Total pages in book: 182
Estimated words: 171288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
Since Penny was at the back of the bakery, she was also at the end of the line which had formed. She followed along with the rest, feeling numb and terrified at the same time. What was she going to do? How could she get out of this?
As she shuffled along, her eyes caught on one of the huge silver mixing bowls sitting on the floor by one of the workstations. The bowl was empty except for about a sack’s worth of dark blue flower at the bottom. There were more stacks of flour bags on the table beside it and one had been partially opened. Clearly someone had been in the middle of mixing up a fresh batch of dough.
Penny stared at the huge bowl, remembered how she had thought on her first day that it was big enough to hide in.
She had nearly shuffled past the bowl but she stopped abruptly right beside it, the idea caught in her numb mind like a fishhook.
Big enough to hide in. It’s big enough to hide in! whispered a desperate little voice in her head. You have to hide!
Penny looked around carefully. She was at the very back of the line and nobody was looking at her. They were all facing forward, filing out into the Marketplace like good little brainwashed breeders, waiting to get bred.
But not me, Penny thought. Not this time! I’m not going anywhere!
Quickly and quietly, she slipped over to the bowl and climbed inside, trying not to cough as the blue svetty flour puffed up around her. Then she crouched low, turning herself into a ball. She would wait until the Public Breeding was over and then climb back out and mingle with the others when nobody was looking, she told herself. And nobody would know the difference—she hoped.
As she crouched in the mixing bowl, Penny felt at least partially safe. She had no idea that someone was looking for her—someone who wanted to hurt her and make her pay.
Seventy
The minute the GL made the announcement about a Public Breeding, V felt the blood in his veins turn to ice. He barely heard the “Glorious Leader” consoling the greenhouse workers and telling them that he knew this wasn’t a good time for them and that they couldn’t get to the Marketplace in time to join the Public Breeding themselves.
“But never fear,” he told them, slipping the Master Control back into his pocket. “We have a new bunch of male breeders coming into the Compound in a day or so and I promise I’ll let your supervisor know in time so that every one of you will be able to participate in the next Public Breeding.”
A cheer rose from the assembled group but V was silent. Blood rushing in his ears, he stepped forward as the others pushed around the GL and slipped his hand into the cult leader’s pocket. All the time, he was eyeing the door, hoping that he could slip away while the others were occupied. He had to get to the Marketplace and find Penelope!
“And now, Head Gardener Poone,” the GL was saying. “If you’d lead me on a little tour, I’d love to see what’s changed in the greenhouse since my last visit.”
“Oh, of course, Glorious Leader! I would be thrilled to give you a tour—right this way, please!” The NeverBreeder supervisor bowed obsequiously and led the way deeper into the greenhouse. The other workers followed, crowding around their idol as he nodded politely at the plants Head Gardener Poone was pointing out.
When all of them were headed away, V saw his chance and took it. He secured the Master Control in his right hip pocket and quietly slipped out of the front door of the greenhouse. Then he set off for the Marketplace at a dead run.
Hang on, sweetheart—I’m coming, he thought fiercely.
It was going to be a race to see if he got there in time. He just hoped Penelope had been able to hide herself away somewhere safe.
Because if anyone hurt her, V was going to fucking kill the bastard!
Seventy-One
As Penny crouched low in the huge silver mixing bowl, she listened to the confused noises from outside the bakery and tried not to breath in the flour that still floated around her head.
There were grunts and shouts and squeals, no doubt from some of the women being taken forcefully. She could also hear the sound of flesh slapping against flesh with loud enthusiasm—clearly the men out there were really enjoying themselves.
Then she heard another sound…a sound that made her stomach knot in terror…a sound that was coming from inside the bakery. Footsteps—heavy ones, as though from a very large person—were slowly making their way towards the back of the room.
Penny froze. Who could that be?
She wasn’t in the dark for long. Because the next thing she heard, was a deep, hoarse voice calling her name.