by Dylan Steel
THE VANISHED
SACRISVITA BOOK V
Dylan Steel
THE VANISHED: SACRISVITA BOOK V
Dylan Steel
Heritage Publishing
Copyright © 2016
www.DylanSteel.com
Cover design by Flappy Dog Designs.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places, and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ALSO BY DYLAN STEEL
1. THEORIES
2. THE MEETING
3. OPTIONS
4. TRAVAES
5. INSTRUCTIONS
6. THE CABINET
7. DETOUR
8. THE TECH
9. WITNESSES
10. TRUTH
11. GOOD MATCH
12. THIRTY-EIGHT
13. CONFESSION
14. DISCRETION
15. THE HOSPITAL
16. PEACE
17. THE BOOK
18. BEAUTIFICATION
19. THE ROOM
READ MORE BY DYLAN STEEL
ALSO BY DYLAN STEEL
Sacrisvita
THE INSTITUTION: Sacrisvita Book I
THE ARCHIVES: Sacrisvita Book II
THE RELIC: Sacrisvita Book III
THE ESTATE: Sacrisvita Book IV
THE VANISHED: Sacrisvita Book V
THE CAPTIVE: Sacrisvita Book VI
***
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1. THEORIES
“I heard the Lawless have been burying them alive.” A little girl with wide eyes was speaking very seriously to a little boy whose eyes were now equally large.
Sage let out a sigh, barely hiding her frustration. Penelope looked at her reproachfully as they continued down the hallway. Realizing she’d let out a louder exhale of exasperation than she’d intended, Sage shut her mouth tightly. She could only hope no one else had noticed—or if they had, that they wouldn’t know why.
Rumors about the disappearances had been circulating for months. This “buried alive” theory was the latest of dozens that students had come up with. Even if she had still thought the Lawless were behind the vanishings, she would have very much doubted that this pair of Level Sixes had somehow managed to learn the truth about what was happening to the missing people.
As they rounded the corner, the younger levels broke off into their respective Common Lounges. Sage and her fellow classmates—now Level Elevens—followed suit and piled into their new lounge.
Penelope looked around the room wistfully. She was always dealt a bout of nostalgia on the first day of their level promotions. Advancing to a more mature look was appropriate, but to her, it remained bittersweet. Sage, on the other hand, thought it was fitting. Even last year’s lounge seemed too childish for her at the time, and she was glad this new place had become a better reflection of her true age—the one that took into account her past hardships.
This Common Lounge was similar to the one they’d just spent the last year in, but its subtle differences didn’t escape her notice. The colors in the room were slightly more muted, just a shade deeper than before. The artwork hanging on the walls depicted fewer carefree, youthful scenes and now showed stills of people and landscapes. The furniture was firmer, less plush.
Hoping to be left alone, Sage headed straight to the back corner of the room, passing the tables and couches and wide open space. She settled in, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall as she took in the features of the new lounge.
Privacy was almost impossible to come by anywhere in the Institution, and the Common Lounge was no exception. For that reason, she wasn’t surprised when Penelope and a group of girls migrated in her direction after just a few seconds.
At first, Sage tried to block out the chatter, but she quickly found herself drawn in, unable to separate herself from the discussion.
“Mr. Petry’s class is going to be the worst. I just know it.”
“I heard he comes up with crazy punishments for not getting assignments finished on time.”
Yavelle, the first girl, snorted. “Like what?”
“Like having to wash all the walls and desks in a classroom—”
“That’s not so bad.”
“—with one hand tied behind your back.”
“What?”
“Seriously, he actually ties your hand to your back.”
“Nu-uh.”
“Yeah. A Level Fourteen told me.”
“Like you know any Level Fourteens.”
“Ms. Moss seems nice enough though,” another girl with a high-pitched, squeaky voice interrupted, abruptly changing the subject.
“We’ll just be lucky if none of our teachers disappear this year,” Marnie said sullenly. “Stupid Lawless.”
The rest of the group murmured in agreement. Sage mumbled something about how terrible it was that the Lawless were taking people. She didn’t want to appear out of place and raise suspicion, but lying about her true feelings about Eprah always twisted her stomach into knots.
Sinking back against the wall, she listened as all the other girls lamented about all those who had vanished.
“Do you think they would take any of us?” Pippa voiced the concern on everyone’s mind.
“Students?”
“They haven’t yet,” Marnie pointed out.
“But what if they do?”
“Please. There’s no way they can get to us in here. We’re safe,” Yavelle chimed in. She sounded almost bored by this turn in the conversation.
“Yeah, but if they could…”
Just then, Sage noticed a woman standing outside the Common Lounge doorway. It took a moment for Sage’s eyes to adjust to her back-lit figure. Her dark, almost black hair tumbled in large curls over her shoulders as she stood there, staring at Sage with bright, piercing eyes. Once she was certain she’d gotten Sage’s attention, she placed a hand delicately on the side of her neck, brushing aside her hair and revealing the pair of earrings she was wearing.
