Splintering Reality (Breaking Order Series Book 2)

by Catherine Kopf

  That could only mean we’d fallen for The Regime’s trap. Just like my dream foretold.

  I gulped in horror, knowing who it was. “Mai.”

  We turned to see our enemy in a pink and black Lolita dress. Broken hearts dotted the sides, and bows decorated the hem, around the waistline, and another as a necktie. The skirt was covered in black lace, with pink fabric underneath.

  Mai wore her signature crooked grin and her twin pigtails tied up by a pink ribbon. What struck me most was the inky swirl traveling to the top of her arm, a sign of commitment to a dark force, probably The Regime’s mysterious commander.

  Pink was not a government approved color. That proved Mai didn't play by all The Regime's rules. She was at another level altogether.

  Mai chuckled, much to our dismay. “Surprised to see me? Your little friends told us where you were. I didn’t even need truth serum to get them talking!”

  “Ju-long…” I sighed. Judging from my dream, he had to be the one to tell her.

  “Now, Ambert, before your friends get hurt.” Mai reached out her hand.

  “Never.” I clenched my teeth.

  “It’s not your choice, Calista.” Mai spread her arms wide. “But I’ll gladly take you in by force. Should be pretty fun!”

  Father came out from behind us. His brow furrowed. “You have to set an example for those who rebel that they will die.”

  “No,” Ambert said.

  No one spoke. Ambert never had the nerve to defy Father before. Ever. Especially not in front of others and definitely not in a situation where we were in danger. We could be killed by Mai, tortured, or worse, yet Ambert stood his ground. I looked back and forth between the pair of them. Was Father going to shoot him? Was Mai going to kill us? I swallowed a lump in my throat trying to hold back every single one of my anxieties.

  “What did you just say?” Father quivered.

  “I’m sick of you ruining people’s lives. I won’t let you do it anymore!” Ambert yelled.

  “You dare defy me? I’m your father,” Father said.

  “Hugo…” Mom reached out her hand. “Leave them alone. You know this has gone too far.”

  Father’s eyes widened. “Suzanne…”

  “You never were my father." Ambert stood beside Enya and grinned. "I’d be honored dying with my friends.”

  Mai chuckled. “You’re too important for that.”

  “You’re coming back to Fortress, broken or healthy. That choice’s up to you.” Father threatened.

  They tried to pin us in the alley. Then, we would have no possible route of possible escape. I looked to my allies, hoping for some sort of plan. Becky and Zeke appeared in the shadows, a blade in Zeke’s hand, while Becky glared at us with a cakey smile.

  Dustin grabbed onto Enya's hand and sprinted one direction. “Split up.”

  Enya, Dustin, Mom, and I ran left, and Ambert, Ivory, and Kuan-yin ran right. A blast of sound pierced the silence and glass broke from the windows on the right side.

  “I’ll find the boy. You get Enya,” Mai ordered.

  We ran down the empty streets, rubble blocking our pathway. I was in no position to run. Not in a dress. Not with my lungs burning with every shallow breath. I sprinted forward, fleeing from my father just as hard as I did back in The Science Department. Mom ran behind me like a shield, ready to protect me from any bullets.

  “Where are we going, Dustin?” Enya’s eyes widened.

  Dustin pulled her hand, holding onto it tightly. “What happened ‘ex-government employee?’”

  We ran through twists and turns. Several gunshots fired off, but they just barely missed our heads. Some shots broke pots or windows. We hurried along the brick roads, coming to a dead end. On one side of us, was my father getting closer to reaching us. The other side had a barb-wire fence.

  “We’ll have to climb.” Dustin pushed Enya up first. Dustin climbed the fence and I attempted to climb next. A bullet whizzed by, just missing my left hand. I had a dress to climb in. This was a major disability. I was going to be caught for sure.

  “Come on, Calista,” Mom yelled.

  There was a hole at the bottom of the fence big enough for me to get through. I crawled through the small section, but my sling got stuck on a wire. My heartbeat accelerated from the adrenaline coursing through my veins and the thoughts of What if lingered in my head.

  “Help!” I shrieked.

