I understand him perfectly. Chris probably does too. Everyone else has blank expressions as though Jonas has just spoken an unknown language which, to them, he did.
Kookju is the first to question. “What in the world does any of that mean? How do you flood a computer?”
Jie Wen joins in, “We have much more important things to be attending to, young man. Gatherings should only be called by Maetha or Crimson.”
Jonas defends himself. “If this blog is not stopped, every last one of you will be hunted down and killed. You don’t have to know much about technology to help me out here, but you do need to help. I can’t orchestrate a website burial by myself.”
Chuang asks, “Why can’t we just put a stop to the Internet?”
Jonas makes a few grunts, pffts, and ughs. “Stop the Internet?”
I meet Chris’s eyes across the circle. I think Jonas is going to blow a gasket.
Jonas’s hands raise, palms up. “How can you be as old as you are and not know anything about the Internet?”
Jie Wen takes his typical condescending stance and says, “We have our own Internet, young man. We can connect and communicate with other Bearers in a much more advanced way than clunky boxes with flashing little lights.”
Jonas makes eye contact with me, his lips pursed, before turning back to Jie Wen, saying slowly, “That’s called an in-tra-net, not In-ter-net.” Jonas’s patronizing correction is well deserved, in my opinion. He continues. “If your way of communicating is so much better than the Internet, then why don’t you go locate the server and shut it down?”
Chuang’s eyes widen with an obvious idea. “Why don’t we just shut down all the servers?”
Chris speaks up. “The Internet isn’t contained in one place, like in one building. You can’t just lock the front doors and make this problem go away. Servers are basically really large computers with access to the fiber optic lines that form a spider’s web around the globe. They’re everywhere and there’s thousands of them.”
“Then cut the webs,” Chuang says, as if it’s the simplest way to get control of this situation.
Chris shakes his head. “That would be next to impossible. Besides, they’d just reroute to an uncut line.”
Jonas dumbs-it-down even further. “You’d have to take the world back to the days before computers to shut this down. Or kill electricity worldwide. Even with a global electricity shutdown, which would shut down major servers, others would use their back-up generators and stay online for however long their fuel holds out. This is a different world than what any of you have experienced. If you bury your head over this issue, it will get lopped off while your eyes are shut.”
Jie Wen inhales as if he’s about to speak. I jump in first. “Jonas is right. The blogger must be stopped. He’s already taught the general population about obsidian. If the blogger starts posting about Diamond Bearers, you can bet more than the villagers will be after you with their torches and pitchforks.” I turn to Jonas. “What do you need us to do, Jonas?”
“Thanks, Calli and Chris. I need everyone to have access to a computer and the Internet. I’ll send you files that you’ll upload to specific sites. I’ll do all the work. You’ll only have to learn a little bit about computers.”
Maetha steps forward. “I’ll see to it everyone is set up, Jonas.”
Mary says, “I don’t see why we shouldn’t just take Max Corvus into custody. We basically know he’s behind this.”
Marketa responds to Mary. “He hasn’t shown evidence yet, so we don’t know for sure he’s the blogger.”
“Take him out and see if the blogging continues,” Amenemhet says.
Marketa nods. “That’s one way, but what if there’s more than one behind this? Take one out and the others will fight with a vengeance.”
Maetha says, “Marketa’s right. If we jump to conclusions without proof, we’ll cause more problems. Jonas’s idea is the best we have at this point. We will all participate in this effort.” She looks all around the circle. “We’re done here.”
I open my eyes and see Marketa across the room. She hasn’t stopped bi-locating yet. I think I’m beginning to like her.
* * *
The gathering with Jonas took place over a month ago. Since then, Marketa received a laptop from Maetha and I’ve been teaching her how to use it. Jonas has sent us several files and pre-written comments to add to various pages on the Internet. I figure he must not be sleeping much these days.
My grades are holding. I sometimes have a hard time going at the slow pace of the professors. But a credit is a credit and I need a certain amount of them to get my degree, so I plod on.
Chris has been busy lately. He’s been tailing Max as often as possible. The blog hasn’t released anything new for several weeks and has begun to slide in rank. Jonas’s multiple websites that debunk alarmists, UFO fanatics, doomsday preppers, and government conspiracists have really taken off. I know he’s proud of himself, as he should be.
Staring out the window of my dorm room con-templating the last month’s activities, instead of studying for my chemistry exam, probably isn’t a good use of my time. The leaves are nearly gone from the trees as Thanksgiving approaches. I can’t believe how fast the time has flown.
Marketa has done her job well, protecting my behind―from what, I don’t know. More than anything, I figure she’s just trying to show Crimson she’s dedicated to remaining a Diamond Bearer. But in the back of my mind, I feel it’s pointless for her to follow me around everywhere. I sometimes wonder if she feels the same way.
Presently, she’s sitting on the other bed reading a book by Clara Winter.
I hear Jonas in my mind, pulling my wandering thoughts away from the window. He bi-locates to my side. “Calli, we have a big problem, with a capital ‘big!’”
