Miss Hazel,” she whispered. “I’ll never forget you. I hope we get to meet again one day.”
“I hope so too,” Hazel said. “I look forward to it.”
When Daisy rode off with her armed escort the relief on the officer’s face was too obvious to ignore. Hazel acted cautiously from then on, especially around the captain. He placed an unsteady hand on her shoulder. “Come with me.” She was lead into a tent where the captain lowered his voice. “You have to leave here. Now.”
A flutter of anxiety came over her. “What? Why? Why were you so quick to get rid of Daisy and keep me here?”
“It’s not safe for her, nor is it for you.” He took a deep uneasy breath. “We’re being watched. An anomaly, a woman, she’s after you. She wanted me to arrest you.”
Hazel almost lost her composure, being so sure that Petra Underbridge had returned and learned of her escape. The terrible memory of her beating was inflicted once again and frightened tears welled in her eyes. Then she remembered Christel, and being with Daisy reminded her of everything she had to lose. Her fear became determination, a sudden will to survive and an undeniable urge to fight back.
She leant close to the captain and spoke quietly, almost a whisper. “This woman, where is she now?”
“She lies in wait outside the camp.”
Hazel drew the pistol she had stolen from the raiders; it only had four bullets. “Is she alone?” she asked, as she handed the gun to the captain.
He took it and replied, “Yes, but we cannot face her.”
“I agree.” Hazel could not believe what had become of her. Somewhere in the back of her mind lingered a terrible fear that if she went through with this insane plan of hers then the future she dreamed of with Christel would be shattered. She reminded herself that everything she had ever done had been to survive, and that this was no different. “I need a new gun.”
The captain seemed confused. “You don’t seriously mean to fight her?” He handed her a revolver from a nearby chest, a lighter weapon of a lower calibre.
“I plan on tricking her,” Hazel explained, as she loaded the gun. “We both know that an anomaly cannot be beaten in a fair fight. What if I feign my capture? She will let her guard down if she thinks I’m unarmed and surrounded, it will be the perfect opportunity.”
The captain nodded. “I don’t know who you are, Miss Hazel, but this anomaly has clearly offended you. I will help you defeat her, after all she is a blight upon humanity, and too great a threat to be left alive.”
The plan proceeded as arranged; Hazel was left alone in the tent with the revolver tucked into the back of her pants, and she sat as though her hands were bound behind her back. She waited. A tingle of panic chilled her spine when Petra did not come. Has something happened? I didn’t hear any fighting.
Eventually – to her great relief – the captain returned, but his skin was pale and his eyes were hollow. After him came a woman with red hair and dark eyes. Hazel could not know that she was Amelia Dredd because they had never met, so she was also unaware of the sinister nature of her power. In the end it didn’t matter. Hazel raised her head and glared furiously at Amelia. “You’re not Petra,” she said.
“No. I’m just a hunting dog.” She turned to the captain. “Bring her.”
The captain stumbled forward and placed his mouth as close as he dared to Hazel’s ear. He breathed the words: “She knows.” Something had broken within him, perhaps it was his will to live, perhaps it was the fear that bound him, Hazel did not know, but he turned on Amelia brandishing a dagger.
It all happened so fast. Amelia’s eyes burned red and the captain was thrown to the floor in tear. Hazel could not comprehend it. Instinctively she pulled the pistol out and tried to raise it, only to find that her body would not comply. Her hands trembled and her blood felt as though it was boiling. She barely had the strength to scream.
Amelia smiled and tightened her mental grip on Hazel, causing her to convulse in agony. “Oh I know it hurts.” She forced Hazel to open her hands. “Drop the gun. It’s time to go home.” She found Hazel to be remarkably strong-willed, but she was yet to discover a normal human capable of resisting her influence.
Hazel snarled and cried. Is this it? Am I going to be dragged back to Grey Skull? Back to where this all started? No. I refuse to accept it. I have to keep fighting.
The sound of a gun firing frightened even her. The revolver she carried was on the floor and the captain was still paralysed. Then she felt Amelia’s grip waver and her powers receded. Her knees buckled and she collapsed. Standing behind her with his pistol raised was Sam.
Hazel blinked as though she were dreaming, and then burst into tears. She stumbled forward and embraced him, trying desperately to control her heavy sobbing. A torrent of emotions overwhelmed her, she could hardly describe what she felt, but joy was among them. Ashley came forward and held her close. Hazel whispered, “You came for me!”
Her eyes glanced around for Christel but she was distracted by Sam’s grave voice. “That shot wasn’t enough to kill Amelia. We have to leave right now!”
Even once again in the company of friends Hazel was still running, but she wasn’t alone anymore, and that gave her hope.
ns 172.71.254.43da2