by S. L. Baum
Weaver looked from Cimarron to Gill, and then back to Cimarron again. “I wasn’t suggesting…”
“We didn’t think you were,” Cimarron assured him.
As soon as the vehicle came to a stop, the back doors were opened, and a guard was standing next to each one. “Please exit the vehicle,” the one on the right said.
Weaver sighed, apparently relieved that he would not have to defend himself any further, and probably grateful for the distraction. The three of us exited the vehicle, while Gill opened his door and did the same. There were four guards, holding four tablets, waiting for four scans.
“Did they put two more men on duty, just for this?” I asked. “There were not four of you on our way out.”
“We are on high alert. There are extra men out everywhere,” the guard next to Cimarron answered. “Could each of you please place your hand on the screen, so we can begin the scan?”
I did as he asked and while my prints were being verified, I glanced over at Cimarron and Weaver. They were across the vehicle from me, as was Gill, leaving me alone with the guard who was scanning my fingerprints. When the tablet beeped, the guard leaned in toward me and whispered “Thanks, Bluebell.”
My eyes went immediately to his face. I thought I would recognize him as the guard who conducted the full body scan, or maybe his partner, but I didn’t know the face at all. The man was near my father’s age and, as far as I knew, he was a complete stranger. But his manner suggested something more. When I looked into his eyes, I felt a glimmer of fear and the unknown, and I decided that there was something eerily familiar about him. “Do I know you?”
“No. But I know you. I mean, I’ve seen you, in those broadcasts,” he said as he held the tablet near my face to compare the image. “But I’ve also seen your face before.” He was back to whispering again. “I saw it when you were four, when your mother was trying to flee with you.”
“What?” I kept my voice low, speaking in hushed tones.
“She had your same Brand. I saw it from a distance, but a mark like that is unmistakable.” With a quick movement, he thumbed my wrist while his eyes were transfixed on the five overlapping circles of the Brand that set me apart from all others.
My eyes blinked rapidly as I tried to process his words. “You were there, that day?”
“I was. I did my duty as a Peace Keeper, and I brought you back home after your father ordered me to. He went after the woman, who was supposed to be your caregiver, but I knew she wasn’t.”
“What are you two whispering about?” Cimarron called from across the vehicle.
The guard looked over my shoulder and smiled at her. “Just telling the young lady here that I hope my daughter comes out of Training Tech with as much confidence and grace. My girl, Rain, is in Year Eleven.”
“That’s so nice, Bluebell. Don’t you think?”
I turned my head to give her a big toothy smile. “Oh, yes. I was just thanking him for the compliment and wishing his daughter well.” I looked back at the guard. “I know Rain, although I do not remember seeing you at any of the Visitation Days.”
“She’s my step-daughter, really. I entered into a Marriage Contract with her mother recently. Rain’s father died last year; a delivery truck ran over him. Terrible accident.”
“That does sound terrible.”
“She’s a good girl, didn’t deserve to lose a father that way. But, I’ve visited Training Tech with her mother every week in the last couple of months and she and I get along quite well.”
“That’s wonderful,” I stated, confused as to what I was supposed to do with the information that he’d whispered to me. Why did he tell me in such a place, when he knew we couldn’t talk for long?
The guard in front of Weaver took a formal step back, stood to attention, and lowered his tablet to his side. “We are all good here. The vehicle can pass.”
“Excellent,” Cimarron clasped her hands together. “Thank you.”
“We will be in touch,” the guard whispered into my ear as I got back into the vehicle.
“What is your name?”
“Berkley.”
I shook the man’s hand. “It was good to meet you, Berkley.”
He nodded his head and gave me a smile before closing the door.
“It seems you have admirers wherever we go,” Cimarron smiled at me.
Weaver looked at me and winked. “How could one not admire the Lush Ambassador? I believe it would be impossible to deny your charms.”
“Flattery, flattery,” I scoffed at him.
Weaver lifted his tablet and turned it on. “It’s true,” he said after turning his face to the screen.
When the vehicle finally passed the park by my house, I released a quite audible sigh.
“We’ll have you home in no time at all, now,” Cimarron beamed. “I can’t wait to get back to my office tomorrow and find out everything that has happened in my absence. I have a lot of catching up to do.”
“What about your husband?” I asked, because it surprised me that she equated home with work. She hardly ever mentioned her husband.
“Oh, it will be lovely to see him again. But it hasn’t been all that long, really. I’m sure he hardly noticed my absence.”
“Do you really think so?” I was fairly certain that Aspen had done nothing but rejoice in my absence, but I sincerely hoped my father had missed me.
“I do. But I know that we will both be happy to be together once more. It looks like your parents are eager for your return,” she stated.
“Why do you say that?”
Weaver pointed. “Look outside.”
Just ahead, two figures stood under a dimmed porch light outside of my home. As soon as Gill came to a stop, my father and Aspen walked forward.
“What a nice welcome home,” Cimarron beamed.
My father opened the door before Gill could make it around. “Bluebell, it is so wonderful to have you back.” He reached in and took my hand to help me out.
“Thank you, Father. I am happy to be home.”
