Ruth Silver

ABERRANT

To my parents that have sacrificed much, supported unconditionally and loved without limit. Thank you.

PROLOGUE

My fingers gripped the metal chain as my feet kicked higher. “Faster!” I laughed with excitement as I felt the wind against my face and could see the entire town of Genesis in my view as I coasted the sky. I had never flown so high on the swings. Joshua Warren, my new best friend from school, seemed eager to push me as I heard the metal creak and the bars sway from the force. Neither of us cared, we were having too much fun.

My legs kicked like the force of a storm as I swung higher into the air. I floated with the clouds before grazing the sand and back up again to the heavens. The swing set squeaked and shifted slightly off the ground. Excitement bubbled within me and poured out as Joshua continued pushing me. “Do you want a turn?” I laughed, my head thrown back, screaming up at the sun in pure glory. I didn’t really mean it, but had been taught it was polite to share.

“Olivia!” I heard my mother’s voice and glanced around the park. Joshua’s hands immediately dropped to his side. My feet grazed the ground as I slowly stood, swaying slightly from dizziness.

“Over here!” I called waving back, wondering what was going on. My mother looked terrified. I hadn’t told her where I was, but most afternoons she worked. Her cheeks had drained of color. Her eyes, usually bright and filled with wonder, glistened with tears. She rushed toward me and threw her arms around my tiny frame. She buried her face in my neck, and I felt her shudder. My neck felt wet as I tried to pull back from her tight grasp. “Mom?” My own voice caught in my throat, and I felt my stomach somersault. “What is it?” I asked afraid to know, yet at the same moment desperately wanting an answer.

“Oh, darling,” she purred against my neck, her fingers holding the back of my head. I couldn’t fathom what could be so awful. From a distance I could see a rising plume of smoke. I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I’m so sorry,” she told me, incapable of saying the words aloud.

I opened my mouth, finding it nearly impossible to ask. I choked the words out in a sob, “Is it Dad?” His office was in the direction of the towering smoke.

She nodded ever so faintly, her face red and stained with tears as she pulled me tightly to her chest again. “I’m so sorry, Olive.” I didn’t understand how he could be here one minute and gone the next. Why would he leave me? My legs gave out as I fell to the ground in a heap. Every ounce of pain poured out as I struggled to breathe. Unable to walk or move from the little bit of earth beneath me, my mother carried me home. I sobbed into her shoulder the entire three blocks as I felt her breath catch every so often.

She let me sleep in her bed that night as the tears refused to slow.

As dawn broke, I stayed in the house watching from the sofa as my mother would come and go making arrangements for the funeral. I could see down the road, only as far as the oaks, and every time she’d turn the corner and disappear, I’d wonder if she would be gone forever. I had no idea what would happen to me if she did. Children weren’t parentless in Genesis. I did not want to imagine being forced from my home and given to a new family, one I didn’t know.

On the third day, my mother dressed me all in black from a gown delivered by the Keepers. “Mom?” My voice barely reached her ears, and she glanced at me once with red-rimmed eyes before disappearing into her bedroom.

For never having known anyone to die, I had no idea what to expect. The doorbell sounded and though we hardly ever had visitors, I approached without hesitation, throwing the door open. Joshua stood with his mother and father just beyond the porch.

“We’re very sorry for your loss,” his mother told me. They all stood wearing the same deep shade of black. I opened my mouth to ask what it meant, but the words never came. “Is your mother ready?”

“Ready for what?” I asked conflicted. No one was ready for my father to die, if that was what she’d meant. I shook my head once before glancing down the hall seeing her emerge in a black dress.

“Yes, I am,” my mother insisted as she slipped on her shoes by the door. “Thank you,” she told them curtly. I didn’t understand what they were doing here or why my mother was thanking them. My eyes glanced at Joshua and then at my mother. Before I could so much as ask, I felt her hand grab my arm, pushing me out the door. “It’s time to say goodbye.” At first I thought she meant to Joshua until I felt her reach down and grip my hand as we walked as a group further towards the south side of town.

It didn’t take long for me to realize where we were heading – the cemetery filled with old graves and rotting corpses. I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want this to be the end. My father deserved better.

I swallowed back the tears, unwilling to let Joshua or anyone else see me grieve. No one else shared in the pain I felt. Losing a parent was devastating. As we approached the gravesite, the closed wooden casket sat just above the ground and my knees locked in place. Joshua and his family walked to the opposite side as a few others gathered around. Thunder rumbled overhead as gray clouds filled the sky. The world was in mourning.

“Gavin Parker will always be remembered as a fallen hero,” Governor Craynor read the words from a crinkled half-torn piece of paper. I wondered who wrote it. “In a tragic accident, we find solace in those he saved from smoke and flames.”

I squeezed my eyes, wanting to open them and willing him to be here again. With every wish and breath, nothing changed. The distant thunder turned to rain as I shivered and pulled my arms tightly around myself. My eyes glanced up from the wooden box to Joshua standing just on the other side. For a boy I hardly knew, I didn’t understand why he was here.

“Would anyone else like to say a few words?” Governor Craynor asked as his eyes landed on my mother during the funeral. A sob escaped her lips. She made no attempt to move any closer and shook her head just the slightest bit, unable to speak. “Very well,” he continued, “Gavin will be remembered for his strength, his spirit and everlasting support to our community. If he were here today, he would tell you ‘be brave, stay strong.’ Even in great times of struggle, he put others before himself. It is with great sadness that his selflessness is what brings us here today, as we lay to rest Gavin Parker.”

The rain pelted my skin as we stood among the earth, watching as they lowered his coffin to the ground. It didn’t feel like goodbye. There were no ‘I love you’ or last kisses exchanged. I should have known that, but when you’re five, it’s hard to know what other people think and feel.

I cried the entire time his body was lowered down. My tears mixed with rain, and as they slid down my face, I made no attempt to wipe the pain and agony I felt at losing my father. I shivered from the cool autumn air and rain but didn’t feel anything but loss.

Neighbors and friends tossed dirt onto the coffin, including my own mother. I couldn’t take it anymore. “I hate you!” I screamed out of anger. I was angry at my father for dying and even angrier at my mother for not protecting me from the pain. My body flopped onto the ground just inches from the hole where his coffin rested beneath the soil.

I didn’t care about the black dress I wore or the fact I was now covered in mud, sobbing as other members in our town began gaping at me.

I was a child who had lost her father. No words or condolences would fix that and sadly no one seemed to try. My own mother – broken and shocked from my words and the loss of her husband – stood out in the freezing rain, eyes transfixed on the ground. She didn’t move to get me, didn’t dare look at me as I wished for the briefest of moments it had been me lying in that grave.

Someone’s touch jolted me upright. “Don’t!” I screamed. I took off running far from the gravesite. My feet slipped on mud, but I regained my traction as I found a large oak to shelter me from the wrath of the storm.

My body collapsed, my back against the stump as I pulled my knees to my chest. I shivered and wailed, unable to stop my tears. My father was gone. It was a fact I would have to face. It wasn’t fair.

I don’t know how much time passed before I heard his voice, the softest whisper against the sound of steady rain and thunder.

“I’m sorry, Olive.” I had buried my face in my legs, wrapped my arms tight around myself trying to keep warm. I was shivering. Slowly I eased my head, sniffling as Joshua stood above me. His own eyes were red and I wondered why he was upset. He hadn’t lost anyone. I didn’t answer him. My throat was raw from screaming and the tears just kept coming harder and faster. “Can I sit with you?” he asked. Before I opened my mouth to answer, he sat down beside me and his shoulder brushed against mine. I felt the strangest spark as he stared at me, eyes filled with hope. He didn’t have to say a word because I understood. He was there for me.

CHAPTER 1

Lying on my stomach beneath the tall oak tree, the branches covered the morning sun as I glanced behind me at Joshua. He had made himself content, lying with his head in the small of my back. I nearly laughed as he situated himself as if it was completely normal and something we usually did. It wasn’t.

“Comfortable?” I laughed, looking back as his legs stretched out just past the shade, his feet in the sun. My fingers moved through the blades of grass, playing with them as I spoke.

“I am, actually.” He nodded and though I couldn’t see his movements I could feel them. It was strange and oddly calming.

“I’m not ready for today,” I whispered, afraid someone else might overhear my fear. I knew no one else was nearby, but I still found it hard to voice.

He reached for my hand, finding my fingers and giving a tentative squeeze. “I don’t think any of us are,” he confessed. “I keep thinking how everything is about to change for us.” He paused before casting a glance at me. I could feel him staring, even as I avoided making eye contact. “We could always refuse the match.”

I scoffed at the idea, “And die in the Gravelands?” I shook my head once. “No thanks.” I wasn’t looking forward to getting married. It was the requirement of the government for those who turned eighteen.

Joshua moved to sit up. Immediately, I felt the loss of his body’s warmth against mine. “Maybe it won’t be such a terrible waste,” he suggested. “There must be a few guys you wouldn’t mind being matched with?” Sixteen boys and sixteen girls were part of the marriage ceremony: our entire graduating class.

“Right,” I sighed thinking it over. I knew the boys in our class, but I couldn’t imagine seeing any of them every day, let alone sharing a home with one of them. It was preposterous.

“You’re telling me you’ve never thought about today?” Josh asked with mild curiosity. We’ve always known the day would come, that our match would be one of the sixteen from our school. It would be a lie to tell him I never wondered who I’d marry. Joshua smiled brightly. “I always imagined you’d be my match.”

“Really?” I felt the slightest bit of warmth spread across my cheeks that he would want to spend the rest of his life with me.

He laughed nudging my arm. “No.” I tried not to hide the embarrassment coloring my face as I stared down at the grass. “Come on, wouldn’t that be weird?” Joshua smiled at me. “We’re best friends. It’s not natural.”

I bit down hard on my bottom lip to keep from crying. I didn’t quite understand what I felt, but I needed to keep my emotions from surfacing. Ignoring Joshua beside me, I glanced up from the grass and across the land at the graveyard, my father’s home, just a few yards away.

I closed my eyes, feeling the ache in my heart returning.

“Mom, please you have to come with me,” I begged. My hands held purple and blue wildflowers I’d spent all afternoon picking with Joshua’s help. Today was the first anniversary of my father’s death, and I wanted to celebrate in a way of sorts.

“I’m not going there, I have too much to do.” She shook her head once and walked into the kitchen further away from me. She dug through the fridge, but it was too early to make dinner. She was stalling. Even I could see that.

I followed her, flowers in hand and placed them on the counter. “What else do you have to do, Mom? What could be more important?” My eyes pleaded with her to come with me to his grave. I wanted to remember him as he was and shower his home with flowers.

“You wouldn’t understand. You’re a child,” she scolded me. “Now get the flowers off the table and go wash up for dinner.”

My hands ripped the flowers from the counter. I took off running out of the house toward the cemetery. Tears burned my eyes and ran down my cheeks as I stomped through the graveyard over dying grass searching for his resting place.

Finding it, I dropped to my knees, the flowers spilling from my hands. “I’m so sorry, Dad. I wanted her to come, but she couldn’t. She was too busy – you know how she is.” I wiped the tears away as I fixed the flowers on the ground and rearranged them properly. “I love you so much.” I sniffled once, shivering from the cold autumn air, but refused to leave.

My body froze in place, feeling a warm gloved hand on my shoulder. I glanced back surprised to see Joshua, his blue eyes staring down at me as he sat beside me on the ground. “Hi, Mr. Parker.”

“Olive?” I felt Joshua’s voice in my head and shook it once bringing myself back. The sun felt warm, and I realized now he’d placed his arm around my shoulder. “You spaced out for a minute.”

“I guess I did,” I whispered, glancing from the graves back down to the grass. I didn’t want to tell him it was a welcome escape from what he’d said just moments ago– that he’d joked about us being matched and then seemed somehow repulsed by it.

He nodded slowly, keeping me close beside him. “There are a few girls I wouldn’t mind being matched with this afternoon,” he confessed, bringing us right back where we started. I wasn’t sure I was grateful for the conversation, but I also didn’t want him to see he’d hurt me. I was sure it wasn’t intentional. He’d been joking. “I just keep thinking, what if they refuse me?”

“What?” That caught me off-guard. It was unheard of to refuse your match. It wasn’t illegal, per se, but it might as well have been. If you denied the match, then you were defying the government of Cabal, which ruled our town of Genesis. The law stated someone could choose not to marry, but then the government no longer had the need to represent that person. As such, the unmarried were banished from any and all government cities and forced to reside in the Gravelands. Anyone who was sent beyond the walls without food or transportation would die. It was no secret that starvation and dehydration would likely be the first to kill you.

“I’m worried one of the girls might look at me and not want to marry me,” Joshua repeated. He must have thought I hadn’t heard him. I had. I just couldn’t fathom who would ever turn their match down. I’d never seen it happen, but long before I was born, there were stories of it.

“Oh, come on.” I rolled my eyes and nudged him. His grip on my shoulders loosened, and I wrapped an arm around his waist. My head came to rest on his shoulder as I let out a soft sigh. “No one would rather seek death than marry you.” I laughed softly. “You’re not that bad of a catch.”

Joshua laughed under his breath. “Thanks.”

“I’m serious.” I smiled glancing at him from his shoulder. “You’re a really nice guy. Besides, marriage isn’t like…” I paused unwilling to finish the sentence.

“What?” Joshua waited for me to continue.

I couldn’t very well confess I’d been reading illegal texts. I chewed my lip anxiously trying to reconsider my words. “Marriage is just about sharing a house and food together. It’s not like it used to be.”

Joshua stared, waiting for me to elaborate. I wasn’t the best consoler. “After today,” Joshua whispered, “You and me, we won’t be able to do this.”

“I know.” I sighed. Just thinking about it made me miss him already. “It’s not like we’re doing anything wrong,” I reminded him as much as myself. We merely spent time together.

“The government won’t see it like that,” Joshua reminded me. “They’d charge us with adultery.” It was an unwelcome reminder of the perfect system.

I knew he was right. It was a dangerous game we’d been playing for years. Although it wasn’t forbidden to befriend a member of the opposite sex, it was frowned upon. I never quite understood why, until today.

Hesitantly, I pulled back giving Joshua a shy smile. “I should head home before Mom worries.” If I left now, I could shower and be ready in time for the marriage ceremony. “I’ll see you later.” I smiled, giving a wave as I headed through the graveyard towards home. Already I missed Joshua with his dark hair and eyes as blue as the sky, I felt my heart leap in a strange unexplainable way. I hated to think that after today I would probably never see him again.

I gazed into the mirror, saddened by my reflection. My hair, though still damp after my shower, was a shade darker than its usual warm honey. My eyes seemed a muted shade of green, duller and less intense, matching my sour mood. I didn’t feel pretty and I wondered if the boy I was matched to would think the same of me.

I missed my father. It had been thirteen years since he’d died. I’d come to terms with his passing, accepted his fate as no other choice and that I was meant for new beginnings.

The only problem was the government officials had their own minds made up about our fate. My stomach tensed with butterflies as I swallowed my nerves as best I could.

I opened my closet, surprised to find a white gown staring back at me. My favorite part of the dress was the bottom and sleeves covered in lace. One of the Keepers must have brought it in while I was out. It took only a matter of seconds for me toss my towel and slip into the dress. The white cotton material reached just past my knees. In the corner of the room on the floor sat a pair of white heels. I knew they were left for me, but I doubted I’d be capable of wearing them. I slid my feet into the shoes, stumbling slightly as I tried to walk the length of the bedroom. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, the gown fit perfectly and as I twirled, a faint smile spread across my face.

“You look beautiful.” My mother grinned as she watched from the door. Our school uniforms were usually muted gray. Work attire was provided by the government-based on job position, but white was never a color. It was reserved for the marriage ceremony. I felt incredibly awkward in a dress. However, I knew the other girls would be wearing the same and took comfort in their pain.

My blonde hair was down past my shoulders and my mother ushered me into her bathroom, grabbing her hair dryer and curling iron. “Are you excited?” she asked as she dried my hair and then curled the ends, barely leaving me time to speak. “I bet you’re thrilled. I remember my marriage ceremony like it was yesterday. Your father looked so handsome when he came up on stage. All I could think about was how lucky I was to have the government choose him for me.” She let large curls hang several inches past my shoulders before nodding in approval when she was finished. “Oh, one more thing. Almost forgot!” She held up one finger to tell me not to move.

“Mom?” I called back, wondering where she went. She rushed back to me, bringing a bobby pin and purple wildflower into the bathroom. It took only a minute for her to clip it into my hair.

“Perfect.” She admired her work before ushering me out the door. “You can’t be late!” I rolled my eyes and groaned in protest. I knew I shouldn’t be mad at her, but it was hard not to be. I dreaded what the afternoon would bring.

Walking outside, our neighbors did the same. Those with children in the graduating class joined the front of the stage, and their families were just behind them in the city square. Those not participating stood farthest back and watched with great admiration. Gradually, I approached the front and walked up the stairs as I took my place on the stage. The girls from my class all gathered, one by one. My eyes searched the crowd for a recognizable face to calm my nerves. I spotted my mother standing proudly alone. My eyes scanned the front row of potential candidates. They were all dressed the same in midnight black suits. It took less than a second to find his dark brown hair in the crowd. Joshua’s blue eyes pierced through mine and I wondered if he was as nervous as I felt. He looked good. I wanted to give him a smile or a brief wave, but all I could do was lock eyes on him as we stared at one another.

I knew I should be happy, but all I could feel was nauseated. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. I felt as though I’d been tossed on a ship in the middle of a hurricane, swaying violently from side-to-side. On one side is Governor Craynor and the other is the husband I’m forced to marry. My stomach shifted in waves, and my skin grew ashen and clammy. My hands trembled as I tried to stay strong, but I felt as though I was failing miserably. I let my mind wander as I did my best to calm my nerves. If I had the choice, who would I choose to marry? Glancing towards Governor Craynor, the thought vanished as he studied the list of names on the sheet in front of him. I was the fourth in line – the fourth to be chosen and married off today. I knew I shouldn’t be nervous, but not knowing what awaited made me want to vomit. I studied the sixteen faces in the crowd of familiar boys. I was sickened to think I could be married to Levi Keller, the most obnoxious and gross boy in school.

I grimaced as my teacher Ms. Steiner informed us we would be reading in pairs. We had just learned our alphabet last year, and I wasn’t the strongest reader. I didn’t even like reading, but Mom would occasionally sit me down with the Genesis Times to read what our government told us was going on in the world. In Ms. Steiner’s class, we had textbooks. I sat beside Levi trying my best not to be repulsed. His hair was dark and matted down to his skin. Though I knew his natural color was blonde, it had been a long time since he’d bathed. Dirt licked his face and hands. I raised my hand, hoping Ms. Steiner would call on me. She ignored me. I would have played sick, asked to go to the nurse because I wasn’t feeling very well. I didn’t think she’d believe me, but I didn’t want to sit next to Levi. He reached towards me, poking me in the arm

“Why’s the hand up, Olivia?” Levi’s eyes narrowed tilting his head studying me. “Afraid I have germs?” He laughed and the rest of classroom erupted in nervous laughter. They all must have felt it, too, didn’t they? No one wanted to ever be paired with Levi Keller. Today I was the unlucky chosen one. I felt my cheeks redden in embarrassment. He scooted his chair closer to me and the putrid stench only made my stomach somersault. Maybe I really would get sick and go home.

“Forget it,” I muttered. I was better than this. Better than him. He couldn’t scare me. I grimaced when I felt him push the edge of the book into my arm. I knew he did it intentionally.

“Start reading, Olivia.” He pushed the open pages in front of me. “One of us has to do the work. It isn’t going to be me.” He smirked as I studied the letters on the page. I leaned closer, trying to focus, quietly sounding out the words as I felt him grip onto my pigtails and pull.

“Oww!” I squealed as the pain radiated up into my head.

He snorted like a pig, mocking me.

I jerked around, my fist finding his face as I pummeled him once. It was all it took for Ms. Steiner to scold me and send me home for the day.

I didn’t want to imagine a life tied with Levi because the government thought we were the perfect match. My eyes scoured the stage and then the mass of people standing before us. I could deny the match but what then? I’d be immediately escorted to the gate and left on my own to die out there alone. I’d never see my mother again.

There had to be another way. Pretending to marry would at least buy me time to pack some food and water. I could say goodbye or maybe even convince my mother to come with me. She’d understand, wouldn’t she? Then we’d climb the wall or find a way to forge through the entrance. It was an impossible task but less revolting than marrying Levi Keller.

The Governor read off the first name, “Janessa Becker,” and a silence filled the city square as anticipation edged from the boys waiting to see who would marry her. She was a nice enough girl with porcelain skin, auburn hair and freckles. She’d never done anything wrong to me, but we weren’t best friends. The Governor adjusted his spectacles while reading the names, “Martin Scavenger.” A soft clapping erupted through the crowd whether they wanted to celebrate the news or not. Martin caught sight of Janessa and stepped away from the boys and made his approach toward the stairs. The Governor waited until Martin made his way up the platform and stood before Janessa, reading off the second girl’s name.

Two additional girls’ names followed as did the boys’. None of the girls had been paired with Levi. I knew my turn was next and held my breath. Levi was a bully. In all our years of schooling he’d never changed. I’d witnessed him pick on the younger children at the playground. Maybe I should have stopped him. Maybe I should have stood up and done something different. I couldn’t change the past any more than I could change where I was right now.

Governor Craynor read off my name next, “Olivia Parker.” I stood awkwardly staring down at the boys who were still available. I could deal with most of the other boys in school. Marriage, though, seemed like such a long time with someone you had to tolerate. My eyes scoured the crowd seeing a guard a few feet from my mother. What would happen to her if I refused my match? I knew the guard was watching the ceremony and not standing by the gates because his daughter was on the platform today, to the right of me. Was he not still on duty? He was dressed in the black Cabal uniform with a gun slung over his back. I doubted he would be so forgiving.

I wondered if Governor Craynor remembered me from all those years ago, reading my father’s eulogy at the funeral. He hardly interacted with the townspeople. He liked to stay pent up in his mansion. For a system where everyone was treated equally and provided the same things, Governor Craynor lived in the largest, most elegant home in Genesis, the Governor’s Mansion. It wrapped around the street with a private swimming pool in the back, and several people in town worked for him, cooking and cleaning. It was no secret he thought of himself as better than us. I had no idea what he did as Governor, but I didn’t imagine it involved much work. His responsibility was supposed to be to the people. I couldn’t remember a time when he’d ever done anything to help the people of Genesis. He seemed more about controlling us and instilling order. I doubted he had any real training to be a leader and half-wondered how a man of such power came into the position of Governor. I couldn’t remember a time when anyone else had ever watched over our town. I knew there were other Governors in the other cities, but didn’t know who they were. Once a year, sometime in the early spring there was a Governor’s Ball when they’d all visit our town. Very little work was done – mostly it was an elaborate party to celebrate how fortunate we all were.

I despised Governor Craynor. I had no personal reason to hate him. He’d never spoken directly to me and I doubted he ever would again after today. He was plump and graying, and his voice was gruff. I was almost certain as he spoke, I could hear a slight slur in his speech and wondered if he’d had too much grog. I’d heard of people getting sick from grog, but I’d never tasted it, nor had I ever seen it in our home. The government provided our food – it was unlikely the people would ever get anything more than we absolutely needed.

I realized I had let my mind wander and glanced back at Governor Craynor as he used his spectacles to read the name of the person I would be marrying. He took a moment and I was sure the air had left my lungs and I would pass out. My heart quickened and my eyes widened, leaning forward. My hands were visibly shaking, and I felt more than just nervous. I felt sick. I gasped as I heard his name, “Joshua Warren.”

I couldn’t believe what I heard. Had I imagined it? Joshua walked down the aisle past the other boys and headed for the stairs, an eager smile on his face as he slowly approached me. I never imagined Joshua being the government’s match. I could see it in his eyes as he stood facing me. He felt it, too – relief.

I didn’t listen as the Governor finished calling the girls’ names and their matches. Instead I reached out, taking Joshua’s hand in mine. I glanced down at our hands together and felt my breath quicken as the world seemed to pause around us. No one else followed my lead. Everyone stood there awkwardly, putting on their best smile, pretending to be happy. It was a big adjustment today, for all of us. We live in one of the better cities. We are of the few lucky ones, or so we’re told. I hardly felt lucky, yet standing there with Joshua was more than I could have hoped for. I glanced toward my right and saw the marriage ceremony continuing. It all felt like the perfect dream.

Once the last couple was called, the ceremony continued to our vow exchange. I followed the lead as each girl stood to the left of me, one by one twirled in a circle. As it was my turn, I followed suit, twirling and stepping out of my heels, absently missing my footing. I nearly fell to the floor as Joshua reached out to catch me. A slight gasp emitted from the town. My face flushed red from embarrassment, and I knew I’d made a mockery of the vows exchanged for marriage.

The Governor laughed it off, “Children.” He shook his head, “You are no longer that today,” he chided, scolding us for our actions. He stared at me, his gaze lingered, waiting for me to further disobey him. Did he think I did this on purpose? I merely nodded as the Governor continued the tradition and gestured for the next girl beside me to twirl. Down the line, all sixteen girls had followed suit and then the boys all took a step forward and then a step back. Each boy, now considered a man, held out one hand, and if we accepted them as our husbands we gave them our hands in marriage. One by one each girl accepted. As the ceremony came to a close, the crowd softly clapped and one by one the new couples walked off the stage and down the aisle toward their respective families. I took Joshua’s hand, still surprised by the sudden turn of events. I had feared what today would bring, that marriage would be the end for me, and instead it was clearly the beginning.

“We should go find your mother,” Joshua told me, squeezing my hand as he dragged me through the crowd.

Joshua’s family found us first. His mother, Rebecca, grinned excitedly. “We’re so happy to have you in our family!” She squeezed me tight in her arms, and I knew she was being honest. Most families accepted this as fate, but his mother would never lie. It wasn’t part of her nature. His father reached out and shook my hand with a faint nod. I glanced around wondering where my mother was when she pushed her way through the crowd toward us.

“Mom!” I reached for her, pulling her close to me, thrilled with how things had turned out. Just hours ago I was terrified about getting married, but it hardly seemed so bad now that it had been to Joshua.

“I have to talk to you later,” she whispered into my ear as her eyes glistened with tears.

“What’s wrong?” I frowned, not understanding what she’d want to talk to me about. Was she upset with my match? I couldn’t believe that was the case. Whatever it was could wait. It would have to. I glanced around at the other girls from my class. They looked less than thrilled. I was happy, though – nothing could dampen my spirits.

CHAPTER 2

Joshua smiled and opened the door for me as we stepped into our new home. Our families would bring our belongings, though we didn’t own much. The government provided food and furniture. The fridge was perfectly stocked, exactly like the one back home. It was mildly refreshing to feel at ease.

I glanced around – our place was small and quaint – a two-bedroom government issued house. The layout was precisely the same as my childhood home. Everyone in our stature received the same goods, and it was considered fair and right. No one questioned such authority. No one had need or reason to. The government seemed to know what was best for the people. I’m not sure I always agreed by their means, but people in our city had homes and food. No one starved if they followed the rules. It was meant to be fair.

“So, what do you think?” I heard his voice behind me and jumped.

Joshua took a tentative step back to give me some space. I laughed it off, shaking my head. “Sorry. I’m just not used to you being in my house.” In all the years we’d been friends we’ve never once set foot in one another’s home. It was forbidden.

Joshua laughed glancing around. “Well, it’s our house now.”

After a beat, I glanced at him with a faint smile. “My mother mentioned she wanted to tell me something after the marriage ceremony. She might stop by this evening.”

Joshua nodded. “That’s fine. I’m sure she’ll come by before curfew.”

I chuckled softly. “I would expect so.” Breaking curfew meant at the very least a flogging. It was rare for adults to be whipped. Mostly children and teenagers were the ones punished for being out past nine.

Joshua rested his hand on my back, guiding me to the sofa to sit down. It was the simplest and lightest touch, but it sent a shiver coursing through me. “Any idea what she wanted to talk about?”

I shook my head. “She seemed worried to tell me in town,” I remarked. “She’s my mom, though, and I’m sure whatever it was, she had her reasons.”

“Do you think it has anything to do with your father?” Joshua asked and immediately my eyes widened. The thought hadn’t so much as crossed my mind. He’d been gone over a decade.

“I don’t know,” I whispered resting my hands in my lap and staring down at them. I glanced at Joshua curiously. “What could she possibly tell me about him that I don’t already know?”

There was so much I hadn’t known about my father, Gavin Parker. He had died when I was five in a fire at his work. I hadn’t asked the specifics. I was too young to know them when it happened, and talking about it never made me feel any better.

Joshua glanced at me. “Maybe he wrote you a letter before he died?”

“It’s not possible. I mean he died in a fire, Josh. It would have burned with him. Besides, there is no way my mother could have kept something that big from me.” I felt hopeful, though – even just the slightest bit – at the notion he could have written me a letter for the day I got married.

Joshua smiled reassuringly. “I’m sure whatever the reason it’ll be a good one.” He was always so optimistic.

I knew he had to be right. Why give me bad news after the marriage ceremony? It seemed not only unlikely but unheard of. Watching him, I reached out taking his hand, as my thumb brushed against the back of his palm. “Do you ever wonder what it’s like outside of the walls?” He had to feel the same curiosity.

Joshua smiled weakly at me, glancing down at our entwined hands. “I’ve climbed a few trees, but they’re never taller than the gates. There’s no possible way to see over the walls.” He wasn’t the only tree climber.

We only knew what was in the Gravelands from the stories we’d learned in school and the slideshow projection of rotted corpses in the desert. Every year, they showed us new footage to remind us that we were better off inside Genesis and taken care of, protected. Those few that roamed the Gravelands were outlaws, horrible men who would rape and pillage anyone who crossed their paths. You were lucky to die of dehydration or starvation first.

I knew it was impossible to see beyond the wall. Only Monospaces were granted access with permission to return. I had no chance of being assigned this position – Monospaces were always men.

“What else have you done that you’ve never told anyone about?”

Joshua laughed. “Well, let’s see. Do you remember the cow that had red stripes painted on it?”

My eyes widened, remembering Mr. Mercurial’s cow. He was one of the few people who had fresh milk that wasn’t brought in from a neighboring town. One night the cow was completely ordinary, the next day it had bright red stripes painted all over it. Thankfully, the paint washed off, but I had always wondered who had pranked Mr. Mercurial. “You did that?” I never knew Joshua had a bad bone in him.

Joshua laughed, seeing my jaw on the floor. “Well, for the record, he deserved it.”

I shook my head. “The cow didn’t deserve anything. Mr. Mercurial might have, but I can’t believe you did that. I also can’t believe you didn’t tell me sooner.” I nudged him.

Joshua grinned, his eyes shining as he stared at me. I shifted my head slightly as it rested against his shoulder. I could smell him as he sat beside me. He smelled sweetly of almonds and milk, and I wondered if his story made me imagine the scent. “Your turn to tell me a story,” he said. I could feel his breath against my skin.

I nodded faintly, but didn’t move from his embrace. It was warm and comforting as I closed my eyes. “Let’s see.” I tried to think of a story that wouldn’t break the banter between us. I was enjoying our time together, married. “Okay, how about this.” My eyes flashed open glancing at him. “When I was six I went over to your house. I wanted to ask if you would come out and play on the swings. Except after I rang the doorbell I was too nervous. I ran off and hid.”

Joshua laughed. “You did that on more than one occasion. I actually remember that. Mom was swearing about some kid playing a prank on us. That was you?” He hugged me tighter. “What were you afraid of?”

“That your dad would answer the door. He scares me. At least he used to,” I admitted. “Then I started asking my mom to come with me. She’d knock on your door and then if you were home we’d go to the park together.”

Joshua nodded. “I remember that. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me sooner.”

I laughed. “Yeah, right. So you could tease me?” I sighed softly and did something I’d only read about in forbidden novels. I leant in, brushing my lips against his. The kiss was soft and chaste. It lasted no more than a mere second before I pulled back.

“What was that, Olive?” He gave me a horrified look and all I could feel was my stomach somersault. I knew romance and love weren’t ever spoken of in Genesis. There was no need when the government knew who was perfect for one another, and children were won by lottery and conceived in a lab. Intimate acts were considered unnecessary.

“I read about it in a book,” I whispered, afraid I’d done it all wrong. “It was a kiss,” I breathed, chewing on my bottom lip nervously. I’d never kissed anyone before and worried he thought it was terrible. I’d never seen two people share a kiss, I didn’t quite know what it was supposed to look like, but I thought I’d done it right after reading about it. My hand reached out, grabbing his arm. “Please don’t be mad at me.” I breathed. “You have to swear you won’t tell anyone!” Joshua hesitated for only an instant before he leaned in, taking another taste from my lips trying again. The second kiss was softer and satisfied both of our curiosities. My heart raced and my skin warmed to his touch. “I thought today was going to turn out so much worse,” I confessed.

Joshua laughed as he pulled back slightly, staring at me. His eyes had darkened a deeper richer shade of blue. I’d never seen his eyes change colors before. His fingers moved to tickle my stomach with a grin. “Worse? Really? You’re not happy you married me? You’re just relieved it wasn’t someone worse?”

“No!” I shrieked, “That’s not what I meant!” I tried to catch my breath, but he hardly gave me a second more than necessary. I pulled from his ticklish grasp, jumped from the couch and ran across the room in a fit of laughter. He quickly followed, jumping over the sofa as he was just inches from me. He was close now, smiling and trailing behind me as I ran toward the bedroom. It was probably the worst place I could go, trapped between Joshua and a mattress. I felt him tackle me down onto the plush bed, his hands skimmed my stomach but he was no longer tickling me. The laughter still hadn’t subsided.

“Breathe,” Joshua said, staring intently at me.

“Trying,” I gasped between fits of laughter. Lying down helped settle the feeling of my racing heart, and after a moment I shifted along the mattress, reaching out to him. “I want to tell you a story,” I insisted as my fingers found his cheek. “One I read in a book.” I wanted him to learn the things I had about love and romance. I couldn’t help but feel my body stir with a strange fire and warmth as he loomed just above me. Staring up at him I froze on the mattress hearing the latch click on the front door. I knew it had been locked.

“Who could that be?” I asked, glancing back as I heard the heavy clatter of boots and saw Governor Craynor stalking into our home with guards standing behind him. They raised their guns and pointed them towards us as they entered our bedroom.

“Arrest this girl!” Governor Craynor pointed at me. Joshua moved off my small frame, standing in front to protect me. I shifted further back on the bed, scooting away from the Governor and his posse, eyeing the window. I doubted I could get it open in time and jump through, but I didn’t have too many other options.

“What crime has she committed?” Joshua demanded an answer. I was grateful he was stalling, and I flipped the latch on the window. Trying to pull the glass upwards it didn’t budge.

“What did I ever do wrong?” I cried out, eyes wide in horror as I glanced behind me and saw them shove Joshua aside, slamming him forcefully into the wall. “Joshua?” I reached for him, but the guards were quicker and stronger. They pried me from his grasp and pushed me face first into the mattress. My head was turned slightly watching as one guard held a gun to Joshua’s head.

“Go ahead and move. I dare you,” the guard threatened Joshua. Fear coursed through my veins as another guard pulled my hands tightly behind my back, causing pain to surge in my arms. I screamed in agony as they secured my wrists with iron cuffs digging deep into my flesh. Joshua didn’t budge afraid the guard wasn’t bluffing.

“Why are you doing this?” I cried into the mattress and felt the Governor pull me up in one swift motion, as I gasped for air. He gripped my arm, clearly satisfied I was of no danger to him as he led me outside of my home.

“Help me!” I screamed. My voice echoed through the streets as neighbors glanced out their windows and stepped outside to see the commotion. “I’ve done nothing wrong!” I demanded, trying to break free from the guard’s hold, but it was impossible. Any movement further dug iron into skin and I cringed in pain.

From a distance, I could hear footsteps and finally his voice. “What are you charging her with?” Joshua demanded. “You can’t arrest her without a warrant.”

The Governor laughed but refused to answer. I felt everyone’s eyes on me and my stomach somersaulted. “Joshua?” I called back in horror as they pulled me further down the road to the only place I knew they held the condemned – the worst place they could take me. My feet scraped the dirt pavement, and I knew my white dress was now covered with dirt as the dust kicked up from my fight. There were holding cells beneath our town of Genesis for the criminal and the insane. The guards dragged me down the street towards the prison. I hadn’t done anything wrong. “Please!” I gasped as they pulled me harder, gripping my arms. There would be bruises tomorrow. “This has to be a mistake!” I screamed, trying to break free, but once again finding it impossible. The prison held men who tried to betray our government and those who acted out of revenge or hatred. I’d done neither.

“I’ll find your mom,” Joshua offered. I could hear his footsteps pounding the dirt as the guards pulled me from the street and toward the prison. One guard unlocked the door before we descended down the dark spiral staircase. I felt my wrists burning as I struggled with the binds. Even if I could manage to break free, how would I escape? These men carried guns and were twice my size. I didn’t stand a chance.

“Please, tell me what I’ve done wrong. What crime have I committed?” I begged for answers, but when I paused at the bottom stair I felt the guard push me with the barrel of his gun hard.

“Walk,” he commanded. I glanced behind me, no longer seeing Governor Craynor. Where had he gone? Was he rounding up other people or just me? What had I done that would elicit such a response? On occasion I had snuck into our old cellar. I’d read a few illegal books that I had assumed were my fathers’. Had they been found? Had I been caught? I couldn’t assume anything without incriminating myself.

