“What happened up there?” her father asked, joining her.
“I don’t know. Jax was angry and tore apart my room. And she actually threatened to hurt me. I’ve never seen her act like this. She never acted out when I was in school or out with my friends, did she?” Ana looked at her father, genuinely puzzled.
“I wasn’t here most of the time, but I don’t remember your mother ever mentioning it. And I’m sure she would have, considering how much she disliked Jax.”
“Then why now? And why with such fury?”
Her father mulled it over as he sipped his drink. Putting it down, he looked at Ana seriously.
“Maybe we’re looking at this all wrong,” he said.
“What do you mean?” she asked, placing her half-eaten lunch on her plate.
“You think Jax is angry for being locked up, right?”
“Of course. I can’t see any other reason why she would be so upset. I’ve never locked her up before.”
“What if it’s not the being locked up, but rather the separation, that’s doing it.”
“We’ve been separated before with no problem.” Ana almost divulged the two-day ordeal but caught herself, biting down to keep from saying anything more.
“Yes, but your situation, and Jax’s, has changed. Maybe she’s seen or heard something that scared her. Not for herself, but for you. Remember, the Ra-murs consider it their job to keep their chosen human safe. You’re Jax’s chosen human, and she feels a responsibility to you. If she believes you’re in danger, she’s not going to want to be separated from you for one minute. Being unable to tell you her fears, she acted out the only way she knew how.”
“Well, I made it very clear she can’t do this. I told her she’s going to have to be alone a lot and if she can’t handle it, she and I will be separated.”
“That’s all well and good, Ana, but you need to find out why she’s so scared.”
While talking to her father, a notification appeared on her tab. Opening the message, Ana groaned. The complete physicals were scheduled for the following afternoon. She was expected to not only comply, but to make sure Jax cooperated as well. And she was to report anything her companion had learned since their return. Ana responded stating a full report would be ready by the time the techs arrived. Closing the tab, she left the table and waited for Jax to finish with Niall.
The next morning, Ana told Jax she was trusting her and wouldn’t lock her up. She warned Jax if she tried to follow, it would be the last night Jax spent with her. Jax nodded and curled up in Ana’s chair, staring at the trees. She proceeded to her workout, both dreading it and hoping it lasted forever. She was exhausted from a particularly rough night and her limbs felt heavy and sluggish. The nightmares had returned, and she often slept poorly. The upcoming test made her anxiety worse, and she hadn’t gotten more than a few hours rest.
After her workout, Ana thanked Jax for behaving, then showered and changed. Choosing something less casual than she usually wore, she decided to tie Jan’s bracelet in her hair. She wasn’t exactly sure why, only that her gut said it was the right thing to do. Ana joined her father and Jax in the living room, pacing nervously.
Ana almost jumped out of her skin when the transports arrived. Her father showed the group in and her stomach dropped. Grabbing Jax to keep the creature from fleeing, she stared as Vice Premier Drake followed the doctors, glad she had placed the bracelet back in her hair.
Ana’s father led the group, some toting large containers, up the stairs. Vice Premier Drake followed, stopping in the living room and standing in front of her with a slight smile. Ana suddenly remembered the correct protocol and made a fist with her right hand while clutching Jax tightly with her left. Placing it over her heart, she bowed slightly.
“Good day, kind sir,” Ana said. “May the day bring you luck and good fortune.”
“And you also, kind lady,” Vice Premier Drake responded, slightly bowing, but not placing his fist on his chest as Ana was a citizen, not an official.
“Please, have a seat,” she said, indicating the sofa. “Can I get you anything?”
“Thank you, Miss Swift, but that won’t be necessary. I’ll be leaving shortly as I have business elsewhere. But I wanted to see how my special girl is doing. You look healthier, so it appears you’re recovering nicely.” Vice Premier Drake was moving about, staring out the window and inspecting the new furniture.
Biting her cheek, Ana forced herself to stay in one place as the Vice Premier prowled the room. She hated this. She hated the games, hated the inane niceties, and most of all, hated that the Vice Premier considered her his special girl. Already tense, the Vice Premier’s visit stretched her nerves to the breaking point. Ana gave a completely phony smile and lowered her head a fraction.
“I’ve followed the regimen exactly, have been eating healthy, and started working out. I feel much better and hope to be almost fully recovered by the time I get to the Academy.”
“And the Ra-mur?” V.P. Drake asked, indicating the creature still clutched tightly in her arms.
“She’s recovering nicely, as well.”
Jax had not moved since the Vice Premier’s entrance, just watched warily as he wandered. Vice Premier Drake’s gaze slid over Jax, missing the flash of hatred in the creature’s eyes.
“Has she learned anything new since your return?” Vice Premier Drake suddenly stopped his ambling, turning and staring with a hard look on his face.
“Yes, sir,” Ana answered promptly. “I can’t say what she’s learning while she’s with Niall, but I can tell you I’ve had some success on breaking her stubborn streak. I’ve also been trying to teach her to communicate, but that’s not going very well.”
