“Thank you! Bye!” The girl transforms into a slender, scrawny red fox and trots away before August or I can say anymore to her. Then it hits me. She was the fox that came to me when I went to the blackberry farm with my siblings.
“So,” August says, eyeing me with a smirk on his face. “Good thing I stopped or else we wouldn’t have met Fox Girl. And if we didn’t meet Fox Girl, then we wouldn’t have known if Bella was okay.”
“Fox Girl? Why do you always call a person by their animal name?” I walk in the direction the girl came from. The girl I didn’t know the name of. And probably never will.
“It’s a gift I have. Plus, she looked like the girl named Fox. Would you rather Red Fox Girl or Redie? Since she’s a red fox?” It takes everything I have not to smile. I’m kind of grateful August stuck around. He brings a few smiles here and there. Keeps our spirits alive a little.
It doesn’t take us very long, but once I call out Bella’s name after a few minutes, I hear my name in return. A quiet peep from a tree in the distance.
“Bella?” I ask and jog to a large acorn tree. Curled up in its thick branches about twenty feet in the air, Bella calls my name and climbs down.
“Calico!” Bella jumps down from the last few feet and wraps her arms around my neck.
“Are you okay?” I frantically ask. I possibly know the answer. I possibly know that she’ll say absolutely no, but I ask anyway.
“No,” yup… “The Hunters were after me, but I ran into this girl and when she left, I didn’t feel like the Hunters were after me anymore.” Bella lets me breathe and steps back. “The bear’s still here?” she asks, but not in her usual irritated way.
“Nice to see you too.” August says sarcastically, giving her a small wave.
“The city’s not too far away. Want to go there now?” again, another dumb question. Why would she want to stay out here when she was just chased by Hunters and talking about the city for days?
Bella nods and we walk off again. I must be in great shape now. After walking for days and at long stretches of forest at a time.
“So,” August says. “What’s the whole story? How’d the Hunters even find you?” Bella takes a deep breath.
“After we were all thrown in the forest by the blast, it threw me farther away from you both. The Hunters saw me land across the field from them. I’m not sure exactly, but they saw me, and I saw them, so I got up and started to run. All I really remember is that it freaked me out and that my head was in so much pain. So was my back because I landed on my it.” I see Bella narrow her eyes to recall the event. “That’s really all I remember except the girl came and after that, I was safe. I climbed the tree to be extra safe though.”
I nod. We all walk silently for a little while just listening to the Meadowlarks and Warblers in the surrounding trees. There’s only about two or three of them, but they make a loud noise.
Once we get to the river, we walk across with much complaining from Bella. August is fine, and I’m sort of in the middle. I would prefer not to go across the river, but I know it’s a quicker route to the city if we go this way. It’s the lazy part of the river and is pretty much calm except for the mellow movement.
“Thank you for looking for me.” Bella mumbles as we walk out of the water.
“No problem.” I say awkwardly.
“Catti wouldn’t stop for a rest until she found you.” August says.
I look at him with a questioning look on my face. “Catti? Is that like, my new name or something?” I smile. I could get used to Catti, but it is weird.
“Sure. It rolls off the tongue when you say it.”
Catti. I take back my thoughts. It just isn’t a name that suits me.
“Um… that isn’t really an appealing name.” Bella says beside me. I smile at her.
“Wow, you don’t agree with me? What a surprise!” August holds his hand up to his mouth acting like he’s surprised. Extreme sarcasm filling his voice.
Bella and I laugh. It feels good to not force a smile at anyone anymore. To be honest, I have been fighting the temptation to lash out and break down in tears for the past few days. But August just has a natural way of cracking jokes and being funny. I have to admit. August is becoming the glue to this group. The person who keeps the others together. I have a feeling that I’m the person who keeps everyone going and makes them never give up until we’ve finished our job. Bella’s role might be the one who gets us motivated and started on the things we need to do.
Chapter 20
We freeze in our steps as we hear something. We look around and immediately run up stream. The Morph Hunters are only a few yards away, loading their weapons and looking around at the Western City. We run as quietly but as fast as we can. I’m tired of running, but I don’t want to die yet, so I drag my feet under me. We run and run upstream for what seems like five minutes until we slow a little, hoping the hunters didn’t see us.
When I look behind me to see if the Hunters saw us, then my foot slips on a rock and I go tumbling in the water. We had run to where the water is gushing down now. I scream through mouthfuls of water. I feel it burn my lungs.
“Calico!” I hear Bella’s voice yell out. The water is taking me back to where the hunters are! Great… I think sarcastically and with fear. I try to swim against the water, but I don’t know how to swim, and the water is too strong.
“I can’t swim!” I yell as my head breaks through the surface of the water. I feel large rocks under me, so I attempt to grab one to stop me from going right into the hunter’s hands, but the rock is too slippery, and I get pulled back. I panic. I can’t see anything through the water. I can’t feel anything because the water is ice cold. My ankles hit the bottom layer of rocks, which I try again and again to grab, but they’re too slippery and smooth. This is it. The day I die. Drowning is not the best way to die, but what choice do I have now? I close my eyes attempting to keep the water out of them but then feel arms wrap around me and pull me up. I open my eyes and see Bella pulling me out of the water. August is pulling both of us up to the land. Bella sets me on the ground as I cough, feeling my lungs burn.