“What’s wrong?”
“The blogger just posted about two individuals with magic diamonds in their hearts. Two young people, a girl and a boy. Us.”
“Does he give our names?” My heart races.
“No. Not yet. Most of the info talks about super-powers, super-healing, and stuff like that. It’s definitely moving in the Diamond Bearer direction, though. The only people who know you and I have a diamond were in the room at General Harding’s compound. The question is who was in the room?”
“Max was one,” I say with certainty. “I’ll ask Chris who the others were.”
“All right, I’ll get back with you.”
“Thanks, Jonas.”
“No problem.”
I throw a worried glance to Marketa.
She says, “You communicate with Chris. I’ll alert the others.”
I nod and close my eyes. I imagine Chris’s diamond, but don’t try to connect with it. I only send a message that we need to talk.
What is it Calli? His voice fills my mind.
I have news from Jonas. It’s important.
Come to me, he says.
I get up and lock the door, not wanting someone to walk in on two Diamond Bearers deep in meditation and vulnerable. Sitting on my bed cross-legged, eyes closed, I connect with Chris’s diamond. As his location comes into view, I find him lying in bed, a sheet pulled up to his waist, his naked upper half resting casually with his arms behind his head, propped up on the pillow. The fact he didn’t cover up before I arrived doesn’t escape me.
“Chris, um, hi.” I stumble over my words, unable to keep my eyes on his face. I blink and clear my throat. A wide grin spreads on his face. Is he amused with my inability to think straight in the presence of so much skin? I need to focus. This is important. I look him in the eye and say firmly, “The blogger posted about two people with diamonds in their hearts.”
He shoots straight up into a seated position. “He named you?”
“No, he only said a boy and a girl have magical diamonds in them. We figure the only people who would know that would be those who were in the room at the compound. Do you remember who was there?”
&nb
sp; “Max! I knew it! That son-of-a—”
“Who else was there?”
Chris stares off at the far wall for a second. “I’m not sure. I’d have to see the files again.”
“Do you think you’d recognize their pictures?”
“Yes.” He looks up into my eyes. “Why is he toying with us? Is he asking for anything yet?”
“Nothing yet. Maybe he won’t.”
“No, I know Max. He’s the type to ask for something in return for keeping his silence. I’ll set up another meeting with him.”
“But, remember, the blogger might not be Max. When you set things up, can I come along, too? Invisibly, of course.”
“You’re too far away to get here in time.”
“No, I mean bi-locate.”
“Can you do that? Invisibly?”
“Yes,” I admit, cautiously.
“I didn’t know you could. How come you never told me?” He acts nervous, as if he’s wondering if I’ve seen him in compromising positions, which I have.
“We haven’t had a lot of time together, to . . . you know, experiment.” I don’t want to tell Chris I’ve used it on him, so instead I say, “I tried it out with Jonas.” As soon as I say the words, I realize I’ve made a mistake.
“Jonas?” he asks. His eyebrows come down.
“Well, I needed to know if I could do it, and I couldn’t experiment with you.”
An obvious change of attitude comes over Chris. Half of his mouth curls in a smile as he lies back and stretches his arms up and behind his head. He looks pleased with himself, as if he’s figured something out. “Okay, I’ll let you know when the meeting will be so you can come along. But make sure you don’t make any noises, you know, like snickering.”
“Wha—?”
His smile turns devilish all the way up to his eyes. “I knew someone was there, but I didn’t know you could bi-locate invisibly yet. So, I thought I’d try to lure it out of you by not telling you I had lunch with Kikee. I thought for sure you’d get angry and fess up that you were there. You didn’t. However, admitting just now that you can bi-locate invisibly tells me that was you.”
“Chris, I . . . ” I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how to react.
“Goodnight, Calli.”
My mouth is still hanging open as I end our connection.
* * *
I’m sitting in class when I receive a message from Chris that he’s meeting with Max in one hour. I respond, letting him know I’ll be ready. Class will end soon and I’ll have enough time to get back to my dorm.
Marketa waits outside the classroom door and walks with me. “I sense a bi-location in your future. What’s happening?”
“Chris is meeting with Max again. I want to attend.” I conveniently leave out the part about being invisible. Then I realize a big flaw in my plan. The last time I bi-located invisibly I was at the Denver house. When I reappeared, I scared the crap out of Brand. I’m not going to be able to go with Chris after all. Otherwise Marketa will become aware I have a Blue shard.
Marketa, being the intelligent woman I’ve come to know, asks, “Won’t that be a problem for Chris if you’re seen with him? You’re not supposed to be affiliated.”
I lie. “I’ll be hiding nearby.”
“Oh. I’ll make sure you’re secured in your room, and then I have some errands to run. Is that all right with you?”
“Okay.” I keep my poker face even though I’m ecstatic to hear she won’t be in the room with me.
We arrive at the dorm and I lock myself in and get ready to bi-locate. First, I communicate with Chris. Once he gives me the okay, I activate my invisibility and connect with his diamond.