“Let’s talk about the communication first.” Vice Premier Drake settled himself on the edge of the couch, patting the cushion next to him. Ana didn’t really want to sit next to the Vice Premier but refusing would be disrespectful, so she lowered herself, perching gingerly on the edge while continuing to hold Jax firmly.
“Why do you think you are having so much trouble teaching the Ra-mur to communicate?”
“Well, as you know, the Ra-murs are literal,” Ana replied. “I can show Jax how to turn things on and off and open doors and cabinets. But if I try to tell her something that’s not concrete, she doesn’t seem to understand.”
“Such as?”
“When I first bought Jax home, I taught her to use the toilet, operate the sink and shower, simple things she could easily do. This time, I’ve expanded it, showing her how to put things away, retrieve items from the fridge or pantry, even how to use the soap dispensers. But when I try to explain the difference in where things go or how to sort objects by color, size, or shape, she gives me a blank look.”
“Anything else?”
“She doesn’t understand numbers.” This was a lie. Ana had taught Jax numbers, although addition and subtraction were still a struggle. Jax could correctly count to twelve but got thoroughly confused when Ana tried to explain the concept of zero.
“Thank you for the report, Miss Swift,” the Vice Premier said, tapping his chin thoughtfully. “Anything else you’d like to add?”
“Other than her problem with stubbornness, none that I can think of. I spent the first several days sleeping and only started working with her a couple of days ago. But I can’t spend as much time with her as I’d like. I have a workout session every morning and Niall comes almost every afternoon. I try to work with her whenever I can, but she often gets distracted or doesn’t seem to be in the mood. I’m hoping the recent issue with her stubborn streak will make things easier.”
“Please tell me what happened.”
Ana paused, wanting to get the story right. When she was ready, she plastered an irritated look on her face.
“Jax threw a temper tantrum. It’s not the first time she’s shown irritation or annoyance, but never this bad.”
“Do tell, Miss Swift.” Vice Premier Drake sat back and removed his gl
asses, wiping them with the cloth he always seemed to have in his jacket.
“I was forced to lock Jax in my room whenever my trainer came,” Ana said, sighing inwardly at the Vice Premier’s actions. “Jax refused to listen and tried to follow me to the workout area every day. Since she knew how to open doors, I couldn’t let her roam the house. The first couple of days, I would hear her scratching when I finished. But yesterday, she was hurling herself at the door. When I went to discipline her, I discovered she had torn my room apart. Both the bedroom and the bathroom.”
The Vice Premier’s eyes fastened on Ana, interest replacing the bored look of a moment before.
“And what did you do, Miss Swift? You’ve said the creature doesn’t seem to understand abstract ideas. Why do you believe you’ve broken her stubbornness enough that she will now obey?”
“I lost my temper. I know, I know. I’ve lost my temper before. But not like this. And not with Jax. I’ve become irritated and spoken sharply to her, but I’ve never really punished her. Or threatened her.”
“Please relay all that happened. I am very interested in how you handled the situation.”
Ana told him, leaving out nothing. The Vice Premier listened attentively, chuckling when she told him how she had held Jax under the cold water. She slid over the part with the bracelet, only saying Jax had thrown something in the toilet. She told the Premier she ultimately told Jax that if she continued to disobey, she would be taken away, and that seems to have done the trick. When she was finished, she gave the Vice Premier a bland look, waiting to hear his response.
“And how do you know the Ra-mur has been broken? That she has learned her lesson?” the Vice Premier asked, fiddling with his glasses again.
“Because I’ve been forcing her to obey me when I tell her to do something. Today, I left her in my room during the workout session but didn’t lock the door. She stayed there until I called her down.”
“Very good, Miss Swift,” the Vice Premier said, putting his glasses back on and looking at Ana. “I had hoped for more progress, but I can see you have not been delinquent. Tell me, what do you think about sign language?”
“What’s that?” she asked, curious. She had no idea what the Vice Premier was talking about.
“It’s a language using the hands to communicate. Before the Great War, there were people who could not hear. A language had been developed by which the deaf, which is what those people were called, could talk to others using their hands. You’ve used a rudimentary system with the Ra-mur already, miming things to her. She, in turn, has mimed back. This tells me the Ra-mur could be taught to communicate if both parties could learn the language.”
“But if there are no, what did you call them? deaf people, then who would still know sign language?” Ana asked, fascinated.
“I would have to do some research, but I believe there are a few historians who may have studied it. Let me see what I can discover. In the meantime, continue what you are doing. I will ask for an update fairly soon.” With that, the Vice Premier rose and bowed. Ana returned the salute, placing her right fist over her chest once more.
“Thank you very much for you time, Miss Swift. And by the way, the new furniture is exquisite. It fits much better with the home than the last pieces did.”
“Thank you, Vice Premier Drake. I’m glad you like it. I just hope it wasn’t too expensive.”
“Nonsense, Miss Swift. I would much rather see a home tastefully decorated than stuffed with overpriced garbage bought only to impress. You and you father have done well.”
Ana bowed her head, escorting the Vice Premier as he made his way to the front door.
