“That’s worrisome, the authorities could have spotted the same things.”
“I don’t think we mentioned your gift much in front of them, and you’ve mainly been silently communicating here. Besides, I only notice it because I know you so well.”
“All the same, I think I’d better try to be more discreet,” I say as I vow to be more clandestine.
I hear nothing from Zane until the next morning. “Ari,” he calls out.
“Zane! Are you OK? What‘s happened?”
“They questioned me for a few hours and then locked me in this cell. I’m just waiting for their next move. Are you OK?” he says.
“I’m fine, we had a visit last night. They’re rushing our wedding, and if we don’t cooperate they’ll hurt our families. Raina says they’ll get you out, so hang tight.”
“You too,” he says and we cease the communication. I assume he’s being carefully monitored, and I don’t know if they’ve discovered his psychic ability. It’s best to be brief, just in case they’ve found some way to intercept our messages. I advise Cal of the conversation just as my data-cuff pings, I read the IM and groan.
“We have to attend a wedding planning meeting,” I tell him.
“What, now?”
“Yep, unfortunately,” I say. We grab our coats and make our exit. “Let’s try to squeeze in a run later,” I say as I desperately need to keep my sanity in check.
***
We’re being fitted for our wedding outfits, separately of course. Wedding rituals are an important part of cultural retention, according to Keela. Mercifully she’s looking after Cal while Fenuka attends to me. I’m astounded when she comes out of the wardrobe with three stunning wedding dresses. “I created these designs when you were assigned to stand for Aqua in the ‘Amor Regale’,” she says. “I knew you stood a good chance of winning, I didn’t see any harm in being well prepared.”
Each one is equally striking. “I love them all, so I don’t mind which one you pick,” I say.
“You don’t want to choose?” she asks, her tone hinting at her disbelief.
“I’d prefer if you did,” I say. It’s easier than admitting my detachment.
“OK, but I’m keeping it a surprise until the big day.”
We join Cal and Keela in the main room to discuss the other key details of our day. We chat about the cake, look and style of the venue, personal guestlist, wedding menu, etc., etc. Well, they chat about it, I mostly just listen or zone out. The list is never-ending, and my attention span is waning. Keela is growing increasingly frustrated at my nonchalance until finally she can’t restrain herself anymore. “Are we boring you Ariana?” she asks sarcastically.
“What?” I ask innocently.
“I find your attitude extremely ungrateful. The government is throwing you a fabulous wedding, and you can’t even pretend to look interested. It’s highly insulting to everyone, especially your groom!” she shouts at me. I’m about to respond with a catty remark when I remember that, with my every word and action, I place those I love in danger. The thought is instantly sobering.
Relying on my newly acquired acting skills, I say, “Keela, I’m really sorry if I’ve offended you and I apologize if I appear distracted. I’m worried about my kid sister, she’s in the hospital.” I lay it on thick. “Trust me, I’m so appreciative of all you’re doing, you’re a total star.” I smile sweetly at her. Cal is on the verge of laughter and Fenuka’s suppressing a smile. But Keela falls for it: hook, line and sinker.
“Apology accepted Ariana,” she says haughtily.
“Cal I’m so sorry, you know how much I love you,” I say effusively. This time he can’t contain it as he bursts out laughing. Keela looks at both of us as if we’ve gone mad.
***
“Her face was a picture,” he says amusedly as we walk home afterwards.
“She’s an idiot,” I say, and I’m trying to be generous.
“Your acting skills have vastly improved,” he says jokingly.
“They come in handy,” I smirk as I recall my exaggerated apology. I feel almost whimsical.
“Ari!” Zane interjects fleetingly. I wait patiently, but no further message is forthcoming. I concentrate on accessing his mind without any outward movements or signs, conscious that we’re in broad daylight.
