by JJ Krzemien
“But—you can’t—”
“I have nothing more to say about this. You may go.” Proteus said.
The office door opened and the gunman stepped into the hallway. He left the door open behind him. He glared at me, like it was my fault his life was all messed up now. I glared back.
“I know who you are,” he whispered as he hurried past me and went down the ancient stairs.
That was a threat, plain and clear. I froze, the feeling of dread sweeping through my body. Had he told Proteus yet?
Angelica knocked on the open door and entered. “I brought you someone.” She motioned for me to come in.
“Thank you, Angelica, you may go.”
She gave me a triumphant smile as she slid by and closed the door.
I waited in the middle of the office. Less than a day and I’d already been to the principal’s office twice. If nothing else, that showed how much I’d changed in the past two weeks.
Proteus sat behind the huge oak desk, shuffling around some papers. I was pretty sure he was stalling. Maybe trying to decided what my punishment should be. Deciding whether to kick me out or not. But, had the gunman told him who I was? I stood still, anxiety building in my chest.
He spoke quietly, “Ms. Ross, I am very disappointed in you. I understand that you’re not used to our rules.”
Proteus still didn’t know who I was! He’s going to let me stay?
The founder continued, “However, that’s no excuse for what happened this evening.”
He’s going to kick me out. I nodded.
“Every once in a while,” he said, meeting my gaze, “we do come across special cases like yourself. Young, unable to control their impulses, destructive. Our mission is to help them. To train them.” He paused, searching my eyes. “If you have the discipline to stay and be trained, I will allow it.”
I could stay. Although it meant being on this island with the gunman. I wanted to yell at Proteus, to demand justice for all the people that the gunman had killed. But if I did, then he would tell Proteus who I was. I’d have to find another way for justice.
“Come here and sit,” Proteus said. “We have some things to clear up around Mr. Greer.”
My head jerked up at the gunman’s name. I took a seat in the big, leather chair.
Proteus sighed. “To start with, I’m very sorry for the loss of your friend. Her death was unnecessary—” his voice cracked. He cleared his throat. “David Greer is—was—a member of the Squad, our military-like division. When we saw on the news that you survived that cabin accident, we thought you might be a hybrid.” He took a deep breath. “I sent Greer to bring you to us. It was his first mission of that kind. And I hadn’t realized how reckless he was. Or how he disvalued human life. I’m so sorry.”
I blinked at him. “So he didn’t kill my parents?“ I frowned, could the cabin explosion really have been an accident?
“As far as we can tell, their deaths were an accident. A gas leak caused the explosion. Mr. Greer was here when it happened.“
I took a moment to let that sink in. It was an accident. That’s what started this upheaval of my entire life. And the gunman was part of the Tribe. My thoughts went to when I’d first seen him. “He shot me in the hospital. Why would he do that?”
Proteus nodded. “Ah yes, a shot to the heart will render a hybrid unconscious.”
My jaw dropped. “He was trying to shoot me so that he could bring me here? Rather than ask me to come or—anything that would make more sense than shooting me?”
He nodded again. “Greer believed that it was the easiest way to collect you. He was afraid you wouldn’t have come with him willingly. He didn’t want to have to kidnap you. And none of these are excuses for what he did.”
Would I have gone with the gunman if he’d simply asked? Because he was dressed in that police uniform I might have. Or I may have wanted to wait for Sarah. I swallowed the lump rising in my throat.
The Founder picked up a stack of stapled papers and flipped through them. “The nurse—”
“Worked for the Amigis. I know.”
He eyed me, surprised.
“The serum in her syringe…I recognized it, later.” I waved my hand. It was too much to explain and I was beginning to feel exhausted again. “At my house. Was that him, too?”
Proteus nodded again.
“And he broke into Sarah’s house?”
“No. That was Amigis. The nurse probably passed your friend’s information onto someone.”
“The clock tower?” I knew it was him, but had to ask.
