Rising Up: A YA Dystopian Sci-Fi Series (Tranquility Series Book 1)

by Tanya Ross

  --Serpio Magnus, Magistrate

  19

  Ember’s Ailment

  Ember sagged from the weight of the elephant on her shoulders. Of course, it wasn’t real, but it might as well be. She read Will’s vibes accurately. She perceived the rush as he entered the apartment. Her Alt vibrated at regular intervals. His ardor seeped into her bones, filling her every cell. Or was it her own excitement at being with him? Ember had to admit she was all tingly when she looked into his eyes.

  In any case, her Alt points were climbing; she viewed the surge as new hope.

  Her Alt erupted, music redirecting her focus. An unexpected call. “Hello?”

  “Hello, Ember. It’s Austel from the Plauditorium. How’re you doing?”

  “Much better…thanks, Austel. How can I help you?”

  “Just wanted to finish up this report. Making sure you haven’t had any other situations we need to notate.”

  “No, I’m good…but, thanks. Will was just here this morning making sure the report was finalized. He’s pretty much taken charge.” A swell of appreciation for these great people affected her like a sugar rush.

  “Will was there?” Ember observed an awkward beat of silence on the other end. “Oh, sorry then.”

  Ember said, “No problem. I assumed Will was completing the investigation.”

  “I’m the lead in the case since I’m senior to him. I’ll have to give him a ration about that…” Austel laughed.

  “He was super helpful.”

  “It’s no big deal. I’ll make sure we get this wrapped up. Glad you’re more tranquil, Ember. You’re a great citizen.”

  “Thanks, Austel. Goodbye.” Ember hung up the phone, the verbal reassurance a virtual hug.

  It was time to get back to a routine, at least until she had to move to the new digs. That would take some getting used to, but in the meantime, she could get back to her job at Peaceful Paws, the animal shelter across town. She adored the cats and dogs; they were great therapy for her. Her empathic talent allowed her to read each critter’s disposition. She knew immediately which ones were most in need of love and care. In return, she experienced their enormous love.

  Her heart suddenly light, she sprang up the stairs to put on her blue uniform and put up her hair in the customary bun she wore to keep it out of the animals’ way. What to do with the ring? She was loath to leave it behind. She picked it up from where she left it the night before and transferred it into her jumpsuit’s upper breast pocket. Right over her heart, it would stay with her all day.

  As she left home, she waved to the room’s camera, hoping perhaps Will might see her from the Plauditorium. She closed the door with finality, and skipped down the marble tiled steps, calling for a car on her Alt.

  Her senses suddenly overwhelmed her. The world tipped. She gasped for breath. She tottered on trembling legs. What was happening to her? She managed to make it to the street’s edge where she plopped down on the curb. A headache equivalent to a fiery thunderbolt struck her, and there was no one there to help.

  Just then the CommuteCar pulled up next to where she sat on the concrete. She stood up as if in slow motion and inserted her card into the vehicle’s identification slot. “To the Plauditorium,” she rasped. “And call Will Verus.”

  The CommuteCar seemed to take a thousand years as it motored down the city streets. These cars were not made for harried passengers hurrying to arrive at a destination. All CommuteCars were programmed to no more than thirty miles per hour to keep the roads safe and tranquil. Ember gripped the side handholds anyway, as motion of any kind was not her friend right now. Her Alt lit up, picking up Ember’s accelerated heart rate and the sweat that was drenching her hands and forehead.

  Ember woke when a beam of sunlight kissed her face with a gentle glow. Her eyes opened to Will’s presence in a chair nearby. She immediately sat up, embarrassed at having her arms over her face and her legs splayed out in a total disregard for dignity. How must she look? Her Alt chimed, registering the change from sleep to alertness.

  “Ember. How are you feeling?” Will couldn’t help himself. He reached out and touched her face. In his mind, he substituted compassion for worry.

  “Confused. How long have I been asleep?”

