I do not own the Shadow Children series. L

Chapter Fourteen

Melina looked out the window of the powerful fortress she called home and smiled. Everything was so perfect.

She lived in one of the most respected prisons in the country. Her father was the intimidating warden of this prison. The prison had just captured several third children and third children assistors. And, best of all, she was there to witness it all.

Melina saw all. She was the eyes of the prison.

Even if she was just a twelve year old girl.

A bitter taste entered her mouth at the thought. The others…they didn't see her as a powerful being who knew everything that went on in the prison. They saw her as the warden's snobby daughter. A liability.

A girl.

Melina's cheerful mood had turned sour, and she turned away from the window of her room. The Population Police officers talked about her. Said she was only here because of her father. They underestimated her.

And Melina hated that.

With a passion.

Melina pulled on what was much like a girlified Population Police uniform. Dark forest green jeans with tall black combat boots. She found a black shirt with the Population Police insignia. A leather belt finished the outfit.

Melina went out to run her morning rounds. First, she would check the old time prisoners. Then the few that were under torture and interrogation. Last would be the newest third children.

She would look forward to that.

The third children were dirty; her father had taught her that. They had no right to live. The illegal children ate food greedily while law abiding citizens starved. Where was the justice in that? It was wrong.

Third children were wrong.

Melina chuckled evilly to herself. She would make it her personal duty to make sure all third children would pay their debt to humanity.

She would make sure of it.

~Beware the Shadows~

Emeary was in a group with Layla and Nina. The three girls had their own personal mission to carry out.

Nedley had explained that to Emeary. "We can't tell you everything that everyone's doing. You just need to know what your mission is. That way if you're captured, you can't give away the plan."

It made sense. Sort of.

Emeary tugged absentmindedly at her cotton baby pink skirt. It was so girly and innocent. Of course, that was the point. Her ebony hair was curled and a pretty pink headband finished the look.

Nina and Layla were beside her in similar clothing. Layla's sky blue; Nina's emerald green. Together they looked like the girls next door.

Mr. Talbot surveyed them closely. "You three look good. Just remember: Nina, you and Layla are sisters. Ebony, you're their cousin. The three of you were sent to ask if girls can join the Population Police, okay? Here's your ID receipts."

Emeary took the tiny slip of paper full of information that had nothing to do with her. "So we just walk into the Population Police prison and ask for jobs? Just like that?"

Mr. Talbot grinned. "Just like that."

~Beware the Shadows~

"So what did you say your name was?" The Population Police officer peered quizzically over his paperwork at the three strange girls before him.

Nina blushed theatrically. "My name is Jewel. Isn't that such a pretty name? I've always loved it. My momma said that she named me that because I was the jewel of her life when I came along. I'm the oldest, you see. And -"

"Sissy!" Layla squealed, pretending to scold her 'sister'. "You don't have to give your whole life story! My name is Sylvia Ann, Mr.…"

"Scott."

"Mr. Scott. I'm Jewel's sister. And this is my cousin." Layla gestured to Emeary.

Emeary had been standing off to the side, looking very sullen in her pink dress. "Yeah," she grumbled. "I'm Ellie Mae." Emeary suppressed a shudder.

"Ellie Mae?" the officer said, barely suppressing a chuckle. Emeary shot him a look that clearly said: You laugh, you die.

The officer cleared his throat uncomfortably. "So you girls want to join the Population Police?" They all nodded. "Yes, well…I'm going to have to talk to the warden about that. We haven't taken new recruits in a long time, especially not…well, I'll have to talk to the warden. Follow me."

Emeary followed the obviously young officer through the gates. It was this easy? This easy to get in? Of course, it was easy to get in. Getting out was the problem.

Layla memorized every twist and turn of the hallways. This was her moment. This was the time when she would finally avenge Tate. And she would not mess it up.

Nina rolled her eyes behind the back of the officer. Here we go again, she thought. There were exactly seven third children and four members of the Resistance somewhere in the prison. They were going to break them out. All in a day's work.

"Could you girls wait here with this guard? I'll go talk to the warden."

Emeary refused to be intimidated by the guard…but it was hard. He was a monster of a man. At least six feet tall and broad in the shoulders. What did they feed him?

"Mister?" Layla's voice was innocent. A nice change. "My sister and I need to go to the bathroom. Can you tell us where it is?"

The guard grunted and pointed toward a hall.

Nina took Layla's hand, and they went off to the bathroom.

But Emeary knew better.

Nina and Layla were going to let in Matthias, Mark, Luke, and Trey. The four boys would be in charge of getting the prisoners out. Nina, Layla, and Emeary would be distractions to the warden…when they got back. For now, Emeary was to make sure this giant of a guard, the officer, and the warden didn't know what was going on.

"So…you work here long?" Emeary asked. She had never been good at small talk. But she had only known five people in her previous life.

The guard grunted noncommittally.

Emeary was beginning to get frustrated. Was he a caveman or something?

"You have a wife?"

Grunt.

"Kids?"

Grunt.

"Where do you live?"

Grunt.

Why don't you have a personality?

The officer walked out of the warden's office. "The warden is willing to see you now. Uh, where are the others?"

Emeary shrugged nonchalantly. "Bathroom."

"Oh." The officer looked like he had never considered the strange girls needing one. "When will they be back?"

When they've let a bunch of rebels in to cause a jail break. "I guess when they're done peeing."

Emeary watched as the boyish officer blushed impressively. "Oh, well, would you like to talk to the warden then?"

What? No! No, no, no. No! NO! "Sure. Why not?"

Emeary walked through the apprehensive door. She was surprised to find the office pretty cozy. Soft pillows lined the puffy couch and chairs.

The stiff cold man sitting in the cuddly chair did not belong in it.

"Sit," he commanded.

Emeary didn't hesitate before obeying.

The warden straightened his paper professionally before continuing. "You told my officer that you want to join the Population Police."

"Yes."

"Yes, sir."

"Yes, sir."

"Well, I find it suspicious that three girls would want to join the Population Police suddenly when we have several prisoners."

Emeary kept her face innocent. "You have prisoners?"

The warden was not fooled. "Ma'am, for the safety of our prison, you and your cousins will be kept here until we have proof of your identities. Until a family member comes to claim the three of you, you will be kept here as prisoners.

"Because you're one of them, aren't you? I am no fool.

"I believe you're a third child."

Emeary's look of horror was answer enough.