Ash

by Shani Petroff

  His loud laugh boomed from the van again. “I’m just a little mixed up from the crash.”

  A bead of sweat trickled down his temple, and he reached up to wipe it off, displaying the band that circled his left wrist. Only I could see that it was a retired model. The shape of this man’s tracker was a perfect square, rather that the rounded corners that had been part of the last hardware update. I stepped back from the van.

  “He’s not wearing a proper tracker,” I told the Keeper. “He’s not PAE. He’s probably not even a Purple.”

  The Keeper snapped to attention, immediately pulling his stun stick from his belt. The small wand crackled to life. “Miss Sumner, please return to the lawn. Sir, step out of the vehicle. Slowly.”

  I did as instructed, but the driver didn’t. He shot out of the van and went straight for the Keeper’s throat. But he only ended up with a blow to the side of the head for his efforts. The Keeper had been ready with his stun stick. He quickly cuffed the man, while his broader partner opened the back of the van. He glanced inside and immediately slammed the doors shut. I couldn’t get a look, but it had to be something important, because he promptly tapped a message into his tracker. Moments later two additional PAE vehicles screeched into the scene. A woman stepped out of the first, got into the wrecked van, and drove off.

  The suspect was then hauled into the second car. He looked right at me, and a strange smile played over his lips. I shuddered at the attention. I was glad to see him driven away.

  Around me, the student body buzzed with nervous energy as they tried to understand what had happened. I was just as curious. The two Keepers who had served as Laira’s monitors remained behind. They rejoined our group when the vehicles were out of sight.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  “You were right, that man was an imposter,” the taller one said, his face expressionless. “He’s being taken to the holding cells for questioning.”

  I was overwhelmed but did my best to hide it. Destiny enforcement had virtually wiped out crime for decades. It was hard to imagine anyone stepping out of line in this day and age. Sure there were the occasional purple collar offenses—financial scams, gambling, that sort of thing. But there was nothing violent. Nothing that put anyone’s life at risk. And nothing that a large fine and tighter monitoring wouldn’t put a stop to.

  “It’s nothing to worry about. We’ve got it under control,” the Keeper continued. “You have a good eye, Ms. Sumner. Thank you for your help today.”

  “Way to go, Madden!” Lavendar yelled, then began to clap. Portia joined her and a moment later the applause spread through the crowd.

  I turned and gave a mock bow, which resulted in more whistles and shouts. I tried to remain poised, but a smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. I couldn’t wait to tell my dad what had happened.

  “Don’t you mean way to go, Laira?” Dax Harris interrupted, trying to take away my moment. “Without her destiny, this would never have happened.

  “You must be joking,” Portia said, coming to my defense. “That Ash didn’t do anything but almost get run over. If it wasn’t for Madden, that criminal would have just driven off.”

  Dax wouldn’t let up. “That Ash has a name. It’s Laira. And she triggered the whole thing.”

  “Why am I even bothering talking to you?” Portia muttered in annoyance and turned her back on Dax. “Way to go, future Minister Sumner,” she said, giving me a knowing smile.

  We walked away from Dax and joined the rest of the Purples. Several other friends congratulated me before I noticed my boyfriend, Bastin, walking our way. Portia nudged me.

  “Good looking and knows how to dress,” she sighed. “It’s not fair, Madden.”

  I just smiled. Bas looked good today. He always did. Sandy brown hair, perfectly-fitted shirt, tanned from his many tours around New City—a chore of being on the prestigious Rebuilding Tomorrow committee.

  “Hey,” he said as he approached. He stopped beside me and put his hands around my waist. He leaned down to kiss me, but I gave him my cheek.

  I couldn’t go around kissing in public—not even with my boyfriend. As a future minister, I had an image to protect. I couldn’t very well risk being snapped in a lip-lock with my boyfriend, no matter how handsome he was. It just wasn’t good PR.

  He knew that too, and shook his head in defeat. “What’s with the Destiny Keepers over there?”

  “An Ash destiny,” I said.

  Lavendar butted in before I could say anything else. “Madden caught a criminal.”