  “About two hours. Do you hear the music?” Will pointed up to the ceiling where Ember heard a low, New Age song playing. “I made sure you got some auditory healing harmonies.”

  “Will, thanks for helping me. I didn’t know where else to go.” She felt sheepish. “But I feel just fine now.” Ember swung her legs around and stood up, discovering she was energized and refreshed. “Yeah. I feel great, actually. Must have been something I ate.” She cracked a broad smile and perceived a broad rush of compassion emanating from Will’s inner being.

  “Can I get you anything?”

  “No. I was planning to go to work, but now I’ll just head home.” Ember realized she was starving. “Unless you have Jarnish?” She raised her eyebrows and looked at him hopefully.

  “Just so happens I have some, girl.” Will winked at her. “You really feeling better?” She soaked up the worry he was struggling to control.

  “Yeah—honestly. I feel fine. Much better than when I got here.” She wanted him to put his concern aside. Would his Alt pick up compassion or would it register anxiety?

  “Okay. But I’m gonna keep an eye on you. Have a seat at the table, while I get you some Jarnish and hot cocoa.”

  “Great.”

  Will pulled out a plush chair, grabbing her elbow and escorting her into it as if she were royalty. “Give me a sec.” Will rattled around in the kitchen area. He glanced her way as he began pulling cups out of the cupboard that had automatically opened behind him. He held them under a decorative spigot attached to a silver module. Hot chocolate poured out, perfectly filling the mugs. “Got a bit of information with you, too. I researched the ring number.”

  Ember turned around in her chair, the hair on her arms standing up. “You found something out already?”

  Will strode over with two plates, the coveted Jarnish, and mugs of cocoa swirled with whipped cream. “Comfort food.” Will smiled and placed the steaming chocolate offerings in front of her. “Yeah, some success…but first, log into your Alt. I want to make sure your readings are positive. You need to be strong enough to hear it.”

  Ember’s eyes widened, her eyebrows forming a question mark. “Of course, I am! I’m tougher than I look!” She laughed.

  “You sure?”

  “Okay, Will. I’ll give you the proof. I need my early afternoon reading anyway.” She placed her finger and awaited the results. Frowning a little, she noticed the health icon blinking. It’s detected my fainting spell. But her points showed positive for happiness. Probably because I’m here with Will. “Look…I’m fine. Magnificent!” she declared, turning the Alt’s face in his direction as if he could see the numbers. Taking a bite of Jarnish, she sighed with delight. “Is there anything this good anywhere else on the planet?”

  “This stuff helps. Mood elevating.” He grinned. “So…I first researched number 1025 and got no results—nothing. Next, I checked the city’s records for the Augur Prize, trying to find the number that way. Got a list of recipients, nothing special. Doesn’t help. Merely an account of the first group of citizens to ever receive rings. In that very first group, City Hall issued rings to citizens Level Fourteen and above. That’s odd.”

  “Not that odd. It takes time for people to distinguish themselves. Especially the initial group who were probably older.”

  “Yeah, I agree. But the people who received the Augur Prize in the first ‘class’— each one is listed as now deceased.”

  Ember tried to keep her face composed, but a frown won out as she processed the information. “They’re all…dead?” Her thoughts bounced around like out-of-control ping-pong balls. “What—? Now that is odd.”

  “I thought so.”

  She looked straight into Will’s eyes, hoping to glean more
than his words. She felt Will’s emotions seeping out, a steady line of droplets, as if from a wet umbrella. She sensed his seriousness. He was unsettled, his aura a red arc.

  His Alt’s going to register his apprehension, she reflected. She needed to make light of this discovery for Will’s sake, even though she was working through it herself. “C’mon, Will. Those citizens—well before our time. That list isn’t answering any questions about my mom’s ring that I can see.” She took a swallow of her chocolate, grateful for its warm comfort.