Sage stiffened. The jewelry looked familiar. Much like the other gemstone relics from the Archives.
She pushed herself off the wall, brows furrowed in curiosity. With her eyes still locked on Sage, the young woman tilted her head slightly, as if inviting her to follow her. Sage watched as she stepped to the side, disappearing from view.
None of the other girls noticed as she slipped away—except Penelope, who made a motion to join her and only stopped because Sage shot her a disapproving look. She couldn’t be sure of the woman’s motives, but she doubted she wanted any extra attention, even if it was well-meaning.
As she neared the door, she glanced around, making sure she was still alone. Satisfied no one was planning to follow her, she held her breath and stepped into the hallway.
Her eyes darted around in the direction she’d last seen the mysterious visitor. Sage glanced down the hall, meeting the woman’s gaze once again before she abruptly disappeared around the corner, her skirt fluttering behind her.
Attempting to catch up, Sage rushed silently along the corridors. The woman’s pattern of disappearing around corners repeated itself several times. Sage began to feel un
easy. After all, she’d never seen this person before, and she was only following her because she thought there was a chance she was wearing relics. For all she knew, this could be a trap. Maybe someone was trying to prove she was a Lawless.
Chest pounding, Sage slowed to a stop and then peeked around the corner.
Unlike the previous times she’d spotted her at the end of the hallways, the woman was now standing halfway down the corridor, near the wall. Her eyes darted from Sage’s to the door beside her. She paused for a moment, making sure Sage had seen the same door, then she turned on her heel and hurried away.
Doubts crept into Sage’s mind. She had no idea what she would find on the other side of that door. Yes, in this part of the Institution, it was likely just another classroom, but she got the impression there was more to this detour than just a stuffy classroom.
Sage was still worried this was some sort of plot against her. Hesitating for only a moment, she dashed down the hallway, turning the corner once more to see where the woman was now.
But there was no trace of her. Somehow, she’d vanished.
Muttering curses under her breath, Sage turned back and walked down the hall she’d just left. Stopping just outside the door, she stared at it for a few moments as if daring it to open and spill its secrets. She swallowed hard. She couldn’t keep standing in the hallway—she had to hurry up and make a choice. Trust that the stranger who’d led her here meant her no harm, or turn back around and make her way to the Common Lounge again.
If the woman meant to lead her into some sort of strange ambush, she was likely working for the administration. The headmaster, perhaps? Or Mr. Gaztok? Either way, they would have seen her chasing after the relics with more than a passing curiosity. If that was the case, she was already in more trouble than she cared to think about, and she wouldn’t be able to talk her way out of it very easily.
But she couldn’t think about that. She shook her head, clearing her thoughts. Her choice was clear.
She held her breath as she pushed open the door.
2. THE MEETING
Sage’s eyes widened in shock. She’d just opened the door to a tech room, but that was hardly the most surprising aspect of what she was walking into. In front of her stood Mr. Walsh and at least a dozen other students, all much older than she was.
It seemed they had been waiting on her arrival. Mr. Walsh gestured for her to join the others, but she froze. Her feet remained rooted to their spot on the floor, unable to move as she looked over the scene before her.
“Please. Join us.” He motioned toward her again.
She didn’t budge. “Wh-what is this?” Her timid voice echoed across the silence in the room.
“I’ll explain once you join us,” he repeated, his voice tinged with impatience this time.
She hesitated, stealing a glance back at the door.
“We don’t have much time, Sage.”
The hint of urgency in Mr. Walsh’s voice didn’t escape her notice. Her legs started moving forward on their own as questions swirled through her mind, but she didn’t say anything else as she joined the others around the central table.
Mr. Walsh turned to face the students. “Thank you all for being here,” he began. “Assuming everyone cooperates, this meeting will be short.”
She squirmed uncomfortably when Mr. Walsh paused, his eyes meeting hers.
“I know the great risk we’re all taking. I cannot stress enough how much what you do matters. Or how appreciative our leaders are.”
Excitement coursed through Sage as a realization took hold of her. These students were Lawless too. A weight she hadn’t even realized was there lifted off her shoulders as she realized she was far from alone in this fight. She craned her neck, looking around the table, trying to study and memorize each face in the room. She didn’t want to forget who was on her side.
“But enough talk. I don’t want to start sounding like the headmaster.” He grinned slightly as soft laughter rippled across the room, then he held up a hand.
“I know you’re all curious about the disappearances, but I’m afraid I haven’t got much of an update for you. As far as we can tell—up to this point at least—all those who have vanished are Lawless. I know that’s not much comfort,” he said grimly, “especially since some of you will be graduating at the end of this year, but I don’t want to spout off conjecture. Our leaders are pursuing a few different options at the moment to see if we can find out whether or not the disappeared are even still alive. If they are, we will be moving forward with a rescue plan.”