“Are you okay?” August asks quickly, running to my side.
I nod, gasping for breath. I pull all my hair back and look around.
“T-Thank you.” I say to Bella.
“No problem. You nearly killed August from fear, but I got you out.” I look up just in time to see August getting up. “Want to stand?”
I nod. My lungs don’t sting as bad anymore. August and Bella both help me stand, but I feel heavy when I do. I hate being soaked. I feel twice as heavy from all the water. We look down the river but can’t see far enough to where the hunters were at.
“Should we go back?” Bella asks over the rushing waters.
“Maybe not down that way.” August points to the direction we can from. Bella and I both nod. Instead of going back to the hunters, we go a different way but end up in the same place. The Western City.
My legs ache from all the walking I’ve done these past few days. But I stay quiet and continue walking with Bella and August. After a few more minutes, we see tall buildings over the treetops. Excitement bolts through my spine then fades away. I haven’t gone to this city in years. When I was little, and before my siblings were born, my father and mother would have to take me to their workplaces. Only when Aurelian was first born, I allowed to stay home.
We walk closer to the Western City. It’s bigger than I remember. Colossal buildings stand everywhere. Large modern houses sit in huge neighborhoods in almost every corner of the city, and cars and people walk about, filling every street. And that’s all I can see beyond the City wall. There’s a tall brick wall that surrounds the city. We’re up on a small hill and that’s how I can see inside the city.
“It’s bigger than the last time I was here.” Bella says, looking with awe in the city.
Suddenly a wave of thought runs through my head. My mother and father work in this city! I could
see them and show them I survived!
“Come on!” I say and walk faster down to the Western City. When we get to the solid gold gates, we stop.
“How do we get in?” I ask after seeing no handles.
“They have to let you in. After the Southern City went murderous, they took the handles off, so the Southern City can’t get in.” August answers.
“But how do we get in?” Bella asks, annoyed.
“The guards. There're guards always circling the city. They should be here soon.” August looks around.
“Hey! You three!” Three guards with yellow and blue camouflage suits walk up to us. “You from the Southern City?”
“No, we are all from the Western City.” August lies.
“No one from the Southern City are allowed in. They will be taken prisoner if they enter. Do you have a Western City ID?”
I see Bella’s face struggle to stay calm. She’s from the Southern City. She has no Western City ID. Neither do I. What do we do?
“We are all Morphs. We came here hoping you will give us safety and shelter. Can we enter?” August tries to sway the guards to let us in. My heart has sped up. I hope they don’t catch Bella and me.
The first guard turns towards the wall. A screen appears. Seconds later, the mayor of the Western City appears on the screen. His name is on the bottom of the screen. “Mayor Hall”.
“Sir, these three claim to be Morphs from this city. Do you give permission to let them in?”
Mayor Hall looks at us. I try to keep my face calm. And looks like Bella is too.
“Let them in and escort them to the Visitor Center with the other outside Morphs.” Mayor Hall says, and the screen goes blank.
I let my breath out and follow the guards inside the City. There’s a wide road that leads out from the gates. Limos and SUVs are parked in small parking lots on both sides. We get into a black SUV and drive through the maze of the city. Roads go every which way and buildings tower above. There are many trees lining the roads and potted plants in front of almost every store front. Bigger trees are in the small parks where children laugh and play. The people in this city aren’t so neat and punctual like the Southern City. They are looser and happier looking. More of an ordinary person. No special outfits or colors. Just themselves doing and wearing whatever they want.
The seats in the SUV are comfy. There are seat warmers, massaging backs, AC and heat for every seat. Small TVs on every seat and phone chargers under every TV. I can’t name the other gadgets, but there’s plenty more modern-day equipment in just this one car.
We stop in front of one of the taller buildings. It is silver with colorful red bricks on the bottom. The stone sign in the front reads, “Visitor Center.”
“All you need to do is go to the front desk. They will give you further instructions.” The guards say as August, Bella, and I get out onto the sidewalk.
“Thank you.” August says, then the SUV zips away down the road.
The Visitor Center differs from I imagined it would be when I was in the car. It has Mocha colored walls, with olive green carpets. A dark desk sits in the center of the lobby with at least five people filing papers and on the computer. Elevators are on the back walls, and white sofas sit in the front with glass coffee tables and green plants. The first floor is welcoming.
“Hello! Can I help you three?” August, Bella, and I walk to the front desk.
“Yeah, we just arrived at the city and we’re not sure what to do. We are Morphs, and the mayor sent us here.” August says.
“Ahh, more Morphs. Well,” The lady at the desk types on her computer and then looks back up to us. “Yes, you will stay here for a few days. All the Morphs that don’t live in the city stay here. Do you all live here?”
“I do, they don’t.”
I am so grateful that August is doing all the talking. We wouldn’t be going anywhere with me talking.
“Well, I could get you a ride home if you like. I’ll see what rooms are available for you two girls.”
“Could I get a room too?” August asks.
“Yes, but I need to contact your parents. Do you have their phone number?”
