by AR Colbert
I didn’t have much time to ponder it all before we reached the meeting room back in the main municipal building. All of Felix’s inner circle members were sitting around the table, eating boxed lunches consisting of sandwiches, chips, fruit, and a chocolate chip cookie. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a chocolate chip cookie.
Emmaline was the first to greet us. “Hello, Claren. Training going well?”
Felix snorted beside me.
“It is, thank you,” I said with what I hoped was a convincing smile.
“Excellent. I’m told we have very short time to get you ready.” Emmaline was all business, but Justice Hines smirked across the table from her. “We wanted to talk to you briefly today to discuss the plan before you head out to the boroughs next week.”
I took a seat and opened the lunch sitting before me. Felix did the same after closing the door behind him. Dax waited out in the hall, and I wondered if someone brought lunch for him as well. I may not have liked the guy, but I didn’t want him going hungry out there.
“More citizens are going missing every day. I want you to gather as much information as possible from the Head Peacemakers in each borough. Do whatever is necessary to get a full understanding.” Emmaline gave me a pointed look and I knew she meant I was encouraged to use my projections to get them to trust me.
“Emilio updated us on your training from yesterday, so I know you’ve discussed how and where to place the amplifiers for the best results. Today we’ve got some new additions on the project team upstairs learning the technology. You’ll meet with them after lunch to see what happens back here at the headquarters as we interpret the information received through the amplifiers.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
The rest of the meeting was spent discussing various scenarios with Dimitri and the effects of the missing citizens on Classen City’s economy with Tyrel, the Director of Economics.
Cormack, the Director of Health and Wellness stopped me on my way out the door after the meeting. “We’ve already been getting positive reports from the people of Classen City regarding your new position. They believe in you. They trust you. Obviously, we can’t let them know what’s happening with the Outsiders taking our people. That would cause hysteria. But if we don’t put a stop to this soon, they’re going to figure it out on their own. Don’t let your people down, Claren.”
“I won’t,” I said solemnly. And I meant it. I only wanted the best for our people. But I wanted the best for all of our people, including the Ember Society.
Emilio joined Dax and I after lunch, and Felix stayed behind to have another meeting with some of the heads. We took the elevator back up to the Triple-T headquarters, and passed through the lobby back to the now-familiar hallway full of rooms I’d spent so many hours in over the last week. But this time it felt different.
Something flipped within me as we entered the hall. I wasn’t fearful or apprehensive or bored, like I had been the previous days. No, today I was angry. I didn’t know why. Maybe it was the realization that my training was almost over and I still hadn’t found a way to put a stop to this plan. Maybe it was over the incident with Felix and Rider earlier. I wasn’t sure, but I tried hard to stuff it back down so I could focus.
“So as we discussed earlier this week,” Emilio began, “the information we will gather from this project will be fairly difficult to read in the traditional sense. But what we’ve learned is that there is a certain subset of our population who can interpret the data much more easily than the rest of us.”
He turned a corner at the end of the hallway taking us farther back than I’d been yet. Pausing outside of a metal door, he turned to me, a serious expression wrinkling his face. “I’m talking about Empaths.”
“Empaths?” I asked. “You mean like the Head Peacemakers from the boroughs? That makes sense, because they probably have some kind of an emotional connection to their own people. I suppose they may be able to read the data more easily with that connection.”
Emilio pointed a finger at me, brows slightly elevated. “You’re surprisingly close, but no. They won’t be privy to this information. They don’t even know that the Outsiders are responsible for the missing people, though they probably suspect it. Actually what we’ve found is that Empaths have a different frequency of brain waves, if you will. They have a part of their brains that functions differently from us normal folk, and when trained on the equipment, they can use that part of their brains to process data that most people can’t understand.”
I cocked my head to the side.
Emilio swiped a hand through his hair and gestured toward his head. “So there’s a part of the cerebral cortex called the supramarginal gyrus—”
“Save it, Emilio. We don’t need a full science lesson. Just tell her how it applies to Triple-T.” Dax propped himself up against the wall, kicking one ankle over the other.
“Right, right.” Emilio nodded. “Okay, so we learned that over several generations of matching Peacemakers, your generation has some of the highest empathic abilities ever recorded. It’s remarkable how well you can perceive emotions, and sometimes even the thoughts of those around you. That’s why you were able to understand what I was thinking without any prior training with our prototypes the other day.
“We’ve identified a handful of other gifted Empaths, based on Emmaline’s involvement with the Peacemaker training program, and we have a team of six gathered from the last couple of training classes who we have assigned to read the data from Triple-T. They’re here in the reading room practicing with our test simulation as we speak.”
“I didn’t know there was a test simulation,” I said.
Emilio’s lips pursed into a frown. “It’s not something I was really thrilled to show you. But yes, we’ve placed one amplifier already, and they’re in there learning to read the data from that device right now.”
“What?! Where? What kind of data are they reading?” My throat constricted with panic, but Dax put an arm on my shoulder, urging me to relax.
“We weren’t prepared to take anything Outside yet, so we put a device in a plumber’s office in Peters borough.”