“Have a good day, Miss Swift,” he said, stepping outside. Ana could see his transport waiting, several men dressed entirely in black standing at attention. She watched until the Vice Premier climbed in and the transport drove away, then closed the door and reluctantly made her way upstairs. The equipment had been set up and she asked if her father could stay and hold Jax while she underwent her physical. Her request to have the psychological tests first had been denied and she now had to convince Jax to remain calm.
The medical portion took almost two hours. Ana was prodded, poked, stuck with needles, and plastered with all kinds of monitoring equipment before they were through. Jax watched impassively, listening as Ana relayed everything that was happening. The creature only tensed when blood was drawn, and she assured Jax she would hold her the entire time. When Jax’s turn came, the small animal trembled violently but didn’t fight. Ana was thrilled, relieved it now appeared Jax would be fine when she was left alone at the Academy.
She felt much more relaxed after the physical testing was done. That feeling, however, was very short lived. She had been given a slight reprieve while the medical equipment was packed up. When all the containers had been taken out, an older man stepped forward and told Ana to make herself comfortable. It took her a minute to recognize him without the bow tie. The lead scientist from her first debriefing was going to be administering the psychological test. She wasn’t exactly sure how she felt about it. The man had been nice but was still very high up in the government. She hoped if she had to lie, he wouldn’t be able to detect it. Sitting primly in one of the chairs, she folded her hands in her lap as the scientist sat across from her. Taking out a large vid-tab, he set it up so her answers and body movements could be recorded. Ana held herself very still, trying desperately to call up her old personality. This was going to be as difficult, if not more so, than some of the things she had faced on the island.
The scientist introduced himself as Dr. Kylar Percil but told Ana she could call him Ky. She wasn’t sure if it was to put her at ease or if he was just a nice guy and didn’t really care either way. She felt comfortable with him, but he still worked for the government and couldn’t be trusted.
Ky began by telling her that Jax was finished and should leave. Ana was relieved, stressed about the possible testing Jax might have had to endure. Relaxing slightly, she looked at Ky and waited for the procedure to begin.
The testing was broken into three segments. The first was fairly easy and seemed a little silly. Ana was shown images, some realistic and others more like paint splatters, and asked what each reminded her of and how it made her feel. She viewed a total of one hundred images and found herself much more relaxed by the time she passed the half-way point. None of the pictures upset her, although some made her slightly uncomfortable, and she was almost sorry when that portion of the test was done.
The second segment was a little more difficult. Ana was presented with fifty different scenarios and asked about them. Ky questioned her feelings about what she was being shown, how she would have resolved the situation, and how she felt about both the scenario and the solution. Ky warned her not to tell him what she thought he wanted to hear, only what she felt. Some were simple, with benign puzzles and uncomplicated feelings. But many were not. A large majority dealt with immoral or unethical behaviors, sometimes both, and the solutions were often complicated and not clear cut. Ana spent quite a while sorting out her true feelings, often not liking what she discovered. Ky never showed any emotion, giving her no clue regarding how she performed or what was expected. When they finished, she felt mentally exhausted. Asking if they could take a break, she headed to her bathroom when Ky agreed. Once there, she rinsed her face several times and removed Jan’s bracelet from her hair. Returning, she again folded her hands in her lap, clutching the bracelet tightly between them.
Ky had been dictating some notes on his personal tab, murmuring so quietly, she couldn’t hear what he said. As soon as she resumed her seat, he closed the tab and asked if she was ready to begin. Ana nodded and hoped this segment wouldn’t be as grueling as the last.
Whatever she had been expecting, the questions Ky asked were not it. Ky walked Ana through most of her experiences over the last four and a half months. Starting with the statement she had written at school and concluding with today’s testing, she was ask
ed about almost everything she had done during that time. Ky asked probing questions about her thought processes during each situation. She was asked why she chose to make certain decisions, how she felt while undergoing certain ordeals, and if there had been any regrets after. She was asked why she accepted the dare, why she felt it so important she not be laughed at or looked down on, and would she go back and change it if she could. Everything she encountered on the island, her meeting and relationship with Jan, her interactions with her family, were all picked apart in minute detail.
Ana managed to hold it together until asked about Makil. She opened her mouth but whatever she intended to say emerged as a sob instead and she dissolved into tears. Hanging her head, she cried her heart out, everything about the episode returning in harsh and glaring detail. Ky waited patiently until she finished. Looking up with tears sliding down her cheeks, she asked if they were done.
“Not yet, Ana,” he replied apologetically. “There are still a few things more to discuss.”
“This is awful,” she said softly. “Why are you forcing me through this? I went, I did some terrible things, and I survived. I just want to put it behind me.”
“It’s important we know YOU, Ana. We need to know how you think, why you do the things you do, and what we can expect if you are faced with certain situations. These questions help give us a complete picture of the person we are accepting into the most elite school in Atlantica. It will also help determine what jobs you are best suited for. Please take your time. There is no hurry and I want you to be as comfortable as possible.”
Next up was the two-day ordeal. Ana again had trouble keeping it together, only this time it was anger that almost made her explode. The trials she had faced had left deep scars and she never wanted to have to fight for her life again. Clenching her fists tightly, she did her best to navigate the questions without revealing her anger.
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