Aberrant

by Ruth Silver

  Maya frowned. "Your fear is only getting the better of you. Would you prefer to be disqualified and fail the training?"

  I wondered if it meant I'd fail the tests automatically, too. It seemed that way, with Aidan leaving and Maya threatening to do the same to Cate. "What about Aidan? He shot an arrow at Adam and you failed him.” I narrowed my eyes at Maya. “This is a trick.” I wouldn’t fall for her games.

  Maya shook her head. “It’s nothing of the sort,” she assured me. “I could place an apple on his head and have you aim at that if you’d prefer?”

  Was she serious? I stood there mouth agape for a solid minute without responding. At least if I aimed at the apple there was a tiny chance it wouldn’t hit Joshua. “I want the apple instead of Joshua,” I demanded. I could bargain, right?

  “You can’t have it all, Jacqueline,” Maya shook her head. “Elsa, go grab an apple from the cafeteria.” She called to the girl. Elsa jogged off back into the building while we waited patiently.

  My hands visibly shook, and I took a few deep breaths to settle myself down. I knew if I worked myself up into a frenzy, I’d definitely do more harm than good. It’s okay. I heard Joshua’s voice and glanced up at him.

  This is not okay. No part of this is acceptable. I didn’t care if anyone else heard us or not. Joshua needed to know how I felt about what they were making me do.

  “Got it!” Elsa called running back with a shiny red apple in her hand. She held it up and tossed it to Maya.

  Maya caught it immediately and backed Joshua up a few more feet. With his back to the haystack she placed the apple atop his head. “You only get one chance.” Maya reminded me.

  “Tell me something I don’t know,” I muttered beneath my breath. I aimed my bow, taking my time, having no idea how I would do this without marring him. Maybe if I aimed too high it would breeze right over his head. Maya would be disappointed, but Joshua would be alive and well.

  "Aim lower." I heard Maya's voice as I intentionally positioned the bow higher than his head. I lowered it just slightly, hoping that would appease her. "Lower," she repeated again, and I studied where I thought the arrow would go, calculating in my mind the trajectory it would take.

  With a sharp intake of breath, forgive me, I gasped letting the arrow glide past my fingers, certain I was sending him to his death.

  Shocked, the arrow stopped mid-stride, just inches from his head. It had been aimed directly at the apple, but had failed to reach it.

  "Very good," Maya smiled clapping unexpectedly. "You both have done well."

  Joshua was the first to speak, sweat trickled down his forehead. "I don't understand." He glanced at Maya and then to me, looking for an explanation.

  "Your procedure allows you to see the world in a different way, a more unique way. In seeing such things, your perception is more attune to the world around you." Maya reached for the arrow, watching it fall into her hands. "If you trust in yourself, you'll find you have the ability to fight and protect yourself better."

  I spoke up, "I don't understand how Adam can manipulate an object with his mind."

  Maya laughed softly. "It takes some getting used to but you can do far more than what I've shown you," she admitted, glancing at the others. "You are not to try this without an instructor around. Had I not been here and Adam had been unable to stop the arrow, Jacqueline could have killed him."

  Cate spoke up, "You had the procedure done?"

  Maya nodded. "Yes, many years ago. I was one of the first subjects who underwent the tests and passed. I also am incredibly familiar with the procedure and with the requirements of the tests. Let me further elaborate." She stared at me, "That the procedure works differently for each of you." Her eyes continued to move among the recruits. "It will take time to understand all that you are capable of, but you now can understand and appreciate the secrecy of our community."

  I glanced at Joshua, wondering what he was thinking. He merely shook his head. I couldn't blame him. I didn't trust that Maya couldn't read my thoughts or Joshua's. Neither of us really knew how this worked, and we certainly didn't want anyone eavesdropping into our conversation.

  Maya gestured for Joshua to follow her back to our booth. "Jaxon and Margo, you're up next."

  I put away my bow and reached for Joshua's hand as he came up beside me. My voice was a soft whisper, careful not to disturb the other recruits as a high level of concentration was required for their training. "I'm glad you're okay," I admitted, giving his hand a squeeze.