  Enya pulled me out of the fence. I held onto the rosary, desperate not to lose it in the scuffle. My father was close behind, climbing over the fence like he was stepping over a rock. Enya and Dustin led me back to the center of town, and we bumped into Ivory. We came to the ground with a thud.

  “Where’s Ambert?” Mom asked.

  Ivory caught her breath. “I… I got separated from the others.”

  I turned to look around. Ambert and Kuan-yin were up on a rooftop on the outskirts of town. Mai wouldn't be able to get both twins.

  “Hold it right there.” Becky pointed her gun at us, smiling like a narcissist on a runway show.

  “Aww… is our chase over?” Mai asked.

  My father came behind us. I wheezed in and out to catch my breath, placing a hand over my chest. Mom squeezed my shoulder, watching over me like she always did. Even she knew there was no way out.

  “Surrender before someone gets hurt,” Father said.

  Enya crossed her arms over her chest. “We’re still not surrendering, old man.”

  “Come in easy and we won’t hurt you too badly. Don’t, and you’ll wish you’re dead.” Zeke promised.

  “Ambert’s missing. Again!” Mai stomped her foot.

  “What are we going to do about that?” Becky raised an eyebrow.

  Mai looked at us and smiled. “We’ll hurt all the people he cares about until he turns himself in. Playing with his moral conscience will be fun. Ooh… I wonder if it’ll snap!”

  “We’re not gonna let you hurt Ambert or Enya.” Dustin placed his hand in front of Enya to protect her.

  Mai chuckled. “Who to kill first?”

  We all firmly stood in the center silently, not daring to make a sound.

  “How about you?” Mai pointed at me.

  Father's eyes widened. “No! You can’t kill her. I… I have orders.”

  “Maybe if I hurt Enya some, he’ll come. I don’t need the twins in perfect condition.” Mai took out a knife.

  Dustin placed himself fully in front of Enya and Mai like a roadblock. “If you lay a finger on Enya…”

  “Don’t you have a bold attitude…” Mai said.

  Dustin spat on the brick road. “Don’t you have a tea party to go to?”

  Enya straightened her posture. “Alright, if you want to fight, let’s do it!”

  “Enya, dear. Be smart about this.” Mom placed her hand on Enya’s shoulder.

  “You big meanie! I’m tired of you picking on people!” Ivory yelled.

  “Aww… Ivory! Perfect bait for slaughter if you ask me.” Mai grabbed Ivory and held a gun to her head. “Never liked you anyway.”

  “Ivory!” I reached out to her.

  Mai backed away from us, gripping Ivory tight. “Want her back? Too bad!”

  “You put Ivory down or I swear I’ll…” Enya clenched her fist and summoned a fireball.

  Father pointed his gun at Dustin. “You’ll do nothing, or he dies.”

  Enya flinched and let out a heavy sigh, obviously frustrated by the threats.

  Mai's grin widened. “It’s not your choice whether she lives or dies. It’s Ambert’s.”

  “Don’t do it Ambert!” Ivory yelled.

  “Come on, don’t let her die!” Mai yelled.

  “No!” Ivory yelled.

  Everyone looked around to see if Ambert would show up. I sighed in relief when he didn’t, but something told me he wasn’t doing it by choice. The Ambert I knew would never abandon Enya or me for anything other than to protect
us. We were in danger, prepped for slaughter by our enemies. Father was here to bring me back into his fold and Mai threatened everyone else with a gun. He’d never ignore something like this. What did Kuan-yin have to do to hold him back?

  Dustin slowly reached into Enya’s backpack, probably going for the gun.

  “Is he not coming?” Mai pouted. “Guess you weren’t worth it after all.”

  Mai engaged her gun, and Ivory closed her eyes.

  “Wait…” Mom stepped forward.

  I whipped my head around to face her. My lip trembled. What is she doing?

  Mom sighed and held out both of her hands together. “Take me instead.”

  “How noble! Too bad you’re not worth as…”

  “I’m Ambert’s foster mother. I’m worth a lot.” Mom’s voice never sounded clearer.

  No… she couldn’t do this. My breath quivered. “Mom…”

  “Guess you’re right.” Mai’s crooked grin grew more lopsided and she clapped with glee.

