“Sure you were. I’m sure my brother was showing you some very useful tips.”
He stalks off to the monitors in the corner of the vast room as Cupid and I share a look. Cupid shrugs, the vulnerability wiped from his face, as we turn to follow Cal.
“Don’t ask,” he whispers. “The inner workings of my brother’s mind are just as much a mystery to me.”
When we reach the array of screens, Cupid slips the USB into the computer and then slides into the leather office chair in front of the monitors.
“What are you doing?” I ask as pink letters begin to emerge on the black screens. “Is that some kind of code?”
Cupid doesn’t look at me; he only nods and starts typing on the keyboard. “I’m tweaking this to set up a similar situation to what we’ll encounter later,” he says. He looks at Cal. “This is an outdated version.”
“Will it run on the screens?” I ask before Cal can retort.
Cupid spins his chair around to face me and grins. “Nope.”
He pulls the stick back out, fiddles with it for a moment, and then shakes it. Three small, metallic objects tumble into the palm of his hand.
“Put this in your ear. It sends a signal to your brain that causes a kind of controlled hallucination.” He passes one of the objects to me and one to Cal. “We’ll all see the same thing. Cal and I will be with you the whole time.”
Cal looks at me and forces himself to smile. “It’s a bit weird the first time, but you can stop the training by just taking the chip out.”
I look down at the thing in the palm of my hand. It’s cold to the touch, and I notice some small engravings around the sides.
“Ready?” asks Cupid.
I take a deep breath and nod. Then I raise my hand and slip the small, alien object into my ear.
24
At first, nothing happens. We’re still in the exercise room. Then I blink and everything changes. Cupid reaches for me as I stagger backward, grabbing my arm to stop me from falling.
“Easy there.”
I swallow, blinking up into his face before taking a cautious look around. The floor is now cobbled stone, the chair Cupid was sitting on is now a bench, and a worn-out diner stands at the other side of the space. We’re in the Forever Falls town square, desolate and painted in twilight. Or we almost are—something’s not quite right. I walk over to bench, suddenly realizing why the square looks slightly different than it should.
“This isn’t in the right place,” I say, running my hand along it.
Cupid nods. “The program creates a kind of blanket. Wherever there are objects in the actual room it covers them with an image of something that won’t look out of place in the hallucination. There’s a chair in the room, so the program shows you the bench in the square.”
“It feels like a bench, though,” I say, “and it’s longer than the chair. Can I sit on it?”
Cupid nods. “Your brain is telling your senses that all of this is real, and your body will act accordingly. Probably worth bearing in mind for when the CuBots get here.”
“CuBots?”
“Someone from the Matchmaking Service very creatively combined the words cupid and robot. They’re basically the programmed enemies in the Sim. They aren’t real but they can still hurt you.”
I look at Cupid, alarmed.
He smiles gently. “Don’t worry, it’s only a sensation. Once you take out the microchip any pain experienced will go away.”
Oh, well, that’s completely fine then . . .
I continue to gaze around the square—it all looks so real. The worn fountain stands in the middle like always, a tired trickle of water dribbling into the stone pool below it. If it wasn’t completely deserted, I could have almost fooled myself into believing I was there.
“This is so weird,” I say, peering up at the orange sky. “What happens if I leave?” I locate the place where I remember the stairs to be, which now looks like the alleyway that leads to the Love Shack.
“The program will re-create this image in the next room you enter,” says Cal. He looks at his brother. “Now, where did you put the weapons? And when will the CuBots arrive?”
“They’re in the diner.” Cupid nods across the square. Romeo’s looks just like it does in real life, complete with paint peeling from the pastel-pink window frame and its name above the door in faded black lettering. “The CuBots should arrive in about five minutes.”
He heads over to Romeo’s and Cal and I follow, our footsteps echoing against the cobbled stones. I peer into the window of the florist’s as we make our way by. Bert and Bradley, the store owners, are usually a permanent fixture behind the flower-packed counter at the far end of the space, but now the place is dark and deserted inside.
