by RaeLynn Fry
There’s movement all around, dozens of feet pounding the paved surface, searching for us. I wonder if they realize how close we are.
Rebeka talks to us in a low voice while we walk, her lips barely moving from her structured smile. “Act calm, as if nothing’s wrong. If you don't, they'll know something’s out of place. Karis, smooth out your gate; Ethan, straiten your back. Military Guards don't look sloppy when they walk; they’re strong and lethal. And pull your hat down lower over your eyes.”
Ethan takes the advice to heart and stands as if he has metal pole running down his back instead of a spine. He pulls his hat a little lower over his eyes. I do as my mother instructs and focus on lengthening my steps, conscience about where I place my feet.
“Smile, Karis. Ethan, keep your face passive. Now, Ethan is escorting us through the city. This is common for women in my position. No one will think twice about it."
“Your position?” I ask through my smile.
“If for some reason we're stopped, I’ll do all the talking. Don't make eye contact with anyone. Especially a Guard.”
My neck starts to break out in a cold sweat. What happens if we’re stopped? What if they recognize us? I force the thoughts from my head and have to believe Rebeka knows what she's doing, and Ethan can protect me if it comes down to it.
The streets are empty and silent except for the occasional glimpse of Military Guards. I'm surprised we haven't seen more than we have, but I keep my head down and close to Rebeka until we round the last corner of the market.
The park is up ahead on the left; I can see the moon reflecting off the fountain and hear its steady drops and plops of water against the pool. Corporation Tower is behind us and the Hall, with its manicured gardens and paths, is ahead and to our right. But what I focus intently on is what's straight ahead. The Main Gate.
I'm almost home, I think. Almost home. Almost home.
Out of the shadows step three Military Guards. They approach us with strong strides, determined faces, and their hands at their hips, ready to draw their weapons, a response a little too eager for my liking. I clench and unclench my fists and take determined slow breaths. I’ll not let the emotions that are raging inside my chest show through. I need to pull this off.
“You three. Stop where you are,” a young Military Guard with dark hair says.
My mother stops us and lets out a loud, impatient sigh, placing her hands on her hips. The other two guards come up next to the first. They’re all young.
“You got this one, Derrick?” a blonde Guard asks.
“Yeah, yeah. You two go on ahead, finish the round. I'll catch up,” Derrick says.
The other two pass by without a second glance and make their way through the empty market stalls, looking behind displays and under canvases.
“What are you doing out? There’s a manhunt going on, and it’s not safe for any citizen, even with an escort,” he says, chest puffed up, shoulders back. He's looking each of us over with a harsh eye. I’m not happy about being questioned by a young Guard who’s obviously trying to prove himself. My eyes dart to the gate. Only thirty yards away. I could make it. I could run for the gate and make it before the Guard can stop me. My palms grow itchy.
“Excuse me, young man,” Rebeka steps forward. “Do you know who I am?”
His confidence falters as he looks at her harder, trying to pull some recognition from her face. “It doesn’t matter who you are,” he says in an attempt to recover. “There’s a strict curfew in place, Corporation’s orders. Where are you going?”
“To the meeting of course,” she answers with impatience.
“Meeting? I wasn't aware of any meeting.”
“That doesn't surprise me, given your standing in Dahn and the fact that you’re clueless as to my identity and rank. You probably weren't told about it because you weren't important enough to attend.” I cringe inwardly at the harshness of my mother's words and the fact that they come so easily.
The Guard’s neck turns a deep red. “I need to check this out and verify your story before I can let you continue.” His eyes dart from the Hall to us and back again.
Rebeka rolls her eyes dramatically and crosses her arms. “If we're late, the meeting doesn't happen. And I can assure you, when Mr. Hughes questions me as to our tardiness, I will mention you by name.”
The young Guard swallows. I can tell he's new at his post, and he doesn't want a spot on his record already, especially one this dirty. But he also isn't ready to give up so easily. “He doesn't look familiar.” Derrick nods to Ethan.
