“Is there anything else we need to argue about here?” Melissa snapped.
Everyone remained silent.
“Great,” Melissa groaned. “As I was saying before you all decided to have a pissing contest, Lily Sandover is a particular favorite of Mr. Christenson. Her family will be a wonderful addition to the Commission and I’m sure we’ll get along well.”
I managed to keep myself from snapping at her for not stepping in sooner and for lying about how well I would interact with the other Commish Kids.
The meeting wrapped up and we all walked to the bus together Clark and I hanging around the back of the group.
“You know people will talk,” Clark murmured.
“They talk anyway.” I shrugged. “We need to stick together and help one another out. I hope you don’t mind that I did that.”
“No,” he assured. His eyes went to his feet. “However…”
“What?”
“I am a little concerned about what will happen when Dana finds out what you said.” I felt my blood run cold. He did not say if Dana found out. It was when.
“You don’t think he’ll take it seriously, do you?”
Clark chuckled brokenly. “You don’t know Dana well enough yet, obviously…”
We descended the balcony stairs last. However, because we were last coming out of the club, we were the last on the bus and had to sit in the back. As we were walking, Clark in front of me in the narrow isle, a hand groped me. Lance and Brian laughed at my back. I flushed red and quickly moved to the back of the bus as some of the others who had seen the molestation snickered, amused. One more hand reached out and tried to touch me before I sat down.
I sat next to Clark, trying to keep my humiliated tears at bay.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered again.
“It’s alright…” I lied.
Chapter Fifteen
I was having another panic attack en route to our second Commission meeting. My parents were also reluctant to go to the gathering. We had dressed for the formal affair slowly, dragging our feet to the car and driving just at the speed limit to remain outside the Commission of the People as long as possible.
No one spoke. I wondered if my parents were trying to figure out how to get out of the Commission or if they were just going to accept that we were trapped and try to adapt, as my mother had suggested.
I did not want to adapt—I wanted to fight. I had spent most of the day wondering if there was any way to quietly let the American people know the truth about the Commission and bring about the end of the cruel institution.
We reached the Commission building and went through the same security procedure as the previous week. We had our phones checked in and our purses and jackets searched before we were led to the elevator.
We were fifteen minutes early, so we had no choice but to interact with others before the meeting started. I stuck close to my father, but it was not long before other Commish Kids honed in on my location.
Suddenly, Brian was at my side.
“Good evening, Lily,” he greeted. My anger flared, remembering the previous night in the club. I tried to force my bitchy attitude to the surface, though I was more hesitant with my parents next to me.
“Hello, Brian.”
“Why don’t we get something to drink?”
“No, thank you.”
“Go on, Lily,” my mother urged. I rounded on her quickly. She did not understand what the boy had done the previous night or the things he had said. Rather than explain, I ground my teeth together and walked to the bar with Brian.
“What would you like?” Brian asked when we were in front of the bar.
“Nothing,” I snarled. “What do you want with me, Brian?”
“Seriously?” he asked with a broken chuckle. “Clark?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“Come on. He’s a faggot,” Brian laughed. “Everyone knows it.”
“That’s not what I know.” I was already digging myself a deep hole, but I could not compel myself to stop. I felt the need to protect Clark, as he would be the one helping me inside the Commission.
Brian looked me over, trying to decide if I was lying. His eyes changed, turning from inquisitive to hungry.
“Is that so?” He smiled. “Why don’t you get with a real man?”
“I don’t see any nearby.”
“You’ve got some fight in you,” Brian chuckled. “I like that.”
“Oh, please,” I rolled my eyes, “that is so cliché. I’m not some project or conquest, and I’m sure as hell not as stupid as the other girls in the Commission, so leave me the fuck alone.”
Brian laughed. “Ah, they all say that.”
“They?” I scoffed.
“But deep down inside,” he said, placing a hand on my hip, which I quickly moved away from, “you want it.”
“Stop.”
“C’mon,” he insisted. “You were obviously desperate enough to do it with Clark, of all people.”
“I told you, that’s none of your business.”
“What the hell is with you?” Brian growled. “What? Just because you’re Mr. Christenson’s favorite, you’re better than everyone else?”
“Yes,” a voice answered at my side. My blood halted as the voice ran down my spine. His presence was cold and all-encompassing at my side. I turned and saw the leader of the Commission, Clark beside him. Dana was wearing an immaculate three-piece suit again, fiddling with his pocket watch as his dark glasses shielded his powerful eyes.
His arm snaked around me, his large hand holding my waist as he fixed the startled Brian with a dark, veiled stare.
“She is better,” he said. “After all, I don’t give special attention to just anyone.”
His hand were warm, which startled me. Seeing him with his cool appearance and frightening demeanor, it was strange to feel the heat. My heart began thundering, though it was not only from fear. A part of me was excited to have him near me, to have such a powerful man touching me. As Clark had said, Dana had “that kind of power.”
“Mr. Christenson,” Brian greeted, unsure what to do in front of the leader of the Commission. “I apologize, I didn’t see you come in.”
