Calico

by Annaliese Purrington

  “You look fancy.” August comments on Bella.

  “Well, we should. He was a Morph, and he tried to protect us as much as possible.” Bella answers.

  We hang around the dining floor for a little while before we leave.

  Going back to the meeting building gives me a fresh wave of memories in my mind. We go to a new meeting room this time. This room is the same as the other room we were in, but much larger so many more people can fit in.

  “City ID,” A guard asks us before we enter the room. My chest gets punched. I don’t have my City Pass with me! I forgot it in my room! I didn’t realize I needed it.

  “Here,” Bella says to me, handing my pass to me from her purse. Seriously. Where does she get all of this fancy clothing and bags?

  “Thank you!!” I mouth at her as August shows the guard his ID. “Where did you get this?” I ask as we walk in.

  “You dropped it while you were in my room. Good thing I found it too!” I smile. We walk up to the last row of seats high above the room.

  “So!” A figure below says. I can’t exactly see the people below. All I know is that they are the only things down in the center of the room. I think the figure I see is the mayor’s assistant. She looks pretty from up here. “We are here today to honor Mayor Hall, who has been our mayor for ten years. Sadly, when the Southern City attacked, he was killed. To all of our surprise, he was a Morph.” I think about that for a moment. Mayor Hall was a Morph. It’s hard to get my head wrapped around that. A few people gasp. I pay no attention to them. “Yes, it is true. But life goes on and we have two new people who would like to be our next mayor, but before we get to know them better, let’s take a moment of silence to remember the best mayor this city has ever seen.” I zone out as people say things of the mayor. I think of Mayor Hall, but then I think of the Morph bunker. The Southern City must have followed a Morph and when they tried to open the trapped door, they couldn’t because they’re not Morphs. So, they drilled through the concrete. I try not to replay the day over, but the pictures seem to flow right through my mind with the sound as if it was happening all over again. “Thank you, now, time to pick a new mayor!” The assistant cuts through my thoughts and I am whipped back to the present moment. “We are happy to welcome a few new people who would like to run as mayor! J. J. Stancy and Lucey Nellie!” People clap all around. I do too, but dully. “Let’s start by learning about you, Mr. J. J. Stancy.”

  For two, maybe three, hours, we sit here listening to the two people tell us about themselves and what they plan for the city. Nothing I haven’t heard on the News about a hundred times. They will try to have more peace in the city, try to be a good mayor, allow everyone to come and go as they please. Blah, blah, blah. It’s all the same things that Mayor Hall had already done. I stopped listening right after Lucey Nellie says that she will always make time for the Morphs even if she is in the middle of a meeting. Whatever. I appreciate the gesture, but I think she’s bluffing now. And I think she seems a little too snobby for my taste. She’s too full of herself and self-centered.

  Now it’s time for the voting. Even though I don’t have to, I write the name of the person I want down on the clipboard that is passed down each row. It takes about an hour or two just for all the clipboards to get passed around. I write J. J. Stancy’s name down. He seems like a great mayor. Better than Lucey Nellie, that’s for sure. I want him to win. He seemed casual and himself when he was telling us about himself. Unlike Lucey Nellie, who was just trying to impress us.

  Chapter 27

  After we get back from the meeting, I sit in my room. It’s around 6:50 pm. I stare out the large window at the clouds. I wonder when I will go see my father. He must be worried too. I should go down to his office, but is he here today? Or is he at home watching my siblings? I’ll risk it and get off my bed.

  “Hi,” I say as I get to the front desk at the lobby. “Do you know where the Western City electricity building is?”

  “Yes, but why?” The girl at the desk asks.

  “My father works there, and I’d like to visit.”

  “It’s on Mavin Street. Just take a left and go down until you see the Street.”

  “Thank you.” I walk out and head left. It’s a cloudy evening and darker than usual. But it’s mid-summer, so it’s still light enough to walk about. When I get onto Mavin Street, I nearly run into a girl with medium jet-black hair and a round face.

  “Sorry!” I say.