Commander Remus towers over Zane as he lies in a crumpled heap on the floor. He presses a button on his data-cuff and Zane’s body convulses uncontrollably as if he’s been electrocuted. Zane cries out in agonizing pain. My own terror pushes to the forefront as a huge sob chokes out. Cal looks at me in alarm. “Careful Ariana,” he says in a hushed voice whilst motioning forward with his eyes. I spot two Rangers walking towards us on the opposite side of the road. I force myself to focus straight ahead as I try to show some restraint. They pass by without any apparent interest in us.
Cal pulls me to the side, and I update him quickly and quietly. He looks equally distressed; it’s good to see that his rivalry with Zane doesn’t over-ride his natural tendency for compassion. I know he’s also uncomfortable at his father’s role in all this. Cal urges me to try and make contact, but it’s no good—Zane’s clearly unconscious again as I’m only sensing darkness.
***
I sign the register which releases Lily into my care. I’m delighted to see her looking so well. “It’s amazing, I was in so much pain, but I barely feel a twinge now,” she says gaily, as she flexes her arm in demonstration.
“Thank goodness, I was so worried,” I tell her as I hug her close to me. We decide to look in on Mom before making the homeward journey. She’s in good form today and chats pleasantly with Cal as if this whole situation is totally normal. This is the first time I’ve heard her mention a desire to return home, that’s progress indeed.
“Your mother seems well, all things considered,” Cal says as we walk with Lily to the Velo station.
“That’s the most normal she’s been. Hopefully, she’ll be released in time for our wedding,” I say.
“Yes, it would be nice to have one of our parents there to witness it,” Cal says, easily playing along.
“Have you set a date?” Lily asks excitedly.
“Yes, three week’s time, better start practising your bridesmaid etiquette.”
“Really!” she shrills.
“Of course silly,” I say as I muss up her hair. She’ll be the one who is most disappointed when it doesn’t happen, I think.
We deposit Lily at home with strict instructions to take it handy. I know she feels fully recovered, but she’s been through a lot in the last twenty-four hours, and the doctors were adamant that she wasn’t to exert herself in the short term.
I pull on my new running gear and bump into Cal as he’s coming out of his room. “Hey gorgeous,” he says as he kisses me lightly on the lips. I remember how I used to get mad every time he greeted me like this, I was so sure that he was teasing me. Now that I know he actually means it, I quicken at his words.
“Right back at you,” I say triflingly. He grins widely and kisses the back of my hand. “Enough flirting Casanova, let’s go running,” I say as I propel him forward.
***
I’m sitting on the steps by the access gate, trying to regain my breath after our energetic jog, when he asks me. It’s not really necessary, seeing as I’m already publicly betrothed to him, but I certainly don’t mind the beautiful ring he produces. It’s a huge ruby encased within a border of small diamonds set on a platinum band. It’s completely breath-taking, and I can’t halt the tears as he slides it in place on my ring finger. I extend my hand out in front of me and marvel at how elegant it looks. “Thank you, I love it, and you,” I gush with a mixture of elation and sadness.
Back home Lily is beside herself with excitement. I take off the ring, and let her try it on, and she makes me take a picture of it to send to her friends. I’m sitting on the bed after my shower when I hear him knock on the door. “Come in.”
“That look is very f
etching on you,” Cal says as he takes in my towel and wet hair look.
“Behave,” I scold him, conscious of Lily and Deacon downstairs, though I’m secretly pleased with his obvious admiration. “Thanks again for the ring, I can’t stop looking at it,” I admit.
“It’s not just for them you know. If we can’t get married now, I at least want people to know that we’re engaged—that you’re mine,” he says possessively.
“I can live with that.” And I mean it, I didn’t expect to like the feel of the ring on my finger, but it feels good, like it belongs, as I do to him. He pulls me to him and kisses me passionately. My towel starts slipping down my body and I hastily cling to it in order to protect my modesty.
“Dinner’s ready,” Lily calls up the stairs, and her timing is perfect.
“I hate this enforced celibacy,” he says, his forehead pressed against mine.
“It won’t be forever, we’ll have plenty of time after we get through this next week,” I say as I usher him out of the room to let me get changed in privacy. I quickly pull a black jersey dress over my head and pad barefoot down the stairs after him.
