by Rebecca Ann
“So, I studied for the last four hours for nothing?” Bethany interjected, nose wrinkled. “That sucks.”
“Bethany!” Ms. Woods scolded. Her gaze flickered back to me. “When is this happening?”
“Tomorrow. I’d get ready tonight. Pack as much as you can. I’m going to do everything I can to keep everyone safe.” She dropped her hand. “Let me know if you guys need anything.”
“We will. Thank you.”
I nodded, waved, and teleported to the apartment. I walked into the living room to find Dad in his chair. He looked up when I cleared my throat. “I passed!” I held up the badge. “And so did Gary. Consider us undercover agents for the resistance.”
Dad leaned forward in his chair. “That’s great, honey! We’ll talk about it once Lily goes to bed.”
“Why do you always talk about the cool stuff after I’m in bed?” Lily asked from the couch. She came over to me. “You’re a Watcher now?” I couldn’t miss the fear in her voice. “You have to arrest people?”
“No. No. Not if I can help it. I’ll be ‘arresting’ people and bringing them to the hideout.” I put air quotes around the word.
“Okay.” Lily wrapped her arms around my waist and hurried off down the hall.
I looked at my father and wanted to lower my gaze at the concern in his eyes, the lines on his forehead increasing. “I know you’re worried, but I’ll be fine. I’m doing this so we can free our people.”
Dad got to his feet. “Mark was already a Watcher. He could get the inside info. You didn’t have to do this. It’s too risky. What if you’re found out?”
“I know I won’t be. I promise. I’m being super careful. I had one slip, but nothing happened. I’m not only doing this for the resistance. I’m doing it to help our people!”
He let out a sigh, this one filled with the pain and exhaustion of the day. “I suppose you know what you’re doing.” He kissed my forehead. “Promise me you’ll be careful. Victoria’s on the balcony.”
“I will. I love you, Dad.” I kissed his cheek and headed to the door leading to the balcony. As soon as I opened it, the familiar sounds of the city drifted into the apartment. I stepped outside, the smell of rain still heavy in the air. “Vi?”
“Here.”
I stepped all the way out onto the porch, lights from the city pouring on Victoria’s face. “I passed!” I sat in the empty seat next to her. “I can spy for—well—you know.”
“Yes, I do, and I’m still mad at you for keeping all of this from me,” Victoria said. Before I could reply, she said, “Your father said there’s a meeting tomorrow, and I plan on being there. I’ll tell my dad I’ll wait to go to the headquarters.”
“You might as well. I don’t want to scare you, but notices will be sent out tomorrow.” I put a hand on her knee. “Don’t worry though. We’ve got a plan.”
Victoria exhaled. “Okay. I trust you. Now go shower. You smell. I’ll meet you in your room!”
I slapped her shoulder as I stood and went inside and through the den to Lily’s room. The door was open, and the lamp on. Lily was in bed, staring at her net-screen. I knocked lightly on the doorframe.
“Hi,” Lily said, tossing her net-screen onto the bed and sitting up. “What did Dad say?”
I sat down on the bed, pulling Lily into my arms. “We’re having the last day of school tomorrow.” I kissed the top of her head. “I don’t want you to worry, okay?”
Lily lifted her head from my shoulder. “Too late.” Her voice shook, and she sat up all the way. “What if we’re taken before we get to go into hiding? What if someone finds out about your other power? You could get taken away.”
“That’s not going to happen. I’m not going to let it. You know how careful I am. Except for this morning, I haven’t ever used my mind-control. Not even in the safety of our apartment. Dad has it all planned. We’re gonna be leaving tomorrow or the day after.” I kept my voice firm yet gentle.
Lily sniffed, wiping at her eyes. “Shannon and Sarah too? I can’t leave Sarah. She’s my best friend.”
“We’re not going to leave anyone behind,” I said. I didn’t take Lily into my arms this time. She needed space to process everything. “Especially not those we love. I know this is a lot at once, and I know you’re scared. I am too.”
Lily looked at me, brow furrowed. “You are?” She scooted closer.