  He glanced at me, his lips never moving. I knew you had it in you. I tried not to laugh, glancing at Maya. She seemed unfazed and unaware of our private conversation. I was glad to be able to steal a minute of privacy, especially if she couldn’t listen in.

  CHAPTER 23

  Back at the dining hall, I sat beside Joshua as we ate dinner. The noise and commotion from the other six recruits was astounding. I kept my voice down, my lips near Joshua's ear as he sat beside me. "What do you think they'll have us do tomorrow?"

  Joshua shook his head. "Every day is something entirely new." He smiled in my direction, momentarily wrapping an arm around my back. I raised an eyebrow, wondering what he was up to, but he just smiled again before removing his arm so he could cut up his dinner.

  I knew he was right. We had no way of seeing the procedure coming or what it would have made us capable of. I wondered what Maya had meant when she told us the procedure had been fine tuned for each of us. It was evident to me that Joshua and I shared a telepathic bond – did the others share something else? It was nothing I had been able to see, but I knew we had always been close and shared thoughts in other ways. Had the Mindonsiphan strengthened our bond?

  "What's on your mind?" I heard his voice and realized I'd been staring at my food. I took a bite, trying not to worry him and did my best to smile. I felt Joshua nudge me and I nodded, knowing he wanted an answer.

  "I was terrified today, having to shoot you with an arrow." I turned to face him. "I could have killed you." My stomach tied in knots just thinking about it.

  "You want to know a secret?" Joshua smiled faintly and I waited for him to continue, "I was scared, too."

  I laughed softly, realizing that any fears I had, we both shared. It was inevitable of course, after all we'd been through together. "I'm sorry."

  Joshua gave me a look, shaking his head. "Don't be. You spoke up to Maya – and might I add had deadly aim – but you would have hit the apple. You'd have never touched me with that arrow and lucky for me," he boasted, "I was able to stop it."

  I gave him a serious look. "Our training tomorrow," I leaned closer, "I have a feeling that was just the first step in them trying to turn us on each other."

  Joshua took a bite of his dinner. "I'm not so sure about that," he emphasized. "But I do think we're not done with the combat training. If they really want us to be capable of being greater than the average soldier," he stared at me, "Then it's going to take a lot more than stopping an arrow coming at us."

  I let out a heavy sigh, my focus on the barely eaten meal in front of me. "You're right."

  "I know." Joshua nudged me. "You should eat up. I'd hate to think I can beat you tomorrow because you didn't get enough to eat for dinner."

  "Very funny." I rolled my eyes and took a bite of my meal. I couldn’t place the meal’s ingredients. I didn't ask. It tasted like mush, mixed with some staple of protein. I wondered if they were drugging us too, in order to fight better. I didn't feel tired or sluggish, but after the procedure, who knew what these people were capable of doing to us? I suppose it was a good thing for them we had all turned eighteen and were no longer children. They could live with themselves for killing us.

  Lying in bed, I stared up at the bunk above me, hearing Joshua tossing and turning restlessly.

  Can't sleep? I silently asked him. I loved the privacy we shared, even in a room full of recruits.

  Not with you breathing like a dragon, Joshua remarked. I could imagine the smug smile
on his face as I rolled my eyes. He thought he was being funny.

  I'm not breathing fire. I smiled. Trust me, you'll know when you've been burned.

  Joshua laughed softly trying to keep himself quiet as to not wake the others. I could feel the bunks shift as he rolled around above me. Loud, nasally, you're a heavy breather. He tried to explain. I keep seeing a dragon on the bottom bunk.

  You're the one moving around like a ship lost at sea, I chided, knowing he was enjoying the banter as much as I was.

  Seriously? He asked stifling a laugh.

  You said dragon, I shrugged. There were dragons on ships. I remembered seeing a picture of a Viking vessel in the museum.

  He paused, thinking it over. In what lifetime? He shifted on the mattress again. Okay, maybe they were on the bow and stern, he acknowledged.