“And why would he?” Rebeka asks with an air of incredibility.
“He's in the Military Guard, same as me. So why haven’t I seen him before tonight?” He looks closer.
I feel Ethan shift his weight behind me, but my mother keeps her cool. Her voice narrows. “Again, I don’t know why that should surprise you. He’s my personal escort. Which means he’s been hand selected for my protection. By the Corporation, President, and myself. All his time is spent at Corporation Tower by my side, so it’s no surprise you haven’t seen him. Being only a patrol guard, you have no rank to be stationed inside the Tower.”
She turns to me. “Really, they'll let anyone be in the Guard these days, won't they?”
Her air of snobbishness and elite attitude surprise me. It comes so natural and seems to fit her so well. I begin to question again who my mother really is.
The Guard clears his throat and finally speaks. “I'm going to have to clear this with my superiors.”
“Fine, but we're not wasting time standing around while you do so. As you said yourself, there’s a dangerous person on the loose, and we're part of the solution. So go run along and confirm with your captain, and we'll go inside to the meeting. Don’t bother finding me to issue your apology. You can send it in writing to the Tower, care of Akin Hughes.”
She draws herself up to her full height and looks down her nose at him. She has him so flustered and in such a tangled knot, I finally have the confidence to look him in the eye. He really is young, probably only a couple of years older than myself, and he looks angry and embarrassed. Derrick gives a curt nod and walks away from us towards wherever his superiors are stationed.
When he's a couple of feet away, Rebeka lets out a heavy sigh. “Okay, follow me,” she says in a low voice. “We have to act like we're going to the Hall.”
“But there's not a meeting going on,” Ethan says.
“He doesn’t know that. I wasn't kidding when I said they'll let anyone be a Guard these days. As soon as he's out of sight, we'll make a run to the Main Gate. Once you pass it, don't stop until you get home, okay, Karis?”
I nod. “What about the cameras?”
“I already took care of those. Derrick’s seen you now, but hopefully he was too busy paying attention to me to get specific of details about you two,” Rebeka says.
We walk a little more towards the Hall. Rebeka looks over her shoulder to see where Derrick’s gone. “Okay,” she says. “It's time.”
We spin around, trying to keep to what shadows are available as we run quietly to the Main Gate. It hums with energy as we approach. I hope my Mark is intact enough to let me pass.
I wipe a thin layer of sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand. My energy is seeping from me faster than I can replenish.
“Are you okay?” Ethan asks. It hurts to see the concern in his eyes and not tell him the truth.
My mom looks over at me. “Just hurry and get her home for me, okay Ethan?”
“I promise.” He reaches down and takes my hand, giving it a light squeeze. “Ready?”
I nod and turn to Rebeka. “Are you?”
She shakes her head. “I'm not coming with you.”
Of course she isn’t. What was I thinking, that she’d come home, all would be forgiven, and we’d be a happy family again?
“It'll be better for me to stay here. Passing off a story of the young Guard’s incompetence and mistake in wha
t he saw will be easier if I’m there in person to dismiss his story.”
I'm surprised I don't want to fight her decision. Deep down, I know it's best if she stays away.
“Do me a favor, Karis,” she says.
“What?”
“Don't tell anyone—especially your father—that you saw me. It will only...complicate things.”
The ebbing of my dislike for her ceases. “Of course not,” I say tersely.
She gives me a small smile. “Okay then, you'd better get going. You don't have much time. Oh, Ethan?”
He trots over to her side. “Yes, ma’am?”
She takes his hand, slipping something inside, and whispers in his hear. He nods.
“Ethan,” I say. “We don’t have time.” He comes back to my side.
Rebeka stays to the shadows as Ethan and I inch closer to the Main Gate. It starts to hum and pulse. The electric pull and prick of the scanners intensifies. I’ve never been more thankful for the silence of the giant doors as they swing open with no more than a whisper.