“Yes. Being a Watcher is terrifying. I’m so afraid I won’t be able to protect everyone, and it scares me.” The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. I crossed my legs on the bed. “But no matter where we end up, as long as we’re together, that’s the most important thing.” I tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I love you.” I got off the bed and helped her slide under the covers.
Lily pulled the pink bedspread over her shoulders. “I love you too. And I’ll help in whatever way I can.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Lily was growing up so fast, though the bunny poster on her wall and the stuffed animals arranged from big to small on the window seat across from the bed meant she wasn’t ready to leave her childhood yet. “Night, squirt.” I kissed Lily’s forehead and tiptoed out of the room to my own.
I grabbed a pair of cotton shorts, an old t-shirt, and some fresh underwear and went into the bathroom. Dropping the clothes on the counter, I turned on the shower and stripped before climbing in. I leaned against the tile wall, eyes closed. With the water pounding down on me, I pressed my palm against the tile, as if it would somehow push all the awfulness out of my head. Still, questions rolled around in there like a bowling ball with no chance of hitting any pins. Could I keep my anger in check? Would I be able to get everyone to the hideout before time ran out?
“I will protect them,” I whispered into the water, “if it’s the last thing I do.”
Chapter Five
VICTORIA
Rick’s voice boomed in the ear-pods as he read the resistance introduction packet, which I had recorded on my net-screen. There was at least thirty pages’ worth of stuff; it’d take me weeks to memorize it all, and I had a pretty good memory, being a history teacher and all. A gust of wind blew onto the balcony, and I shivered, leaning back in the chair as a hover zoomed past overhead. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. Would Dad and I take a hover to the hideout tomorrow? Hopefully not.
Guilt twisted my stomach, and I picked up my net-screen, unplugging my ear-pods and placing them in my bag. I really needed to call and apologize for tonight. I hadn’t exactly been nice to Princess Madalina. Before I could tell the net-screen to call him, his ringtone blasted out of the tiny speaker. I almost dropped it as I rushed to answer.
“Hi, Dad.” I managed a weak smile, my face flushed. “Listen, before you say anything... I’m really sorry about earlier.”
“It’s okay, sweetie. I’m not mad, and Madalina understands. Did Rick read you everything?”
“Yes. I have it all. I’m ready for tomorrow.”
Dad sighed. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to accompany you down there. I have to take Madalina back to Ada. I wanted to call and tell you that I talked to her and she’s given your mother permission to call you tomorrow morning.”
I stiffened, mouth open as I stared at his hologram and held tighter to the net-screen. A tiny prickle started in my fingers, and I inhaled. Thank goodness I’d taken the pill, otherwise sparks would be shooting out onto the street. My thoughts raced. My mother wanted to talk to me? What would we even talk about?
“Victoria?”
Dad’s voice pulled me back to the present. “Thanks for letting me know.” My voice shook, and I fisted one of my hands, palms sweaty.
“You’re welcome. And, honey, there’s no need to be nervous. Just be yourself.”
“Yeah. Thanks.” We ended the call, and I stared out over the city, the lights blurring together as tears filled my eyes. Easier said than done. Be yourself was such a simple phrase, yet I’d been hiding part of myself for a long time.
&nb
sp; “Vi?”
I wiped at my eyes as Lindsey came out onto the porch, her figure hidden in the darkness. “Right here.”
“What’s wrong? You sound funny.” Lindsey sat down in the chair next to me. “Who were you talking to?”
“My dad.” I looked over at her. “My mom’s going to call tomorrow.”
“Wow! That’s awesome!”
I managed a smile at the awe in Lindsey’s voice. Oh, how I wanted to experience awe instead of the intense fear I’d say something stupid in front of my mother. I got to my feet. “We should get to bed.” I walked inside without another word.
“VICTORIA! RELAX!” LINDSEY said the next morning as we sat out on the porch, eating breakfast and drinking coffee.