  “No, it’s my fault! Do you know where the Visitor Center is? I’m new and have to check in. The guards sent me in this direction, but I am totally lost!”

  “Yeah, it’s just down this road.” I point in the direction I came from.

  “Thank you!” The girl says. “I’m Unika.”

  “Calico.”

  “Like the cat?”

  “Yeah.” I smile at Unika.

  “I don’t mean for this to be mean, but are you a Morph?”

  “Yes. A cat obviously. You?” I feel kind of awkward asking her. It feels like these days are making everyone feel like they’re horrible if they’re a Morph. It’s not a bad thing. The Southern City is just making it be.

  “Yeah. A Lynx. Your eyes are so cool! I should have known you were some kind of animal.”

  “Thanks. I’ve heard of Lynxes. They’re beautiful. Where are you from?”

  “Thanks. I lived in Brazil. Well, I was born in Sweden, but we moved to Brazil about a year or two after. That’s where my name came from. Unika means unique in Swedish.”

  “Cool!” I say. “You speak fluent English.”

  “Yeah, my parents always wanted me to keep it up. You from around here?”

  “Yes. A few miles away actually. I didn’t live in any city. The Hunters attacked our house about a week or two ago, so I ran. I eventually came here.” I think for a moment, then wonder. “Why did you come here? It’s safer in Brazil.”

  “Not anymore. The Southern City is sending out groups all over the world now. They began a few days ago. There are safe places being built all around, but not fast enough. Me and my two brothers were the only Morphs in our family, so I left and hid away in a cargo plane. Brazil grows food for the cities, so I found a plane that was coming here and hid away in it. I thought it was the best chance I had. I’m glad I came! The Western City is becoming popular in Morph safety! Although my two brothers weren’t as lucky as me,” Unika looks down and bites her lip. “They got killed just as I left.”

  “I’m so sorry.” I say. Unika wipes her face with her hand. What else do I say? “The Visitor Center is the place to go if you are a new Morph from outside the city. I’m staying there with my two friends.”

  “Great! Thank you so much! I hope to see you again!” Unika smiles.

  “Yeah, me too!”

  “See you!” She walks past me. I don't know whether to say “bye” or just give a wave. I smile, and wave then continue on my way. Unika was a little taller than me with golden eyes. I can kind of picture her as a Lynx but not that clearly though. At least I had that animal trust feeling in my chest. The feeling I get when I feel someone is trustworthy.

  Chapter 28

  I finally get to the building my father works in, and walk in. It’s a small lobby but with a nice interior design.

  “Hi. Can I help you, dear?” Someone asks from behind the desk.

  “Yeah, I’m looking for my father. Is he here today?”

  “What’s his last name?”

  “Cadwell.”

  “Yeah. Let’s see if he’s here today,” she types on the computer. “Are you his daughter?” she smiles.

  “Yes,” I reply. I wish she would stop talking to me. I hate talking to people I don’t know who are not Morphs. I bite my lower lip and look around at the dull little room.

  “Gosh, you look just like him.”

  Really? I think. I never really knew that. I guess I did. I mean, I never really thought about it.

  “Yep. He’s here. Follow me sweety.” We g
o down a hall to the right and enter a small office. “Mr. Cadwell, your daughter is here.”

  “Calista?” My father gets up from the desk and smiles.

  “Hi.” I say. He, too, was never the hug type.

  “So, you’re alive. That’s a relief! How are you?”

  “I’m fine. How’s the rest of the family?”

  “Missing you a lot.” Something stabs me in the chest. I want to go home. I want to wake up from this nightmare and go home and back to the way things were before all of this Morph stuff.

  “I miss everyone too.”

  “What brings you here?”

  “I had nothing to do and thought maybe you’d like to see me. Mother told me you’d be here today.”

  “I’m glad you came.” He sits back down in his chair and spins around to face me. “Looks like you still have that necklace your mother and I gave you.”

  My hand grabs the charm hanging from the chain around my neck. I keep forgetting that I’m wearing it.

