For the thousandth time in forty-eight hours, she mentally reviewed the message she’d penned in the coffee shop.
Charlie’s anxiety had her squirming in her seat. A pretty girl taking notes next to her shot Charlie a dirty look. Charlie smiled apologetically, forcing her legs to stop bouncing. Focusing on the professor, she fought to push Nemo to the back of her mind.
“Let’s start with a basic overview before we get into the details.” The professor grabbed a tablet and a stylus, prepared to write notes. “According to your papers, all of you know that we used to be a part of the United States of America and, at some point, transitioned into the Confederation of America. I also gathered that most of you don’t realize how this change took place. Can anyone give me some idea of what caused this change?” Silence met his question. Charlie understood his look of frustration. She was sure she wore a similar expression whenever she checked her inbox. “Anyone?”
“A corrupt government system?” asked a timid voice from the back of the room.
The professor nodded. “That’s rather broad, but essentially, yes.” A large screen behind him displayed the words as he wrote the answer on the tablet.
When he finished, the professor continued. “Over the years, corruption tore the country apart. Politicians overtaxed the people to line their own pockets. They protected their own interests above those of the common man.” His voice rose as the subject started to excite him. “Compounded by extreme poverty and economic depression, the people began to grow restless. Can anyone tell me the exact reasons why the people came together to form the revolution?”
The girl next to Charlie raised her hand, answering before she was called on. “The corruption started with eliminating the two consecutive term restriction on the president. With the change, as long as the candidate had the nomination of their party, the number of terms served didn’t matter. This allowed a single agenda to take power and reign until that agenda came to fruition. After the democrats had been in power for over five consecutive terms, the people began to question whether their votes were being counted at all or whether the system of voting was rigged.” She answered with a flip of her hair and a flirtatious smile directed at the professor.
“Very good.” The professor responded, noting the girl’s flirtation with obvious amusement. “What happened next? Anyone?”
A boy in the front of the room raised his hand. He sat on the edge of his seat, leaning toward the professor. “The federal government worked to extend its reach, to gain total control over the states.” The professor nodded, indicating he should continue. “Eventually, the states lost all power to govern themselves. Rather than allowing the states to make decisions about issues like abortion, gay marriage, and gun laws, the federal government passed and enforced all the laws. Enraged by the decimation of their individual power, the likeminded states worked together until there were seven super states fighting against the government.”
“Clearly you passed the assignment, that or you’re reading from the book.” A few students laughed quietly. “Someone who doesn’t know have the textbook memorized care to tell us what happened to finally topple the federal government?”
No one volunteered. With a sigh, the professor supplied the answer. “The government’s downfall came when they amended the constitution and removed the right to bear arms. They sent the military into the states to take back the citizens’ weapons. Many in the military opposed this move and refused to take up arms against innocent citizens.” The professor wrote furiously as he spoke. “Eventually, the military turned on the government and the revolution was complete. After years of violent conflict, the turn of the military solidified the overthrow of the United States.”
The professor started pacing again, clearly enthralled with his own lesson. “Molding the best parts of the constitution with some new ideas, these seven super states split the country up into the seven provinces our confederation is made—”
The phone rattled on the desk, startling Charlie. The girl beside her shot Charlie a glare before returning her attention to the professor. Charlie ignored her, opening the message.
-Rather presumptuous of you, assuming I owe you anything.
Excitement pulsed through her veins.
-I got you into the party.
-I didn’t kill you.
-Because you need me.
“Unfortunately, we are out of time. Anyone interested in some extra credit on their papers can do the optional essay question I’ve written on the screen. Five pages, due next class. Don’t forget to cite todays lecture in your papers.” The students rose, filing out of the room. Charlie grabbed her bag and hurried from the lecture hall, her phone grasped tightly in her sweaty hand.
Nemo’s next text could be the one to determine her future. If he wouldn’t help her, she’d have to marry Mason. Richard’s control over her would be complete. If she couldn’t break from his hold now, she never would.
The phone vibrated again. She stopped in her tracks, taking a deep breath before opening the message.
-If I do this, I will own you.
She didn’t think twice before responding.
-I understand.
Students skirted past her. Some glowered or threw insults at her for standing in their way. But Charlie didn’t hear them. All she could hear was the thundering gallop of her beating heart. Nearly five minutes passed. Her hope began to slip away before Nemo responded.
-The only way out of this is to marry someone else.
-I tried that. My father stepped in.
-The Lottery.
It was so obvious. Why hadn’t she considered it before? Because of the shame it would bring me. Charlie shook her head. At this point, almost anyone would be better than disgusting Mason Novak. No amount of shame mattered anymore. She was too desperate.
-He may not monitor the program, but he monitors my chip. As soon as I enter my name he’ll see it and do something to stop me.
-Leave that to me. Go back to the Office of Interpersonal Determination tomorrow and enter your name into the Lottery. Be there at 11:53. Don’t be late!
She frowned at the odd time, but let her curiosity go. For the first time since her Determining, Charlie felt as if the hope waiting on the horizon was finally within reach.
-Thank you.
-Don’t thank me yet.