  It was quiet for several minutes, and already I missed his voice, I missed him. Even more I missed that he hadn't called me Olive or Olivia. Every day here grew harder. I wondered if he had fallen asleep. I hadn't heard the bed shift in a few minutes, and I could see a few other bunks and made out sleeping forms across from me. You asleep?

  Not with you in my head, he remarked.

  Sorry. Immediately I felt bad for keeping him up.

  He shifted on the mattress. No, don't be. What's wrong?

  I can't sleep. I guess, maybe, I'm homesick. I knew I'd never return home again. Seeing my mother would never be an option, and always living on the run was the only other choice if we left this place. I'm scared. Scared what they expect of us after we pass.

  Silence hung between us for several long moments, I've been thinking about that a lot lately too. He admitted, The procedure, the tests, I'm pretty sure they're preparing us for the coming war.

  I kind of expected as much, I admitted with a sigh. Doesn't it scare you?

  A lot of things scare me, Joshua admitted. Losing you is my biggest fear. I felt my heart quicken at his admission.

  I wanted to tell him I loved him and that he would never lose me but being here, in this town, undergoing the training and tests, I couldn’t make that promise. I wasn't ready to lie down and die, but I couldn't know what the future would hold.

  Goodnight? I heard his soft whisper in my mind. Although I wasn't tired, I knew tomorrow would be another long day.

  Night, I answered missing so much of the life we shared together. Although Genesis had been anything but perfect, we didn't always wonder when we might die. Here, in this town, I could feel death coming for me. It terrified me to no end. I stared up, wide-eyed at the bunk above me. I was grateful Joshua could sleep through the fear, but it only made my adrenaline peak. I could easily go on a run around the town and back and still be wired. Though I knew Chancellor Collins wouldn't approve.

  I waited a few minutes, until I heard Joshua snoring above me and quietly snuck out of the dormitory, careful not to be seen. I walked barefoot down the hall toward the gymnasium. I remembered when we'd met the recruits and Maya the first time, there had been other equipment to practice and train with. Although we hadn't used it, I felt it was as good a time as any to perfect my skill.

  Stepping into the gymnasium the lights flickered on overhead. There were no windows to the outside world. No one outside the compound would see me. I quickly toured the room, finding a storage closet unlocked. I pulled open the closet doors, finding a target board along with a set of daggers to throw.

  "Seriously?" I wondered if this would be part of our training tomorrow or the day after. I grabbed the target board and rolled it into the center of the gymnasium. I removed the weapons and walked over, lining myself up properly.

  If what Maya had said was right and the Mindonsiphan did something to strengthen our current abilities, then perhaps maybe I could hit the target without any prior experience.

  Carefully, I focused on the center of the target and studied the blade of silver in my hand. From the glimmer of its reflection catching the overhead light, I had a slight flash of the river. I could hear the sound of water rushing, though I knew I wasn't there. It hadn't mattered. My mind had taken me back to the place where we'd been attacked. Staring at the blade I could feel the knife against my throat, and I dropped the blade to the floor hearing it clang.

  The sound startled me out of my reverie.

  I bent down, took a deep breath and let it out. The knife was different. It didn't even look the same as the one the outlaw had used to attack me. I needed to be stronger – my life depended on it.

  My eyes narrowed staring at the target, imagining the release of the blade in my hand as it glided through the air to the board. I threw it hard, grimacing as the knife faltered and fell to the ground. Walking over, I picked it up, stepped back to where I started and tried again. The second time I held the knife differently, angling it back in my hand with the blade facing away from the target.

  I focused my attention, one foot stepping in front of the other as my arm released the knife and whipped it through the air, slamming into the bottom ring.

  I grumbled. I hadn't stabbed the floor and left a mark behind, but I didn't hit the bulls-eye either. I grabbed another knife and repeated the motion again, this time getting the inner ring but not my intended target.