  “Yep. It reminds me of home,” I never really have thought of putting it that way, but every time I notice the necklace, I think of home. “So,” I say. “What are you doing in your office? Aren’t you usually working on electricity stuff?” I laugh a tiny laugh.

  “Yes, but I am just getting some addresses of where I have to go in a few days.”

  I nod and look around. My father’s desk is neat and simple with a few pictures. More pictures cover the left wall. Almost the entire wall is covered in memories. One picture catches my eye first. It’s Aurelian and I hugging in front of the sunset on the beach. I remember that day. I was 13 and Aurelian was 7. It was my birthday, so we went to the beach to celebrate. It was in December, but we didn’t care. We were all bundled up but having a blast. I remember the strawberry cake with raspberry frosting and the presents I got from our parents. I got a plush cat from our father and a small dress with a cat pattern from our mother. Those two things were all I played with and wore for at least a year. I loved them until I outgrew the dress and the twins lost my cat. Either lost it or took it and hid it from me. I might never know.

  I get out of the memory and look at the other pictures. Some are of the twins, and some are just me or just Aurelian and some are just our mother. She was so beautiful when she was younger. She still is. I look at a picture of her holding me in my first few days of life. Her hair was longer and more straight back then. I choke up from the memories and look away. That’s why I hate looking at old pictures of the past. It always makes me feel sad and a little lost.

  Chapter 29

  “Well, I was on my way out of here when you showed up. Want a ride to the Visitor Center?” my father asks after our conversation.

  “Sure,” I reply. “How did you know where I was staying at?”

  “Everyone is talking about the Morphs around here. It’s no secret where they’re staying and how the amount that have come into the city.”

  “How many have come?” I’m curious now. I know there were 10 when I arrived.

  “Around 30.”

  “Wow.” I say. We walk out of the building and into the underground parking lot. It feels nice to be in a familiar car again. Well, technically this is a truck, but it’s familiar and it’s nice.

  The drive back to the Visitor Center is short, but it’s nice to see my father again.

  “I hope to see you again. Stay safe and stay yourself.” My father says as he pulls over to let me out by the Center.

  “Stay myself? What do you mean?”

  “These days can change you. Just, stay Calico, okay?” he has never called me by my cat name before. I take a breath then nod.

  “Okay,” I mumble.

  “Oh, I nearly forgot. Aurelian made a video of herself for you. It’s only about a minute or two but I promised I’d show it to you.” My father pulls out his smartphone and opens up a video.

  “Hi, Cali! I miss you!” I see Aurelian in the video. It shakes a lot from the movement of her walking around the house. The twins are yelling and running around as usual. “I hope I see you soon! I’m doing okay. The twins are being themselves as usual but I’m sure deep down they miss you.” Aurelian smiles. I do too as my throat gets tight. “You’re a Morph! Wow! How come you never told us! What are you? A bunny? A dog? Ooo! Maybe a pony!” I laugh as a few tears run down my face. I wish I was there with everyone. “Mother is making pancakes and father is getting ready to leave for work.” The camera faces the kitchen and I see our mother. “Hello love!” She says, as she flips a pancake on the stove. “I gotta go, the guards are on their way to check on us, making sure we haven’t smuggled you into the house. Bye Cali!” The video ends. I don’t realize that I am crying harder now. I miss my old life. Now I have to always watch my back for the Hunters. I’m not free anymore.

  “I should go. Bye.” I say, wiping my face with the palm of my hand.

  “See you later. Love you.”

  I nod as I get out of the truck. I walk in the Visitor Center and find Bella and August by my side in an instant.

  “Calico are you okay?” Bella asks.

  “Yeah.” I say. “I just miss my family, that’s all.”

  “We all do.” Bella says, putting an arm on my shoulder.

  “Well, frankly, I am doing great without my family.” August says happily.

  “August shut up.” Bella tells him.

  “But this isn’t about me,” August says to me. “Honestly, I miss my family too. Even though they ignore me, don’t know that I’m there…”

  “August, just stay quiet. You’re not helping one bit.” Bella glares at August. I smile at their quarrel and look down on the ground.

