by M. J. Reed
“We’ve been down here longer than the original engineers ever intended.” I began, hoping I could guide Carla to the same conclusion that I had reached.
“Yes.” She argued. “But the engineers at the time only prepared for a limited nuclear strike. Given the number of missiles that were launched-”
I cut her off. “We needed to stay down here for our own safety.” I agreed. “But now that we know that people are surviving on the surface, we know that it’s safe for us to return.” I smiled at her. “You and I could be part of the generation that rises up from the ground and spreads the word of Solne to the people on the surface. We could rebuild the world above for a new generation.”
Carla started fidgeting again. “I know. I’m just afraid. What if we’ve been down here so long that we can’t survive up there?” Her eyes darted back and forth, checking to make sure we were still alone. “What if Reglin doesn’t want us to go?” She breathed.
I let myself lean in close to her. “Carla, I want to be the one to lead the people of Departure to the surface. To let them bask in Her natural light, and to bring those above into the fold.” I glanced at the ground, and then back to Carla, trying not to let my ambition show through my eyes. “We’re only alive now because our ancestors wanted us to remake the world, and I’m not going to let anyone prevent us from doing that. Not even my father.” I paused, letting what I said sink in. “The real question is, will you support me when it’s time for us to go?”
I was nervous to hear Carla’s answer. She’s well liked by both her subordinates and her peers, and well respected throughout the city. Having her support is critical if I didn’t want my dad to stop me from fulfilling my mission.
She smiled, uneasily, and nodded. “Of course. I’ll do whatever God requires of me.”
Good. My time has almost come. I tried not to look too happy. “I’ll speak to my father, of course,” I reassured her. “But, start spreading the word. Quietly. Let as many trustworthy, penitent people as you can know that if we reach an impasse, we might have to override Reglin Charr’s authority.”
Carla didn’t protest, but she didn’t look like she liked the idea. For a moment I thought she was going to change her mind. Instead, she asked, “How will we know when, or if, your negotiations with Reglin break down?”
I paused, not wanting Carla to think that I take any of this lightly. “I’ll trigger the emergency alarm. Everyone in the city will hear it, and, with your help, everyone will know that drastic measures are needed.”
Her hands stilled, and she took a seat on the sofa. She sat down heavily as if the weight of what we’re planning had compelled her to do so. Carla sighed and covered her face with her hand. “I’ll make sure everyone is ready for a fight if it comes to that.”
“Thank you.” I nodded and turned to leave.
“Oswalt,” Carla called after me. “I don’t like this.” She said, removing her hand from her face so she could meet my eyes.
I frowned as I reached for the doorknob. “Neither do I.”
Chapter 11
“I am not having this argument with you again, Cora! You were matched with Jarno, and that’s the end of it.” Mr. Halax called as he stomped down the hallway to seek refuge in his office. “Now keep it down, we have a guest!” He yelled, without a hint of irony.
Instead of locking me up, I’ve been allowed to stay in a small guest room in the Halax household. Miles Halax had welcomed me into his home, shown me to my room, and told me to make myself comfortable, but knowing that my every move is being monitored has put me on edge. Mr. Halax seems nice, and this place is pretty well supplied, but I don’t like the idea of being trapped here. I need to try to find a way out of here in case things take a turn for the worst. I made a cursory inspection of the room, looking for anything that might help me escape. Aside from a few the few changes of clothes that had been loaned to me and the linens on the bed the room was mostly empty. No tools, no weapons, nothing. I plopped down on the bed and tried to decide what I should do next.
“This is so unfair!” Cora yelled back. She stomped upstairs, slamming a door as she went, announcing her retreat.
Cora Halax has been nothing but kind to me since I arrived, but she’s been noticeably cold towards her father. The two of them have been arguing since I had been shown to my room. I don’t know if it’s a good idea to get involved, but I need more information about this place if I’m going to get out of here. I rose from the bed. Having something productive to do, even if it was just gathering information, made me feel less on edge. Miles seems like he’s a well-connected man around here. With any luck, I’ll learn something useful and be able to get out of here.
I followed the hallway back towards the front entry, passing a kitchen with attached dining room on my left, and a set of stairs on my right. I heard Cora shuffling around in her room as I passed by the stairs. Cora certainly seems less reserved than her dad. I thought, remembering how she had stood up for me to Wrenna. I might be able to get her to tell me something useful once she calms down.
I followed the hallway in search of Miles. Near the front door to the home there was a heavy wooden door, and next to this door was a red button labeled “security.” I wonder if all the houses around here have a security call button. I thought with a frown. The houses all look the same from the outside, so probably. I decided. I had better watch my step around this place. I did my best to ignore the red button and knocked on the door.
“Come in.” Mr. Halax called with a frustrated sigh. He was seated at a desk in what appeared to be a home office.
“Uh, hey. Is everything alright?” I asked from the threshold of the room.
