by M. J. Reed
I was about to protest when Sade cut me off.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure she’s making her father miserable right now, but in the end, she’ll do what she’s told. She’ll take the path of least resistance to try please her perpetually displeased father.” Her expression changed from irritated to sad. “It’s not really her fault. She doesn’t have much choice.” She looked away from me, but not quickly enough to miss the pained look she wore. “If you stay here, you might end up just like her.”
I felt a twinge of concern. “What do you mean?”
She sighed. “You’ll be assigned a wife and a job. They’ll say it’s necessary for the greater good of the city, and if you don’t go along with it, you’ll be punished. So, you’ll do as you’re told.” She said, crossing her arms as if she were trying to wrap herself up in a hug. “It’s safe, but it’s not really living.”
“Look, you don’t know me,” I said, trying not to sound too harsh. “And if you think Cora’s just going to do as she’s told then you don’t know her, either.” Up to this point, I had liked spending time with Sade, but I’ve never liked being put into a box. “You’re wrong, about both of us.”
Instead of being angry Sade just raised an eyebrow. “Maybe I am.” She replied thoughtfully, wincing out a sigh. “Lately, it seems like I’m misjudging a lot of people who I thought I knew really well.”
Sade looked so unhappy that I was tempted to pat her on the shoulder or console her in some way, but she didn’t strike me as someone who enjoyed being consoled, so I changed the subject. “How are spouses assigned here, anyway?” I asked, thinking of Cora.
What is the matter with me? She’s marrying one guy, and hung up on another! I need to stop thinking about Cora and worry about what’s going to happen to me.
“Everyone gets matched based on their genetic and socioeconomic compatibility by the Medical Director here in Departure.” She replied as if she were reciting an answer she had been given many times before. Another flash of irritation passed across her face. “At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work. I know for a fact that this year Dr. Ward changed at least a few of the matches for his own personal reasons.”
“Really?” I said, surprised. “That’s terrible.”
“It is.” She agreed. “The doctor is a good man, but he has his demons.”
A silence hung between us for a moment as I plucked up the courage to ask about what I was really interested in. “So, what’s this guy Cora’s so interested in like? Are they a good couple?”
“Oh,” Sade laughed. “Lonn Amici? He’s an alright guy. He always seemed like too much of a shy homebody to be dating Cora.” Sade seemed to consider for a moment. “Being matched with Jarno might work out for her. She and Lonn are great friends, but I think if they got married they would drive each other crazy. They’re very different people.”
“And you think Cora and Jarno would be good together?” I asked, trying not to look disappointed.
“Well, with Jarno-” Sade stopped, her lips curling into a knowing smile. “Why are you so interested, Wyatt?”
“No reason.” I did my best to keep my face neutral. “She just seems like a nice girl.”
“Sure,” Sade said with a roll of her eyes. She stopped, forcing me to turn and look at her to continue the conversation. “Well, however Cora feels about Lonn, or Jarno, or anyone else,” Sade said with a pointed look at me. “That’s not really the point. The point is that Cora, and everyone else here, have had their lives picked out for them. Cora’s been assigned a husband, a job, and a place to live. She has no freedom to do anything she wants, no matter how she might feel. None of us do.” Sade took a deep breath, calming herself. “If you can, you should try to convince them to let you leave.”
No need to worry about me. I’m getting out of here as soon as I can.
“It’s true that you can make your own choices when you live aboveground, but the options you have up there are usually pretty shitty. You sound like you think life on the surface is one big paradise, but I don’t know if people living up there are freer than they are here. Lack of food, water, or safety, can force you to do a lot of things you might not want to do.” I tried not to think about my former gang, or my brother, and focus on Sade.
“Maybe. But I think if given a choice, I’d rather take my chances up there than down here.” Sade said quietly.
“I’m surprised to hear you say that. You’re a Charr, and it seems like your family is pretty much in charge around here. If you’re so unhappy, why don’t you find a way to get your father or brother’s security code and get out of here?” I asked knowing that any question I directed to her about leaving the city might not be well received, but to my surprise, she seemed more sad than angry.
“I have my own code to the main door, and I’ve thought about using it.” She admitted. “There’s been some debate about how habitable it is on the surface. The few sensor readings we’ve been getting suggest that people could survive up there, though the world is far different from the way it once was.” Sade’s shoulders sagged in defeat. “But there’s more to my staying here than that. I used to think I had a reason to stay here. That I had a future here. Now, I’m not so sure.” Sade glared at me, guessing my thoughts. “But I’m not giving you my security code.”
I nodded. Sade didn’t seem like the sort of person who could be coerced into giving me the code. She seemed much too stubborn to be bought, intimidated, forced, or tricked into doing something she didn’t want to do. She would fit right in on the surface.
Sade and I looked up as the overhead lights dimmed. “It’s getting late. I should show you around a few of the manufacturing and processing sectors so I can get you back to the Halax’s.” She started walking again. “I’m not sure how much choice you’ll have in what they’re going to do with you now that you’re here, but if you have the option… Well, I won’t tell you what to do. Just, think about what I said before you make up your mind.”
