by Rebecca Ann
“Is it the place where Sarah’s grandpa lives?” Lily asked.
Silence settled over the room until Mr. Cooper spoke. “Honey, how do you know that?”
“Sarah said her grandpa lives in a really cool underground place. She’s been with her mom to see him. She’s not supposed to tell anyone, but she told me.”
“And you kept this a secret?” Lindsey asked in a teasing manner.
“Yeah. I don’t want them to go to jail. You’re not gonna tell, are you? The other Watchers, I mean? Please don’t tell!”
“I’m not going to tell! I’m going to do what I can to make sure no one finds anyone living down there,” Lindsey said, an arm around Lily. “Now, go get your bag, and let’s head to school.” As Lily’s footsteps faded and their parents left to finish getting ready, Lindsey sank into a kitchen chair.
I sat down next to her. “You okay?”
“What?” Sighing, Lindsey said, “Yes and no. But I’m not backing out.” A pause and then, “How did it go with your mom?”
“Her name’s Elizabeth, and it went—okay. Better than I expected, actually. She claims Ada isn’t dangerous anymore and that the experiments have stopped.”
Lindsey snorted. “Yeah. I bet she does. I know she’s your mom, Vi, but that doesn’t mean any of what she said is true.”
I sighed. “I know.” I ran a hand over my hair. “Can we talk about this later? I’m still processing everything.”
“Of course.” Lindsey’s hand rested on my arm. “I’m here if you need me.”
I put my hand over hers. “I know, and I appreciate it. Promise me you’ll be careful.” I removed my hand from hers and stood. “I’m going to go get my stuff.”
I walked into Lindsey’s room and grabbed my overnight bag from next to the bed. Tomorrow, I’d leave everything behind and go underground for who knew how long. I exhaled a shaky breath. I wanted to plead with Lindsey to come with us, but she was doing the right thing. She could get so many people into the hiding place with her Watcher status. She could warn them if they were about to be discovered.
I went to the door. If Lindsey could play the hero, I could too. I could help keep the lights on underground.
Tossing the net-screen in my bag, I walked into the kitchen to find Lindsey, Lily, and their parents gathered by the back door. I slung my bag over my shoulder and grabbed a hold of Lindsey’s hand and then Lily’s. Within seconds, the world disappeared as the familiar gray rose up, spinning us like a twister. When the spinning stopped, the sidewalk in front of the school came into focus, the noise of the city echoing around me.
“When will the train be here?” I asked as I walked through the door Lindsey held open. “Who’s meeting the other students at the station?”
“In half an hour,” Rick announced. “I’ll let you know when it arrives. And don’t worry, someone will meet the kids at the station.”
“Thank you.” I headed up the stairs, my shoes loud in the silence that still settled over the school, as if it was holding its breath, waiting for the last time the kids would stomp up these steps. “I’ll be in my classroom.” I took my time going up the steps and down the hall. Today, I was a history teacher. Tomorrow, I’d be a resistance member fighting for our freedom.
Chapter Six
LINDSEY
I sighed as I teleported to the empty lobby. An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of my stomach as I rounded the corner toward the cafeteria, dragging my feet and concentrating on the way my shoes tapped against the hardwood floor. Anything to keep my emotions in check. How many kids had tromped through here over the years? A thousand? I looked over my shoulder at the double doors. Any moment now, they’d open for the last time.
I continued on down the hall toward the cafeteria, past the long tables that stretched across the room. Two students sat at one of the tables, their net-screens in front of them, the gray skies making the glow more pronounced on their faces. I waved as I hurried over to the coffeepot in the far corner, set up on a small wooden table which had been painted white several years ago. I grabbed a red mug with hearts on it and poured it half full. As I walked back into the lobby, I glanced at the students again. They were ninth graders, barely into the intermediate training classes. Hopefully they’d continue training underground.
My chest tightened. I had to tell my students not only that the school was closing and we were going into hiding, but also that I would no longer be teaching them. There would be a meeting today, but I needed to be the one to tell them. Especially about becoming a Watcher. It was the right thing to do.