A murmur of approval spread over the room.
“Bring ‘em home,” one of the boys at the opposite end of the table growled. He clenched his fists together and leaned forward as others chimed in with their agreement.
“We are doing—” Mr. Walsh swallowed, “—all we can.” He sighed. “I will keep you updated as best I can, but we need to move on for tonight. I have your assignments. As always, a great deal of planning has gone into them, so do not deviate from them in any way.”
A somber silence fell over the students as they waited for his next words. To Sage’s surprise, Mr. Walsh began addressing each student individually.
He turned to the girl nearest him, raising an eyebrow as observed her feet propped up on the table. “Fiona, your first choice will be Maksla. Your second, Calculdor. Your third, Historical.” He jabbed her shoes and pointed to the floor. “No scuff marks on the datatable. We can’t have anyone wondering if someone was here.”
Grinning mischievously, she planted her feet on the floor and nodded, her short black hair bobbing. “Can’t wait to spend all year with ya, Cap’n.”
Sage furrowed her brow. If the Historical Interest Society was supposed to be her third choice, why did she expect to be assigned there?
“You say that now,” he mumbled under his breath.
Turning to the next student, Mr. Walsh rattled off another set of choices. Remarkably, as he made his way through the room, he wasn’t looking at any notes. His instructions seemed to be coming from memory.
She held her breath as she realized she was the last one.
“Sage, your first choice is Naturagre. Your second, Travaes. Your third, Splahnkahn.”
“But…” she paused. He looked at her expectantly. “I-I’ve already been in Naturagre. Last year.”
He nodded. “I know. The order matters, Sage. It’s very unlikely the administration would put you in the same society again—especially since it will probably be in high demand this year. We would much prefer to see you in Travaes. But if that doesn’t work out, we can make do with Splahnkahn.”
Still confused, she blurted out, “I don’t even know what Travaes is!”
“You can find out over the next couple weeks as you visit your different options.” He shrugged, turning his attention back to the others. “Specifics will come later, once the administration has handed down your final assignments. You’ll hear either from me or a representative if and when missions arise. Any questions?”
Sage opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, he held up a finger to her, indicating she should wait. She pressed her lips together hard, impatiently. No one else said anything.
“Alright, then. Fiona and Mitch, why don’t you start us off with the departures?”
Just as suddenly as the meeting had started, it was over. Sage watched as Fiona looked at the boy sitting beside her and grinned, snatching his hand up in hers. The two rushed over to the door, poked their heads out, and left without saying another word.
“You three next.” Mr. Walsh nodded toward a set of girls sitting together. “Just wait two minutes.”
The three girls moved toward the door, chatting quietly as they waited for their cue to leave. After their turn had come and gone, Mr. Walsh pointed to another group and another, until he had directed all the students to leave in small groups or pairs. After several minutes, only Sage and the instructor remained.
Once the last of t
hem had gone, she looked at Mr. Walsh irritably. “Am I allowed to talk now?” she snapped.
He blew out a breath. “Yes, Sage. I figured you’d have questions, but I couldn’t delay the whole group for you. What would you like to know?”
Taken aback by the sudden permission, she felt herself grasping aimlessly for one of the queries she’d been storing up.
She blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Why do you care what all of us pick for Interest Societies?” Even as she asked, she realized she already knew the answer.
“Do you remember your mission a few months ago?”
“The relic?” How could she forget? She could practically still feel her heart hammering in her chest as she recalled the way the ring plunked in the bottom of the bucket.
He nodded. “As you may have guessed, yours was not an isolated one. We are constantly delivering and receiving intelligence, and we can’t afford to do it in the same manner too many times. It’s important that we have options spread throughout the Institution in as many places as possible—especially with Interest Societies that leave the grounds.”
Her forehead scrunched. “And Travaes—it leaves the grounds?”
A slight smile played at his lips. “Yes.”
“But what is it?”
Rubbing his fingers along his brow, he exhaled. “Something you’ll find useful, I’m sure. Frankly, you’ll get a better understanding of it just by visiting before making your selection, and we don’t have a lot of extra time to talk right now. You have to make it back before you’re missed.”
Sage stuck out her lower lip in protest of his answer. Curiosity burned inside her, but he was clearly unwilling to offer more of an explanation at the moment. She’d have to move on to another topic.
“I thought I wasn’t supposed to meet the rest of the Lawless here,” she said pointedly.
“You’re not.” He chuckled. “But believe me, you haven’t. And you won’t. These were just a few. But it’s impractical to do these Interest Society assignments one-on-one. There’s simply not enough time before you have to submit your selections.”
Her heart swelled, hope surging within her. There were others who hated Eprah too. And maybe, just maybe, a lot of others. She had no idea how freeing it would be to know—really know—that she wasn’t alone.