“I tend to sneak up on people.” Dana smiled coldly. “Besides, I’m sure that you were just heading back to your table.”
That was obviously an order.
“Yes, sir, that’s right, I was. Excuse me.”
As he left, I kept my eyes down, wondering if Dana would move his hand.
He did not.
“Young boys,” Dana said disapprovingly. “They don’t know the art of seducing a woman.”
Dana moved in front of me, smiling as his hand moved from my waist to my face, his fingers gently running over the skin of my cheek.
“Good evening, Little Lily.”
“G-good evening…” I stammered, backing away. “Uh…thank-thanks.”
“I don’t like sharing, Little Lily,” he told me bluntly. He looked between Clark and me. “You would both do well to remember that.”
Dana turned away. With each step he took to the other side of the room, my body relaxed a little more, no longer feeling the acuteness of his presence. I looked at Clark, who was avoiding eye contact.
“What was all that about sharing?” I asked.
“Nothing,” Clark murmured. “Don’t worry about it.”
His tone told me that something was very wrong. I wanted to ask, but my mother suddenly placing her hand on my shoulder caused me to jump and whirl around.
“It’s alright,” she chuckled at my reaction. “It’s just me. Come sit down. The meeting is about to start.”
Once again, at exactly ten, the doors locked. Dana walked around the room as the meeting commenced, prowling through the tables like a teacher during an exam. Clark moved next to my seat to help me understand the material once more, but as had been the case the previous week, I could not concentrate. I was too focused on Dana’s movements,
watching the predator move as if trying to decide his next prey among the complacent herd.
I did notice, however, when Mrs. Markus mentioned the Enterprise project. I recalled Eyna on the table and wondered how many people had actually seen the experiment and how much of the information shared with the Commission was accurate and how much Dana kept secret.
The meeting finished around midnight and Dana approached our table as members of the Commission cleared out.
“So, Sandovers,” he started, sitting in the chair next to my father, practically pushing Mr. Lloyd out of his seat, “how have you been?”
“Fine, thank you, Mr. Christenson,” my mother responded stiffly.
“Oh, what’s this Mr. Christenson, stuff?” he chuckled. “I told you, call me Dana.”
“Yes, sorry, Dana,” my mother corrected herself, her voice shaking.
“Tell me, are you ready for Mykail to join you?” Dana asked. “Are the workers almost finished?”
“Yes,” my father affirmed. “They finished earlier today.”
“Excellent. What time should I bring him by? Eleven?”
“Um…sure…eleven works,” my mother agreed.
“Wonderful.” Dana grinned. “And you, Little Lily? Are you excited for your new pet?”
I stared at him, my eyes wide.
“I don’t think of him as a pet, Mr. Christenson,” I growled. My parents looked at me in shock, as did everyone who heard me. Clark leaned forward.
“Lily, don’t pick a fight with him.”
“Why wouldn’t you see him as a pet?” Dana asked, leaning forward, interested.
“Because he’s a human being.”
“Not anymore.”
“He was at one point.”
“So were corpses.” Dana shrugged. “And yet, we can’t think to treat them the same as other humans, can we?” He smiled darkly. “Think of it this way. Our experiments are like a death and a rebirth combined. The human part dies, we spend a few days observing it, and then we put the human part in the ground and get a new puppy.”
“It’s not that simple,” I protested.
“Why not?”
“Because it’s not.”
“Humans are creatures of attachment,” Dana said. “They need interaction, other life forms—human or animal. Humans cannot be alone. So when a human is ostracized or killed because they are different, or don’t fit to the mold of society, they are alone. Most end up killing themselves if they cannot find others to understand and accept them. Whatever part of the human still within Mykail we are giving companionship by allowing him to be with a family. Otherwise, he would be sitting in his cell, alone.”
“Why did you take him in the first place?”
At this, I heard everyone gasp. Apparently asking about the crimes from which the Commission acquired its subjects was taboo.
“I didn’t,” Dana answered. “You did.”
“What does that mean?”
“You, as part of American society, decided what is acceptable and what is not,” Dana continued, his voice almost playful, clearly enjoying the argument. “People, like you, cannot handle those who are different. You ostracize them, hurt them, murder them…so, to protect yourself, you, as a society, decided who needed to be removed.”
“That was not a personal decision,” I hissed.
“Then, if I told you that Mykail used to allow other men to fuck him, you would be able to accept that?” Dana asked, his voice turning dangerous. “If I told you that his partner was his older half-brother, who was responsible for smuggling illegal drugs over the border? You would be understanding and not let it determine the way you treat him?”
“Well…no…” I could feel myself losing ground rapidly. “But he shouldn’t be punished in this manner.”
“Punished?” Dana raised an eyebrow. “This is not punishment. It’s rebirth. After everything that he did, every law that he broke, he has been given a gift. Just look at him. He’s become an angel.”
“Against his will.”
“Nothing is a willful choice anymore,” Dana chuckled. “If it was, you wouldn’t be here right now, would you?”
