Rites of Passage

by Hensley,Joy N.

  I try to ignore Drill next to me. He’s like a coil of balled up energy, ready to strike. My eyes skim the email.

  To: smckenna@dma.edu

  From: jaxhax@email.com

  Subject: News

  We need to meet. I know who shot you. But more than that. I have a NAME.

  Drill’s quick intake of breath makes me jump. His eyes are on my computer screen and I log off the computer without responding.

  “I’m ready,” I whisper, my voice shaking. I glance at him again but his eyes are back on Jonathan.

  “I’m going to stop and talk to him. You go by like you don’t even notice. I’ll meet you outside.”

  It’s just Jonathan. I shouldn’t have to sneak by him. But he’s with Lyons, and with our suspicions, we’ve got to be cautious. Ritchie sees us getting ready and packs his stuff up. As Drill passes Ritchie, he whispers something and goes on ahead.

  “Colonel McKenna, glad to see you here,” Drill hoists his backpack on his shoulder and walks over to the aisle of computers Jonathan is at. He stands, blocking Jonathan’s view of the aisle, of us.

  Ritchie nudges me and we walk by as quickly as we can.

  “My recruits have some questions about Junior Ring. . . .” His voice fades away as Ritchie and I make our way out of the science building and onto the PG.

  “What was that about?” Ritchie asks.

  “I wish I knew.”

  “What’s going on, Mac? Everyone knows there’s something up.”

  The night’s gotten colder and I shiver, standing there waiting. My side is almost pain-free, the remnants of the bruise all but gone. It’s not fair that my recruit brothers are doing all this work and don’t know what’s going on. I’m about to tell him when Drill appears.

  “Ritchie, head back to the barracks,” Drill says as soon as he’s next to me.

  “Drill Sergeant Stamm, yes, Drill Sergeant Stamm.”

  I shrug, promising myself I’ll tell him later. “Drill . . . ,” I say. As soon as Ritchie is out of hearing range, we start walking. My teeth chatter. I feel like if I could just get warm things would be better. “This is about that day with Williams, isn’t it? Evers knew what we were talking about with him.”

  “We need to meet with Jax. All of us need to be on the same page. Let’s meet tomorrow night in the armory. I’ll text Jax.”

  It’s about time that he tells me what he’s been keeping to himself.

  “And, Sam?” He takes a step toward me. His breath is white, hanging in the air for just a second before disappearing. “I’m sorry. About all this.”

  I nod, but the lump in my throat makes it impossible to talk.

  After the trumpeter sounds retreat on the PG the next night, I lie in bed, counting the seconds until Bekah’s even breathing comes from the bottom bunk. I want to know if she was in on the shooting, if she knows who Evers is involved with—but we’re past confiding in each other.

  When she’s finally asleep, I move quietly around the room, pulling on my hoodie and tying my shoes. I leave the door unlocked when I leave but don’t sign out.

  “Where are we going?” Nix whispers once we’re outside.

  “The armory.”

  “Any chance you’re going to tell me why?”

  “You’ll find out soon.” I lead him the back way around campus, behind the barracks on the service road to keep out of the lights around the PG.

  Drill’s waiting impatiently by the door when we get there. “I thought something had happened,” he says and I immediately feel guilty.

  “I had to wait for Bekah to fall asleep. If she found out, she would have told Evers.”

  “Get in here. Hey, Nix.”

  Nix looks confused at the sudden “at ease” of everything but enters the armory anyway. “Drill Sergeant . . .”

  “Man,” Jax says before I even make it halfway across the basketball court. “You have got them in a tizzy. They thought you were gone after the bullet.”

  I wrap my arms around her, squeezing tight before stepping back. “Thanks for coming.”

  “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. It’s bad, though.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I still don’t know who we’re dealing with on campus. I’ve hacked a lot of emails lately. Some of them are DMA addresses. That’s what Evers and Matthews use. Lyons, too. That’s how I knew who took the shot.”

  “You’re sure about Evers?” Drill asks.