“Linds?” my father asked. “You okay?”
I forced a smile. “Yeah. Just having a hard time accepting that today is the last day of school.” I took a sip of my coffee. “What’s up?”
“I’m holding a quick resistance meeting in my office with a few of the members. Right now.”
I swallowed. “Okay. I’ll go up and get Victoria.”
I ascended the steps the Normal way, my footfalls loud and heavy, shoulders slumped. As I reached the second floor, tears prickled my eyes. After today, these stairs would be silent.
I took a breath as I headed to Victoria’s classroom to find the door open and Victoria at her desk, the automated voice reading something to her. I knocked on the doorframe, and Victoria looked up.
“Yes?”
“My dad is having a meeting with the resistance for a few minutes right now, and I thought you’d like to be there.” I headed for the door, but something told me to pause.
“Linds!”
I turned around. “Yeah?” I took another sip of coffee, now cold. I grimaced. Ugh. Cold coffee sucked.
Victoria came around the desk. “I want to say I’m sorry for earlier. You’re doing what you think is right, and I shouldn’t have gotten mad. Just promise me you’ll be careful. Please.” Her voice cracked on the last word, her face pale, eyes wide. My heart broke. Making her cry was the last thing I wanted to do. “I talked to my mom for the first time in twenty years this morning because she tried to play the hero. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you too.”
“I promise.” I took a step toward her. “You’re not the only one who’s terrified. I am too. I have no idea what’s going to happen tomorrow, or next week, or even next year.” I glanced at the clock above the whiteboard. “Come on, we need to get downstairs.” I took Victoria’s hand, offering a squeeze that would hopefully ground us for the rest of the day. We walked downstairs the Normal way and into Dad’s office. Mark and Shannon were already there, along with a few others I didn’t recognize.
“My father is preparing for the journey underground tomorrow morning,” Shannon said. “There’s been rumors that roundups have already started here.”
“Which means we’ll need to move up the meeting time,” Dad said from where he sat at his large oak desk, hands folded in front of him. “I want everyone at the school as early as possible.”
“We need to arrange for Invies to teleport Lighters into the hideout or at least to the warehouse,” I said, and Dad nodded.
“Warehouse?” Victoria whispered in my ear. “We’re hiding in a warehouse?”
“I’ll explain later,” I whispered back as Dad cleared his throat. I looked over at him again.
“My father can help bring people down as well,” Victoria spoke up, “And I’m researching a way for Lighters to use their light for electricity. Volunteer-only basis. And I can teach as well if we need more teachers.”
“They have a school down there,” Shannon interjected, “but with more kids coming, they’ll need extra teachers. Thank you, Victoria.”
“And on that note,” Dad said, “we need to continue this later. The kids are here.”
I followed after Victoria as we headed to meet the kids.
“Will you help me pack this afternoon? For the House of Hope?” Victoria asked as we rounded the corner. The front door loomed up ahead, and I swallowed, as if opening it would unleash some terrible monster.
“Yeah, sure. Now try not to worry about that. Let’s focus on our last day.”
Victoria nodded, a shadow over her face as we walked the few steps to the door. I paused for a moment. Here went nothing. I pulled open the heavy wooden door and stepped outside, a cool breeze blowing in my face. I blinked in the brightness of the gray morning, only a sliver of sun peeking out through the clouds.
“I should’ve brought my cane,” Victoria whispered. “Or my sunglasses.”
“You need an arm?”
Victoria shook her head as we stepped outside. “Nah. I’m okay. I’ll just stand here by the door.” She exhaled. “You’d think I’d have this area memorized.”
“It’s okay.” I walked over to the kids. They stood in a cluster a few feet away, and I blocked my thoughts. I’d learned a long time ago kids were not above sneaking into my head for test answers. With my thoughts blocked, communication was still open, but they couldn’t know every detail of my life.
“Morning, Ms. C.”
“Morning, Ms. C.”