The guard unlocked the cell, and I shuddered from the loud creak echoing through the prison. The bars were heavy and thick, cast of the same iron binding my wrists. They screeched as it opened and another man pushed me inside. “Turn around,” he instructed and I did so, feeling the restraints loosen and then release. A moment later the doors swung shut with a heavy clasp as they locked me inside.

“Please, you have to tell me what I’ve done wrong!” My voice wavered with uncertainty. One guard retreated up the stairs while the other watched me cautiously. I recognized him. He was the guard from the marriage ceremony. His daughter had been married today, just as I had. Did he take pity on me? Could I use this to my advantage to break free? “Please,” I begged him watching as he stared at me.

“We take orders. We don’t ask questions.” He walked towards the stairs, and I took a final step back, surveying my quarters. This wasn’t the home I expected to find myself in after being married.

CHAPTER 3

I lay awake on the cold cot in the dark damp cell. I lost count how long I’d been down here. Minutes? Hours? It all seemed the same. The sun had set, and I knew curfew must be close. It was all I could see from the small window high above my head against the far wall. I knew I had missed lunch and dinner and felt my stomach grumble in protest. I had tried to climb atop the cot, reaching toward the window. But it was too small to break through, and the iron bars let only my hands grasp at air.

I wondered who would come first – a guard, Governor Craynor or Joshua. I knew Joshua went to find my mother, but I couldn’t fathom how she could be of any help. My options were severely limited.

I heard heavy footsteps and sat up in bed. I recognized the sound of boots against the stairs as the guards descended to the holding cells. Were they coming for me? I didn’t move from the thin mattress and gripped the edge of the metal cot.

“Olivia!” I heard my mother’s voice and knew if she was coming with guards this couldn’t be good. As she further descended onto the main floor of the prison, one guard carried a torch and the other escorted her forward through the hall. The faint glow gave enough light to cast her image as she passed by.

“Mom!” I called back with wide eyes rushing towards the cell doors. “Mom, what’s going on?” I reached my arm out through the bars and felt her arm as the guards put her into a cell beside mine. I could no longer see her but could hear the guards as they told her to turn around as they removed her restraints.

“Mom, what did you do?” All I could think was this had been somehow my fault. Maybe she had tried to reason with the Governor or a guard to let me go and they had arrested her for treason.

“Olive, are you okay?” I heard the worry in her voice and nodded, momentarily forgetting she couldn’t see me. My hands rested on the iron bars, and I tried desperately to see her but couldn’t.

“I’m scared.” It was an honest answer. The guards retreated for the stairs, and the torch went with them, bathing the prison in darkness again. “What’s going on, Mom? Why are they doing this?” I didn’t understand.

“I made a mistake,” she breathed anxiously. “I trusted an ally who must have turned on us.” I could hear movement and imagined she was pacing the length of her cell, trying to devise a plan of escape.

I felt a shudder course through my body. “What are you talking about?” I was astounded by the way my mother spoke. “Does this have to do with Joshua?” I remembered what she’d said at the marriage ceremony earlier in the day, telling me we needed to speak later. I could only surmise that it had to do with Joshua but now that seemed less likely.

“What?” She paused for a long moment. “Of course not. He’s fine. You, Olive, though, you’re not.” Her words made my stomach tense.

I wanted to scream at her. To ask her what she’d done so terrible that could have us both locked up. “You really think now’s the time to tell me I’m not fine?” I scoffed angrily. “I don’t even know what I’ve done wrong!”

She sighed. “I’m sorry, Olive, but I never meant for this to happen. This is not what we planned.”

“We?” I asked. She ignored my question. “Mom, this isn’t fair!”

“You were born,” she answered simply. “You’re my daughter and since I conceived you naturally, it’s possible you might be able to have a child of your own,” she answered calmly. “I had planned to sit you and Joshua down and explain, but sometimes things don’t go as planned.”

I wanted to shout at her, but my shoulders slumped forward. “Nothing about my conception was natural,” I muttered finding myself back on the cot with a loud squeak as I sat down.

Children were born in labs. It was the way things were – The Day of the Chosen, a lottery including all women in Genesis who were 18 to 29. Each family had an equal opportunity to conceive – a rare gift in our world where the government had to intervene for women to become pregnant. The lottery was a blessing the first time and a silent curse if your name was called twice. For all families were provided one child if they won the lottery, but all children born thereafter were handed over to the government and taken outside of Genesis, presumably to another family in a neighboring city.

I sighed. “So, why are we arrested?” What had either of us done wrong? Could they really keep us down in these dark cells until they decided otherwise?

“I went to one of the doctors who helped eighteen years ago. I was concerned with the marriage ceremony because I thought you might unintentionally conceive a child.” I didn’t reply. I never imagined such an uncomfortable discussion and was silently grateful I didn’t have to see her through the cell as she spoke. “The doctor betrayed us. She’s the only one I can think who would do this.” My mother’s voice rose angrily in her cell. “I never should have trusted her. I should have listened to your father.”

“What about him?” I perked up, standing again as I moved towards the bars. “Mom?” I asked waiting anxiously, but she ignored my question. “We have to get out of here.” I didn’t like the fact she had lied to me, but I knew what she did in her heart was right. Besides, if they were locking us up because of this information, I couldn’t imagine what they’d have done when I was born.

“I know. Joshua came by the house when I was arrested. I told him to go home.” Her voice sounded strange, distant as she held her thoughts from me.

“What?” My eyes widened. “Home?” My bottom lip quivered slightly. “How is that going to help us?” I leant back against the cold cement wall, wanting desperately to be in my warm bed.

“Just trust me.” My mother didn’t further elaborate.

I didn’t answer her. How could I trust her again? She’d lied to me and had been since I was born. I shifted onto the cot, lying back down staring up at the ceiling. I wondered what the Governor would do to me. If being born was a crime then I was guilty of it. I closed my eyes needing to unwind. I wanted to be any place but here. I imagined a world where children weren’t forced from their home and taken by the government. Our city was cruel to its people, whether they wanted to see it or not.

CHAPTER 4

Morning hadn’t yet arrived as I awoke with a start. I heard a noise, and my eyes flashed open in the bleak darkness of the prison cell. “Olivia,” a harsh whisper echoed and I turned towards the strange light coming from just outside the cell. Joshua was standing with a torch in hand.

“What are you doing here?” I climbed off the cot and headed towards the iron bars seeing his mother, Rebecca, standing beside him. I glanced at her curiously wondering why she’d risk her life for me.

“Helping you escape,” she answered with a faint smile as she retrieved a set of keys. She unlocked my cell, and I didn’t hesitate as I stepped out and wrapped my arms around Joshua.

“Thank you,” I breathed into his ear, grateful he came for me. I glanced back at the cell where my mother was housed.

Rebecca walked over, unlocking her cell next. “Don’t!” My mother shook her head. “You should leave me here.”

“What? Why?” I was astounded by her request.

“Someone has to stand up to the Governor,” she told me plainly. “Besides, I’ll slow you down. You should go, now.” She was adamant.

“Go where?” I asked, glancing from my mother to Joshua and finally to his mother.

“With me,” Rebecca informed us. “We don’t have much time.” She led us toward the stairs where I had come down when I was first escorted by the guards. I was hesitant, unsure we wouldn’t be caught. “Come on,” she insisted. “We have one of our own on watch. We don’t have much time.”

I gave the briefest of nods before following her with Joshua just a step behind me as we ascended the stairs. Once outside I felt the cool crisp night air and saw the nearly full moon. I knew it must have been well past curfew but didn’t care. There were worse laws I’d broken, like escaping prison. I didn’t ask where we were going – I knew home was no longer an option.

“I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to leave,” his mother told me sadly. “I know this wasn’t how you imagined your wedding day, but it’s no longer safe for you.”

“I know.” It wasn’t a surprise after what my mother had told me earlier that night. I wondered if Rebecca knew why I’d been arrested. I wasn’t sure where I would go or even how I’d get there. Leaving Genesis seemed like it would be difficult as guards always stood duty at the wall. Even if Rebecca knew one or two, dozens usually patrolled the area.

“Follow closely,” Rebecca informed me as she extinguished the flame and we walked through the darkened streets towards the east end of town, where my childhood home resided. Guards patrolled the streets, but none approached us. I wondered why they left us alone. His mother’s voice was soft, answering my unspoken question. “They’re members of the rebel alliance.”

“How many are there?” I asked in wonder. I never knew such a faction existed.

She didn’t answer me. Quietly, she led me across the street and toward my mother’s home. We walked along the grass and to the side of the house, finally coming around back. Immediately, I knew where we were going but I didn’t see how it would help. “The old cellar,” I mumbled quietly, unsure why we were heading there. There wasn’t much but old, dusty, illegal books. Did they want me to hide there until morning? As soon as daylight came and the guards changed shift I’d be found. Having escaped from a locked prison cell, they’d come looking for me. I didn’t want to think of the interrogation my mother would endure.

“Come quick,” Rebecca had pushed aside the shrubbery and pulled back the large wooden door. “Take this,” she encouraged, handing over a skeleton key that had been strung around her neck.

“What’s this for?” As soon as I asked, I already knew the answer. There had been a door in the cellar, locked for as long as I could remember. I had never been able to find a key and wondered how Rebecca had it while it was my mother’s cellar. I found myself with more questions as she gestured for me to go.

“There’s a locked door just down those stairs. Use the key. It’ll take you someplace safe.” She told me with a serious look. “You can never come back to Genesis. The Governor will have your head and try you for treason. He’ll kill all of us if he knows we helped you escape. I’ll send word that you’re on your way. You’ll be safe there, Olivia.”

I took the key and the first step before turning around, eyeing Rebecca. “Why are you doing this for me?”

She merely smiled and gave her son a hug. “Take care of her, Joshua.”

My mouth hung agape. I hadn’t thought he’d come with me, but I didn’t argue or suggest otherwise.

“We should go.” I knew it wouldn’t be long until the government started hunting us. I didn’t want to face their wrath. I felt Joshua’s hand at the small of my back as he ushered me further into the cellar.

His mother closed the wooden door, and complete darkness encompassed us. I carefully took the final step down, my hand reaching behind me to help Joshua on the stairs.

“Hold on,” he insisted. I turned around to face him but couldn’t see his outline in the blackness of the cellar. I heard the faintest sound as he struck a match and used the visible light to guide him further inside. “Give me a minute.” The flame licked his fingers, and he shook his hand. A moment later he repeated the motion, finding a lantern. It illuminated the room, casting a faint glow over the small space. “Grab this.” He handed me a backpack and put one on his shoulders.

“What’s in here?” The few times I’d snuck inside I hadn’t seen any backpacks. I pulled it over my shoulders and took the key toward the cellar door. Using the light Joshua had from the lantern, I guided the skeleton key into the lock, giving it a turn before pulling open the heavy door. A wave of dust erupted, and I coughed and grimaced as I wiped myself off as best I could. Together we set out into the tunnel.

CHAPTER 5

The journey on foot was difficult. Already, I felt chilled from the damp tunnel we navigated. The first few hours were quiet between us. I didn’t know what to say to Joshua. He risked his life, as did his mother, and then he chose to come with me, knowing he could never return home. Neither of us could.

“Let me know if you need water,” he offered.

My mouth was parched, but I hadn’t thought we had anything to drink. In fact, I had no idea what was inside the backpacks. “We have water?” I asked, glancing back at him and pausing for a moment. I knew we needed to walk faster, but I was thirsty and hadn’t eaten since lunch. It was now the middle of the night and likely would be morning soon.

Joshua stopped walking and pulled off his pack. Unzipping it, he brought a bottle of water out. “I came prepared,” he smiled, offering it to me first.

I took it from his grasp, opening the lid and swallowing half the bottle in a few short seconds. Removing my lips, I handed it back as he finished the drink and tossed the empty bottle into his bag. We continued down the path, lantern in hand.

“I have to admit,” I glanced back in his direction as we walked. “I was surprised you had two backpacks in the cellar.”

I could hear the smile in his voice, “We all have secrets, Olive.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulder as we walked beside one another. “So, are you going to tell me why I broke you out of jail?” he teased with a growing curiosity. “I know you’re my wife,” he nudged me playfully, “but if you killed someone, I would like to know now before I’m your next victim.”

I laughed, glancing at Joshua. “It’s nothing like that.” I shook my head. “That, at least, would be a reason to throw me in jail.” I was disgusted with Governor Craynor.

“But your mother?” He raised an inquisitive eye. “It wouldn’t explain her arrest. Unless, of course, there’s a new law since she raised you and did such a horrible job,” he taunted.

I slapped his arm playfully. “You’re terrible!”

“You still haven’t answered my question.” Joshua pointed out.

I handed Joshua the lantern, my fingers having grown tired from holding it for so long as we walked together. “Promise not to judge me?”

“We’re running away together.” He smiled. “I make no promises. Go on.”

I nodded faintly as we walked further into the darkened tunnel. I was silently grateful we were alone, and I knew no one was listening. “I’m not like the other girls.”

Joshua laughed. “That’s not a surprise, Olive. You’ve never been like the other girls at school.”

I raised an eye, wondering what he meant. “I’m different, Joshua. My mother didn’t win the lottery to have a daughter. Actually, she did win the lottery, but only because she had to. It was rigged because she was already pregnant with me,” I admitted, letting my words hang in the air for a moment before I glanced at him. “My mother thinks it was the doctor who gave us up today.”

“What? Why? How?” He had so many questions he couldn’t seem to form a single thought. “Start from the beginning.” He kept walking, and I was grateful I hadn’t scared him away.

“I’m not sure where that is. The first I learned of it was in prison,” I remarked. “Once Mom was arrested she told me the truth. I was conceived naturally, and they had to pay a doctor to include her name in ‘The Day of the Chosen’. She went back to the doctor before the marriage ceremony, and I guess the doctor had a change of heart.”

“Why now?” he asked as we walked faster downhill.

“My mother suspected I could conceive naturally and was concerned with the marriage ceremony that perhaps we would unintentionally try.”

“Try?” he asked curiously. I felt his eyes staring at me. “How do people try?”

I didn’t answer his question. My cheeks flushed at the implication of what I was saying. I glanced down at our feet and the trail ahead of us. “That’s a story for another day.” I changed our conversation directing it back to him. “You still haven’t told me what I’m carrying,” I gestured toward my pack.

Joshua smiled. “Aside from a few bottles of water, your pack has some snacks and a journal.”

“A journal?” I asked curiously. “For me to what, write down my most intimate and private thoughts?” I bantered.

Joshua glanced at me with a bright grin. “You really don’t know?” He was pleased to be the one telling me of his find. “Your father had a journal hidden in the cellar. I found it earlier behind a loose brick when Mom insisted I bring the backpacks down in the cellar. I shoved it inside. I thought you might want it.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, unsure I knew words to express my gratitude. I had nothing from my home, nothing to remember my old life by. I could no longer leave flowers on my father’s grave, a yearly tradition on the anniversary of his death. This would have to be enough, my life preserver keeping me afloat.

“I know,” he breathed, reaching for my hand. I willingly took it, giving his a gentle squeeze. I felt a shudder course through my body as we walked faster wanting nothing more than to reach the other side of the tunnel, seeking freedom.

My legs were sore, but I ignored the pain. Joshua had me pause to open my pack. He pulled out a blueberry muffin and granola bar. “Pick one,” he offered as I snatched up the muffin and unwrapped it from cellophane. He zipped my bag and we continued to walk, eating and talking. Neither of us wanted to waste any time stopping. My legs were burning, but we had to keep moving. By now, a search party of guards must be looking for me. They had probably already searched our house and my mother’s home. It was only a matter of time until they found the cellar door and tunnel. My stomach grumbled as I finished the snack and dropped the trash. Joshua kept walking, refusing to let anything slow him down. I knew he was tired – I could see the worn expression as he tried to stay tough. I linked our arms together. “Almost there,” I attempted a smile.

“Really?” His eyes glanced around, scoping out a door or an exit. There was nothing.

“I have no idea.” I laughed softly. “Just hoping as much. We’ve been walking for hours,” I emphasized. How much further could the tunnels lead? The tunnel suddenly made a sharp curve. Not only were we heading away from town, but we had also started heading south. “What do you make of those?” I asked, catching sight of something fixed to the wall every hundred or so feet. They were small and seemingly insignificant, but it still made me curious.

“No idea.” Joshua shook his head. It was too dark to really see much in the tunnel, aside from straight ahead. Even with the lantern the tunnel was dark.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw a flicker and a flash. Realizing the tunnel lights had been turned on, my eyes burned for a moment. The unknown objects were lighting sensors that lit up our path as we continued walking south. I glanced back, watching as the lights behind us faded off every hundred feet. As another light flipped on, the one furthest back shut off. It must have been a mechanism to preserve power. The lantern flickered and sputtered out. Dead. “Dumb luck?” I smiled weakly at Joshua.

He gave my hand a hard squeeze as we continued into the tunnel. “I think the Rebel Alliance knows we’re coming. By now, word should have reached wherever they live that we’ve left Genesis and need their help.”

“I’ll have to thank them.” I smiled, relieved for the illuminated path. I stopped momentarily to drop the lantern to the ground since we no longer needed it. “I’m glad you came with me,” I whispered.

Joshua grinned, pulling back slightly. “Like I would have had it any other way?”

I leaned my forehead against his. “You could have stayed in Genesis with your family.”

“You are my family now,” he reminded me with a gentle kiss to the tip of my nose. “We need to keep moving.” I nodded faintly, knowing he was right. Until we reached our destination we couldn’t stop. Every second we rested was a moment we could not waste. We needed all the time we could get to escape.

“You hear that?” I gasped certain of the sound of voices. Maybe I was losing my mind from lack of sleep but I was sure I heard noises coming from up ahead.

Joshua didn’t answer, straining to hear what I heard. A moment passed, and I stalled as a shadow cast over the walls. And then I saw a woman slowly walking toward us. I really hoped whoever she was happened to be with the Rebel Alliance – it was all I could think of.

“Olivia, Joshua?” The tall, thin blonde woman approached us.

I hesitated to answer, but felt I had no choice except to confess who we were. “Yes, that’s us.” A moment of trepidation and fear coursed through me. Could it possibly be a trick? Someone discovered our destination and wanted to cut us off on the way?

“We didn’t expect you until at least tomorrow.” She gestured for us to follow her. “You’ve made incredible timing. You mustn’t have stopped at all. We’re making sleeping arrangements for you as we speak. I thought I would lead you the rest of the way.”

“Appreciated.” Joshua nodded, following behind me as the tunnel narrowed.

“You know who we are, but I didn’t catch your name,” I remarked, following behind her. She was several inches taller than me, but even more so, I noticed her well-defined muscles.

“Scarlet,” she replied over her shoulder. “Come on.” She continued to lead us through the tunnel for about half a mile until we reached a fork. The tunnel dumped us out under some type of shelter. Clearly people had taken all three options – footprints made it unclear which was the right way to go. “Follow me,” Scarlet gestured as we took the fork to the far right.

I was grateful Scarlet had found us when she had. I didn’t think I’d have taken the right direction without guidance. I couldn’t help but ask, “Where do the other two tunnels lead?”

She paused for a long moment before answering us. “Different sectors.” She let that hang in the air, and although I had a thousand questions at this point, I had a feeling she had no interest in answering any of them.

I could hear Joshua breathing heavily, and I knew he must have been tired. I was exhausted. “How much longer is it?” I asked.

“Considering how far you two have traveled already, not far. The compound isn’t completely underground,” she smiled. “We just have to reach the surface, which is quite a hike up.”

“Great,” I tried to add as much enthusiasm as I could, but I found it hard considering we hadn’t slowed down in hours.

Scarlet smiled glancing back, “Aside from the part about it being uphill, we’re almost done. Just don’t die on me, okay?”

A nervous laugh escaped my lips, confused by her words. Die on her? She had a strange sense of humor. “Right. Got it.” I pushed myself uphill. I focused on her feet, following each step she took and put one foot in front of the other. It was no wonder they sent Scarlet to find us. She was definitely in good shape. “Do you come through the tunnels a lot?”

Scarlet didn’t turn around to answer my question. “What do you consider a lot?” She gave a shrug. “We use them when we need to.” I gasped for air, breathing loudly as I struggled with the incline. “Maybe another twenty minutes,” Scarlet encouraged us. I focused my attention on the ground, watching the path as I climbed the final hundred feet behind the blonde. Then sunlight came into view. I grimaced, my eyes tearing from the bright light outside. “There’s no door on this side?” That surprised me.

“No, why? Yours has a door?” Scarlet asked curiously.

I nodded, climbing out and onto the surface. “Where is everyone?” There seemed to be nothing in sight for miles.

“Our city isn’t here.” She smiled. “We’ll take a vehicle across the plains. Won’t be that long. Just sit back and relax.”

“A vehicle?” I repeated, feeling a sense of dread at the word.

I felt a fierce curiosity as the gate by the wall opened. I knew I should be in class, but doubted anyone noticed. We had learned just days ago about the Monospaces and how they transported newborns to other towns.

I’d never seen the gates open. It was a rarity. Only on days the Monospaces entered and left the city was it necessary. I hid alongside an empty house. The family living there was at work, a job assigned by the government. My body stayed pressed tightly to the siding, peeking out every so often to watch with fascination as vehicles rolled in, one after another. I’d never seen cars, trucks, tanks, or any other type of transportation before. I read about a few types of transportation – mostly trains and planes in books – but this was real. I could almost reach out and touch them.

The vehicles came to a halt just inside the town, and my body froze, afraid if I didn’t stay still I’d be seen. The government considered skipping school a misdemeanor the first time and a public felony the second. I’d already been caught once and was forced to do community service at school. The second time would mean I’d be brought before the Governor and he would choose my punishment. I wouldn’t let that happen.

I stood from the sidelines, unable to do anything as a guard walked across the street and pounded on the door of a home. I didn’t know the family. I didn’t have to know them to understand what was happening. The government owned her second child. She was nothing more than a surrogate after her first child was born.

“Please, no! You can’t take my baby!” The mother rushed outside screaming as she chased the guard who held her newborn. Dressed in rags with ratty hair, she looked filthy. I’d never seen anyone dressed so terribly. The government always provided citizens with clothes. Why had they not given her new necessities?

“He’s not your son,” the guard warned her, protecting the child at all costs.

Another guard stepped out from the truck. “Is there a problem?”

The mother’s face reddened with tears. As I stared closer, I could see the apparent bruises on her neck and arms. She pulled the rags, once a robe, tighter around her broken body. “You can’t take my only child!”

I gasped, her only child? The government wasn’t supposed to take a family’s first child, only the second born and any thereafter. I didn’t understand what I was seeing. I didn’t understand what was happening around me.

“Please!” The mother shouted, defying the government and not caring about its repercussions.

The guard carefully positioned the newborn into the back of the truck inside a special seat, before turning around with his gun drawn on the woman. “You’ll go back inside before what happened to your daughter happens to you.”

“You’ll kill me?” She laughed hysterically. “Go ahead!” She stepped one foot in front of the other. Not a hint of fear in her eyes. “My husband would if he could. Why shouldn’t you be the ones to do it? You made me marry him!” I could hear the scuffle of commotion as they fought over the gun. I couldn’t see who had it or who was winning. I doubted there would be any winners today.

The truck blocked my view as a shot rang out. Blood smeared along the car window, and the mother’s body slid down the car and onto the ground into the gutter. I gasped in horror and choked back a sob as I ran further away from the vehicles, the Monospaces and guards. I wanted no part of ever being near a vehicle again.

“You’ve seen a car before, right?” Scarlet asked as though it were no big deal. She hadn’t noticed the fear on my face, and I certainly didn’t expect her to understand the reason. If she was lucky, she’d never lived a day in Genesis. Joshua hadn’t known my fear, either. I never found the courage to tell him what I witnessed. “Get in and buckle up. It’s not a long drive.”

Joshua glanced over the car. “I’ve never seen one,” he confessed to Scarlet. “We never had the need for them back at home.” He turned and stared at me. “You okay?” he asked, looking me over as he helped me into the backseat.

“Fine.” I sighed, buckling myself in. I could hear the latch as Joshua secured his own seatbelt. My body was covered in a sheen of sweat, and I felt sick to my stomach. I didn’t know whether to be grateful or offended he sat up front beside her. As we took off in the open-air vehicle, I quickly decided I was grateful. The bumps jolted me around and my stomach was doing somersaults. I just hoped we wouldn’t crash.

From the backseat, I could barely hear what they said, but she sounded flirty and rather pleased with herself. Joshua smiled and I could see her reach out, resting a hand on his forearm. I wanted to slap the smile off her face. I couldn’t move though. It was impossible, considering the fact I was restrained by the safety belt and we were moving across the plains at an astonishing speed. I gripped the backseat, wanting this ride to be over and was hoping we’d arrive soon.

“Are we there yet?” I screamed into the wind as I felt us make a sharp turn, and we headed as what I could only imagine to be west.

“Relax, Olivia. I’ll get you there in one piece.” Her laughter vibrated through the vehicle, and I shuddered at the thought of Joshua smiling and laughing with her. I couldn’t see his face from where I was situated, but didn’t dare move, either. No. I would not be jealous. I had no reason to be.

The ride seemed to last forever. It felt longer than the walk through the tunnel but I knew that was unlikely because the sun hadn’t yet set.

CHAPTER 6

We crested a hill, or what Scarlet explained to us was once called ‘The Bluffs.’ I didn’t ask what that meant – I found myself too tired as my eyes grew heavy. In the distance, I spotted a city. Finally, I could see our destination.

We drove faster – it hardly seemed possible – whizzing past old buildings, structures that hadn’t been tended to in at least five hundred years.

Approaching the town, barbed wire surrounded the community. What were they trying to keep out? We hadn’t seen much on the drive. I saw no signs of civilization during the ride from the underground tunnel. I knew the horrendous stories from school about the Gravelands, but so far, I’d witnessed only miles of nothingness.

We approached the guards standing tall at the entrance. They opened the gate without so much as us slowing down. Clearly, they knew Scarlet and didn’t feel it necessary to wait. I wondered if getting in and out was so easy, or just for her. Who exactly was Scarlet, our escort on the final leg from the tunnel to the rebel alliance? Hastily she made her way through the city. The tallest buildings seemed to reach the sky and tower above the clouds. Eyeing the streets, I couldn’t tell where people lived. Every building looked different. I knew my mouth hung open, but I couldn’t help it. “Why the need for such lavish buildings?” I asked staring up at the skyscrapers, my eyes squinting towards the sun.

“That was built long before Haven was a town,” Scarlet explained, “we just try and make the most of the buildings and resources we have.”

“The government doesn’t interfere?” I couldn’t fathom how they would be left alone. Was it not obvious people were living within the city? Was the barbed wire not evidence enough?

“There’s a mutual understanding between us,” Scarlet answered. “We’re bugs to them and so long as we don’t infect their homes and invade their space, they have no reason to squash us. That’s enough for me.” She didn’t elaborate and I felt as though she was implying I shouldn’t ask questions about it. “I know it’s different, but you’ll get used to it,” she called over her shoulder, the wind whipping through the truck. “The city looks big but there’s only a few thousand people here. Nothing compared to Torv. Have you heard of that city?” She didn’t give either of us time to answer. “I’ve heard your home in Genesis was much smaller, but you’ll find Haven to be home in no time. I’m going to take you to your quarters. You’ll find sleeping arrangements and a place for you both to shower and get cleaned up. After that, the council has plans to meet with you.”

“The council?” I heard Joshua ask, not sounding as though he understood anything more than I did. I felt some relief in his response.

“Soon enough,” she answered, stopping the vehicle in front of a building. They all looked tall to me but this one only reached five stories, and still made me feel incredibly small. I hesitated before stepping out of the truck.

“How long has Haven been here?” The city felt foreign to me, unnatural.

“Can’t say,” Scarlet shrugged, nonchalant, “hundreds of years, I’m pretty sure.” She didn’t move from the front seat. Joshua stepped out from the truck, grabbed our bags and handed mine to me before he shut the door.

“Thanks for the ride.” He nodded at Scarlet before he reached for my hand, leading me through the heavy, wooden unlocked doors. I didn’t say a word as I glanced up at the staircase and balcony just overhead. Intricate designs pasted onto the wall covered the foyer. I couldn’t help but stare – I’d never seen anything quite like it. The stairs were a dark oak and the carpet a deep beige, matching the walls.

“Joshua, Olivia!” I heard a familiar voice and nearly jumped out of my skin seeing his mother, Rebecca, greeting us.

“Mom?” He was obviously taken aback by her presence. What did that mean back home for my mother? I couldn’t imagine the Governor had released her from prison. How had Rebecca escaped Genesis? Did the officials question her? What about his father? I had so many questions but couldn’t find the words against the deafening sound of my heart.

Rebecca hugged her son tightly in her arms and then pulled me into a quick embrace, offering a warm inviting smile. “I’m glad you’re both safe. I won’t be here long.” Her brown eyes bright. “The council called a meeting and there was no chance I was going to miss it.”

“You’re on the council,” I remarked as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. I should have known. She was the sole reason I had won my freedom.

“Yes.” His mother nodded, smiling politely at me. “I’ll show you both to your rooms on the second floor and you can get cleaned up in the meantime.”

“Rooms?” I asked curiously.

Rebecca laughed softly. “You didn’t very well think your marriage was legal?” She shook her head, her truffle hair falling down her back. “The laws back home don’t apply in Haven. We allow our people to choose who they marry. So long as you are living here, you are in separate rooms until you choose a spouse,” Rebecca told us.

Joshua glanced at me for the briefest of seconds before embracing his mother in a hug, “Thank you,” he breathed a sigh of relief. “You don’t know how happy I am.”

I was appalled. Was he actually thanking her for not having to remain married to me? Was I that terrible a choice to be with? Is that why he left Genesis? “We can marry someone else?” I asked, refusing to look at Joshua.

Rebecca nodded faintly. “It is your choice to make.” She told her son, reaching for his arm giving it a squeeze. “To marry no one at all or marry someone different entirely. In fact, we encourage you to go out and meet the other members of our town, Haven. We want you to adapt to society, fit in wherever possible.”

I didn’t quite understand what that meant. I knew they expected us to live here indefinitely, but I wanted my life to be with Joshua. I felt burned, in the worst way possible. Yes, Rebecca had rescued me from prison, but for what reason? What motivated her? I wanted to think she had been entirely selfless when Joshua had told her the news, but the pit of my stomach told me otherwise.

Rebecca led the way up the staircase and to the second floor. Rows of rooms lined the hall, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this was some sort of dormitory, and if so who else lived here.

There were so many levels but the staircase only seemed to take us to the second floor. “How do people get upstairs?” I asked gesturing towards the ceiling. I’d seen the windows for several more floors.

Rebecca smiled warmly, “the elevator, dear. It’s in the back of the foyer but there’s no need for either of you to use it.”

“Elevator?” I repeated curiously. I’d never heard such a word before.

“It’s similar to a car,” Rebecca elaborated, “you ride it from one floor to the next.” I tried to imagine such a device, like the car Scarlet had driven us in on, located within the building that would ride you from floor to floor. It would have to be vertical which only made me laugh. Rebecca shot me a peculiar look. “What’s so funny, dear?”

“How do you not fall out?” I asked, curious.

Rebecca rolled her eyes, not answering my question. “You will each have your own private suite. I had to pull some strings,” She informed us proudly, “But I know you will both be pleased with the arrangements.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Joshua nodded. I didn’t say a word. What could I say to express my gratitude and also discomfort with the present situation? I felt bitter in this new home – it wasn’t the life I wanted or wished for. Maybe I didn’t agree with the government, but I had played by their rules, mostly. It wasn’t fair, being tossed into prison and forced on the run. I just wanted to be left alone. I reached for my door, turned the handle and pushed it open. I didn’t look back and didn’t say anything to either of them. I dropped my pack on the floor inside my room and shut the door abruptly.

I headed for the dresser, finding brightly colored and patterned blouses and skirts. I’d never seen so many colors of fabric before. Next, I opened the closet, curious what else may be waiting and was shocked to see a dozen or so dresses and several pairs of shoes. My fingers moved along the material, feeling each with curiosity. I paused, glancing at a rich blue dress and pulled it from the closet. When I stepped inside the bathroom, my mouth dropped at the oversized tub and glass shower stall. They were both huge! The bathroom was practically its own room in size. At home we had a shower, but it was timed and at a specific temperature. We had exactly three minutes to get clean three times a week. The water shortage had made things difficult at times, and the government considered showering daily a waste. However, they frowned upon showering less than that as well. Then you smelled like Levi Keller.

Turning the shower on, I jumped at the freezing cold temperature and played with the dials jumping away again when my hands nearly got scalded. I stripped out of my grimy clothes and stepped beneath the spray. It felt good to get clean, and I turned the water warmer than it would be back home, feeling my body relax under the spray. I didn’t pay attention to how long I’d been standing there and realized the water hadn’t shut off on me. What a luxury! I found some soap and finished cleaning before shutting off the shower. It took a good two minutes to figure out how to do that. I wasn’t used to so many buttons and knobs. With time, I’d figure it out.

Drying off, I wrapped a large fluffy towel around my body. I couldn’t help but wonder where such luxuries came from. Were they trying to show us the good side of the rebellion to make us want to join forces? Did they expect us to fight with them? I wasn’t ready for a fight. I had no training and doubted I could shoot a gun and hit a target if my life depended on it. Besides, I imagined myself capable of other jobs aside from joining their militia in Haven. I dried myself off and slipped on the dress I’d found in the closet. It was beautiful, soft and flowing down to my toes. I found a brush by the sink and worked the knots out of my hair. Staring at my reflection I wondered if I was the same girl days ago. I hardly looked like the girl I knew. I hardly felt like her, either. On the counter, sat an array of brightly colored trays and compacts. I had no idea what they were and left them untouched.

I grabbed the filthy dress that had been white just yesterday morning and tossed it into the trashcan in the corner of the bathroom, never wanting to see it again. It was a small act of rebellion. I would not let them control my identity or my future.

With a fresh start, I headed into my room and grabbed the pack, digging out my father’s journal. I wanted to know what my father could have written about in such secret. I opened the first page of the journal, seeing his handwriting and immediately felt a rush of nausea spread through me. I hadn’t seen my father in more than ten years and here was his writing. It saddened me that I hadn’t found his journal. I was grateful Joshua had given it to me, but I still found it hard to come to terms with. Quietly, I read the pages, trying to understand what my father had felt, what he experienced.

Yesterday, I met my wife for the first time. I should be overzealous with joy at her beauty, but all I can do is despise the government for deciding we must be together. This is not the life I want or wish for. Children should not be won, but born from love. Tomorrow I will begin my new job. I’ve already gotten wind that I will be a writer for ‘The Genesis Times’. Little do they know I was once a rebel journalist. I have not and will not ever give up what we fight for. Our country was born on certain liberties. The men and women of our newfound land have no knowledge of such things. The victors wrote our so-called history, these lies told to the children of our society. I know my time will be limited, but I must fight for the resistance. I must make a difference. Leaving is not an option. Not now, not yet until change has been made.

My eyes read over his words, and I paused, realizing he must have been eighteen when he made his first journal entry, when he had accepted the marriage ceremony as I had yesterday. I always thought my parents cared for one another, even if the government had decided upon their union. Love, though, was a word hardly ever spoken in Genesis. I turned the page, reading another entry from a few years later. I wondered what had happened in that time to make him stop writing. Had he worried about getting caught, of facing the government and being tried for treason? I couldn’t blame him, especially after having spent a few hours in prison. Saying it wasn’t pleasant was an understatement.

I don’t know how it happened. They say women can’t conceive, at least not naturally. But Samantha is pregnant. She hasn’t won the lottery, and I know we have limited options. It will be our first child, so the government won’t demand us to give up our baby. At least I hope not. All I can think is that the government will want to hide the knowledge that the baby was born naturally. I can only hope Samantha will have a daughter, or else everything will be discovered. If we are lucky enough for a girl, I’m unsure how safe she will ever be in this city. If I take her from these walls, we can expect so much chaos and violence. I fear for her life. I see no solution in sight.

I fell back against the mattress, staring up at the ceiling as I held the journal against my chest. It wasn’t easy reading the words from a man I missed and loved greatly. Sighing, a huge burden of sadness coursed through me as I felt what he must have when they’d learned of my mother’s pregnancy. With a heavy heart, I turned the page again and continued reading another entry of the journal.

I don’t know how I’ll ever repay those who have promised to help us. I will owe them a dangerous amount of debt. I fear what this favor will amount to. Samantha will win the lottery this month. I can only hope all will be okay. Samantha is incredibly nervous we will get caught. I’ve assured her I’ve taken all the necessary precautions. The doctor has insisted that should the government find out she became pregnant naturally, they will insist on terminating the pregnancy – something unheard of for at least one hundred years. It has been at least that long since women could carry children without assistance. We’re unsure how she was able to conceive, and the doctors tell us we must pray for a girl or our secret will be exposed. I do worry what this will mean if we bring a daughter into this world, but I will deal with that and protect her when she comes of age. I will put my life on the line for her when the time comes.

My heart constricted and my eyes welled with tears. He never did get the chance to tell me the truth, and my mother had decided to keep it from me until the government threw me into prison for a crime I did not commit.

I jumped from the mattress when I heard a knock at the door. “Olivia?” A female voice called from the other side.

“Just a sec!” I answered, shutting the journal and glanced quickly around the room. I needed to hide it. I didn’t trust those in Haven, and couldn’t risk them discovering my father’s journal. I wasn’t sure what it would mean to the rebel alliance. I rushed toward the dresser, maneuvering it behind the wooden furniture. It wasn’t the safest place, but it was the only place I could think of that wouldn’t be obvious.

