“Of course. Come into the living room,” Mom said, ignoring his rudeness. “I’m sure this will be an adequate space for you.”
“Thank you.” He turned to follow Mom, but abruptly paused, pivoting in Dad’s direction. “Give me a few minutes to set up, Mr. Redwood and then bring your daughter in.”
Dad nodded in understanding and the agent disappeared with Mom into the other room. I opened my mouth to protest but nothing came out. Blood rushed to my head, what was happening? I swung round to face Dad, and managed to croak, “What did he mean? Why does he want to test me?”
Dad looked at me quizzically. “Luna, you’ve been doing these tests since you were old enough to talk. They check all the children during the general sweeps to determine potential risks. Why are you acting so strange about it now?” He placed a cool hand on my forehead as if checking for a fever.
I pushed him away. “If this is so routine, why are you and Mom so freaked out?” I hissed quietly, so Agent Morrow wouldn’t overhear our conversation in the next room. “And what potential risks are they searching for exactly?”
Dad ignored my protests and placed an arm around my shoulders. “You’re being too inquisitive, Luna Bell. Do as the agent asks and hold your tongue and you should be fine.”
He gave me a reassuring smile, but I sensed his nervous energy.
Something didn’t add up here. But what power did I have? It’s not as if I had the option to run away. Where would I go? I wasn’t as familiar with this place as W1 Nova. Besides, I wouldn’t get the answers I needed if I scuttled off like a cowardly dog, tail between my legs. I let out a breath and straightened up. I came from tough stock. I’d clawed my way out of starvation, hadn’t I? This should be a piece of cake to handle. The thought of home released a little pang in my heart. And for a moment, I allowed the image of my sister Trinity to filter through my mind. I prayed she was okay and not hungry. I bit my lip until I tasted blood on my tongue. I shook my head and told myself to stop acting stupid. There was nothing I could do for her. Maybe someday that would change, but not now.
Mom returned to the kitchen. “He’s ready for you, Luna.”
I glanced at Dad and he gave me a nod, so I did the only thing I could do and headed right into the lion’s den. Mom stopped me in the doorway, placing a hand on my arm. “Be a good girl, Luna,” she whispered.
I swallowed the large lump in my throat. “I will. Promise,” I said. I pulled back my shoulders and schooled my features before stepping into the room. The last thing I needed was Agent Morrow to sense fear.
He sat on the couch, all his weird equipment in front of him on the coffee table. There was what appeared to be a recording device, a small gadget with a microphone, and an electronic tablet similar to the ones we had at school, except this one had a single red and black wire coming from its base, with electrode pads attached to the ends. There was also another smaller, hand-held unit he was typing into at a frantic pace.
My palms grew clammy and a sudden stab of anxiety hit my gut like a bullet as I stepped forward.
Morrow glanced up from his tablet. “Ah good, you’re here. I’ve been recording the preliminary information before we get started. Please, have a seat. You know the drill. This won’t take long.”
I looked over to the doorway and glimpsed Mom pointing frantically to the couch, her eyes pleading with me to be cooperative.
I smiled weakly at her, then forced my stiff limbs over to the sofa and sat down.
“Right, let’s get down to business, shall we?” He gave me a mercenary grin, and a shiver ran down my spine. I quickly began to tap my finger against my palm, counting, to calm myself.
One… Two… Three… Four…
Agent Morrow interrupted my count, as he selected something on his screen and forced the tablet into my hands.
“I need you to sign this consent waiver. It’s the same as last year, nothing’s changed. You just need to verify that we completed the testing on this date per law code seven-hundred and eighty-nine.”
With shaking hands, I gripped the edges of the device and stared at the monitor display. There was no information here, just a simple consent form with a line for a signature. I had flashbacks to the paperwork I signed back on Nova giving away my life.
Another forced signature.
I regarded my parents, who stood nervously waiting in the doorway. I hesitated.
