“I see you looking at those woods,” hissed Tiber at Stef. It seemed she thought about the same things. Stef shot Tiber a look she never would’ve given a master. No one liked Tiber, even here. He smiled at her, part leer and part threat.
“There’s nothing for you out there.”
“How do you know?” Stef said under her breath as she knelt to pick up the potatoes I’d dug up.
“Don’t pay him any mind,” I whispered to her as I started on the next hill.
“I don’t,” she said. “But I’d sure like to brain him with your shovel. He must be the only person who likes it here.”
“Yeah, it suits him,” I agreed, keeping an eye on Tiber walking down the row to empty his basket.
“It would be so easy to slip away if he wasn’t around.”
“And go where?”
She shrugged. “Doesn’t matter where.”
“Besides, you do that, and we’ll all suffer for it.”
“If we all went, it—”
“Shh!” I warned her. I wasn’t so sure Anne wouldn’t turn her in.
“She’s okay. She’s a friend,” said Stef.
“How do you know I am?”
“I’ve seen how you look at the woods. You don’t hide it so well.”
I wiped the sweat off my cheeks where the fall wind hadn’t dried it. Mother’s Love was brilliant orange today with trails of hot pink tracing the clouds. Surely it would burn through any electrical signal the Masters might send. Every day I was out here I went through this. I could run. I could even get away. But where was Alana? If she was still with the Reticents, I couldn’t leave her.
In my daydreaming, I missed the slight form of Stef stealing away. Tiber took off after her. His bulk slowed him down, but his determination made up for it. He was going to get her. Stef wasn’t too bright, but I didn’t want her to get hurt. Without the microchip to control her, Tiber would surely beat her.
I threw down my shovel and sprinted after him, reaching him as he plowed into her. Stef was ready for him with a punch to his throat. He toppled her, but he sputtered and gagged, trying to clear his crushed windpipe. Stef took the opportunity to kick his chest hard with both feet. I pulled him off of her, but she did the hard work of knocking his breath out. He flopped over gasping for air he couldn’t find. Stef struggled too, holding her arm tight around her ribs as if they hurt, but she took off again.
“Damn it, Stef, stop!” I shouted, running after her. Having to dodge through the trees slowed her down. Her feet slipped on the damp, fallen leaves, giving me the chance to catch her in my arms and tackle her to the ground, but she never stopped moving
“Don’t … don’t make me stay here,” she begged. “Please.”
Her breath on my face was ragged as I fought to still her flailing arms and legs without hurting her.
“Stop … listen … ”
She grabbed me back. “No! You stop! If you want this, that’s fine, but don’t choose for me.”
“But you’ll be killed.”
“This is my choice, Recks.” Her eyes burned into mine, and I released her. She lay perfectly still like a moth that doesn’t know it’s been freed yet, her eyes wide.
“Go on then! Run!”
“Come with me.” She pulled my sleeve as she scrambled to her feet.
“I can’t. Go!”
She disappeared into the brush. I hesitated, not knowing what to do next, when the red-robed guards stepped into the clearing and zapped me. The pain blinded me with colors: whites, oranges, and dark pinks. I might’ve heard someone yelling “stop,” but I couldn’t be sure.
I woke up later in my bed, the ache in my neck still fierce. It was way worse than any other discipline I’d experienced, and I realized then that the chips could kill. Bane never said as much, but there was no doubt. I wondered if Stef made it or if she was dead. I would’ve cursed her if I thought she’d actually escaped. Maybe the trees blocked Mother’s Love enough for the chips to work? Or the Reticents figured out a way around it?
Hours later, a Reticent I didn’t know came to my room. Without thinking, I sprang out of my bed. My legs like jelly, I collapsed in a heap. Rather than the shooting pain I expected from the Reticent, a cool, soothing sensation spread from my neck into my shoulders and down my spine. He helped me stand.
“You must prepare yourself for an audience with Master Anders,” he said.
“Audience?”
“He wishes to speak with you. Bathe.”
Maybe I wasn’t out of the woods yet. Maybe he planned to make an example of me. I didn’t move, my thoughts too overwhelming.
“Quickly,” urged the Reticent, not unkindly. He pointed to the sink on the wall.
“What would Master Anders want with me?” I asked, shuffling to the sink. I turned on the water and let it flow over my hand until it warmed my skin. Such an amazing thing, warm water deep inside the building with no sign of a fire anywhere. I’d seen so many wonderful things here, things I’d never imagined possible. What good was any of it?
“Master Anders wishes to meet the man who attempted to stop the escape.”
I held my breath to hide my surprise and splashed the water on my face. I wet a small cloth and used it to wash under my arms, feeling my hands shake. It didn’t seem possible Anders would want to congratulate me.
“I really did nothing. He should talk to Tiber,” I mumbled.
“I’m sure he has.”
***
I accompanied the Reticent to a chamber I’d never been to before. I recognized it as an elevator, but it was smaller than the ones we recruits normally used. Inside, the walls were padded with dark leather, and the lighting was subdued like candlelight. We stood in the elevator for a long time moving silently up or down, I didn’t know which. My mind was too busy worrying over the tale I’d tell Anders. What had Tiber already told him? I’m sure Tiber would make up all kinds of lies given the opportunity. He might’ve even told the truth, but did he know the truth? That I’d let Stef escape?