Lily and Deacon are happily chattering away with Cal, so I try to reach out to Zane. I call his name several times and finally he acknowledges. “Are you OK?” I ask even though I know it’s a dumb question to ask anyone in his predicament.
“I’m fine,” he replies, but I sense he’s anything but. I focus on visualizing him, and it’s clear that he’s in a lot of pain. He’s lying on a bed in the fetal position, with his two arms wrapped tightly around himself. I’m appalled at how quickly he’s deteriorated in such a short space of time.
“How bad is it? Don’t even think about lying, I can see the state you’re in,” I say.
“I ache everywhere. They know about the anti-truth serum, and they were trying various things to try to break through it. The pain was excruciating, and I did black out for a while,” he admits. “I didn’t tell them anything, but it’s only a matter of time before they find some way of unlocking the truth,” he adds.
“Where exactly are they holding you?” I ask him, determined to get some lock on his location to relay to Raina.
“I’m on the first level of the penitentiary, East Wing, Block C,” he says.
“I’ll let Raina know and ensure they accelerate the rescue plan.”
“Sure. You be careful Ari,” Zane says.
Just then my data-cuff pings with an incoming call. “I have to go, talk soon,” I tell him as I tune out.
It’s Senior Commander Vegas. He informs me that my dad’s personal belongings are available to collect from NSAF. I promise to drop by in the next day or two and he terminates the call.
I force Lily to rest while Cal and I clean up after dinner, she needs her sleep, and I need to update him. “Zane doesn’t sound good, have you contacted Raina yet?” Cal asks.
“No, but I will now,” I say as I focus on clearing my mind. She greets me first.
“Ari, have you spoken with Zane?”
“Yes,” I tell her, and I allow my thoughts to roam over the details of the conversation for her perusal.
“We need to get him out now,” she says.
“What’s the plan?” I ask.
“The strategy is almost finalized except for one important detail, how to gain access to the facility without arousing suspicion,” Raina replies.
“I think I can help with that,” I say as I relay the details of my recent call with Senior Commander Vegas. “Will that work?”
“Let me run it past Agent Dale and get back to you,” Raina says as she zones out.
She makes contact again an hour later and I listen carefully as she outlines the agreed plan. She can’t divulge much of the specifics, but it’s enough to understand that we have a pivotal role to play. I start explaining it to Cal, “I’m to arrange to collect my dad’s things tomorrow night at seven. Agent Dale will meet us en route, and additional information will be provided then. Our job is to help get them into the building and to assist in getting both Zane and Ben out. Zane is in the East Wing, Level 1, Block C and Ben is being held in the West Wing, Level 2, Block E of the penitentiary.”
“What about our families?” Cal asks.
“They’re handling it; Raina will collect Deacon from school, and Commander De Luca will get Mom, Lily and Mel. We’ll meet later at the rendezvous point, for the journey to Earth,” I say.
“I don’t like so much being hidden from us,” he says.
“Neither do I,” I agree. I can totally understand his nervousness, and I’m equally unhappy about being so clueless. “What choice do we have anyway?” I ask, and he shrugs. Now that it’s so near I am worried: we’re trusting our lives to people that we hardly know, it’s a huge leap of faith. But the alternative is that we refuse to cooperate, get married, churn out babies and accept the fact that we won’t ever see Ben or Zane again. While there’s so much that is unknown, this still feels like the right thing to do, and my extrasensory ability hasn’t let me down thus far. They’re only being secretive to protect us, I reassure myself. I find some consolation in the fact that this was my dad’s wish—if he wanted me to follow this path, then that’s what I will do. I’ve been mulling over all of this in the last few minutes. Cal is also strangely quiet, and I know he’s conducting his own soul-searching. “Well?” I ask him.
“Let’s do it,” he says.
I relent again and allow Cal into my bed tonight, I desperately need the reassurance of his arms around me; although neither one of us sleeps a wink all night. I toss and turn consistently, drifting into temporary bouts of unconsciousness but never quite falling asleep. Even the slightest sound in the house has me on tenterhooks. I give up at 5 a.m. and decide to get up for a run.