“Yes, but I doubt they’ll answer.” August gives the lady a phone number, but I don’t pay attention to it. I’m more interested in the decorations around the lobby and the people walking about.
“Honey, can I get your name?” I snap back to the present as the lady asks for my name.
“Oh,” I gather my thoughts. “Calista Marie Cadwell.”
“Oh, Mrs. Cadwell’s daughter! She’s a good friend of mine. She just got done teaching if you want to go see her a little later. She usually stays at the school until the evening these days.”
“Thanks.” I say awkwardly, but excited to see my mother again.
“Okay, Isabella, room 814, Calista, room 815, and August, room 820. They are all on floor eight. There will be clean clothes for each of you in the dressers in your rooms. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner will all be on the dining floor, which is floor two. Breakfast is six to nine in the morning. Lunch is twelve to one in the afternoon, and dinner is at five to seven at night. Here are your keys, and city passes. August, I need you down here after dinner to go over a few things with your family. If any of you have questions, I’m always right here.”
“Thanks.” August says, and then we go to an elevator.
“Why do we need city passes?” I ask.
“You guys are visitors in the city. If anyone stops you or needs to see a Western City ID, you show them your City Pass.” We step inside the elevator. It’s marvelous and elegant. Red velvet carpet and red walls with golden trim. A wide TV sits on the back wall, but I don’t watch.
“What time is it?” Bella asks. I’m curious too.
“Look up at the clock Birdy.” August point to the huge digital clock above the doors which reads, 4:10 pm. August pushes the eight buttons and the doors close and my stomach lurches with the feeling of speeding upwards. I’ve never been in one of these before. I hate it! I feel like I will be sick or something. My head spins a little too. Suddenly we stop, and the doors open with a ding from a bell above. This floor has an odd smell to it. It smells like strong vanilla perfume. I almost run out of the elevator and am relieved to be on a motionless floor. A floor covered in cream-colored carpet. The walls are a light beige color with modern light fixtures. It’s all so open and friendly.
Chapter 21
We find our rooms and leave each other to get cleaned up. When I walk in my room, it’s so neat and clean. The biggest window I’ve ever seen is on the back wall with the huge king-sized bed. The bathroom is on the right and a fireplace with light grey sofas are on my left. It’s so amazing to me I don’t even know what to do at first. Finally, I gather my thoughts and go to the dresser. There’s not much, but I pull out a plain purple t-shirt with jeans my size.
The bathroom is huge and covered in granite. The showers light up when the water is turned on and the floors even heat. Once I’m dried off with clean clothes after my shower, I feel a lot better. It’s nice to be clean again! I think. What do I do now? Maybe I should go say hi to my mother. She must be worried sick about me. Seeing me will cheer her up. I grab a pair of shoes that fit me in the closet and step out into the hall. I hate wearing shoes, but right now they make me feel safer from the Hunters, so I wear them.
“Calico!” Bella says, getting out of her room too. Her style differs completely from mine. While I wear simple clothes, Bella wears a one-shoulder yellow sweater with black skinny jeans and tall black wedges. Her make-up is too dark, but I guess Bella is just that girl.
“Yes! It feels so nice to be cleaned up again!” Bella twirls around. “Where’re you heading?”
“To see my mother. Do you know where the elementary school is?”
“Yes, actually. It’s just a few blocks away. Want me to take you there?”
“Sure. Thanks!”
“Wait, I thought it was summer?”
“It is, b
ut she goes to her room sometimes to clean up and get ready for next year. I just want to see if she is there today.”
We leave August to talk to the front desk. We grab a taxi and are at the elementary school in less than five minutes. When I step out of the car, I’m not sure what to do. I haven’t seen my family for at least a week now. Maybe longer, but close to a week. What do I say to my mother when I see her?
“Come on.” Bella says, leading us down the path.
“Calista!” my mother says as we enter her room.
“Hi!” I say shyly. I was never really a hugging kind of person, or the person who gets emotional and stuff.
“You’re alive!” My mother walks over to me and Bella, looking like she is about to cry with joy. “And you’ve grown!”
“Mother, it’s only been a few days.”
“I know, but we have all been so worried! Especially Aurelian. We all thought they had killed you! We tried to go looking for you, but the Morph Controllers didn’t leave our home and didn’t let us leave it. We have to be escorted to the city every morning. We have to be back at a certain time too, or they’ll punish us.”
“That’s awful. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about myself sooner. I was just scared.” I look down at my feet.
“Don’t be sorry.” My mother hugs me gently then backs away.
“I miss Aurelian,” I say, trying not to break down. I can feel the tears starting to form for my sister. “I miss all of you.”
“She misses you too. We all do.” She takes my hands. “So, you’re a Morph. That was a…” my mother turns away then looks back at me. “That was a surprise. How long have you been one?”
“Since I was around nine, I think.” I feel kind of guilty about not telling my family.
“Well, I’m glad you’re safe! Is this your new friend?” my mother turns to Bella.
“Yes, this is Bella. We met in the forest.”
“Hello! You sure are beautiful! I’m glad you two are friends. Calico hasn’t had many friends in her life.”
Calico Page 9