~
Charlie stood outside the Office of Interpersonal Determination, staring at the door. In her sweaty palm, she clutched her phone. Two minutes. That was all the time she had left.
Enter the office or walk away. The choice seemed simple a few hours ago. Submit to a life with Mason, one that would lead to a cage. Or take a chance with the Lottery and risk ending up with someone worse. She couldn’t know where each path would lead. The only thing she controlled was this moment and which path she chose to follow.
She looked at her phone. 11:53. It was now or never. Gathering her courage, she turned the doorknob and stepped into the office.
“Welcome to the Office of Interpersonal Determination. How can I help you?” The familiar bored voice greeted her.
“I want to enter my name in the Lottery.”
The girl glanced up. She took in Charlie’s expensive clothes and polished appearance with unabashed curiosity. After a moment of open staring, she pointed to the tablet. “Sign in there. Someone will be with you shortly.”
Charlie did as instructed and took a seat, conscious of the eyes following her every move.
Seconds later, the door behind the counter opened. A tall, young man with short, ashy brown hair stepped out. He grabbed the tablet and read down the list of names, pausing at the end.
“Charlotte Grey.” He looked at her with warm, brown eyes. Like the woman at the desk, he took in her appearance with curiosity.
“Yes.” Charlie stood.
“Follow me.”
She trailed him back into the office, and he closed the door behind them. Taking a seat, he indicated that she should do the same.
&nbs
p; “My name is Mr. Ross. I understand that you’re interested in entering your name into the Interpersonal Determination Lottery.” Mr. Ross notated something on his tablet with a stylus before looking at her.
“Yes.” Charlie settled back in her chair.
“Why?”
“I don’t see how that’s relevant.” Charlie bristled, immediately on the defensive.
He tapped the stylus on the desk, his eyes examining her like she was a riddle begging to be solved. “I assure you, any questions I ask are standard procedure. Entering into the Lottery is a risk. Before you make such a life-altering decision we want to ensure you’re ready. So, why do you want to enter the Lottery?”
Charlie settled on telling a partial truth. “My boyfriend and I aren’t Compatible. I don’t want to find someone else only to have the same results. I’d rather be presented with a match and take it from there.”
Mr. Ross cleared his throat, sitting back in his chair. “Miss Grey, I won’t pretend I don’t know who you are. Everyone working in this office knows the intimate details of your life thanks to our darling secretary out there and the numerous gossip columns she digests. That being said, I’ve heard the rumor of your engagement to Mason Novack. So, why are you here?”
His warm eyes searched her face for the answer she didn’t think she could give.
She met his eyes. “I’m here. Isn’t that answer enough?”
A moment passed. “Yes, it is.” He looked down at the tablet. “I have a few more questions, just to narrow down the pool of possible candidates the program will select from. Do you have a specific age range you’re interested in?”
“No one old enough to be my father.” Charlie tried to smile, but her lips wouldn’t respond.
“Do you have any special requests in regards to physical attributes?”
Charlie thought for a moment. Did she prefer blonds or brunettes, blue eyes or brown? She didn’t know. “No.”
“Last question. Do you have any reservations about marrying outside your social class?”
“No,” Charlie declared firmly.
Mr. Ross clicked something on the tablet before setting it back on his desk and grabbing a portable scanner. “If I could see your wrist.” In seconds, it was over. “Congratulations, Miss Grey. You have officially been entered in the Lottery. The system will review your information and you’ll receive the results within the next hour.”
“Why does it take so long? When I was tested for compatibility, it took minutes.” She narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
“You’re one of the lucky ones,” Mr. Ross said absently, his attention on the computer screen in front of him. “You won’t wait as long as those who entered their names earlier.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Lottery isn’t a daily occurrence. There aren’t enough entries for that. Instead, we gather names for one week. After the week is up, the Lottery program compares all the entries and matches each person with their ideal partner from the week’s entry pool.” He glanced at the clock on the tablet. “Actually, if you had come in even five minutes later, you wouldn’t have made the cut off.”
“Lucky me,” Charlie muttered.
If she waited until tomorrow to enter her name, it would be too late. Her engagement to Mason would be confirmed and she would be trapped. Nemo must have known that when he told her what time to be here. She didn’t appreciate how close he allowed her to cut it.
“When the Lottery closes in a few minutes, it will take the program about five minutes to arrange all the matches. Once that is done, the computer will contact the participants.”
“Thank y—” A commotion on the other side of the door cut her short. Even through the barrier between them, Charlie recognized Richard’s furious voice echoing with intensity.
“I don’t care what the damn rules say. Tell me where the hell my daughter is.” Richard burst into the room, eyes blazing. When he spotted her, she thought he might burst a blood vessel.
“I…” He shot her a look that stopped the words in her throat.
“What have you done?” His fists clenched with poorly restrained anger.
“Sir.” Mr. Ross stepped between them, shielding Charlie from Richard’s fiery gaze. “Can I help you?” It sounded like a warning rather than a question.
“Get out of my way.” Richard tried to step around him, but Mr. Ross followed the movement, ensuring that he remained between father and daughter.
“You can’t be here.”
