by Aaron Slade
“YOU’RE SORRY?” Casper yelled. “You destroyed my family’s house and you’re sorry! Do you know how much history was in that house? My whole life was there!”
Randy undoubtedly hated himself, scowling at the floor, and for the first time since meeting Randy, he looked small. “I don’t even remember doing it. It’s like the last few days have been erased from my mind. When I try to remember, all I can see is black… nothing.”
Casper looked at Mrs. Grindle as if wanting her to confirm Randy’s story.
“He’s not lying,” she confirmed.
I realized Mrs. Grindle had an knack for knowing when people lied. There was sincerity in Randy’s eyes. I could tell that his own actions truly haunted him. He looked vulnerable– something I had never seen in the two months I’d known him.
“I contemplate someone compelled him to do it,” Sara said. “When Adam and Casper disappeared, Randy still sat at the table with Seth and me. The day he demolished Casper’s house, he acted somewhat peculiar.”
“It’s true,” Seth said, “but I just thought the old Randy was back.”
I put together what must have happened, and I had to defend Randy. “I think Zana made Randy do it. She can compel people to do anything she wants.”
Even though Casper knew the truth it was still hard for him to address Randy. He frowned at Randy as he tried to talk. “It’s…alright. But the two of you shouldn’t be here. It’s too dangerous for…”
“I’ve deduced the truth,” Sara interrupted. Her glasses slipped down her pointy nose, and she pushed them back up. “You possess an extra-human trait.”
The whole room went silent, waiting for Casper’s reaction. He had to make the decision whether or not to allow Sara and Randy to know the truth about his ability, but Sara continued before Casper could speak.
“I have extra-human intelligence, Casper. My brain absorbs more attention to detail and processes information quicker than others. You should relish in the fact that you were able to conceal the truth from me this long. When Randy told me what really occurred in the fight between you two, I grew suspicious.” She laughed and arched an eyebrow. “But I was shocked when I discovered that you’re the flyer.”
Casper didn’t hesitate to show his relief. “I’m glad you figured it out, Sara. I’m sorry for not telling you sooner, but…”
Sara stopped Casper. “I’ve put it all together. The Military’s lying, and I think I can help.” Sara grinned almost mischievously as she told us her plan.
Sara and Randy both volunteered to join our group; Sara out of loyalty to Casper, and Randy out of guilt for what he had done. Sara formulated a plan within minutes of knowing everything that we knew. Her superior intelligence was something that proved itself to be more than just useful– it was going to save all of us. She had an abundance of confidence in her ability, and the faith she had in her plan was contagious.
“So at the town meeting tonight, Evee will tell everyone the truth,” Sara said. “If Evee tells the town she wasn’t really kidnapped, they’ll believe her. Then she can inform everyone about the Military’s plans. And the best part is no one can stop her.” Sara giggled smugly. “No one can touch her in her phantom body– it’s too perfect.”
Sara had satisfaction with her plan. She took over Mrs. Grindle’s kitchen table, making a remarkable drawing of city hall and the town square so that she could tell people where to take position. She staged the whole plan, and everyone was on board– even Seth’s mom, who I had imagined would want to stay out of harm’s way and protect her son. Mrs. Grindle understood the risks, but was still prepared to fight.
“There’s still a chance they won’t believe us,” Adam said. He refused to have the same confidence in Sara’s plan as everyone else.
“I can be pretty convincing,” I added. “The fact that I’m the Colonel’s daughter is our biggest advantage. People will see that it’s hard for me to go against my father, making my story more believable. Plus, why would we lie?” I hid my nerves well, especially from Adam who would probably call me out on it. In everyone’s eyes, I’d act against the Military, but in my mind, I knew I was going against Dad. Casper must have seen my aura, because he knew my anxiety. He stayed close to me, and I took comfort in his presence.
Adam remained skeptical. “People are going to want proof. All we have are words.”