“Do you ever feel like loading one of these up and just going nuts inside it?” I ask Cal. “Like really trashing the place? Just for the fun of it?”
Cal looks affronted, chest puffing up beneath his black turtleneck sweater. “No!”
Cupid opens the door to the diner. The inside looks exactly the same as the one in the real square—checkered floor, red booths, scratched tables. I’ve spent so many evenings in here, drinking shakes with Charlie while we waited for James to finish his shift, trying to get a phone signal on my cell. I feel a slight turn in my stomach as I think of my life before Cupid and Cal stormed into it.
“How does it look so realistic?” I ask Cal to distract myself.
“You saw back at the Matchmaking Service that we have extensive amounts of surveillance. The program uses that to re-create the square.”
We follow Cupid until we get to the counter. Cupid swings himself over then ducks behind it, disappearing momentarily from view. Seconds later he throws a bag onto the countertop.
Cal unzips the satchel and empties it; three bows, three quivers, and a number of arrows fall noisily out. There are a couple of Capaxes, an Ardor, and about ten black Cupids’ Arrows.
“Do they work on you guys?” I ask.
Cal nods. “Yes, but differently than they do on humans. The black arrows kill all cupids except for my brother and me. When hit by a Capax, a cupid will find it very difficult to suppress the truth. And the Ardor causes immense pain.”
Cupid looks at me. “Probably worth mentioning that the Sim thinks you’re a cupid. If you get hit by a black arrow you’ll be fine. Die in the Sim and you’ll just come to in my combat room. Get hit by the Ardor and, well . . . just don’t.”
“Okay. Don’t get hit by the Ardor, got it.”
The brothers arm themselves with a bow each and a number of arrows. Cal looks suspiciously at the third bow.
“Selena won’t be using weapons,” he says to Cupid. “Should we really be letting Lila play about with one?”
“Play about? If I’m going to be attacked by some crazy programmed enemies that can cause me immense pain, I’ll be taking a weapon, thanks very much.”
I swipe the bow off the counter. It’s cool to the touch, and heavier than I imagined; when I almost drop it, I try to smoothly pass the movement off to Cal’s critical eyes as me weighing the weapon. Then I scoop up a quiver and fill it with arrows. I sling both over my shoulder.
“They look good on you,” Cupid says, his eyes twinkling.
“I’ve literally no idea how to use this,” I reply under my breath, hoping Cal won’t hear me and take it away.
Cupid waves his hand dismissively. “You’ll be fine.”
Cal, however, looks troubled. “We would never expose a new recruit to danger like this on their first attempt. Even experienced cupids have been traumatized from getting hurt in a Sim. What if she gets hit by an Ardor? What if she forgets to take out the chip?”
Cupid gives him a look. “She’s my Match,” he says simply. “She’ll be fine.”
“Yes, and that’s sound logic,” mutters Cal.
>
I’m nervous, but surely it’s no different than a virtual reality game . . . one that could hurt you, I guess. I’m just about to reassure Cal when I hear voices coming from outside.
“Remember, whatever happens, it’s not real, Lila,” Cal whispers, pulling me down and out of view.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are!” a male voice calls from the square.
My palms go clammy.
Cupid grins. “They’re here,” he says, jumping back over the counter to crouch beside Cal and me. He shares a look with his brother then starts moving toward the window, keeping low.
“Come out to plaaaay.” The voice is cold and inhuman.
My breathing quickens. After Cupid makes it to a spot beneath the shop front, he turns and gestures for us to follow.
“Stay low,” whispers Cal.
I nod and we head through the booths, making sure to keep below the window line. When we reach Cupid, we flatten ourselves against the wall beside him. Moments later, a shadow passes over us. One of the CuBots must be just outside the diner. I feel a delicious surge of adrenaline. I think I should be scared, but I’m not; I’m excited. I look at the two brothers.