When the elevator doors finally opened, it was clear we’d traveled upwards. Sunlight streamed into the enormous room through the huge windows that lined three sides. Outside was a view of the forest I’d never seen except in the daily downloads. We were many stories higher than the trees, and in the distance was a range of jagged mountaintops. If the room hadn’t been crowded with red robes, those mountains would’ve drawn me in immediately. A white dusting of snow laced the peaks, a reminder of the coming winter. But more than that, they reminded me of the stories I’d told Alana of a special place in the far away mountains of the East. The look on her face, the hope that such a place might be real, made me want to believe the lie myself.
Quickly the red robes came into focus. They milled about in small groups, hoods off in casual conversations. My companion led me through the throng of red robes to a group of men seated on what looked like thrones above us.
“This is Recks, Master Anders. I’ve brought him as requested.”
Anders nodded. “So you have. Thank you.”
Dismissed, the Reticent bowed and left me to face Anders alone. His watery eyes traveled over me. My chin jutted out. I refused to let him see my fear.
“Please be seated with Recruit Tiber,” he said, gesturing to where Tiber knelt on the floor in front of him. I sank down on the cushion next to Tiber, who glared at the floor as if he hated it more than anything in the world. He didn’t look up at me at all. Instead, he shook in frustration, his fists clenched. Perhaps his chip was administering discipline? It was the only explanation for his strange posture. A single drop of blood fell from his nose onto the shiny marble floor.
Anders pretended not to notice Tiber’s discomfort. In fact, he seemed relaxed and pleased with the company of the Reticents around him. Someone served Anders a glass of wine. While I waited for him to address me, I counted eight men on elevated seats, three to his left and four to his right. Who were thes
e people?
“We haven’t properly met,” said Anders after he sipped his wine. The drink stained the cracks in his wrinkled lips purple-red. “I’m Master Anders, leader of the Reticents and your spiritual guide.”
“Spiritual?” I was immediately sorry I’d said anything. All the teachings I’d received thus far suggested there was no spiritual world outside of our own. Mother Sun had no cognizance as the others were taught.
“Of course. All beings have a spirit. Have you not been taught this?”
Was this a test? I knew I’d never been taught this in the downloads. They were all science. He must know that. Too confused to lie, I answered truthfully.
“No.”
Anders looked surprised at my answer. “Who is your instructor?”
“Master Bane,” I admitted, hoping I hadn’t said the wrong thing.
“Bane? Where’s Bane?” Anders searched the crowd, which had quieted by now listening to my audience. Some of the red robes shuffled aside and Master Bane stepped forward.
“I’m here, Master Anders,” he said with no hesitation. He stood beside me. Even Tiber turned his bug-eyes a bit to see Bane, but his posture never changed. Having Bane next to me calmed my nerves.
“You haven’t instructed young Recks in matters of the spirit?”
“We have yet to reach that module, Master Anders.”
“Surely he can handle it?”
“Yes, Master, but his co-student cannot process the information as quickly, and I didn’t want to risk confoundment.”
“No student should be permitted to hold another back. Separate them.”
“Yes, Master.” Bane bowed and stepped back. So I wasn’t to be punished. I still couldn’t relax. Why was Tiber here? What had happened before my arrival? It was all I could do to keep from staring at Tiber, who could never be quiet this long unless something was terribly wrong.
“They tell me you were involved in the escape attempt the other day,” said Anders in a tone that wondered at the truth. This time, I was wise enough not to answer and risk incriminating myself. Tiber had obviously told a tale and been punished for it. Who knew what the Masters had seen?
“You and Recruit Tiber tried to stop the poor girl from making a grave mistake. I wonder, how is it that such a tiny girl escaped from two strong, healthy young men? It seems so very unlikely.”
I felt like a fish being baited. Anders wanted to know if I’d bite. If I did, he’d reel me in for dinner, I was sure. He even smiled a little, enjoying teasing me. My instinct told me to stay silent. Trying to outwit him would be impossible.
“Recruit Tiber here told us you were trying to escape as well. He’s being punished for his lies.”
“No, Master,” I said.
“No?”
“I tried to stop her without hurting her.” That was the truth, at least part of it.
“You showed her mercy.”
“I tried.” I bowed my head, ready for my punishment. Being merciful didn’t seem to be a Reticent value. For a very long moment nothing happened. I’m not even sure I took a breath as I steeled myself for more pain that never came. Finally, Anders broke the silence.
“You are young and still new to our ways. You’ll learn. She did not escape, so no harm was done.”
My eyes flew open at that news. No escape. Where was she?
“Perhaps the two of you should help with the young lady’s Cleansing?”
I felt myself recoil, my nostrils flare at the horrible thought, but I fought my instincts and stayed quiet.
The punishment Tiber suffered must have ended then because he was able to press his palms to the floor and take a deep, choking breath. He coughed hard, the only sound in the room now.