  “Yeah. I’ve got the email that confirms it.”

  “Good. We’re going to need every little scrap of proof we can get.”

  “So, besides the obvious, why’s it bad?”

  “I think the Society could be bigger. It could be huge.” She’s talking fast. “Once in a while, they get emails from an unknown address. The message is just a bunch of weird code, and I can’t figure out what it’s saying. I don’t know all the receivers, but it goes to hundreds of people. The only thing I know for sure is a name. The Pandora Society.”

  There it is, as simple as that. Three words for a group that wants me out so bad they might kill me. A group my brother might be in charge of.

  Drill shakes his head. “We don’t know that for sure. It could be anyone . . .”

  “Wait,” I say. “You’ve heard of them?”

  He nods.

  “The discipline committee Denmark created.” I don’t ask because it’s all falling into place. Why he didn’t want me asking Williams, why he freaked when Evers walked into the classroom.

  He nods again. “But they haven’t been active for decades.”

  “You’re right. They’ve been pretty quiet for a few decades,” Jax says. “I can’t find anything certain. But I think that’s who it is. And if I’m right, these are some pretty bad dudes.”

  “Am I missing something? Who are these guys?” I wish my voice sounded a bit stronger.

  “Denmark’s discipline committee was a group of cadets whose only job was to remove from the DMA any cadet found to lack the ideal of a soldier. From what I can tell, they were first trying to deal with African-Americans, maybe gays. Trying to keep the DMA, and the military as a whole, pure.”

  “Right. Like Hitler, or Voldemort.” I try to laugh it off. “It worked out so well for both of them.”

  “The Pandora Society is no joke, Sam,” Drill says.

  I stop laughing. “I don’t think it is.”

  Drill pushes the issue. “The reason there are only rumors is because anyone they’ve set their sights on won’t talk—or can’t talk. Once they mark someone to remove from the DMA, the person is gone. The Pandora Society doesn’t fail. They’re good at what they do.”

  “I guess I should be honored that they came out of hiding just for me.”

  “So, I’ve been trying to decode the emails, and then I realized it doesn’t matter. It’s not what they’re saying right now; it’s who they’re saying it to. Once in the Society, always in the Society.” Jax pauses, waiting for her words to sink in.

  There are other secret groups like that—Skull and Bones, which is rumored to be a favorite society among presidential hopefuls, the Illuminati, the group that supposedly plants members in the government to try to control the world. But this is just the DMA . . . if it’s bigger than this campus, it could stretch all the way up the military ranks.

  “I think they might have some kind of secure server. Something I can only hack from the inside. If I can get into it, I can see who these emails are going to. And if I know who they’re emailing . . .”

  “You’ll know who’s in the Society,” I say. “What’s your plan?”

  “After the Junior Ring Dance, the Society is going to decide positions for next year and which initiates will become full-fledged members. Remember the tunnels I emailed about?”

  Drill shoots me a look. “What tunnels?”

  “Jax found some old plans for the school. There are tunnels underground and she thinks that’s where they meet.” I wasn’t trying to keep it from him, b
ut he looks hurt just the same.

  “I’m going to go down there and get what I need,” Jax says.

  “It’s not like you can just go to the dance with Matthews and tag along to the meeting. How are you going to get in?”

  “Easy. I’ll follow Kelly. Once I know where they are, I’ll wait until the meeting is over, then I’ll sneak in to find the server.”

  “What? No. That’s not an option.”

  “We need the names, Sam. Besides, the only way we’re going to get Kelly back is if we prove to him how bad they are.”

  Why the hell isn’t Drill saying no? This idea is crazy. Drill agrees with Jax, though. “It’s all we’ve got, Sam. We’ve got to figure out who we’re dealing with. I can’t keep staying up twenty-four/seven trying to watch everyone. Even with Huff’s help we can’t do it all. If we can get a list of members, we can go to the commandant. Secret societies are banned. They’ll be kicked out of school.”

  “It’s too dangerous. I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me.”