“So they’re in there reading the actual private thoughts of some unknowing plumber? One of our own citizens?”
Dax and Emilio both nodded, and I thought I was going to be sick.
“How can they in good conscience intrude on the privacy of our own people? This is absurd.”
“Calm down, Claren.” Dax smirked. “Technically your name is at the top of Triple-T. This is your project. Congratulations on a successful test run.”
I wanted to smack him, but he was right. I was only playing a part. This wasn’t really my doing, and it was only a means to an end. I took a deep breath and turned to Emilio.
“Alright, well let’s see it.”
Emilio bowed his head and unlocked the door. As soon as it opened, the anger I’d buried deep in my belly bubbled over into a full rage. I was livid. Bloodthirsty. And I had no control over what I was feeling. This must have been one angry plumber.
I stepped into the room and looked around. That’s when it hit me. I wasn’t angry. Neither was the plumber. All the rage in the room was emanating from a single point in a rolling chair at a desk across the room. In the chair, Georgia Hines sat red-faced, her eyes burning a hole right through me.
Georgia’s hatred toward me put Dax’s disdain to shame. She had every right to be angry. I’d shot her with a stun gun. I’d beat her in the training program. I was placed above her in the Leadership and now she was assigned to work under me on the Triple-T project. A chuckle escaped my lips.
“What’s so funny?” Dax asked.
“It’s just ironic to see some familiar faces here.” I scanned the other chairs in the room, breathing to block out Georgia’s rage and replacing it with my own curiosity. Most of the seats were filled with other young adults I didn’t recognize, but my face split into a full smile when I spotted Edgar sitting o
n the far side of the room.
“Edgar!” I trotted over and gave my old friend a hug. He was the only other student from Morton borough who was selected to join the Peacemaker training program. I squeezed him tight and leaned back to find him red-faced and sheepishly grinning.
“I’m honored to be working for you, Ms. Greenwood.”
“I’m honored to have you here.”
The permanent scowl on her face told me Georgia didn’t concur.
Emmaline strolled into the room behind us. “Sorry I’m just now arriving, we had some business to wrap up downstairs. I see that you’ve already met up with your old peers,” she said with her plastic smile.
I looked at Edgar again and gave him a reassuring smile. Edgar always was a smart guy, he just needed a little encouragement from time to time. I hoped Georgia wouldn’t use that against him here.
Emmaline introduced the other Empaths in the reading room. A curvy girl named Keema with deep brown eyes and a dark bun on the top of her head took the lead.
“So far we’ve learned that the plumber is having a slow week,” she said. “He’s out of ham, so he’s disappointed to be eating bread and butter instead of a sandwich for lunch. He also thinks Mrs. Mitterstein on 132nd Street may have been flirting with him. And he uh— is okay with that.”
I inhaled sharply. These weren’t just general feelings. These were extremely specific thoughts they were interpreting. It was astonishing. Remarkable and terrifying all wrapped up in one.
“Wonderful.” Emmaline flashed her pearly white teeth again. “Well minus the part about Mrs. Mitterstein. Let’s hope nothing comes of that.” She chuckled. “Very well done, everyone. Let’s hope that the devices are equally effective Outside with multiple subjects in the amplification area. I know that it will be more of a challenge, but I’m confident this group will be able to handle it beautifully.”
Then she turned back to face me, a smile still wide on her perfect petite face. “The only thing left is for you to do your part Ms. Greenwood. I am so looking forward to discovering what kind of information you can turn up for us.”
CHAPTER 8
The rest of the training was a blur—mainly just reinforcing what I’d already learned in the first two days. I spent the rest of the weekend mostly just pacing back and forth in my room to avoid Dax. He was instructed to stay by my side at all times, but thankfully he gave me privacy while I was in my own room.
My mind was spinning. I only had two days in the boroughs before it was go-time. If I ran off, the Leadership would criticize Felix for selecting me to lead this operation. Their trust in him would be broken, severing one of the Ember Society’s deepest connections to the Center. I would hurt them more than help them if I ran.
And even if I did jump ship, they would quickly replace me and carry out the plan anyway.
Dax said the Embers knew Triple-T was coming, but I couldn’t see any way to prevent the damage that would be done because of it. With the amplifiers in place, none other than Georgia Hines would be listening in on their every conversation, their every thought. She wouldn’t hesitate to report everything back to her mother, and Justice Hines had already expressed her desire to kill them all.
It was a lose-lose situation. The only hope I had was in Raf. I had to talk to him in Morton before we took the devices Outside. He would know what to do. He always did.
Sunday evening after a quick and quiet supper in the dining room downstairs, Felix knocked on my bedroom door. “Hey, do you have a minute to chat?”
“Sure. Come on in.”
He entered quietly and sat on the edge of my bed, absentmindedly smoothing the duvet cover between us. The skin on the back of his hand still looked sunkissed— a beautiful golden brown even in the dead of winter. It was warm and inviting against the cream-colored bedding.
We sat together in silence for a few minutes, watching the fabric wrinkle and smooth again and again before he spoke. “Sorry if I’ve been a little cold this weekend. I know we won’t be seeing as much of each other beginning tomorrow, and I don’t want you to go without apologizing to you first. I didn’t mean to be so harsh last week.”