I walked to the door and opened it to see a bright eyed, red-haired girl a few years younger than me. “It’s time to meet the council,” she informed me with a cheery grin.

“What about Joshua?” I asked, noticing she led me away from his room and down the hall. I glanced back and wondered why he didn’t join us.

“The council only requested your presence,” she assured me. “Don’t worry – you’re not in any trouble.”

“Not in any trouble?” I repeated carefully. I had broken out of prison with Rebecca’s help. I hadn’t even considered they would punish me for the escape. Of course, the reason I’d been arrested hadn’t been entirely fair, either, but I wasn’t familiar with this new town or its rules. I walked with the redhead down the stairs. “Are you on the council?” I asked.

She giggled. “No, but my mother is.” She glanced at me. “I’m Jacqueline,” she introduced herself. I stared into her pale blue eyes, reaching for her hand.

“Nice to meet you. Olivia,” I introduced myself, though I was fairly confident she knew that already, considering she’d knocked on my door just moments earlier and called me by name.

She smiled all the same. “Mom suggested that after the council meeting I show you around. Take you to the dining hall and make sure you’re comfortable with your room. If you need anything, just let me know, okay?”

I nodded faintly. “Thanks, Jacqueline.” I was surprised by her hospitality. I followed her down the stairs as we stepped outside. Buildings lined the street around me. I craned my neck up to see the tallest point, grimacing from the position. I was in a real city! A smile lit up my face. I could only dreamt such things, as they’d existed in novels I’d read. We’d learned long ago all the cities had been destroyed and left in ruins. Outlaws scavenged what remained though nothing was inhabitable. Clearly they were wrong.

“Don’t worry, I won’t leave you on your own just yet,” Jacqueline told me reassuringly as she patted my back. She must have seen the look on my face as I tried memorizing every detail while she led me down the street. I found it overwhelming.

I couldn’t help but laugh nervously. Was it that obvious? “Thanks.” I smiled, following her down the block and to the right to another street with rows of houses attached. Two buildings over, we walked up and inside a large white structure made of stone. Situated outside were columns that reminded me of older architecture. Clearly, this building was from a lifetime ago, but had been restored.

Once inside, the marble floor echoed with each step Jacqueline and I took. The ceiling looked impossible to reach. Yet, a mural had been painted on it. I opened my mouth to ask how of its creation when I heard the slight creak of the wooden doors in front of us. Rebecca gestured me in, “I see you met my daughter, Jacqueline.” My eyes widened, though I tried to hide my surprise. “Yes, Olivia. She was our second born, and the government required us to give her up.”

“How is she here?” I didn’t hesitate to ask, feeling utterly confused.

Rebecca led me to an empty seat around the table beside her. “Please, sit,” she stated. “I know you have a lot of questions and the council has plenty of answers.” She told me nine members made up the council, including four men and five women, one of whom was Rebecca.

“Is that why I’m here?” I doubted they brought me in to feed me answers.

Rebecca smiled. “Always a wise young girl. No, we’re here to make sure you understand the rules and agree to follow them. If you choose not to, the choice is yours and you may leave. Of course, should you choose to leave, you will be escorted out of Haven and will have to find your way to the next town. You will be allowed to take only that which you brought with you.”

I didn’t ask where the next town was. I hadn’t seen anything between the tunnel and town. I had no intention of leaving – I just got here. “The rules?” I asked, glancing from Rebecca to the other council members.

A male sitting across from me spoke up. An older gentleman, with gold-kissed skin and dark brown eyes, he spoke with a slight accent I’d never heard before. “Your marriage to Joshua Warren is not recognized here. We don’t believe the government should choose who you spend the rest of your life with, or anyone else for that matter.” This wasn’t news to me. Rebecca had told me as much earlier before I showered and changed.

Rebecca spoke up, “Landon wants you to understand your place in Haven. You and Joshua will spend some time apart from now on. We believe it’s important for you to fit in, make friends and adjust to society. That’s not to say you can’t visit one another, but sleepovers are absolutely forbidden.” She stared at me pointedly.

“I understand.” I nodded, unsure I really had. But I did get the general idea – make friends with other people and I’ll stay out of trouble. I glanced at Landon, the gentleman who had spoken to me just moments ago. “Why isn’t Joshua part of this meeting?”

Rebecca smiled. “He’s resting. When he’s had enough sleep, we’ll present the same rules to him as well. We thought it best to separate you both, so you could make a decision on your own.”

“Olivia,” Landon began. “There is much for you to learn about our town and your own history. Jacqueline will provide you with several texts we expect you to read before the next time we convene.”

I nodded faintly. “When will that be?”

Rebecca spoke up, “Two weeks from today. We feel that gives you adequate time to get caught up on your history lessons.” It felt too much like school, but I didn’t object.

“Can I ask questions now, or do I have to wait two weeks?” I shifted in my seat uncomfortably. I hated having everyone’s eyes on me.

A wiry gray-haired woman tilted her head slightly, curious as to my question, “Go ahead and ask us dear.”

“Jacqueline is your daughter, Rebecca. Taken by the government and raised by another family, right? How did she end up here?” I was confused, to say the least.

Rebecca had a distant look on her face. “My daughter, Jacqueline, was taken by the government. In Genesis, the government expects you to give up any children you may conceive after the first.” She laughed as she said the word ‘conceive’. “Jacqueline was a beauty. I didn’t want to give her up, but knew I had no choice in the matter. So, I arranged for her to be given to a family deserving of her, people who would teach her where she came from and who she really was. When Jacqueline was merely three, there was an uprising.” She paused for a moment, “The government, in an attempt to control those who lived in that town, raided the village and slaughtered hundreds.”

Landon spoke up, “They were making a point. I was the last of the rebel alliance left, and I found Jacqueline still alive, though injured, in a fire at her home.” He paused, eyeing Rebecca before continuing, “I rescued her and carried her for days before finding a place to hide. We stayed a few months at an old gas station after I patched her up, and then with enough food and water we hitched a ride here.”

I wondered how far the journey was, but didn’t ask. I nodded, mouth agape.

Rebecca glanced at me. “Any more questions?”

“Yes,” I nodded adamantly. “You are the council for the rebel alliance?”

A young woman with short blonde hair spoke up. “We’ve never been asked that before. I’m Alexia,” she introduced herself. Was she serious? Did the people not question those in power? I was still awaiting an answer when Rebecca offered an explanation. “We are merely the council for the town of Haven. Other cities have their own council. Those towns are at least five hundred miles from here,” she answered. “Yes, many of us are members of the rebel alliance. It goes without saying that if you are here, the government classifies you as a rebel,” she informed me. “Many seek refuge at our city. We try to stay off the radar from the government, but at times their drones search the skies for towns with people.”

“You mean they have airplanes?” I’d read about such things in a history book during the fourth world war, but had never seen one.

“Yes,” Rebecca nodded. “They’re drones, non-manned planes. It makes it safer and easier for the government to control a computer instead of a person,” she informed me. “In answer to your question, we are a small part of the rebel alliance. If you remember the tunnels and the other passageways, there are two other cities not far from us. Our system includes three cities working to infiltrate and communicate within the government towns of Genesis.”

“Communicate within the government towns? You mean when it’s time for The Day of the Chosen, this is how you smuggle out children?” I guessed.

Rebecca’s smile was slight. “Sort of. It’s a lot more complicated than it sounds.” She assured me, “I promise you the other towns nearby are all allies.”

I wondered briefly what that meant. Did towns exist that weren’t full of allies? I had thought for years only the government cities and outlaws existed. Just yesterday I had learned of the rebel alliance. Now, I felt more confused than ever.

“I know it’s a lot of information. That’s why we’re trying to ease you into our community. To better understand how we live and function,” Rebecca explained.

“So, you still communicate with Genesis? I mean you’re here, but normally, you’re not?” I ran a hand across my forehead, trying to make sense of the information. I didn’t understand how she could be in two cities at once. Clearly she wasn’t at Genesis for the time being, but it concerned me how she could disappear without anyone noticing. “How is my mother?” I was afraid to ask, terrified of the answer, but I couldn’t live not knowing the truth.

“It’s difficult communicating with the groups inside the city walls, but I will relay to your mother that you’re well.”

“She’s still alive?” I felt my heart leap that she hadn’t been put to death by the Governor. That was a thought I hadn’t wanted to face, but knew she could be tried and convicted of treason.

Rebecca nodded faintly. “As of this moment your mother is a free woman. Governor Craynor can’t do anything with her. She can’t bear any more children naturally and is too old for their tests to give them any answers.”

I felt my heart lurch. “Is that what they wanted, to experiment on me?” The air sucked from my lungs as the room sweltered and spun chaotically.

“We’re not entirely sure what they wanted with you, Olivia,” Rebecca clarified. “It’s possible they wanted to silence you, but, of course, the entire town saw your arrest. And let’s face it, the government isn’t one to admit they’ve been wrong all along.”

“Wrong?” I repeated, trying my best to focus as sweat dripped down my forehead.

“They’ve convinced the population the only way to have children is through a lottery. Your mother would have shown Genesis another way. It would have meant an uprising,” Rebecca explained. “Governor Craynor was rash in his decision to arrest both you and your mother. I believe his advisors knew that after the fact, and it’s why they released your mother from custody. Under one condition…” she paused, staring at me wanting me to absorb the information.

“Which is?” I hung onto her every word.

“You never return to Genesis. If you do, she will have to turn you over to the government.”

I hadn’t expected that from Rebecca. Maybe I should have. I knew I couldn’t return home again. I’d escaped prison, and my homecoming would put others in the rebel alliance in danger. I wasn’t going to have anyone’s blood on my hands. I smirked to hide my pain. “Guess it’s good for me I don’t plan on returning home.”

Rebecca gave me a reassuring look. “Jacqueline will take you to the dining hall and then back to your room to rest.”

“I have one more question,” I glanced at the members of the council.

Rebecca nodded. “Go ahead with it, dear.”

“Why did you help me escape?” It was an honest question, one that had nagged me since she handed over the skeleton key. I knew I was married to Joshua, but that was a weak excuse from what I’d already experienced. We’d only been married for a few hours, and according to Rebecca our marriage wasn’t legal anyway.

Rebecca sighed and clasped her hands together. “Do you realize how important you are, Olivia?” I didn’t answer her. I understood the significance of why the government wanted me, but not the rebel alliance. “Olivia,” she paused. “You can change the entire world in the blink of an eye. You’re the last woman in Cabal capable of conceiving, and likely the last woman on earth who will naturally have a child. The rebel alliance knows of your mother and your birth from eighteen years ago, but many towns consider it merely a myth. Seeing you would be,” she hesitated, feeling the weight of the words. “It would be more than just a miracle. It would bring about an uprising. It would change the world we live in and would offer hope to a generation completely unaware of the idea.”

“People don’t fight when they’re happy,” I reminded Rebecca. “Those in Genesis have it good. They have jobs, food, shelter, clothing. No one complains.”

“No one complains until they have to give up a child.” She stared at me through harsh eyes. “Don’t think it was easy for me to hand over Jacqueline.”

“I’m sorry, I hadn’t meant…” I stalled and shook my head, not intending to offend her or anyone else on the council. “I just think people have it mostly good back home. They won’t care if I can have kids without winning the lottery,” I paused thinking it over. “Or maybe they will care, grow jealous and agree with the government in killing me.”

Alexia raised an eye. “Are you mocking us?”

“No.” I quickly shook my head. “What if I don’t want children?” I knew I’d just thrown the obvious back in the face of those risking their lives to save me, but it should have been my decision, not theirs!

Rebecca spoke up once again. “We’re confident you’ll change your mind in time.”

Landon cut Rebecca off. “Olivia, your freedom comes at a cost. Bringing you here puts Haven at risk,” he told me. “We’re willing to take that risk if you’re willing to accept your fate. You may stay in Haven, but please know in three years’ time we expect you to choose a husband, a partner, to have a child with.”

“What about Joshua?” I asked, astounded by this turn of events. Why didn’t I see this coming? They didn’t rescue me from prison and offer me a home without wanting something in return. I was naive for thinking otherwise.

Landon sighed. “We prefer you choose someone else. Someone not matched to you by the government. You see, Olivia, accepting your marriage and having a child with Joshua would only further solidify what they’re fighting for. We disagree with the way they select one’s fate.”

“But you can certainly decide mine,” I muttered, appalled by the suggestion.

Landon stared at me, eyes narrowing. “We are letting you choose who you wish to marry,” he reminded me. “If you can’t make the decision then yes, we will pick a husband for you.”

“I have three years to choose a mate?” I repeated, still dumbfounded by this revelation. Just like Genesis, they planned to use me. It must be why Rebecca had helped me escape. I didn’t want this life. Haven wasn’t looking any better than Genesis, the place I’d always called my home. Maybe I could stall for the next three years and figure something out?

Rebecca sighed. “In two weeks’ time, we’d like you to return. Then we’ll ask you some questions about your own history. At that time, we hope you’ll become more involved in our town and the rebel alliance. We’d also like to be kept up-to-date with whom you’d like to see yourself partnered with. In the next few weeks, we can set up potential candidates for you to go out with, and you can meet members of our community.”

Their expectations didn’t come lightly and without a huge cost. I didn’t see too many options. “Two weeks from today.” I nodded, accepting the rules – for now.

“This meeting is over.” Rebecca stood up and opened the doors, letting Jacqueline into the council room. “Please take Olivia to get something to eat and then escort her back to her room to study.”

“Yes, Mom.” Jacqueline nodded, leading me down to the street and across the road. The town that had just moments ago felt looming and filled with hope seemed much smaller in comparison. Rows of homes lined the street as we walked further into town. They weren’t government-issue by any standard, each with a different paint scheme on the outside and attached side-by-side. I’d never seen anything like it in my life. It seemed a nice enough place to call home, if it hadn’t been for the council demanding I marry and bear a child for them.

CHAPTER 7

Lying in bed, it took no time for my eyes to close and to find my way toward sleep. Escaping from prison in the middle of the night and then traveling for hours on foot had exhausted me. Besides, having a comfortable bed made it easier to rest. It seemed I’d slept for hours when I awoke and my eyes tried to adjust to the bedroom’s darkness.

I felt around, struggling to locate a light switch as I climbed out of bed, knocking into furniture with a groan. After a moment of relief I flipped the switch, basking the room in extreme brightness. I rubbed at my eyes and did my best to adjust to the light. I glanced around the bedroom, spotting the texts I received from Jacqueline after lunch. I was supposed to start reading them and learning the history of our country. All I wanted was more sleep.

Walking toward the shelf, my eyes landed on the titles of the books. They didn’t seem so bad. Cabal History, World History, The Third and Fourth World Wars. I pulled the second largest text, Cabal History, from the shelf and flipped through the book. The book had very few images – it was mostly writing and looked to be quite long. I shouldn’t have expected much more, because cameras hadn’t been used for centuries.

I didn’t feel like reading. I still couldn’t believe they demanded I have a child in the next few years. At least I had time to stall and possibly change their minds. I wasn’t ready to be a mother, and I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to be one and certainly not in the middle of an uprising. It seemed a terrible reason to bring a child into this world.

I left the book open on the bed and walked across the hall, knocking on Joshua’s door. “You in there?” I called, glancing from side to side, afraid I’d get caught. I couldn’t take the chance they’d force me to leave Haven or worse send me back to Genesis. I knew the Governor would love to get his hands on me.

I listened for a moment, hearing noise on the other side of the door. “Joshua?” I knocked again, hoping he would let me in. After what felt like an eternity, I heard footsteps and smiled when he opened the door, standing in front of me. “Good, you’re home. I was wondering if you got lost in there–-” my voice trailed off as the smile faded. Just past Joshua was a girl, no older than me sitting on his bed. Her midnight black hair and eager smile sent my stomach into knots. “I guess I’m interrupting,” I remarked feeling her eyes on me. Had he moved on already? The thought made me sick that he went along with it. I didn’t see another choice for me, but Rebecca was his mother. Why hadn’t he fought her on it?

He let out a heavy sigh, shooting me a nasty look. “Something like that,” Joshua muttered as he stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind him. “Do you need something?” he asked coldly.

“I wanted to talk with you.” I glanced past him at the closed door, knowing she was in there on his bed, waiting for him. It made me sick. “Guess it’s a little late for that.”

Joshua let out a heavy breath and ran a hand through his hair. He looked anxious, flustered. Clearly I surprised him by stopping by. “I’m busy studying. You met the council. You remember what they said?”

I nodded faintly. I did know what they said. It didn’t change the fact I was angry with him. “Yeah, I was there. They read me the rules, too,” I remarked bitterly. I crossed my arms. “I was going to suggest we have dinner together, but I guess you’ve already made plans.”

Joshua stalled for a minute deciding what to do. “You’re mad at me.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement. And by the sound of it he was shocked.

“I guess I should be grateful; you did rescue me from prison.” I knew it was a low blow, but was that all I meant to him? He helped me escape from Genesis, and I gave him a free pass – a chance at a new life. “I wanted to tell you I met your sister. I thought we could all have dinner sometime, but now I realize I made a mistake.” I grimaced. I didn’t want him inviting whoever the dark-haired beauty was to eat with us. I didn’t think I could face her without reaching across the table and slugging her. Maybe she hadn’t done anything yet, but the way she looked at Joshua told me all I needed to know.

“What?” Joshua shook his head confused. “My sister?” It took a moment for the realization of what I was saying to dawn on him. His skin turned ghastly. “How is she?” He frowned, trying to form a coherent thought.

“She’s nice.” I nodded slowly, trying to be civil. “She took me to the council meeting this morning and then we grabbed lunch. I would almost think you’d like her, though probably not as much as the girl in your bedroom,” I remarked coldly.

“We’re done here,” Joshua answered, turning and headed back into his room, closing the door behind him.

“Damn it!” I hit my fist against his door before I sulked back into my room, slamming it shut. What had gotten into him? Maybe I’d made a mistake bringing up Jacqueline, but he would eventually find out she was his sister. Besides, if anyone had a right to be angry it was me! He had moved on without me. The council demanded of me to have a child I wasn’t ready for. Clearly, he hadn’t taken our marriage seriously, and though I knew it hadn’t been our decision, I thought he’d been happy with the fact we were together. I thought he had actually cared about me. I knew we’d been friends, but before the marriage ceremony that morning, I thought I felt something more between us. Now, I didn’t know what to think.

Tossing myself back on the mattress I grabbed the giant book and started from page one. It was going to be a long two weeks. I didn’t know how the council expected me to finish all the texts they’d given me, let alone one in two weeks’ time.

My eyes moved over the pages. I had remembered learning that after the Fourth World War, the country of Cabal had been prosperous, and technology and medicine had greatly advanced. Cancer had been cured, but at a high cost to society. As I read the history text, I learned that what they’d taught us in Genesis wasn’t entirely true.

The Cabal History text explained that people had once lived to one hundred and twenty, resulting in overcrowding along with a shortage of food and water. As the prosperous nation began to struggle, the Red Plague began wiping out people overnight. No one knew where it originated, but it spread quickly. The Red Plague was brutal, infecting hundreds of thousands before their symptoms were even visible. The best doctors across the world quickly gathered together to put a stop to the ravaging disease, but by the first meeting five million people across the world had contracted it. China had bombed their own cities to control the disease, killing another seven million people. Not all of them had been infected, but most had been exposed. India had offered a vaccine in its earliest stages at the second meeting with the worldwide group of doctors. It appeared to work, and no one thought twice about the side-effects. Without it, the entire population of the world would have become extinct.

I continued reading, learning that the vaccine had very dire consequences. The next twenty years consisted of constant miscarriages from women and the inability to conceive. Doctors wracked their brains trying to understand the cause and when they linked it to the vaccine, they removed it from the market. But it was too late. The entire population of Cabal had been vaccinated, as was the entire world in a global pandemic. The people were told by the government of Cabal that eradicating cancer had caused infertility, but no evidence linked the two. Doctors struggled for years to reverse the damage done to society to no avail. The next step was to find a way to continue allowing population growth while ensuring the countries’ resources didn’t disappear. The government decided to start five breeding projects across the country to ensure the future of Cabal. Reading the word ‘breeding project’ made my stomach somersault.

I nearly jumped from the bed when I heard a loud rap at the door. “Just a sec!” I called, glancing at the page number before shutting the textbook. I opened the door, surprised to see Jacqueline on the other side.

“Hungry for dinner?” she asked, bouncing excitedly. She had so much energy, I was envious of her.

“Yeah, I could eat something.”

“Grab your dining card. We’ll head to dinner, and I’ll show you some of the town’s sights on the way.”

“Thanks.” I nodded following her out of my room before shutting the door. The door had no locks or keys. I walked behind her, heading down the stairs and out the main door where we’d entered earlier.

“So, what kind of food do you like?” Jacqueline asked as she led me onto the road.

“What do you mean?” I asked. “Back home the food was always the same. The government gave us exactly the amount we needed for nourishment.”

Jacqueline looked disgusted. “That sounds terrible. Do you like Sushi?”

“I don’t know.” I raised an eyebrow. It sounded funny. “What’s that?”

“Raw fish,” Jacqueline laughed seeing my face cringe. “Okay, we’ll start you off small. How about we have seafood for dinner?”

“You mean cooked fish, right?” I hoped that’s what she meant.

She smiled, shaking her head. “You are so funny. Yes, cooked fish. They have all sorts. I’m sure we can still get a table.” Jacqueline continued walking. “To the left is the clinic.” She gestured across the street. “If you get sick or have a small injury, the doctor there will look after you. Our hospital is a few blocks away and is for the dying or health problems too large for the clinic.”

I nodded. “Do people get sick a lot?”

Jacqueline thought about the question. “What do you consider a lot? I’ve been there a few times with the flu. Not a big deal, why?”

I wanted to tell her I couldn’t remember any of my classmates ever becoming ill. Our hospitals back home were only used for conception and birth. “Just reading about history,” I explained shrugging, not sure if I could trust Jacqueline. I wanted to, but she was Rebecca’s daughter. I still had so much to get used to and so much to understand.

“Oh, you must have read by now about the Red Plague?”

I nodded faintly. “I breezed over that section, but yeah, I read a little.”

Jacqueline laughed. “So, you didn’t get into the gross and nauseating description about the boils that grow on your skin and the pus that oozes out your –”

I held up a hand feeling my stomach turn cutting her off, “Gross!”

She got the hint I’d heard enough and pointed towards the right. “That’s our tech center. I’ve never been in there. You need to have a special pass to gain access. I’ve always suspected it has to do with communications between the towns.” It was the largest building in the city and reached towards the clouds. Slowly the sun began setting in the sky and colors bounced off the tech center causing the silver and gray exterior to shimmer with pink and orange hues. I stopped walking, staring at the building, transfixed but its unexplainable beauty. “It was built right before the Red Plague,” Jacqueline told me as she grabbed my arm and pulled me with her down the road. “There are rumors that a dozen children were locked up on the top floor, never vaccinated. They were kept away from the rest of society until the disease was eradicated.”

My eyes widened as I glanced from the building to Jacqueline. “Are you sure they’re rumors?” Was that how my mother was able to conceive me? Had my grandmother been a child on that floor or her great-grandmother?

“I’ve never heard the story from an adult,” Jacqueline confessed. “Parents don’t talk about the Red Plague. It’s a childhood song. A melody that gets passed down between children. A reminder of what’s been taken from us and that we’re all vulnerable, just waiting to die.”

“A song?” I repeated. There were only a few songs I knew, the Cabal National Anthem and the Genesis Pride song.

Jacqueline hummed the verse, helping me recognize the tune. It was familiar though I’d never heard the words.

“Children run, babies cry

Little ones will never lie

Hide your children, fast and swift

For twelve already fallen in the rift.”

I paused listening to the words, thinking them over. “How does that have anything to do with the tech center?” I asked not seeing the connection.

“That was the song mothers would sing to warn one another that the government was kidnapping children. I suppose,” Jacqueline sighed, “it was the first taste of what our world has become.” I didn’t want to believe her. It sounded awful though I knew there might have been some grain of truth to the song.

“How many towns are there?” I asked as we continued walking down the long stretch of road.

Jacqueline shrugged. “A lot? I don’t know. Are you asking how many government towns or how many rebel towns?”

“Either.” I say. “I’m still wrapping my brain around the fact that I was living in a breeding camp.”

Jacqueline nodded. “It takes some getting used to. There are five breeding projects, at least that’s how many we’ve found. The government refuses to call them breeding projects, which is precisely what they are. They prefer Genesis, and then a Greek alpha denomination to decipher them. Genesis Alpha, Genesis Beta, Genesis Sigma, Genesis Delta and Genesis Zeta. Though I don’t get the point of that.” She confessed. “The government has many other projects, though, too. There’s breeding, food preparation, clothing production, shelter construction, and science advisement. They have funny names like Genesis, Provisions, Livery, Edifice, and Maven.”

It was a lot to take in. “What about the rebel towns?” I asked, curious how many of those existed.

“I don’t know the names of all the rebel cities. Most of them are named after rebels who created the towns or stood up to the government. This city is Haven named after Raven Haven. Funny name, right?” Jacqueline laughed leading us into the restaurant. “Raven Haven led the rebel alliance about twenty years ago when this town was formed. She really got her hands dirty, helped define this town and put us on the map for the alliance.”

“Is she still here?” I asked curious why – if she was so great – she didn’t belong to the council or if she had, why no one had introduced me to her.

“Sadly, no.” Jacqueline shook her head, not saying anything more. We took a seat at a small table. “It’s self-serve. We just swipe our cards when we go up for food,” she explained to me. “The cards provide us with money for food. You’ll learn you have enough if you don’t eat the most exotic meals every night.”

I nodded slowly, trying to take it all in. “How do we earn money?” It seemed like a stupid question, but clearly things were run differently here than back home.

“Well,” Jacqueline spoke up, “I’m still in school. I’m almost sixteen, so they give me an allowance for food and necessities. When you’re eighteen, you’re expected to find a job here in town.”

“You mean you can choose what you want to do?” I asked, perplexed. Back home the government assigned us our jobs. We didn’t have a choice – we were placed based on our aptitude tests.

Jacqueline tried not to laugh as she nodded vigorously. “Yes, of course. Come on – let’s eat and then I’ll show you a few more sights on our way back.”

We did eat. It was a lavish meal, one I hadn’t experienced in a lifetime. Flakes of fish melted in my mouth. Jacqueline handed me liquid gold. Repeatedly I plunged my fork in watching it drip bite after bite. She laughed at the mess I made all over the table but I didn’t care. We drank a dark purple juice that was both sweet and bitter at the same time. It burned my throat and made my cheeks flush with each sip. For dessert, chocolate was drizzled on a mouth-watering cake filled with fudge. Though it was small, I finished it in seconds, I couldn’t have eaten another bite.“So, where to now?” I asked as she led me out of the dining area.

“I thought I’d show you the library, and then we could take a look at one of the museums. They have recovered artifacts from thousands of years ago.”

“Really?” I knew what a museum was from history, but I had been told they’d all been destroyed in the Fourth World War – that nothing had been left standing. Eventually, our town Genesis was formed to keep us safe and help our nation grow. I doubted our government more and more.

“You’re like a child on Christmas morning,” Jacqueline joked. “The way your face lights up,” she mocked, but I didn’t care.

“Christmas morning?” I asked her, perplexed.

She shook her head. “Forget it.” Together we walked across the street and took a sharp turn as we found our way onto another parallel road housing both a museum and library. The buildings were several stories tall and loomed over Haven.

We walked into the library first, and my eyes widened at the sight of all the books sitting on the shelves, untouched – thousands of them, older texts, some of them novels, others reference books. “Wow,” I breathed turning in a circle and taking in the entire room.

“Come on.” Jacqueline grabbed my arm, leading me further inside. “What types of books do you like to read?”

I stared at her. “Genesis forbids books.”

She laughed with a knowing nod. “Yes, but you’re in Haven now. You can check out any book you like.”

“Check out? You mean read?” I asked curiously. I darted through the library, my eyes scoured the shelves as I danced between the aisles, my feet incredibly light. I poured over the books, eyeing each title, deciding which one would be mine. It was so hard to choose! I’d read romance novels and a few adventure stories in the cellar during my teen years. I hadn’t read anything new in ages and I found it overwhelming to have so many choices.

“Here.” Jacqueline pulled a book from the shelf. “I’ve read this one. It’s got a bit of mystery and romance, but you will never guess the ending.” I eagerly read the back cover.

“Can I take it back with me?”

“After you check it out.” She smiled with a nod. “Come on, I’ll show you how.” We walked to the front, and I showed the same card I used for dinner to check out the book. I knew I wouldn’t have time to read it while reading the history texts, but I didn’t care. I wanted something to take my mind off what was going on. I wanted to escape my current reality.

Together we walked from the library across the street to the museum. She studied her watch as I carried the book I borrowed with me. “We have about an hour until it closes.”

“Curfew?” I assumed she meant.

“Well, I have curfew because I’m under eighteen,” she replied. “But you’re an adult. Adults can stay out as late as they wish, but the museums and town closes by nine,” she explained. “People want to go home and be with their families.”

I nodded, trying to understand these new rules. “Right.” I followed Jacqueline up the main stairs and into the museum. My eyes moved over the glass cases and the artifacts buried inside. There were tools from thousands of years ago and as we walked through the museum, we moved forward in history towards the beginning of Cabal.

“Are those–-” my voice trailed off.

“Photographs.” Jacqueline nodded. “I haven’t seen a camera outside of this museum,” she mused turning around and walking to the opposite side of the wall. I glanced behind me noticing another glass case and a series of antique cameras mesmerizing her. It was no wonder.

“Does anyone in Haven have one?” I asked. I knew in Genesis it was illegal to take pictures, to document anything, the same reason why books were illegal and our newspaper was written by the government. They told us only what they wanted us to know. They showed us only what they wanted us to see. Slowly, I started to see the government for what they really were.

Jacqueline shook her head. “I don’t know anyone who owns a camera. They’re so old.” She beamed with excitement. “No one makes the equipment anymore. There’s no reason to,” she mused with a shrug. “Come on, I’ll show you the maps.”

“Maps?” My eyes widened as I followed her down the corridor into another room. My gaze tore over the glass cases, taking in each map, memorizing every detail possible. “Wow,” I breathed, seeing how many breeding camps there were. They were all situated north and south of where I had lived all my life. Everything west was marked “Gravelands” on the map. Another map detailed the local rebel cities, the closest ones to Haven. “Have you ever been to Torv or Spade?” I asked noticing they were the nearest towns to where we were.

“I don’t remember much other than Haven,” she admitted. “I grew up in Livery.”

“What happened to your home?” I knew it was a touchy subject, but the council had briefly mentioned it. I wanted to know more.

Jacqueline sighed, eyeing her watch. “Come on, I’ll tell you on the way home.” She offered as we headed out of the museum. It had already grown dark outside and I followed her closely as we walked back towards the dormitory. The road was dark but the moon helped light our way back. “I was three when my town burned down.”

“Burned down? The entire town?” I asked, astonished. I knew she’d been rescued from a fire in her home, but I hadn’t realized the extent of what the government had done to the people.

“I don’t remember much. There was an uprising. The people were fighting with the government. My adoptive parents were seamstresses. Most of the town worked in some way to create clothing for the entire population. I remember my father yelling at our neighbor one night. He’d come into our home, which was forbidden, and he was seeking asylum. I don’t know from what, I guess the government. He wanted to hide in our home. My father refused to let him. He was a rebel after all, and although my adoptive mother was a rebel sympathizer, our neighbor asked the wrong person,” Jacqueline sighed. “I was too young to understand what was going on. The government came, dragged my neighbor out in the middle of the night and shot him. The other members of Livery rebelled. They weren’t happy. They were hungry. Very few had children and felt like they should be rewarded for their hard work.”

“Rewarded with children?” I was appalled.

“Breeding camps are that for a reason, Olivia,” she informed me with a heavy sigh. “My mother went outside to join the fight. My father ran after her screaming obscenities. I stood by the window, crying because they’d left me behind. Someone took a torch, threw it in the house through the window. It missed me, but the house lit up in flames. I didn’t leave. I was too young to understand what was going on, and I was hysterical. I don’t remember much after that, except for waking up in Landon’s arms. He rescued me, saved my life and brought me to Haven.”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “Do you know what happened to the town of Livery?”

Jacqueline shook her head. “There’s no way to know for certain. People still have clothes. The government is still in charge. Our town didn’t win,” she admitted as we entered the dormitory. “I guess they found a way to control the rest of the town and end the uprising as quickly as it started.”

She led me to my door, stopping for a moment as we approached the room. “Do you think we have a fighting chance to win this war?” I asked her.

“If what they say is true about you, then I think we do.” Jacqueline smiled at me with a mix of curiosity laced in her expression.

I wondered what it was they said about me. Was it the fact they all assumed I could bear a child because my mother had? What if they were wrong? “Have a good night,” I offered in return, heading into my room and closing the door behind me.

CHAPTER 8

I had already tired of the history lessons. The words bored me as they floated off the page. I never did terribly in school, but something about Haven and the council disgusted me. Probably the fact they expected me to have a child with someone in town, and I had no choice in the matter.

A knock at my door startled me. When I pulled it open, I was surprised to find Joshua on the other side. I didn’t let him in. “What?” I crossed my arms and did my best to look tough. I didn’t want to let him see he’d hurt me. He lost the right to see that side of me when he’d betrayed me.

“I wanted to apologize.” He shifted on his feet glancing behind him down the hall. “Can I come in?”

I shook my head no, my eyes narrowed like the points of a dagger. “What do you want?” I wasn’t letting up this easily. He couldn’t act like a jerk and then expect me to just to forgive and forget.

“I know you want an explanation about the girl in my room earlier, and I think you deserve the truth.” His eyes met mine and I felt my insides tighten.

“It’s fine.” I held up my hand. “You don’t need to explain yourself to me. We’re here and obviously we can see other people. We’re not married,” I reminded him sharply. “You’re free to date whomever you want.”

Joshua sighed, shaking his head. “She was helping me study, Olive.” I couldn’t read him. Was he telling me what I wanted to hear or the truth? “She doesn’t matter to me. Only you do.” I felt his hand pull my arms away from my chest as his fingers slid against mine. I shifted on the balls of my feet. I wanted to believe him, but something about her made me uneasy. Maybe her striking beauty simply made me feel inadequate.

“So, you two studied?” I raised an eye wanting desperately to believe that was all that happened.

Joshua nodded with a glimpse of hope in his eyes. “She was explaining some of the history texts, so I wouldn’t have to spend the next two weeks locked in my room.” He stalled for a moment, staring intently at me. “I’m tired of this nonsense between us.”

“Nonsense?” I repeated slowly. I stepped aside, letting him inside my room and closed the door behind us. “You’re referring to what your mother said about us not being married?” I knew we needed to talk about it at some point. “For starters,” I began, watching as he took a seat at the edge of my bed. “I’m not looking to marry anyone, but I guess those in Haven don’t care about what I want.”

Joshua frowned. “What are you talking about?”

I paced the length of the room. “They’re giving me three years to find someone to have a child with. And they don’t care who,” I paused, stopping to stand in front of him. “As long as it’s not you.” I let the words hang in the air as I gauged his expression. He seemed more than slightly taken aback by the news. “They think if I chose you it would only help the government’s cause, because the government chose the match.”

“You’re not going through with it, are you?” He stood up, his gaze refused to waver.

“How can I not?” I threw my arms up in the air, frustrated. To the best of my knowledge, I had nowhere else to go. “I have three years to decide. Three years to come up with another solution or leave,” my voice faltered. “This place could actually be my home,” I told him seriously. “I like it here. Everyone seems nice enough.”

Joshua sighed. “How can you say that when they’re demanding you have a child with one of them!” He nearly wore a hole in the rug, growing more irritated with each passing second. His hands were balled in fists at his sides as he tried to hold the raging anger inside.

I sat down on the side of the mattress, my feet dangled over the edge, grazing the floor. “Well, they’re giving me time to choose. In a few weeks they’ll make arrangements for me to meet some men, get to know them.” I glanced towards the window. This conversation went beyond awkward. I knew Joshua didn’t want to hear any of it. “This wasn’t my idea, Josh. What other choice do I have? Maybe I can make a difference. Maybe it’s time I grow up,” unsure I could even convince myself in saying it.

“What happens if you don’t choose someone in three years?” He stopped walking and stared at me again, the slightest bit of hope forming in his eyes.

“They’ll choose for me.” I sighed, glancing down at my hands in my lap. “They made it perfectly clear. It’s better I do this. Follow their rules. Maybe it won’t be so bad.” It felt terrible.

Joshua shook his head, repulsed. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” he demanded.

I shot him a glare. “I came by your room to tell you, but you had company. After that it didn’t really seem important.”

Joshua looked sheepish. “Her name’s Rane, and I swear to you, she doesn’t mean anything to me.” He paused thinking it over. “I wonder if that’s why she insisted on helping me study. Do you think the council put her up to it?” He waited for my answer.

I nodded faintly. “It’s possible.” Perhaps she’d been sent to distract him from any thoughts he had of me. Or maybe they foresaw an argument with the intention of tearing us apart.

“Mind if I–” He didn’t finish the sentence as he came to sit down beside me on the mattress. His eyes landed on the book I left open when he came by my room. “Have you been reading the history texts?”

“I read about the history of Cabal. Also a little about the Red Plague.” I studied his face and could see dark circles beneath his eyes. I wanted to reach out and touch him, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Not after he hurt me.