  Dustin grabbed Enya’s gun out of her backpack and shot the gun out Father’s hand. Enya punched Mai in the face and attempted to dropkick her. Mai avoided the attack with ease, but let go of my small, dark-haired friend. Ivory ran out of Mai’s arms and sprinted through the line of defense, escaping.

  Zeke’s blade met Dustin’s metal arm. Sparks of flame singed the brick as Enya threw her magic at Becky. I scampered around, like a sheep in a crowd of wolves. I had to do something. Where was Ivory? Where was Ambert? What could I do to help?

  “I wish Kuan-yin was here with her katana,” I said.

  Dustin smirked. “You think?”

  Wisecracking jokes. Yeah, nice move Calista.

  A gunshot went off, the bang’s sound piercing through all the action.

  I looked at Enya. She was fine. Mai was also fine. My father hadn’t pulled the trigger. I thought it was a misfire until I saw the blood soaking into the cracks and edges of the brick road. Mai expression twisted into a ferocious smirk… happy to see the blood spilled on the ground below her feet.

  My eyes widened from what I saw. Mom’s lip quivered and she rocked back and forth, unstable on her feet. Her chest had a fresh hole straight through her. Mai actually shot Mom. She actually shot her! Mom fell to the ground weakly, her legs collapsing underneath her.

  “No!” I yelled.

  I caught her. Blood oozed out into my hand, Mom’s brown jacket turning crimson red. Her eyes were devoid of life, the once coco color now faded away.

  “Someone help!” I screeched.

  I turned around. Dustin and Enya were preoccupied, fighting Father, Mai, and the other Regime supporters. I now understood what Ambert was trying to avoid: for every Regime life that fell, more Dreamer lives would do the same.

  “Mom? Mom!? No! Please, no!” I sobbed. “I didn’t get to say goodbye! Please!”

  She was dead. There was nothing I could do to help her, nothing to wake her up from her eternal slumber. Dead. She raised me. She’d do anything to protect me. Now, Mom laid lifeless in my arms and there was nothing I could do.

  I was expecting her to be there when all of this fighting was over, smiling every day. I was expecting her to be there for me forever, and I wanted her to be there. Mom couldn’t be dead! Not now. Not after everything we had been through together.

  I hugged her limp body. Mai was a monster. Any cuteness and innocence I’d seen in her previously disappeared. My mother, my chef-macaroni and cheese hug-giving mother, was gone. She’d never see us rebel against The Regime or see Ambert again, yet she still believed in me. I didn’t understand how she could. I failed everyone. I failed myself. I even led her to her death, but she believed in me. Even if she wasn’t my blood relative, she was the greatest Mom I’d ever known. A mom I could never get back. I now felt the pain The Regime could give, and I let a river flow from my eyes onto my mother’s dead body.

  My blood-covered hands were placed behind my back as I was handcuffed. Father stood with a blank stare, avoiding Mom’s body. It was like he didn't want to see it. Was he feeling the same sadness I had? The same void of losing her? After all The Dreamers he executed, it couldn't be true, could it?

  Father kicked my leg. “Get up!”

  I got up, handcuffed with tears in my eyes. I looked around to find Dustin and Enya also handcuffed right beside Mai, each being held down by Becky and Zeke.

  “Too bad the little brat got away.” Becky glanced to the side.

  “You… you monsters!” I said.

  “Cool it Calista and enjoy this defeat. Our games could only last so long you know.” Mai brushed dirt off her Lolita dress.

  “Where are you taking us?” Enya spat.

  “Base Darkguard. It’s time you personally met The Commander,” Father responded.

  We were dragged on two separate government helicopters: one for me and Father, the other for Dustin, Enya, Mai, Becky, and Zeke. My spirit felt broken, distraught from what happened. I didn’t guide anyone. I kept my visions tucked away, hiding them. If I told them about the rabbit, the blood, or anything I’d seen, maybe Enya, Ambert, and I would be free from The Regime’s reach. Now, Enya’s life hung in the balance, outcasted because of my secrets. I never felt so stupid. Nothing was ever just my choice! I had friends and family there to help me. Now, I didn’t know whether I’d see any of my friends again, let alone Wes or finding Aurelia.

  I didn’t know what my own future held, but whatever happened next, it didn’t take an Oracle to know it wasn’t good.

