Cull Reborn: The Cull Stories, #2

By Zhané White

4 billion people. Target: 75%...The Cull trilogy continues with Cull Reborn, dark science fiction with bouts of hard-hitting action. Kelendria Taylor, a British orphan, will infiltrate China's Cull division and face the toughest fight of her life. If she doesn't play the part, her cover will be blown. Will she sacrifice thousands to save billions, or risk her life saving them all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amaria & Sariel
• Release date: Jul 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781501403637

Zhané White

Dark fantasy and science-fiction come naturally to Zhané White. She loves the uncanny, the strange, and the eerie, always with an essence of the world we know. If she's not writing, she's thinking about writing. When you find her daydreaming, leave her be. Wait. In time, you'll see what she sees...

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Cull Reborn

Zhané White

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Copyright

Copyright 2012 - Zahra Brown (pseudonym: 'Zhané White')

All rights reserved.

License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold, or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and you did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

www.zhanewhite.com

Image: ixpert/Shutterstock.com

CONTENTS

Happy Birthday

The Lost Years

Prison Break

Departure

Reborn

Uprising

The Beginning

Dear Reader

About the Author

Dedications

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This book is written in British English.

****

Happy Birthday

My final moment.

Every thought, every touch, every taste, every sound, every thing. It’s like my mind unleashed a tsunami of memories, drowning out my fear.

I didn’t care anymore. I was already dead.

Don't worry, honey, Mummy said. It'll be over soon.

––––––––

I was so excited.

It was the night before my thirteenth birthday, and all my friends were coming round. We were going to have a sleepover with lots of sweets, fizzy drinks, and rom-coms. My parents gave my birthday present early, a touch phone with fifty pounds credit. My best friend Maggie said it wasn't enough to call all the boys at school, so I set off to the corner store to top up the phone.

I'm coming with you, Mummy said. "Just let me get my coat.

Aw, I can go by myself!

No! Didn't you hear about the riots?

But they're on the other side of town, I said. Nothing ever happens round here!

Mummy's mobile rang. She took the phone from her coat pocket and cursed when she saw the caller.

Is it-

Never mind! She cut off the call and dumped the phone in her pocket. It's nobody.

Daddy was in the living room, watching football on TV, so I kissed him goodbye. He barely looked my way because the players were about to score. I met Mummy on the doorstep and we heard Daddy shouting and the crowd cheered.

It's just a game, Mummy and I mumbled.

I skipped down the garden path and waited for Mummy at the front gate. She rummaged through her handbag and cursed again. I climbed onto the stone garden fence and watched her rush back into the house.

How can we buy credit with no friggin' money? I mumbled. I bet the shop'll close!

A strong gust of wind knocked me off the fence.

My jacket and jeans were covered in mud. I tried to wipe it off but it soaked into the fabric. Then I fell down again, but this time the fence toppled onto me. The rocks buried me, crushing my chest. I pushed them off my head and gasped for air.

I couldn't see the starry sky anymore. Its dark blue hue was running from a clash of yellow, orange, and red. Huge black objects were raining down on us, exploding on impact. The tree in the garden was alight, birds flocking from the branches. The bird house was ablaze, the chicks screeching as they fell to the ground, their tiny wings on fire.

Mummy! I screamed. Daddy!

I wriggled until the rocks fell off me, and rubbed down my bloody scratches. I scrambled across the rubble, stumbling over the loose stones, and froze when I saw the house.

It was just like in the movies.

The black object sliced through the skyline and pierced the roof. I heard my parents screaming and a bang so loud my hearing went. The windows shattered and glass flew out into the garden. The bricks were blown out and landed on Mummy's lovely flowers, crushing the pretty yellow roses. The roof caved in and the slates slammed into the ground.

Someone grabbed me and carried me away. They put me in the car with my neighbours and we drove away from home. I watched the fire burning everything. I tried to open the door but a woman wrapped her arms around me and held me tightly.

It's all right, she whispered. It'll be all right.

I've got to dig them out, I said. They're waiting for me!

Should we go back? the woman asked the driver.

They didn't survive, he said. Trust me.

I had seen my parents for the last time. I could see the fear. The pain. The shock...I won't go there again.

It hurts too much.

––––––––

When I woke up, we were parked outside the local superstore. The woman carried me inside and placed me on the conveyor belt while the family brought over canned food and bottles of water.

The store was packed with people. Police officers with cracked helmets and broken batons were directing people into the building. Groups were gathering food and drinks before settling down in the furniture section. I waited patiently on the conveyor belt and took some snacks from the counter.