He fingered through the book on my bed – the one I’d barely touched. It took him only a minute to find the page he was searching for. His shoulders hunched forward, the muscles straining against his metal gray shirt. I realized he was dressed in a t-shirt, black jeans and barefoot. He looked comfortable, like he fitted into Haven even with the mess we’d found ourselves in. I couldn’t remember seeing him outside of a school uniform, except recently at our marriage ceremony. Now though, something else about the way he looked held my stare. I couldn’t take my eyes off him and couldn’t pinpoint what it was. He didn’t seem to notice.

“I read about the Red Plague, too,” he explained. “I’m beginning to think there’s more than just a history lesson in that book.” I gave him a look, urging him to elaborate, and he continued. “If the vaccine truly caused infertility, then how is it then – even in a lab – the government can create a child?”

“I don’t know.” I frowned. “Maybe they bypass something that’s broken inside?” I was never very good at science. It didn’t help that our science lessons always seemed to leave something out, just like our history lessons had done.

“I think the government has been lying to us, and I’m not sure the council is any more forthcoming with information either,” Joshua remarked. “Have you visited the technology center?”

“Jacqueline pointed it out to me,” I admitted. “But there’s no way to get inside. You need a badge to enter.” Was Joshua suggesting we check the place out? I didn’t think I felt comfortable breaking in. If we got caught, we had too much at stake. I’d spent one day in a prison in Genesis. I didn’t want to find myself in a prison ever again, no matter where I lived.

Joshua sighed glancing down at the text, “I tried to walk in there. Being new and all I thought I could at least get away with wandering into a place I didn’t belong.” He paused for a long while.

“What happened?” I asked, my eyes widening and heart leaping. “Did you get inside?”

“I didn’t get far. In fact, Landon spotted me and whisked me right off the premises. He threatened to send me back to Genesis if I ever tried that stunt again.” Joshua rolled his eyes with a sigh. “They’re hiding something in there.”

Unsure what to think or feel, I said, “You’re right, they probably are. We’re not going to find out what’s inside without the council coming right out and showing us.”

“You’re not suggesting what I think?” His eyes widened in horror.

“They made it sound like I’d be more involved in the council after I adjusted to the news. I’m hoping, after the first two weeks they’ll involve me a little more with the town. Once I agree to have a child, and do as they’ve asked, there’s no reason they shouldn’t trust me.”

“You don’t have to do that, Olive.” Worry lines etched his forehead.

I nodded and sighed. “I do, Joshua.” I felt this to be my least dangerous option. “This is the only way.”

“You’ll take me with you.” It wasn’t a question. Joshua stared at me, and I took his hand.

“If that’s what you want. Of course,” I couldn’t believe he’d choose the unknown all over again. He at least still had his mother in Haven, and his sister, too, even if he hadn’t reconnected with her.

I felt his other hand find the small of my back, and I shifted on the mattress to look at him. “We should study together.”

“Study?” I repeated. Was it the same studying he’d done with Rane? I couldn’t bring myself to ask him. I sighed and changed the subject, “My real question, the one I can’t wrap my mind around is how did your mother get here before we did?” It was an honest and simple question.

“I’ve been wondering the same thing,” he admitted, “but I haven’t been able to come up with how it’s possible. Maybe by vehicle,” he suggested. “But I’m fairly confident that the guards at the border wouldn’t just let her go and come back. There’s more to it,” he admitted. “But I can’t figure it out, either.”

He shut the book on his lap and stood up, putting it back on the shelf. “I am sorry, Olive, for how I’ve been acting. I think it’s nice you’re trying to meet people and settle into this new life,” he reasoned. “But I miss you.”

“I miss you, too,” I confessed. “But if I remember correctly you were the one who appeared to be moving on.” I stared at him with a slight smile, unable to voice her name. “Just because I’m trying to follow the rules the council set doesn’t mean I care any less for you.” It was the truth. “I promise, my feelings for you haven’t changed.”

“Okay,” he replied, taking my words in. “Can we still hang out? I mean I did come to Haven to be with you,” he reminded me. I knew he’d risked everything to help me escape from Genesis and was glad he hadn’t stayed behind.

“Of course.” I wrapped my arm around his shoulder. “We’re friends, and that will never change. I promise you, Joshua, no one can take my best friend’s place.” I wouldn’t allow it. I owed him that much after all he’d done for me.

CHAPTER 9

A little over a week had passed since we first arrived in Haven. I still had a few days until the council meeting and hoped I could further delay dating other men. Joshua was all I could think about.

“Find anything interesting?” he asked, sitting down with me as I curled up on the bed and perused the texts.

“In the books or the town?” I glanced up at him. He looked tired and worn. I wondered what was going on with him. I reached out, brushing my thumb across the slight stubble on his jaw line. I smiled when he lazily kissed my palm.

“Either?” His eyes watched mine as I studied his lips. I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts aside. It was the one rule neither of us could afford to break.

“No.” I couldn’t remember seeing anything that had been important. “What’d you come across?” If he was asking, he must have found something.

“You sure you’re ready for it?” His face lit up. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen him so happy.

“Go on,” I encouraged, eager to hear about his discovery.

“A museum,” he emphasized, and I raised an eyebrow. “There are all sorts of old artifacts from before the Third and Fourth World War, even photographs from present time dating back to the early nineteen hundreds.”

“I know. I was at the museum a week ago.” I remembered Jacqueline showing me the old artifacts and cameras from generations before our time. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Well what then? What’d you find that I didn’t?” I knew he was ready to brag. That bright smile on his face was telling me he’d struck gold.

“I found a series of maps behind glass.”

“So did I,” I didn’t see what the big reveal was. I gave him a curious look. It wasn’t a secret there were maps of Cabal in the museum.

“No,” he stared at me seriously. “I found a map hidden in the museum. Okay, so I might have been snooping. Did you know the cases aren’t locked?”

“What?” My eyes widened as I sat up in bed. “You’re not serious?”

Joshua laughed, watching me grow restless. “I guess they trust everyone here.”

I couldn’t believe it. “You stole a map?” I didn’t want to think about the repercussions if anyone had caught him. In Genesis he’d have been banished for theft. I didn’t know the punishment in Haven and didn’t want to find out.

“Borrowed is the precise term,” he corrected me. “They won’t notice it was gone because it was hidden behind the giant map with the rebel cities. The map on display is a forgery.”

I didn’t buy it. “Come on, Josh. Why would they put a fake map in a museum?” It sounded ridiculous.

“Technically, the real map was there, just behind it. The map on display is a larger replica, but they removed a city from it.” He frowned at a loss for why Haven would have done something like that.

“I never took you for a thief.” I still couldn’t believe he had the nerve to steal from the museum.

“Are you kidding me?” Joshua laughed. “You’d have done the same thing. You can’t tell me you’re not curious about a town no one knows about.”

I shrugged, not wanting to reveal too much. Of course I was curious! Why had they wanted to hide it? What secret did it possess? “Maybe it’s a ghost town?” I laughed, lying back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. “Do you think they’ll notice it’s missing?”

“I doubt it,” Joshua was confident in his decision. “Unless they start looking behind maps for smaller duplicates, no one will be the wiser. I bet most people don’t even know it exists.”

“Well, someone does,” I reminded him. “Someone put it in the case, and someone had the forethought to create a duplicate.”

“Then I guess they should have locked the glass case.” He showed no remorse for his actions, and I didn’t exactly blame him. They’d put us in a tough situation, and the map could be our key to our survival.

I sat up. “Let me see it,” I practically begged and felt him shift against the mattress, his grin growing. The thought of a map with a city not tied to Haven sounded promising. Perhaps Joshua and I could one day travel there and make a home for ourselves.

Joshua grinned and stood. “It’s in my room. You have to come over if you want to see it. I can’t risk taking it out and getting caught.”

I agreed, “Smart thinking.” I got up and followed Joshua out of the room, when I glanced down the stretch of hall as Landon swiftly approached. Already I’d shut the door behind me, and I had nowhere to hide. I swallowed the lump in my throat as the gentleman approached us.

“Olivia. Joshua. I take it you both remember the rules of Haven? Staying here, you must abide by all our rules or you will be asked to leave,” Landon reminded us.

I opened my mouth first to speak. “We were just talking,” I quickly explained.

Joshua nodded. “We thought it would be a good idea to study our text books together.”

“If you wish to study together, the best place to do that would be the library,” Landon answered forcefully. “You are not to enter each other’s rooms. Is that understood?”

I felt like a child being scolded for jumping on the bed. I hadn’t realized the rule had been that strict, but I nodded once. “Yes, sir.” He looked to Joshua and Josh nodded, as well.

“The council will be requesting your presence in the morning. Olivia, I require that you come with me.” Joshua gave me an apologetic look. I frowned and wondered where Landon was taking me. I didn’t object and followed him down the stairs.

“Where are we going?” I asked as we walked outside. I knew I’d made a mistake and been caught. I was grateful they hadn’t escorted Joshua out of his room, but I wasn’t crazy about it happening to me. I knew Landon wouldn’t hurt me. He couldn’t. I meant too much to their cause. I’d gathered that much already in the past week.

“Someplace safe,” he informed, leading me across the street. He pulled out his key card as I realized we were walking into the elusive tech center.

I felt my heart quicken. “Safe?” I repeated uncertain I understood what was happening. “I swear to you nothing happened.” I felt overwhelmed as the door slammed shut behind us, and I glanced back seeing a keypad to exit the building. Why was I here? “We were best friends in Genesis. That doesn’t go away just because you tell me I can’t be with him.”

Landon snorted in disapproval. “I’m sorry you’re having trouble adjusting, Olivia, but you’re too important for us to let your childish mistakes ruin your future and the future of Cabal.” He grabbed my elbow forcefully as he led me up the stairs.

“Let go of me!” I demanded. “Where are you taking me?” I tried to break free from his grasp, but his fingers dug into my skin. I grimaced in pain as he escorted me down a stark white hallway. Stopping, he opened a door, the key already inside the lock before we arrived. Landon pushed me inside and quickly shut it behind me. “Landon!” I screamed banging on the window watching as he retrieved the key and shoved it into his pocket. The window – shatterproof and plastic – barely waivered as my hands pounded repeatedly and I begged to be released. “Please let me out of here!” He stared at me through the window. I tried the door but it was locked, not that I expected it to open. “Landon!”

“Again, I’m sorry you’re having trouble following the rules. Until you can behave yourself, consider this a timeout.”

“What?” My eyes widened, appalled by the suggestion. I wasn’t a child. This was absurd! “Landon!” I screamed banging again on the window and frowning when he turned and walked away. “Bastard,” I muttered beneath my breath, secretly hoping he heard me. I was angry and growing bitter with my treatment in Haven. They expected me to marry when I was already in love. They demanded I have a child with someone other than the only person I could imagine having a family with. Joshua and I were hardly ready for children – I wasn’t sure I even wanted kids – but I knew I didn’t want a child with anyone else. This was worse than anything I could have imagined.

The lights flickered and dimmed. I groaned as I moved towards the lone cot. It reminded me too much of the prison in Genesis. I could no more control who I loved than how I came into this world.

I moved to sit down on the bed. It squeaked with my weight, and I pulled my knees to my chest. I wanted to go home. Although Genesis hardly felt like home after what Governor Craynor had done to me, this was becoming a far worse fate. I needed to leave. If Haven expected me to live locked in a windowless room for the next three years, they had a huge surprise coming. Tomorrow I would meet with the council and demand better treatment. This was not how you treated someone crucial to your cause! I hated the government of Cabal yet quickly growing to despise the rebel alliance in Haven, too.

CHAPTER 10

I didn’t know when morning came. The room remained bathed in darkness. I hadn’t slept, not really. I may have dozed off for a few minutes sitting up, but it hadn’t lasted long.

Landon came to the door, flipping the lights on. My eyes burned as I squinted and heard the latch as he unlocked it, pulling the door open.

“The council is waiting for your presence,” Landon informed me.

“What time is it?” I asked, having lost complete track of the hour while locked in the dark. I begrudgingly pushed myself out of bed.

Landon gazed down at his watch. “It’s just after eight.” I stood up moving off the cot. “We have a special guest at our meeting this morning.”

“Special guest?” I asked, following Landon out of the prison and down the stairs. I took the time to glance around the tech center now that I felt calmer. I didn’t see much. Most of the rooms were closed off, and the noise and commotion I could hear was far enough away that I couldn’t see anything. Besides I couldn’t have been higher than the second floor. I’d barely seen anything of the tech center. It had to be at least a hundred stories tall. Landon carefully covered the keypad as he typed in the exit code. The doors unlocked, and he pushed it open and let me step outside first.

“Rebecca is back from Genesis for the meeting. She requested a seat at the decision-making table.” I wasn’t sure whether to be grateful or not. I couldn’t read Rebecca – whose side was she on? We walked along the street. The dull gray sky filled with low-hanging clouds looked like rain.

“How does she get between the cities?” I asked, certain Landon must know something. He gestured for me to follow him as we turned the corner. I’d been here a little over a week and was still terrible with directions.

“Inside Council Hall there’s a teleportation device. It appears in Genesis as a window inside the Warren’s home, the perfect hiding place,” Landon admitted. “I thought it up. Wasn’t easy getting it assembled without anyone noticing, but you could walk right up to it and stare outside. You’d never know what you’re looking at.”

“Isn’t it dangerous?” I asked. “You could lead the enemy right to Haven.” It seemed incredibly risky.

“All great technological advances come with some risk,” Landon beamed. “It’s a shame we only have one window. Our scientists were working to develop additional devices, but they take time, and our resources have been better spent focusing on reproductive issues the last few years.”

I nodded, surprised he shared this information with me. Perhaps, he believed he could trust me. We rounded the corner and my eyes caught sight of a line of young men stretching around council hall, extending for blocks. “What’s going on over there?” I asked.

Landon’s face perked up, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, “they’re here for you, Olivia.”

“Me?” I felt nervous and swallowed the bile rising in my throat.

Landon patted my back, as if he had the ability to reassure me. His touch was repulsive. I pulled away slightly from his grasp, my gaze still attached to the hundreds of young men lining up along the edge of the building and pushed back down into the street. “They’re submitting their applications to date you.”

“You’re joking?” My eyes wide and mouth agape, I couldn’t believe this was happening. “This is because of Joshua yesterday, isn’t it?” It had to be the reason they found it necessary to punish me.

Landon sighed. He seemed agitated with me, short-tempered. “We’ve told you, Olivia, you can’t be with Joshua.”

I rolled my eyes, “yes and you’ve also told me I have three years to decide. What’s all this!” I gestured towards the young men as I pushed them aside to walk through the main entrance, they were in my way.

“Hey! No cutting in line,” one of the young men yelled before his voice faltered off realizing I wasn’t there to apply. “Are you Olivia?” His voice echoed against the building as he took another step, further inching towards the foyer.

“It’s none of your damned business!” I shouted back, my eyes glaring as I knocked Landon hard with my elbow. I knew it wouldn’t win me any brownie points but I didn’t care. I was beyond pissed. My feet clanked over the marble flooring. In the center of the room a table had been set up where the young men were fast approaching, one after another. “You’re wasting your time,” I called back to the woman hosting the event as she recorded their information in an oversized book.

“This way,” Landon escorted me away from the line of bachelors towards the open door.

“Please, come in,” the older wiry-haired woman gestured us inside and shut the door promptly behind us. All the noise and commotion from the main foyer disappeared inside the room. “The council has discussed in great length this morning about your insubordination and your punishment. Do either of you have anything to add to the discussion?”

Landon took a seat at the head of the table, and I remained standing and glanced around the room. I was surprised to see Joshua, arms folded across his chest waiting for a verdict. I wondered if he’d spoken to the council without me.

“Yes,” I spoke up, glancing at Rebecca. “This is ridiculous!” My hands flailed violently gesturing towards the door, “there’s a line of men out there, longer than the Mississippi looking to date me!”

Rebecca nodded, her lips tight not giving any indication of how she felt on the matter. “We’ve already told you that we’d like you to meet people in Haven. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to you, Olivia.”

I huffed, growing frustrated with standing still. “I’d like to tell you my side of what happened.” I took a firm stem forward, eyes narrowing on Rebecca and then Landon.

“Proceed,” Landon nodded curtly. I wanted to jump across the room and strangle him. This was all his fault!

I took a deep breath and tried to speak rationally. “Yesterday evening, Joshua and I decided to study together. We’d been reading for days on our own, and it’s a lot to absorb as an adult,” I emphasized. “We were going over the books. Sharing what we learned and coming up with questions for the council,” I explained. “At no time did we engage in anything beyond studying. Yes, we’re friends. But we accepted the rules and have abided by them. Rebecca had explained to us that sleepovers were forbidden, and neither of us did anything of the sort, sleeping or otherwise. If anything, Joshua had a girl in his room who wasn’t me! Clearly he wouldn’t have done that if we were still interested in one another. We’re best friends,” I affirmed. “You can’t expect us to forget each other.” Maybe I’d gone too far, but though I trusted Joshua and the fact he’d spent time the previous week with Rane, it was still worth noting to the council. Maybe they would be more lenient on me.

Landon glared at Joshua. “Do you have anything to add?”

Joshua stepped beside me. He didn’t look happy about the situation. How could I have expected him to? “Only that if we did break your rules, it was because we didn’t understand the reasons behind them.” I still didn’t understand, but kept my mouth shut. Joshua stepped forward. “We promise you, nothing happened. However, if you must punish us, I ask that you punish me. Olivia is too important to sacrifice by forcing her to leave. Banish me.”

“No!” I screamed, my eyes wide, staring at Joshua. He couldn’t be serious.

“Settle down,” Rebecca ordered. “No one is being banished, at least not right now. I do, however, recommend moving you both to different floors. I think it would be in everyone’s best interest if Joshua was required to room on the boys’ floor and Olivia spend some additional time in the tech center. Olivia, you will also be involved in interviewing potential bachelors to date. We’re compiling a list and will narrow the selection down for you, but we expect you will work with us in this matter.”

I had no choice but to offer a faint nod in understanding.

“If you should both choose to visit one another, it must be in a public setting. If you truly are studying, visit the library. If you want to share a meal, go to the dining hall. We have rules for a purpose, to instill order and prevent anyone from being taken advantage of.”

It was in that instant I finally understood everything. “No one is taking advantage of me!” I exclaimed. “Just because I’m capable of getting pregnant doesn’t mean I will.” Did they not trust me? Did they think of me as a child, a little girl? “You can’t send me to the tech center! I don’t deserve to be locked up like an animal! I’m an adult!” I demanded. “I should be treated like one.”

Rebecca’s eyes pierced into me. “We do trust you,” she answered, “we’re not requiring you have a chaperone at all times but you’re young, Olivia. Too young to understand the ramifications of what you’re doing or saying. It’s more than raising a child, you will be the future of the rebellion if you get pregnant, and the father will be your husband. This not a choice you will make lightly.” Rebecca sounded quite forceful. “The responsibility of being a parent isn’t all we expect of you. You are the only one, the last woman alive who can conceive. This doesn’t weigh lightly on any of us. With time, word will reach not only Genesis, but all the cities. The government will come for you, Olivia, and we will do everything in our power to protect you. We can only work with you if you’re willing to work with us. Whatever road you choose, the man who father’s your child must be strong and willing to remain alongside of you.” She informed me.

“What else is in the technology center?” I blurted. I tried not to look at Joshua, but I could feel he shared my curiosity. I knew I shouldn’t have asked, but I couldn’t stop myself.

“We really hoped to have this discussion after you’d settled in and were comfortable with Haven as your new home,” Rebecca informed me. I waited anxiously, still wondering what the tech center was. Finally she continued with an answer, one I wasn’t sure I’d like. “It’s one of our few research centers in the community. The government has an entire town of scientists. Although our resources are quite small, we are doing everything in our power to understand what the vaccine did to the human body, so we can try to reverse the damage.”

Joshua finally spoke, asking a question that had been on both of our minds. “Are you going to want to study Olivia?”

Alexia replied, “‘Study’ is such an oppressive word.” She smiled faintly and I almost wondered if it was an apologetic look, considering what we were talking about. “She is not a lab rat, if that’s what you’re insinuating.”

“What if I don’t conceive a child?” I asked. “What if I’m no different than anyone else in this room?” It was possible they were making me into something I wasn’t.

“We don’t believe that to be the case. Your mother was special, and we are confident you are, as well. We promise that the news of your pregnancy will be uplifting. You may be uncertain now, Olivia, but this is what you were made for. We will protect you and your child.”

I didn’t believe her. The smile on her face led me to believe she was trying to tell herself she wouldn’t hurt me. I wanted to reach out for Joshua’s hand, but I didn’t think the council would approve.

“Our punishment for defying the laws is separated living quarters?” I repeated, hoping that was it. I could live with that. I would be miserable locked in the tech center for a while. If I could regain their trust, perhaps they’d let me stay in a room on a different floor in the dormitory. I would certainly miss having Joshua across the hall, but it didn’t mean I couldn’t ever see him.

Landon’s eyes narrowed. “I’d like to put trackers on Olivia and Joshua to ensure they don’t break the law again. Do I hear any objections?” He asked the council.

No one defied him, though, Rebecca spoke up. “If we are putting trackers on them, then I don’t see the need to have Olivia locked up. I recommend we put her on Jacqueline’s floor. She’ll still spend her afternoons in the tech center, but she can be provided more comfortable sleeping arrangements. She’s not a prisoner here, Landon.” She shot him a disapproving look, then sent me an apologetic one.

Landon grumbled, “I can agree to that.”

I felt slightly better that they wouldn’t lock me in the tech center all the time. I didn’t feel confident about being tracked by Haven, but I didn’t see another choice. We could leave now, head for the unknown and take our chances in the Gravelands. But we didn’t have any food or water, and we didn’t have a vehicle to get us anywhere. We’d likely die on our way to the next town.

Rebecca stared at me gravely. “I expect you both will abide by our laws from here on out or you will both be exiled,” Joshua and I nodded. “Jacqueline will let you gather a few things from your room and then she’ll take you both to the tech center to get your trackers implanted. Dismissed!” She announced.

Joshua and I both headed out of the council hall with Jacqueline leading the way. The line of young men had barely dwindled. I avoided their stare, their curiosity as they slowly proceeded forward, giving the attendant their name. I wondered how they knew about me and more importantly what they knew. Jacqueline walked a few feet ahead of us, giving us privacy to talk. I silently thanked her for still respecting us and our wishes. She was probably the only one in Haven who liked us. I didn’t know if I should be relieved or angered by the recent news. I could feel the whispers, like tingles against bare skin as we walked further from council hall and rounded the corner. I was grateful to be out of sight from all those curious stares. “I guess we should consider ourselves lucky,” I remarked. I didn’t feel lucky. I tried to sound upbeat, but everything was quickly falling apart around us.

Joshua scoffed at the idea. “Lucky? I wouldn’t go that far,” he emphasized. “This is how it starts. Eventually, they’ll make it a crime for us to see one another.” He sounded disgusted.

“They sort of already are,” I remarked, trying to understand the council’s decision. “I think they just want to make sure I’m protected.” Though I didn’t quite understand how setting me up to meet multiple bachelors was any form of protection. It seemed as if they only wanted to keep Joshua away from me. The one person I could trust, implicitly. I knew the rules were different because I was different. They didn’t seem particularly bothered by Joshua having a girl in his room. It didn’t seem fair.

“Seems like they don’t really care what we think at all,” Joshua retorted as we headed into our building. “Were you okay last night? I worried when Landon escorted you out of the dormitory.”

I walked slowly up the stairs, Jacqueline just a few feet ahead of us. “Aside from being locked in a room with no windows.” I sighed. “At least they’re giving me freedom from the tech center and a real bed. I should be grateful,” I mocked. I didn’t feel grateful, but I knew his mother at least tried to make it easier for me. As soon as we crested the top stair, I froze in place. The building shook with an alarming intensity as the first drone flew low overhead. The downstairs chandelier swayed and I held onto Joshua’s arm and my eyes widened in terror. “What do you think is going on?” I asked watching the movement grow stronger as vibrations echoed through the dormitory. A nearby painting affixed to the wall crashed to the floor, the glass breaking. I could feel the ground quake beneath my feet as Joshua grabbed my hand, refusing to let go.

“We’re being attacked.” It wasn’t a question. Together, we jogged briskly down the hall toward our rooms. I didn’t know how much time we had. All I knew was the government was here, and they were searching for me!

The first explosion caused the building to rumble as a bomb dropped just outside the dormitory. Dark smoke filled the hall, blinding us. I gripped his hand tighter as he dragged me toward his room. We split up, but only for an instant while Joshua ran into his room to grab the map and I threw open my bedroom door, rushing towards the dresser. I needed my father’s journal. Desperately, I reached behind the furniture, struggling and coughing as the building shook with each new bomb that fell.

Joshua came into my room, ignoring all rules as he helped push the dresser further from the wall, knocking it to the floor allowing me more than enough room to grab the journal and go. I tossed it inside the pack and Joshua put the map inside before we stepped out of my bedroom. I glanced down the hall, not sure what I expected to see. To the right the dormitory had been hit, and a roar of smoke and fire filled the confined space. Jacqueline was gone. Hand-in-hand we ran in the opposite direction toward the staircase.

My eyes burned. Coughing, I refused to let go of his hand as we stepped outside. Drones weren’t the only things attacking Haven. Tanks rolled into town. A few soldiers jumped off, taking over the perimeter, guns drawn. I paused, gripping Joshua’s hand as we were shrouded in smoke. Just a few feet away, a soldier lifted his weapon and unleashed fury on a group of innocent people. I covered my mouth with my hand to keep from crying out when a child no older than three hit the cement. His eyes remained open as blood seeped from his head. He didn’t move. Didn’t blink. It took only a moment to realize he’d died instantly. All I could do was stand there in shock.

“We have to move,” I heard Joshua’s voice, but it didn’t register. The smoke swirled around us and gunfire erupted in every direction. He grabbed my arm. “Olivia, I need you to focus.” I nodded once, trying my best to clear the cobwebs from my mind. I couldn’t, though. I wanted to run out to the child and protect him, but it was too late. I was too late. They were here because of me, innocent blood on my hands. I felt the heat radiating from the dormitory and my eyes flashed back. “I need you here with me, Olive.”

“I am,” I insisted, knowing if I didn’t focus we’d both be dead. I spotted more soldiers – their standard issue uniform and the Cabal crest on their jacket sleeve told me all I needed to know. The government had come looking for us. “Which way?” I couldn’t see the exit. With the smoke enveloping us and the fear coursing through my veins, I forgot the direction we’d come from.

“The border,” Joshua held my hand tight in his. “This way,” he insisted as he tugged on me to follow. Together we jogged through the smoke along the edge of the buildings, careful not to run too fast into a soldier. I could hardly see my own hands in front of me. I could feel the heat radiating as we came upon a flaming building. I heard a woman’s scream, and Joshua gripped my arm, holding me back. “No,” he told me, seeing the soldiers across the street as the woman ablaze ran out of the burning building and into the street toward the enemy. She threw herself on the ground trying to put out the flames roasting her skin. In her rush of panic and pain, she hadn’t seen what was right in front of her. I sucked in a horrified breath recognizing the blonde hair, and I witnessed a spray of bullets as her body went limp. I buried my face in Joshua’s shoulder, unable to see any more. It was Scarlet, the woman who’d found us in the tunnel and driven us to Haven. I could do nothing for anyone here. It was dangerous to stay any longer, and the gate entrance was the biggest risk. Haven had only one way in and out of town, and we had no other choice. Barbed wire encompassed Haven, so we were otherwise trapped.

Joshua’s voice was barely above a whisper, with no hint of emotion as he, too, witnessed Scarlet’s murder. He was trying to focus, so we could both survive. “Keep moving,” he insisted. He gripped my hand and led me past the burning structure through the smoke as we neared the edge of Haven.

Seeing the guarded gate ahead, I glanced around finding an empty vehicle parked to the right. “Come on,” I pulled Joshua with me as we rushed toward the vehicle while we still had the chance. It just happened to be the same one we had arrived in with Scarlet. Thankfully, the keys were in the ignition. I started the engine, and though unsure how to drive, I quickly figured it out. We backed up first as I didn’t quite know what ‘R’ stood for. I ran something over, but didn’t look back to see who or what it was.

Joshua moved the stick into ‘D’ “Drive!” he exclaimed and I hit the gas hard, maneuvering the wheel as we hit the gate and busted through toward freedom.

CHAPTER 11

I coughed and gasped for air, grateful we’d made it out of Haven alive. We’d left behind so many less fortunate than us. I tried not to think about the child shot on the street or how Scarlet had burned and then been executed. So much destruction had followed us to Haven. I couldn’t do that again to innocent people.

I shifted uncomfortably in the seat, eyeing the rearview mirror, watching as smoke billowed in the distance behind us. No one followed us – at least, not yet.

“Why do you think they attacked Haven?” I asked Joshua. The town had remained untouched at least twenty years. Why now did the government seek retribution? I already knew the answer. I hoped Joshua could see another reason, and be the optimist in all of this.

“I would guess it has something to do with your escape from Genesis.” Joshua kept glancing back. “Wow! Haven is really burning.”

The smoke swelled higher into the atmosphere. “Maybe they’ll think we’re dead?” I hoped the government would leave us alone. I’d had enough adventure for a lifetime.

He grabbed my pack and dug into it for the map. “That would be nice. We should come up with a plan and figure out where we have to go until we can fuel up.”

“Lucky for us we won’t need fuel,” I smiled pointing at the car noticing the dashboard with an energy symbol. Some things had been worth reading about in the textbooks. “Sunlight on this thing will power it. We picked a good car to take.” I reminded him, “We can share the driving. Tell me which way?” We were driving on unmarked roads as it was. The dirt showed through the grass from all the years of travel. “Where are we going, another rebel town?” I wasn’t crazy about heading to Torv or Spade. After what Haven expected of me, the thought of going to any city terrified me.

“No,” Joshua shook his head. “We can’t take a chance their allies are compromised, too.”

“So, what then? We’ll need food and someplace to sleep.” I was anxious as I hit the gas harder, driving further into nothingness. “Won’t the drones see a single vehicle in the middle of nowhere?” I asked.

“It’s possible, but we don’t have another choice. If we can get enough distance between us and Haven, we should be in the clear,” Joshua offered. I hoped he was right. “We’re going to drive west for a few days,” he insisted. “As far as I can tell there’s a city four days west of here. Remember how I told you about the city missing from the map in the museum?” I didn’t know if that was good news or not, but after what we’d endured, I was willing to go almost anywhere. “We’ll try and gather what food and supplies we can on the way. I suspect we will run through some ghost towns. We should try and get whatever’s been left behind.”

I hoped he was right. I hoped we would be able to find food and water while heading west. I could see absolutely nothing on the horizon and had seen nothing on our way from Genesis. This is why they called it the Gravelands. We’d already driven an hour into nothingness, and it only seemed to stretch further.

We took turns driving, but the heat exhausted us when the sun was out. The night air was just as brutal. My stomach refused to stop grumbling, and I knew Joshua had to be just as hungry. We hadn’t come across any sign of food on the way. I didn’t expect a garden filled with vegetables, but I hoped we’d find some remnants of an old civilization, but to no avail.

My head pounded from lack of food and water. Although I tried to sleep so I could drive for a while, Joshua did most of the driving. I felt bad that I couldn’t keep up with him.

“What’s that?” I mumbled, staring off into the distance, unsure if I imagined what I saw.

Joshua held up a hand shielding his eyes from the blazing sun. “Looks like smoke.” He veered off our current route and headed up the trail. I felt my ears instantly pop as we climbed a seemingly endless mountain. The trees and vegetation around us were beautiful, but I didn’t know what plants were edible and doubted Joshua knew any more than I did. “How about we ask for help,” he breathed through parched lips glancing at me. “It’s worth a shot.” I knew we had limited options. We’d die of dehydration if we didn’t try to find water soon. We headed toward the smoke at the peak of the mountain, and I wondered who would choose to live here, in the absolute middle of nowhere. Then again, maybe these people had the right idea.

“Are you sure they’re not part of the government?” I didn’t want to fall into a trap after how far we’d come. We wouldn’t make it anywhere without water. We hadn’t had any since we’d left Haven.

“The only government towns are on the map back east from where we came. The government has labeled everyone else as a rebel,” he assured me. “Besides I can’t take anymore driving without something to eat and drink.” I knew he was right. We’d endured a brutal trip. I was just grateful we had a vehicle and weren’t trying to escape on foot.

I nudged him with my arm as we slowly approached the end of the road and saw a home situated a hundred feet from it. “We walk the rest of the way?” I guessed. I just hoped no one would steal our vehicle if we left it.

Joshua turned off the car and tossed the keys into his pocket. “Seems like the only way to get up there,” he gestured at the closed off road. We walked past the brush into the forest, through trees and thicket toward the approaching house. The closer we got, the more the smoke seemed to swell higher in the backyard, reaching the clouds. They definitely had a fire out back. I could smell the smoke and a hint of something else, meat perhaps. My mouth instantly watered as I trudged to the front door.

“Come on.” Joshua took my hand, leading me to the porch. I couldn’t help but feel nervous, unsure of what awaited us on the other side. Whatever it was, we could deal with it. Turning around and heading down the mountain without food wasn’t an option. I just had no idea how friendly these people would be. Could they be worse than Haven?

Joshua gave a rapid steady knock. “Hello? Is anyone home?” he called, his voice echoing in the woods.

Slowly, the wooden door creaked open, a pistol drawn at us, and I groaned as my stomach ached with a roaring pain. I clutched my stomach with a grimace. “Please, help us,” I breathed, my eyelids heavy with hunger, thirst and exhaustion.

“What do you want?” The voice on the other side demanded. He sounded like an older gentleman, and he didn’t budge from the door.

“The government attacked Haven,” Joshua explained. “We need food and water. We’re starving.”

The man sized us up curiously. “Why should I help you?”

“Please,” I begged as my hands shook. I struggled to stay upright, the pain in my stomach becoming unbearable. “We’re heading west. We won’t stay long, but we haven’t eaten in days.” I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten. Sunrise and sunset had become a blur with each day, as Joshua had driven as much as he could handle.

The older man studied us both curiously. He tilted his head. “Come in, come in,” he answered with a resigned sigh. He opened the screen door and stepped aside. Joshua walked in first. I hesitated. My stomach grumbled loudly, and the older man turned around hearing it. “I’ll get you some food.”

“Thank you,” I tried to be polite, hiding the fear coursing through my veins. My eyes surveyed the home. Nothing looked weird or creepy, but I still felt more than mildly uncomfortable – perhaps because this guy lived in a cabin in the middle of the woods without anyone in hundreds of miles, or perhaps because we’d nearly been killed, and I was still on edge.

“I’m Milo,” he introduced himself.

“Joshua Warren, and this is Olivia Parker,” Josh replied.

I shot Joshua a nasty look. He merely shrugged, not thinking straight. “Olivia Parker. Really?” I crossed my arms ignoring the cramps in my stomach as the anger boiled within me. “Are we not married anymore?” I questioned. “Is that it? I’m not good enough to be your wife?”

Joshua sighed. “I didn’t say that, I just thought–-” he let out a heavy sigh and glanced at Milo for any ounce of help he could supply.

“Olivia Parker? The Olivia Parker?” Milo whispered in awe. “You’re Samantha Parker’s daughter?”

I remained silent, unsure how to answer, especially after our stay in Haven. I glanced at Joshua, realizing we’d made a mistake. We shouldn’t have used our real names. The thought of these people demanding of me what Haven had made me sick. He put his gun down, but I kept an eye on it and him. I felt nauseated – I needed food and I couldn’t wrap my mind around how he knew my mother’s name. Was I hallucinating? Had I lost my mind?

“Are you?” he asked again, stepping closer, peering at me.

“My mother is Samantha.” I paused thinking it over. Everything felt real. Could word have possibly traveled that fast about who I was? “How do you know my mother?” I asked, my eyes narrowed into slits.

“Everyone knows of your mother,” Milo insisted. “She chose to live her life in Genesis for you. She thought that would protect you.” Milo grinned. “This is amazing.” He beamed, gazing at me. Reaching out, he touched a strand of my blonde hair and I stepped back.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I demanded, grabbing the shotgun against the wall. Even weak from dehydration I felt strong. I held it up to him, raising an eye. “Touch me again, and I will shoot you.” It wasn’t just a threat. I was tired of everyone choosing my life – it was mine to choose.

“I’m sorry,” Milo apologized, holding his arms up. “Your mother was a legend, and always considered somewhat of a myth. But here you are.” He grinned. “I’m just so excited to meet you. The fact that you’re alive and well, it’s great news! Now put that down,” he insisted, “And come to the kitchen. I’ll make you both a big breakfast.” Reluctantly, I put the gun back against the wall, hoping I wouldn’t need it.

I wasn’t sure I could eat a big breakfast, but I knew I needed to eat something. Milo pulled out two tall glasses and filled them with water for us. I devoured mine in an instant and poured myself another glass. I just hoped it wouldn’t come back up. Milo watched us both with fascination. His eyes came to rest on me once again. “Is it true?” he whispered stepping closer, examining my face. “Can you bear the last child?”

“I don’t know.” I sighed, slamming the empty glass on the table. “It’s possible.” My eyes narrowed. “But I’m not about to start trying.” I made it perfectly clear. If this old man thought he could have his way with me, he had another thing coming.

“Fair enough, young lady.” Milo nodded. “You may stay as long as you like, but please know the government will be looking for you. If you truly are Olivia Parker, then I’m sure they destroyed Haven searching for you.”

