Zolt Rada confirms that the voting is now closed and the results will be uploaded to each suitor’s profile. He clarifies that the suitor matching process will begin immediately, and within forty-eight hours we will each be assigned our designated suitor, and future spouse. The competition for the ‘Amor Regale’ will commence on Monday and each Region has forty-eight hours to choose the couple who will represent them at the national pageant. He then announces a critical change to the ‘Amor Regale’ process. The Silentium couple, the boy and girl ultimately chosen by the population of Novo, will be granted exemption from the reproduction rule for a period of six years. This means that the winning couple will have ten years instead of the standard four, to produce the required offspring. I could pursue my military career! I have to remind myself that I hate being the center of attention, and I’ve already told Cal that I don’t want to participate. Well, maybe it’s time to rethink that strategy.
CHAPTER 15
Fenuka urges me to check out my profile and I duly log onto the pageant portal. I hide my eyes with my hands and tell her to look, but she’s having none of my cowardice. She pulls my hands back from my face and forces me to confront the screen. I can’t believe it—Cal is back on my list! I hear the frenzied knocking on my door and hastily pull it open. He grabs me and swings me around so fast that I think I might pass out. “Hey gorgeous,” he says in a sultry tone. We’re both clearly ecstatic; both of us are grinning widely. He pulls me into a firm embrace and his mouth finds mine; neither one of us cares that Fenuka is in the room. I know this is what’s right for me, he’s right for me. I push my father’s caution to the side, not wanting to let it infect this happy moment, the first real happiness I’ve felt for weeks. I genuinely feel like I can face anything if he’s by my side.
“OK lovebirds, I’m thrilled for you but I need to steal Ariana away for ten minutes Cal. Then she’s all yours,” Fenuka says. I reluctantly tear myself from his arms and tiptoe up to plant a light kiss on his lips.
“See you in ten,” I say as I gently push him out of the room, but not before he manages to steal another kiss on his way out.
I’m grinning foolishly and I hope the public can see how happy they’ve made me. “Thank you Aqua,” I call out spontaneously, to no-one and everyone. Fenuka has to physically drag me down the corridor to the wardrobe room. She seems truly happy for me though.
“It’s so good to see you smile again, you deserve it after all the heartache you’ve had to endure in the last few weeks,” she says sincerely.
“Thank you Fenuka, that means a lot. But we’re not out of the woods yet, just because he’s back on my list doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be chosen as my suitor, does it?” I ask her anxiously, as I ponder the thought that my happiness may only be shortlived.
“True, but remember there are four opinions which make up that decision. Yours, your mothers, the public and the pageant team, of which I have a say. So there’s a strong possibility that it will happen.” I realize Fenuka probably doesn’t know about my mother’s condition. I watch so little of the coverage on the portal that I’m not sure if my mom’s current mental health status is public knowledge or not.
“Fenuka, my mom is in the hospital and she won’t be able to vote, what happens then?”
“I wasn’t aware of that Ariana, I’m sorry. I’ll need to check it out and come back to you. In the meantime, try not to worry,” she says. But it’s impossible not to.
My data-cuff pings, it’s an IM from Cal, enquiring if I’m ready. I tell him I need more time and he sends me back a sad face, I laugh inwardly. “Fenuka, can we get this over with fast, before Cal implodes with impatience?”
“Come on then, one final dress fitting.” I hurriedly pull my clothes over my head and stand in my underwear. She still won’t let me look, so I close my eyes while she pulls the dress down over my head. “Hmm,” she says.
“What?”
“Have you put on weight? I had altered it because it was loose on you the last time, but now it’s a bit stretched,” she says and I can tell she’s frustrated.
“It could be just temporary bloating from my earlier injection?” I think out loud.
“Well, there isn’t time to remedy it, you’ll just have to wear some control pants,” she says decisively.
“When can I see it?”
“On the night of the Suitors Ball,” she says firmly.