“Where are you sneaking off to?” Cal asks.
“I’ve given up on the illusion of sleep, I’m going out for one last run,” I tell him.
“I’m coming too,” he says as he rises to join me.
***
Lily is already dressed when we arrive back at the house. “Why are you up so early Lil?” I ask.
“I was agitated and couldn’t sleep, too much rest in the last few days I guess,” she says. We eat breakfast in comfortable silence, each of us absorbed in our inner thoughts.
“Lil, we have to head over to NSAF at seven tonight to collect Dad’s belongings. Could you visit Mom this evening and we’ll meet you there afterwards? Raina will collect Deacon from school,” I say innocently.
“Sure, see you then,” she says as she kisses us both goodbye.
I don’t feel like going to the Academy today, but I also don’t feel like hanging around the house in a constant state of anxiety. Cal suggests it’s the best way of keeping ourselves distracted, so we decide to go in. I get a backpack ready for Lily, Deacon and myself. I leave all the bags in my room; we’ll have just enough time to come back and get them later.
Cal is waiting for me in the living area, standing in front of the glass window, staring pensively out at the lake. Sadly it reminds me of the many times I saw my father do the same thing. I wrap my arms around him from behind. He grabs my hands in his but stays with his back to me. “Ariana, why was Zane in the hideout?” he asks calmly.
Oh crap! “Please don’t be mad,” I tell him, “he was waiting for me.” He turns slowly, and the damage I’ve caused is irrefutable. “Cal, I’m sorry. There were some things he wanted to say to me, on my own. I felt it was the least I could do considering all the risks he’s taken for me. I knew you’d object, so I didn’t tell you. I feel rotten enough as it is—it would have been better for everyone if I’d just said no,” I say imploringly.
“Is that the truth?” he asks, and I hear him struggling to maintain an even tone.
“Yes, how many times do I have to tell you!” I cry out in sheer frustration.
All the stress of the last few weeks finally finds an outlet, and I surprise even myself when I burst out crying. I have to remind
myself that he’s the one who has been wronged, but even still, I struggle to stop the tears from flowing. For once, Cal looks unsure of himself. I know his natural instinct is to comfort me, but he’s still feeling so hurt and angry. “I’m sorry,” I say in between sobs. Eventually, he puts his arms around me and soothes me until I feel the tears subsiding. “I am truly sorry, I don’t mean to hurt you, but I keep doing it,” I say trembling.
“I’m trying to be understanding Ariana, but it’s challenging. How would you feel if my ex-girlfriend showed up to rescue me, still proclaiming undying love? How secure would you feel even though I reassured you?” Cal asks.
“I would feel exactly as you do,” I say in a moment of absolute clarity. “I promise I won’t do anything like that again,” I say solemnly. He looks earnestly into my eyes.
“Good. Come on, we better get going, or we’ll be late.”
***
I’m glad we decided to spend the day at NSAFTA; the combination of physical and mental exertion is the perfect diversion. I bump into Eve as I’m unpacking my locker. Marriage seems to be agreeing with her, and she’s positively glowing. I’m pleased that she doesn’t bring up the incident at her wedding. She begs me to call over to see her new house, and I agree, knowing full well that I will never get to visit. It already feels as if we’ve grown apart. I hug her tightly before she leaves and resist the urge to tell her what a great friend she’s been to me; instead I hold onto the hope that I will see her again.
***
Back at the house Cal and I get changed into more suitable clothing, and I finish loading our backpacks. We force ourselves to eat although neither one of us has much of an appetite. We hold each other tight and my head rests against his chest; the solid rhythm of his heart is comforting. Finally, he pulls away. “It’s time,” he says simply as he takes hold of my hand. I take one last, long look at the house that I’ve called home for the past two and a half years before I pull the door shut on that particular aspect of my life.
The news of our impending wedding has clearly been broadcast to the nation as we intercept many messages of congratulations on our walk to the Velo station. It’s bittersweet, and I think it’s affecting Cal more so than me.
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