  “You can’t do this on your own.” Nix puts his arm around my shoulder. “They’ve trained us all year to be a unit, to go into battle. You—this—it’s worth fighting for, Mac.”

  “She’s not part of the family, though,” I insist, nodding at Jax. “What if they hurt her?”

  “They won’t.” Jax sounds so sure of herself. “Kelly won’t let anything happen to me. I know you think he’s switched to the dark side, but if it’s me or Matthews, he’ll choose me.”

  “Nothing’s more important than this right now,” Drill says. “After Junior Ring, we’ll know exactly who we’re dealing with.”

  I don’t think everything’s going to be okay at all, but Jax looks determined. She doesn’t understand that if something happens to her, or any of them, it’s going to be my fault. I couldn’t save Katie and that thought weighs like a heavy brick in my stomach as Nix and I make our way back to the barracks.

  “Sirs! Good morning, sirs! This is the outstanding Alpha Company, sirs! It is the tenth day in the fourth month in the year of our Lord two-thousand-fifteen,” I yell through the uniform of the day. No one cares, anyway. What they care about comes next. “Juniors, attention, juniors. Today is Junior Ring Ceremony!”

  The roar on deck is deafening. Even knowing what Jax is going to try to do tonight, it’s hard not to get caught up in their excitement. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling.

  Until Evers walks out of his room. “You should have gone home after you got shot, McKenna. It would all have ended then. Now you’ve ruined everything.”

  I keep my eyes locked straight ahead, trying not let any reaction show on my face. My heart speeds up, though, and I want to take a step back. He’s got a shirt on this morning, as opposed to the other days when he walks to the bathroom in just his boxers. He’s moving a little slower than normal, left arm cradled around his stomach. There’s a bruise on his arm, partly covered by his sleeve. His eyes are hard, furious.

  Before he disappears into the bathroom, though, I notice the blood. Up on his shoulder, where his Society tattoo is. Blood oozing out and through the fabric of his shirt. What happened to him?

  I finish morning calls and head straight to inspection, eager to see Jonathan for the first time since the hospital. He’s losing weight. There are shadows under his eyes, dark circles that only make him look worse. Maybe the pressure of the Society is getting to be too much for him.

  Jonathan refuses to choose me as the most polished recruit during inspection, even though the guy he does choose has scuffed low quarters and a smeared belt buckle. Just another chance for me to screw up our Company of the Year points. I skip first mess and head directly to the chapel.

  “How can I help you, Sam?”

  I shut the door to Rev’s office behind me and sit, though I can’t stay still. My leg shakes, bouncing up and down while I drum my fingers on my legs. “Professor Williams is gone. Jax is going to try to get into their secret cave, or whatever she thinks is in the tunnel. Jonathan and Kelly both look sick. It’s all because of me and it’s too much.” Dad would hate to see me so shaken. He’d tell me to stand up, to take it like a man.

  “You’ve got them scared. I would assume that they never thought a female, even one of your caliber, would bring into question their core beliefs. Everyone makes choices about how they live their lives, the way they’re going to move toward success. You have chosen an honorable route. Honorable people, people of character and moral uprightness, can be intimidating. With your family name behind you, I’d say you have a chance of being a shining star at the DMA. It doesn’t sound like this Society is ready for that much change.”

  I think of what Evers said this morning, how I’d ruined everything. “Well, it’s not fair.”

  Rev chuckles. “My dear, my job is to teach about the unfair parts of life and how to shine even in the midst of strife. Many of these boys could not do what you are doing. I know you feel alone, but you’ve got a strong corps of students and faculty behind you. Supporting you.”

  A banging on the door makes me jump and I stand quickly, glancing at Rev.

  “Just a moment,” Rev calls out. He points to the corner and I step over three stacks of papers to get there. When I’m in place, he opens the door and hides me at the same time. “Can I—”

  “Have you seen Mac?” Drill sounds frantic.

  “I’m here.” I step away from the corner and Drill takes two steps, wrapping me in his arms and squeezing for all he’s worth. I breathe in, relaxing instantly at his touch, at the smell of his aftershave, spicy and crisp.