I nodded, and we walked on.
I’ve got to find a way out of this place.
Chapter 15
Dinner with the future in-laws is a time-honored tradition here in Departure, and I’ve never wanted to skip a meal so badly in my life. We’ve only just sat down at the table, and it’s already terrible. Jarno keeps looking at his mom like she was going to explode, and based on her expression there’s a chance that she might. Wrenna is irritated that Wyatt is joining us, even though he’s a guest in our house. My dad is trying to compensate for the awkwardness with jokes and a fake smile. As for me, I’m doing my best to get through the night and say as little as possible. I don’t know why it matters if I’m here or not. My dad is dead set on marrying me off to Jarno, no matter what I think.
Jarno has been courteous so far, but I can’t stop scowling at him. I tried to remind myself that he’s isn’t the person I should be mad at, but I still bristle whenever he so much as glances my way. There’s just no chemistry between us. I thought, as my dad laughed at another one of his jokes. We haven’t been able to come up with any common interests, we definitely don’t share a sense of humor, and I’m not attracted to him. It didn’t help that Jarno was seated right next to Wyatt, who looks as handsome as Jarno looks plain.
Jarno is pale, even for someone who lives underground, has patchy facial hair, and looks as if a stiff breeze would knock him over. I guess the fitness regimen they put the security officers through doesn’t work very well. But what bothers me, more than his appearance, is how he seems to defer to his mother about everything. I understand that Constable Greer is intimidating, but he acts like he’s still a child who needs her to take care of him, instead of a fully-grown man.
“So, how many kids are you planning to have?” Wrenna asked stone-faced, as my father passed her a tray of steamed vegetables. She, unlike my dad, made no effort to appear as if she was enjoying our dinner. For her, this is a business meeting, and she wasted no time getting to the point.
My m
outh almost fell open. “I, umm…” I’m having trouble getting through a dinner with Jarno. No way am I having his kids. I took another appraising look at Jarno. And I’m definitely not having sex with him!
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Wyatt mouth, “Wow.”
At least Wyatt sees how crazy this is. I do NOT want Wrenna as my mother in law!
Jarno looked vaguely horrified. “Um, mom, maybe you shouldn’t-”
“Quiet,” Wrenna said, waving her hand dismissively towards her son, but never took her eyes off me. “I’m trying to get to know my future daughter-in-law.” She said sweetly. “Well?” She prompted me, smiling through clenched teeth.
I looked, once again, at my betrothed. Wrenna has always struck me as an incredibly protective mother. I have no doubt that she would die for Jarno, but based on her behavior she seems like she would prefer dying to sparing him a kind word. I almost feel sorry for him. As soon as Wrenna cut him off, Jarno shut down. His shoulders slumped in defeat, and instead of trying to reign his mother in, he busied himself pushing food around his plate.
My dad laughed. “Well Wrenna, Cora’s always wanted a big family. Besides, our kids have plenty of time to settle on how many children they want.” He grabbed for the basket in the center of the table, passing it to Wrenna. “More bread?”
In a way, I have to admire my dad’s tact. It was rude for Wrenna to ask something like that in the middle of dinner, but he defused the situation adeptly. He fits in here so well. I wonder if I’ll ever blend in that seamlessly. I wrinkled my nose at the thought. I hope not. It’s hard to be sure who my father is when I know how committed he is to playing his role.
“Actually, I’m not sure I want to have kids,” I answered, forcing a thin smile. It wasn’t true, but I was angry, and I wanted to get a reaction.
Wrenna raised her eyebrows. “Well, I want to have grandchildren, and since it’ll be your duty as my son’s wife to provide him with children-”
Wyatt jumped to my aid. “Whoa!” He said. “You can’t force her to have kids if she doesn’t want to.” He looked incredulously from my dad to Wrenna, and back again as if he couldn’t believe what he had just heard.
Lonn wouldn’t have stuck up for me to Wrenna, and Jarno certainly isn’t going to. I looked at my fuming future mother-in-law. Of course, that’s because neither of them has a death wish...
My father, sensing Wrenna was running low on patience, laughed again. “Oh, Wyatt! You just don’t understand how it works here.” He scooped another helping of potatoes onto Wyatt’s plate as if he were trying to remind him to stop talking and eat.
“Well, we don’t have to have kids right away,” Jarno said, trying to rejoin the conversation. I could tell by the smile on his face he had meant the statement to be comforting, but it didn’t make me feel any better.
“Yes, you do,” Wrenna said, dismissing Jarno again. “She may not make an excellent mother, but you would be a fantastic dad. Besides, Miles and I aren’t getting any younger.”
My dad cleared his throat uncomfortably but didn’t say anything. He wouldn’t defend me to Wrenna. That might make him look bad. I seethed silently at my dad from across the table.