“Isn’t there anything I can bribe you with?” I ask cheekily.
“Not a thing, you and that young man of yours need to learn some patience. You’re going to look absolutely stunning Ariana, trust me.”
I quickly re-dress, and in the nick of time too; Cal is knocking on the door as I wander down the corridor. “Patience is a virtue you know,” I tell him as I open the door.
“It’s never been my strong-suit and don’t expect me to apologize—we’ve been forced apart for weeks, I’m not going to waste another precious second,” he says as he twirls me around the room. He’s such a natural at this, no wonder the public are infatuated with us.
I feel nauseous suddenly and I motion for him to stop. I run to the bathroom and lean my head over the toilet bowl, ready for the onslaught; however, it passes as quickly as it came on. “What’s wrong?” he asks.
“Nothing, I’m OK, I felt sick but it’s passed now. Probably all that twirling about,” I say as he helps me to my feet.
***
I assume we’re heading to NSAFTA, but Cal releases my harness when we reach Strata. “This is too dangerous,” I whisper in his ear. “We can’t risk getting caught in the hideout, not when things finally seem to be going our way.”
“What I have to tell you can’t wait Ariana.” I can tell by his tone that there’s no persuading him.
“OK, but let’s be brief, I’ve clocked up more offences in the last few weeks than I have over the course of the entire year,” I whisper.
“Offences are the least of our worries,” he whispers back ominously.
We walk in silence through Strata. He holds my hand firmly and every so often he leans over to stroke my face, or kiss the top of my head. I feel so safe and secure in his company; all my earlier fears and concerns have completely subsided.
Once the screen is closed we walk swiftly down the path to our log. “Spill,” I say as soon as we’re seated.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he says, before kissing me fiercely; his fingers entangling in my hair.
“And I’ve missed you—I’ve never felt so lonely. I can’t believe we’re reunited, it sounds too good to be true.”
“I don’t trust it,” he says affirming my initial misgivings. “Particularly with what I’ve seen over the last two days.”
“Tell me.”
“They initially locked me in a cell on my own and I thought my punishment was to die of boredom. Then they moved me to Level 2 of the penitentiary, alongside all the other prisoners,” he says.
“What?” I interrupt him in shock, “I thought the penitentiary was newly-built, how could there be other prisoners? Imprisoned for what?” I ask, astounded.
“I saw at least a hundred prisoners. From what I learned, the majority of them have been locked up for failing to follow the rules, or for prying in things they shouldn’t be prying in. The notion of innocent until proven guilty doesn’t seem to apply on Novo, there was no trial, no judge or jury,” Cal says.
“That’s criminal!” I say in disgust.
“The guy in the cell beside mine told me that there was a protest march in Illumina after they banned homosexuality. He said everyone was arrested and they’ve been imprisoned ever since. Apparently they haven’t been allowed to contact any of their family or friends, and no one will tell them when, or if, they’re going to be released. I only survived because of my father. At one point I actually thought he was going to leave me to rot in there, but Mel talked him around. By the way, she told me about your visit,” he says.
“Forget about that for now, what else di
d you learn? Did they question you at all?” I ask impatiently.
“No, not once, not even to scare or caution me. Something is seriously wrong, but I don’t know what,” he says gravely.
“How are the prisoners being treated?” I ask.
“Not good. They’re barely being fed, most of them are extremely weak and very depressed. I saw a guy just drop dead in the canteen; one minute he was shouting at the Rangers and the next he just collapsed and was gone, just like that. The guy in the next cell told me that he works—or used to work—for the Novo communications company; they’re the company commissioned to produce all state-issued information bulletins. He says all the updates we receive on the situation in Earth are totally fabricated, a complete pack of lies. When he began to suspect foul play, he started making some enquiries. He was hauled in by his superiors and told it wouldn’t be in his best interests to be so inquisitive. He persisted though, and just as he made some tentative contact with rebel sympathizers in NSAF he was taken from his bed in the middle of the night and brought to the penitentiary. That was two months ago and he’s completely in the dark over what’s going to happen to him. And...,” he stops, hesitant to go on.