  The other recruits were better, more experienced. The outlaw who had attacked was stronger and a more skilled fighter. With each throw as I missed the bulls-eye, I felt anger began to bubble to the surface. I hated what had been done to me. I was an experiment to this town, a plaything to the vile outlaw and a surrogate to the rebel alliance. I didn't want to be any of those things. I wanted to determine my own life. Nauseated with the sense of loss, of my home and the world I believed existed, I threw the knife and watched it slam into the bulls-eye.

  "You're up late." I heard a soft voice and jumped, glancing back at the door. Hazel stood there in her pajamas watching me.

  Her voice was enough to calm the anger burning within me. "Couldn't sleep." I sighed. "What about you?" I had thought all the other recruits were in bed when I'd left the room.

  "Had to use the bathroom," Hazel told me. "Then I saw the glow from beneath the door. Knew someone was up." She watched me with the knife as I threw another, this one hitting the inner ring of the target. "Not bad. How long have you been practicing?"

  "An hour?" I'd lost count.

  "That's it? I figured you'd been doing it for years." Hazel walked further into the gymnasium. "You have good form for someone who has never thrown a knife before."

  "And you have?" It shouldn't have surprised me.

  Hazel nodded faintly. "Part of our training back home. How is it you're not from the five cities, and they let you participate in the tests?" Her voice wasn't sharp or demanding. Hazel seemed curious by nature and didn't understand why she had to fight against someone who didn't belong in the competition. I couldn't blame her for asking.

  "I really don't know." I gave her a weak smile, offering her a knife to try. She shook her head, letting me practice instead. With a faint nod, I threw another knife, hitting the bulls-eye again.

  "I'm going to head back to bed," Hazel gestured to the door. "I want to be well rested for the morning." I couldn't blame her.

  "Have a good night," I offered, watching as she turned and headed out of the gymnasium. I heard the doors clasp behind her and threw the last knife I had, landing again in the bulls-eye. I was getting better with practice.

  I spent another hour practicing before my arm grew tired. With a resigned sigh, I put everything away and quietly tiptoed back into the dormitory for bed.

  As soon as I slipped beneath the covers and rested my head on the pillow, I fell asleep. I was exhausted.

  CHAPTER 24

  I was never a morning person. Maya came into our sleeping quarters. "Up!" she announced with only one word and a loud clap. I grimaced and wanted desperately to bury my head under the pillow. After staying up late last night on a secretive practice session in the gymnasium, I was not ready for morning. My arm still hurt, and
I hoped whatever we did today didn't involve throwing knives.

  Maya waited for each of us to, at the very least sit up in bed, before telling us why she was here. "Today you will begin the second part of your training. Each of you will be escorted to Chancellor Collins. Failure to participate means immediate dismissal."

  I glanced at Joshua, wondering how today would go for both of us. Neither of us particularly liked the Chancellor, and the fact he would be involved in the next stage of our training made me more than slightly nervous. As it was, the last time I'd been face-to-face with him, I tried to escape. It hadn't gone too well for me.

  "Get dressed and into the dining hall promptly. You have exactly one hour until names will be called," Maya informed us before heading out.

  Since our first day, our clothes had been cleaned daily and placed in a shelf on the wall. Each recruit had their name, along with their clothes, neatly inside a container so we wouldn't mix things up. It wasn't as though we had much, but it was always well-kept and organized. I never saw anyone put the clothes in, but they were always there. I assumed it was done during our dinner hour. A typical day so far I'd learned meant a recruit gathered their clothes from the shelf, shoes off the floor and a towel on the way to the bathroom. Today was anything but typical with Maya announcing we had one hour to shower, eat and be prepared for whatever came next.

  The commotion in the room that followed was pure chaos. Jaxon and Margo both rushed around to find their clothes and shoes. Cate laughed, pointing at Margo as she searched under the bed and tore the sheets from the mattress in search of her underwear. Cate held the clothes behind her back, giggling wildly. I rolled my eyes and quietly stood up. Cate's bed was only seven feet away. With her back to me I snuck up behind her, ripped the clothes from her fingers and tossed them at Margo. "Cate was hiding them!" I made it known to everyone that Cate couldn’t be trusted.