“Hey,” Wyatt snapped, his voice quiet but with a dangerous edge to it. “No matter what you think, don’t you dare talk about her like that.” Wrenna’s eyes widened. Wyatt continued. “You and I are guests here, and it’s not our place to insult our host or his daughter. Besides,” He added much more calmly. “I think Cora would be a great mom.” Wyatt threw an encouraging smile my direction before turning to stare down Wrenna.
I felt my face grow hot. I couldn’t decide if I was more embarrassed or flattered. I decided to focus on eating, and not speak for the rest of dinner. Everyone else at the table followed suit. This has got to be the most awkward dinner ever. I thought, doing my best to clear my plate as quickly and quietly as possible. When I did dare to look up I could see that though no one was talking, Wyatt and Wrenna were still shooting angry looks at one another.
Wyatt needs to be careful. I worried. Constable Greer is a dangerous enemy to have. Especially, since the city officials haven’t decided what to do with him, yet.
After all the food had been cleared off the plates, Wrenna stood up abruptly. “How do you feel about a wedding two weeks from now?” It was a question, but Wrenna managed to ask it as if it were an order.
“Jarno’s hydroponics orientation should be done by then.” My father nodded thoughtfully. “And Cora’s already got her job training done. That should be fine.”
“Good,” Wrenna said, gesturing for her son to stand. “I’ll put their names on the church roster and let you know what time slot we get.” She leaned across the table to shake my dad’s hand.
“Great!” He said, rising to show her to the door.
Jarno scrambled to catch up with Wrenna, throwing me a backward glance as he went. He opened his mouth as if to say something to me, but then seemed to think better of it. Instead, he turned on his heel, thanked my dad for the food, and followed his mom out of our house.
As soon as the door closed my dad strode across the room towards me. “I want you to listen to me.” He said, his voice low and quiet. “No daughter of mine has any excuse to act the way you did tonight.” He rounded on Wyatt, nostrils flaring in anger. “And no guest in my house should speak to Constable Greer like that. Particularly, a guest who has no official standing in this city.”
My dad has been one of the biggest supporters in favor of letting Wyatt stay here. What if tonight has changed his mind? I thought, heart pounding at breakneck speed. Most of the other city officials want him killed or imprisoned!
My father’s voice snapped me out of my whirl of panic. “And you.” He turned back towards me so quickly that I’m surprised he hadn’t given himself whiplash. “Wyatt doesn’t know the way things work here yet, but you don’t have any excuse.” My dad’s hands were balled into fists, the vein in his forehead looked like it was going to pop. I’ve never thought of my dad as a violent person, but for a moment I wondered if he was going to hit me.
Near me, Wyatt’s body had gone tense. From the corner of my eye, I could see that he was laser focused on my dad. He too had clenched his fists, set his jaw, and looked ready to spring. Wyatt’s going to fight to defend me. I thought, the panic welling up in me anew. If he gets in a fist fight with my father, he’ll be sent to level seven for sure!
My dad took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax. “It’s been a long day. I’m going to go to bed, and when I wake up tomorrow, I expect you to behave.” He turned and stormed down the hall before I could say anything, leaving me standing dumbly in the kitchen with Wyatt.
With my father gone, Wyatt too relaxed. “He’s right about one thing. It has been a long day.” Wyatt said. He stretched, emphasizing the still coiled muscles in his arms and shoulders. “You doing alright?” He asked, reading the stress on my face.
In an instant, I had thrown myself into his arms. He held me and gently rubbed my back as I let a sob escape me. I felt a sense of peace as I burrowed into his chest and wrapped my arms around his waist. “You could be in so much trouble after tonight.” I cried into his chest. His shirt muffled my voice, but I knew he could hear me. “You know Wrenna wants to have you killed, right?”
“I know.” He answered.
The rumble of his voice and the heat of his body made me feel safe. I let myself enjoy the safety of his arms for another moment before pulling away. “I’m sorry,” I said, getting myself back under control. “It’s hard to listen to my future be planned for me. None of this is what I want.” I wiped the tears from my face. “And, I’m worried about you,” I admitted. “I don’t think I could stand it if they did something to you.”
He smiled weakly at me. “I won’t let them make you marry someone if you don’t want to,” Wyatt promised.
My eyebrows flew up in surprise. “Oh? And how are you going to stop them?” I frowned. "If I refuse, I'm
just going to get myself sent to level seven."
“I don’t know.” He admitted with a rueful grin. “At the very least, I would make sure to do something to get myself locked up with you.”
I smiled back at him. I know that trying to resist Departure’s traditions is an exercise in futility, but having someone on my side made me feel lighter. “Well, in that case, I’ll do my best to keep anyone from killing you.”
“Ha!” He laughed, further elevating my mood. “I’d appreciate that.”
We stood, looking into one another’s eyes for a little too long. Wyatt broke eye contact first. “Lonn’s a lucky man.” He said, a quiet solemnity seeping into his voice. For a moment, his face twisted into an almost envious expression.
Is he jealous, or am I imagining it? Is he interested in me? My heart gave a little flutter at the thought, and my mouth went dry. Unbidden, my eyes drifted to his lips.
“So, you don’t want kids?” Wyatt asked, quickly changing the subject.