“And what Cal? You need to tell me.”
“They’re beating and torturing him. He said they used some form of mind weaponry to try and extract information from his brain, when he wouldn’t willingly volunteer it,” Cal says through gritted teeth. My father was on the mark with his anti-truth serum. I hope it works as effectively as the invisibility membrane did because I’m fairly certain that it’s going to get tested in the near future. I momentarily think of telling Cal about my father’s letter but hold my tongue, the less he knows the better. It’s safer for him that way.
“How are they getting away with this Cal?” I ask incredulously.
“Because they’re concealing their actions very cunningly. And they control all the communications and technology infrastructure.”
“But what about the prisoners? Surely their families are looking for them? Why haven’t they come forward?” I ask.
“My cellmate has a theory on that,” Cal says.
“Go on.”
“He thinks they’re erasing the family’s memories through the Vita.” I am sickened to my stomach, not because I think this is inconceivable, but because I feel so sure that it’s what they’re actually doing. I remember my father mentioning work on Vita research and Lily has even visited the lab. A disturbing train of thought takes shape in my brain.
“Cal, why do you think they let you see and hear all of this, and then let you go, just like that?” I’m scared.
“That’s the million dollar question Ariana, it makes absolutely no sense unless they think I’m so scared I won’t mention it to anyone else. Or they assume my father will force me into submission,” he says unconvincingly.
“I don’t think that’s it. First they let you go and now they’ve allowed us to get back together. They don’t leave anything to chance, we know that,” I say.
“So it can only mean that they have some plan in mind for us. And I doubt it’s going to take them long before they share it with us,” he says solemnly.
“So what do we do in the meantime?” I ask him.
“We cooperate and do everything we can to find out more about the underground movement on Earth. Have you had any more dreams?”
I tell him how it seemed like Zane was trying to actually communicate directly with me. I share my theory that he’s real and could possibly be my brother. I don’t tell him that my dad has confirmed his existence, or that there are others in the military who are on our side. Cal is quiet and he doesn’t pass any comment.
“Cal, you know what I said a few weeks ago, in relation to the ‘Amor Regale’?” He nods. “I think we should reconsider. It seems quite possible that the public will vote for us anyway. The winners receive a moratorium on the whole parenthood thing, it could be a way for us to be together without the pressure of children for a few years. We could both pursue our military careers,” I say beseechingly.
“I’ve never had any real issue with it, I’m happy to do whatever you want, but somehow I think our participation is inevitable anyway.”
“You think they have this in mind for us?”
“That’s the way it looks to me. Anyway there’s no point speculating, they’ll make their intentions known soon enough. Come on, we better head,” he says as he pulls me to my feet.
***
“Ariana, when did you last see Ben?” Cal asks as we’re walking to NSAFTA. I have to think because so much has happened in the last few days that it’s all kind of blurred into one.
“It was four or five days ago, I think. He came to give me your message,” I say and that’s the most accurate I can be.
“Which message?”
“Umm, I don’t know, I didn’t read it. I put it straight in the bin. It was obviously to do with that girl, you know, the one who kissed you,” I say, and the words actually pain me as they leave my mouth.
“That’s some stubborn streak you’ve got there Ms. Skyee, I hope I know what I’m letting myself in for!” he smirks as I playfully arm punch him.
“There could still be time to back out,” I tease.
“Not a chance, I’m in it for the long haul now,” he says more seriously. I reach up and kiss him. “I’m worried about Ben. The last time I saw or spoke to him was that same day, and I can’t contact him, his status is constantly showing as unavailable,” he says.
“Should we say this so publicly?” I whisper in his ear although I share his concern for Ben.
“I think that’s my best chance of keeping him safe,” he whispers back.