“That is my daughter. Don’t fucking tell me I can’t be here.” Richard’s eyes burned.
Mr. Ross wouldn’t relent. “She has been Determined and is now of age. Unless she consents to your presence, it is against the law for you to be here, Councilman.”
Richard grabbed Mr. Ross by the collar, throwing him against the wall. “I make the laws, you little shit.”
Charlie expected Mr. Ross to cower, but he looked her father in the eye, refusing to back down. Noting his fists clenched by either side, she hoped, for his sake, that he would keep them there. She needed to intervene.
“It’s too late.” She stood, walking toward her father on shaky legs. “Let him go.”
Richard complied, grabbing her instead. He pulled her within inches of his face. The stench of stale cigars and whisky hit her. “What do you mean, it’s too late?”
Her body went cold with fear. She had to swallow the lump rising in her throat before she could speak. “I entered my name in the Lottery.” Despite her attempt at bravado, her voice betrayed her fear.
“Then I will remove your name from the drawing.” Richard glowered.
“You can’t,” Mr. Ross spoke up. “The Lottery closed a minute ago. The drawing is taking place as we speak.”
Richard’s grip on her arms tightened. “I did this for us, for the company. Everyone knows about the engagement. The damn lawyers wrote up the contract. It’s been signed. You’ve made a fool of me, you little bitch!”
She expected the blow when it came. What she didn’t expect was the second, third, fourth, and the bevy that followed. He held her by the collar so she couldn’t escape. Instinctively, she threw her hands up to protect her face, but she couldn’t block every punch. Blow after blow made contact with her jaw, her nose, her mouth. The crunch of bone and cartilage followed by the warm flow of blood made her stomach churn. The same ring that had cut her cheek weeks ago now sliced her lip. She couldn’t think. She couldn’t breathe. Her ears rang as the blows traveled lower, assaulting her chest and stomach.
Suddenly, the attack stopped. She sank to the ground, darkness pressing in on all sides. Expecting Richard to begin kicking her, she curled into a ball. She lay there, waiting for the coming assault. Anticipating the pain. But nothing happened.
A grunt and the sound of a struggle pulled her attention to the corner of the room. She peered through swollen eyes at Mr. Ross. He’d managed to wrestle Richard to the ground. She watched as Mr. Ross slowly gained the upper hand. As he landed a few punches, sick satisfaction filled her chest. She tried to push herself into a sitting position but stopped when the churning in her stomach intensified. She doubled over, vomiting. The movement made her head pound. She moaned as she sunk back to the ground, taking deep breaths through her mouth.
“Miss. Grey?” Mr. Ross hovered over her, avoiding the vomit pooling next to her head. His lip was split and one of his eyes looked like it would soon turn black, but otherwise he seemed relatively unscathed.
“I’m okay. Just let me lie here for a little while,” she whispered.
“I’m going to call the City Guard.”
“No!” She reached out, gripping him before he could stand.
“Your father just attacked you. I don’t mean this to sound insensitive, but if you could see your face, you wouldn’t be stopping me.” He tried to pull away, but she tightened her grip.
“If you get the City Guard involved, it’ll be you who pays for it, not him.”
Understanding h
ardened his eyes. “I couldn’t sit back and watch him maul you!”
“I know. But now you have to let it go.”
Charlie pushed through the pain, forcing herself to sit up. Her whole body ached in protest. She thought she might vomit again, but managed to keep the contents of her stomach inside.
Mr. Ross looked on helplessly as she winced in pain. He took in every cut, every bruise, and righteous anger burned behind his eyes.
“Help me get out of here,” she pleaded.
He grabbed her beneath her arms, lifting her to her feet. She gasped at the sharp pain in her ribs. He held on to her, keeping her from falling. Though she’d gained her balance, she didn’t reject his arm when he offered or the hand he placed on the small of her back. She limped into the waiting room.
The secretary stood wide-eyed as they hobbled past her desk.
“I’m going to lunch, Sylvie. Make sure Mr. Grey finds his way out when he comes to.” Sylvie didn’t respond, gawking as they walked out of the office.
“Will she call the City Guard?” Blood dripped into Charlie’s open mouth. The crimson liquid tasted vile.
In the elevator now, Mr. Ross reached into a pocket, pulling out a handkerchief. Charlie raised her eyebrows at the Old World relic, but made no comment. Taking the cloth, she held it to her nose.
“Don’t worry. Sylvie doesn’t possess original thoughts. She wouldn’t call the City Guard without being told to.”
Charlie doubted that, but kept silent as they rode down to the lobby. She took advantage of the moment to observe Mr. Ross. She guessed he was about twenty-five. He’d rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt, revealing muscled forearms. His tie hung askew, giving him an innocent look. Charlie almost laughed at herself. She watched as he ran a finger over the blood-covered knuckles of his right hand, wincing. Gratitude and guilt swelled in her chest.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
When he looked at her, she couldn’t read all the emotions that played across his face.
“You’re welcome.”
The elevator doors opened to the crowded lobby. Mr. Ross helped her limp toward the main entrance. He paused, forcing her to come to a stop.
The Determining Page 12