The Circle- Taken

by Sage Sask

  “You chanced everyone’s life?” Serafina asks. “Decided to ignore the rules?”

  Though there is no judgment in her tone, I bristle at her words. Ryan answers before I can. “She was trying…”

  “You can’t save her this time, Ryan,” Serafina says carefully. “I need her answer.”

  “We’re all in this together,” Ryan argues. The others find their voices and call out their agreement.

  “Seems you’ve started a mutiny,” Serafina murmurs.

  “People were hurt without reason,” Jackie argues. “Good people died.”

  “It was our lives at stake,” Hudson adds. “Not yours.”

  “Careful,” Serafina warns. “None of you are in a position to argue.”

  “The Evaluation was meant to test our character?” Samira doesn’t wait for Serafina to agree. “Leaving half of us behind isn’t community. It’s not what you would want from us in the field.”

  “You’re arguing it was the right thing to do?” Serafina confirms.

  “It was the only thing to do,” Gavin corrects.

  “Not everyone’s compass points in that direction,” Serafina tells us.

  “I assumed yours did,” I say quietly.

  She assesses me. “Your assumption chanced everyone staying behind.”

  My mind whirs, desperate to find the words to convince her. All of this can’t have been for naught. I need to go back. But the others also deserve to.

  “Everyone else thinks so much of you. There has to be a reason.” I hope the words are the right ones. “I based it on the belief that we are stronger together than as individuals.”

  ***

  The jeeps arrive together. In a single line, they wait. We help those hurt the worst into their seats first. One of the last to climb in, I take the back seat. It seems only a few short days ago when we drove to the island. Then I had no idea who I was or why I was here. Sacrifice and responsibility meant nothing. Now I’ve witnessed too many people getting hurt. They gave so that others could live.

  Everyone remains quiet on the submarine ride and the drive back. Instead of anxiously wondering what awaited us, we counted the empty seats in the cars. Each jeep held the memory of someone who took the trip there. Cassia and Henry died fighting while staying true to themselves. For others, a call was the key to their survival. A game of chance, of being in the right place at the right time, determined their destiny.

  As we near home, the Circle looms over the grounds, a fortress welcoming us back. The trees lightly sway, as if dancing to celebrate those who survived. The ocean’s water, once menacing, now sounds like a series of musical notes on repeat. It’s all the same, and yet what was once a prison is now the key to my freedom.

  The first jeep unloads at the door. Each one waits their turn, the engines idling in the bright sun. Ryan jumps out of his vehicle to help the injured. Derrick, Gavin, and the others immediately join him. Soon, everyone piles out and stands at the entrance. Harrison, decked out in another suit, joins us. He and Ryan face one another.

  Ryan doesn’t waste time on preliminaries. Ryan neither cowers nor shows deference to Harrison. Instead, he stands his father’s equal. Exhausted and angry, Ryan asks, “The injured are in the infirmary?”

  “Yes.” Harrison’s answer comes out curt and emotionless.

  Ryan’s face drops for a moment. The muscles in his throat convulse as he takes a deep swallow and fights back his emotions. Harrison’s answer tells us the injured have survived.

  “Good.”

  I wait for him to ask about Victoria, but he doesn’t.

  “How many were lost?” Harrison doesn’t bother to count the number of missing, nor does he welcome those who have returned.

  “Too many,” Ryan answers. With anger and distrust, he meets his father’s gaze head-on. “It was a hunt and execution. We lost friends we’ve grown up with.” His fists clench at his sides. “Both of them died honorably.”

  “And they will be given a hero’s goodbye,” Serafina says, joining them.

  Serafina’s voice is gentle, and for just a minute, it seems she struggles. Just as quickly, she masks her face, wiping it of any emotion.

  “This is the first time both teams have come home,” Harrison says.

  Ryan bristles at his tone. “There was no crystal.” Ryan’s gaze strays to me. “Alexia was heroic. She thought of everyone before herself.”

