The Beyond: Dystopian Survival Fiction (The Breeder Files Book 4) Eliza Green (fantasy novels to read TXT) 📖

Charlie chuckled. ‘I have all the money I could want and nothing to spend it on. It’s not a life I envisioned for myself.’

‘How much did you get?’

‘Enough. Turns out, I was one of the first to enter the Region. That honour attracted a healthy pay check.’ Sadness clouded his eyes. ‘I’m just sorry Max couldn’t be here to see all this, see how we’re doing now.’

Dom clapped him on the arm. ‘Max agreed to enter the Region. We all did.’ His mother, Mariella, too. ‘He would be happy to see you well.’

Charlie nodded and looked around at the others. ‘I’m glad we’re all safe.’ He slid his gaze to Dom. ‘But this city...’

‘It doesn’t feel like we belong, does it?’

Charlie shook his head. ‘Even though this was our home once.’

Sheila called everyone to dinner. Dom took a seat next to Anya.

‘It’s nothing fancy, just tuna casserole,’ said Sheila.

Dom couldn’t keep the shock from his voice. ‘Since when do you cook, Sheila Kouris?’

Sheila lowered her eyes, as if embarrassed. ‘Actually, it was all Imogen.’

‘You helped to cut up the vegetables.’ Imogen squeezed her shoulder. ‘That was like cooking.’

Everyone laughed, even Sheila.

Dom held out his plate. ‘In that case, load me up.’

Sheila stuck out her tongue at him again.

The mood was light and jovial. Everyone talked about anything but the place they’d come from, or the memory reversal treatment that would return the city’s familiarity to them. Some, like Charlie, had opted for the treatment—to begin next week. Others were still undecided. No matter what memories people had or didn’t, Dom sensed a mood change in the group, like they were at a crossroads similar to him and Anya.

After dinner, he couldn’t avoid the off-limit topic any longer. He and Anya shared their discussion with Agatha and their proposal to open up the Region.

‘She’s considering it,’ said Anya.

‘But what will that mean for the Region and the people living there?’ asked Vanessa.

‘They will become part of this city’s future, with the option to have their old lifestyle back.’

Charlie rubbed his chin. ‘It’s an intriguing idea. Do you think she’ll go for it?’

Dom had no idea, and he told them so. ‘We’ll just have to wait and see.’

‘And do you think you’ll go back?’

Dom looked at Anya. They hadn’t discussed it but he was sure they would, if only to help set up the Region.

‘I admit I like this apartment,’ said Sheila, looking around, ‘but I’m restless, and I’m not sure I want to know who I was before now.’

‘Me too,’ said Imogen. ‘All I’ve known is a rebel life.’

Getting the old memories back didn’t guarantee a sense of belonging.

‘So, who wants to volunteer?’

Sheila, Imogen, Jerome and Thomas put their hands up.

June said, ‘I have Frahlia to think of now. I need to get her settled.’

‘And Alex?’ asked Dom.

‘He’s not going to be a part of our lives. But Carissa and Jacob have been helping with her.’ She smiled. ‘I’ll be fine.’

He believed she would. According to Jacob, Carissa had slowly been remembering her past life. That must have been difficult for her, to live two lives simultaneously. But as rebel leader, Dom couldn’t think about his former life now. Max was gone. His commander had fought to protect the people in the Region. Dom still felt responsible for those who’d been left behind.

‘I’m hoping Agatha will give us an answer soon.’

37

Anya

Agatha made them wait two agonising days before she came back with her answer. Her bosses agreed that converting the Region into a manufacturing hub would be the best use for it.

For the last ten days, new supplies had been brought steadily into the Region through a large gate that had been cloaked from the residents. It turned out the invisible gate hadn’t been far from their camp. The operation was overseen by people dressed in green military garb pretending to be rebels. It took time to get the people to trust the newcomers, but slowly the Region became unrecognisable. The towns were kitted out and Praesidium was reclaimed and turned into an operational hub.

Agatha stood by her vehicle at the entrance to the city that Quintus had once controlled. ‘This used to be part of the city, but we gave it over to Quintus because it had the right controls to keep him in place.’

‘Except he used it to grow his empire,’ said Anya.

‘We couldn’t have foreseen he’d find a way around our controls.’

‘Where there’s a will, there’s always a way,’ said Dom.

Agatha nodded, as if she was done explaining. ‘What will you two do now?’

Dom looked at Anya.

There was only one place she wanted to go. ‘We have somewhere to be. We’ll see you soon.’

Agatha nodded and climbed into her car. The driver returned her to the city side.

Anya took Dom’s hand. ‘You ready?’

He nodded and they got into a vehicle Agatha had given them.

Anya’s nerves hit her as they approached the entrance to Brookfield. The last time she’d been here the place had been emptied out. Copies from Praesidium had taken her and the other residents to Essention. Now, the town buzzed with new life. Those who’d been ousted had returned to begin anew. In the distance, several new vertical farms were being built, just beyond the perimeter of the towns. Brookfield would be responsible for the collective farms, reporting to a Praesidium under new management. Other towns would be responsible for their own farms. The Region had lots of space and plenty of room to grow.

She approached her old cottage on foot. She hadn’t seen it in nearly five months and thought she’d never see it again.

Anya opened the door; it squeaked and a lump rose to