“Today, Miss Redwood,” Agent Morrow said impatiently practically rolling his eyes. “I do have other clients this evening.”
Before I talked myself out of it, I quickly signed using the tip of my finger.
Morrow snatched it back and tapped a few more times on the screen. Satisfied everything was in order, he closed the tablet and put it down, reaching for the other, slightly bigger device.
I stared with fascinated horror as the agent placed the circular sticky electrode pads to each side of my forehead.
“I appreciate you’ve done this before, Luna, but it’s procedure to explain everything I’m doing so you don’t feel uncomfortable. We wouldn’t want that, would we? Hmmm?” His mouth curled up in a sinister smirk, his steely eyes trained on me. “It’s federal law to have periodic checks of all children up to the age of eighteen. So you have a couple more years of this.”
I didn’t say a word, not sure if my tongue was still hinged in the middle. Sweat trickled down from my armpits.
“Well, there’s no point in fussing about. Let’s get started. I’m going to use my apparatus,” he held up the port screen attached to the probes, “to scan your face. It detects different physiological changes to determine potential risks.”
There it was. The potential risks garbage again. I wanted to yell. What potential risks? But I didn’t dare. The urge to rip the electrodes off my head grew more intense.
“If there are any abnormalities or detection of something irregular in the mind, we will then take measures to correct the problem. Be assured that you’ll get the proper care, so you can become an exemplary member of society before you come of age. But don’t worry, the test is very routine. Most pass with ease. Questions?”
He gazed at me, bored as if he’d given this speech a million times and he didn’t give a flying fig whether or not I excelled. I had plenty of questions floating around in my head, but not any I could ask. I mean, they thought I did this test yearly since I was able to talk. Why would I have any questions? I’d give myself away immediately if I said anything.
In my mind, there was only one thing left to do.
Give the performance of a lifetime.
Good thing lying came naturally; this should be a cakewalk. Agent Morrow and his little tracking machine would never discern that I had kept old memories. I would shut down that part of myself and allow the Luna of P8 to rise to the surface.
I could do this. No, I had to do this. My life depended on it.
“Miss Redwood?” Agent Morrow interrupted my reverie with an annoyed tsk.
I realized suddenly they all had been waiting for me to answer. “No questions,” I said hastily, forcing myself to sound confident.
“Good. Now, this won’t hurt and will only take a minute. Keep your eyes wide and relax please.”
I did as instructed and relaxed my muscles. Concentrating on the four lobes of my brain, I willed myself to embody all the new memories, letting them take me over.
There was a small hum, and a hint of vibration tickled against my temples as Agent Morrow held the device up to my face. The probes pinched a little, but I didn’t dare move. I saw my reflection in the screen and a small yellow line passed from top to bottom scanning my mirrored image. When it was finished, Morrow’s other machine beeped. It scanned me three more times from every angle possible. My eyes watered and I tried not to blink. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally laid the instrument down, and I let out a sigh of relief.
“All done,” he said removing the electrodes from my skull. “Thank you for your cooperation.”
I co
uldn’t hold it in any longer. “That’s it? You’re not even going to tell me the results? How it went?” I asked exasperated.
Agent Morrow’s snort conveyed his annoyance. “The results are none of your concern, Miss Redwood. I will discuss them with your parents. The rules have not changed since your last examination. Unless there is something you would like to share with us all?” he said projecting his voice authoritatively, making sure I knew who had the upper hand.
I opened my mouth, ready to give him a piece of my mind but Mom came over and interrupted me. “Of course she knows the rules. Don’t you, Luna? She just likes to ask questions. She loves to learn.”
I realized from the terror on Mom’s face I’d really put my foot in it this time. I tried to backpedal.
“You’re right, Mom. Sorry Agent Morrow, please continue.” I gave my best contrite expression. I was an expert at giving people what they wished to see.
“Hmmm… well, keep your questions to yourself in the future. Children have no place in the sweeping procedure.”
“Of course.”