  Will said, “Right. But each person on the list had a number. I don’t know if the number was also engraved on each band, but maybe. Was hoping to find the recipients and talk to them about theirs. Now, I can’t. Have to find out another way.”

  “What other way? Records will be sealed.” Ember fought back a wave of frustration. Will is helping. He’s gonna find a way. He’s got to.

  “I’ll figure it out. Gotta be in the system somewhere. And if it is, I’ll find it. Trust me?”

  “Totally.” She reached out and squeezed his hand, her heart melting a little at the touch.

  “You still keeping your mom’s ring safe? You’re gonna to be asked about it sooner or later. We’ve got to be sure it’s safe. Keep you above questioning.”

  She loved the way he said, “we’ve got to be sure.” He was in her court. “Of course. I always have it with me.” Will could know she carried the ring. He was the one person she could trust. Ember looked around to make sure no one was watching before digging into her front pocket.

  The blood drained from her face. Her stomach dropped, and a wave of panic threatened to overwhelm her. Her pocket was empty.

  20

  Will’s Lost And Found

  “It’s gone!”

  Will gaped at Ember. “What? Gone? How?”

  She looked at him, wide-eyed, and shook her head, as if she couldn’t process it.

  Will reached out and touched her arm. “You must have left it at home. Let’s hope you did.”

  “No. I had it when I came here. I’m sure of it. I deliberately put it in my pocket.”

  “Well, we’d better look around. It can’t be lost, Ember!”

  Both began searching the room, especially around the place where Ember had been lying on the cot. They searched the floor and the area from the front of the building to the lounge. Nothing. It was as if it had disappeared on its own.

  “Maybe when we brought you in front outside. Let’s look out by the curb.” It has to be there, he thought. Maybe lying on the sidewalk. I carried her. It could have fallen from her pocket.

  They dashed outside and began a frantic investigation. From cobblestone to cobblestone, and to each shrub along the path, they explored the scene, but to no avail.

  “Now what?” Ember said. Her Alt began making noise as pure panic registered on it.

  “Well, you can’t exactly report this. I’m just going to have to keep looking around the Plauditorium. Check the CommuteCar, too. You could’ve lost it in there when you were feeling faint.”

  Will felt Ember’s eyes on him, but this time, he didn’t like it. She seemed to be stripping him down and laying him bare.

  “Will…are you sure you didn’t take it out of my pocket?” Ember was looking at him with the eyes of a tiger seeking prey.

  “What? Ember! I didn’t even know it was in your pocket. Had no idea!” Will put his hand to his head, hoping this new development was some sort of dream.

  “I think… I need to go. I’m feeling better now, and it’s late. I have to figure out what to do next. Best that I’m at home.” Ember raised her Alt to see its face and clicked the app for the CommuteCar. “Should be here in five.”

  Will felt defeated. I was helping Ember, but now she just has more problems. Her pale face and disappointment—now appearing to be directed at him—were stones in his stomach. Why would she distrust him? He looked at his Alt, trying to figure out how much his discomfort was affecting the reading. Shazz! A dip in his points. No! Will began some positive mind tricks. All will be well…I need to find out how to help Ember find the ring.

  “Ember, let me wait with you.”

  “No thanks, Will. Appreciate the offer, but I’ve taken enough time away from your job. I’ve been selfish enough. Thanks for all your…help…today.”

  At that, Ember strode past Will to the curb—her back to him was like a cement wall.

  Will reluctantly headed back inside to his station. His shoulders sagged and he walked with his head down. He felt totally defeated. He’d have to pull his mood up by sheer resolve. He looked around the Plauditorium. Everyone was working. As if the bottom didn’t just fall out of the world.

  “Austel, thanks for watching my screen while I was with Ember. Was everything quiet?”

  “Hey, Will,” Austel said in greeting. “Nothing to report—your sector’s just fine. But is everything okay with Ember?”

  “She feels better. Perhaps all the trauma she’s suffered caused a temporary physical crisis. She seems back to normal. But…” Will hesitated, “she was having an issue with her emotional status.”