“Why?” I knew the government had arrested me and wanted me dead – at least if it was up to Governor Craynor – but why kill hundreds of innocent people in Haven?

Milo sighed. “You are a legend, Olivia. The government is searching for you and won’t stop unless they believe you’re dead. I suggest you take on new names, new identities.” He opened his fridge, pulled out a batch of fresh eggs and turned on the stove. My mouth instantly watered.

Joshua spoke up, “Thanks for doing this, Milo.” He stared at the food on the stove, and I knew he felt as hungry as I did. He opened his mouth and said softly, “You should dye your hair red.”

I shifted uncomfortably on my feet at the suggestion. “You think I should be Jacqueline?” Was he serious? I could never be his sister. It would be too weird.

He shook his head, “It’s okay. Milo’s right. We need identities and back stories. If someone asks, you know enough about where Jacqueline is from you can pass the story off as your own.”

“What about you?” I asked Joshua.

“I can be Adam,” he answered in a matter of fact tone. “While you spent a few days with Jacqueline, Adam showed me around town. I think I can pass myself off as him.”

I’d never met Adam and didn’t know what he looked or acted like. I had to believe Joshua could pass for anyone, but more importantly if no one knew what we looked like, and we had different names, it could work.

CHAPTER 12

We stayed the afternoon on the mountain, joining Milo and his wife, Uma, for not only breakfast, but lunch and dinner, as well. All morning, she’d been out picking berries in the forest and was pleasantly surprised to find us seated in her living room with Milo. I was grateful for their hospitality.

Milo made sure to give us plenty of food and matches to take back with us. He spent an hour with Joshua teaching him how to lay traps for fish when we traveled west as we’d find water closer to the ocean. While Joshua and Milo were fishing, Uma showed me which berries were poisonous and which were good to eat. I doubted we’d find time to stop again, but I definitely learned a good lesson should the need arise. After dinner, Uma took me aside, handing me a bottle of custom red dye she’d made from the berries, explaining how to use it. I thanked them repeatedly as we said our goodbyes and headed back through the woods.

“They were surprisingly nice,” Joshua admitted, nudging me as we walked to the car. He opened the door for me and we both rearranged the food and other supplies in the backseat. “Aren’t you glad I suggested it?”

I couldn’t help but shake my head and laugh. “I’m just glad we didn’t get shot.” Joshua agreed. He pulled out the keys. “Here, I’ll drive,” I offered taking the keys from him.

As the sun broke through the horizon, I glanced in the rearview mirror seeing the sun light up the night sky, turning itself into day.

“Olivia? You still awake?” Joshua yawned, shifting in the passenger seat as he rubbed his eyes. The morning light was enough to wake him as was the heat while we traveled into the desert.

“I should hope so.” I joked tiredly at Joshua. “I’d hate to think I was driving in my sleep.”

“Pull over.” He gestured. “I’ll drive.” I stopped the car – no point in actually pulling over – we were all alone out here. We switched seats and I stretched out, instantly closing my eyes. “Going to sleep already?” Joshua teased.

“I’m beat,” a yawn slipped past my lips as I watched him buckle his seatbelt. “You can talk. I may listen.” My eyes closed, but I knew he heard me.

Joshua laughed. “Gee, thanks.” He hit the gas, taking off faster than it seemed I’d driven earlier. Perhaps the sudden stop to start made it feel that way. I moaned softly, missing my bed already. I hoped it wouldn’t be long until we reached the town where Joshua intended to take us. In a matter of seconds, I drifted towards oblivion.

I felt the cold metal steel beneath me. I tried to move but was trapped in place, my arms bound to the table. No amount of struggling would loosen the restraints of my arms or legs. “Please!” I cried out, trying to survey the room. I recognized no one – merely eyes as white surgical masks covered their faces.

I tried to sit up, tried to move, but it was no use. The binds on my arms chafed my skin and though I continued to try and work my way free, it seemed impossible. “Joshua,” I whispered, gasping as my eyes darted around, trying to find him.

A strange voice answered me, an older female who seemed familiar, but I couldn’t quite place her. “This is for your own good, Olivia, and for the good of mankind.”

“I don’t want this!” I screamed as loud as I could. My voice seemed to echo but no one came for me. The other doctors watched me with a strange curiosity. “Help me,” My voice begged as I whispered up at the woman, begging for her to release me.

“We are helping you,” she assured me. “Helping everyone. You have a gift we want to share with the world,” she explained. “You are special, Olivia, but you don’t have to be. You can be like everyone else if you let us study you.”

“Do I get a choice?” Did I have any other options?

She stared at me, pausing for a moment contemplating how to answer me. “No,” she was honest and I closed my eyes, feeling a single tear slide down my cheek.

“Please,” I begged. “Please save me.”

“We’re saving humanity,” she assured me. “Is that not worth fighting for?”

“Not at the stake of killing a life!” I shouted at her.

The woman smiled at me, walking over toward the table reaching for a scalpel. “We’re not killing you, darling.”

My eyes widened in horror as I realized what she intended to do. “Please, no. I’ll do anything. Anything but let you cut me open!” I wasn’t an animal to be dissected or an experiment. I was human. Could they not see that?

“Just like you did for Joshua?” She narrowed her eyes.

“What do you mean?” I didn’t understand. I shook my head violently trying to break free. “Tell me! What did you do with him? Where is he? Joshua!” I screamed as loud as my voice could take, cracking and I felt myself breaking down. I tried not to cry, wanted to be strong but my resolve was quickly crumbling.

“You did it to him,” she remarked, slowly removing her mask to show me her face. I gasped in horror, recognizing the woman as I jolted awake.

“You okay?” Joshua glanced at me. Sweat caked my body. I shivered from the reminder of my dream, relieved to see him sitting beside me. It had felt so incredibly real.

“Just glad to be awake.” I shifted uncomfortably beside him, not wanting to talk about my dream.

“That bad?” He guessed, shooting me a sideways glance as he continued to drive. I turned toward the window beside me, seeing dry ground and cacti surrounding us. Earlier in our trek I’d felt we had been in the middle of nowhere. This was truly it. “Do you remember the first time we met?” he asked.

I was grateful for the sudden change of subject. “We were five, right?” I glanced at him as he focused on the road.

Joshua shook his head. “We met at school when we were five and became friends, but that wasn’t the first time you and I met.”

That surprised me. I knew our parents had been friends, but I didn’t remember meeting him before our first year in school together. “I guess I don’t,” I confessed. Much of my childhood felt like a blur. After my father died, I tried to memorize every detail of every part of my life. So much when I was younger faded.

Joshua smiled. “Then I’ll remind you,” he said. “My mom had taken me to the park to play. It was supposed to be for the older kids who attended school there, but she insisted I have some time outside of the house,” Joshua paused. “I remember I was three because she was pregnant with Jacqueline. It’s the only memory I have of my sister,” he admitted.

I reached out, found his hand and gave it a squeeze. “When did you see me?” I was curious.

Joshua smiled. “I was playing in the sand, making a mess. I remember glancing up at the time and you were walking with your mom on the outskirts of the park. You kept peeking over at me. It looked like you were jealous, like you wanted to play. Your mom took your hand and wouldn’t let you come over.”

I shook my head in disagreement. “You may have seen me, but that’s not the first time we met,” I reminded him.

“Not true,” Joshua smiled. “You don’t remember?” He was perplexed. “I suppose we were both young.” He didn’t dwell on it. “You broke free of your mom’s grasp and came running over to the sandbox. I remember you asked me if we could play together.”

“I did?” I tried to remember, but I couldn’t. It sounded like something I would do.

Joshua laughed. “We built a sandcastle together at the playground. Though it looked more like an ant hill.” His eyes twinkled. “I realized in that moment that you were the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.”

“You were three!” I laughed rolling my eyes. “You’re making that up! Besides,” I smirked, “In your first three years you hadn’t seen that many girls.”

Joshua smiled. “Well. it hasn’t changed. You’re still the most beautiful.”

My heart fluttered, and already I felt slightly better. The dream began to fade. I was grateful Joshua knew how to take my mind off painful moments.

He squeezed my hand. “You want to tell me about that nightmare you had?”

He always had a way of getting things out of me. I shifted anxiously in my seat. “I dreamt the doctors wanted to cut me open and study me.” I felt my stomach lurch just thinking about it. “The worst part of all of it, the woman doing it was my mother.”

Joshua paused for a second thinking over what I said. “You know, it was just a dream. Your mother would never intentionally hurt you,” Joshua reminded me. “Everything she’s done, even lying to you, was to protect you.”

I nodded faintly, not saying anything at first. “I know,” I breathed, staring out the window beside me. “It just hurts. Knowing I’ll never see her again and then that dream.” I sighed. “I guess I’m still mad at her.” It was an honest answer. She had lied to me all my life about where I came from. I knew she thought she’d done so in my best interest, but clearly it hadn’t been.

“Maybe your mind is trying to tell you something,” he suggested, trying to rationalize what I’d dreamt.

“Probably. Like I’m afraid of losing you,” I muttered beneath my breath.

Joshua glanced at me briefly, before he focused his attention on the road. “What’s that?”

“Nothing,” I couldn’t voice it again. I felt like we’d been on such rocky ground last week. Things were better now, okay in fact. I didn’t want to risk it. “It’s just a little frightening to think someone might want to cut me open or study me because I’m different.”

“You know I won’t let that happen.” I knew he’d do anything in his power to protect me. I also knew I would do anything I could to stop those from hurting Joshua as well. “Olivia?”

“I know.” I reached for his hand and grasped it in mine. A moment later I dropped his hold, resting my hands in my lap. “How much longer until we reach the next town?” I hoped our arrival wouldn’t cause any trouble, but I knew if anyone discovered our identities, the same thing could happen that had in Haven.

“Not sure.” He gestured toward the backseat. “The map is in the pack. Can you grab it?”

I reached behind me, pulling the pack in the front seat, and unzipped it. Careful not to let it fly away, I grabbed the map and reviewed it intently. “I’d say with the rate we’re going, maybe another eight hours?” It felt like an eternity, but I knew it’d pass too quickly. The calm and tranquil moments we felt would be fleeting as we faced the rebel city.

CHAPTER 13

We left the desert hours ago and as we drove I felt the faintest hint of a smile at the trees and vegetation when they came into view. Everything here was still alive, just as it had been on the drive up the mountain. Most of the Gravelands consisted of dry rocky ground or grassy fields. I felt like life flourished out here farther from Genesis and the governments’ reach.

Joshua pulled the car off the road as he spotted a stream to our right. “We don’t have any towels or a change of clothes,” he remarked. “But I think we should try and clean up a little.”

I stepped out of the car and stretched. My legs were sore from sitting for so long. Joshua dug through the backseat, finding the bottle of red dye tossing it to me.

“You want help?” he offered.

“Make sure I don’t miss a spot on the back of my head.” I didn’t have a mirror and knew I would be going blindly at it. I sat at the edge of the bank, getting ready to pour the contents on the back of my scalp.

“Wait!” Joshua screamed. My heart leapt into my throat.

“What’s wrong?” I looked around, afraid a wild animal was preparing to attack.

“Your clothes,” He gestured with a laugh. “How are you going to get into the water and wash your hair without getting dye on your dress?”

I muttered under my breath realizing he was right. “Okay. Just don’t look.” I narrowed my eyes as I removed my outfit.

“That’s better.” he smiled eyeing me in my bra and underwear.

“Quit staring!” I grumbled. “Get undressed and help me.” I sat at the edge of the bank, pouring the bottle over my roots at the center, trying to work my way down, careful not to miss any. Feeling around was easy enough, but making sure I’d left no dry spots proved challenging.

Joshua stripped down to his underwear, leaving his clothes with mine before coming toward me. “Here,” Joshua offered standing over me. He grabbed the bottle from my hands and knelt down to my level. Carefully, he squeezed and worked the dye through my hair, making sure every inch was covered. “I really hope this stuff washes off my hands.” He laughed showing me his bright red palms.

I grimaced knowing my own hands looked just as red. “No chance you brought any soap with you, too?”

“None.” Joshua shook his head. “There’s a plant we could use as soap.” His eyes glanced around our surroundings at the vegetation. “Or was it tree bark to make soap?” He frowned unable to remember. “We’ll make do. Stay in here all night if we have to.”

“Funny.” I rolled my eyes. “I wasn’t planning on sleeping in the river.”

Joshua laughed. “At least you don’t have dye all over your clothes.”

“Yeah, that would have been a mess. Thanks for stopping me.” I didn’t want to imagine what I would have had to wear into town. The last thing I wanted to do is raise suspicion. We needed to fit in.

“Anytime.” He nudged my shoulder. “Whoops!” Joshua laughed watching as a small drop of color splashed my shoulder. “I guess it’s good I’m smart.” He grinned working his hands through the back of my hair and underneath where it was still dry. He poured more dye into my hair, trying to get every bit covered.

“Smart? Sometimes I think you just like being a major pain,” I joked. I closed my eyes enjoying his touch for the briefest of moments. A smile spread across my lips as my hands found the ground beside me and he worked his fingers through my scalp.

“Oh, come on!” Joshua teased nudging my arm and leaving a red palm print on my skin. “You’re glad to have me here.”

I didn’t answer, but felt my cheeks redden. He was right. I did appreciate having him here. I also appreciated that he sat behind me and couldn’t see my skin flush. I tried to think of anything else, not wanting to imagine him half-naked, but he didn’t help matters when he stepped around to stand in front of me, clad only in his boxers. I took in a sharp breath.

“What’s wrong?” He frowned, checking me over to make sure I wasn’t hurt or upset about something. He always put others before himself.

“Just anxious to get this stuff off,” I lied.

Joshua smiled. “You’re not planning on wearing that into the water, are you?” He laughed, pointing at my attire. “You’ll be sitting in wet clothes the rest of the trip.”

I groaned in protest, and immediately Joshua turned toward the river, his back to me. It had grown dark and I smiled as the last bit of light had set and the moon showed off his features. He walked by the edge of the stream, dipping his hands in first. I didn’t say anything, just watched as he shucked his boxers and jumped right into the stream. “Stay there and watch my clothes,” Joshua called back to me.

“Where else am I going to go?” I smiled feeling a little more at ease.

Joshua dove beneath the surface of the stream. He turned around to face me. “Just don’t come in yet. Milo and Uma suggested the dye had to set a little while. Give it a few minutes.”

“I know. I was there,” I reminded him. I stood and walked to the edge of the bank, shoving my hands in. There was no sense in letting the dye linger any longer. Same for the marks he’d left on my shoulder. I did my best to scrub the red dye from my skin, but waited to strip down and jump in. I sat down on the bank and watched Joshua swim in the stream, ducking beneath the surface and breaking free repeatedly. “How’s the water?”

“Pretty warm.” Joshua smiled, staring back at me. The moon had risen and gave off a warm glow as he swam from bank-to-bank. “Come on in!” he shouted at me.

“Turn around!” I called towards him, so he couldn’t watch me undress. Although he swam around, I didn’t trust he wouldn’t stop when I dropped my clothes on the ground.

“Do I have to?” Joshua whined, jokingly. He turned his back and I quickly tossed my bra and panties onto our pile of clothes before jumping right into the stream with a splash.

“Oh!” I squealed. It was colder than he’d let on. I tipped my head back, rubbing at the dye trying to get the extra coloring out of my hair.

“You want a hand?” he offered.

Thankfully, the water was deep enough that my body was fully submerged without him seeing anything. Joshua swam over towards me. “Can you see if my skin is red from the dye?”

“I can’t really see much,” he confessed, swimming closer. I felt his warm hands in my hair and his body brush against mine beneath the surface. “Dip your head back,” he said, watching as my hair fanned out in the water. He ran his fingers through, watching the dye slowly seep away. “Yeah, I can see it’s working.”

“Is my hair still red?”

Joshua laughed. “It’s hard to tell, but it looks different.” He nodded. “Makes you look hotter,” he teased. I slapped his shoulder hard, and he moaned and grimaced in protest. “Oww!”

“I’m your sister now!” I remarked, “You don’t say something like that to your sister.”

Joshua laughed shaking his head, “That’s a disturbing thought, but if you’re Jacqueline then I’m Adam.” He smirked, leaning in, stealing a kiss and swimming away. “No longer are we related.” Joshua beamed proudly.

“Hey now!” I called after him.

“Come and get me!” Joshua teased, waving towards me.

“I would, but I’m trying to get out all the dye.”

He watched as I went under a few times, breaking the surface only to repeat the gesture. “What are you smiling about?” I retorted as I swam my way towards him.

“The dye’s been out for a while.” Joshua laughed, swimming backwards. “Can’t get me!” He taunted, moving further away and then turning back toward the direction we came from. I quickly swam after him.

“Says you.” I reached out as I swam, trying to grab Joshua only to see him slip from my grasp. “Get back here!” I demanded, finally grabbing ahold of his waist with a smile.

Joshua wrapped his arms around me and I leaned in taking a taste of his lips, drinking him in. “We should get out before we turn into prunes,” he kissed me one last time before we swam to the edge of the stream.

Joshua hoisted himself onto the bank and I enjoyed the view as the crest of moonlight showed off his backside. Maybe I shouldn’t have looked but I did. He didn’t turn around. He’d never know I peeked. “Leave my clothes by the bank!” I called waiting until he’d put on his boxers, pretending I hadn’t been watching all this time. He tossed my clothes along the river’s edge. From the darkened stream I could see Joshua. He slid his shirt on first and then his pants. “Don’t look!” I shouted back at him.

“I won’t. Tell me when you’re done,” he answered.

I pulled myself out of the river, struggling for only a moment as the spot I’d chosen had been steeper than where I’d come in. I slipped on my clothes, glancing around. “Josh do you see our shoes anywhere?”

“Are you decent?” He laughed, turning around the smile faltered with wide-eyes. “Look out!” He screamed pointing behind me.

I felt the sharp blade of a knife against my throat. “Give me the keys,” a husky male voice whispered into my ear. With one hand on the blade the other moved over and across my waist, making me feel sick.

“Get off me!” I shouted trying to break free. I had no weapon and absolutely no training. Terrified didn’t even begin to explain the feeling racing through me.

“Now, why would I do that?” His laughter echoed through the open expanse of land. “As soon as your boyfriend gives me the keys, you and me, we’ll get out of here. I could use a girl like you,” his breath tickled my ear and forced a horrible shudder down my spine. “Imagine all the things I could do with you.” His hand loosened on my stomach as he petted my hair. This was who they’d warned us about in the Gravelands – outlaws.

“Leave me alone!” I pushed back, feeling the slight nick of the blade against my throat. I swept my foot back and kicked the thief hard. Joshua came barreling at us full speed dropping the man to the ground. The knife fell from the outlaw’s hands, lodging in Joshua’s foot. His eyes went wide as he swallowed the scream before it emitted from his lungs. Joshua no longer had the upper hand.

The stranger pulled the knife from Joshua’s foot. It dripped with blood as the man laughed darkly. He tossed it to the grass, his grip around Joshua’s throat strangling him. The stranger leaned forward reaching Joshua’s ear. “Do you know all the fun things I’m going to do with your girlfriend?”

“Let him go!” I shouted, grabbing the knife as I lifted it towards the man’s throat.

“Or what?” He laughed, pushing off Joshua’s body. I was relieved to see the rise and fall of his chest – he was still alive. With my attention on Joshua, he yanked the knife from my grip as I stumbled backwards. “Now, you’ve angered me,” he seethed with dark eyes as he lunged at me with the blade. I fell backwards onto the grass. The man loomed above and bent down, trapping me against the cold hard ground. My arms flailed and feet kicked as I desperately fought back.

“Get the hell off me!” I screamed. “Joshua!” I shouted, pleading for help. I was trapped.

Gasping for air, Joshua stumbled slightly as he gripped a large rock, slamming it into the back of the outlaw’s head. It only took a second for the man to fall unconscious against me. “Help me up!” I didn’t want to lie anywhere near the freak who had attacked us. Joshua rolled the man off my body, and I jumped and took a quick step backward. “We should get out of here before he wakes up.”

“Not yet,” Joshua shook his head. “Help me get his shirt off.”

“What?” My eyes widened. “What are you doing?” I asked helping pull the shirt from the man’s limp body. He was breathing, but he wasn’t conscious.

“I need a bandage for my foot.” He gestured towards the car. “Think you can drive?”

“Yes.” I nodded, my hands visibly shaking. “Let me help,” I insisted as I wrapped an arm around his waist and gently escorted him to the car. Once seated, Joshua took the shirt and ripped it into four strips. The first soaked through with blood as he wrapped it around his foot. He grabbed the second strip of cloth and continued bandaging his injury, tying the end off in a knot as he saved the last two pieces for later.

I grabbed the keys from him and waited until he had buckled in before I shut the door and rushed to the driver’s side. “Let’s go!” My attacker hadn’t moved since Joshua had hit him over the head, but I didn’t want to hang around and find out if he would regain consciousness. I grabbed the pack from the backseat and handed it to Joshua. “You’re in charge of directions,” I instructed, backing the car away from the stream as we headed towards the mysterious town on the map.

CHAPTER 14

I knew we were close. Though the darkness had enveloped the city sky, the moonlight shone down on the buildings guiding me the last few miles to town. I glanced at Joshua, seeing his eyes closed, I didn’t have the heart to wake him. I knew his foot hurt and the last thing I wanted was to remind him of that pain.

I stepped harder on the gas, thrilled we’d made it within sight of the village. I ached from being in the car so long. I craved a hot shower and a comfortable bed.

As we approached the town, Joshua stirred. “We there?” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes and seeing the town a hundred yards away. We were coming in fast, so I slowed down.

“Is there a guard entrance?” I couldn’t find one. This town had no walls at all. I’d never seen a town like this, unafraid of the outside. Although I’d only seen two towns in all my life, Genesis and Haven, both had manned gates and walls protecting the people.

“Just head in there,” he gestured towards one of the roads that looked well-traveled. I moved onto the grass and toward the road, slowing more as we drove into town.

“Where do you think we should go?” I asked, seeing a few buildings ahead. None looked as well kept as Haven, or as tall, but it was evident people lived here. Houses stretched along the road as we drove further into the community, but all were dark. I opened my mouth, about to ask Joshua which way to go when an older gentleman step out in front of the car. I slammed on the brakes, careful not to hit anyone, and both of us jerked forward in the vehicle as we came to an abrupt halt.

“Who are you?” The booming voice echoed, and my eyes widened seeing a giant shotgun staring back at us through the windshield.

“We seek asylum,” I spoke up, hoping we hadn’t made a grave mistake in our decision to come here. “We’re from Haven. I’m Jacqueline, and this is Adam. The government destroyed our town.”

“Why should we help you?” the man with the shotgun answered. He was older with salt and pepper hair and balding. Two burly men blocked our doors, guns drawn. I swallowed nervously and shut off the car, trying to prove we weren’t a threat.

“We seek shelter and food,” I told the older man who stood in front of our vehicle. The headlights shone bright and I shut them off as well. The man watched with hooded eyes, and I could hardly see more than his silhouette as the darkness encompassed us. He seemed to be the leader and I groaned in protest as the man beside me pulled open the car door, forcefully grabbed my arm and dragged me out. “We just came for help!” I pleaded as they pulled Joshua from the passenger side. “We’ll leave if we’re not welcome here.”

“How did you find us?” The older man asked. “We don’t get visitors.” His tone was harsh, unforgiving. I glanced at Joshua. Had we made a mistake coming here?

Joshua spoke, unafraid to answer their questions. “Your town was on a map back at Haven.” The large man, likely a guard, dragged me to the other side of the car beside Joshua as the leader stood in front of us. I noticed Joshua grimace as he stood on his foot.

“Adam needs medical attention!” I announced pointing at his foot. “He’s injured. The least you could do is help him. Then we’ll leave.”

“That isn’t an option,” the older man retorted as he and one of the guards dragged Joshua into the nearest building.

“Adam!” I screamed watching as they dragged him away. I tried to break free, pulling myself from their grasp, running towards him only to feel my feet pulled out from under me. I hit the ground hard, groaning in agony, tasting dirt in my mouth.

The guard that had pulled me out of the car snickered. “Little good that did you.” He helped me to my feet, his grip tight on my forearm. “You’re coming with me,” he insisted, dragging me towards another building on the opposite side of the road.

“No!” I screamed as loud as I could. “Adam!” I shouted, “Please! Let me be with him!” I begged.

The leader paused and turned around. “Fine, go ahead and bring her in,” he gestured. “She’ll wake the entire community, otherwise.” The guard let go of me and I rushed to Joshua, following him up the final porch steps and inside the small cabin.

My eyes scanned our surroundings. I reached for Joshua, finding his hand and gripping it gently. “How are you holding up?” I whispered.

“Sore,” he admitted.

“Sit,” the older gentleman pointed to the bench at the end of the wall, and Joshua willingly obliged. The candlelight illuminating the small cabin gave me a better look at the older, more distinguished-looking man. I guessed he was in his sixties with distinctive wrinkles around his eyes and down to his cheekbones where his gray mustache and beard covered his face. He had a harsh look to him, thin and muscular as though he still exercised even at his age. “I’m Chancellor Collins,” he informed us. “I’ll have a nurse take a look at Adam’s foot,” he said before walking out of the cabin. I heard a clasp and knew he’d locked us in.

“So, what are you thinking?” I asked Joshua, scanning the cabin. I wandered toward the far wall, trying to find what I could. I saw nothing that could be used as a weapon, not even silverware in the empty drawers. The room itself held a wood burning stove on the side wall and a door to the left of Joshua that I assumed led to a bedroom. My fingers moved over every crevice, wondering if I could find a way to escape.

“Other than we’re probably not welcome here?” he joked. “I don’t know why they won’t let us leave, but I’m sure they have their reasons.”

“You’re not worried?” I turned to look at him.

Joshua shook his head. “Not yet. After everything we’ve already been through,” he stared at me, “I’m just glad we’re together. “He always had a way of being optimistic even when everything seemed to be falling apart.

“Yeah,” I sighed, sitting down with him on the bench. Across from us was a long wooden table, situated in the center of the room. I wondered if anyone lived here. It didn’t seem like it. Which made me even more curious, where had they gone? “Do you think I’m out of line if I suggest something?”

“Don’t know until you tell me,” Joshua remarked.

I sighed. “I’m worried they’ll separate us. Like back in Haven,” I admitted.

Joshua shook his head. “They won’t do that.”

I raised an eyebrow. “How do you know that?”

A hint of a smile played on his lips. “I won’t let them,” he promised.. “So, what was your suggestion?” He brushed me with his elbow.

I glanced at him, biting down on my bottom lip. “What if we let them know we’re already together? Maybe they won’t question it and won’t find the need to separate us?”

“Now that you’re Jacqueline,” he reached out pushing a strand of red hair behind my ear, “I don’t think anyone will care.” I knew he had to be right. The only reason Haven’s council had obsessed with who I should marry was because they knew my true identity. I could never let the people here find out I was Olivia Parker.

He softly kissed my lips, and my fingers trailed to the nape of his neck, pulling him tighter. “Whatever happens,” he breathed, “I love you.”

I laughed softly against his lips. “I know.” The grin spread across my face, matching his.

I pulled back hearing the latch on the front door unclasp. I quickly glanced at Joshua, wondering who it could be when a woman in her thirties opened the door. She stepped inside the cabin, looking Joshua over as she saw the messy bandage affixed to his foot. I could only assume she was the town’s nurse. “How did this happen?” She glared at him, then me as if I somehow had caused his injury.

Joshua sighed. “We were bathing out in the river before we found our way into town. I slipped on a rock.”

“Right.” She shook her head as she removed the first piece of cloth and saw the blood had seeped through the second. “This doesn’t look like a little slip.” her intense stare landed on me.

“It is if it was caused by a knife,” I remarked eyeing Joshua. Why was he lying to her? Even if he’d killed the outlaw, he’d done it to protect me. It was our life or the stranger’s.

“You did this to him?” she accused.

My eyes widened. “What? No! Of course not.” I shook my head, vigorously, “We were attacked by the river bed. We’d just finished swimming and some stranger demanded the car keys. He came at me with a knife.”

She raised one eyebrow, curious by my behavior. “And you thought it was a good idea to fight him off?”

“I thought we’d die out there,” I answered sharply, defending what we’d done. “The man threatened to take me with him. He would have killed us both if we hadn’t stopped him.”

“Stopped him.” She nodded. “I see.” She grabbed a candle, handing it to me. “Hold this for better light.” I didn’t object. I held it, careful not to burn anyone as she unwrapped the last bloody bandage and examined the wound. “It’s pretty deep. I’ll put on some ointment and wrap it for you. Don’t put a lot of pressure on your foot, and it’ll heal faster. I’ll be back tomorrow to check on your bandage.”

“Thank you,” Joshua breathed. She was careful and precise as she tended to his injury.

“Don’t thank me just yet,” she replied. The nurse finished wrapping his foot and without another word from her, she stood and headed for the door.

I glanced at Joshua wondering what was going on. Could we leave? The keys had been in the car. If we were lucky, it was still outside.

A moment after the nurse left, Chancellor Collins returned. I was grateful the gun wasn’t in sight. “Now that we have that taken care of,” his temper seemed short, abrupt. “I want to know everything about where you’ve been and who you are,” he stared intensely at us.

“I’m Jacqueline, this is Adam.” I offered. “We’re from a town east of here, Haven,” I repeated eyeing him skeptically. I didn’t feel like confiding in him would help us, but I also knew we didn’t have much choice. At the moment, we were prisoners, whether we wanted to be or not. I sighed, finally answering him, “The government came in to Haven, drones bombed the city and soldiers arrived on foot. We managed to escape by stealing a vehicle.” I wasn’t entirely proud of what we’d been through but we did what we needed to survive.

The Chancellor narrowed his eyes. “And you found us? A city not on any map?”

Joshua spoke out, “Not true! I have the map in the car. We found it at the museum in Haven.”

Chancellor Collins considered his words, quiet for a moment. “Why are you here?” his tone more than just slightly suspicious, and I wondered why he cared. What did they have to hide?

“We’re searching for a home together,” I reached for Joshua’s hand. “Ours was destroyed. We’re also seeking asylum. Can you grant us that, please?” I hated begging, I always felt it was beneath me, but if I had to get down on my hands and knees, and kiss Chancellor Collins’ dirty boots, I would. I did not want to go back to the Gravelands.

Chancellor Collins glanced at me and then Joshua. “You have a choice, though, it’s not much of one. Pass the tests, and you can call this place home.”

“Or?” Joshua asked, glancing at me anxiously.

“Die trying,” he remarked mirthlessly. Was he kidding? I hoped he was joking! “Now that you know where our city is, we can’t just let you walk out. Or drive out,” he scolded us. “It’s much too dangerous for us. Tonight you can stay here. You’ll find a bed on the other side of that door.” His finger wagged in the direction of the bedroom. “Tomorrow you will begin training.”

“Tests? Training?” I repeated feeling an overwhelming sense of nausea. “What exactly do the tests entail?” I didn’t know what we were up against, but going in blind would likely get one or both of us killed.

“Our tests have four parts: Bravery, Integrity, Honesty and Self-Worth. Tomorrow morning your training will begin. Until then I suggest you get as much sleep as possible. It will be an exhausting day.” With that, he let himself out the door.

The words hung in the air for a few minutes before I finally stood. I headed toward the window and saw a guard standing by the door and the car nowhere in sight. “Figures,” I muttered as I glanced back at Joshua. Obviously, we had no easy escape routes, considering they’d moved our car, not to mention Joshua’s injuries. Even if I could take out the guard, I doubted I’d manage to find the vehicle, bring it back and grab Joshua without being seen. With a resigned sigh, I turned to Josh. “Come on, let me help you into bed.” I offered him my arm as he stood and hobbled towards the bedroom with me.

He grimaced. “Somehow I think I’m going to lose bravery if I can’t walk on my own.”

I shook my head. “You can’t think like that. For all we know it’s a test to see if we’re afraid of spiders. Maybe we’ll be covered in them.”

“That sounds disgusting,” he laughed. “Besides, if that were the case, it’s unlikely the tests would require any training.”

I knew he was right. I just didn’t want to face the obvious truth that we’d once again stumbled into trouble. I led him toward the bed, noting only one mattress in the small bedroom. “I guess we’re sharing this,” I laughed anxiously as I helped him sit down.

“Oh come on. It won’t be so bad,” I could swear his face had turned red, but the light was barely visible through the windows, and darkness bathed the bedroom.

“Let me blow out the candles in the other room, and I’ll join you in a minute.” I headed back to the kitchen and took the last candle with me to the bedroom. I placed it on the counter, blowing it out before climbing into bed beside Joshua.

Shifting on the mattress, I slipped beneath the covers and bumped into his warm body. I laughed nervously, feeling him half-naked beside me. “I changed for bed.”

“Into what?” I laughed closing my eyes as my fingers reached out, feeling his bare chest. Joshua still wore his boxers, but my skin flushed, nonetheless. I shifted onto my side, burying my face in the pillow.

“Come on, we’re married now and you have too many clothes on,” he tugged at the hem of my shirt.

“Nice try,” I laughed nervously. I knew he had to be joking, right? “We can’t. You know we can’t.” We had too much at risk. I shifted so I could see his face, even in the darkness. “How do you know about that stuff?” I asked with a curious smile. Just weeks ago I had kissed him, and he hadn’t known what the simple gesture was. Now, he was suggesting something more entirely!

“Sex?” he asked. “While you explored Haven with Jacqueline, I picked up a few books at the library.”

“You were doing research?” I asked, wondering what he planned to do with this newfound information. I was grateful the bedroom was dark, and he couldn’t see the redness spread across my cheeks.

“Not exactly.” He leaned in, kissing the tip of my nose. “Or maybe I was,” he let the words trail off as he rolled onto his back. “It’s weird that no one ever speaks about it, don’t you think?”

Rolling onto my stomach, my eyes never left his. “People don’t need to have sex if babies are born in labs.” It was a valid point.

“It’s not just about that.” He reached out and his index finger danced against my arm. Immediately, I felt an unusual warmth spread through my veins. My body relaxed as I shifted closer. “We need human contact to survive, intimacy,” Joshua whispered. “I can’t believe people don’t touch one another anymore. Not in the way I read about.” His fingers moved over and down my arm in soft motions. “I have to believe some people still do, in secret.”

I didn’t know what to think. I’d read a romance novel or two and remembered the prince wooing his bride, but this was different. This wasn’t a fairytale, it was real. If we got pregnant, everyone would know. There’d be no secrets, no tests, no lies. I didn’t know what would happen, but it would change our lives in ways I wasn’t ready for.

My fingers found his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “We should get some sleep.” As much as I wanted to explore more with him, I also knew tomorrow morning would come soon enough, and we would have a long day ahead of us.

“Goodnight, Olive.” His breath tickled my ear as he leaned in to kiss my cheek.

“Night, Josh.” I yawned, letting my eyes close knowing I would fall asleep before long.

CHAPTER 15

Morning came far too quickly and my stomach lurched with each passing moment, knowing they’d come for us. Soon, our training would start. I didn’t want to think about what happened if we didn’t pass the tests. Would we really die or was he trying to merely scare us? I rolled around, restless.

“You awake?” I heard Joshua’s soft voice as I stared up at the ceiling.

“Unfortunately,” I admitted, shifting against the mattress to face him. “Too nervous to fall back asleep.” The sun had already come up, and the windows had no blinds to block the morning light.

I felt his warm hands wrap around my waist as he hugged me beneath the covers. “Me, too,” he whispered.

“Any idea what the tests might entail?” My mind kept going over the four categories. I didn’t see how they’d determine if we were fit to be a part of their community. Apparently they didn’t want any weaklings in their town.

“Don’t stress.” He kissed my temple. “I just hope we both survive,” he laughed under his breath. “I’d hate to consider we’d both have to escape again and steal another car.” His voice sounded teasing, but I knew deep down he was nervous. We both were. I knew if the tests were indeed passable, we would do just fine. I hated to consider the alternative. In fact if they weren’t passable, we would have to find a way to cheat to ensure our safety.

I shifted to sit up in bed but felt Joshua tugging on my arm. “Lay back down,” he protested. “I like lying here with you.”

I smiled, staring down at him. “I do, too, but I think I could use a real shower.” I made a face, leaned down and pretended to sniff him. “So could you.” I laughed, climbing out of bed and slipping out of his embrace. As much as I wanted to stay in bed all morning, I knew they would be judging and testing us, and giving a bad impression wouldn’t do either of us any favors.

Joshua smiled up at me with a mischievous grin. “Can I join you?”

“You’re supposed to keep off your foot,” I gestured. “Somehow I think you and me in the shower would just add more trouble to an already dangerous situation.”

He laughed. “Fine. Fine!” He held up his hands smiling. “Don’t say I never tried to take you anywhere.”

“Really?” I shook my head with a growing smile. He was certainly a handful. I headed for the bathroom as Joshua pushed the blankets off and exposed his bandaged foot. “Too bad we don’t have any clean clothes,” I remarked, closing the door behind me. The frosted window lit the tiny bathroom as I found the knobs for the shower. Thankfully, they were very basic. I couldn’t have felt more grateful for simplicity. Turning on the spray, I was relieved to feel the warmth of water rushing against my skin. Although we’d bathed yesterday in the stream, I hadn’t felt clean, not like this heated water rinsing through my hair and down my body. It was refreshing. I found a small bottle of liquid and read the label ‘shampoo/soap’ and cleaned my hair and body. It smelled oddly of cupcakes, possibly a sign I was hungrier than I realized. I hoped they would provide us breakfast somewhere in town.