He embraced me in a quick, but surprisingly warm, hug. “Gilbert, thank you for the safe delivery of my daughter.”
Gilbert stood next to the side door, his hands clasped behind his back. “You are most welcome. All in the line of duty.”
“Bring her bag up to the house, please,” Aspen ordered. The please was tagged on with almost a forced courtesy, and because Cimarron and Weaver could hear her. She hardly ever used pleasantries.
Gilbert nodded his head and took a step toward the open door. “Of course.”
“There is no need, Mother.” I whipped around to reach into the vehicle and grab my travel bag, but instead I ended up hitting Weaver’s arm with my outstretched hand. “Goodness! I am so sorry. I thought you were still inside.”
He caught my arm as I fell off balance. “Steady there.” Weaver flashed a smile and then gave an exaggerated shrug of his right shoulder, which pointed out that he was holding onto my bag. “I thought I’d be of assistance.”
I wiggled out of his grasp. “Thanks, Weaver.”
“Yes. Thank you, Weaver,” Aspen said as she took a step closer. “You are such a helpful young man. It was good that you two spent some time together on the ride over. I’m sure you will be seeing more of each other, now that Weaver is back in his rightful place.”
My father placed his arm around my shoulders and squeezed. “I hear you are an asset to the Medical field,” he said to Weaver. “It is always good to hear about all of the talented young Citizens we have. I would never have made it in Medical, the sight of blood…”
“Sir, with Quick Coagulation, all blood leakage is kept to a minimum. It really isn’t an issue.”
“Maybe not for you,” my father laughed as he reached out and took the bag from Weaver’s hand. “It is nice to finally meet you. Your father and mother are quite proud of you, I can tell you that. They speak of you often.”
“Please give your mother my best. She is suc
h a dear woman,” Aspen smoothed. “Tell her that I look forward to our meeting on Thursday.”
Weaver smiled. “I will.”
“What meeting?”
Aspen’s mouth twitched as she tried to mask the annoyance that was threatening to take over her face. “It is nothing for you to worry about, Bluebell. Shall we go in, Jackson? Oh, and, good evening, Cimarron… Weaver.” Aspen turned toward the house. She had dismissed them, and ignored Gill.
“Goodbye, Gill.” I waved to him and smiled. “I’m sure I will see you soon.”
“You will,” he smiled in return.
“Goodbye, Weaver. I’m sure I’ll see you soon, too, Cimarron,” I called out as I followed my father and Aspen into the house.
Gill was back in the driver’s seat and the vehicle moving again, before my father had even closed the door. The house chimed as we walked in and my father punched a code into the keyboard, which secured the house for the night. I heard the locks move into place, barring anyone from entering or exiting the house. The locks were rarely used; the chimes were usually all that was necessary.
Crime wasn’t an issue in Concord, or at least it hadn’t been before the incident in Three. Citizens feared the consequences too much to risk doing something in contradiction of the rules that were set forth by The Council. If something was ever actually taken from a house, it was by a Citizen in need, and a note was left to tell the homeowners of the borrowed item, like a bottle of water on a hot day. Violence was only something that we had learned about in our history class, a Citizen of Concord would never harm another Citizen. But then again, a Citizen didn’t perpetrate the incident in Three… at least that was what we’d been told.
“I really don’t like being confined at home in the evenings this way,” Aspen complained.
“I know, but your father, and everyone else on The Council, including me, think that it is for the best. You are going to have to trust us on this.” My father sighed, as if tired of having to explain himself. “This is only the third night of the curfew. You are going to have to be patient.”
“I’m afraid I’m not very good at that… especially when I have not been kept apprised of everything. I’m going to bed,” Aspen snapped as she headed up the stairs. “Good night, Bluebell. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“She’s not very happy,” I whispered to my father after Aspen had turned the corner at the top of the stairs.
He placed my bag on the bottom step. “She rarely is, when she is not in control. Your grandfather hasn’t been as transparent about Council information with her as he usually is, and he has expressly forbidden all Councilmembers from discussing anything official with family or friends while we are in this crisis,” he explained. “She’s not thrilled that I won’t cave in and tell her all that she wants to know… but enough of that. I can’t tell you how very relieved I was to hear that you were nowhere near the attack.”
“Cimarron and I could see the smoke in the distance, from the window in our room at Guest Accommodations. And I actually heard the blast when we were in the lift at the end of the tunnel, before we even entered Three. I just didn’t know what it was. It was surreal to watch the broadcast on the wall screen and then look out the window and know that it had happened right there.”
“The Council is working to solve this. Our scientists and investigators are exploring every facet of the blast zone and other leads. We are detaining everyone found outdoors after hours, but not in an Official Vehicle, and thoroughly questioning them.”
“Does anyone know how long it will be until the curfew is lifted?”
My father shook his head. “We haven’t made any decisions yet, that much I can tell you.”
“What about communications?” I asked, hoping I could curl up in my bed with my tablet and talk with my friends.
“Still down, but they will be back up before the curfew is lifted. For now, you can visit friends during daylight hours.” He winked at me, having read my mind. “I saw Lily’s father today and I told him that you were on your way home. I’m sure Lily will be eager to see you tomorrow.”