I could feel Dana’s eyes working through my soul behind his glasses.
“No,” I said as strongly as I could.
“Well, at least you’re honest,” Dana said with a crooked smile.
“Dana, I am so sorry about my daughter,” my father interjected. “We didn’t raise her to be so rude.”
“No, of course not,” Dana said, turning to my father. “Actually, it’s refreshing. It’s been a while since anyone has had the backbone to give me this kind of shit.”
I dared to glare at him and his grin widened.
“Little Lily, I am going to enjoy you very much.”
“Don’t count on it.”
“Lily!” my mother gasped in horror.
“Your spirit is very familiar,” Dana noted. He turned to my father again. “I knew a man when I was about her age that had this kind of defiance in him.” He walked around my chair, leaning over my shoulder to whisper in my ear. “It took a lot of time on the table, but he finally broke.” He leaned closer, pressing his jaw against the side of my head. “You will, too, in time.”
Dana straightened, turning to the large group of spectators around us.
“What?” he asked, waving them away. “Go on, go home.”
They started moving slowly, looking back at me with distain and shock, not believing that I had said such things to Dana Christenson, of all people. Thinking back, I realized that picking a fight with the leader of the Commission of the People was not just stupid, it was suicidal.
Dana turned to my parents.
“We’re so sorry, Dana…” my mother repeated. “I can’t believe she—”
“It is of no concern,” Dana assured, his voice turning soft and sultry. “I am not upset.”
“Oh…” my mother whispered, clearly tasting the honey in his voice. “Th-thank you for your understanding.”
“It is no trouble,” he said. “After all, she has you for her mother. I know she was raised very well.”
“Oh…Dana…you are far too kind.” My mother smiled, her cheeks flushing brightly as I marveled at how easily Dana had flustered her.
Clark’s hand was suddenly on my shoulder, turning me.
“Are you out of your mind?!”
“I’m sorry,” I said meekly.
“Don’t be, it was brilliant. But are you out of your mind?!” he repeated.
“I don’t know, I guess…” I admitted. “I don’t even know why I said those things.”
“I will see you tomorrow morning,” Dana said to my parents. “If you could open your garage door for us, we’ll bring him in that way so none of the neighbors see him.”
“Thank you, Dana,” my father repeated, shaking his hand again. “We look forward to tomorrow.”
“So do I.” Dana grinned mysteriously, throwing a final glance at me.
I was in far over my head.
As Dana left the room, my father grabbed my arm.
“What was all of that?”
“I’m sorry,” I murmured. I was upset that he was angry about my argument with Dana. I had thought that my father was also against what was happening in the Commission, but his anger with me made me wonder if he had already started adapting to the norms of the Commission of the People.
“You do realize that you were arguing with Dana Christenson, right? This is not a man you want to upset!” my father snarled. “He practically runs the country under Leader Simon.”
“Dad, do you really think that Leader Simon can control a man like Dana Christenson?”
“No, why do you think I’m so worried about what you just did?!” my father snapped. “You might have put yourself in danger!”
A wave of relief flooded me. He was worried for my safety. The realization relieved my fears on many different levels, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“This is not a laugh
ing matter!” my father growled. “Come on. Let’s go home.”
Chapter Sixteen
Dana was coming to our home. The dangerous predator leading the Commission of the People was going to be walking through our house. After the previous night’s debate, my parents were insistent that I do anything and everything to please him while he was our guest to atone for my behavior.
I fretfully watched the minutes tick by, dreading the impending visit. Amazingly, I was not as worried by the idea of an experimental angel living with us as I had been when the workers first started preparing Mykail’s room. All apprehension about Mykail living with us was overshadowed by Dana Christenson’s imminent arrival.
Far too soon, it was ten-thirty and my mother called me down to sit with her as we waited for the leader of the Commission of the People.
“I want you on your best behavior,” my mother reminded sternly. “I don’t want a repeat of last night.”
“Mom, can you lay off that, already?” I groaned. “Dana wasn’t upset, why are you?”
“You don’t know that he wasn’t upset,” my mother protested. “He was probably being polite.”
“Something tells me that, if he was upset, he would not have a problem telling us,” I grumbled.
We sat silently, watching the hands on the clock move closer to the hour. I spent the quiet minutes wondering if Mykail was going to become part of the family or if he was just supposed to stay in his room like a piece of furniture. It was unclear what we were supposed to do with him.
My father opened the garage door ten minutes before the hour and we listened for Dana’s car, jumping at every out-of-place sound. However, two minutes to eleven, we had yet to hear the car.
“You don’t think he’s scarily punctual outside of Commission meetings as well, do you?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” my father muttered, apprehension clear in his voice.
We continued to listen intently.
One minute left and still no sound of the car.
Thirty seconds…
Ten seconds…
When the second hand hit the hour and our clock began chiming its song, there was a knock on the door to the garage. I barely suppressed my startled yelp as I jumped out of my seat. My father stood, throwing us an exasperated, yet impressed, glance at us.
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