  Bas frowned, his blue eyes clouding. “Are you okay?” he asked me.

  “I’m fine,” I assured him.

  “Really?” Worry knitted his brows together.

  “Yes, I promise.” It was cute the way he was so concerned.

  “What happened?”

  “A guy took a PAE van, and—” I waved a hand as I saw Bas’s disbelief. “It was nothing. He was immediately taken into custody.”

  His expression relaxed. “Big day at Spectrum, huh?” he said.

  “You don’t know the half of it,” Portia said with an evil grin. “The guy almost ran down some Ash in the process.”

  Bas raised his eyebrows. “Seriously?” he said, starting to laugh. “Sounds like I missed out on some ultra fun.”

  Several students laughed around us, and I immediately held my hands up. I knew my friends were joking, but Lavendar, Portia, and especially Bas could get downright mean when it came to the lower rings, and we were in mixed company. “Come on now. You know it’s not the lower rings fault they can’t improve society in the same way we can. They may not make much of an impact, but it doesn’t mean they don’t have a purpose.”

  “Yeah, to infect our ring,” Bas said. “We’d probably have been better off if that Ash did get run over. Ashes and Slates shouldn’t be allowed in the Purple zone. It’s that simple. Don’t tell me you don’t agree.”

  I didn’t get a chance to answer. Dax Harris saw to that.

  My fingernails stabbed my palms as I watched Laira’s face crumple. She had just completed her destiny. She might have even triggered something huge, but no one would remember her part of the story. The focus had shifted, like it always did, to a Purple. And not just any Purple. To the queen of the pack, Madden Sumner. Laira met my eyes for a moment, shrugged, then looked away in defeat. Madden and her friends didn’t care that Laira could hear their conversation. They didn’t care that their words would be what she remembered from her Destiny Day. Bastin Worthington was the worst of them all.

  He didn’t go to school at Spectrum, but everyone knew who he was. Not only was he dating Madden Sumner, but he was the grandson of a Minister of the Seven. I was so sick of people like him. Which is when an idea popped into my head.

  Bastin knew an Ash destiny was happening, but he didn’t know what it was, or if it had been accomplished yet. And the Keepers were still standing across the street talking. I unclenched my fists and smiled. This was going to be fun. Before I had time to change my mind I was running toward him, my arms wide open.

  “It’s you! At long last, I’ve finally found you,” I said, flinging my arms around him and burying my head into his chest. His muscular chest, I couldn’t help but notice. Too bad it was overshadowed by his ego.

  “Crilas,” Bastin cursed. “What the—” He looked at me in shock, and I returned it with wide-eyed adoration. “Who, who are you?” he sputtered. “Get off of me.” He tried to pry me away, but I held on for all I was worth.

  “He said get off,” Madden said through gritted teeth. The students who had started to drift off stopped and turned back around to watch, much to her horror. And my delight.

  “I can’t,” I told her, my hands now clinging around Bastin’s neck. “Today is Thursday, September nineteenth.” I looked over at the clock tower for added effect. “And it is almost 2:15, is it not?”

  Bastin’s eyes flicked to the clock in confusion. “What is this about?” He finally peeled
himself away from me and took a step back, adjusting his tie.

  “I’d like to know that myself, Dax,” Madden said. I could tell she was trying to stay calm, but her eyes had narrowed into slits. I’ve had my share of run-ins with our future minister and once the eyes narrow, it means she’s started to boil. Which was exactly what I wanted.

  “Well, Madden,” I said, matching her tone, “he may be your boyfriend, but he’s my future.”

  “You have no future,” she spat back.

  Technically she was right, but her boyfriend didn’t know that. And so I moved toward Bas, reaching out for him possessively.

  He grabbed my wrist before I could wrap myself around him again. “Will someone please tell me what is going on?” The vein near his temple jumped in fury. It was just the reaction I was hoping for—and the perfect place to drop the final bomb.

