Robin

“Is this really necessary?”

- “We don’t know how long she’s been out there. Do you want to risk it?”

“Maybe… we should ask Joe.”

- “Maybe we should ask Joe.”

“Stop copying me.”

- “Well, then think for yourself for once. The rules are set. Now help me.”

Rough hands grab my wrists. Gravel is scraping my skin. I want to scream.

“She’s so heavy. Maybe we should have taken the kid.”

- “No. We need the adults.”

The kid? Robin!

Putting all my strength into my legs, I kick.

“Woah!”

The back of my head hits the gravel. Pain. It’s a pulse. My eyes fly open. I flinch. I squint. I close them immediately.

“Have you seen that? She’s still alive!”

- “Of course she is. Have you ever been on a run?”

The silence stretches and I manage to open my eyes. Only to let the bright light blind me again. I squint. There are two figures standing above me. I hear a sigh.

- “Let’s get it over with. There are four more we need.”

“Four? But there are over twenty over there.”

- “I say it’s four. And…”

They grab my wrists again, but only one pulls. This time the pain explodes in my shoulder. A grunt escapes me. I clench my fist. Again, I fall back to the ground. The pain drives me. Slowly. I sit up. I turn my head. Look at the two silhouettes. They take shape against the glaring light.

“She’s up. Theo. She’s up.”

I turn my head. I fix my gaze on his blurred face.

So young. Like Robin.

- “Seriously. I should’ve gone with the girl instead.”

Theo moves. Quickly. Pain shoots up my chest. But this time I don’t flop back. Instead, I stare at the man. I squint again. Something in my memory stirs. The second kick sends me back on the gravel.

- “Just trouble. Here.”

“But… it’s not safe to bring her back. She’ll…”

- “Look, boy. What was your name again?”

“Fred. I’m Fred from…”

- “Don’t care. Bind her. It’s her kind we need to bring back.”

My body reacts to their touch. Tiny electric currents send sparks through me. My arms and legs flail. I make contact with a cheek, an arm. But Theo is strong. The pain isn’t enough. Finally, the rough rope cuts my skin, making me immobile. I struggle one more time. A grunt escapes my throat. It was supposed to be a laugh.

- “Bring her to the truck. I’ll check on the others.”

“But you’re not supposed to be alone.”

Theo moves swiftly. Too fast for my eyes. I hear the slap. For a second, I see an auditorium. Applause.

No. You’re wrong.

Fred sniffles. My muscles tense. The robes bite into my wrists and ankles. Fred is Robin. I get kicked again. This time I let out a roar. Faces turn bloody. I manage to get up. Swaying like a stalk of grass in the wind.

- “For Fuck’s sake!”

I see the club in his hand. It looks familiar.

Huh, just like pa.

“What a specimen! Well done, boy. Well done.”

No applause again. But there are no sniffles either. I force my eyes open. It’s easier than before. Pain is pumping through my veins. I groan. I see Theo. A woman is standing next to him.

No. She has a beard.

Both snap around. Theo’s arm lifts the club. I flinch. The other man puts his hand on his shoulder. Theo grumbles but obliges. The older man approaches me. Ropes hold me back from sitting up. I grind my teeth. A metallic taste fills my mouth.

“You really don’t disappoint.”

He is near enough that I can smell him now.

Doctor!

Like a reflex, I spit. The contents of my mouth fly. I didn’t aim. He sidesteps without a flinch. A broad grin appears on his lips. It makes me shudder. The spit lands on the floor. A splat on a hard surface. Followed by sizzling.

- “You should be careful, Joe. She’s trouble.”

“Don’t worry. Trouble means progress.”

His eyes focus on me while he answers. Theo is frowning. I know this expression.

Robin! I need to find him.

Light blue eyes. Looking at me. A smiling face. Desperation makes me struggle. Joe is now next to me. The smell is overwhelming. More spit in my mouth. I can’t swallow. I turn my head. I spit again. Laughter erupts. Goosebumps cover my arms and I focus on Joe again.

“She understands! Boy, really! This is marvellous!”

Gloved fingers reach for my face. With my arms still restrained, I snap. Trying to at least catch a finger.

“Tutttutttutt.”

Like a strict teacher Joe wags his finger and with his other hand he waves. Hands grab my head from behind. A rough sensation on my forehead. My head is pressed down. I can’t move anymore. Another growl. Even deeper than before.

- “How long do you think she’ll last?”

“We’ll take it slow with her. The other three are less promising.”

- “I’m sorry. We had to leave one behind.”

Joe is still just staring at me, but his mouth pulls down at Theo’s reminder. Theo is fidgeting. His arms crossing, then wringing his hands. I snort. It sounds like another growl.

- “It was the boy. He…”

“Don’t. I still haven’t decided on your punishment.”

Theo looks down.

Robin dropped the glass of jam.

- “Of course I’ll take responsibility.”

“Yes. We’ll have to explain to his family. Bring me the knife.”

Within seconds a delicate blade is handed to Joe. He wields it like a conductor. My eyes follow his movement. My neck muscles tense. My forehead presses against the strap.

“Make sure that the straps are secure.”

Theo moves. Joe moves. Cold metal touches my skin. Hot pain shoots up my chest. The men’s faces turn pink. Something snaps. Suddenly, my head is free. My hands can move. They fly to defend. They grab the blade. Immediately, my palms are burning too. Setting my whole body aflame.

- “Joe! Get away from her! Joe!”

“Look at her. Theo! With her we…”

My legs are free. I jump up. Nothing is holding me back anymore. I push the old man. He flies. Gravity is a mere concept. The wall isn’t. He stops with an almost inaudible thud.

- “You beast!”

Theo charges at me. Club ready to hit. I lift my arm. I don’t hold a club. My hand descends simultaneously. I hear a crunch. Then a snap. Followed by a scream. The noise is uncomfortable. Theo follows Joe and suddenly it’s silent.

I look down. My clothes are stained. Blood is still oozing out of the cut on my breastbone. I take a few steps away from the bed. For a moment, my eyes lose their focus. Then my gaze falls on the bloodied strings on my wrist. They’re red. They’re blue. They’re green.

Robin!