Agent Morrow didn’t even consider me. Instead, he went back to his tablet and began tapping away once more. I wanted to grab it from him and see what he was writing about me. But rather, I clasped my hands together waiting for him to finish. Finally, he folded up his device and scowled when he realized I was still sitting there.
“I believe I dismissed you, Miss Redwood.”
“You did?” I asked, feigning confusion. I didn’t want to leave. I shouldn’t ask any more questions but there were so many riddles. I opened my mouth to speak, but my father’s grip on my shoulder prevented me from saying anything else.
“Luna, you must be tired after your long day. Why don’t you head upstairs and get ready for bed,” Dad’s tone sounded ominous.
The agent stood. “Yes, I believe that is the best course of action. I have all the data I require here. Goodnight, Miss Redwood,” Agent Morrow said, giving me a dismissive nod. His jaw tightened, revealing his annoyance.
My feet remained glued to the spot. The pressure from Dad’s hand intensified, telling me to leave. I don’t know how I did it, but somehow I propelled myself up off the couch.
I said a polite goodbye to Agent Morrow, and kissed Mom and Dad goodnight, leaving the room without a backward glance.
I got about halfway up the stairs when their muffled voices floated up to me. No doubt they were discussing this evening’s events. My curiosity took over, and I quietly retraced my steps and crept to the closed door, pressing my ear against the wood panel to eavesdrop. I just barely made out the conversation.
“What is going on, Mr. Redwood? Your daughter was confused with the proceeding tonight. And she certainly has no regard for authority. Can you explain that?”
Dad’s voice sounded apologetic. “I’m sure she was only tired. She’s had a lot of schoolwork lately. You can appreciate how teenagers are.”
“Well, as long as you ensure she’s following ALL the rules, Mr. Redwood. Here’s my business card. Call this number if Luna acts strangely, has any outbursts, or does anything that concerns you. I remind you it’s your civic duty as a citizen of this region to report any abnormal behavior at once; it’s for the greater good of the community. She passed her test this evening, so I will overlook any discrepancies I saw here tonight. But to be cautious, I’ve made a note of it, in case any other issues arise at a later date. Now, I must go.”
I overheard a squeaky clank as he picked up his briefcase, then Mom’s higher than normal octave. “We’ll watch her, Agent Morrow. You can count on us. But as we said before, we’re sure there’s nothing to worry about here.”
Mom’s voice suddenly grew louder. Damn it. They were coming toward the stairs. I leapt back as silently as a cat and fled up to my room. Once inside, I soundlessly shut the door and flung myself on the bed, not even caring to see if the sheets were smoothed straight.
I gripped the quilt, squeezing it hard with my hands.
The government detected a rat. I’d made them suspicious, and it would only be a matter of time before they found me out.
I needed a plan. Fast.
I rolled over and punched the pillow in frustration. Me and my big mouth. I’d ruined everything.
Chapter 13
I’d lain awake all night contemplating my next move. It seemed there was only one option available to me. Lie low and do my utmost to blend in.
After all, that’s what I did best. Back on Nova, it had fed my family and kept us alive.
But would it be enough to keep me alive here? The lack of sleep left me feeling a bit fuzzy. I was grateful for the crisp morning air, cooling my hot cheeks as I headed towards the school. I still hadn’t heard hide nor hair from my so-called friends or my pretend boyfriend. Since I’d already burned that bridge, I decided to let it go. Besides, it was easier to blend in if fewer people were paying attention to you. That was rule number one.
As I turned the corner and the school came into view, I noticed a commotion on the quad. As I got nearer, I spotted a group of kids encircling a boy. I’d seen him before and remembered thinking he looked like a freshman. He still had the chubby cheeks of a child, but they were now sprouting the patchy, short stubble of impending manhood. His blonde hair flew wildly in all directions and blood gushed out his nose. The teens in the circle started kicking him and I recognized Orion, Jonah, and Mara amongst his tormenters.