  “But darling, can’t you feel it?” I answered as dreamily as I could. “You’re my destiny.” I clasped my free hand over his. “Tall, light brown hair, blue eyes, purple tie? My file says we’re to be married. I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life. We’re destined to spend eternity together. Now where could the Keepers have gone off to? Technically my destiny isn’t scheduled for another two minutes.” I glanced up at the clock tower. “Well, one minute now. Don’t you just love this system?”

  The color drained from Bastin’s face. He was totally falling for it.

  The students around the lawn were snickering. People rarely paid attention to Ashes, but when you were an Ash with a Blank destiny like me, you developed a kind of notoriety. My classmates knew I was lying, but it didn’t matter. They were still riveted.

  Bastin turned to Madden, opening and closing his mouth, trying to form words. Nothing was coming out.

  Madden turned her wrath toward the crowd and the laughter immediately stopped. “Enough,” she growled.

  I ignored her. “Bas, sweetie?” I said as innocently as possible. “Honeybun? Say something, won’t you?”

  But it wasn’t Bas who answered.

  “I’ll plan the bachelor party,” a voice called out. It belonged to Sol Josephson, the only other Ash besides Laira and me at Spectrum. Roars of laughter met Sol’s suggestion, and I struggled to keep a straight face.

  “She’s messing with you, Bas,” Madden told him. “She’s a Blank. One who’s just overstepped her bounds.”

  I stepped back and held my hands up. “Guilty,” I said, smirking.

  Bas turned to me, his paralysis quickly turning to fury as he registered Madden’s words. For a moment I wondered if he’d actually hit me. But then Madden stepped in between us, glaring for all she was worth. Madden was short. Even in four-inch heels, I had a good two inches on her. I made sure to look down my nose at her. You use what you can in these situations.

  “Don’t make me call the Keepers back over here, Dax,” she threatened.

  “I can see the New City Times headline now,” I shot back. “Future Minister of the Seven Locks Horns with Lowly Blank. What an honor. We’ll be joined together for life.”

  She hesitated. Most Purples went to great lengths to avoid being linked with those beneath them. And you could bet your colors they didn’t mix with the likes of me—despite the fact that we all attended Spectrum Academy. We all knew the ring unity mantra was for show. Just like I knew that Madden was bluffing. “What?” I pressed. “No comment?”

  I was enjoying Madden’s embarrassment enough that I didn’t notice Laira creeping up to my side. “Dax,” she said softly. “What are you doing? You have to stop. And apologize.” She turned to Madden. “She’s sorry. Right, Dax?”

  I gave Laira an incredulous look. Had she forgotten what the Purples had said? Didn’t she understand that she was the reason I’d made a scene to begin with?

  “You should listen to your friend,” Madden said, finding her voice again. “Seriously, Dax. What would your family think if they saw you right now? Are you trying to get them another fine? Or do you just want to bring them down to your status?”

  And now I hesitated. I was the only Ash in my family, and they got enough flack for having a Blank to take care of. The last thing any of them needed was to pay another fine because of me. Besides, Link would kill me if he knew I was starting up with his ex. But I was still angry. And I’ll be the first to admit that I make bad decisions when I’m angry. Instead of apologizing, I smiled and made sure my words sounded extra sweet when I reminded her of something. “It didn’t seem to work when you tried to lift them up to your status,” I said. “Unless, maybe I’m confused? It was Link who dumped you, not the other way around, right?”

  Madden’s earlier anger was now tucked behind an expressionless wall. “It’s time for you to go. Laira, why don’t you be a dear, and see to it that Dax gets home.”

  Laira nodded. Traitorously. “Of course,” she said. She cleared her throat. “Before we go, do you think that maybe you could sign this?” She thrust the book—the book I’d given her—toward Madden. “So I could keep it as a memento from my Destiny Day?”

  “I’m afraid I don’t have a pen,” Madden replied.

  “Oh,” Laira said. “But maybe you could take it home and sign it?” she rushed on, holding the book toward Madden hopefully. “Whenever is fine.”

  Madden looked at her, then looked at me and pursed her lips. She plucked the book from Laira’s hand. “I’d be happy to,” she said.

  With that, Madden turned and walked away, Bas right behind her. Once she was gone the rest of the group dispersed.