At least twenty kids started talking at once as we went inside. A year ago, I would’ve panicked, thinking I had to hear every person that barged into my head. After a few months, I discovered I could answer them collectively unless someone had a question. “Good morning, everyone! Breakfast is in the cafeteria. You have twenty minutes before class.”
The kids went off in different directions, chatting both verbally and telepathically.
I waited until the lobby was mostly empty of kids before I went over to Victoria, who had her net-screen to her ear, which meant she was listening to either a message or e-mail.
“Everything okay?”
Victoria brought the net-screen to her side. “Yeah. My dad messaged me saying he left something for me on my kitchen counter. Something to do with my mother.”
My eyes widened. “What is it?”
Victoria shrugged. “I dunno. I’ll find out when I get home.” She put the net-screen in her pocket. “I better get to my class before they find the answers to the quiz I’m giving,” Victoria said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ll be okay. I promise.”
I sighed as Victoria headed up the steps, and I followed after her, checking the time on my net-screen. Only eight-thirty? Jeez. Reaching the top of the stairs, I rubbed my face and walked into my classroom, closing and locking the door. Normally, I’d clean the mat to prepare for first period, but what was the point? After today, the students would be gone. Instead, I went over to the coatrack and put my hand in the right coat pocket. As my fingers touched the cold metal of my badge, I pulled it out. It glinted in the sunlight that poured through the blinds. My fingers tightened around it, jaw set. This tiny piece of metal would allow me to protect my people.
A knock broke through the silence, and I put the badge back in the coat pocket on the way to the door. I opened it to find Lily in the hall, and she said nothing as she breezed past me into the classroom. I folded my arms as I tried to morph my face into some sort of stern expression when all I wanted to do was take Lily down to the secret location and put her in a vault until this nightmare was over.
“Why aren’t you in class? Don’t you have a history test this morning?”
“I don’t want this to be the last day of school!”
I sighed as I pulled Lily into a hug. “I know, Lil. I know. I hate it too, but we have to do everything we can to protect our people.” I kissed Lily’s hair. “Now, how about that test?”
“Yes. I’m finished with mine.” Lily folded her arms. “Victoria won’t care.”
“Yes, I will,” Victoria said from the open doorway. She came into the room. “Back to your seat. I said you could go to the bathroom, not wander the halls.”
“But—”
“No buts! Do what she says,” I scolded and walked with them to the doorway. “Behave.” I kissed Lily’s forehead, and when she headed on down the hall, I stopped Victoria from following her. “How are you holding up?”
“Let’s just say I’m really glad it’s harder for kids to read a Lighter’s thoughts,” Victoria answered with a sad smile. “At least I’m giving an exam today. I don’t think I could get through a lecture. I can’t stop thinking about what my dad left me and talking to my mom. It’s all a little too much.”
“You could,” I said, hoping Victoria could sense the sincerity in my words, “because you’re the best history teacher around.” I gave her a light shove. “Get back to your students. I’m going to go grab another coffee.” I closed my classroom door behind me. “Oh! Vi!”
Victoria turned, eyebrows knotted together. “Yes?”
“How’d you know Lily would be in my classroom?”
“She always goes to you when she’s upset about something. And hurries through her work. She finished that exam in about ten minutes.”
I sighed. I should’ve realized Lily was that upset. “Thanks. I’ll see you later.” I left the door open, and it wasn’t long before kids started coming into the room, Lily among them.
“Guys, keep your shoes on,” I said before everyone could take them off. “We’re not going to be having class in here today.”
“We’re not?” Lauren asked.
“Nope. We’re going to do something a little different.” I stepped on the mat as the kids crowded around me. I held up the net-screen. “Everyone sign in, please!” I passed the school-issued net-screen to the closest person, ten-year-old Chad Ryan, a bright-eyed boy with dark curly hair and chubby cheeks. Freckles dotted his face. He’d mastered blocking his thoughts the first day. He was always smiling and always dressed in bright colors. Today was no exception. He wore a light orange shirt with bright green shorts and tennis shoes.