  Harrison glances at me and then back to Ryan. “Then we’re fortunate Alexia is now one of us.” He motions toward the group. “Let’s get the injured inside.”

  The uninjured assist others to the infirmary. When Melanie has trouble walking, Shane wraps an arm around her shoulders. Next to them, Gavin bends down and scoops Jackie into his arms.

  “It’s just my arm,” she protests.

  “We don’t want to take any chances,” he replies. Jackie rolls her eyes but allows him to continue.

  Everyone starts to help someone. If nothing else, then to offer a hand up the steps. Bonded by what we went through, we now stand together instead of alone.

  “I wasn’t expecting you to make it,” Harrison says when I walk past him.

  “Really?” Tired and torn, I dread having a conversation with him. “Maybe you should have.”

  He laughs, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “You’re right. I underestimated you, Alexia.” He holds out his hand, but I refuse to take it. Before I can make distance, he grips the bare part of my arm and squeezes tight. “Welcome to the Circle. You’re one of us now.”

  On contact, I feel immediate slivers of fear and despair. He raises an eyebrow as if fully aware of the emotions I pick up on. Anxious to get away, I quickly nod and move past him. With every step, I try to erase the suspicion that the real battle is just beginning. But it lingers, a sense of foreboding of what is yet to come.

  FIFTY-SEVEN

  Well-wishers swamp the infirmary. “Hey, Alexia,” Shane calls when he spots me. “Come sign Sawyer’s cast. The weakling has to keep the bite covered.” He shakes his head in feigned disappointment.

  Cutting through the crowd, I reach Sawyer’s bed.

  “Welcome back,” Sawyer says. He holds out his cast covered already with over a dozen signatures. “Signature, please.”

  “Glad you made it.” I quickly sign my name then nudge Shane with my shoulder. “This one was worried about you.”

  “Good,” Sawyer says with a twinkle in his eye. Both are visibly relieved to be reunited. “It’s the least he could do.”

  On the other side of the bed, Hudson slips in next to Sawyer. Sawyer gives him a full smile before sliding his hand into Hudson’s. Hudson gazes lovingly at Sawyer before saying, “Alexia allowed all of us to come home. We owe her.”

  His gratitude makes me uncomfortable. If they knew the truth about my bargain with Victoria, they would hate me instead of thanking me.

  “Could I have a minute with Alexia?” Sawyer asks the group. They readily agree then quickly disperse. “Shane told me what you did. Thank you.” One life for another, I think. He lowers his voice. “You read him?” On my silence, he sighs. “Did anyone figure it out?”

  I consider continuing to protest and keep my secret, but in two days I will be gone from here forever. In the short time I have left, I want my interactions to be real. To be me.

  “Ryan.”

  Sawyer looks confused. “He already knew. He was the one who sent me to help you.”

  Speechless, I stare at him, wondering if he’s lying. His face shows nothing but honesty. If Ryan already knew, why didn’t he tell the others?

  Finally, I find my voice. “I should say hi to the others.”

  Instead of joining other groups, however, I stand against the wall while processing the information. Groups move from bed to bed, embracing Sawyer then Levi. Their faces show relief that their friends
made it. The injured are treated. Ian walks with crutches while Jackie sports a bandage on her arm.

  In the far corner, Victoria and Ryan argue with one another. Though unable to hear their conversation, their faces are furious. Ryan repeatedly runs his hand through his hair in frustration. With a final few words, he walks away. Victoria drops her head. When she lifts it, she zeroes in on me. In her blind stare, I can feel her hatred.

  “Tell him about the phone or I will,” she says to me before walking out.

  FIFTY-EIGHT

  We meet in the auditorium at the time Serafina announced for the ceremony. I arrive after the crowd and immediately spot the crew. I hesitate when Samira waves me over.

  “We saved you a seat,” she says.