“We have proof,” Sara said. Her eyes darted toward Casper. “The Military announced they arrested the flyer, but if Casper reveals himself, everyone will know that the Military’s lying.”
Adam shook his head immediately. “That’s too risky. Casper’s been lucky enough to keep his ability a secret this long– I don’t think we should just show the town.”
“I’m not sure about it either,” Casper said. He zoned out, deep in thought, and I knew he was nervous now.
I wanted to tell Adam that everyone needed him to be positive, especially Casper.
“It’s just a measure of last resort if the people don’t believe Evee,” Sara said. “I know it will be risky, but it will prove our story’s authenticity.” She addressed Casper. “Exposing yourself is worth saving Fallon.” Sara’s face turned even more serious. “Everyone needs to understand that if this works, things will never be the same again. Fallon is only the beginning– the truth will spread from here and other survival cities will reject the Military’s rule.”
Sara’s words caused an eerie silence in the room, and even she looked devastated after saying them. Mrs. Grindle looked down at Seth, Casper and Adam caught each other’s eyes, and Randy’s head hung low. With the exception of me, everyone else in the room had lived in Fallon their entire lives. This place was their home, and they all feared the uncertainty of what would happen to it if we went through with the plan.
All the guys sat at the kitchen table with Sara, who went over the plan again all afternoon and into the evening. She pointed at the detailed map of the town square, and plotted what everyone would be doing. Randy, Seth, and Mrs. Grindle would be in the audience, while Casper and Adam would be on top of a nearby building in case they were needed. Sara wrote the proper dialogue for Randy and me, but I struggled to remember everything. Sara said some improvisation wouldn’t hurt. Randy’s job was to ask the right questions and I would give convincing answers. But Randy had to appear as a skeptical member of the crowd– easy enough when he was the town hero for burning down the Vance’s house.
“Fly in from this building if Evee gives you the cue,” Sara instructed Casper. She pointed at the map’s sketch of a building.
“It’s almost time,” Mrs. Grindle said. “We need to go.”
Everyone left the house except for Casper, Adam, and me. We wanted to give the others a head start. The three of us remained in the living room, trying to gather our courage.
“It’s alright to be scared,” Casper said.
“I’m not scared.”
His eyes turned skeptic.
“Is my aura gone?” I asked
He nodded.
“I’m a little scared,” I confessed. “But not for why you think.” The destruction of Seattle kept playing in my head like a bad movie on repeat. “I’m scared that they won’t believe me, and everyone in Fallon will die.”
“We’re not going to let that happen,” he said, pointing at Adam, “even if Adam has to teleport every man, woman, and child to the Texas Territory.”
I laughed at his joke.
Adam accepted the challenge. He looked at his watch. “We need to go.”
“I’ll go first,” I said. “Be careful… both of you.” I closed my eyes.
I concentrated on the mental image of the town square in my head. On school mornings, I drove by the square, and the clock tower of the courthouse was an easy visual. When I opened my eyes, I appeared behind a giant crowd of people under the chiming clock tower. I stood under three flags: two scarlet Military flags with the silver falcon heads and the official white Fallon flag. They whipped and fluttered in the arid
wind.
Many people waited in the crowd, and I recognized several students from school. There was something nice about familiarity in a small town. I kept my head down, hoping no one would recognize me. I moved with stealth, but time slowed down. I began to understand that if I succeeded, these people’s lives would change. Something final was about to happen. My relationship with Dad would never be the same. Everyone gathered in front of a podium set up on a stage. The Military’s silver falcon seal hung on the front of the podium.
Behind me, on a building’s rooftop, I spotted the silhouette of two dark figures. It was Casper and Adam, waiting if they were needed, and I hoped with all my being that they weren’t. The last bit of sun set behind the building as the city’s lampposts turned on, illuminating the empty streets that stretched away from the crowd.
As I approached my designated position, a cloaked girl deliberately stepped in my path and raised a halting hand. She wore her hood up, but I felt her eyes force their way into my gaze. I froze, wondering if she worked for Dad.