Okay, Lindsey was drinking coffee. I hadn’t touched my eggs. My plate still sat on the small table between the chairs as I paced back and forth across the patio, the net-screen glued to my hands. The sun’s yellow glow spilled across the porch, and I pushed my sunglasses further up on my nose. With the way my heart pounded and my insides jumped with nervous energy, I needed something to occupy my hands. At least I’d taken my pill this morning.
“Vi?”
I sighed again as I sank into the chair, the net-screen on my lap. I tapped the screen to check the time, but before the automated voice could read it to me, the net-screen vibrated. My heart jumped to my throat. “It’s her!” My hand hovered over the accept button, and with one last breath, I pressed it. For a few horrifying seconds, nothing happened. Suddenly, my mom’s hologram image was close enough I could reach out and touch her. My mouth went dry.
“Hi, sweetie!” Elizabeth’s voice came from the net-screen’s tiny speaker, soft and gentle.
“Hi.” The word came out shaky as tears filled my eyes. I couldn’t remember how many nights I’d lain in bed making up conversations between me and my mother. “I won’t keep you long.” The words tumbled out of my mouth in a rush, and heat fanned my face. Great. Now she’d think me a blubbering mess.
“No. No. I’m available for however long you want to talk.” Elizabeth spoke with such ease that for a moment my stomach loosened. “How is teaching going?”
I unfisted the hand resting in my lap. Good. I needed her to take the lead. “It’s good, but it’s coming to an end today.”
“What? Why? What happened?” Elizabeth’s worried voice carried across the porch, and for a reason I wasn’t sure of, it made me smile. “Why are you—”
“The school is closing,” I answered. As the words left my mouth, the reality of what was happening rammed into me as though it was an oncoming train. It had only been talk before. Now it was actually happening. “LIs are getting rounded up by the dozens.”
Elizabeth let out a sigh that was both sad and angry. “Have you talked to your father yet about—”
“Yes, and Lindsey’s father has a plan,” I said. Sitting out here on the porch, I had to be careful how much I revealed regarding future plans. “The place we’re going is about to be in the dark. I was thinking about getting Lighters to donate their powers, but I’m not sure if it’d work or not.”
Elizabeth was silent for a moment. “It will. Remember, though, a lot of Lighters that fled to Caldwell were experimented on. I don’t know how receptive they’ll be, but as long as you only have them donate a little bit at a time, it should be okay.”
I nodded. “It’s going to be on a volunteer basis.” I looked away for the briefest of moments, not sure how to word my next question. “Is Ada safe now?” Then I cringed. What a stupid question. Of course it wasn’t safe.
“Yes, honey, it is. The experiments stopped years ago. Madalina is working hard to make sure LIs will be safe and free here.”
“Really?” The word slipped out before I could stop it, heavy with mistrust that made my face flush again. Five minutes with the woman who’d given me life and already I was saying things I shouldn’t. Or at least things better left unsaid. “That came out wrong. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I understand why you asked that. A lot of LIs don’t trust that this program is real or that Ada is safe for them. They were experimented on and ridiculed for a long time here. But that’s changed now, and I’m hoping to come with Madalina the next time she visits Caldwell to convince them.”
My heart sped up again, this time in anticipation. “You’re coming here? When?” I tried to keep the hope out of my tone, but it slithered in like a snake, welcome and unwelcome at the same time.
“I don’t know. A couple weeks. We have to work out the details, but don’t worry, we will see each other.”
I somehow managed a smile at the determination in Elizabeth’s words. “You’ve done a lot.”
“Yes, but it came at a heavy price.” Elizabeth’s voice grew thick with tears, probably years of guilt over what she’d done. “I missed your entire childhood because I was too busy trying to play the hero.”
I sat up straighter, jumping as the door closed. Lindsey must’ve gone inside to give us privacy. “You saved our people! You got them out of Ada.”
“Yes, and now I’m convincing them to come back. I’m the last person who should be the spokesperson for this program, but I’ve seen firsthand what it’s going to be, and Madalina is trying really hard to undo what Carmella did.”
“And Carmella isn’t trying to stop this program?” I asked. “If she experimented on LIs years ago, wouldn’t she try everything she could to cover it up?”