The water started running cool, and I knew what that meant. I shut the shower off, dried myself with a towel and slipped back into my grimy clothes. Opening the door, Joshua sat on the bed, looking more awake and alert. “The bathroom’s all yours,” I gestured, “but you might want to wait a few minutes until there’s warm water in the shower.”

“You didn’t save me any hot water?” he teased. “See, we should have showered together.”

“Nice try.” I smiled, rolling my eyes as he stood up. “Be careful on that foot of yours,” I pointed at the bandage, as if he needed a reminder.

The moment his foot grazed solid ground, he grimaced. “Yes ma’am,” Joshua hobbled into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

I sat quietly on the bed, unsure what to do. Leaving the cabin seemed unlikely, given the guard standing outside the previous night. I doubted the door was unlocked. I knew they’d come for us sometime this morning and if we weren’t here, I didn’t want to imagine how that would go over. Neither Joshua nor I knew the consequence of running off and exploring the town, but I suspected it wouldn’t end well. I had the unsettling feeling I’d probably be shot with that rifle if it were up to Chancellor Collins. He seemed to hate me. I shrugged off the notion. I didn’t care what one guy thought about me. He had no idea who I was or what I’d been through.

A brief knock startled me, and I saw the same nurse from last night coming into the cabin and into our bedroom.

“Adam’s in the bathroom getting cleaned up.” I gestured towards the closed door, hearing the shower.

“I can wait.” She nodded standing with her arms folded across her chest. She made no attempt to sit down and didn’t offer to come back later.

“Is there something I can help you with?” I doubted it, but thought polite to ask. For some reason, she unnerved me. Maybe it was the fact she’d come into the cabin without waiting for an answer.

“I want to check his bandages. Unless you’d like to handle that?” she snapped coldly.

I rolled my eyes and stood up from the mattress. I stomped over to the bathroom door, giving a forceful knock. “Your nurse girlfriend is here.” I mocked, hinting for him to hurry.

A moment later the shower turned off, and I imagined he was toweling off. Joshua opened the bathroom door, the steam followed him out. “What’s that, dear?” he teased, wearing only his boxers.

“She’s back to check on your foot.”

“Oh.” Joshua nodded. “Thanks.” He hobbled back towards the bed, sitting down and propping his foot up. “Need to check the bandage?” He guessed. It was soaking wet from the shower. She had impeccable timing.

“On the contrary, I’d like you to come with us. I can’t patch it up here.”

“Isn’t that what you did last night?” I didn’t understand where they wanted to take Joshua. The last thing I wanted was for him to disappear, worried I’d never see him again. I did not trust these people.

“I did what I could with the necessary tools I had,” she didn’t so much as look at me as she spoke, staring at Joshua. “I suggest you come with me. Or I can tell the Chancellor that you’re being difficult if you prefer?”

Joshua glanced at me. “No, I’ll go with you. I’d like Jacqueline to come along.” He smiled with a boyish grin, hoping to get on her good side.

“Sure, fine.” She rolled her eyes. “You can tag along.” She headed for the front door, waiting for us to follow. He picked up his dirty clothes from the floor and put them back on before hobbling out of the bedroom.

Joshua smiled politely. “I never caught your name.” He offered his hand introducing himself, “I’m Adam.” He waited for her to properly introduce herself. He had a way of making friends with everyone.

“Sydney,” she remarked. “Not that it will matter for long.”

“I’m Jacqueline,” I offered my hand.

She turned to stare coldly at me. “I don’t care who you are. You’re a nuisance, if you ask me.”

“Well, I didn’t,” I muttered beneath my breath. What had I done to her? What had I done to anyone in this town? I felt like they all hated me, based more on suspicions than anything else. They didn’t trust us. I couldn’t blame them. It wasn’t as though I trusted them either.

I followed quietly behind Joshua as the nurse led us outside and into our car. I didn’t feel comfortable knowing they had the keys and had taken it over since our arrival.

Joshua glanced at me, giving me a knowing look as he climbed into the front of the car and I climbed into the back. Sydney started the car, already familiar and comfortable behind the wheel. I wondered how many other vehicles the town had. I had so many questions and felt as though no one would give us any answers.

We didn’t drive long before Sydney pulled the car in front of what appeared to be a medical clinic. “Wait in the car. We won’t be but ten minutes,” Sydney told me. “If you get out, I’ll give those guards permission to shoot you.” She pointed toward the two armed men standing not twenty feet from the vehicle.

“Got it. Stay here,” I remarked. I glanced around the car, noticing they’d cleared out everything we’d brought with us. What little food we had, matches and water were all gone. I couldn’t say this surprised me, but it saddened me these people had stolen from us. We had very little in our possession, yet they felt it necessary to take what was ours. It angered me.

“Be back in no time.” Joshua gave me a reassuring smile. “See you in a bit, Jacqueline.” he waved before getting out and hobbling with Sydney into the medical center.

Sitting in the car, I surveyed the town. There wasn’t much, at least nothing visible from the car. The town looked old, abandoned. Maybe that was intentional. If someone flew over town, the town could possibly go unnoticed. A drone would consider the town uninhabited if it didn’t register people. I wondered what was so secretive and special about where we were.

I sat quietly, unsure how much time had passed since Joshua had gone into the clinic. It hadn’t seemed long, but it had been several minutes. Chancellor Collins walked toward me, walking with a slight limp I hadn’t noticed before. His presence always chilled me to the bone. “Well, hello again,” he remarked, coming up to the car.

I didn’t feel like being friendly, but I forced a smile. “Just waiting for Adam,” I replied. “Doing as I’m told, not getting out of the car.”

“Oh, that must have been Sydney’s instruction.” Chancellor Collins’ eyes lit up, seemingly pleased with himself. I couldn’t tell why. “Of course. Of course,” he nodded eagerly, appearing to be in a brighter mood this morning. “She does like to be in charge.” I wondered who in this town didn’t insist on being in control. He certainly had acted in the same manner the previous night. I didn’t argue. “At nine you and Adam will join our recruits,” he informed me, giving me a once over. “You’ll be given a proper change of clothes. I’m glad to see you found the shower useful.” I wanted so badly to wipe the smirk off his face. I would do anything in my power to pass the tests, if only to prove to him that I was more than capable.

“Well, enjoy your morning,” he called as he headed into the clinic. I wondered if they had the ability to fix whatever caused him to limp. As he headed in, Joshua and Sydney made their way out.

“Good as new!” Joshua exclaimed as he headed for the car. No wonder they wanted to keep this city a secret. If they could heal a knife wound instantly I wondered what else they were capable of.

“Glad you’re better,” I smiled, watching as he climbed into the front seat.

“Sydney was just explaining how she was going to take us into the dining hall where we’ll meet the other recruits,” Joshua explained.

“Recruits?” I asked, having heard the word a few moments earlier and leaving me with far more questions than answers.

Sydney finally spoke up, as she got behind the wheel again, “Yes. Those who turn eighteen are given the chance, if they desire, to join the rankings of our militia or our science advisory board.”

“Interesting,” I replied, wondering if she would elaborate, and hoping she would leak more information.

“I’m sure the recruits will tell you all about it,” she assured, starting the car and driving us three blocks north. I’d barely have known it was part of the town, except for the large single-story brick building standing alone. “This is your stop,” she informed us. “Adam, if your foot starts acting up, I suggest you have it looked at. It should be healed though. We rarely have mishaps.”

“Mishaps?” What did she mean? I hoped his foot wouldn’t fall off! Paling, I pulled myself from the car and followed Joshua to the main entrance. At least his gait seemed fine on his bad foot. I turned around and watched as Sydney sped off in our vehicle, leaving us to enter the building without her.

CHAPTER 16

We headed into the brick building. I hesitated momentarily before following Joshua inside. To the left, I could hear a loud commotion of voices, and Joshua grabbed my hand and led me into the chaos. Others close to our age gathered around a cafeteria table – all wearing the same dull blue and gray uniform – eating breakfast. The moment I saw the assortment of food across the room, my mouth watered. “Do you think we can help ourselves?” I didn’t wait for Joshua’s answer as I dropped my hand from his and quickly headed toward the empty line. I grabbed a tray and piled on fruit and eggs as my stomach grumbled.

From behind, I could feel Joshua brush against me. “They’re staring at us,” he murmured into my ear.

“So, let them.” I didn’t care what they thought. I grabbed an empty glass and poured some juice from a pitcher, before taking my tray heaped with more food than I could ever eat to the table. I knew Joshua would join me as soon as he finished in line. “Hi.” I smiled politely towards a dark-skinned boy who couldn’t have been any older than Joshua or myself. He was definitely a full head taller than me. “Is this seat taken?” I didn’t wait for a response as I put down my tray and scooted onto the bench.

“You’re new,” he mused, looking me over and clearly sizing me up. He smirked, seeming pleased at my appearance. I couldn’t tell what amused him or caught his interest – my lack of height and build, perhaps, or maybe the fact I still wore my filthy clothes.

“Yeah, we got in last night.” I sighed, giving the most believable smile I could while keeping an eye on Joshua as he carefully carried his tray towards our table. “We’re from Haven,” I offered. It was better to befriend the stranger than cause any more trouble. I’d done enough of that in Haven, whether I meant to or not. Joshua scooted beside me and nodded once at the other boy to my left.

“Never heard of it.” The boy gave Joshua a skeptic look as he finished his last bite of breakfast and stood. “There are five openings and already seven of us competing. Don’t expect a warm welcome,” I appreciated his direct response and honesty. He walked to the trash and disposed of his tray before he sat back down at the table.

“So, it’s a competition?” I asked, trying my best to understand what we’d stumbled upon.

The boy rolled his eyes. “If you want to put it so bluntly, sure.” His leer made my stomach flop as I took a bite of my breakfast. After a moment and a sense of hesitation, he offered up his name, “Jaxon,” he introduced himself. “And that’s Margo,” pointing at the curly brunette across from him. She was well-built and more than a little buff. No doubt she could take on any of the boys. I knew not to get on her bad side.

“I’m Jacqueline and this is Adam,” I offered my hand with a pleasant look.

Jaxon stared at my hand, but refused to take it. His eyes narrowed sharply, “That’s real nice, but don’t think we’re friends because I’m talking to you.”

I shifted in my seat, looking at Joshua for reassurance before replying, “Lucky for me I’m not here to make friends.” I countered. “I’m just looking for answers.”

Jaxon seemed to relax at my response. Had he expected a fight? “Answers,” he paused and gave a slight nod. “Well that I can give you.” The corners of his lips curled up slightly, though he didn’t look particularly happy. “They hand-pick all the recruits from each town looking for the best – one boy and one girl. Those who don’t succeed…” Jaxon paused, “Well, let’s just say they go home in a body bag.” Jaxon laughed, and I wondered if he said this simply to make me nervous. “Don’t look so sick, Jacqueline. Five of us will come out on top.” He looked confident he’d be one of the five.

Joshua slowly sipped his juice, listening to the conversation. After a moment he put the glass down and confronted Jaxon. “If we don’t pass the tests, what then?”

I caught Jaxon sneaking a look at Margo before staring down Joshua. “You’ll die.” His eyes glinted. “It’s not the Chancellor who will likely kill you. It’s the tests themselves.” He let the words hang in the air, and I wondered if he meant to intimidate us. It was working. “Every year two recruits always leave home, and they don’t return.” He glanced at Margo as she chewed a thin stick of wood.

I couldn’t understand why anyone would choose to leave their life with no chance of returning. I had done it but only out of the sheer need to survive. “Why?” I asked perplexed. “Why would anyone choose this?” I couldn’t fathom how someone might volunteer to be here.

Margo leaned forward with a laugh, “Why not? This is a dream for most of us.”

Jaxon stared at me, seeing the confusion still etched across my face. “It’s an honor to be here. You should know that,” he clarified. “Oh, we forgot to tell them about the training,” he eyed Margo with an eager sneer. I felt as though they’d left out something, and whatever it was could be significant. I glanced at Joshua reaching for his hand as he sat beside me at the table.

Joshua squeezed my hand. His brow furrowed as he focused on the pieces of information we’d been given. “Training?”

Jaxon smiled. “Yes, they’ll test us on four abilities the rebel alliance feels most important for the success of our future. Pass the training, and hopefully you’ll be ready for the tests. Do you know what those are?”

I spoke up confident in my answer, “Bravery, integrity, honesty and self-worth.” I had remembered that from the previous day.

Jaxon raised an eyebrow, impressed I knew in part what we were here for. “That’s right. Taken from the texts of the old system, bravery and integrity were the principles of very powerful men and women. Many were leaders who helped shape our world.” He shot a quick glance at Margo, and with her brief nod of approval he elaborated, “With time, the old system had crumbled. Wars erupted. A horrifying disease plagued our world and made women infertile. Our goal – the reason each one of us is here – is to fight the oppressive government and to help grow our nation reach its fullest potential. We are here to reclaim what was once ours.”

I didn’t object, unsure what to say. Was one government system better than another? Back home things were a mess, but I hadn’t seen how it was any better here. Truth was I hadn’t seen any part of their government. I was here to train, perhaps as a soldier, but had no understanding of their real mission. I was blindly trusting a town unwilling to grant me the freedom to leave.

“Jacqueline, Adam.” A voice came over the intercom. I looked around, wondering where it had come from. “Please head to the sleeping quarters for your room assignments.”

I finished what I could and grabbed my apple. I had managed to eat far more than I thought possible, and yet hadn’t satisfied my hunger. Joshua and I stood and stalled, unsure where to find the sleeping quarters.

“Out the door and to the right.” Margo pointed giving us a faint smile. I saw something in her eyes and the way she held herself that showed me she didn’t fear being here and neither should I.

Stepping out of the cafeteria, we slowly walked together down the hallway, only to see a sign that read ‘Dormitory’.

“I guess this is it,” I remarked, heading inside finding rows of bunk beds. I walked along the wall reading the names beside each bed, and I noticed Joshua had the top bunk and I had the bottom. “At least we’re roommates,” I said, turning around to see Chancellor Collins coming into the dormitory.

“I believe you’ve gotten acquainted with a few of our recruits?” he remarked, cane in hand. He leaned on it for support. I was certain he hadn’t needed one the previous night. Had something happened after he locked us in the cabin? “Adam, how’s the foot?”

“Healed.” Joshua nodded. “Good as new.” His eyes shone as he must have been curious about the Chancellor’s injury, as well.

The smile never left the Chancellor’s lips as he stepped further into the room with us. “Glad to hear it. Some of us don’t heal at the same rate as those who are younger.” He tapped his leg with his cane. “You both have recruit wear to put on.” He gestured toward our outfits laying on the bunks. “It should fit. If it doesn’t, let Maya know.”

“Thanks,” I breathed, spotting the gray and blue outfit. I had no idea who Maya was, but figured I’d find out soon enough. I was grateful to have something clean to change into, even if it wasn’t the most stylish. In Genesis, I made due wearing the same outfit every day. It was nice to have lived in Haven, even for a short while, to see what it was like to choose what to wear. I didn’t ever want to take that for granted – choices.

“You will be given pajamas to wear at night, and we expect you both to wear these during your weeks as a recruit,” he informed us.

“Can I ask something?” I was tired of not getting any answers.

“Be quick, dear. I don’t have much time.” He studied his watch.

“Why is this town such a secret?” I voiced staring at him, refusing to back down.

“Interesting question. For someone so young, you’re too smart for your own good. If you pass the tests and that’s a big if,” he reiterated, “you’ll have your answers. Until then, you should know that allowing you to join the recruits is an honor.”

It didn’t feel like much of an honor, though, I kept my mouth shut. I could see it wouldn’t do any good to start a fight. I didn’t ask anything else. This was our only option – fight to stay alive or escape and go on the run. I was tired of running. I’d seen the Gravelands, experienced the brutality of the world we lived in. It had to be better here. Chancellor Collins turned on his heel and limped out of the room. I grabbed the clean clothes from the bed, giving them a once-over. “I guess we should get changed.” I realized it was the same outfit Jaxon and Margo had been wearing. It must have made it easier for the town to identify all of its recruits, especially if we weren’t supposed to leave the building. “Turn around.” I gestured toward Joshua.

He laughed, shaking his head. “Fine, fine. Eventually you’ll let me see,” he mused, quite proud of himself.

I rolled my eyes and waited until he faced the other direction. I glanced toward the closed door and quickly disrobed, slipping into the outfit provided to us. “Done yet?” I asked with my back to him.

“Yeah,” Joshua smiled. “Just waiting for you.”

“Oh! I’m done.” I laughed, turning around to face him. “So, I guess it’s back to the cafeteria until they tell us where else to go?” It seemed the most logical place to be, with the other recruits. I still had a million questions and hoped Jaxon and the others would be willing to share more details with us. I had a feeling, though, that with only five spots and nine recruits, I could expect things to get competitive quickly.

CHAPTER 17

We headed back into the cafeteria after meeting with Chancellor Collins in the dormitory. Dressed in the recruit uniform, I gripped Joshua’s hand as we scanned the now empty room. We hadn’t been gone more than ten minutes. “That’s odd. Where did everyone go?”

Joshua let go of my hand and walked further into the cafeteria. I didn’t know what he expected to find, perhaps some of the recruits hiding behind the line for food? “Think this is some kind of test? See how daring we are to explore the compound?”

“I doubt it.” There was no way they’d willingly let us leave the premise. Not with the way things had been going for us. “It’s more likely the Chancellor wants us locked up in this place.” As if on cue, an announcement was made across the intercom.

“Would all recruits please meet in the gymnasium.”

“Collins.” Joshua nodded, recognizing the voice. “I guess we should head there.”

“I don’t really see any other choice.” I knew our training was about to begin and for the first time I didn’t feel nervous. After all we’d been through together, this I could handle.

We walked down the hallway in the opposite direction of the dormitory. A plaque on the wall read, Gymnasium, with an arrow pointing to the left. Joshua and I followed the sign until we reached a set of double doors. At least the building was well-labeled with directions. If it hadn’t been for its size alone we’d have been lost for hours.

I hesitated for only a moment before I pulled open the heavy doors, making my way in first ahead of Joshua. I was pleasantly surprised to see Jaxon and Margo already sitting on the floor along with several other recruits. I counted seven on the floor, knowing we had arrived last.

A woman in her late twenties stood over us in a similar uniform as we sat down with the others. I grabbed a seat on the ground beside Jaxon, and Joshua sat down to my right. At least we knew someone. I hoped it would make things easier.

“Now that everyone is here, I’m Maya,” The olive-skinned brunette introduced herself to the group. She had strange cat-like eyes and a surprisingly rare thousand-watt smile. “You are all here so we can determine the very best and brightest that the rebel alliance has to offer. I know many of you have a lot of questions, and some of you may even be questioning the legitimacy of us allowing two additional recruits this year to join us.” I felt all seven sets of eyes turn towards us. After a brief moment, the attention returned back to Maya, and I let out a heavy breath. “Let me start off by reminding you only five will be accepted. Should five of you fail, then we will accept four. We have no issue accepting none of you, should you all fail to meet the minimum requirements. Over the next two weeks, you will be training rigorously to prove your commitment and your reliability to our community. Should you fail any test, it will be over for you. Should you be removed from training for failure to cooperate, it will be over for you.”

She hadn’t used the words ‘sent home’. All the recruits knew it was a one-way ticket. Pass or die. I didn’t like the odds that five would pass. I raised my hand.

“Yes, Jacqueline.” The instructor knew my name and I was surprised by her demeanor. She seemed pleasant enough considering the situation. “What if all nine of us pass?”

“We will take the best five. There is only room for five,” she reminded us. “Score high and you needn’t worry. Besides, in all our years, it’s rare that all seven pass. They’re difficult and challenging for a reason. We don’t want anyone holding our community or the rebel alliance back. Your contribution to society will be rewarded if you pass the tests.”

Jaxon turned around whispering to us, “It’s a very lucrative job.”

I wondered what that meant. At home, everyone was deemed equal and provided the same necessitates. When we stayed in Haven, I had recognized some differences like the ability to choose where and what to eat. I hadn’t fully understood how the community worked, but I knew Haven had luxuries I never would have seen in Genesis. Now, I was more curious what this town offered that Haven hadn’t. I’d seen the cabin we’d stayed in and assumed most of the town had similar housing. It reminded me of home, having only what you needed and nothing more. Maybe I’d been mistaken. But one night didn’t give me enough time to judge a town. Maya continued to speak, and I realized I’d zoned out. I tried to catch up, refocus my attention back on her. There were no second chances.

“You’ll begin your training together as one group. You will be scored together with your partner from home and as an individual. We do this to instill teamwork along with competition,” Maya explained. “It is important to us that both you and your partner excel. That’s not to say we won’t take only one of you if it comes down to the fifth and final space when we choose who will stay with our community.”

Again I swallowed, hating the way Maya used the words ‘stay with the community’ as if banishment was an option. I’d happily be banished. I wondered what happened to those who didn’t pass and survived the tests. I let out an anxious breath. There was no point in thinking like that. I couldn’t allow myself to consider failure as an option. Joshua and I, or rather Adam and Jacqueline, would pass the tests. No matter what it took.

“Stand up,” Maya instructed, gesturing for everyone to rise and be on their feet. “Everyone pair off with your partner. I know we have nine recruits so one will be without a partner. Elsa,” she gestured to the girl without a partner. “Your score will be doubled for the partner scores. This may very well be an advantage for you if you do well. Or it could easily destroy you if you’re not up to the challenge.” Elsa nodded in understanding. “Good,” Maya quipped, eyeing each of us standing beside our partners. “Our first lesson is bravery. You will each be assigned the task of archery.”

I glanced at Joshua, wondering how difficult this would be for him. I never so much as touched a bow and arrow, let alone seen one up close. I’d read about such devices and imagined in some of the government towns that hunted, the citizens probably used tools like bows and arrows all the time. I couldn’t help but feel nervous as we followed Maya outside where a shooting range was set up. I hadn’t noticed it earlier that morning when we’d arrived, but I also noted that we hadn’t walked around to the north side of the building. It was possible it had been there all along.

Maya continued to talk, “I will show you the proper stance and position for shooting. You will have all day to practice and perfect your skill. I suggest you take note of the weather, the wind, take into account all these aspects to understand how your bow will guide your arrow.” She scanned each group. “You are required at all times to be respectful to the other groups and each other. When the whistle blows, shooting is absolutely forbidden. If you are caught shooting an arrow after the whistle is blown, it will mean immediate failure. Only after you hear the whistle may you go retrieve your arrows. This is training. We do not want any accidents or injuries,” she firmly reminded all of us. “Again you will have all day to practice and perfect your talent. Jaxon and Margo, you both take position one.” She showed them the first booth with one bow and several arrows set up. It was clear they were to take turns sharing the equipment. “Booth two is for Elsa.” I wondered how this would be fair, her having twice the amount of time to practice than the rest of us. “Booth three is Cate and Mason. Booth four is Jacqueline and Adam. Booth five is Aidan and Hazel.”

I hadn’t met the two couples we would be sandwiched between. Joshua and I headed to booth four. Cate leaned closer toward Mason, her long chestnut hair falling in waves as she whispered something in his ear. He snickered in response, and the dusting of freckles on his cheeks only further reddened matching his copper hair. Mason’s eyes narrowed as he glared at me. Cate smirked all-knowingly, shifting on her feet as she took the bow first. If she was trying to intimidate us, it was working. Cate spoke up proudly, “Can we start, Maya?” It was obvious she was trained in archery and wanted to show off her skills. Already, I despised her.

“In a moment,” Maya answered, walking past each booth, making sure we had all the necessary equipment. “If the bow doesn’t feel right for you, we have other bows on the stand behind you,” she explained. “Depending on your height, weight and strength you may find a different bow more suited to your body type.” I didn’t ask if this was part of the test, to see if we were capable of using their standard equipment, but it crossed my mind.

“Do you want to go first?” I offered to Joshua as I glanced across the field toward the targets attached to five separate bales of hay.

“Ladies first,” he offered. I knew he was nervous because I was, too. Seeing Cate pull an arrow from the quiver, she aimed it with precision and waited for Maya’s announcement to begin.

“Okay. Might as well.” Maybe confidence was all we needed. Maya blew the whistle letting everyone know to start. I took the bow and found it awkward to hold, but I didn’t complain. I grimaced with its weight and size as I pulled an arrow from the quiver and did my best to aim for the bulls-eye a few hundred yards away. Cate stood to the left of me and let the arrow go. She hit the dead center of her target. I muttered a brief curse, trying to copy her stance and movements before I released the arrow, flying it far past the intended target. I wasn’t even remotely close, and I’d thought I’d aimed it well. So much for having natural talent.

Joshua smiled reassuringly and patted me gently on the back. “It’s okay. You’ll get it.” He handed me another arrow. “You should keep practicing until she calls the whistle, then we’ll switch.” I worried that even with his plan we’d struggle for hours. I felt Maya’s presence behind us as she walked the length of the each booth, studying us. If I wasn’t such a terrible shot to begin with, I’d have blamed my inability on nerves.

Maya came up behind me. “May I?” she asked, showing me how to aim and place my fingers properly on the bow. “Wait for it,” she instructed, as the wind died down and helped me release. Although I didn’t hit the bulls-eye, I did hit the outer ring of the target. “See, good job,” she acknowledged. “Now, you try it on your own,” Maya insisted, stepping back with Joshua to watch.

I stood in the same stance and repeated the same motions. I focused and held the arrow back, waiting, taking in a breath and trying to stay calm and steady as I released the arrow letting it fly towards the target. I hit the edge of the white paper. At least it hadn’t hit far beyond the field behind like the first shot I made.

“That’s better. Just keep practicing,” Maya nodded. “You’re getting it,” she encouraged me. I did my best to ignore the stares and snickers from my opponents.

I heard the whistle blow, and though I still had a few arrows left I put the bow down, waiting to make sure everyone had stopped before stepping out to retrieve my arrows from the target, including the first one I’d shot far out into the field.

I headed toward the booth, noticing everyone else watching me as they had all finished retrieving their arrows. I merely smiled, trying not to show defeat. I knew Cate was good. I wondered if Mason could keep up with her.

As Joshua began shooting, he struggled in the same way I had. I didn’t know how to help. I still didn’t feel as though I’d done very well, but at least he hit the hay bale holding the target when he’d missed. He still had the right distance, just a little too high or too low. I watched Mason hit the target, though not always the bulls-eye, each time. I studied our other competitors one after the other, seeing them all successfully aiming and nailing the target. Most had hit the inner rings. I felt stupid, pathetic up against the recruits. We were in trouble. If bravery meant fighting with a bow, we would fail. I hoped tomorrow didn’t mean fighting other recruits. We had no chance of survival if that were the case.

Maya came over again, this time helping Joshua aim and release the arrow. She helped him two more times, watching before she walked away. Joshua hit the target the next four times in a row, including a bulls-eye. I was elated. “Nice one!” My eyes widened and I clapped for Joshua, hoping I didn’t embarrass him too much. Cate turned, hearing my commotion and gave me the stink eye.

Maya blew the whistle for everyone to stop shooting. Joshua was the first to run out to retrieve his arrows when one whizzed by his head. He dropped to the ground in horror as Maya blew the whistle a second time, louder. “Aidan, you’re out!” she shouted and pointed for him to head back inside the building. Hazel gasped in shock, her face red and green eyes wide. I didn’t know if it was from Aidan being dismissed or now having to face the tests without a partner. She looked terrified. I felt sick, though it was a mixture of Aidan’s imminent death and Joshua nearly having an arrow shot through his head.

Slowly Joshua pushed himself off the ground and stood, eyeing the booths cautiously to make sure no one else was attacking him. Cate snickered and grinned, giving a nod of approval toward Aidan as he walked out. I wondered what would happen to him next.

The others walked out slower, retrieving their arrows as they glanced at Joshua. No one said a word. Joshua’s ashen face slowly regained color as he brought back his arrows, his eyes staring deep into mine.

“You okay?” I asked keeping my voice low.

He answered, “I’ll be glad when this is done.”

I couldn’t have agreed more.

CHAPTER 18

Our first day of training was over. Lying in bed, staring up at the top bunk I wondered at how easily Joshua fell asleep. I was exhausted, but my mind kept racing. I couldn’t stop thinking about how another recruit had almost killed him. Even if it hadn’t been intentional it still haunted me. I shifted on the mattress, trying my best not to think about it. The more my thoughts kept running, the harder it was to relax.

“You awake?” I heard Joshua’s soft whisper and smiled. He swung himself over the edge, hanging down from the bed with his head facing me.

“I am,” I whispered, my smile growing. “Can’t sleep.”

Joshua laughed softly. “Neither can I with all the rolling around you’ve been doing.”

I hadn’t realized it had shaken the bunk beds. “Sorry.” I blushed, feeling slightly embarrassed. The bed squeaked for an instant, and Joshua carefully maneuvered himself down from the top, practically swinging into the mattress beside me.

“No rules here about sleepovers,” he teased, sitting with me on the bed. He shifted down, careful not to hit his head, lying beside me as we shared my pillow.

My eyes narrowed, thinking it over. “Seems they plan on killing us if we fail. Might as well make the most of the time we have together.” I tried to make light of the situation, but I couldn’t fake sarcasm in my tone.

His hand reached out, gently running a soft touch against my arm. “We’ll be okay,” his voice assured me. But I knew he must have felt the same way I did. I felt the soft brush of his lips to my forehead as his body grazed mine. Buried beneath the covers, I was burning up. My eyes closed for the briefest of seconds as I heard his soft voice beside my ear, “The other recruits have more training, but we have each other.” My eyes opened and I rolled onto my side, letting the blanket dip down my waist. I was grateful for the cool air against my heated skin. I didn’t see how the two of us together would help us pass the tests.

“Yeah, because that will save us,” I huffed, closing my eyes when I heard another recruit shift in bed. I shut my mouth, not wanting anyone to hear us. What we shared was between us. Joshua reached out, his thumb traced my bottom lip as I listened for any other sounds. The room was eerily quiet, and slowly my eyes fluttered open feeling his stare on me.

“You did amazing today,” Joshua complimented me. I felt my cheeks redden from embarrassment.

“Thank you.” I leaned in, brushing my lips gently against his cheek. I hadn’t felt like I’d done well in training, but it was nice to hear someone was cheering me on.

“Don’t thank me yet,” he breathed. “We still have almost two full weeks of training to endure before the tests.”

“I know.” I didn’t want to think about tomorrow, but found it hard not to imagine all the possibilities. Would they hand us swords and expect us to fight until we bled? Would they force us to kill each other?

“You’re quiet,” he mused, brushing a stray hair from my eyes. I sighed softly at his touch. It was warm, inviting and had a way of helping me relax.

“Guess I am.” I leaned in, resting my forehead against his. “Do you think we could sneak out, explore the town tonight?” It was a risky maneuver, but I wanted to see more. Did this town have a tech center like Haven? I knew their healing center was advanced – I’d seen what it had done for Joshua when we’d come here. What else was special about this town?

Joshua considered the idea, a line of worry creasing on his brow. I opened my mouth to ask him what was wrong, only to hear his voice interrupt my thoughts. “We could try and escape?” he suggested, gauging my reaction.

I bit down on my bottom lip, the words playing through my head. I didn’t feel like this place was horrible, it just wasn’t home. They fed us, sheltered us and yes, expected something of us, but so did the government. If we left, where would we go? We’d always be on the run and risk encountering other outlaws. At least we had new lives here, and maybe fitting in wasn’t the worst idea.

“I don’t know.” I didn’t want to say that I liked it here. That didn’t seem like the right choice of words, but I also wasn’t ready to take off on foot. I had no idea where the car was, and from what I could tell nothingness surrounded this town for hundreds of miles. I sighed, rolling onto my back as I stared up at the top bunk. “I can’t sleep,” I admitted. Either way, I’d be awake. I’d rather know the town and familiarize myself with an escape route, should it become necessary.

“We don’t have to leave.” Joshua offered, leaning up on his arms and staring down at me. “We could just explore the area.” It had originally been my suggestion and now I was even second-guessing it.

“If we get caught–” I felt the butterflies waking up in my stomach all over again.

Joshua nodded. “It was originally your idea,” he smiled. “Come on, I know you want to.”

“I do want to.” It was worth looking around, and I was curious about the rebel alliance. I knew Joshua was too. I shifted carefully on the mattress to sit up, making sure not to make a sound. I didn’t want to wake any of the sleeping recruits. “If we get caught–”

“We won’t,” he assured me. I wondered when he had become the daring one out of the two of us. Quietly, we climbed off the bunk, grabbed our shoes and tiptoed out of the room.

“Do you remember which way was out?” I whispered. The building felt like a maze at times, but only because I wasn’t used to such elaborate setups. Here everything seemed to be in one place.

Joshua pointed to the left. I nodded silently, doing my best to keep our voices to a minimum. The quieter we were, the better chance we had of not being overheard. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it as we rounded another corner to the right, heading for the main entrance. I hesitated before opening the door, pulling it back slowly, trying my best to peek out before pulling it wide open. I was amazed to find no one outside. No guards anywhere in fact. We walked out and perused the fields. Darkness bathed the town situated a few hundred feet away. Without saying a word, we both headed in the direction of town, using the moonlight to guide us.

We did our best to walk in the shadows, keeping to the tall brush in the fields and avoiding the path that we’d driven in on. We held hands, refusing to let each other out of sight.

Joshua kept his voice low, but his breath tickled my ear as he leaned in, “We should keep an eye out for our vehicle.” I knew he was right. It would be helpful if we needed to plot our escape. We reached the edge of the tall grasses and continued forward. There was nothing to hide us from the town. I felt my heart quicken and walked faster trying to find cover. I didn’t like being out in the open, exposed.

Joshua didn’t say a word, merely followed my lead. He must have felt the same. As we reached the backside of buildings, I pulled Joshua through an alley between two houses, grateful the shadows once again hid us.

There was nothing to see along the row of houses and so I pulled Joshua with me, avoiding the moonlight as best as we could across the street and through another dark alley. I paused as we reached the second street, this one growing more familiar. “We drove through here,” I whispered to Joshua remembering the clinic and the house we’d stayed in just a few yards away.

The road was made of red earth and packed down, but I could make out a fresh set of tire tracks. “Ours?” I mouthed, nodding toward the vehicle marks on the street. If they were, we could follow the tracks to the vehicle. Maybe Joshua’s idea wasn’t so bad, escaping.

Joshua sighed, “Who else’s would they be?” We hadn’t seen any vehicles in town, but we’d been cooped up in the recruit building all day.

My eyes surveyed the perimeter. No guards were on duty. The town appeared to be asleep. I knew electricity had been used in our complex during the day, though the entire town went dark at night. It made sense. If a drone flew over and saw nothing, the city would appear to have been abandoned long ago.

I kept my voice down. “Should we follow it?” I wasn’t confident in walking further into town where we’d come face-to-face with Chancellor Collins.

“We could, but remember we turned around, went to the clinic and the recruit center.” I grimaced, realizing Joshua was right. We’d have to follow the tracks back, not the ones here. “Besides, it’s not as though they’d leave it out in the open.” I didn’t know if they solely didn’t trust us or if they worried the government would know someone was living here.

“They hid it,” I acknowledged, realizing it would take more than a little searching along the darkened streets. It could take hours of sneaking around, possibly days to find the vehicle, assuming they hadn’t stripped it down to parts and destroyed it.

Joshua’s voice sounded anxious. “Let’s head back.”

We’d barely spent any time exploring the town. “Not yet.” I shook my head.

“We shouldn’t, Olive,” he said. “That’s where we got caught last time.”

I glanced at Joshua. “We were driving a car, headlights blazing.” It was no wonder we were stopped. “Relax,” I insisted.

From the distance I heard a slight pop and click. I froze in place and gripped Joshua’s hand as we took a step back against the building allowing the four stories to tower us in darkness.

My heart skipped a beat. The Chancellor was no more than two houses away, walking outside with a lantern and heading our direction. I pulled Joshua tighter. I felt him grab my waist as he yanked me four steps to the right, into an alley between the buildings. Grateful for his quick thinking, I held my breath, frightened the Chancellor would hear. Slowly he approached the center of the road and stopped. I glanced at Joshua only to see him shake his head no. We shouldn’t move or say a word.

Each passing second felt like a lifetime. The Chancellor stood waiting for something. I had no idea what. Could he hear my heart drumming against my chest? My hands shook, and it wasn’t from being cold.

I didn’t move, incapable, and knew if we did, we’d be caught. Neither of us knew the consequences of our actions and didn’t want to find out. From the distance, I could see headlights beaming, and I squinted as they shone brightly on the Chancellor.

Joshua and I crouched down as we tried to stay out of sight, now that the town seemed to be bright as day. The car gradually approached, slowing down, though the engine hummed and rattled, awakening anyone within a ten-mile radius. The headlights finally dimmed, but I didn’t chance moving.

“Stay down,” I heard Joshua’s voice against my ear and nodded. There was no way I was about to get up now. The car screeched and stopped dead in front of Collins. I couldn’t help but wonder if this stranger was about to be escorted from the vehicle like Joshua and I had been.

Instead, Chancellor Collins walked around to the driver’s side door and handed him something. My eyes squinted, but it was too far away and much too dark to make out what he had given the stranger. A book, perhaps?

I kept my mouth shut for fear of being overhead. Words were exchanged for a few minutes, and finally the item was handed back to Collins before the man turned the car around and headed out the same way he’d come in. I glanced at Joshua, only to see him shake his head. We needed to remain quiet. I shifted and turned back to see the Chancellor walking toward us. I hoped we hadn’t been seen! Neither of us moved or breathed. Collins strolled past, oblivious to us hiding right in front of him as he entered a nearby building, closing the door.