Ethan steps through and the light glows blue. I hang back a bit, our arms stretching across the divide, different worlds at the same time.
“What are you waiting for?” he asks.
I’m not sure if there’s enough of my Mark to make the Gate work. I could die trying to cross. But I’ll most certainly die if I stay behind. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, stepping forward. There's a sharp prick in my arm where my Mark is, but it passes, and I'm on the other side of the threshold. I made it.
This time, I take the lead as we run through the tunnel towards the streets of the Outer City, the gate closing off behind us.
Twenty-seven
We race through the maze of dark twisting streets. Unlike Dahn, Neech is completely silent. Houses are still sleeping. The Corporation must have limited their bulletin to the Inner City. In our hurry, I’ve forgotten about masks and dusters, and I can already feel the burning in my lungs from the poisoned air. I pull the collar of my suit up around my nose and mouth, Ethan doing the same.
The entire time we’re running, we don’t see any Military Guards. I don’t question it; I’m grateful for the uninterrupted path home. It isn't long before we’re at my apartment.
I rush up and push on the door, but it's locked. I pound on the wood. “Papa! Open the door; it's me.” Ethan glances around us nervously, his hand on the gun at his waist.
A light flickers to life, glowing inside the house behind the drawn curtains. The lock on the door slides along its track, and a warm yellow crack appears. Papa’s face comes into view.
“Karis?” he says with wide eyes.
“Papa,” I push open the door and rush into his arms.
“Karis, where have you been? We've been worried sick! It's been over a week.” He hugs me tight, and I fold into his chest, breathing deep the familiar scent of my Papa. “You’re so thin.”
“I'll explain everything later, but right now there isn't any time.” I step past him and hurry into the living room, Ethan following like my shadow.
“Karis, why do you have a Military Guard with you?” There's alarm in his voice.
“It's okay; he's not really with the Guard. Where are Eta and Ajna?”
“Evening sir, my name's Ethan.” He takes off his hat and reaches a hand out to my Papa. “Forgive me, but as Karis said, there's no time to explain anything right now. We need to get to your son.”
“Eta thought it would be best if we moved him into the back room, where it's cooler. But I don’t understand; where have you been?” Papa finally says.
I'm racing through the kitchen and into the guest room where I see my little brother lying on a cot, Eta keeping vigil by his side.
Ethan gasps when he sees my brother for the first time. “Oh my—”
“Karis,” Eta says with anxiety on her tongue. “Did you—” She gasps. “Child, what’s happened to you?”
“I’m fine Eta, but Ajna isn’t.”
She nods once, worry creasing her eyes. “Did you get it?”
I don't question the fact she seems to know everything already. I wouldn't be surprised if she knew from the very beginning what I was planning. “We do,” I say.
“Would somebody please tell me what's going on inside my own home?” Papa has grown impatient, and I don't blame him. Everyone knows what's going on but him.
“Eta said the only thing left that could possibly help Ajna was Morrow,” I explain. Ethan hands Eta the small glass vial from his pack. “Since the Petition failed, and the Corporation issued Ajna’s Analysis, I knew I had to do things my way to try to save my brother.”
Eta works fast to prepare the medicine. I look down at my brother. His skin is almost translucent. The sores that had spotted his skin when I left are gone, replaced by large yellow and cream-colored lumps. His entire body looks swollen. I can see his eyeballs through his thin eyelids. He's barely breathing, and I know he’ll die in hours, if not minutes.
Eta sticks her pinky in the liquid and brings it up to her lips to taste. “Good, the Morrow’s complete.”
“I don’t understand,” Papa says. “Karis, where did you go? And who's this with you?”
“I've been in Dahn, Papa, and Ethan helped me get the medicine for Ajna.” I cross my legs and sit on the floor at my brother's head. “What can I do?” I ask, staring at the small, dying body in front of me.
“Nothing at this point. Just pray the medicine works.”
“You’ve been in Dahn this whole time?” Papa’s shocked, I know, but now’s not the time to comfort or explain.