He nodded again. “He disregarded so many rules. Reckless and unforgivable. I’ve suspended him from all of his work, until I come up with a better punishment. No words can express how sorry I am for everything you’ve been put through.”
Proteus seemed at a loss. What kind of punishment was there for killing someone, even if it was by accident? How long did you punish a hybrid—someone who could live for centuries. The human justice systems, put into place for this kind of crime, just didn’t apply. Even so, there had to be something.
“I do want to stay here, but I don’t want him here, too. He killed my best friend! You have to do something about that. Make him leave the Tribe?” I inhaled deeply, I couldn’t get angry right now, no matter how much I hated the gunman.
Proteus studied me for a long moment. “I can see how that would seem like the best option. It is even a reasonable request that you make.” He sighed. “There is much for you to learn here with us. It’s getting late. You should head to your dorm room. Someone will bring you dinner.”
Was he really not going to do anything to punish that man? I slipped out of the chair. Of course he wasn’t going to tell me how he’d make the gunman pay for his crimes. All I could do was hope that whatever the sentence, it would be severe. That murderer had taken my best friend from this world. I wanted him to pay the ultimate price—whatever that was in hybrid terms.
Pausing at the door, I said, “I have one more question.”
Proteus raised his eyebrows.
“Edgar. He’s Amigis. Why are you letting him stay here?”
“Edgar told us his story. He seeks refuge and that is what we offer here.” He rubbed the stubble on his chin. “He is no longer Amigis, if he ever really was.”
I searched his face. “You believe that? You believe what Edgar says?”
“I do.”
Well, I didn’t. “Good night, sir.”
Closing the office door quietly, I jogged down the creaky staircase, through the front door, and out into the pine-scented night.
With my hands balled into fists, I stalked down a trail. What was wrong with these people? The gunman should have been handcuffed and taken away to a cell until they tried him for murder. Instead he gets suspended from his work? What the hell!
And he knew who I was. But how? Who had told him? If I did anything against him, he’d tell everyone. I couldn’t let that happen. For now, I’d have to live with it. I ground my teeth as I walked.
The eerie yellow glow of lamps lit the paths that veered in multiple directions. I took the one furthest to my left and hoped it would lead to the dorm.
Most everyone seemed to be indoors already. I passed one building and knew I was headed in the right direction. Three girls sat on the porch engaged in conversation. When they saw me round the corner they stopped talking. In unison the three stood and went back inside. As they opened the dorm’s front door, the sound of dance music poured out.
Two buildings further on and I arrived at my new home. Only a few lights were on in second story windows. I entered into the quiet, dark foyer. Everyone was probably over at that party. With a sigh of relief, of not having to run into anyone, I climbed the stairs. Down the wide hallway I found room 223.
My room smelled of hamburger and French fries. On the desk sat a tray with my dinner and a can of soda. Popping a still warm fry in my mouth, I opened the window and stuck my head out. The lamp light glow di
dn’t reach the back of the building. Only dark wilderness stretched beyond, out to the ocean. I breathed in the smell of damp moss and cedar, still trying to calm my nerves.
If I wanted to survive here, it was absolutely necessary to control my temper. Thinking back on this evening at the coffee house made my stomach drop. What had I been thinking? Sure, the most hated person in my world was standing right in front of me, but come on. Tormenting a shop full of my peers was not the way to make friends, or fit in. I rubbed my cheeks. What had I done?
At my old school it had been so easy. Everyone liked me. I’d never made a huge mistake like this. And on my first day here. I chewed on my ragged thumbnail. If only I could start over. But I couldn’t. I’d be the freak forever and have absolutely no friends.
I sighed. Why was I here? Right, to learn how to control myself. To learn how to be a nephilim. Which meant at least one of my classmates was Angelica. I groaned into the night. Maybe I’d be okay on my own. Just keep my head down and focus on school. And hate the gunman from a distance.