Joshua was the first to speak, and I realized how long I’d been holding my breath. “We should head back, now,” he told me firmly.

“Okay.” I didn’t object. My heart pounded as we briskly walked by the building the Chancellor had stepped inside. I hoped he couldn’t see us as we stalked past the window.

“What do you think that was about?” I asked as we jogged back through dark allies, empty streets and an open expanse until we finally reached the cover of the tall grasses.

“I have no idea.” Joshua sighed. “I thought there were no visitors here,” he remarked as we carefully opened the door of the front entrance then silently made our way to bed. I climbed into my bunk and closed my eyes, exhausted from the ordeal of almost being caught.

I heard Joshua’s soft, “Goodnight,” as he climbed onto the mattress above.

“Night,” I whispered, letting my body calm down, and eventually sleep overtook me.

CHAPTER 19

The next day I awoke exhausted as the other recruits unintentionally woke us. I’d never been a heavy sleeper. We showered and dressed in the bathroom before heading down to the cafeteria. I still hadn’t made any friends except for Joshua. Margo seemed less than pleased to talk with me, and the other girls kept to themselves.

Joshua was seated at the cafeteria table with only a glass of water in front of him. I walked over to the line where breakfast was usually served to find they hadn’t set out any food. My stomach grumbled in protest.

“Hey,” I frowned, seeing the tired expression on his face knowing I was partly to blame. “Where’s breakfast?”

“Morning,” Joshua yawned, rubbing at his eyes. We hadn’t said much to each other when we’d had our wakeup call. The girls had been ushered to the girls’ showers and the boys to the opposite hallway towards their bathrooms. “I don’t know. No one’s saying anything. I wonder if there’s a food shortage,” he muttered.

I looked back at the door as other recruits came into the cafeteria, noting they had nothing to eat, either.

Hazel grumbled as she grabbed a glass of water. “Is this all we get? I’m hungry.” She plopped down at the long table, crossing her arms on the table before she leaned forward to rest her forehead against them, eyes closed. Her short, honey-brown hair fell over her face as she pretended to go back to sleep. “I woke up for this,” she mumbled into the table.

Why hadn’t they provided any food for the recruits? We’d nearly starved to death on our journey here. I didn’t plan on standing by while they denied us food. I dropped my voice so only Joshua could hear me. “Tonight, by nightfall,” my eyes darted around being careful the other recruits weren’t paying attention to us, “If they haven’t fed us, you and I will leave.”

Joshua nodded once. “Agreed. We’ve been down this road once before,” he reminded me. “At least on our own, we can fish.”

“And gather berries,” I tried to be optimistic. I didn’t want to remember what had happened by the stream. In all the days we’d been in the Gravelands, we’d only encountered one outlaw. Maybe we’d be okay – we’d be together. Though, we didn’t have matches or even a vehicle, we’d find a way to survive. I just hoped it wouldn’t come down to that. “I suppose it’s going to be another long day,” I mused, nudging him beside me.

Joshua smiled at me. “Yes, it probably will be.” He laughed, subtly checking out the other recruits.

“I’m still curious what the Chancellor was doing out last night.” I couldn’t fathom who he would have allowed in and out of town.

“Couldn’t say.” He shook his head. “No sense in really thinking about it. It’s not like we can ask him.” It was a valid point. Asking would be admitting that we snuck out. Neither of us knew the consequences for our actions. I certainly didn’t want to find out.

I paused as I heard the Chancellor’s voice interrupt us as he made an announcement over the intercom. “In twenty minutes, all recruits will meet at the front entrance.” Neither of us ever knew what was going on.

“Are we taking any bets?” I joked. Every day here was a mystery.

Elsa sat down across from me. She shook her head in dismay. “If they plan on starving us, I won’t be up for much of a fight.”

I glanced from Elsa to Joshua, thinking it over. “Maybe it’s a training tactic?” I suggested. “If we were captured by the enemy and they withheld food, how would we react?”

Jaxon climbed into the seat beside Elsa. “There’d be a riot,” he noted. “They can’t expect us to train on an empty stomach,” he replied, turning to Margo. “Any idea why there’s no food this morning?”

Margo raised an eyebrow. “Why are you looking at me? I didn’t eat it all.” She rolled her eyes, sitting across from Jaxon. “Maybe the cook got fired?” Margo commented. “One meal won’t kill us.” She seemed annoyed by it, but not concerned.

I nodded in agreement. “Margo’s right. As long as they feed us later today, it’s probably not a concern.” I didn’t want to worry about something that may not be trivial.

Jaxon remarked, “And what happens if they only bring enough food for half of the recruits?” He gave me a serious look.

I hadn’t considered it. A test to see who could withstand nourishment the longest or who could win the prize of food if there wasn’t enough for all the recruits. Either option seemed unpleasant. I doubted they’d be that cruel, but after the way Haven had treated me, it was any wonder what some men were capable of.

Joshua and I stood beside one another as other recruits began lining up by the front entrance. “Any idea where we’re going?” Jaxon asked us both. I shook my head no, glancing around not seeing our instructor, Maya. Did she have the day off? Were we done with our archery lessons for good?

Before Joshua had time to speak, Chancellor Collins opened the grand double doors and counted us to make sure everyone was present. “Good, glad you’re here.” He clapped his hands together excitedly. “The real fun is about to begin. All of you are going to ride with me to the science center.”

No one objected. A few others in the back behind us were mumbling something, obviously curious and confused. I couldn’t hear much but a few words of, “We’re not kids” and “Are they really going to show us a museum as a training exercise?” I ignored them, pressing forward as I climbed into the van that awaited us. The walk wouldn’t have been that far, and I wondered why they didn’t trust us to be on our feet. No one questioned the Chancellor, and I wasn’t about to cause trouble. I’d done enough of that in bringing us here.

Once the last of the kids had packed into the van, the Chancellor got behind the wheel. He glanced at us in the rearview mirror as he drove along the dirt road toward the town and through a few streets, stopping outside the same building Joshua and I had seen him sneaking into the previous night. He parked the car, but didn’t let anyone out yet. “Now, I know the next part of training will be frightening for some of you. I can personally assure you it is completely safe. By participating we can see your true potential.” He let the words hang in the air before he stood, opening the doors and gesturing for everyone to follow him.

Already I hated him. He struck me as cold, a man without a heart. His words frightened me, though I did little to let it show. Reluctantly, I followed the recruits, joining them as they poured out of the van and inside the four story building.

Immediately upon stepping inside, my stomach somersaulted. It smelled of antiseptic. The walls were pale gray, and as I walked further in, I shivered from the cool temperature. The group walked up the stairs, and I tried to stay in the back with Joshua, but felt Jaxon and Margo blocking me from turning around or even slowing down. Where else would I go? Everyone filtered out onto the second floor. Another long, white sterile hallway with multiple closed doors aligned the stretch of the building. The smell was repugnant.

Chancellor Collins spoke up, “As much as it would please me to give you the choice of what you’re about to embark, the choice was made when you agreed to the tests and in coming here. Again, I assure you, there is nothing to worry about. The procedure is completely harmless.”

Something about his tone and his voice made me think otherwise. I reached for Joshua’s hand, giving it a tight squeeze. I felt as though now was the time to run, to escape, to try and find a new home. The same fleeting look of fear crossed Joshua’s face as it did my own. He agreed.

We barely had time to react as Chancellor Collins stepped over and between Joshua and me, our hands breaking apart. “Jacqueline, I’ve been told you’ve made the most progress. You’ll be going first today.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. I had no choice if I wanted to live. I wouldn’t be a test subject. I broke free from the Chancellor’s grasp. “Run!” I screamed at Joshua as I tore past the Chancellor for the end of the hallway.

“Jacqueline!” I heard Collins smug voice and the exit door opened with two armed guards pointing guns at me.

“No!” I shouted stepping backward, eyes wide as I glanced around and tried to see the best place to run. There weren’t enough exits. I dashed through the crowd of recruits, pushing Cate out of the way as I ran for the stairs. I didn’t make it. I felt strong arms pushing me down onto the ground, restraining me as a needle pierced the skin of my neck. “No!” I screamed. “You can’t do this to me!” I tried to shout again but no sound came out. Everything blurred as I tried to focus and find Joshua. My eyes were heavy, my body grew limp as they carried me into the stark white room.

The woman watched me suspiciously as she helped them place me on the cold metal table. “Don’t try and fight it,” she breathed, as my vision grew black. My eyes shut, there was no fighting whatever they had planned for me.

CHAPTER 20

My eyes felt incredibly heavy. Slowly I opened them, realizing I was no longer on the table but in a cold metal chair. My feet were elevated and my head rested back as I stared up at the ceiling. I shifted and focused, taking in the room, wondering if I was alone and could escape.

“Relax.” The woman I’d briefly seen before I had blacked out was in the room with me. “The Mindonsiphan worked, but it will take some time to adjust to the new drug in your system and the changes in brain chemistry. Right now you need to relax.”

I didn’t want to relax and found it difficult to sit still. As I shifted in the chair to get up, the room began to spin and I cupped my head in my hands, feeling an awful pounding.

Her hand found my shoulder and helped me sit back, with my legs propped up in the chair. “You need to relax,” she insisted. “You’ll be brought to your dormitory soon enough. Right now you’re in recovery.” She reached for a plastic cup of water holding it up for me. “Try and drink a sip,” she suggested, seeing my grave expression.

I wanted to refuse, to throw the water down on the ground, but my lips were parched. Willingly I took a sip as she helped bring the cup to my lips. “That’s good,” she told me, making sure I didn’t get up from the chair. There was no way I could get up. My stomach was queasy and my body felt heavy as lead. “There’s a boy who keeps asking about you,” she smiled at me knowingly. “Are you two more than friends?”

“He’s okay?” I was silently grateful he hadn’t left, and at the same time disappointed he’d endured the same torture I had been through. What had they done to us?

“There’s nothing wrong with a little crush.” She laughed.

She had no idea what went through my mind. I opened my mouth, though still dry, I tried to speak, “What did you do to me?”

“Nothing that you weren’t already capable of, just perhaps unaware of,” she mused, a growing smile on her face. “Consider it a gift.” She didn’t further elaborate. “You are one of the lucky ones, Jacqueline. If the world knew what talents you possessed they’d be begging to be just like you.” She had no idea who I really was, but her words still sent a chill down my spine.

“So I’ve been told.” I didn’t feel lucky, just tired from the sedative. “Can you please tell me what you did to me?” I hated begging, but worse I didn’t like being kept in the dark. I didn’t feel different though slightly dizzy, but I couldn’t be certain it wasn’t from the sedative and not the procedure.

The woman smiled. “If I did that then you would have an advantage over the other recruits.” She offered me more water. This time I had the strength to hold it myself without making a mess. “Good.” She watched as I relaxed into the chair. “Soon the Chancellor will come for each of you, drive you back to the dorms and have one of the nurses watch over you until morning, just to make sure there are no ill-effects from the Mindonsiphan.”

Before I had time to ask, Sydney knocked on the door and helped me slowly down the stairs and to the van. I recognized her from the first night in town. She had tended to Joshua’s injured foot. I wanted to ask her why they were doing this to us, but the words never reached my lips. I was exhausted by the time I sat down. No wonder they insisted on driving us.

I sat in the van with the air conditioning on, waiting as Sydney brought out each recruit, one by one. It took a while, but by the time Joshua joined me last, I could already tell the feeling was beginning to wear off and I felt slightly better.

“Hey.” He took my hand, sitting beside me. Immediately, I wrapped an arm around his shoulders, seeing a fleeting look of fear in his eyes.

“I’m right here,” I assured him, knowing that if I had gone in first, I was probably the most alert as it was wearing off. “You doing okay?” I asked, sitting up against him.

“Been better.” His voice was soft, quiet in my ear. I stared at him, not caring if the Chancellor drove us and watched our interaction. It was no secret the way I felt about him. Sydney sat in the front row. I suspected she would be the one to watch over us today. There would be no sneaking out tonight.

Already I wondered how much time had passed. Glancing at the sun, I estimated it was late afternoon and we’d missed much of the day. The ride was short and bumpy. I hadn’t noticed it before but after having some strange procedure and sedation, every jolt felt a hundred times more intense. I was glad they hadn’t fed us breakfast.

Sydney helped me from the van, giving me a polite smile. I wondered if she liked seeing me so helpless. It was the first time I’d seen a smile on her face when she looked at me. It made my stomach queasy. I swayed on my feet as she held an arm around me, escorting me to my bed. One by one, she escorted all the recruits back to the dormitory.

Lying on the mattress, staring up at the bunk above me, I wondered how Joshua was doing. Sydney brought him in and helped him up into bed, but he hadn’t said much. I knew I didn’t feel great and by the look on his face, I hoped he wouldn’t get sick.

Reaching out to touch the bottom of the mattress, though I knew he couldn’t feel me, I wanted to be close to him. I’m so sorry, Joshua. We should have tried to leave last night.

I felt a few stray tears on my cheeks and though the room was incredibly quiet, Joshua spoke out, “Quiet, Jacqueline.” He emphasized my name, coughing, trying to pretend nothing was going on.

I sniffled, wondering what he was talking about. I hadn’t said anything aloud. I shut my eyes, willing myself to fall asleep. I was tired, exhausted and over-thinking things. I was sure of it.

CHAPTER 21

Unlike the previous morning, no one had taken care to wake any of the recruits. Perhaps after the procedure they thought it best to let us rest and recover from the entire ordeal. I still wondered what they’d done to us. I didn’t feel any different.

Reluctantly, I pulled myself from bed, careful not to hit my head on the top bunk as I climbed out. After having a good night’s sleep, I felt refreshed.

“You awake?” I heard Joshua’s voice and glanced up at him with a smile.

“I am.” I gave a nod. “How’d you sleep?” He was looking better than he had the last time I’d seen him. I imagined I looked better too.

“I was out cold all night,” he admitted. “Had the strangest dream,” he shook his head. “Want to shower and grab breakfast?”

“I do,” I nodded, climbing off the bed. I glanced around the room seeing a few other recruits waking up. Most still seemed to be in bed. My stomach grumbled as I grabbed our training outfit and headed for the bathroom. “Meet you in the cafeteria,” Joshua nodded towards me as I made my way down the opposite corridor to the women’s showers. We hadn’t eaten yesterday, and I was looking forward to breakfast.

Rounding the corner, the bathroom was completely empty. I walked into the double door stall, closing the first door and locking it. Dropping my clothes on the bench, I shut the curtain to keep the water from spraying them before turning on the shower. It took no time for the warm water to trickle down as I stood beneath the spray. I let my body relax, taking the first moment I had to really enjoy some time alone. It wasn’t that I didn’t like being around Joshua, it had more to do with the other recruits and lack of privacy. I wasn’t used to sleeping in a dormitory, let alone the test and procedure they’d put us through. I was nervous to think of what was next.

I shampooed my hair and soaped my skin. Aside from the needle puncture from the sedative, I hadn’t notice any additional bumps or bruises from the procedure and certainly no incision marks. Feeling the cold water trickling down my back, I knew that meant I needed to finish. It was a surprisingly welcome reminder that some things should not be taken for granted.

I dried off and dressed, heading to the cafeteria. My eyes scoped out the scene. There was plenty of food to choose from, and my stomach instantly sounded. Joshua was nowhere in sight. I didn’t dwell on it as Cate, Mason and Elsa were eating together. I knew Elsa didn’t have a partner with the training sessions, but I hated to see her mingling with Cate. I grabbed some eggs for breakfast, taking them to sit down at the furthest end of the table. Maybe I wasn’t being the most polite toward them, but I really didn’t want to pretend to be friends. I took a bite of breakfast, relieved when Joshua came into the cafeteria. Cate was the first to speak up quite loudly at him. “I see you still have your head,” she sniggered, referencing the near-miss of an arrow just two days ago. Mason joined in laughing, seeming to fall in line with everything Cate did. I wondered if he was infatuated or just using her to do well on the tests. Elsa gave an apologetic look but then smiled with Cate, doing her best to befriend her.

Joshua gave them a look, grabbed his food and then sat across from me. “Lucky it was me out there and not you,” he answered Cate with a warm smile, “Otherwise there’d be two recruits going home in body bags.” Joshua knew how to stand on his own. It was no wonder he’d made it this far.

Joshua gestured for us to move further to the opposite end of the table. I wasn’t sure that was possible but shifted my plate and scooted down on the bench. “What’s up?” I asked having the sneaking suspicion he didn’t want to be overheard.

“I, uh, I’m not sure how to ask this,” he hesitated, staring at me. “Did you have any interesting dreams last night?”

I shook my head no. “I don’t really remember dreaming anything,” I admitted. “Why?”

He kept his voice low so only I could hear him. He leaned forward as he sat across from me at the table, “I dreamt about you.” He smiled and stared at me, gauging my reaction.

“What about?” I shook my head curiously.

“Doesn’t matter,” Joshua countered, skirting the question. “I was just curious because I thought maybe the procedure had done something to modify our dreams. Make us dream together, but that’s a stupid idea.” He laughed at himself and what he was suggesting.

I sighed, thinking it over. “I guess it’s possible, but I really don’t remember if I dreamt anything. Dreams can feel real, though, you know?”

Joshua nodded. “Sometimes a little too real.” He admitted having a bite of his breakfast and some orange juice. I was almost certain his cheeks had flushed. Was he flustered? Nervous? I couldn’t quite read him.

“You want to tell me about it?” I offered, more curious than ever what he could have dreamt about. Whether it was his subconscious or a test, I wanted to know more.

He glanced up from his breakfast. “I do, but now isn’t the best time.” His eyes met mine for a moment longer than necessary. He held something back, I could feel it.

“Okay.” I smiled weakly. He didn’t look upset. At least it hadn’t been a bad dream. I considered what the Chancellor would have wanted with us, why he would have cared about our dreams and how that would have any relation at all to the tests. It didn’t make sense. “Maybe the dream is just a side effect?” I offered in explanation to Joshua. “We were heavily sedated during the procedure. Is it possible the dreams seemed more vivid because of it?”

“Possible, but unlikely.” He gazed at me as he ate another bite of his eggs. “I’m telling you, it felt real. Everything about it,” he paused, putting his fork down and having another sip to drink. “I’ve never had a dream so matter of fact, until I woke up to find it wasn’t real at all.”

“I suppose we’ll find out later today what the procedure was for.” I finished the last bite of my breakfast. “As much as they’d liked to keep us in the dark forever, I have the distinct impression they’ll want results sooner rather than later.” I glanced down, reaching for my drink when I heard Joshua’s faint whisper.

It scares me.

“It scares me, too,” I admitted glancing up at him.

His eyes widened, “How did you?”

“What?” I frowned staring at him.

How did you do that?

This time my eyes never left his, I realized his lips hadn’t moved and I’d read his thoughts. Had that been the same thing that had happened the previous night when he told me to be quiet, except in reverse? My eyes narrowed, thinking as hard as I could back to him, You did it to me last night.

“When?” He shook his head, astonished.

I nearly laughed, realizing half our conversation was in our heads and the other half aloud. We needed to be careful. We could have a huge advantage over the others if this was what they’d done to us. Especially if the others hadn’t developed the ability yet. “Last night I was thinking something,” my voice dropped again so that only Joshua could hear me. “You answered me,” I told him bluntly.

His eyes widened. That’s when you called me Joshua!

I laughed, feeling more at ease. I just hoped the instructor, Chancellor, and the rest of the town couldn’t get a glimpse into our heads. “Yes, but we should be more careful.” I stared at him seriously. “Whoever did this to us could potentially be eavesdropping.”

“You’re right, Jacqueline.” He nodded understanding my words. As strange as it was to hear another name from his lips as he spoke to me, it was getting easier to accept. Any idea what they’ll expect of us today?

I shook my head, glancing at the other recruits as they’d all made their way now into the cafeteria, either in line getting food or seated at the table. It’s about to get very interesting.

CHAPTER 22

Finishing breakfast, we gathered once again outside by the shooting range. The bows and arrows were lined up at everyone’s stall. I stood beside Joshua, no one saying a word.

Maya spoke up, “Recruits. Please find your assigned stations.” Everyone moved to their respective booths. Joshua brushed against me as we walked towards ours, standing there, awaiting our next direction.

“Today we will see how well the activation of Mindonsiphan is for each of you. Elsa, you are now partners for the remainder of our training sessions with Hazel.” Elsa walked over to Hazel, standing beside her at the booth. “Everyone pay attention. It is imperative you listen and follow directions closely. We will be training one group at a time. If any of you so much as raise your bow when it is not your turn, you will be immediately disqualified and fail the tests.”

I heard a murmur of whispers all around us. Neither Joshua nor I said a word. I glanced at him and saw the look on his face – he was still worried someone would disobey, no matter the consequence.

Maya continued, “Concentration and complete silence is essential. We could separate each group, but we feel it to be a better training experience to let everyone witness and understand why we do this.” Again a few whispers erupted and she raised a hand, silencing the recruits. “You are not to try any of this on your own, outside of my instruction. Safety mechanisms are put into place while I’m here,” she insisted. I wondered what she meant by that. “Do I have any groups volunteer to go first?”

No one raised their hand. No one spoke another word. “Well then,” Maya glanced at each recruit down the row, walking in front of us and stopping. I was certain I was holding my breath when she stared at me. “How about Adam and Jacqueline go first?”

I wondered briefly why she chose us and why we always seemed to get picked on. We were most certainly the least trained and ill-prepared at archery. Was this to humiliate us in front of the other recruits? Neither of us said anything. I gave a nod. “Good,” Maya spoke up. “Jacqueline, I’d like you to take the bow first. Adam you’re to come with me,” she instructed.

I took the bow and an arrow, watching hesitantly as she walked with him out onto the range, standing in front of the target. “Are you kidding?” This was absurd! She wanted me to what, kill him?

Maya saw my expression and seemed unfazed by it. “You should trust us,” she insisted. “You are to aim and shoot at Adam’s head.”

This was nuts! I put the bow down. “Absolutely not!” Did they really want me to kill him?

Cate spoke up with a smirk, “I’ll do it! I’ll shoot Adam.” She beamed with excitement.

Maya’s eyes narrowed. “You will be quiet, Cate. Another word and you’ll be joining Aidan.” Cate immediately shut her mouth, looking anything but defeated. I was certain she’d try and hurt me later for getting reamed in front of the recruits. As if it somehow had been my fault. Maya turned to face me. “The procedure will enhance certain skill sets,” she explained. “However, you can’t reach them without taking the first step.”

“You’re serious?” I couldn’t believe what they were asking me to do. It was ludicrous! This had to be a test. I wasn’t going to shoot Joshua. I couldn’t!

If it wasn’t unsettling enough, I felt Joshua’s gaze. Just do it. I heard his voice in my head. I trust you.

How could he trust me? It wasn’t as though I was shooting at something beside him! They wanted me to shoot at him. “I don’t trust myself!” I screamed back at Joshua though no one had heard his thoughts, I didn’t care. “I’ll kill him!”

Maya frowned. “Your fear is only getting the better of you. Would you prefer to be disqualified and fail the training?”

I wondered if it meant I’d fail the tests automatically, too. It seemed that way, with Aidan leaving and Maya threatening to do the same to Cate. “What about Aidan? He shot an arrow at Adam and you failed him.” I narrowed my eyes at Maya. “This is a trick.” I wouldn’t fall for her games.

Maya shook her head. “It’s nothing of the sort,” she assured me. “I could place an apple on his head and have you aim at that if you’d prefer?”

Was she serious? I stood there mouth agape for a solid minute without responding. At least if I aimed at the apple there was a tiny chance it wouldn’t hit Joshua. “I want the apple instead of Joshua,” I demanded. I could bargain, right?

“You can’t have it all, Jacqueline,” Maya shook her head. “Elsa, go grab an apple from the cafeteria.” She called to the girl. Elsa jogged off back into the building while we waited patiently.

My hands visibly shook, and I took a few deep breaths to settle myself down. I knew if I worked myself up into a frenzy, I’d definitely do more harm than good. It’s okay. I heard Joshua’s voice and glanced up at him.

This is not okay. No part of this is acceptable. I didn’t care if anyone else heard us or not. Joshua needed to know how I felt about what they were making me do.

“Got it!” Elsa called running back with a shiny red apple in her hand. She held it up and tossed it to Maya.

Maya caught it immediately and backed Joshua up a few more feet. With his back to the haystack she placed the apple atop his head. “You only get one chance.” Maya reminded me.

“Tell me something I don’t know,” I muttered beneath my breath. I aimed my bow, taking my time, having no idea how I would do this without marring him. Maybe if I aimed too high it would breeze right over his head. Maya would be disappointed, but Joshua would be alive and well.

“Aim lower.” I heard Maya’s voice as I intentionally positioned the bow higher than his head. I lowered it just slightly, hoping that would appease her. “Lower,” she repeated again, and I studied where I thought the arrow would go, calculating in my mind the trajectory it would take.

With a sharp intake of breath, forgive me, I gasped letting the arrow glide past my fingers, certain I was sending him to his death.

Shocked, the arrow stopped mid-stride, just inches from his head. It had been aimed directly at the apple, but had failed to reach it.

“Very good,” Maya smiled clapping unexpectedly. “You both have done well.”

Joshua was the first to speak, sweat trickled down his forehead. “I don’t understand.” He glanced at Maya and then to me, looking for an explanation.

“Your procedure allows you to see the world in a different way, a more unique way. In seeing such things, your perception is more attune to the world around you.” Maya reached for the arrow, watching it fall into her hands. “If you trust in yourself, you’ll find you have the ability to fight and protect yourself better.”

I spoke up, “I don’t understand how Adam can manipulate an object with his mind.”

Maya laughed softly. “It takes some getting used to but you can do far more than what I’ve shown you,” she admitted, glancing at the others. “You are not to try this without an instructor around. Had I not been here and Adam had been unable to stop the arrow, Jacqueline could have killed him.”

Cate spoke up, “You had the procedure done?”

Maya nodded. “Yes, many years ago. I was one of the first subjects who underwent the tests and passed. I also am incredibly familiar with the procedure and with the requirements of the tests. Let me further elaborate.” She stared at me, “That the procedure works differently for each of you.” Her eyes continued to move among the recruits. “It will take time to understand all that you are capable of, but you now can understand and appreciate the secrecy of our community.”

I glanced at Joshua, wondering what he was thinking. He merely shook his head. I couldn’t blame him. I didn’t trust that Maya couldn’t read my thoughts or Joshua’s. Neither of us really knew how this worked, and we certainly didn’t want anyone eavesdropping into our conversation.

Maya gestured for Joshua to follow her back to our booth. “Jaxon and Margo, you’re up next.”

I put away my bow and reached for Joshua’s hand as he came up beside me. My voice was a soft whisper, careful not to disturb the other recruits as a high level of concentration was required for their training. “I’m glad you’re okay,” I admitted, giving his hand a squeeze.

He glanced at me, his lips never moving. I knew you had it in you. I tried not to laugh, glancing at Maya. She seemed unfazed and unaware of our private conversation. I was glad to be able to steal a minute of privacy, especially if she couldn’t listen in.

CHAPTER 23

Back at the dining hall, I sat beside Joshua as we ate dinner. The noise and commotion from the other six recruits was astounding. I kept my voice down, my lips near Joshua’s ear as he sat beside me. “What do you think they’ll have us do tomorrow?”

Joshua shook his head. “Every day is something entirely new.” He smiled in my direction, momentarily wrapping an arm around my back. I raised an eyebrow, wondering what he was up to, but he just smiled again before removing his arm so he could cut up his dinner.

I knew he was right. We had no way of seeing the procedure coming or what it would have made us capable of. I wondered what Maya had meant when she told us the procedure had been fine tuned for each of us. It was evident to me that Joshua and I shared a telepathic bond – did the others share something else? It was nothing I had been able to see, but I knew we had always been close and shared thoughts in other ways. Had the Mindonsiphan strengthened our bond?

“What’s on your mind?” I heard his voice and realized I’d been staring at my food. I took a bite, trying not to worry him and did my best to smile. I felt Joshua nudge me and I nodded, knowing he wanted an answer.

“I was terrified today, having to shoot you with an arrow.” I turned to face him. “I could have killed you.” My stomach tied in knots just thinking about it.

“You want to know a secret?” Joshua smiled faintly and I waited for him to continue, “I was scared, too.”

I laughed softly, realizing that any fears I had, we both shared. It was inevitable of course, after all we’d been through together. “I’m sorry.”

Joshua gave me a look, shaking his head. “Don’t be. You spoke up to Maya – and might I add had deadly aim – but you would have hit the apple. You’d have never touched me with that arrow and lucky for me,” he boasted, “I was able to stop it.”

I gave him a serious look. “Our training tomorrow,” I leaned closer, “I have a feeling that was just the first step in them trying to turn us on each other.”

Joshua took a bite of his dinner. “I’m not so sure about that,” he emphasized. “But I do think we’re not done with the combat training. If they really want us to be capable of being greater than the average soldier,” he stared at me, “Then it’s going to take a lot more than stopping an arrow coming at us.”

I let out a heavy sigh, my focus on the barely eaten meal in front of me. “You’re right.”

“I know.” Joshua nudged me. “You should eat up. I’d hate to think I can beat you tomorrow because you didn’t get enough to eat for dinner.”

“Very funny.” I rolled my eyes and took a bite of my meal. I couldn’t place the meal’s ingredients. I didn’t ask. It tasted like mush, mixed with some staple of protein. I wondered if they were drugging us too, in order to fight better. I didn’t feel tired or sluggish, but after the procedure, who knew what these people were capable of doing to us? I suppose it was a good thing for them we had all turned eighteen and were no longer children. They could live with themselves for killing us.

Lying in bed, I stared up at the bunk above me, hearing Joshua tossing and turning restlessly.

Can’t sleep? I silently asked him. I loved the privacy we shared, even in a room full of recruits.

Not with you breathing like a dragon, Joshua remarked. I could imagine the smug smile on his face as I rolled my eyes. He thought he was being funny.

I’m not breathing fire. I smiled. Trust me, you’ll know when you’ve been burned.

Joshua laughed softly trying to keep himself quiet as to not wake the others. I could feel the bunks shift as he rolled around above me. Loud, nasally, you’re a heavy breather. He tried to explain. I keep seeing a dragon on the bottom bunk.

You’re the one moving around like a ship lost at sea, I chided, knowing he was enjoying the banter as much as I was.

Seriously? He asked stifling a laugh.

You said dragon, I shrugged. There were dragons on ships. I remembered seeing a picture of a Viking vessel in the museum.

He paused, thinking it over. In what lifetime? He shifted on the mattress again. Okay, maybe they were on the bow and stern, he acknowledged.

It was quiet for several minutes, and already I missed his voice, I missed him. Even more I missed that he hadn’t called me Olive or Olivia. Every day here grew harder. I wondered if he had fallen asleep. I hadn’t heard the bed shift in a few minutes, and I could see a few other bunks and made out sleeping forms across from me. You asleep?

Not with you in my head, he remarked.

Sorry. Immediately I felt bad for keeping him up.

He shifted on the mattress. No, don’t be. What’s wrong?

I can’t sleep. I guess, maybe, I’m homesick. I knew I’d never return home again. Seeing my mother would never be an option, and always living on the run was the only other choice if we left this place. I’m scared. Scared what they expect of us after we pass.

Silence hung between us for several long moments, I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately too. He admitted, The procedure, the tests, I’m pretty sure they’re preparing us for the coming war.

I kind of expected as much, I admitted with a sigh. Doesn’t it scare you?

A lot of things scare me, Joshua admitted. Losing you is my biggest fear. I felt my heart quicken at his admission.

I wanted to tell him I loved him and that he would never lose me but being here, in this town, undergoing the training and tests, I couldn’t make that promise. I wasn’t ready to lie down and die, but I couldn’t know what the future would hold.

Goodnight? I heard his soft whisper in my mind. Although I wasn’t tired, I knew tomorrow would be another long day.

Night, I answered missing so much of the life we shared together. Although Genesis had been anything but perfect, we didn’t always wonder when we might die. Here, in this town, I could feel death coming for me. It terrified me to no end. I stared up, wide-eyed at the bunk above me. I was grateful Joshua could sleep through the fear, but it only made my adrenaline peak. I could easily go on a run around the town and back and still be wired. Though I knew Chancellor Collins wouldn’t approve.

I waited a few minutes, until I heard Joshua snoring above me and quietly snuck out of the dormitory, careful not to be seen. I walked barefoot down the hall toward the gymnasium. I remembered when we’d met the recruits and Maya the first time, there had been other equipment to practice and train with. Although we hadn’t used it, I felt it was as good a time as any to perfect my skill.

Stepping into the gymnasium the lights flickered on overhead. There were no windows to the outside world. No one outside the compound would see me. I quickly toured the room, finding a storage closet unlocked. I pulled open the closet doors, finding a target board along with a set of daggers to throw.

“Seriously?” I wondered if this would be part of our training tomorrow or the day after. I grabbed the target board and rolled it into the center of the gymnasium. I removed the weapons and walked over, lining myself up properly.

If what Maya had said was right and the Mindonsiphan did something to strengthen our current abilities, then perhaps maybe I could hit the target without any prior experience.

Carefully, I focused on the center of the target and studied the blade of silver in my hand. From the glimmer of its reflection catching the overhead light, I had a slight flash of the river. I could hear the sound of water rushing, though I knew I wasn’t there. It hadn’t mattered. My mind had taken me back to the place where we’d been attacked. Staring at the blade I could feel the knife against my throat, and I dropped the blade to the floor hearing it clang.

The sound startled me out of my reverie.

I bent down, took a deep breath and let it out. The knife was different. It didn’t even look the same as the one the outlaw had used to attack me. I needed to be stronger – my life depended on it.

My eyes narrowed staring at the target, imagining the release of the blade in my hand as it glided through the air to the board. I threw it hard, grimacing as the knife faltered and fell to the ground. Walking over, I picked it up, stepped back to where I started and tried again. The second time I held the knife differently, angling it back in my hand with the blade facing away from the target.

I focused my attention, one foot stepping in front of the other as my arm released the knife and whipped it through the air, slamming into the bottom ring.

I grumbled. I hadn’t stabbed the floor and left a mark behind, but I didn’t hit the bulls-eye either. I grabbed another knife and repeated the motion again, this time getting the inner ring but not my intended target.

The other recruits were better, more experienced. The outlaw who had attacked was stronger and a more skilled fighter. With each throw as I missed the bulls-eye, I felt anger began to bubble to the surface. I hated what had been done to me. I was an experiment to this town, a plaything to the vile outlaw and a surrogate to the rebel alliance. I didn’t want to be any of those things. I wanted to determine my own life. Nauseated with the sense of loss, of my home and the world I believed existed, I threw the knife and watched it slam into the bulls-eye.

“You’re up late.” I heard a soft voice and jumped, glancing back at the door. Hazel stood there in her pajamas watching me.

Her voice was enough to calm the anger burning within me. “Couldn’t sleep.” I sighed. “What about you?” I had thought all the other recruits were in bed when I’d left the room.

“Had to use the bathroom,” Hazel told me. “Then I saw the glow from beneath the door. Knew someone was up.” She watched me with the knife as I threw another, this one hitting the inner ring of the target. “Not bad. How long have you been practicing?”

“An hour?” I’d lost count.

“That’s it? I figured you’d been doing it for years.” Hazel walked further into the gymnasium. “You have good form for someone who has never thrown a knife before.”

“And you have?” It shouldn’t have surprised me.

Hazel nodded faintly. “Part of our training back home. How is it you’re not from the five cities, and they let you participate in the tests?” Her voice wasn’t sharp or demanding. Hazel seemed curious by nature and didn’t understand why she had to fight against someone who didn’t belong in the competition. I couldn’t blame her for asking.

“I really don’t know.” I gave her a weak smile, offering her a knife to try. She shook her head, letting me practice instead. With a faint nod, I threw another knife, hitting the bulls-eye again.

“I’m going to head back to bed,” Hazel gestured to the door. “I want to be well rested for the morning.” I couldn’t blame her.

“Have a good night,” I offered, watching as she turned and headed out of the gymnasium. I heard the doors clasp behind her and threw the last knife I had, landing again in the bulls-eye. I was getting better with practice.

I spent another hour practicing before my arm grew tired. With a resigned sigh, I put everything away and quietly tiptoed back into the dormitory for bed.

As soon as I slipped beneath the covers and rested my head on the pillow, I fell asleep. I was exhausted.

CHAPTER 24

I was never a morning person. Maya came into our sleeping quarters. “Up!” she announced with only one word and a loud clap. I grimaced and wanted desperately to bury my head under the pillow. After staying up late last night on a secretive practice session in the gymnasium, I was not ready for morning. My arm still hurt, and I hoped whatever we did today didn’t involve throwing knives.

Maya waited for each of us to, at the very least sit up in bed, before telling us why she was here. “Today you will begin the second part of your training. Each of you will be escorted to Chancellor Collins. Failure to participate means immediate dismissal.”

I glanced at Joshua, wondering how today would go for both of us. Neither of us particularly liked the Chancellor, and the fact he would be involved in the next stage of our training made me more than slightly nervous. As it was, the last time I’d been face-to-face with him, I tried to escape. It hadn’t gone too well for me.

“Get dressed and into the dining hall promptly. You have exactly one hour until names will be called,” Maya informed us before heading out.