“I am allowed to go over her house, right?”
“Actually, I told him to send Lily over here. Expect her around eleven in the morning. You two can have lunch together and then hide up in your bedroom and talk about whatever you two girls talk about.”
My face broke out into a huge smile.
“I thought you’d like that.”
“Thank you.”
He leaned forward and placed a kiss on my forehead. “You are welcome. Now, I’d better get upstairs and make sure your mother is happy.” He winked as if we were commiserating with each other about some difficult but loveable woman in our lives.
She’s not my mother, I thought. “You’d better,” I said aloud.
When he had taken a few steps up he stopped. “Are you coming up?”
I shook my head. “In a few minutes. I just want to get something to eat.”
He stepped back down and grabbed my bag. “I’ll take this up for you. I’m glad you’re home, Blue.”
“Thank you. Me too,” I smiled.
I went into the kitchen, filled a plate with some vegetables and an oat muffin, and then went up to my bedroom. My travel bag was waiting outside my door. I turned the knob with my free hand and picked up the bag. After I got into the room, I bumped the door closed with my hip. I plopped the bag down next to my closet and sat on my bed.
With a carrot in my mouth, I sat on the edge of the bed and reached down to unzip my bag and retrieved my tablet. Lying on my side, with my plate of food resting on the bed in front of me, I turned on my tablet so I could read. As I scrolled through the selections, I rolled onto my back. There was a lump under my pillow.
I slid my hand under the pillow and felt something hard, smooth, and fairly small. My fingers clasped around the object and I pulled it out from where it was hiding. The object was a mini tablet, all used and dinged up. When I turned it on, a fingerprint scan was required. I placed my index finger on the screen and waited. A moment later the screen flashed, a message appeared, and my face brightened with a soft smile.
Welcome home, my flower.
Chapter Four
Friends, Family, Citizens
Hello – I typed the single word and then held the mini to my chest. While I waited for a response, I tore off a chunk of the oat muffin and popped it into my mouth. “It has to be from him,” I whispered to myself after I swallowed the bite. I needed it to be Thorn.
I opened the cooler drawer, took a vitamin water out, and then inspected the label. The seal was still intact, which made me feel more comfortable about drinking it. As I sipped at the cool water, I made a mental note to replace all the bottles in the drawer with new ones; preferably ones that Aspen hadn’t touched first.
The mini vibrated against my skin.
You’re back!
I am. I’d like to know who is getting paid to sneak things into my room? Especially under high security.
It’s been there since right after you left. My father just told me about it today.
My heart soared. It was definitely Thorn. A messaging tool this time?
I guess so. It will never say from who. And the messages will self-delete as they are read. I guess I am in on part of this now. Whatever this is.
This is a lot. A WHOLE LOT. And I definitely need someone to talk to.
Do you want to type it out or talk it out?
Talk. It can wait.
I’m just glad you are back in One.
Me too.
Thorn and I messaged back and forth about some of the other things that had gone on in the week and a half that I was away. I found out that the CEC had a fire drill a few days before the attack on Three, it happened right between lunch and afternoon classes. A safety sprinkler must have been accidentally tripped when the alarm sounded, and Thorn said it had basically rained on the entire group that was relaxing in the break room. Thorn, Holly, Ash, and Willow we
re there and they all ended up soaked through. He said everybody had laughed it off, except Coral. She apparently shrieked and screamed until she was able to get out of the room.
I told Thorn that I would have paid to see that in person. He told me that he was able to capture a quick video of it. I couldn’t wait to view it. It was wrong of me, and I openly admitted it, but seeing a soaked, upset, and shrieking Coral would make me one happy Lush Ambassador!
I also found out that Rosebud and Stone were absolutely inseparable. They were actively seeking permission to be together on a permanent basis. It was a bit quick for them to be doing so, and I hoped Rosebud’s mother and Stone’s parents were both in agreement. There wouldn’t be a huge consequence for them if they didn’t have parental support. My only fear was that Rosebud’s mother could easily sway her daughter into seeking an alternate arrangement. But Thorn was pretty convinced that Rosebud was completely taken with Stone, and I was happy to hear that.
We ended our marathon messaging session when my eyes started to feel heavy and I was fighting to keep them open. I hid the mini where I had hidden the other tablet, between the bed frame and the mattress, before I fell asleep.
“Get up, Bluebell.”
There was a tapping on my arm. I blinked my eyes and tried to focus on the person in front of me. Milk chocolate skin, amazing curly hair, a huge smile on her face. “Lily!” I half squealed, half croaked, as I bolted up to a sitting position. “What time is it?”
“Five after eleven. I’ve been in your room for three whole minutes. The chef was leaving when I got here. He told me to come up and wake you, because you were still asleep. I guess your father went to work, and your mother, Aspen, or whatever you are calling her this week, is out doing whatever it is she does.”
“Aspen,” I yawned. “That’s what I am calling her, when I want to be nice.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. I’m half asleep. Ignore me.”
“Well wake up! I have things to say, and I am starving. I purposefully didn’t eat lunch because we were supposed to be having it together. Didn’t anyone tell you?” Lily punctuated her sentence with a sigh.