“Hey!” He answered, arranging his face to hide his irritation. “I’m sorry about all the noise. Cora’s just upset about her match, but she’ll get over it.” He rolled his eyes. “Hopefully sooner, rather than later.”
“Her match?” I asked, confused.
“Ah!” Miles exclaimed, perking up. “In Departure, after children reach twenty years of age, they’re matched up with their future spouse and given a job.” He looked at me thoughtfully. “How old are you, Wyatt?”
“Oh, I’m twenty-two,” I answered. Miles and I have gotten along well up to this point, but not knowing about such an important community milestone underscores how much of an outsider I am here. I thought, noticing that Mr. Halax had allowed a pause to hang between us for a moment too long, and the quiet had lapsed into an awkward silence.
“Well, that’s alright.” He said as if I had done something unintentionally rude. “There are always a few people who get re-matched because their partner died, or turned out to be infertile, or something.” He said with a casual wave of his hand. “I’m sure with your mechanical aptitude you’ll be assigned a good job, and get matched up with someone great, too.”
Mr. Halax seems sure that I’ll be allowed to stay in this bunker, but I don’t know if that’s the case. Hell, I don’t even know if I want to stay here!
“Alright, so Cora doesn’t like the guy she was matched with. Is there anything she can do about it? Can she switch with someone else?” I asked, trying to be helpful with only a partial understanding of the situation.
Miles laughed, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It doesn’t quite work that way. Look, Cora’s a smart girl, but she’s been infatuated with another young man for a while now, so she’s having trouble adjusting. My daughter tends to romanticize, and she’s having a hard time now that her fantasy life has finally collided with reality. But, don’t worry about her.” Miles tried to reassure me. “She’ll come around eventually. It’ll probably just take some time.”
Miles straightened some papers on his desk, glanced at a clock on the wall, and then stood up suddenly. “I’m sorry, Wyatt. I work the evening shift tonight, and I need to get going.” He said, looking more pleased than sorry to end our conversation. “Cora can show you around the house and help you change your bandages. If you need anything jus
t ask her.” Miles snagged a jacket from the back of his chair and rushed out of the house with a backward, “Goodnight!”
Well, that was interesting. I thought, staring at the now empty seat behind Mr. Halax’s desk. Miles seems to want me to stay here, but he definitely doesn’t trust me, and I don’t think I should trust him, either.
I made my way back down the hall and up the stairs, hunting for Cora.
Finding her room was simple enough. The upper floor of the Halax house is much smaller than the lower level. From the landing at the top of the stairs, I could only see two doors. One door, which was slightly ajar, appeared to be a restroom. The other door, which was firmly closed, I assume, is Cora’s room. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and knocked.
I’ll have to be careful what I say around her. I reminded myself, as footsteps approached the door from the other side. She seems like a smart girl, and I can’t let her suspect that I’m looking for a way out of here.
Cora peeked through the crack of her barely opened door as if she were trying to prevent me from seeing inside. “What!?” She snapped, surprising me. “Oh, sorry.” She said, her tone softening and her face reddening. “I thought you were my dad.” She opened the door and turned, heading back into the room, which I took as an invitation to enter.
As I watched her walk away, the sway of her hips caught my eye. The jeans she was wearing were tight and emphasized her curves. Focus. Don’t get distracted by some girl with long eyelashes and a nice ass. I thought, willing myself to focus on something else. Don’t form attachments here. Just get the information you need and get out of here. I tried to ignore Cora’s appearance and instead took a look around her room.
My eyes landed on the mess of things on Cora’s bed. Is that?... Is she stuffing a bag with… produce? I raised an eyebrow as I inspected the vegetables that had toppled out of her backpack. Is this what she was trying to hide when she wouldn’t open her door all the way?
“So... what’s up with the secret bag of food? Are you part of some kind of potato smuggling ring?” I teased.
Cora smiled and rolled her eyes at me. “Something like that.” She went back to packing the bag with food. “I have a friend on level four whose parents work the night shift. Sometimes, when our families are driving us crazy, I take some stuff from the hydroponics garden and go to her house. We cook, talk, eat, and blow off a little steam.” She shot me another smile over her shoulder. “But, don’t tell my dad. Breaking curfew is a pretty big deal around here, and he’s all about following the rules.”
“I won’t tell if you won’t.” I grinned, pleased to find that Cora wasn’t above breaking a few rules. “So, you’re going to go cook and complain about that guy you’re matched with?”
Her brows flew up in surprise. “You heard all that, huh?”
“Me and everyone else around here.” I laughed.
She smiled at me again, even as her cheeks reddened.
“So, can I come on this ill-advised expedition?” I asked.
Her smile widened. “You like cooking?”
“Well, not really,” I admitted. “I like eating, though.”
Cora looked me up and down as if debating whether or not to let me tag along. For one terrible moment, I worried that she wouldn’t let me come with her.
“Plus, I’ll haul whatever stolen produce you have lying around.” I offered, gesturing to the heavy looking bag.