Since our first day, our clothes had been cleaned daily and placed in a shelf on the wall. Each recruit had their name, along with their clothes, neatly inside a container so we wouldn’t mix things up. It wasn’t as though we had much, but it was always well-kept and organized. I never saw anyone put the clothes in, but they were always there. I assumed it was done during our dinner hour. A typical day so far I’d learned meant a recruit gathered their clothes from the shelf, shoes off the floor and a towel on the way to the bathroom. Today was anything but typical with Maya announcing we had one hour to shower, eat and be prepared for whatever came next.

The commotion in the room that followed was pure chaos. Jaxon and Margo both rushed around to find their clothes and shoes. Cate laughed, pointing at Margo as she searched under the bed and tore the sheets from the mattress in search of her underwear. Cate held the clothes behind her back, giggling wildly. I rolled my eyes and quietly stood up. Cate’s bed was only seven feet away. With her back to me I snuck up behind her, ripped the clothes from her fingers and tossed them at Margo. “Cate was hiding them!” I made it known to everyone that Cate couldn’t be trusted.

“You rat!” Cate glared at me as Margo came rushing at Cate, pushing her hard as I stepped aside. Cate flew off the mattress, landing on the hard tile with a thud. Joshua did his best not to laugh.

Mason smirked. “Cate finally got what she deserved.” He stared down from the top bunk, proudly watching the two fighting it out. It was the first I’d seen Mason not sucking up to Cate. It was a welcome change.

Cate was no match for Margo as she had her pinned down. Cate desperately tried to kick and flail but didn’t budge. Margo was twice her size and no doubt stronger. “Want to say it to my face?” Margo watched her squirm with delight. “You get a real kick out of stealing someone’s underwear? Anyone ever teach you manners? I see the way you pick on everyone. Ever think of harassing me again and I’ll kill you,” she seethed as her bottom lip snarled at Cate.

Cate stopped squirming finding it impossible to move. “Let me go!” she whined.

Margo’s face turned a deep shade of red as anger bubbled to the surface. The force of her body on Cate squished the girl against linoleum. I’d have felt sorry for Cate if she hadn’t been an instigator and a bully. The girl deserved what she had coming to her.

Mason finally jumped off the top bunk, resting a hand on Margo’s arm. “I think she’s had enough.” Margo didn’t let up.

Jaxon walked over to Margo, knowing she’d listen to him. He patted her back. “Mason’s right. Let the Chancellor be the one to kill her. Cate’s so scared she’ll probably wet herself on her way to breakfast.”

“Will not!” Cate piped up, grimacing when a fist flung out at her face.

Jaxon caught Margo’s arm before it had time to reach Cate. “Come on, up you go.” He pulled Margo away from Cate. “She’s not worth dying over,” Jaxon reminded her. “You have what you need, let’s get breakfast. If she shows her ugly face in the dining hall we can throw food at her or stuff her in the trashcan.”

I wondered if Jaxon really had it in him to be mean or he was just trying to calm Margo down. It seemed to work. Margo let go of Cate, climbed off her and glared as she grabbed her clothes, underwear included, and took them to the bathroom.

“Wow,” I breathed, unsure what else to say.

Joshua climbed down from his vantage point on the top bunk of his bed. “Yeah, no kidding. Let’s get showered and ready for breakfast.”

I couldn’t have agreed more. I grabbed my own fresh change of clothes, shoes and a towel before heading for the bathroom. I waved at Joshua, a brief see you later. I called to him and walked into the girls’ bathroom.

The bathroom had three shower stalls and one was already running. I assumed Margo was in there. I didn’t say anything. I shut the first door to the stall, dropped my clothes and a towel in the second part and closed the shower curtain as I turned on the water. The spray was hot, but it felt good. I hadn’t realized how tired or sore I was until my body started relaxing under the hot stream. I lathered up, washed my hair and turned off the shower.

Pushing back the curtain in the stall, I rolled my eyes as my clothes and towel were missing.

“Cate!” I screamed, knowing she was the only one capable of such a stunt.

Cate cackled, “Looking for these?” She waved my clothes from above the other side of the stall. “Have fun trying to get dressed and ready on time!” She dashed out of the bathroom with my clothes and towel trailing behind her.

“That’s just great,” I muttered. “Is anyone else in here?”

The bathroom was oddly silent. Margo must have already finished and left for the cafeteria. Apparently, the others had gotten the memo to avoid Cate at all costs.

I pulled the shower curtain down, grateful for its pale beige color as I wrapped it around myself. I headed out of the bathroom, seeing Mason give me a strange look as he came from the opposite side of the bathroom fully dressed. “Cate did this.”

Mason gave a strange look and laughed, “She wrapped you in a shower curtain?”

“Shut up!” I retorted already growing annoyed as I dripped a trail of water into the cafeteria. “Give me my clothes, Cate!” I called at her.

Margo stood as she approached Cate. After helping her today, it was no wonder she tried to be supportive, “Give her the clothes, or so help me God I will beat your brains into this bench!”

Cate rolled her eyes. “It’s not your fight, Margo.” She showed me the clothes. “You want them?” She glanced me over. “You know you could just wear that today? Suits you well,” Cate smirked proudly. “I bet Adam would love it,” Cate snickered.

Joshua rolled his eyes. “Give her the clothes, Cate.” He stood up, approaching Cate as she sat on the bench, staring up at him. Joshua loomed over her, snatching the material from her tight grip.

“Feisty boy,” Cate smirked, as her fingers released their grasp and Joshua fell back a step, walking over toward me.

“Just ignore her,” Joshua told me, handing me the clothes as he tried his best not to stare at my attire. I was thankful he wasn’t thinking anything inappropriate, considering I could read his mind.

“Don’t worry. I intend to,” I breathed, taking the clothes and turning for the bathroom. “Thanks.”

“I’ll come with you,” Joshua offered, following behind me.

“Why’s that?” I frowned. “I don’t need a body guard.” I could take care of myself.

Joshua nodded in understanding. “Maybe not, but we’ve got about five minutes before they start calling names. I don’t know what would happen if you’re not ready in time. But if Cate steps in once more, it’s possible we’ll find out.”

“Yeah, fine.” I knew he was right. He stood outside the bathroom door as I quickly dried off and got dressed into the recruit uniform.

Together we headed back to the cafeteria when Maya came in. “Our first recruit for training this morning is Elsa.”

Elsa stood and I breathed a sigh of relief. Jaxon approached Joshua and me as we headed further into the cafeteria. “I grabbed breakfast for you. It’s on the table.”

“Thanks.” I nodded, heading for the long table as a meal sat all alone. Everyone else had already eaten. I grabbed a seat, grateful it was on the opposite end of the table from Cate. I really didn’t want to have to deal with her again today.

I sat between Jaxon and Joshua as I ate everything I could manage.

“Slow down.” Joshua patted my shoulder. “Don’t make yourself sick.”

I knew he was right, but I was starving and didn’t know if my name would be next. I was beyond nervous and just hoped my breakfast would stay down.

Before Elsa was even back from seeing the Chancellor, fifteen minutes later, Maya came into the cafeteria. “Mason you’re next. Come with me.” He stood up and followed Maya out of the dining hall.

I glanced at Jaxon. “Thanks for getting me something to eat.”

Jaxon nodded. “Sure. They were closing the cafeteria, and I figured you might be hungry.”

He seemed like a really nice guy. “Thanks.” I smiled, having another bite of breakfast.

“Can I ask you guys something?” Jaxon kept his voice down. “Have you noticed anything weird from the procedure?”

I glanced at Joshua wondering how much to say. “Like what?” I asked curiously.

“In the bathroom, I–-” Jaxon paused, shaking his head, unsure he felt comfortable telling us.

“It’s okay,” I said, resting a hand on his arm. “We won’t tell anyone.”

Jaxon nodded faintly. “I don’t know how I did it, but when the water got really warm, I just kept thinking about fire and then my hands,” he showed me his palms. “They were engulfed in flames.” Nothing seemed to happen now as he showed me.

I shook my head. “I don’t see anything.”

Jaxon lowered his hands beneath the table so no other recruits could see what he was doing. One hand then two glowed together with a ball of fire. He closed his hands and it disappeared.

“Wow,” I breathed, my mouth hanging open. “Do you think everyone is capable of that?” I asked Jaxon curiously.

Jaxon tilted his head to the side eyeing me. “Try it?”

I took another bite and glanced at Joshua as he held his hands under the table and tried. “Nothing.” Joshua shook his head as he was unsuccessful in his attempts. “Maya had said it was fine tuned for each of us. Maybe you’re the only one capable of fire.”

Jaxon nodded, “Maybe, but did you see how red Margo got when she was fighting with Cate? I kept thinking that if she got any angrier she would have burned her!” Jaxon laughed softly. “It’s stupid. Probably not even possible.”

“Most of what’s going on here seems impossible,” I reminded Jaxon.

Joshua spoke up, “Jacqueline and I can share each other’s thoughts telepathically.”

I wondered why he divulged that bit of information with Jaxon. It wasn’t as though I didn’t trust him, but I wasn’t sure he wouldn’t go run and tell the Chancellor.

“Really?” Jaxon was intrigued. “That is pretty cool,” he laughed. “Better than these.” He held up his hands.

“Maybe you have to learn to enhance the fire? Be able to control it?” I offered. “You could talk to Chancellor Collins about it,” I suggested, wanting to gauge his reaction.

Jaxon glanced at me, cocking one eyebrow. “You trust Collins?” He asked curiously.

“I don’t know,” I admitted with a shrug. “This place, everything, it’s still pretty new to us.” I glanced at Joshua.

“I think he has his own agenda,” Joshua remarked. “No one has been incredibly forthcoming about the recruits, why you chose to volunteer, given the risk of it all.”

Jaxon smiled. “You really aren’t from one of the five cities, are you?”

I opened my mouth unsure what to say. “I don’t know,” came out, but it sounded lame. I glanced back seeing Maya enter the cafeteria.

“Jaxon you’re up next,” Maya called, gesturing for him to come with her.

“Good luck.” I waved, briefly wondering and desperately hoping that all our questions and curiosity wouldn’t get us both into trouble. Jaxon was off to see the Chancellor – that worried me.

Joshua and I would be next.

CHAPTER 25

Joshua and I were the last two in the cafeteria as the other recruits had all been called to see the Chancellor. Sitting had only made me more anxious, wondering what was taking so long and why no one had come back to the compound yet.

“Jacqueline, you’re next.” Maya gestured for me to come with her. See you in a bit. I smiled faintly towards Joshua, hoping it wouldn’t be nearly as bad as I feared. I followed Maya out of the building and walked with her outside. “We’re going to Chancellor Collins office,” she explained.

“Maya?” I asked as we slowly approached the building. “Is it possible to acquire all the talents from the procedure that each recruit has?” Maya glanced at me curiously. “Some of the recruits have been talking,” I didn’t want it to be known that Joshua and I had figured out our ability.

Maya laughed softly. “Don’t rush things, Jacqueline. They’ll come in their own time.” I wondered if she knew we were supposed to be capable of reading minds. “Come along.” She opened the door, leading me up to a room decorated to feel comfortable. “Have a seat. Chancellor Collins will be with you shortly.”

I took a seat on the couch, noticing it looked more like a small living room then an office. There were two chairs and a sofa along with an end table and desk. No signs of technology or anything sterile like the last procedure. I felt a little more reassured.

I relaxed into the sofa, staring up at the ceiling when the Chancellor swung the door open, stepping into the room. “Jacqueline.” He nodded, walking over to sit in the chair across from me. “Congratulations on making it this far.”

“Didn’t really know I had a choice,” I muttered, crossing my arms defensively. “What am I doing here? Planning to pick my brain?” I asked curiously. I wasn’t thrilled with being alone in the Chancellor’s presence. At least with Joshua, I felt as though we had some level of protection, even if it was a false sense of security.

“The second stage of your testing begins now,” he told me. “Unlike most recruits, you and Adam are an interesting combination. We don’t have files on you, on your town or really on anything you’ve told us. Except for this,” he shifted in his seat and reached out to a small side table, opening the drawer. Chancellor Collins pulled out the familiar journal that was my fathers, smuggled out of Genesis. “I found this in your backpack, Jacqueline.”

“I–” I had nothing to say. Admitting it was mine would bring on more questions. Denying I knew about the journal was an obvious lie and would probably get me killed.

“Take your time,” the Chancellor gave me a smug look. “I’ve read through the entire thing already. Have you, dear?”

“Don’t call me that,” I hissed. I reached out to snatch the book from his fingers and surprisingly he let me have it. I clung to it as curiosity only further grew on his face.

“Now, why would you, Jacqueline, want anything to do with a journal written by Gavin Parker?”

I stalled, unsure what to say. How could I explain the value and importance of what I held in my possession without giving away the truth of who I was? “I read parts of it as well,” I spoke up. “I know what the journal means – if it’s true and they had a daughter then, the government ruling today would fall apart with the knowledge held right here.” I held the book up showing my point. “I didn’t want it to fall into the wrong hands,” I answered proudly.

“Is that so?” He stared at me curiously. “How is it that book from inside the city made its way to Haven?”

“Someone in the rebel alliance must have smuggled it out.” I reasoned.

Chancellor Collins stared at me hard. “Is that so? Rumors are aplenty that a girl and boy, both eighteen escaped in the tunnels, the daughter of the Parkers. In fact, I hear the daughter, Olivia,” he stared hard at me, “escaped from prison and the government has been looking for her ever since.”

I wondered how he’d gained that information from a town with no obvious sign of communication to the outside world. “Well, there you go!” I proclaimed. “She must have smuggled the book out.” I really hoped this wasn’t going to end badly for Joshua and myself. Right now, though, I didn’t feel entirely confident in the tale I was telling.

“Right, of course she did.” The Chancellor nodded slowly, watching my every move. “Then how and when exactly did you come across the journal?”

“I met her,” I breathed staring at him, refusing to let my gaze falter. “I was to show her our home, Haven. Then the soldiers came and they destroyed our town because they were looking for her.” I tried to sound disgusted at what we’d done, that I was ashamed to have known her. “Adam and I managed to escape while our home was being invaded by the government and destroyed. She wasn’t but a few feet from me when I witnessed her death.” A part of me had, knowing I could never admit my identity, certainly not to people I couldn’t trust.

“And you managed to snag her father’s journal before escaping?” He eyed me skeptically.

I nodded weakly. “Yes. I found it in the bag I grabbed on the way out of town. We put the map Adam recovered in there and took off. We didn’t examine everything inside the bag until we were on the road. Besides who’s to say it’s even true?” Trying to make nothing of it, I offered a warm smile. “Suppose it’s a story?”

“An awfully big story to tell, Jacqueline.” The way he said my name made me shiver. Chancellor Collins stood up, pacing the length of the room. “You do know I hate being lied to?”

“I’m not lying!” It was easier to believe the lie than to confess the truth. It wasn’t as though we had done anything wrong. Was being born a crime? It certainly was according to Governor Craynor. He’d thrown me in jail for it!

Collins smiled. “Of course you’re not lying.” He didn’t believe me. “Adam’s survival and acceptance depends on you. You will not say another word,” he instructed me as he opened the door and Joshua was led in. “Adam,” he gestured for Joshua to come into the room. “Have a seat.”

Joshua took a seat on the sofa beside me. Chancellor Collins watched every move each of us made closely. “You’re girl here has told me everything.” The Chancellor glared at me, a silent reminder that if I spoke, I had the potential of destroying Joshua’s life.

Joshua glanced at me. “Told you what?” He asked confused.

I refused to look at him. I had to make this convincing, that I wasn’t speaking to him. If there was any chance that he could read our minds, we had to be extra careful. I haven’t told him anything more than he already knows.

“What do you want to know? I’m an open book.” Joshua offered with a smile. He leaned forward clasping his hands together. “I’m Adam and this is Jacqueline. We’ve already explained that to you. But if you’re confused, we can start at the beginning again.”

Chancellor Collins face turned red aggravated. “Enough!” He shouted. The walls vibrated as if there had been a slight earthquake from the sound. He let out a heavy breath. “We found a journal from the late Parker’s.” He explained.

I already told him I found it in the bag when we escaped, after Haven was destroyed. Olivia must have left it in there from when we met her. If The Chancellor read our minds, it seemed innocent enough.

Joshua sighed. “Yes, Jacqueline found it in the bag. I haven’t read it or looked at it so I can’t really say much as to the legitimacy of it.” It was the truth. He’d given it to me to take to Haven, and I’d read it alone.

The Chancellor sighed, realizing he was making no headway. “Here’s the thing,” he stared at us both. “There are two of you. Two of you I really don’t need and, seeing as how you’re both lying, I find it easiest to send you both to your deaths. Unless that is, one of you will speak up?” Neither of us said a word. I was certain he was bluffing. They wouldn’t kill us. They had no proof we were lying. So what that we had a journal from my father, it didn’t prove we weren’t Jacqueline and Adam. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” He pulled two capsules from his pocket. Jet black in color, I reached out, taking one in my hands and Joshua taking the other.

I don’t like this. Joshua stared at me. We’re worth more to them alive. At least you are. Tell them the truth or I’ll take the pill. He didn’t want to watch me die.

My eyes widened as Joshua brought the pill up to his lips in horror. “Wait!” I exclaimed reaching out but the pill slipped between his lips and he swallowed it faster than I could react. “No!” I screamed my face reddened and I could feel the tears coming.

The Chancellor grabbed Joshua’s arm and pulled him out of the room. A moment later Collins returned with a smug smile. “You have two minutes to save his life, dear. Two minutes and I can still reverse the effects before it’s too late.”

“I’ll tell you whatever you want. Just save his life.” I nodded through wide tear-filled eyes. “Please, you have to save Josh’s life.” I knew the truth had slipped out, but I hadn’t cared. Chancellor Collins smile only seemed to grow with the satisfaction of his answer. “Do something!” I screamed at him. Time was ticking away and he hadn’t budged.

“Talk,” he demanded. “Then I’ll save him. You have 90 seconds.”

“I’m Olivia Parker,” I admitted, telling him what he already suspected. “The journal was my father’s, Gavin Parker. He’s dead.” I wiped the tears as fast they fell. “Joshua helped me escape from prison and we left Genesis for Haven. The rebel alliance wanted me to have a baby, be their savior. I was actually relieved when the government destroyed their town,” I answered bitterly. “We had no home. Nowhere else to go. Joshua had the map and we took a chance, we came here.” It was everything that had happened, everything important. “Now save him, damn it!” I stood up and stomped my foot, growing angrier by the second.

Collins nodded stepping out of the room and a moment later brought Joshua back in. He looked a little flushed but otherwise fine.

“Josh?” My hands went to his cheeks, staring into his eyes. “Are you okay?” My heart pounded as I looked him over. I wasn’t a doctor, but he looked all right.

“Other than a bitter taste in my mouth. I’m okay,” Joshua answered.

Chancellor Collins smiled proudly. “That was easier than I thought. He’ll be fine. Just a simple truth pill he swallowed, now stay here,” he told us. “Do not move,” he insisted, heading out the door we came in, shutting it behind him forcefully.

“I don’t like this,” I breathed looking around the room. I stood up, heading quietly for the door, finding it locked. Why was I not surprised?

Joshua sighed. “At least there’s an upside to it.”

“And what’s that?” I couldn’t possibly think of anything good coming of this.

“We can go back to calling each other Olivia and Joshua.” He smirked. I wondered briefly if the truth pill had worked on him. Was there anything I wanted to know that Joshua hadn’t told me? No. I wouldn’t ask him when he was drugged. That was wrong.

“Cute,” I muttered, trying the handle again. Nothing. I walked to the opposite wall, peering out the blinds through the window. We were too high up to jump. It wouldn’t be a smart idea. My hands roamed the walls, desperately hoping to find a way out or at least a weapon to protect us.

Jaxon opened the door, stepping into the room with Margo behind him.

“What are you doing here?” I asked staring at them, confused. Were they here to help us escape?

“Come with us,” they both answered, not giving any explanation. I glanced back at Joshua. He merely gave a slight nod to go ahead. We followed them down the stairs to the third floor and into a large room with an old wooden table and chairs.

Inside the room, Chancellor Collins sat at the head of the table. To his right was Maya and next to her was Elsa. Across from Elsa, Jaxon took a seat and Margo sat beside him. My mouth dropped further, if at all possible, seeing Cate and Mason beside Margo and on the other side of the table Hazel, and to my surprise, Aidan. He was still alive!

“Have a seat,” the Chancellor instructed, gesturing at the two empty seats at the table.

I didn’t know what else to say or do, but sit down. “Was this all some kind of trick?” I was more than slightly confused.

I was grateful Joshua wasn’t trying to communicate with me telepathically. I didn’t trust these people and the last thing I wanted was for them to listen in on a private conversation.

“Everything isn’t as it seems. I’m sorry for the smoke and mirrors, but you must understand we had to test your capacity to fit in. We don’t just let people come into our town. Most, in fact, never see it. We’re on no maps, and those who drive through keep going. I’m not sure how you found us. No one’s ever stopped. At least not accidentally.” Collins smiled awkwardly.

Joshua spoke up, the pill having some effect on him. “That’s not true. Olivia and I snuck out one night and saw you speak with someone who drove in and out of town the same night.”

I nudged Joshua to shut up, but it didn’t matter. The truth was out.

Collins nodded slowly. “You saw that?” He didn’t seem upset by the news only mildly surprised. “That was someone who could authenticate Gavin Parker’s journal.”

“Who?” I asked incredulously.

The Chancellor sighed. “He comes from one of the five cities. The second born Parker and younger brother to Gavin. His name is Hunter. Apparently, though they’d never met they have nearly identical handwriting. Genetics,” he laughed. “They play an amusing role in our world.”

“He’s my uncle?” I tried to make sense of the Chancellor’s words.

The Chancellor nodded slightly. “I suppose he is. We don’t really use such terms anymore, Olivia.” It was odd, hearing my name again after so long while I pretended to be Jacqueline.

Joshua nodded slowly in understanding. “Why are we here?” Neither of us understood what was going on.

Maya spoke up, “We are at the verge of war with the government. What we have told you is in part the truth. There are five great cities of the rebellion that have clung together west of the sun mountain. The recruits you met are all from those towns, and they had the honor of joining our elite city over the past few years. Some are older than eighteen, have lived here for five or more years, but we have ways of making them appear younger. They had all passed – at one time or another – the tests.”

I didn’t know what that meant. I could only assume whatever the Mindonsiphan did allowed the aging process to slow or perhaps showed us what we wanted to see, to believe. I didn’t interrupt as Maya continued to speak.

“The government doesn’t know of our existence – it’s better this way. On a map we are old towns, obliterated during the Fourth World War. We made sure to rebuild in dead cities so we would be unseen by those watching. I know much of this is new and confusing. Please understand we did this to test your ability and commitment to your team and to the rebel city. You showed a great level of respect, Olivia. When Margo was picked on by Cate you stood up for her. We admire bravery. We also admire that you didn’t join in, that you weren’t mean to Margo or to any of the other recruits. Being competitive is acceptable, but being cruel or unjust is not. That’s why we asked Aidan to do what he did to Joshua,” Maya explained. “Had Joshua not ducked, I would have averted the arrow at the last possible moment.”

Somehow I doubted it, but I kept my mouth shut.

Maya continued, “The procedure you underwent makes you special and makes you like one of us. It’s a rare gift that will excel not only your natural abilities, but will also allow us to win the war against the government. We couldn’t wait much longer to administer it though, because of its importance in brain development during your teenage years. Unfortunately, neither of you is getting any younger,” she remarked. “Our community of cities is small, but we are a great force. Together with the technology of the new world and the wisdom of the old world, we are stronger than the government. You were both brave for the procedure and the skills test afterwards.”

“I thought it was training,” I admitted, shooting a confused look at Joshua.

“If you knew we were testing you it would have changed the results,” Maya smiled faintly. Chancellor Collins spoke up, “Same with the tests of honesty, integrity and self-worth. You offered yourself to protect Joshua. We know and recognize the value placed on you because of how you came into this world.” He stared oddly at me, “You are incredibly special, Olivia. You have no idea the impact you can have on society in our world.”

Just a short time ago I’d been an ordinary eighteen-year-old girl. Except the reality was, I wasn’t ordinary. I was anything but ordinary. I was aberrant. I couldn’t help but make a face in disgust. “I have no desire to breed just to help the rebel alliance.” It was the truth. If they expected me to become pregnant for their agenda, I would leave and Joshua would come with me. If I had to fight my way out of the room, I would.

“We’d never ask of you anything we wouldn’t do ourselves.” Jaxon nodded.

I rolled my eyes. “No offense, Jaxon, but you’re a boy. You can’t exactly have children,” I retorted.

Elsa sighed. “No one can, Olivia. That’s the point. Without science meddling, none of us can bear children. We’re not asking you to have children. We’re not asking you to give them up to us like the government would demand, either.” She made it clear what they expected of me. “We just need a few body scans. Our technology can do the rest. We’re looking for a cure.”

Joshua spoke up, “And what happens after you take these scans, and it’s not enough? What if it doesn’t give you the answers you want? What then? And why bother making either of us special if you just plan on letting us go.”

Chancellor Collins laughed softly. “We have no intention of letting either of you go. I’m sorry if that’s what you thought. You’ve been mistaken. We would prefer you to be on our side, to help us wage war and fix this severely broken system. Of course the choice is yours. We can do this willingly or we can force you into submission, take what we need and leave you both rotting in a cell until the war is over.”

I knew he wasn’t joking. The bile rose in my throat and I swallowed it down. “I’ll do the scans, but frankly, I don’t see why you didn’t do that when you performed the procedure. That was certainly against my will,” I remarked.

Elsa spoke up cheerfully, “We didn’t know you were Olivia Parker. We weren’t really sure who you were. Perhaps some of us hoped it was true, but it seemed impossible.”

“It’s Olivia Warren now,” I reached for Joshua’s hand giving it a squeeze.

Everyone at the table looked at one another.

“What?” I asked confused.

Elsa glanced at me curiously, “The marriage ceremony, it went through?”

I nodded slowly, wondering why all the looks and quiet whispers. “Yes. Though Haven refused to see us as married.”

Chancellor Collins spoke up, “It’s neither here or nor there,” he waved his hands. “If you shall choose to be wed, that is your decision, and we will have a ceremony to make it such. If you choose not to be, then so be it.”

Joshua glanced at me. “You won’t separate us?”

Elsa laughed. “Why would we? You two have been acting pretty cozy lately, but we had no idea the ceremony had commenced. With the timing on your escape, it was rumored you were newlyweds. No one knew for certain.”

Joshua squeezed my hand, grinning at me. “Marry me?”

I laughed softly and chewed the bottom of my lip raw. “Seriously?”

“Yes.” Joshua’s eager smile and shining eyes made my heart leap.

I shifted in my seat as I reached toward him, my thumb stroking his jaw. My eyes met his piercing blue stare. He looked like himself, but what did I know? “You took truth serum, Josh.” I glanced down at his lips with a soft laugh and back up at again at his eyes. “Maybe it’s the drug talking.”

“It isn’t.” He stared at me, convinced he was entirely in control. “I’ll ask you a thousand times over.” His gaze refused to waver. “I love you.” I swallowed the lump in my throat.

I nodded faintly. It was no secret. “I love you, too.” My cheeks blushed as I ignored all eyes on us in the room. “I don’t think this is the right place, though, for you to ask me to marry you.” It wasn’t that I expected some huge romantic gesture. I just didn’t want there to be any regrets. He didn’t have to marry me. He had a choice, we all did here. It was what made this place special.

“What?” He pulled back, though only slightly, and my hand fell into my lap.

“No,” I sighed, seeing his shift and change in behavior. “Josh,” I scooted closer as my hands found his arms. I gave him a light squeeze, drawing his attention back at me. “I love you,” I stared at him, willing him to look at me. “You know that.” He nodded slowly, realizing what I was telling him. It wasn’t only because he’d said the words that I felt it necessary to reciprocate the gesture. “I just think the truth serum,” I paused. “It’s unfair to either of us. I don’t want to take advantage of you.” I confessed. “I’d never forgive myself.”

“Then believe me when I tell you I want to marry you.” His eyes bore into mine.

I felt the wind knocked out of me and nodded ever so slightly. “Okay.” I did believe him. Maybe it was the fact we shared a connection greater than ever before with the Mindonsiphan. I could feel his heart beat with mine in the same rhythm. I shifted forward, brushing my nose against his, ever so softly.

“Is that a yes?” he whispered, caught up in the moment as he leaned down and brushed my lips with his. The kiss was warm and inviting. It wasn’t filled with curiosity and question, but hope and wonder.

I nodded vigorously as I wrapped my arms around his build, pulling him in for a hug. “Josh,” I whispered, burying my lips against his ear. I could feel his heart skip a beat against my chest. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

In a fury of haze I could hear the others chatter of excitement and a few cheers. My eyes refused to move from Joshua’s as I kissed him once more.

Chancellor Collins cleared his throat, interrupting us, “Now that it’s settled, we’d like you to join our forces.”

I pulled back only slightly from Joshua, though my hand found its way entwined with his. “You want us to be a part of your military?” What did I know about fighting and battle?

Collins smiled, though I felt my stomach tense at the sight. “We’d like you to become a part of our community. It will entail Elsa training you in Combat. Jaxon will help you to develop fire, and Margo can prepare you with sheer strength. Cate will teach you–”

I interrupted, holding up my hand. “Does Cate really have to teach me anything?” I still hadn’t forgiven her for what she’d done in the shower that morning. She’d had absolutely no reason to have stolen my clothes from the stall.

“Perhaps you could teach Cate kindness and forgiveness,” the Chancellor remarked.

I tried my best not to roll my eyes. “Forgiveness? She ran off with my clothes!” It was hard to forgive and forget, especially when she’d acted intentionally cruel for her own purposes.

Margo nodded. “That was definitely not part of the plan, Chancellor.”

Chancellor Collins glared at Cate. “You, my dear, are more trouble than you’re often worth.” He shook his head and sighed, realizing he couldn’t ignore her behavior. “Maya, you will remind Cate about respect. Cate, I’ll decide your punishment for the month after this meeting is over.” He turned his attention back to Joshua and me. “From here on out, we expect no lies from either of you. We understand the sensitive nature of who you both are and respect that you had to lie to us to protect yourself.”

“I still don’t trust you.” I shook my head. “You lied to me as much as I lied to you.” It was a valid point.

Elsa sighed. “We couldn’t very well allow you to leave. You’d seen the town, and once we confiscated your vehicle we found the journal right away. Our only choice was to make sure you were who we hoped and to test your ability and eagerness to be one of us.”

Hazel piped in, “Plus Sydney told us about the knife wound on Joshua’s foot and how you were attacked. The fact you both survived out in the Gravelands on your own is a pretty big deal.”

“I’m still not sure I want to be one of you,” I muttered, staring down at the old cracks of wood in the table. I knew we didn’t have many other options.

Joshua spoke up. I wasn’t sure if it was the truth serum or not compelling him, but was there a difference? “I’m for it as long as you promise two things.”

The Chancellor nodded, “We’re listening.” Joshua had their full attention.

Joshua stared at the Chancellor refusing to let his gaze waver, “Promise to do no harm to Olivia or myself.”

Maya laughed softly. “We’ve never intended any harm on either of you.” She glanced at Aidan and then again at Joshua. “I can assure you, even when things seemed dire, they weren’t.”

Joshua nodded slowly. He reached for my hand on the table and gave it a squeeze. “The second request we have is if we choose to leave at any time, you will let us go.”

The Chancellor’s smile faded. “I can promise that after the war and the uprising, you may choose to live anywhere you wish. Until then,” he stared at us both seriously, “we need your help and you need our protection.” A part of me knew he was right. After what Haven had wanted of me, I couldn’t leave without pretending to be someone else wherever we disappeared to. I also wasn’t incredibly confident that another town would willingly take in two strangers. Roaming the open Gravelands was a death sentence. It was only a matter of time until another outlaw would find us on the open roads. With no food or shelter, we’d be lucky to survive a few months. The Chancellor’s eyes landed once again on Joshua. “I promise we intend no harm to either of you. We only ask that you allow us the chance to fix whatever has caused our world to become infertile.”

With a sideways glance at Joshua, I gave a faint nod. “I’ll do it.” I was more than slightly nervous they wouldn’t hold true to their word. As it was, all these recruits were council members of this town and had come from the five cities we knew nothing about. “The tests you want me to undergo, will they hurt?”

Elsa smiled reassuringly. “We have a few scanners that are completely painless. Joshua used one of them when we healed his foot.”

I waited for Joshua to tell me the truth. I knew he’d never lie to me.

Joshua turned towards me. “It didn’t hurt but it’s up to you, Olive.” As if we actually had a choice.

I nodded, slowly letting out an anxious breath. I wanted to believe her and I knew Joshua wouldn’t lie. “I don’t want to be a test subject,” I stared at them.

“You won’t,” Elsa assured me. “It’s a series of images, scans, maybe a little blood work. I assure you, Olivia, you are not the guinea pig. We merely want to understand what makes you different.”

I glanced from Elsa to Chancellor Collins. “What if I’m not different?” Everyone was betting on me to be something special.

The Chancellor folded his hands together on the table. “Then we’ve wasted nothing.” He stared at me. “We have to try.” I knew he was right. If I had any chance of being unique and I could conceive a child naturally, then I had to do something to help others.

“I have an idea,” I heard Joshua’s voice echo in the room and I shifted in my seat, waiting for him to continue. “You want change,” his eyes landed briefly on me. “The Governor’s Ball is always in the spring. I don’t know what weekend it will be -- we’ll need to know the date and time -- but if we can be ready by then, we can mount an attack.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, already hating the idea but knowing there was no other option. “I’ll go in as a house servant for Governor Craynor,” I ignored Joshua’s glare, “with red hair and a few other changes, I won’t be recognizable, and can get the information.”

Chancellor Collins met my stare, “I know someone that can vouch for you. We can get you into Genesis without too much commotion.”

Joshua glanced at me, “It’s risky. Send Margo or Cate,” he gestured towards the other recruits, “why can’t they go?” He insisted.

“It has to be me, Josh,” I reached towards him, taking his hands in mine. “If I get caught, Governor Craynor won’t hurt me. You know that. Everyone here knows that.” It was a reminder of what I meant to the cause.

Joshua sighed. “What if you’re wrong? He threw you in jail, why couldn’t he just kill you? It would take care of his problem.”

“He won’t do that,” I was adamant. “Besides there are other rebels within Genesis. I’ll be okay.” I assured him. I had to be okay. I couldn’t let myself consider any other alternative.

The Chancellor paused thinking the plan over, “We may have to take out one of the servants so you can replace him.”

“Take out, as in kill?” Joshua’s eyes widened as he shook his head vigorously. “Absolutely not! We’re not murdering people. That’s not why I suggested this.”

Jaxon sighed, listening to everyone’s argument before speaking up, “I’ll go with Olivia. We don’t have to kill the servant, just keep him away from his duties for awhile.” He countered, “then we bring Olivia in as a replacement. You know the Jobs Commissioner, don’t you?” Jaxon glanced at the Chancellor.

Joshua rubbed his forehead staring down at the table, “my father’s in charge of assigning jobs.” His cheeks flushed at the suggestion. “He won’t go for it. He’s not an idiot and he’s certainly not part of any rebel alliance.”

“He doesn’t need to be,” the Chancellor answered, “we’ll have everything handled. Olivia will go to Genesis and Jaxon will accompany her.”

“When?” I asked. I didn’t know how viable our plan would be. There were plenty of details to work out. It was a start though, the slightest bit of hope in an otherwise dire world.

“A few weeks before spring. Until then you’ll both train and prepare for whatever you might encounter,” the Chancellor told us.

Joshua spoke up, “what about me? Why can’t I go in Jaxon’s place?”

Jaxon laughed softly, “you said it yourself. Your father works as the Jobs Commissioner for Genesis. If you show up in his office, he’ll know it’s you.”

Joshua sighed glancing at me, “you don’t have to do this.”

I paused, knowing the answer but still taking the time to think it through. If we wanted a chance at a new future and fresh start, this was the next step in taking it. Though I wanted no one to die in the coming war, I knew it was unrealistic. I needed to be strong, brave and prepared for the long road ahead. I recognized the risks, and now understood the dangers. I was not going to watch by the sidelines while those beside me, recruits, risked their lives for my freedom. I would stand among them and fight for the world we desired. I believed it was still attainable, within our grasp, and would be won. “I’m in.” I acknowledged.

“Welcome to Shadow,” Chancellor Collins stood up and held out his hand, accepting us as part of the rebel alliance.

About the Author

Ruth Silver attended Northern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communication in the spring of 2005. While in college, she spent much of her free time writing with friends she met online and penning her first novel, Deuces are Wild, which she self-published in 2004. Her favorite class was Creative Writing senior year where she often handed in assignments longer than the professor required because she loved to write and always wanted to finish her stories. Her love of writing led her on an adventure in 2007 to Melbourne, Australia. Silver enjoys reading, photography, traveling and most of all writing. She loves dystopian and fantasy young adult stories. Ruth has been actively writing since she was a teenager. She currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois.

You can visit her online at http://writeawaybliss.com

Copyright

www.lazydaypub.com

Aberrant

ISBN-13-978-1-61258-070-8

ISBN-10-1-61258-070-X

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Copyright © 2013 Ruth Silver

Cover art by Anthony Walsh

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, any events or locales is purely coincidental. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination and are not to be construed as real.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission from the publisher LazyDay, with the exception of quotes used in reviews and critical articles.

Content

Ruth Silver
ABERRANT

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

About the Author

Copyright