Someone knocked on my door. But since everyone thought I was a freak, I didn’t want to answer it. For a moment I considered pretending I wasn’t in or climbing out the window to escape. I had to deal with this. Eventually, I’d have to leave my room for food and classes.
I called out, “Who is it?”
“Hey, you are in there. Let me in, will ya.”
Nixie.
Bracing myself for some kind of horrible prank, I unlocked the door and cracked it open. “What do you want?”
“To come in, duh.” She practically shoved me out of the way. At the desk she switched the table lamp on. “Why are you hiding in the dark?”
I shrugged. “Why are you talking to me?”
“Why wouldn’t I talk to you?” Her eyes grew wide. “Oh, you mean because you tried to kill everyone in the coffee shop earlier?” She waved it away. “Psha, that wouldn’t be the first time around here.” She took a French fry and nibbled at it. “You should eat these soon, they’re getting cold.”
I squinted at her. Had someone freaked out like this before? Was Nixie telling the truth or making fun of me?
“Oh, come on.” Nixie leaned against the window frame. “Shocking, yes. Uncomfortable, totally. Unforgivable, no.”
“So you don’t hate me?” I asked.
“I don’t. I can’t speak for everyone who went through that, but hey.”
I cringed. “Zur?” Why did I care what he thought?
“He’s fine.” She looked out the open window. “Better than most actually. That protection power of his can come in super handy. Although now he’s in detention for fighting, but that’s his own fault.”
I wasn’t sure if this conversation was making me feel better or worse. Nixie didn’t hate me, but part of me felt that she should. I didn’t want to forgive myself too easily. And she shouldn’t forgive me too easily either, but there was nothing I could to about that.
“So, what’s up?” I asked her.
She glanced at me and smiled. “How’d it go with Angelica? Obviously Proteus hasn’t kicked you out? How do you know Professor Greer?” She cocked her head to one side.
“Uh, that’s a long story.” I sighed. “I’m actually really tired.” How many times would I have to put that story into words?
“Sure. I just wanted to see if you were all right. And tell you I still want to be friends. We’re cool? Yeah?”
I gave her a small grin. “Yes, we’re cool.”
“Okay, see you in the morning!” Nixie pushed off the wall and let herself out of my room, snatching another fry as she went.
I closed the window, deciding I was grateful that she’d come by. Even though we’d just met today, somehow I felt like Nixie and I’d been friends forever. It was probably just her genuine nature.
Turning off the desk light, I slipped out of my tennis shoes and jeans. The twin bed was actually comfortable and the sheets were soft cotton. They smelled faintly of roses. Even so, I figured I’d toss and turn all night. My head hit the down pillow and I was out a second later.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
I woke to low, winter sunlight shining through the window. It made the white walls glow. I stretched and rolled onto my stomach, bunching the pillow under my chin. The bed felt so comfortable, I didn’t want to get up yet.
My semi-conscious mind wandered and the vision of Oscar laying dead on the cold concrete floor filled my head. I jolted up, fully awake. Squeezing my eyes shut against the pain and gore, I hugged the pillow to my chest. I had so many bad memories, would they be with me for my entire life?
A knock sounded at the door and I startled. “Wake up, sleeping beauty, you’re gonna miss breakfast,” Nixie said on the other side.
I groaned and buried my face in the pillow. At the thought of breakfast my stomach gurgled. Then my bladder felt like it was going to explode.
With a sigh, I flipped the blanket back and swung my feet to the floor. Reaching for my discarded jeans, I wiggled into them. Put my shoes on, then grabbed the hoodie and my toothbrush.
At the door, Nixie knocked again.
I opened it. “I’m coming. Just let me use the bathroom.”
“Good morning to you, too!” She smiled. Way too cheerful for this early.
In the bathroom, I glanced out the window and realized that is wasn’t as early as I’d thought. The sun was high in the sky on this unusually clear but cold winter day. I must have slept more than twelve hours. My stomach growled again as I brushed my teeth.
“Hey,” I said to Nixie, closing the bathroom door behind me. “You said something about breakfast?”