“Don’t worry,” she said. “This will work.” She winked.
I didn’t know how to react, and I hesitated to let her see my confusion. I started to ask what she meant, but a boy approached us. He wore his hood up as well. “Cricket,” he said. “Let’s join Donnie.”
The girl he called Cricket smiled and walked away with him, waving at me.
I felt tempted to follow them, but just then, the crowd silenced as a short, balding man approached the podium. I took my position.
“Concerned citizens of Fallon,” his voice boomed through electronic speakers. “I’m Homer Allen, the editor of the Fallon Times. For those of you who don’t know, the extra-human seen flying over Fallon was caught last night. The Military removed the perimeter this morning, and new food rations will be delivered just in time for stores to open in the morning. But we are here this evening to discuss a different problem. For seventeen years now we have been plagued by a problem that should have been dealt with years ago.”
The crowd reacted to his words with a few cheers and a buzz of whispers. I walked around the edge of the mob, making my way to the front for easy access to the stage. I didn’t see any soldiers or Military officers, but I still kept a watchful eye out for Dad and Zana. I spotted Randy at the front of the horde in position. Our eyes met, and he gave a stiff nod.
“The Military gave me the authority to fix this problem,” the editor said. “Of course most of you know I’m talking about the human– Casper Vance.” He said Casper’s name like poison on his tongue.
Now that I faced the crowd, I could see their conflicted faces. Several expressions twisted with anger and hate, which I knew was directed at Casper. Other people in the crowd looked confused as if they didn’t know how to feel.
“The human kidnapped the daughter of Colonel Ford for the exchange of his traitorous parents– James and Amanda Vance,” Editor Allen continued. “We have to search the city to find Evelyn Ford, and the Military gave us permission to punish the human in any way we see fit. Once we find the Ford girl, there is a chance she may have been brainwashed. We have to be prepared to take her against her will– do what you will with the human,” he growled.
This was my chance. I’d been quiet for too long, and it was up to me to make things right. I ran on the stage, crowding the microphone, my body phasing through Editor Allen’s.
“PLEASE STOP!” I yelled. “I’m Evelyn Ford and I haven’t been kidnapped or brainwashed.” I was nervous with so many pairs of eyes on me.
The mass of people hushed. They weren’t expecting the kidnapped girl to take the podium and start talking.
“I’m here to tell you that the Military has been lying to Fallon,” I continued. “The Military is planning to destroy this city– everyone has to evacuate now!”
The editor tried to grab my arm and pull me away from the podium, but to his chagrin, he couldn’t touch me. His frustration became apparent when words failed him.
“D-Don’t be… alarmed,” he informed everyone. “This is just her EHT. The kidnapper has her real body hidden somewhere in the city.”
“Casper didn’t kidnap me,” I announced. “My father was holding me prisoner at the base so that I wouldn’t tell you the Military’s plans. You have to believe me. I’ve seen Colonel Ford do horrible and destructive things. I know what he’s capable of. He was using the barrier to keep you all trapped, so that it would be easier to kill everyone when the time came.”
I’d already forgotten most of Sara’s script when Randy ran onto the stage. He made it look like he was trying to stop me as he leaned into the microphone.
“If the Military is going to destroy Fallon, then why did they remove the barrier?” He phrased the question intelligently with a hint of anger. I hoped that the town wouldn’t think it was rehearsed, but Randy had already proved his loyalty to the town by burning Casper’s house. He stepped away from the podium to give me a chance to answer. The editor looked confused, but didn’t stop Randy or me.
“The Military didn’t remove the barrier,” I answered. “Adam Howard and Casper Vance removed it to rescue me. They came to the base to free me.”
The muttering from the crowd of people was hard to interpret. I imagined the chaotic dialogue baffled them.
“You have to believe me,” I said. “The Military is dangerous.”