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  Ambert

  The tainted streets of Filía darkened; not a voice could be heard. The scent of rain filled the sky, and wind howled on the streets. Ironic, and not the ha-ha kind of ironic. This was evil — unjust. This was murder. I could’ve done something, but Suzanne Knight — she couldn’t have. No one did anything to help her!

  I clenched my fist and thought of a high pitch frequency, shooting it into the nearest abandoned building. YINGGGG! Beside me, Ivory shivered, hugging her small body, and Kuan-yin polished her katana. I stepped forward, letting my hair breeze in the silent wind.

  “Ambert, I know your foster mom’s gone, but—” Kuan-yin began.

  “I could’ve helped her.” I looked at the dried blood near my feet. “I could’ve stopped Mai from taking Cal and Enya and Dustin too. But for you to let her die—?”

  “If I would’ve let you go, the best result would’ve been Mai capturing you or for you to surrender to your ambitions. I sensed so much negative energy. Dark energy.”

  “And so what if I used it? We’re more than that. Everyone’s just friends and enemies trying to find their place in this stupid world! And what’s my place if I can’t protect the people I care about?” I snapped.

  “But at the risk of yourself? Just look at your wrist!” Kuan-yin pointed at the jagged line spreading up my arm like thorns. “You saw Mai’s didn’t you?”

  “So?” I took a deep breath to calm my throbbing heart.

  “It’s a sign of darkness. The nurses at Serre told you that if your mark grew, it was a bad thing. They told me if you grew too fond of it to kill you… I can’t do that to a friend.” Kuan-yin’s eyes watered.

  I looked into her eyes. “I don’t want to watch them die either—”

  “We’re gonna rescue them, right?” Ivory’s cooed. “Please, we can do it, can’t we?”

  I crouched down to meet Ivory. “We’ll get them out. All of them. Okay?”

  “It’s a little too late for them now, Ambert. You should join The Blaze before it’s too late.” the voice of a young man spoke behind me — slightly older than Kuan-yin by the tone.

  Ivory’s eyes widened. “Orion!”

  “Nice seeing you again, Lil Bit.” Orion patted Ivory’s head and grinned.

  The freckled face staring at me held an instrument in his hands — a violin. His hair was long, curly, and red like a fire by the way it remained untamed on
his head. A member of The Blaze? Probably correct by the gray cloak covering his body. The gray cloak betrayed his identity.

  “You’re — you’re the boy Cal saw in her visions.”

  “And I’ve been looking for her for a long time under Chief Fotos herself,” the boy answered.

  Ivory’s jaw dropped. “Cally’s the one you’ve been looking for? Whoah!”

  “All I know is that I want Cal to be safe. And if The Commander’s gone this far to get me, I need to do something about it,” I said.

  “You don’t know, do you?” Orion chuckled and waved his hand. Constellations of different stars appeared before me, an array of lights. “There’s a shift in the balance. Even Calista knew this. Your lives were in danger. Apparently, choosing to save you put her at risk. I can see why.”

  “What does this have to do with—” I began.

  The boy handed me a tablet. “How about you watch the remainder of that flash-key and find out?”

  I slowly took the device from him and reached into my backpack to retrieve Mother’s flash-key. Sticking it into the tablet, a new date appeared on the screen.

  August 16th, 2201.

  Why the heck did she create a message on my birthday? Strange.

  The screen cut to a young woman with weary blue eyes. Her long, brown hair laid out of place, wet strands clasping to the sides of her face.

  “Whoah! Is that your Mom?” Ivory leaned in to get a closer look.

  “Firebird—” she tried to smile, but her chapped lips remained frowned. “Ever since Astra predicted my death, I’ve been trying to prepare you for this news. I don’t know whether The Regime has taken over your location. Perhaps Astra Knight’s resistance stopped them.”

  There was a pause. Mom’s breaths deepened as she regained her composure. Her hands shook as she reached toward her face.

  Mother wiped the dark circles under her eyes. “But, if The Regime has, they do have a weak point. That weak point is you and your sister. Your birth was secret. I only let a few Oracles help me only hours ago. The Regime, as well as most Dreamers, find twins dangerous, unstable even. Genetically, twins exhibit higher chances to have powers more deadly than normal Dreamers.