Kelly!

It was Maggie! She ran down the aisle and hugged me. I looked over her shoulder and saw her parents and little sister Matilda in her mother's arms. Her father patted me on the head and asked where my parents were.

They're at home.

Oh, I see...

Maggie's mother turned away and sobbed quietly, her husband rubbing her back. Matilda started to whine, so Maggie's parents went to get her a juice bottle.

What on earth are they doing at home? Maggie asked. Why didn't they come with you?

They couldn't.

Maggie shrugged and climbed onto the conveyor belt. She rested her head on my shoulder and bit into my chocolate bar, spilling crumbs onto my jeans.

Careful or Mum'll be mad! I snapped, wiping my jeans.

It's no big deal!

"It's easy for you to say! Your parents are still alive!"

Maggie gasped and hugged me again, squeezing me tightly. She wiped my tears with her sleeve and then popped a piece of chocolate into my mouth.

Sorry, I didn't realise...You sure?

I think so.

My neighbour came back just as Maggie's family returned. The adults went off to talk, leaving Maggie to hold Matilda. Matilda snuggled against her doll and fell asleep.

Where's Snowy? I asked.

We left him outside in the dog house. When we got back home, the house was smashed. His was too.

Maggie gently pushed Matilda onto the belt and crossed her legs.

You saved us, she said. We would've been home if it wasn't your birthday. We came here to buy your present...You want it?

No.

Right then I only wanted two things. You can't buy those.

Oh, please! It cost a bomb...Oh, sorry!

What is it?

Maggie pointed at the box under the food and water bottles. I jumped down and took out the present, wrapped in brown paper and tied with black string. I snapped the string and the paper fell apart, exposing the rainbow coloured paper underneath. Maggie clapped her hands and laughed.

Hurry up! she squealed. You'll love it!

The package got smaller and smaller as I tore off more wrapping. Finally I reached the cardboard box inside, the picture of a make-up set on the packaging. Holding the make-up was a little white girl with big green eyes and pink lipstick, blush in one hand and mascara in the other.

Surprise! she cried. It's my first photo shoot!

Maggie struck a pose, pouting to the invisible camera. Then she lifted her ginger curls and let them cascade down her shoulders.

I waited for her to finish.

I got a hundred pounds, and they might hire me again real soon... Her face fell and she crossed her arms. Well, they will if they are still alive. The plus side is they're an American company, so we could just move over there.

Good for you.

I lay down on the next conveyor belt and closed my eyes. I would've gone to sleep, but I could feel someone watching. I opened my eyes and jumped fright when I saw Maggie leaning over me. She prodded my arm and asked, Aren't you gonna open it?

Here? Now?

We've got nowhere else to go, she said. You might as well do it now.

But-

Go on! It cost a lot of money, you know?

Then take it back from the cash register. No one's gonna care now!

That's not the right thing to do, she said. Just look at what the rioters caused.

The rioters dropped bombs on town?

The whole city, actually. People came here from across Southampton. Maybe all of Hampshire's gone. Anyway, open my gift or give it back, please.

I tore open the box and took out the make-up set. There was a hand-sized mirror, blush, five lipsticks of different shades of pink, a blonde hair extension, and batteries for the base, which lit up.

I've wanted one of these for ages, she said. You're so lucky.

Take it. I pushed everything back into the box and handed it to her. Happy belated birthday!

Oooh!

Maggie popped the lid off the red lipstick and applied it to her lips. She blew me a kiss and then gazed at her reflection in the mirror.

It's broken! she cried. Look!

I took the mirror and peeled off the protective plastic. Before I passed it back, I spotted a black woman in white watching from the entrance. Her hair was tied back with a bright head band, her afro hair poking out the top. Slowly, I peered over my shoulder and there she was, staring at us.

Who's that? I asked.

Jessie! The hottest boy in school. Don't you listen when I tell you things?

No, the black woman!

I think you're the only black around here.

I'm biracial, actually.

Yeah, sure.

Maggie snatched the mirror and finger-combed her hair.

The black woman walked over and stood over me. I glanced at Maggie, who kept combing her hair. The woman placed her hand on my chest and smiled. I reached out to her face, but my fingers slipped through her skin. She screamed and her skin peeled away, landing on me. I screamed and jumped off the conveyor belt.

What happened? Maggie cried. You scared me!

Her parents rushed over with the neighbour, and her mother hugged me when I started to cry. I buried my head in her chest and pulled her closer, not daring to look out. She gently pried me off, so I peered over my shoulder.

The black woman had gone.