“The Military protects us,” Editor Allen said. “The Military provides for us. This is nothing more than a cheap trick to confuse these good people. You don’t have any proof.”
I stood my ground at the microphone. “I’m the colonel’s daughter. Before I came to Fallon I lived in San Diego. My father used his soldiers to make the city more violent than it was. He is directly responsible for the deaths of thousands. He kidnaps people for their abilities.”
Another figure walked on stage. He stood taller than Randy did, but I recognized him as soon as I saw the uniform and grey hair. Dad.
With a stone face, he approached the microphone next to Randy and me. “The Military provides for everyone. We mean the people no harm. It pains me that my daughter has been turned against me. I love her very much and I would never do anything to hurt her.”
He hadn’t told me he loved me in several years, but he did it to play the crowd. It hurt, and I felt I could cry, but then my anger took control.
“You don’t know anything about love,” I cried. “If you did, you would never take innocent people from their families.” I turned back to the crowd. “People of Fallon, think about those who have disappeared over the years. Maybe you have a loved one the Military took away. They lie to us to justify their actions.”
The volume of the whispers grew in the mob. Whether they believed me or not, they were at least thinking. Surely, there had to be more people like Mrs. Grindle that had figured out the truth.
“I think that’s enough Evee,” Dad said. “Just tell me where your body is and I’ll come and get you.”
“I’M NEVER GOING WITH YOU AGAIN! Everyone, you have to believe me… Fallon will be destroyed. The Military doesn’t want anyone to know that the ability to fly exists. If you believe me, you have to respond now!”
I didn’t know what to expect. I wanted the crowd to yell or clap, but there was only silence. The sun finished setting.
“Please!” I cried.
Silence.
“It’s over, Evee,” Dad said. “People of Fallon, I need your help to find my daughter before any more damage is done to her. Search the city until she’s found.”
The crowd seemed hesitant, but obeyed. It was a few seconds before they began to move. They started to disperse from the court square. The plan hadn’t worked.
“WAIT!” I yelled. “Stop! I have proof!”
This grabbed everyone’s attention, and even Dad froze, but I had to speak quickly to keep everyone’s gaze.
“The Military lied when they said they’d caught the person who could fly,” I announced. “He’s still here in F
allon, and he’s not dangerous. The Military just invented that story so they could kill him.”
People talked more now. They yelled out, “PROVE IT!” More voices followed. “Where’s the flyer?”
“She’s lying,” Dad said. There was something desperate in his voice. “We captured the flyer last night!”
The multitude of people paid him no attention. They continued to demand the proof that I promised them. Everyone in the crowd whispered and talked, waiting to see a person fly.
I waited for Casper, but he was still on the rooftop. What was taking him so long? Thirty seconds passed, but nothing happened.
“You see,” Dad said. “She’s lying.”
“No,” I barked. “I promise you. He’s here.” My voice cracked. “I want him to know… that there’s nothing to be afraid of because… I love him.”
Dad was the first to react to my words, understanding their meaning. His eyes widened as Casper flew over the crowd and hovered over the stage. The crowd cooed in amazement of seeing someone fly for the first time. At first, they didn’t realize it was Casper, but when he faced them, everyone gasped in awe of the boy who they once thought to be human.
“Casper– Casper Vance– CASPER– Casper,” I heard ignite from the crowd.
Dad looked at me, probably wondering how he’d missed what had been right under his nose the entire time. I stared at him with narrowed eyes to let him know that he’d lost.
“You have to believe,” I said. “The Military is dangerous. They’re planning to destroy Fallon. We have to evacuate the city NOW.”
The people of Fallon stared at me, and then back at Casper who floated in the air. I could sense the millions of questions they had, but would be unable to ask. When the thought of the town being destroyed finally hit them, screams erupted and the crowd scattered.
“Leave the city as quickly as you can,” I shouted in the microphone. “Tell your neighbors– don’t leave anyone behind. Tell everyone! Tell everyone!”
Casper smiled down at me.