  Next to Samira, Phoenix pats the empty chair. Jackie’s face stays neutral, waiting for my reaction. Regardless of what happened, we are still on uneven ground. Gavin offers me a genuine smile. Knowing there are only a few days left, I take the seat. Across the aisle, Victoria sits with David and some of their crew. I scan the crowd for Ryan but don’t spot him. When I turn back, Derrick gives me a small smile. Embarrassed at having been caught, I focus on the stage.

  The lights dim before the curtain opens. Serafina stands center stage. Behind her, the Council members, including Harrison, take their seats. A large screen scrolls down from the ceiling. The crowd speaks in hushed tones until Serafina holds up a hand for quiet.

  “A warm welcome to our established members, our newest members, and those who are anxiously awaiting their Evaluation,” Serafina says. The younger kids break into loud applause. “We do not come to this moment easily. When you left for the test, you knew some of you would be lost. The reality is very different than the concept.”

  “They were our friends!” Melanie yells out.

  “Those who lost their lives died honorably.” Serafina takes a deep breath. “Many before you, me included, have asked the purpose of the test. An arbitrary set of circumstances where lives are gambled as if they don’t matter.” She scans the room. “It is the only way to prepare you for the world we live in.”

  “Like the Evaluation, the world is a place where friendships may be tested.” Rochelle joins Serafina at the front of the stage. “Where chance may be your greatest ally, and death might be the only way out.”

  “It was with a heavy heart we sent you, and with the same heavy heart, we welcome you home,” Michael adds. “We know each of you is forever changed from losing ones you loved. But know, they will never be forgotten. They will always remain in our hearts and our minds.”

  The lights dim further before a film starts on the screen. The first image shows Henry and Cassia. Then, a montage of pictures plays from when they were young and innocent. It progresses to screenshots of their training and time with friends. Finally, the last few videos and photos are from the weeks before the Evaluation. In the silence, there are broken sobs and sounds of tears. I bite my lip to keep my emotions in check.

  The lights switch back on, and Serafina again takes the stage. “You have a grave responsibility to use your gifts to help others. During the Evaluation, you learned things about yourself and the people around you. You are stronger because of your experience. Now it is time to be more than you ever imagined possible.”

  Kenji joins them on stage. “We will call you up one by one.” He holds up a small tablet. “We will scan your palm and information into the database. You will then have full access to all the areas of the Circle.”

  Blake’s words from the night in my room repeat in my head. Sanctuary, third night, antidote. Everything was timed perfectly with one goal in mind – to take the very thing keeping the Circle’s sick members alive. And I am the critical pawn in the game. When Kenji calls my name, I stay in place. He repeats it, and everyone turns to stare at me.

  “Time to be one of us.” Melanie nudges me forward.

  Everyone’s eyes are on me as I make my way to the stage. I climb the steps slowly. Harrison stands stock-still, devoid of emotion. When I reach him, he slowly holds out the tablet. I lay my hand over it and watch with bated breath as the green light scans my palm.

  “Welcome to the Circle,” he says.

  Without responding, I make my way down the steps. I nearly trip on the last step when I spot Ryan, alone, watching me from the back row. I straighten up then look away without acknowledging him. After retaking my seat, I watch quietly as everyone else goes through the same process. It is a solemn affair, one without applause or celebration.

  “We thank the future members of the Circle for bearing witness to the ceremony,” Serafina says. “We now ask that you return to your classes.”

  They stand and give a round of applause to the new members before exiting the auditorium. Serafina waits until every one of them has departed before resuming speaking.

  “From your time at the Circle, you know we are the government’s partner in keeping the world safe from many enemies. Some of those enemies are faceless; while others are people we once called friends.”

  My heart rate quickens. The tension in the room palpable as every member comes to attention.

  “As you know, the Resistance was here just a short while ago. They will stop at nothing to get to us.”

  “What do they want?” Ella asks.

  “The antidote,” Harrison says. “They want to take it from our people to give to their own.”

  There are murmurs of protests and anger, their disgust evident.