She snorted in amusement. “Alright, you can come. We have to be quiet, though.” She said, passing me the very full backpack. “If we get caught, we’re both going to be in big trouble.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I replied with a mock salute. Maybe, I’ll find some way out of this place if I follow her. I thought, trying to rationalize my decision. Besides, even if this is a foolish idea, I would much rather go out with Cora than sit around agonizing over what these people are going to do with me. I shouldered the bag, and we snuck off into the night.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t see much of the city on our way to the fourth floor. The lights had been dimmed, presumably to conserve power, and Cora and I moved quickly, doing our best to keep to the shadows. We crept down several flights of stairs before Cora stopped us near a row of houses.
These houses look much smaller than the ones on the second floor. I thought as Cora ushered me towards one of the doors.
When we reached the door, she knocked once, paused, knocked four times, paused, and knocked once more. Inside the house, a light flicked on and off twice before we heard someone scamper to let us in.
“The coast is clear!” Chirped a short young lady as she ushered us inside. “Who’s your friend?” She asked Cora with a grin, revealing a gap between her two front teeth. Instead of waiting for Cora to answer her, she stuck her hand out for me to shake. “I’m Olivia.” She introduced herself.
“Wyatt,” I answered, shaking her hand.
Olivia’s eyes traveled quickly up and down my body as if appraising me. “Nice to meet you.” She said, stepping closer and shooting me a wink.
“Down girl!” Cora said, playfully shooing Olivia away from me.
“What? Can I help it if I want to get a better look at the mysterious surface man?” Olivia asked, in the most innocent tone she could muster.
Cora rolled her eyes. “Sorry about her.” She said, relieving me of the food-filled backpack. “She has no restraint around anyone even moderately attractive.”
“So you think I’m attractive?” I shot back, grinning like a maniac.
Cora grabbed a wet dishcloth from the kitchen sink and threw it at me, but the smile she threw with it took all the venom out of the gesture. “Sure, you’re the best looking dishwasher I’ve ever seen!”
I chuckled and helped the girls unpack the purloined vegetables. Cora and Olivia were cheerful, and their mood was contagious. I found myself grinning and laughing along with their conversation.
“I just can’t stand him!” Cora said as she told Olivia about her betrothed. “I mean, Jarno doesn’t seem like a bad guy, but I can’t imagine being married to him. We don’t have anything in common!”
Olivia nodded along. “And you’re gonna be related to Constable Greer.”
Cora crossed her arms across her chest, hugging herself, and shuddered.
“I’m not a fan of my match, either.” Olivia sighed. “I mean, he’s gorgeous, but he’s got to be one of the dumbest people I’ve ever met!”
“Sounds perfect for you, Olivia!” I teased.
“Ha!” Cora giggled. “Wyatt’s only met you once, and he’s already got you all figured out!”
I beamed, proud that I had managed to make Cora laugh.
“Yeah, yeah,” Olivia said, rolling her eyes. She handed me a bowl and pointed me toward the stove. “Alright smart guy, pour all of this in that pot, turn the stove on medium, and stir.”
My instructions were clear, and it was a simple job, but I didn’t want to mess up our dinner. Cooking has never been my strong suit, and the more time I spent with Cora and her friend the more determined I was to impress them. Cora and Olivia transitioned from talking about their matches to talking about their career assignments, but I zoned in and out of the conversation, focusing on the task at hand.
Maybe, staying here wouldn’t be so awful. I thought as the smell of food filled the kitchen. They’ve got electricity, plumbing, and food down here. I’m not a fan of being forcibly kept down here, but hanging out with Cora has been fun. I inwardly scolded myself for the thought. I don’t need to form any attachments right now. I just need to get out of this place.
“The cornbread’s almost done. How’s the soup?” Cora asked, appearing at my elbow.
“Taste for yourself,” I answered hastily, not wanting Cora to guess my thoughts. I dipped a nearby spoon in the soup and offered Cora a taste. Even though the action was intended to be innocent, when our eyes met I felt a strange intimacy pass between us.
My breath caught in my chest. I must not be getting out enough if watchi
ng a girl eat is turning me on.
She pulled away, licking her lips. “That’s not bad.” She admitted.
My gaze flitted from her eyes, down to her lips, and back again. She and I have been having talking all night, and suddenly I can’t think of anything intelligent to say! Fortunately, Cora ended our interaction before I had the chance to make it awkward.
She turned on her heel and made her way back to where she and Olivia had been working. “Come on, Wyatt!” She called, without looking back at me. “Let’s eat!”
Chapter 12
We laughed and whispered in hushed tones most of the way back to my house. If we were caught out past curfew, we would be in serious trouble, but Wyatt and I couldn’t contain ourselves. We were drunk on laughter. Even our most genuine attempts at stealth were undercut by our inability to stop giggling.
“You know, you’re not what I expected,” Wyatt said, his laughter fading to a smile.