She handed me a cup of coffee. “Yeah. Hurry before it’s too late.” She turned and nearly jogged down the hall to the stairs.
I didn’t usually drink coffee, but today it seemed like a good idea. It tasted rich with lots of cream and sugar. I followed at a more leisurely pace, trying not to spill coffee all over my shirt.
Outside, sunlight trickled through the evergreens as noon approached. Seagulls called somewhere just past the tree line. The scent of pine mixed with salt air hung in the gentle breeze.
Nixie was several paces ahead of me and I walked a little faster. “Where did you get coffee?”
“My room,” she said over her shoulder.
“You have a coffee maker in your room?”
“Duh. How else would I ever get out of bed?”
I hurried after her. “Where are we going?”
“Cafeteria.” She slowed so I could catch up.
We took the little winding pathways through the compound and ended up where the trees met the rocky beach. Nixie pointed to the mouth of a cave that opened inland. “Almost there.”
I gave her a baffled look, but kept following. Was this a joke? Where was she actually leading me?
The cave entrance was illuminated with electric wall-sconces that flickered like real flame. They were placed every couple of feet down a staircase of rock. We followed it downward as it gently spiraled. The stairs ended in an enormous, brightly lit cavern. Most of it was filled with rows of tables and benches. Groups of people sat around a couple of them.
Along one wall was a long buffet counter and a couple of hybrids dished breakfast onto their plates. The smell of bacon and pancakes reached me, making my stomach gurgle louder. Behind the counter, people in green aprons were cleaning up in the kitchen.
We headed toward the buffet. Then I noticed the opposite wall. It had a series of huge windows with an underwater view—like at the aquariums on the Oregon coast. The sunlight coming through the green-grey of seawater cast an eerie hue on that side of the cafeteria.
“How far under the ocean are we?” I asked, taking a plate and silverware from the counter.
“Not far. But far enough that low tide still covers the windows.” Nixie took a plate, too, and followed me through the line. The buffet had been picked over pretty good.
I took my mostly full plate and coffee over t
o an unoccupied table. Nixie sat across from me and we both dug in. I glanced around while chewing the best cafeteria food I’d ever eaten. A few tables down, I caught Zur’s gaze. He sat with a bunch of burly guys and one butch girl.
Another table, in a corner by the windows, was filled with a variety of hybrids. A couple of older guys had short goat horns, another wore a denim vest with delicate dragonfly-like wings protruding from it, and the girl with green skin I recognized from the coffee shop.
The girl pointed at me and everyone at the table turned to stare. She said something to them and they all stood up. Slowly, they walked the length of the cavern to the stairs, glaring at me. I took a sip of coffee and ignored them as best I could.
“Yikes,” Nixie said, watching them leave. “Some people sure hold a grudge.”
“I think you might be the only person here who doesn’t hold a grudge for what I did yesterday.” My fears about what everyone else thought of me had just been confirmed—I was a freak and an outcast.
Nixie shrugged dismissively. “It’ll blow over.”
I finished the rest of breakfast in a hurry, wanting to get back to my room. I may not be able to hide forever, but for the moment that’s all I really wanted to do.
“Hey, ladies.” Zur swaggered over to our table and sat down next to me, straddling the bench. He flexed his pecs under the tight button up shirt and smiled. I blushed and buried my face in the coffee mug, taking a huge gulp.
“What do you want, Zur?” Nixie shoved her empty plate aside.
He loudly whispered to Nixie, “Is she still mad at me for fighting that a-hole yesterday?”
Nixie leaned in. “I dunno. Maybe you should ask her yourself.”
Zur studied me with those amazing blue eyes and whispered, “Are you mad at me?”
“No,” I whispered back. “Why are we whispering?”
Zur shrugged.
The other four from his table were watching us. Zur twisted around and waved them over. “I want you to meet the rest of us,” he said to me.
“The rest of you?” I glanced at each of his friends. They resembled a squad of bouncers.