“Yes, I think that’s a capital idea,” said Anders, agreeing with himself. “Let’s plan on that.”
Anders got up from his throne as the other red robes applauded his decision. The other enthroned Reticents stood as well and the quiet in the room vanished as everyone returned to their conversations. Anders walked up to me. His extreme height forced me to lift my chin to look him in the eye.
“Consider it an important step in your educational journey. Bane will return you both to your quarters,” he said. “See you soon.”
And then he and his entourage were gone, swallowed by the crowd of red figures. As I watched them go, I noticed one with a familiar posture, a hobbling gait. I reached for his arm, and the man gave me a stony glare that said, Don’t.
It was Kinder.
At night I slept in fits, awake half the night and nightmares the other half. One night, I awoke to something more disturbing than my dreams. A sudden pressure over my mouth was too much for me to breathe and I gasped for air.
“Be quiet!” a low voice hissed near my face. A candle by my bed was the only light in the room. I grasped the stranger’s wrists to pull them away.
“Make a sound and we’re both dead,” the man warned.
“Who are you?” I demanded.
“Have I changed so much that you don’t know me?”
My eyes worked to focus in the gloomy light.
“Kinder?”
He relaxed his grip on me. “One and the same.”
“How are you here? We took you for dead,” I sputtered.
“And yet I live like a cat that can’t be killed or caught.”
“Except that you’re caught this time. There’s no escaping this place.”
“For you perhaps. Not for me.”
“Then why haven’t you left? Haven’t you learned what you wanted to know? Like just how brutal the Reticents are?”
“I’ve learned much in my time here, but there’s more. There’s a reason they call The Council of Eight the Secret Keepers.”
“Oh?”
“They hold a secret far more dear than anything you’ve been taught so far. A secret of great power to preserve or destroy. I must know what it is.”
I flopped back down on my pillow. Kinder and his insatiable need to know everything hadn’t changed at all.
“Good luck with that,” I said.
“There’s one thing. I need your help.”
“Absolutely not.” Kinder had gotten me into enough trouble. I didn’t need more. “I’m just a storyteller, remember? A thief. Not a tinkerer.”
“But you must!”
“No. The last time I tried to help someone, they were sentenced to death. That’s how much good it does.”
Kinder’s eyes flickered away from my face to the floor for a moment.
“Would you do it for Alana?” His blue eyes burned into me again.
“I don’t think she’s here anymore.” I didn’t want Kinder to see my excitement or hear my heartbeat quicken at the sound of her name. He knew something, but would he tell me?
“I haven’t seen her for weeks,” I added.
“She isn’t gone. They keep you separate from many of the recruits.”
“Why?”
“Bane hasn’t told you? About why you received an audience with Anders?”
“No. He’s said nothing of Anders. Not even when I’m supposed to attend the Cleansing with him.”
Kinder sucked in a breath as if to speak but hesitated.
“Do you know something?”
“That I do. I’d tell you, but I need your word you’ll help me.”
“Why should I believe anything you say, Kinder? Have you told me the truth once since I’ve known you? For all I know, you’ve been a Reticent all along, even though it makes no sense at all. None of this makes any sense.”
“It may be true, Recks, that I’ve been less than honest with you, but I have my reasons.”
“Well then, you’ll excuse me if I decline your offer. I have no interest in what the Reticents have prepared for me.” Again, I tried to imagine how I could save Stef or escape during the Cleansing.
“You have to help me. This is bigger than all of us, Recks. Once w
e have their secret, we can free everyone.”
I closed my eyes.
“There must be something you want?” he added.
“Prove to me you’re telling the truth. Let me see Alana. Then I’ll decide whether to help you or not.”
“That could be difficult.”
“Everything here is difficult. Find a way or don’t expect my help.”
Kinder rubbed his stubbly chin and considered what I’d said. “Where are you allowed to go?”
“The mess hall, the corridors between here and there, and my classroom. Some days the gymnasium.” My leash had become very short indeed.
“Ask Bane if you can visit the library tomorrow.”
“Library? What’s that?”
“It’s a repository for books, knowledge and the like.”
“Where is it?”
“It’s in the tower not far from the room where you had your audience.”
“Bane’s never spoken of it. How am I supposed to explain how I know of it?”
“I don’t know. Recruits talk. Tell him someone mentioned it and you want to see it. Believe me, you really do want to see it. It’s the largest collection of books in the western hemisphere.”
“Okay, so say Bane lets me go or takes me there. Then what?”
“That’s where you’ll see Alana, but whatever you do, for pity’s sake, don’t speak to her. You nearly ruined everything that day in the gym.”
“How do you know she’ll be there?”
“That’s where she works, with me.”
“With you?”
“It was my idea. They needed a place to put her. Make another scene and they’ll want to remove her permanently.” Kinder raised his crooked index finger to make a point.
“But why? What do they care?”
“Men and women are not allowed friendships here. Not at your level. It causes undue complications and escape attempts. You betrayed feelings for Alana that day. You mustn’t let it happen again.”
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