I take my brother's small hand, holding it with the utmost of care. Eta tips the small glass container and pours it under my brother's tongue.
“How long will it take?” I ask.
“I don't know. If it works, it's still going to be a long road for him.”
“He can do it,” I say. “He's strong enough.”
I crack my neck. “It's so hot in here,” I say as I watch over my brother. I’m looking for any sign he's improving, that the medicine’s working.
I roll my shoulders and slip the heavy suit jacket off, sitting in only the thin shirt underneath. My body is rolling off wave after wave of sweat. It feels like I've been swimming, and my hair is already weighted down with dampness.
“Are you okay?” Papa asks, coming closer.
“I'm fine,” I say, the words so hard to get out. My breathing has become labored, and I can't put two thoughts together to find a reason why. “Maybe…just…some water.”
“She's not fine,” Ethan says. “Something's been wrong with her for a while. She doesn’t think I've noticed, but I have.”
“That's ridiculous,” I gasp. “Why is it so blasted hot in here?” I feel like I'm going to die, the heat of the room is pressing down on me so hard. Maybe I should lie down. That would make it a little more bearable. My hand slips from Ajna's, and I feel myself start to sway.
“Karis,” Ethan darts to my side, his burning hands on my shoulders.
“That hurts,” I say.
“What hurts?" Papa says.
“His hands. They're on fire,” I say.
“I'm not the one who's on fire, Karis. You're burning up. Your clothes are soaked,” Ethan sounds scared. I don’t want to scare him.
“Lay her down,” Eta orders.
My eyes are fluttering, near impossible to keep open so I don't see where he takes me, but I feel him lift my body in his arms and move me. The room spins and grows darker. If feels like I'm in flames. Lakes of fire are what I'm floating in.
I keep talking to them, but no one answers. Then I realize why. No words are coming out. My lips aren’t working anymore. All I have are my eyes.
I look at Ethan, and I’m terrified. He looks just as scared and angry. I try to tell him I’m sorry, but I feel my eyes tear up instead. I don’t want to die. I’m so scared.
And then, everything goes cold and dark.
Day fifteen
Twenty-eight
My head is stuffy and pounding. Pounding so hard. I lay still for a moment, eyes closed. The world starts to come back into focus. My body and brain feel like they've been running and running and running. And I'm so exhausted. I feel like I could sleep for days.
There's a quiet buzz in my brain. I take some deep breaths, and it slowly clears. I feel the stillness of the room around me. As I lie here, my last memories start to come back, and I do an inward groan. Ethan and I had just gotten back into the city. Eta gave Ajna the medicine.
Ajna.
I try to sit up, but my body feels as if it's weighted down, and no matter the effort, I can’t move. Then my mind moves to past that time. I passed out. My Mark. Am I dead? Is this what death is like?
I hear voices talking quietly from somewhere outside of me. I can't be dead. But something's happened. My body was breaking down. How did they stop me from dying?
I concentrate and put all the strength my weary body has into opening my eyelids. I feel them flutter and then lock down. I try again, harder. This time, I see slits of light.
“She's awake,” someone says, but I'm too unfocused to put a name with it.
“Karis?” A lisp. That one sounds more familiar. Strength comes from my heart, and I manage a smile.
My head rolls to the side where my name came from, and my eyes flutter open. Ajna's toothless grin is the first thing I see, and my body warms. His skin is plump and pink again, no sign of it ever being otherwise. His cheeks are rosy and his eyes bright. My brother is alive.
“Hey there, buddy,” I say with a sticky mouth. I feel my fingers twitch, trying to reach for him. He jumps forward and grabs my hand, rubbing his face on it.
“Gentle there, big guy.” I recognize that voice now. Ethan.
“I'm so happy you're awake,” Ajna says. “You've been asleep for so long!” He's dramatic when he says this.
“Oh, come on now.” My voice comes out in croaks. “I couldn't have been asleep for that long.”