“This is like paintballing.”
Cal doesn’t look impressed. “This is a serious Matchmaking Training Simulation,” he says as the shadow of the CuBot passes over us again.
“Fine, it’s just like paintballing, except much more serious and creepy.”
“And we use arrows,” says Cupid. He peers up out of the window. “There are six of them.” He pauses and looks at me in an uncharacteristically serious manner. “You’re not trained, so we don’t expect anything of you. Just learn from us, and try not to get hit.” He looks at Cal. “Long time since we’ve done this, eh, Brother?”
Cal narrows his silver eyes and grunts in response.
“Ready, Lila?” Cupid asks.
I take a deep breath and nod, lightly running my fingers along the bow slung over my shoulder.
Cupid grins. “Let’s go!”
25
I spot the CuBots immediately when we burst into the square. There are six standing by the fountain—three guys and three girls. They could almost pass as real, but there’s something not quite right about them. As they simultaneously turn to look at us I realize why. Their eyes are completely black.
“Whoa, creepy,” I whisper.
One of them, a blond, shoots the first arrow. Cal reaches for his quiver, while Cupid pulls me out of the arrow’s path before grabbing his own weapon. Seconds later, two black arrows fly toward the enemies in the center.
One of them hits its target and the victim falls into the pool of water.
The other misses.
The five remaining CuBots sprint toward us. After giving me a quick look, Cupid runs to meet them. He grabs a redheaded male by the throat and throws him down to the ground, stabbing his chest with the bow.
Beside me, Cal fires another arrow, bringing down another target. He draws another arrow, but the next CuBot is too fast; he tackles Cal to the ground as one of the final two agents, a girl with a long white braid and hollow black eyes, starts toward me.
My heartbeat begins to quicken. I raise my bow.
“It’s not real,” I mutter to myself. “It’s not real.”
Except it is real; if I get hurt the pain will be real.
I aim the arrow, the fletching tickling my cheek. Then I release.
It flies wildly over the agent’s head and sinks into the wall of the bus shelter. Now only inches away from me, the CuBot raises an arrow, but I thrust my bow up into her face and send her reeling backward. I throw the bow aside—I don’t know how to use it and it’s slowing me down—and grab another arrow. I’m about to thrust it into her when the CuBot crumples to the ground. Behind her is a grinning Cupid, his bow raised.
“You’re welcome!”
I nod in thanks but can’t help feeling a pang of disappointment. I could have dealt with her.
There’s grunting behind me and I spin around. Cal and one of the creepy-looking guys are still grappling on the floor. The CuBot is on top, hitting Cal’s head repeatedly against the cobbled stone. A streak of blood snakes through his pale blond hair. Adrenaline surges through my veins and suddenly the excitement is mixed with panic. I need to do something.
I still have the arrow from before in hand. With all the strength I can muster, I thrust it into the back of the enemy. He cries out as the arrow turns to ash between my fingers. It’s a Capax, not one of the deadly black arrows, but it serves as enough of a distraction for Cal to throw him off.
I glance to my left as Cupid plunges a black arrow into the heart of the blond male he now has pinned to the ground by the flower shop. He looks as though he is enjoying himself. As he gets up off the floor he brushes his hands together, the ash sprinkling the cobbled stone.
“Lila!” Cal yells, lurching to his feet.
I turn just in time to see the dark-haired agent loading an Ardor just a few feet away. She points it at me and my breath catches in my throat. Then she shoots.
It almost happens in slow motion: the gold-and-red arrow coming toward me, the panic, the anticipation of immense pain, and then Cal. He hurls himself in my path, the torture arrow sinking deep into his shoulder. An unearthly scream escapes from his mouth as he falls to the floor.
As Cupid rushes forward to plunge a black arrow into the shooter’s chest, I rush over to Cal, who is writhing in agony, his pale features flushed, his eyes watering.
This was the fate in store for me.