“What do you mean? You weren’t harsh at all.” He had been a little more quiet and off to himself than usual, but I never thought Felix was being unfriendly or cold. In fact, he didn’t even seem upset after the initial incident with Rider had passed.
Even now he didn’t seem angry. But there was definitely something going on in his mind. Felix was uneasy.
His gaze was fixed on the bedding between us, so I placed my hand on his, bringing his eyes up to mine. They sparkled in the low lamplight of my room.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
“It’s as okay as it can be, I guess.” Felix shrugged.
I knew what he meant. This whole situation was awful. Like me, he must have been feeling the anticipation and dread over the upcoming week. We hadn’t really discussed any of it over the weekend because Felix didn’t like to talk in front of his staff. But it was nice to know I wasn’t alone. Felix was just as worried about the Outsiders as I was. Dax probably was, too.
I nodded along in solidarity, but it didn’t seem to help. I hated to see him so distraught.
“I really do think it will be alright.” Maybe if I was strong for Felix I could convince myself that it would all work out, too. “I have a friend back in Morton who I plan on meeting up with before we go Outside this week. He’s got some pretty strong connections with the Embers, so I’m hoping he’ll be able to offer some guidance.”
Felix dropped his eyes again, nodding slightly as he swallowed a lump in his throat. I watched his Adam’s apple bob behind freshly shaven skin and I had the oddest desire to reach out and touch it. I just wanted to feel the smoothness of his skin for myself. What was wrong with me? When did I become some weirdo who randomly touched guys’ necks?
I shook it off and rubbed my thumb gently on the back of his hand, instead. “Really. I know it’ll be alright. We’ll find a way to save them.”
“The Outsiders aren’t the ones I’m worried about.” Felix looked up again, locking eyes with me. “I’m more concerned about you. I care about you, Claren.”
My heart pounded in my chest as Felix’s emotions grabbed a hold of me. I knew what he wanted, but I couldn’t look away. The rush of his pulse and the warmth of his skin were pulling me in, his desire washing over me to the point where I almost believed it was mine. I found myself leaning in, shifting my gaze down to his full lips. He continued to close the gap between us, and I abruptly stood, brushing my shirt straight.
“Well I guess I better get ready for bed. We’ve got a full schedule tomorrow.”
Felix chuckled quietly, dropping his chin with a small shake of his head. “That you do.”
My breathing was heavy and I had never been happier that Felix wasn’t an Empath. He looked good sitting on the edge of my bed, too good, with the top button of his work shirt undone after a long day and his hair ever so slightly disheveled. “Will I see you down at breakfast tomorrow?”
Ever the gentleman, Felix stood as well. “I wouldn’t miss it.” I watched his eyes take me in for another beat before he finally made his way to the door. He turned the knob halfway before looking back over his shoulder once more. “Goodnight, Claren Greenwood,” he said with a smile.
“Goodnight, Felix Walsh.”
I feared breakfast would be uncomfortable the next morning after our close encounter, but Felix was all business. He and Dax were busy firming up plans for our trip, and it was time to go before I’d even finished my oatmeal.
Felix took my hand as we were preparing to step into the van parked out front and wished me luck. “Emmaline says you’re the best, and based on what I’ve seen, I don’t doubt it a bit. Do whatever you need to do to learn all the details surrounding these missing people.” Then he leaned in close, his warm breath tickling my ear as he whispered, “Remember—not everyone has been accounted for out there. Let’s f
ind our people.”
He shook Dax’s hand next, and waved a goodbye as the shiny black door to our vehicle slid open before us.
Inside the van sat the rest of my team, or at least the rest who would be leaving the Center with us. Aiden drove, which was unsurprising given his need to control every situation. Emilio sat beside him in the front seat. Rider was in a captain’s chair in the middle row, and the bench seat in the back was mostly full of boxes and equipment.
“Well, I guess I’ll slide into the back,” Dax said, squeezing between the supplies and propping one long leg up on a box on the floorboard.
Which meant I was left sitting beside Rider.
He nodded a greeting and turned to gaze out the window, not speaking a word to me as we pulled away from Felix’s house. And naturally, I had no idea what he was feeling, but I wasn’t foolish enough to test those waters again. I watched Felix’s house grow smaller as we pulled away, and Aiden immediately launched into our itinerary for the day.
“Today we’ll try to visit all the northern boroughs, starting near the Center and working our way outward. It’s imperative that we finish as early as possible though. The sun sets around six o’clock, and Emmaline insists that we get out of the outer boroughs before sundown.”
Part of me was excited to see the northern boroughs. Until a few weeks ago, I’d never left the southern part of Classen City. I’d never needed to. But the Peacemaker training brought me to Noble borough near the Center, and now I was right in the middle of everything. Cato would’ve loved to hear about these adventures.
My heart still stung at the thought of my brother. He was the reason I was so dedicated to this cause. The Ember Society was almost a part of him now. I never would have known life outside of the city existed, and I certainly wouldn’t have realized the freedom that life offered if I wouldn’t have followed Cato that fateful night after my aptitude test.