  “An emotional crisis? Again?” Will could practically see the wheels turning in Austel’s head.

  “Yeah, well…she’s been through a lot. And, she lost something. While she was resting. You didn’t happen to see anything lying about, did you?”

  “Like what? Didn’t see her bring anything in with her.” Austel took his eyes briefly off the screen to search Will’s face. He narrowed his dog-like eyes and adjusted his glasses. Then, he glued his eyes back on the screen, leaning forward a little to zero in on the image.

  “Never mind. My responsibility. Just…just keep an eye out, okay?” Will took a deep breath and felt better being able to involve Austel. The guy was observant. Perhaps he’d discover where the ring had gone. In the meantime, he wasn’t sharing that Ember had a ring she shouldn’t have.

  “Sure thing. Let me know if I can help at all. Looking for ways to jump my points today.”

  “Yeah…okay. I’ll let ya know.”

  Will returned to closely monitoring the screen in front of him. His watchfulness was demanding, although it was rare to see any problems at all. It was tranquil, just as it should be.

  No sooner had he let that thought go, and his eyes became riveted on the screen. A tan-colored, boxy vehicle, unmarked, glided soundlessly through an intersection and then disappeared around a corner. At that point, it dropped off his screen, no longer in his sector. He had never seen a vehicle identical to that before. It was no CommuteCar, that’s for sure. Its height alone, appearing to be over ten feet tall, was bizarre. The thing was like a life-size moving trunk or chest on wheels. While Will had only had a few seconds to observe it, it was clear that the vehicle had heavy metal sides, reinforced by substantial steel girders. It was an intimidating conveyance, yet its wheels seem to glide on air.

  It confused Will how quickly the transport entered and left his screen. Almost magic. It was so strange, he even questioned if he had seen it at all. I’d better report this, and now.

  Will pulled up the GRID notification form from his screen’s task bar. GRID stood for a specialized software form — Gathering Rare Incidents Data. He hesitated before filling out the report. How would he rate the peculiarity of the vehicle? It didn’t seem to be causing a disruption, but in terms of its irregularity, he might have to place high importance on it. After only another moment of indecisiveness, he clicked the “10,” signifying an alert of the highest order.

  Will turned to Austel and swiveled his chair so their conversation could be confidential. Will didn’t want to be overstepping anyone’s authority or causing undue panic.

  “Austel, I just cited an unidentified transport I saw on my screen. A weird, tan-colored vehicle with high sides.”

  “Hmmm…that is odd. Push your replay so I can see this thing.” Austel leaned over to peer at Will’s monitor.

  Within seconds, Will replayed the footage of
the bizarre carrier in a small window on his screen. “What do you make of it?”

  “That’s clearly an alien vehicle. It’s excellent you reported it, but I have more experience with these types of situations. I’ll take this on, Will. I’ll make sure the GRID gets to the people at the top.”

  “Really? Just wondered how important it is,” Will said.

  “You’ll learn, Will. Anything at ALL that’s suspicious is paramount.”

  Will wished he could have had the total responsibility for himself, but that would be selfish and not conducive to his or Austel’s happiness. What a day. His mind was littered with questions. He had to talk to someone he could trust. Weeford Modestus, his good buddy—it had been a while since he’d talked to him. After work he’d grab some dinner and head over to Wee’s house. No invitation was needed; they had grown up together and had always had each other’s backs. Only half an hour to go and he’d be on his way.

  “By the way, Will,” Austel remarked, interrupting his thoughts. “I let City Hall know about Ember’s brief illness here. As you know, sickness is a symptom of decay in emotional control. She may need intervention.”

  Weeford opened the door of his unit, tucked away in the Pink Peaks complex, greeting Will with the Tranquility salute and then a bro handshake. “Will, buddy! Great to see ya! Beginning to think you were too good for me now that you’re up the ranks!”