I wanted to run over and pull them away, get them to stop. But I didn’t want to bring attention to myself. Guilt edged in. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing just to save my own neck. There had to be something I could do to help.
I glanced around; a group of girls by the door were talking on their cell phones. I paused and considered for a minute. What if I stole my former friend’s phones? They were always on them, so it would be torture for them to suddenly “misplace” their precious devices. At least it would be a kind of punishment, to make up for my inability to assist this kid now. Hopefully, once they realized they were gone, they would be so panicked looking for the darn things they wouldn’t pick on anyone else.
I casually sidled over. The bullies seemed to be getting bored—I didn’t have a lot of time. I walked up behind Orion and Jonah and, with a quick sleight of hand, deftly removed the cells from their back pockets. I moved to the pile of backpacks and with careful precision unzipped the bright blue one in front, revealing the gaudy, blinged-out phone I recognized as Mara’s. I quietly lifted it out and grinned. I hadn’t lost my touch. You could tell so much about a person just from the way they acted—including what kind of backpack they were likely to have. If you watched how they talked and carried themselves, you began to pick up the signals. This was universal, no matter where you lived.
I retreated; my feet soundlessly treading across the grass toward the front entrance. Before I reached the door, I quickly stuffed all three of their phones in my bag, noting to my satisfaction that none of them had even realized I was ever there. Before I went inside, I turned and cast one last glance over my shoulder, and was just in time to see Orion reach for his phone and discover it was missing. Panic ensued, the tormented boy forgotten. The commotion caught the attention of a teacher who began to make his way over to the small group, his lips drawn into a pencil thin line. Most of the kids froze, realizing they’d been had. I smiled to myself and made a beeline for my locker.
Mission accomplished.
The day dragged on slowly after the incident that morning, but I found school work to be a lot easier to navigate with my new memories.
Or so I thought.
Mrs. Lorry destroyed that illusion in fifth period. She’d been rambling on about the city’s forefathers, stuff I’d already learned, thanks to my library stint—so I had been sitting there contemplating how best to approach Zander. He was the only one who seemed to be aware something weird was happening in this town. I needed to ask him some questions, even if that meant my plan to lie low would be shattered. When I fi
rst came here, I told myself it might be possible for me to go along with this little charade, as long as I had a full belly and love from my parents. But the image of that boy with the bloody nose wouldn’t leave my mind. And I now understood: None of this was reality. Underneath all this perfection, fear and confusion raged.
My friends and the rest of the tormenters had been placed in quarantine for twenty-four hours to assess their behaviors. Concerns that they lacked the qualities to become model citizens ran high. They were even paraded out in front of the entire school in a special assembly, as an example to show how anyone who bucked the system would be shunned.
I realized right then that my plan of invisibility would only work for a short while. Eventually, I would slip up, no matter how stealthy and clever I managed to be.
I’d just decided to return to the library after school and have a little chat with Zander, when Mrs. Lorry interrupted my musings.
“Luna? You will be late for your next class if you don’t hurry. As much as I love your company, I think you better get a move on.” She smiled, and I stared at her, dumbfounded.
I blinked and looked around, realizing for the first time that everyone else had gone—we were alone in the classroom. Heat rose in my cheeks.
“Sorry Mrs. Lorry, I didn’t hear the bell ring—” I stammered.
“No need to explain, Luna. I will allow you the indulgence of daydreaming during the lecture this once, but remember history class is not the place for it. In the future, I expect your full attention.”
I stood up hastily, grabbing my book off the desk. “Of course, it won’t happen again, I promise.”
She placed her hand on my shoulder in a confidential gesture. “The truth is, Luna, these past two weeks you’ve been doing simply excellent work. I feel like I have a different student in my class. You answer questions; you're engaged and you actually apply the smarts I already knew were inside of you. You’ve had quite the transformation.” She looked kindly at me through her spectacles, her white haloed hair accentuating her angelic features.
Cage of Glass (Cage of Glass Trilogy Book 1) Page 8