  “Dax, what were you thinking?” Laira moaned once we were alone. “Are you trying to ruin my life?”

  “Are you serious?” I asked, stunned. “Did you hear the way they were talking about you? Bas laughed about you getting run over, Laira.”

  Laira shook her head. “It was just a stupid joke. I know he didn’t mean it. And Madden stood up for me.”

  I took a deep breath. Laira’s ability for self-deception was staggering. “Laira, I saw you. Madden and her boyfriend practically had you in tears. Just because they were born with ultra destinies doesn’t make them any better than us.”

  “I don’t know, Dax,” Laira replied. “Remember what Doctor Og always says? ‘The deeper a destiny carves the path, the more responsibility it demands.’ The Purples work hard to make our lives better. All of our lives.”

  I didn’t need Laira’s particular brand of cheering up right now. “That’s one way to look at it. Or you could say they need to work that much harder to be better people. Bastin Worthington deserved what he got.”

  Laira groaned. “Dax, you just can’t go around making fun of Bastin. Or Madden. If anyone knows that everyone matters, it’s Madden. She’s going to be one of the Seven. They know that every destiny is important—even an Ash’s. That’s why everyone…” She stopped as she realized what she was saying. “Um, never mind.” She dropped her head down and kicked a pebble with her shoe.

  “It’s okay,” I said. “You can finish. That’s why everyone matters. Because everyone has a destiny. Everyone but a Blank.”

  “That’s not what I meant,” she said, still not looking up. “You know that doesn’t matter to me.”

  “It’s fine,” I told her, and I actually meant it. After all, I was one of the .001 percent in our society who was born a Blank—someone who had no destiny to harvest at birth, no purpose, no future. I was used to people ripping on my status; even most Ashes didn’t want to be associated with me. But Laira never cared about my standing, and she hadn’t meant anything by it. “I don’t want to fight,” I told her. “You just completed your destiny. And my brother’s about to complete his. We should be celebrating.” I took a breath and put on a smile. I really did want this to be a good day. “So tell me,” I said, “what does it feel like triggering something that could have major consequences?”

  Just like that the mood lightened. “It’s pretty ultra,” she said. “To be honest, I was a little worried about what would happen once I co
mpleted my destiny. I’ve been waiting my whole life for it, you know? What am I supposed to do now that it’s over?”

  I nodded. It was a common reaction of the Post-Destiny crowd, and if I couldn’t exactly understand, I could still empathize.

  Laira grinned. “But if I triggered something, can you imagine? My destiny could ripple, affect other people, maybe even the world. Dax, my ring could even be reassigned. It means there’s something to look forward to again.”

  The chances that her ring designation would be altered were slim to none. But Laira was happy, so I went along with it. “You never know.”

  “And don’t worry,” she said, linking her arm through mine. Her voice took on a teasing tone. “We can still hang out when I’m a Purple. I’d never judge someone by their ring.”

  I just laughed. “Come on, walk faster. Aldan’s race starts in less than three hours. If I don’t get home and ready soon, my mom will kill me. We can’t be late.”

  “That’s right,” she said. “You wouldn’t want to miss a nanosecond of Theron Oliver’s announcements.”

  “It’s not about Theron,” I protested. “It’s about Aldan.” I could feel my face reddening.

  “Uh huh,” she said as we walked further down the lawn toward the light rail. “And that’s why you borrowed a dress for the race—to impress your brother?”

  She’d kind of hit the nail on the head with her Theron comment. I did want to wear something to catch his attention. My mom rarely let my family spend our limited funds on clothes for me. Especially not on something as frivolous as a dress, not when there were months we could barely pay our bills. She said it was a waste when my seven older brothers had “perfectly good” clothes they had outgrown.

  Which is to say that she’d long ago perfected the art of bleaching and dyeing my brother’s hand-me-downs to appear Ash-appropriate. Even though I knew there was no real future for me and Theron, I still wished it could happen. There were times I swear I’d catch him looking at me—and not like his friend’s kid sister. If wearing one of Laira’s dresses would get him to really notice me, I was willing to give it a try. There was no way I was admitting it, though.