It's all right, sweetie, Maggie's mother said. You'll be staying with us.

––––––––

The plan was simple: we would move up north to Oxford. Maggie's grandparents were over there with a big country house, so there would be enough room for all of us. Maggie's aunts and uncles had already called from Australia and promised to wire money over, but the banks were gone and their foreign divisions weren't answering the phone.

So we're poor? Maggie asked, rubbing her puffy eyes. No more ballet lessons?

Her father pulled her onto his lap and rocked her as if she was a baby.

Oxford has better schools, sweetheart, he said. Many wealthy people live over there.

We should've moved there sooner, his wife added. Now the children will be in the school catchment area.

Maggie jumped off her father and danced around the aisle. She did a pirouette and then crashed into a toy shelf. We laughed but then she started to cry.

I don't like this place anymore, she whined. When are we leaving?

An hour later. We packed the car boot with food, water, and clothes, and then tied them to the roof when the boot was full. Maggie insisted on sitting in the front with her father, so I squashed into the back with her mother and Matilda in her car seat.

I can't wait to see Oxford again! Maggie danced in her seat. Kelly has never been there before.

I've seen the uni on TV, I said.

It's not the same.

When we set off, our hopes were high. Of course I missed my parents, but I didn't want to think about their deaths anymore. I needed a distraction, and Maggie's grandparents would be it.

I've never been so excited.

Maggie's dad broke the speed limit because the speed cameras were blown out, so we only slowed down before corners and junctions. Then the real fun began. Some roads had been completely destroyed, so we had to drive across fields and dirt tracks. The car wasn't made for rocky terrain, so we bounced around so much we almost hit the roof. Maggie started to cry, but the rest of us really enjoyed the ride, Matilda singing nursery rhymes until we hit the road again.

I hope that's the last of it, Maggie's father said. If the car breaks down, we won't be towed home!

We'll be just fine. His wife patted him on the shoulder. Just get there as fast as you can.

I think it was twelve in the morning when the Welcome to Oxford sign appeared. I'd never been in a mansion before, so I could barely contain my excitement. Would they have an ensuite bathroom? Would they have horses? Would there be a swimming pool? I couldn't wait to curl up under the canopy of the four poster bed and sleep like a princess.

Oh God! Maggie's mother cried, pointing outside. Oxford's been hit!

We pulled up by the roadside and saw the levelled city. Everywhere was rubble and smoke.

Your parents will be just fine, Maggie's father said, stroking his wife's hand. Just stay calm.

We continued across Oxford, jagged rocks scratching against the doors as we drove on. There was the empty shell of a petrol station, the remains of two burnout cars and fuel pumps still ablaze. We passed a charred hospital with empty windows and glass on the street. The journey was bumpier when we drove down a busy street. Maggie didn't complain, though.

She knew what we were driving over.

In the distance were five young men, bawling as they approached a torn down building. One of the men threw himself down and burrowed through the dirt. He waved the others over and they pulled out something dark.

Come on! the first digger said. Pull!

They pulled and all fell backwards. The first digger dropped the black thing and wept as it fell into the fiery rubble, quickly setting alight. The others held him back as he reached out to the fire, crying, Rachel! over and over.

Maggie's mother burst into tears again.

We're almost there, her husband said.

The high street was littered with burnt corpses, some still on fire. They lay as they had died, clutching their burning skin, mouths open as they gasped for air. There were broken bottles beside them, some still holding that last drink.

Five minutes to go, Maggie's father said. Hold tight.

It felt like five hours.

Some buildings were still standing, but when we drove round the back it wasn't there. Some crumbled into the foundation while others burned to the ground. Few buildings had signs of life. The illuminated windows were either 'lucky' people surviving the night or fire turning everything to ash.

We turned down a quiet street where most of the houses were intact. The streetlights were off, so Maggie's father turned on the floodlights, our eyes peeled for any movement.

Suddenly an old woman stepped into the road. Maggie's father slammed on the brakes and everyone was thrown forward and then back. Matilda howled but her mother wasn't there. She had sprung from the car and wrapped her arms around the old woman.

Where's Dad? she asked. Is he all right?

He paid the neighbours a visit, the old woman said. Their generator was faulty, so he took over the toolbox...That was an hour ago, so I decided to check on them.

Maggie's mother and grandmother hugged while we drove on to the house, leaving them to walk back together.

––––––––

And that's where we lived until we had rebuilt our lives.

When Maggie and I graduated, we moved into a snazzy London apartment. She went on to become Britain's biggest supermodel. I became her personal assistant, always there to get her the