  “I think I will go to bed now. See you guys in the morning.” I go up to my room alone.

  The next day, I get up with a whole new attitude. I feel more confident but also angrier. I am done running. I will return to my family no matter what. I get dressed and skip breakfast. Instead, I walk out of the building and walk to the mayor’s mansion. It’s around 9 am so the new mayor should be up by now. But I get stopped at the newly built gates by four guards.

  “I am a Morph and would like to speak to the new mayor please.” One guard leads me into the mayor’s office and stands by the doorway.

  “Hello, can I help you?” Asks J. J. Stancy, the new mayor of the Western City.

  “I’m Calista Marie Cadwell and I want to help fight the Southern City.” I just tell it straight to him.

  “Fight them? Why would we do that right now? We need a plan. A good, thought out plan.”

  “We do. The previous mayor had a huge plan to take down the Southern City. His plans and maps should be here somewhere. We need to follow through with it and take down that city. They’re starting to spread out into other countries and different parts of the world! We need to stop them!”

  “He had a plan you say?”

  “Yes,” I’m feeling regret creep up on me. Should I have come here? Should I have had this confident feeling and just walked over here? I should have just stayed in my room until it passed. I’m not the girl who does these things. But maybe I’m turning into one? No! I have to stay Calico. My father told me just last night to stay me and not to change.

  Mayor Stancy rummages in a drawer for a second then pulls out a few papers labeled “PLAN.”

  “Is this it?” He asks, looking at the plans Mayor Hall had made.

  “No, it’s your breakfast,” I reply. He doesn’t look amused at my sarcasm. “It’s the plan.” I wait a few more minutes as the mayor studies the plan.

  “It won’t work. We’ll call it off until things settle down, and the people get used to me being mayor and then we’ll discuss it. Also, and this is the main reason I’m calling it off, is that the Southern City just added double the amount to their number of guards. We’ll wait a little longer than discuss it, okay? I’m also calling off the groups of soldiers the previous mayor sent out into the forest to collect more Morphs. We need as many soldiers here as possib
le.” I glare at the wall then walk out. “Oh, and I sent out a rule today. I will allow no one outside the city walls under any circumstances. For safety reasons.”

  Chapter 30

  I walk back to the Visitor Center in full rage. Call off the Invasion?! Why? Just… why? I pull my hair back into its loose bun and look around the area. If the Western City won’t take down the Southern City. Then I will. With the Morphs!

  I see Unika walking towards me. What should I say? That the Invasion is off and that I am going alone? Well, with any Morph who wants to come along with me. It just seems a bit off in my head.

  “Hey Calico,” Unika says. “Why do you look so down?”

  I look down at the pavement spotted with the falling raindrops. Ok. I’ll tell her. I just hope she doesn’t turn into her Lynx form and attack me.

  “Mayor Stancy called off the invasion on the Southern City because the Southern City got more guards on their side. Virtually double the amount as many as they had a few weeks ago.” I hate saying these words. They seem wrong coming from me. I know how much the Southern City going down meant to Unika. She wanted revenge possibly more than all of us joined. For her brothers.

  “What?! The Invasion’s off?” Unika looks around. Not as mad as I thought. “They’re not even gonna try?” She seems calmer too.

  “There’s…” Should I say it? “They can’t. There’s too many at the Southern City. The Western City will not even make it halfway through the city. We need to make up a better plan. I’ve already decided to go alone. I want the Southern City to go down just as much as you do.” I think about this for a moment, knowing it’s just suicide. “We’ll get through this. Even if it takes a few years.”

  “We don’t have a few years. The Hunters will kill the Morphs and find more and more ways to kill us inside this city. There’s no stopping them. And how are you going to go alone? If our army of a million is not enough to take down the Southern City, I don’t think one Morph will either.”

  I bite my lower lip. “I know,” I stumble on my words. “I haven’t made up a plan yet, but I was thinking of gathering a few Morphs and…” What then? It still won’t be nearly enough. “I don’t know. But we’ll find a way.”