  “You scared the hell out of me. Are you okay?” He scans my face.

  I nod. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Ritchie couldn’t find you. He’s supposed to be walking everywhere with you. You’re supposed to have someone with you.” He sounds angry, but his hands are gentle and he rests his forehead against mine and closes his eyes.

  “I’m sorry. After inspection I just came here.”

  “It’s not safe—”

  “I know. I understand. . . .”

  Rev clears his throat. “I think I’m going to go get some coffee from the mess hall. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes or so.”

  “Thanks, Rev,” Drill says without taking his eyes off me. When the door closes, he takes his hands from my face only to link his fingers with mine. “What the hell were you thinking?”

  “Something is wrong with Evers. He’s got bruises on his arms.”

  “What?”

  “And his tattoo—it’s bleeding, like it’s been cut. During morning calls he said I’d ruined everything. I just . . . I have a bad feeling.” I can’t shake the thought that something is pressing down on this campus, just waiting for the perfect moment to implode around us all.

  “Maybe you messed up his mission when he shot you and you didn’t quit. If they’ve done something to his tattoo, removed it or burned it or something, it might mean they’re booting him from the Society.”

  “Great. Just another reason for him to be gung ho about getting me out. Now I definitely don’t want Jax getting involved.”

  “I know you’re scared, but it’s all we’ve got right now. If we don’t figure out who’s in the Society, we’ll never take them down. I’ll follow her tonight, okay? She’ll be safe. As long as you stay at the dance, no one will suspect anything. We’ve got to act like it’s business as usual, like we don’t know anything’s going on.” He sighs, sitting down in the chair I was in just a few minutes ago. He looks so tired.

  I walk over to him and he pulls me down onto his lap. I fit perfectly, his arms wrapped around me to keep me close. “Kelly and Bekah are sneaking out and going to Wintergreen.”

  “I heard. Lyons rented a condo at the ski resort. You’re sure they’re going?”

  “Bekah told me earlier.”

  Though time has dragged most of the year, now I don’t have enough of it. I thought I’d at least get a chance to tell Ke
lly I know and beg him not to sign on to what the Pandora Society wants him to do. “I need to talk to Kelly.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea. The less they know you know the better right now.”

  I resist the urge to argue. I know he’s right. “I guess. Do you think Jonathan’s really involved?”

  “I hope not. I really, really hope not.” He pauses. “If I’m following Jax, I won’t be able to protect you. Your recruit buddies are going to be watching, but they don’t stand a chance against the Society. The only people I trust are my recruit buddies, but no junior will be in his right mind tonight.” For the first time since everything started, he looks scared. “How am I supposed to make sure you’re okay?” His hands grip my shoulders, thumbs trailing along my neck.

  “They’ll all be at the meeting, right? I’m going to be the safe one tonight.” And as much as I want to call it off, we can’t back down now. We have to figure out who is involved if we’re going to take them down.

  Rev whistles as he enters the chapel and I stand up. The ghosts of Drill’s hands are still on my shoulders, giving me strength I wouldn’t have otherwise.

  “I’ll be okay. I’m more worried about Jax tonight than anything.”

  “I’ll take care of Jax. Huff will watch over you.”

  “I don’t want to keep him away from—”

  “Give him some credit. It may be our junior year, but some things are more important than getting drunk, even when it’s the only time the entire faculty looks the other way and lets us do it out in the open.”

  “Thank you. For helping me. Even when I act like I don’t want it.”

  One corner of his mouth turns up. “You’re Alpha, Mac. You’re one of my recruits. And you’re . . .” He takes my hand but doesn’t step closer. It seems safer this way, less intimate, although I still feel the need to be close to him, even though I know I shouldn’t. “If you were anyone else . . .”

  I smile sadly. “If I were anyone, you wouldn’t give me a second thought.”

  Drill squeezes my hand, a last hurrah before we go to battle. “I think we’d better go out at different times. Stay and talk to Rev. Call D.C. Your Mom and Dad should be back by now, right?”