I grab his arms. “Cal! Cal—take the chip out!”
He ignores me, his body convulsing. “Cal!”
His unseeing eyes finally find me and I can see him struggling to focus on my face. “You’re okay,” he says.
Then his eyes close and he slips into unconsciousness.
“Cal!” I grab his shoulders and shake him. “Cal, wake up!”
Cupid approaches. He brushes his hands against his jeans, wiping the last of the ash on the denim. As he crouches on the cobblestone, he rolls his eyes.
“My brother, ever the dramatic one.”
I look up at Cupid, my heart racing with worry. “Is he going to be okay?” I ask. “What do we do?”
“He’ll be fine, he’s a trained agent—this shouldn’t traumatize him too much.” He sighs. “Unlike what I’m about to do, which I think will give me nightmares for years to come.”
Cupid grabs Cal’s head and Cal’s eyes spring open, wide and fearful. His body begins to convulse again and he grunts in pain.
“Hold him down.”
I pin Cal’s arms to the ground as Cupid pushes his brother’s head to the side so his cheek is flattened against the stones. He looks into Cal’s ear, a disgusted expression on his face. Then, in a sudden movement, he plucks out the small microchip. Cal stops struggling, and exhales in relief. He rolls onto his back, looking marginally embarrassed.
Cupid flicks the chip at Cal’s chest. “There’s brother bonding,” he says, “and then there’s just being downright gross. Lila—you can take your chip out now.”
As he stands up and puts his hand to his ear, I pull out the alien object from my own. Instantly, I’m back in Cupid’s combat training room, crouched near the dark-pink mats. Cal has got to his feet and stands rigidly nearby, brushing himself down.
I stand up. “Are you okay, Cal?”
“I’m fine,” he snaps.
“Thank you—for saving me.”
His cheeks flush and he looks at the ground. “Yeah, well . . . I didn’t think you could handle it.”
Cupid comes over to pat his brother on the back—much to Cal’s evident annoyance—then looks at me and grins.
“Not bad for your first attempt. Now, let’s go again.”
I spend the afternoon with Cup
id and Cal in the training room. We go through the Sim three more times, and Cupid shows me how to use a bow and arrow. I shoot one of the CuBots on my third attempt and experience a surge of exhilaration like nothing I’ve felt before.
By the time we’re done, I’m exhausted, and can do little more than sit on one of the kitchen stools nursing another cup of coffee. Even though nothing in the Sim was real, my body aches. The rich evening light shines through the glass front of the house and makes the array of arrows scattered across the breakfast bar sparkle. I watch as the brothers examine them.
They both changed after training. Cupid now wears a white V-neck T-shirt under his leather jacket and Cal has on a maroon sweater with a gray collared button-down peeking out beneath. Both have a bow slung over one shoulder. Cupid selects a Capax from the counter.
“I think we should take some of these,” he says. “Aim to capture one of the Arrows and get them to talk. See what they know about Lila and anything they’ve found out about the Finis.”
Cal gives a sharp nod—after the incident with the Ardor he’s been even more abrupt than usual. He seems about to say something when his phone buzzes; he looks down and purses his lips.
“Crystal,” he mutters, pressing the Ignore button and stuffing the phone back into his pocket. I feel a stab of anger as I wonder if she is calling Cal about her assignment, aka matching my boyfriend. Cal interrupts my thoughts.
“We’ll drop Lila off at home on the way.”
I hesitate for a moment. “I was thinking of going around to Charlie’s.”
“Awkward,” says Cupid, pulling a face.
“That could work,” says Cal. “It’s probably best that you’re not alone.”
For a moment I feel a stab of guilt at our plan to follow the brothers to the square. I’ve had fun today—shooting arrows, fighting pretend cupids, and getting to know them both a little better.
Still, though, there’s something they’re not telling me. And that’s putting my life, and the lives of the other residents of Forever Falls, in danger. I want to know what’s going on.
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