We’re both scheduled to attend technical engineering class so we hurry to the lecture hall together. We’re a little late, but we manage to sneak in without being spotted. I’m trying hard to focus on the session, but it’s difficult to keep my mind from wandering, with all that is fighting for space in my head.
“Ari, can you hear me? Listen to me.”
My body goes rigid as I stiffen automatically; I’m sure I just heard Zane’s voice in my head! Cal senses my reaction and looks at me worriedly. I see the alarm register in his eyes and I grasp his hand to signal that I’m all right. I blank my mind and listen fixedly for any additional messages, but none are forthcoming. I stifle a laugh as I consider myself at this moment, waiting patiently for some boy, who may or may not be my brother, to speak to me again, in my head. It’s so absurd, so ridiculous, that I surely imagined it. Or maybe I’m finally losing my mind, not incomprehensible, given all I’ve had to deal with in the last few weeks. And let’s not forget my familial predisposition. I shake myself and try to loosen my body and mind. I know Cal is dying to know what’s going on, but I’m afraid if I tell him that he’ll definitely think I’m losing it, and seriously reconsider permanently attaching himself to me.
In the end, I don’t have a choice in the matter. We’re on our way to my house when he pulls me to a stop at the side of the road and begs me to tell him what happened. I’m not going to come out of this looking sane no matter what way I spin it, so I tell it to him straight. His response surprises me. “If you can see and hear him in your dreams, then maybe it’s not so unbelievable to think that you can hear and see him when you’re alert and awake. Maybe he is trying to tell you something,” he says, and he sounds excited. Could he be right? I didn’t even know such things were within the realm of possibility, but if I allow myself to suspend rationale and logic, then maybe there’s a chance that it could be true. That I didn’t imagine it and that somehow, someway, Zane was speaking to me. My dad said he would protect me, is this what he meant? I am lost in my thoughts the rest of the way home.
Lily is already in the middle of preparing dinner and I’m pleased to see that she has set four places at the table. “I saw the pageant update, I’m so happy for you Ari. And it’s nice to have someone else around the place, it feels so empty here without Mom a
nd Dad,” she says. I know what she means, it’s felt like that to me too. I’m glad that she seems to like Cal, having someone else to share some of the burden with makes everything seem much more bearable.
***
“This is fab Lily, you’re such a good cook,” Cal says a little while later as we all tuck into warming bowls of curry. “How come you never cook?” he asks me innocently. Lily and Deacon burst out laughing and I can’t help but join in; Cal is looking from one of us to the other questioningly.
“Come watch one of my cookery lessons and all will be revealed,” I say mysteriously.
“Are you saying there’s something you’re not good at?” he teases me.
“Let’s just say that I hope you can cook; otherwise there’s a strong possibility that we may starve at some point in the future,” I admit wryly.
We argue over whether he should stay the night or not, it’s not that I don’t want him to, but the ‘no intimacy’ rule is still intact, and we can’t afford any more infractions. He doesn’t want to leave us alone in the house, but I assure him that we’re perfectly capable of looking after ourselves and anyway, we’ll be asleep. Reluctantly he heads home.
Sleep continues to evade me. I’m too keyed up to fall asleep for more than a few minutes at a time, so I’m fully alert when his IM pings on my data-cuff. “I’m outside, can you let me in.” It’s 2.40 a.m. I wrap my fluffy robe tightly against my body and pad down the stairs quietly, careful not to wake the others.
He falls in the door as soon as I open it and it’s immediately clear that he’s hurt. I help him over to the sofa and lay him down gently, propping his head with some cushions while I go to fetch our first aid box. I tend to the cut over his eye first. I clean it out with some sterile fluid before applying some pressure to stop the flow of blood. I inspect his face carefully and thankfully there are no more cuts, it had appeared much worse until I’d wiped all the blood clean. Even so, I think he needs some stitches and I can see the beginnings of a large bruise forming on his right cheekbone.
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