The surroundings begin to appear around me, similar to when Chris shared his first meeting with Max. I see Chris sitting at the same table as before, his elbow resting on the windowsill. Max hasn’t arrived. A glass of iced tea sets before Chris. He’s not aware I’ve arrived.
I speak to his mind, I’m here, Chris.
His head snaps to the left, his eyes moving about, looking for me. The little bell on top of the door jingles lightly as Max enters the building. He nods his head in Chris’s direction when a waitress asks how many in his party. He walks away from her and heads toward us.
“Chris, why the urgency?” Max sits in the chair and stretches his back.
“Do you know about the recent post on the blog?” Chris asks him pointedly.
“No.”
“They basically name you.”
Max laughs and leans forward. “What? Me? Why would that matter? I don’t have powers.”
A waitress stops at the table and Max asks her to bring him whatever Chris is having.
Chris insists in a hushed whisper, “It matters because the blog states a boy and a girl have diamonds in their hearts. There are a limited number of people who know that fact and you’re one of them.”
“Are you accusing me of being the blogger? Guess what? You also have that information. You were there, too.”
They pause their conversation while the waitress delivers his drink.
Chris resumes. “I know the other three guards had their computers checked out already. You’re the only one left.”
“You can look over my files, Chris. I’m not hiding anything.”
“Are you willing to let me look right now?” He stares without blinking at Max.
Max returns the serious stare. “Yes. My computer’s in the car. I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“Fine. I don’t have anything to hide.”
Chris throws a twenty-dollar bill on the table and the two of them leave.
Max walks confidently to his car and pops the trunk. He pulls out his laptop bag and closes the door. As he unzips the bag, Max says, “You’re not going to find anything, but you’re welcome to try.”
“You make it sound like you do have something to hide and you know you’ve hidden it so well I won’t find it.”
We wait a minute while the computer boots up. Then Chris looks it over and opens file after file looking for anything related to the blog. I stand behind Chris, looking over his shoulder at the computer. I prompt him to search a couple files he skipped over. After an exhaustive search of finding nothing that connects Max to the blog, Chris says, “Just know you’re the main suspect in this. Agent Whitman will be calling, you can bet on it.”
Chris speaks mentally. I’ll come visit you, Calli.
I take his words as an invitation to leave. I end my connection and open my eyes. Glancing around the room to make sure I’m alone, I deactivate my invisibility. If Max isn’t the blogger, then who is? It simply must be him.
I wait and wait for Chris to bi-locate to me. It seems like forever before I see his shape form in front of me. Jonas’s does as well.
Chris speaks to Jonas. “What do you think? His computer was clean.”
Jonas says, “You’ll need to follow Max to see where he’s accessing the Internet. I suspect he’s using a flash drive to upload files through the laptop onto the Internet. He’s not storing the files on the computer. He’s probably uploading from an open WiFi. If you can catch him in the act, or get your hands on his flash drive, then you’ll have your proof.”
Someone knocks on my door. Both guys vanish as I get up to open the door. It’s Marketa.
“Anything new?” she asks once the door is closed.
“No. Max’s computer is clean. We’ll have to keep investigating.”
* * *
Marketa gets a break from being my protector for the Thanksgiving weekend. The break goes both ways. I didn’t realize how much I missed my privacy. I like Marketa. I mean, she’s a polite, formal person. She doesn’t try to boss me around or “mother” me. However, I’m still going to enjoy a few days of vacation, relishing in disorganization.
The blog has remained unchanged since the last post, and Max isn’t behaving in any unusual ways.
I spend Thanksgiving with m
y parents at a restaurant. My father has to go to work at five o’clock this evening and he wants to spend as much time with me and Mom as possible. He said he didn’t want her to be tied up in the kitchen all day only to then be alone that evening with a pile of dishes to clean up. I have say, I agree with him.
My mother and I spend the evening talking about Chris and relationships in general. I’ve never had a conversation like this before with her, mainly because I’ve never had a boyfriend before. However, my mom keeps referring to Brand as my first boyfriend, to which I sharply disagree. She just smiles and raises her eyebrows with a confident, borderline-smug expression.
She says, “Did Brand ever kiss you?”
“Well, sort of,” I sheepishly admit. “But it was not that type of a kiss.”
“On the lips?”
“Yes, but―”
“Calli, I watched you two together. You liked being around him. You don’t want to admit it, and that’s all right, but Brand was your first in-depth relationship with a boy.”
“That’s different than a romantic relationship. I never wanted to be near him like I do with Chris.”
“You learned how to communicate with a boy.”
I’m not getting anywhere with my mother. I decide to read her mind. She’s wishing I was with Brand instead of Chris. She reasons he’s closer to my age, from the same town, and we obviously have a lot in common.
“But he doesn’t make me feel the way Chris does,” I say.
“I’ve told you before that feelings can lead to bad decisions.”
“Well, that was before I could see the future, Mom. Chris and I will marry down the road.”
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