  “Why not give them some?” Phoenix asks. “They were once one of us. Why hurt them?”

  I wait with the others for the answer.

  “Because we don’t want them to survive,” Harrison says. There are gasps throughout the room. “They have admitted their desire to hurt others. To hurt those we are trying to protect. They are not just our enemies; they are the world’s enemies.” He turns toward Serafina. “Serafina can explain better.”

  Serafina nods to one of the camera assistants. The lights dim before random pictures of people I have never seen show up on the screen. Suddenly, a picture of Blake with the woman in the forest flashes on the screen. My mother. My heart slows to dangerous levels as I stare at the two of them.

  “Her name is Julia,” Serafina says. “We grew up together. She was my best friend and the person I trusted more than anyone else in the world.”

  The woman who stares back at me from the screen is someone I barely remember. Fighting to keep my face neutral, I pray that I don’t give anything away with a reaction.

  “She left the Circle and took my children with her,” Serafina says.

  The room goes deathly quiet as my gaze flies to Serafina. I struggle to connect the woman she is describing with the vague memories I have. Like two pieces of different puzzles, they don’t fit.

  “My daughter.” On the screen, an image shows two young babies side by side. “She died the night they left. Julia stole my son.”

  Memories crowd around me until I forget where and who I am.

  I am playing with a boy my age. He teaches me how to throw knives. The gold ring on my toe matches the one around his neck.

  The woman I loved, the woman I called mother, cannot be the monster Serafina is describing. I search frantically for the truth but my mind remains blank.

  “They are murderers, kidnappers, and liars, and Julia is their leader.” Serafina waits for us to digest the information. “They want to take the antidote that keeps us alive. One of your jobs in the field is to help find her, to stop her and the Resistance.” She pauses, more vulnerable than I ever imagined her to be. “And to please help save my son.”

  FIFTY-NINE

  I go directly to my room. Exhausted from the Evaluation and the last few days, I lie on my bed and stare at the ceiling. The sound of the ocean thrashing against the shore fills the room.

  I replay my every action and move. What if what Se
rafina said is true? If Julia is capable of hurting others for her own needs, then as her daughter, who am I supposed to be?

  The knock on my door jerks me out of my thoughts. My room is bathed in darkness from nightfall. I hit the light switch and open the door to find Ryan.

  “Were you asleep?” He looks as tired as I feel.

  “No,” I say. “Just thinking.” I step back from the door, silently inviting him in. He shuts it behind him.

  “We’re going to be moved to the main wing in the next few days. In case you wanted to start packing.” We both look around at my meager surroundings. “Right. Never mind.”

  “No more locking me in?” I ask.

  “You’re free.”

  To find a way into the Sanctuary and steal the antidote, I think. “And all it took was me surviving the Evaluation.”

  “You and I both know it was more than that,” Ryan corrects.

  “Am I safe from Harrison now? Is it over?”

  He runs a hand over his exhausted face. “It’s against the bylaws to kill a member of the Circle.” Ryan takes a deep breath. “Harrison was wrong about you.” He takes out a knife from the back of his pants and hands it to me.

  “What is this?” I turn the knife over. Intricate designs cover the wooden handle.

  “My father refuses to talk about my mom, but one thing he did tell me was she came from people who believe in the earth as a messenger. She was part Native American, part Gypsy.” That explains his coloring. “I collect the knives they make.” He shrugs, self-conscious. “It’s the only way I know how to be connected to her.” He taps the handle of the knife. “I got it years ago. The inscription means ‘good luck.’” He meets my gaze. “The Circle is lucky to have you.”

  They aren’t lucky. I am the Circle’s enemy. No matter how many times I wrack my brain, the path my mother determined seems the only option.

  “Victoria found the key,” I start slowly, remembering her threat to tell him if I didn’t. Though I know I will be gone soon, a part of me needs him to know the truth. If only so he realizes I am not a hero and never will be.