“She has. She’s taken it out of all the history books and convinced everyone that it was a mistake and that she’s trying to rectify it.”
“Info about it is still around. I teach it in my History of Ada class,” I said. “In all the articles I’ve read, none of them ever say why she experimented on us.”
“No one really knows for sure. Some say she wanted to get rid of our abilities so she and other Controllers would be the most powerful. Others say she wanted to gain Lighter power herself, including our healing ability.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Healing ability?” I’d read that some Lighters could heal people with their light but always assumed it was an older power the younger generation of Lighters didn’t have. “I don’t know anyone who can do that.”
“That’s because it manifests when you turn eighteen and it’s not common practice now. Not on Earth anyway.”
I stared at my free hand. Could my light really heal someone?
“Sweetie, I hate to cut this short, but I have to go now.”
I swallowed and resisted the urge to beg her not to go. “Can we talk again soon?” The shakiness in my voice worsened, and I swallowed again.
“Yes. Of course! I love you, my sunshine.”
The lump in my throat tightened. Sunshine was my childhood nickname. I wanted to say the words back, but they wouldn’t come. “Talk to you soon.”
As the hologram image faded, I took a moment to gather my thoughts and got to my feet, grabbing my untouched breakfast off the table. Time to head to the school for our final day. When I entered the house, I found Rick and Diane at the kitchen table.
“What are we going to do, Rick?” Lindsey’s mother asked in a shaky voice. “If the school closes, we’ll have no income coming in.”
“It’s not a matter of if, Diane,” Rick answered, voice heavy with the stress of the situation, “It’s a matter of when. And according to the reports, we could be shipped off to a prison any time now. Which is why we need to act fast. I’m closing the school, and I’ll announce the plan today at the staff meeting. I want you and the girls to pack a bag. Pack as much as you can.”
“Rick—”
“I’m gonna make sure nothing happens, Mom.” Lindsey walked over to her parents. “When are we leaving, Dad? I need to start preparing.”
“We’ll be going down tomorrow morning. I want us to have a final night here.”
“I’m not going,” Lindsey blurted, and I jerked my head in her direction. “Just hear me out. You’ll be underground. You’ll need supp
lies. You’ll be cut off from the world. You need someone on the outside. Let me be that someone. With my Watcher status, it’ll be easier. I agreed to be a Watcher for the resistance. Just because we’re going into hiding doesn’t mean anything’s changed.”
“The resistance will be disbanded if we are found out,” Diane said, exasperated. “No. It’s too much of a risk.”
I walked over to Lindsey, unable to hold back any longer. After having to say goodbye to my mom for the second time in my life, I couldn’t say goodbye to her too. “Don’t do this. Please. Come with us. Don’t try to be the hero.” I tried to push away the fear before my words were drowned in it.
“I’m not trying to be the hero, Victoria.” The anger ripped through Lindsey’s words like sharp knives, but I didn’t miss the way her voice wobbled. I’d known Lindsey long enough to tell when she was trying to cover up her fear. “I’m doing what I set out to do when I became a Watcher. I’ve known the risks for six months. If I get sent to Ada, at least I will have tried to help our people.” She turned around. “I’m not going anywhere, okay? I’m gonna try my best.”
I nodded, but my lips wouldn’t form a response, as though my brain had forgotten how to process words. “We should get going,” I finally choked out. There was a lot we needed to talk about, but now wasn’t the time.
Lindsey sniffed as she pulled her net-screen from her pajama pants pocket. “It’s Mark. My first shift starts tonight.”
“You gonna have to arrest us?” Lily asked, hugging Lindsey around the waist. “I don’t wanna go to jail.”
Lindsey untangled herself from Lily’s embrace. “Listen to me,” she said in that gentle tone she reserved for Lily and the other students. “Whatever happens, we’ll be together. I’m not going to let us get split up. Dad has a special place for everyone to go. Sarah and her family and all the other kids and their families. Don’t tell anyone, okay? We gotta keep it a secret for now.”