“What are we gonna do, Ms. Cooper?” he asked once he passed the net-screen to the girl next to him.
“Well, since you guys are doing so awesome with your teleporting in here,” I began. Excited whispers filled the room, and I paused. “Guys, if you want to hear what we’re doing, you need to be quiet.” I waited for silence before continuing. “Anyway, I thought we’d practice teleporting from here to the beach.”
The room exploded with shouts from all directions. Some of the kids started jumping around, one of them falling to the floor and sticking their feet in the air. I couldn’t help but laugh. The tension that had been with me all morning melted away. At least for now.
“Okay, okay. Hold your horses, there’s one more thing.” Everyone scrambled to face me. “Good. Now, you know how we’ve been teleporting around the school and you’ve imagined the library and the dining hall?” Several kids nodded. “Well, I want you to take that same technique and imagine the beach.” I grabbed the bar code stickers off my desk and held them up. “I need you guys to put these on your shirts. If you get lost, I’ll be able to track you using my net-screen.” I handed each child a sticker. Once satisfied that they all had them on, I said, “Are we ready? Everyone imagine the beach any way it comes to you. Meet by the water in front of the steps, okay? Ready! One! Two! Three! Go!”
The gray came up around me, the faces of my students disappearing into the mist. The wind picked up, but as soon as it did, it died down, and the strong smell of salt filled my nose, waves crashing at my back. I squinted into the sun, counting the children that had appeared on the beach. Some ran, others walked toward me. When everyone had gathered around me, I counted them. Fourteen in all.
I took off my shoes and walked through the water.
“What are we going to do now, Ms. Cooper?” Lauren asked from the edge of the shore, the water lapping over her feet.
“Well, you can have the rest of the period to play, but first I need to tell you something.” I swallowed as tears pooled in my eyes. Yeah. The waterworks had to start now. Lovely. “Today is my last day of teaching.”
“What?” Lauren shrieked. “Why?”
I exhaled a shaky breath. “Because I’m a Watcher now. I’m going to be protecting you and your families. I want y
ou to know that each of you are so special.” I wiped at a stray tear. How much should I tell them about the events surrounding the school closing? “I’ll still see you around.”
“You’re siding with them?” Brandon spoke up, his face red, his thick lips in a straight line. He took a few steps toward me. “Why?”
“I’m doing this so that one day we can be free. We can live like we deserve to live. Please try and understand.” I looked at each student.
“Will you have to arrest us?” Lauren asked in a quiet voice.
I shut my eyes for the briefest of moments. Might as well tell them. “No. I’m not arresting you. You’re not going to any prison. You’re coming back here. Tomorrow morning, you and your families will meet here and be transported to a very special hiding place.” I put a finger to her lips. “Don’t tell anyone. It’s supposed to be a secret.”
The kids said nothing. No one moved or looked anywhere but at me until Lauren walked toward me and put her arms around my waist. It must’ve set off a chain reaction because soon the kids were lined up, taking turns hugging me. Tears leaked from my eyes as tiny arms wrapped around my waist. Today was the last day I’d see them as their teacher. Things were about to change for all of us. Hopefully for the better.
Chapter Seven
VICTORIA
I scrolled through the articles on my net-viewer, letting the automated voice read the titles to me out of one ear-pod as I listened for the beeping sound that would alert me that the last exam was in. Not that it mattered. We wouldn’t have time to get final grades into the system before we had to go into hiding, but I wanted my students to finish strong.
As the title “The Real Reason Behind Ada’s Experiments” was read in my ear-pod, my heart sped up. I almost scrolled past it, but something told me to tap on it. As the article loaded, I sat back in my chair. Ironic that I’d talked with my mother about this same topic only hours before. She hadn’t had any answers for me, but maybe this article would.
For years, rumors have circulated as to why Queen Carmella experimented on Lighters and Invisibles. Some say she wanted to rid them of their powers. Others say she wanted them for herself. Now, a former employee who saw firsthand what was happening finally speaks out. I caught up with Julie Sanders a few weeks ago.
