Volunteer (Selected Book 3)

by Robin Roseau

  I didn't bother responding.

  "When the emu is cooked, then we would suck all the juices off of you," Violet said. "Then eat the emu."

  "The two of you are going to eat an entire emu?"

  "I don't know. How big is an emu?"

  "I don't know. Like an ostrich."

  "Hmm. Well, we wouldn't eat the bones."

  "Or the beak," Posey said. "I hate beak."

  I shook my head.

  "So, Skye, would you let us hunt you?"

  "Full. Of. Shit."

  "Would you?"

  I opened my eyes and turned to face her. "Of course. But you're full of shit."

  "You're right," Posey said. "We're full of shit. There's no emu."

  I laughed.

  "Feeling better?" Violet asked.

  "Yes. Thank you."

  "Good." Their tentacles tightened.

  "Oh shit!"

  They loved tickling me.

  Retest

  Bluebell and I arrived at The Center together. Violet didn't come, and I stopped asking if I'd see her at all during break. I was frustrated about that, but it was nice to get home.

  I thought Bluebell would stay with us, but Jasmine made other arrangements for her, and so she went in one direction. I went in another.

  Mom and Audra were both waiting when I got home, and Audra nearly threw herself into my arms, hugging tightly. Then Mom was next. I got my things settled and then returned to the living room.

  "Violet didn't come."

  "No," I said. "I think they're planning some sort of surprise, but I have no idea what. But if I'm going to be in Testing for a day or two, there's no reason she should stick around, staring at a chair."

  We stayed up what would have been late for them, but was early for me. I found an opportunity to berate Mom about the cancer. She said little, only that they cured her and made a promise to be more diligent in her checkups.

  * * * *

  Mom had to help me get up in the morning. My body was still on American east coast time, but now we were in the middle of Africa.

  I hate jet lag.

  Audra was subdued over a light breakfast. I didn't blame her. I was, too. Mom was long gone to work -- we rarely saw her in the morning, as the women at The Center needed their meals. And so I had some time alone with my sister.

  "Audra, it's kind of fun."

  "Testing?"

  "Yeah. You remember our medical exams."

  "Yeah."

  "Well, when I went, it started out almost exactly the same." I walked her through that part. "That wasn't scary."

  She perked up a little. "Will they let me be a baby elephant again?"

  "I don't know. They might skip the medical exam, because we both just had one. Or they might have something else they want you to be."

  "Like what?"

  "Audra, they let me be a Catseye."

  Her eyes widened. "Really?"

  "I cried when it ended."

  "Why?"

  "Because it was just that overwhelming and amazing. Do you want my advice?"

  "Do I have to take it?"

  I laughed. "No. My advice is to ask them to use their judgment. The baby elephant sounded really good, but I bet they can do lots of things that are good."

  She nodded. "We'll see."

  "All right. Now, they might not do it the same with us today as they did the first time for me, but let me tell you a little more." Then I explained the hotel room, and climbing a mountain.

  "That would be fun!"

  "It was," I said. "But then they did a dirty trick." I explained about the shower and having my clothes taken away. Audra grew still. "So can I give you a little more advice?"

  "Don't take the shower?"

  I laughed. "No. Take the shower. Enjoy it. Let them steal your clothes. Then walk to the chair without a care in the world and lie down. They're going to do what they want, anyway. You can get mad about it, or you can own it. Do you know what I mean?"

  She cocked her head. "I think so. Don't let them intimidate me."

  "Well, I think if they try to intimidate you, they'll succeed. They intimidate me. You wouldn't want to challenge them. But yeah, in a way. Don't be intimidated by easy stuff."

  She thought for a while.

  "Of course, for all I know, they want to see a little rebellion, so if you are easy about the shower and clothes, they might push. But maybe not."

  "So, now you're going back on your advice?"

  "No. I'm telling you if we overthink it, we'll go in circles."

  "Oh. Yeah, I suppose."

  "So, we have another minute or two, then I bet someone shows up to take us away. I want to ask you something. Do you have a boyfriend?"

  "No."

  "Girlfriend?"

  She paused before answering. "No." But she looked away.

  "Is there someone you like?"

  "Can we talk about something else?"

  "That means yes." I leaned closer. "I won't judge, Audra."

  She turned back. "Yes, you will, so we're not talking about it. She doesn't think of me that way, anyway."

  "Ah. That sucks."

  "Yeah," she said quietly.

  "Violet is my first girlfriend."

  She sat still for a minute. "Was there someone you liked before her?"

  "A few, but I was pretty stupid."

  "You were?"

  "I wanted to be a mating candidate. I thought it was romantic."

  "Oh." She made a face. "I wouldn't want to be forced to marry someone I didn't like."

  "Yeah. You know how you sometimes daydream about what your life could be like?"

  "Sure."

  "Well, when I daydreamed, I was forced to marry a woman I secretly really, really liked, and in my mind, it was Bronze, or someone like her."

  "She's that one who used to be a tiger."

  "Yeah."

  "That's kind of romantic," she said. "She stopped being a tiger so she could have that woman."

  "Sapphire Fletcher."

  "Yeah," said Audra. "Okay, that's pretty romantic. But I don't think very many stories end like theirs. I admit, their story is pretty romantic."

  "Yeah. That's why I said I was stupid. But because that's what I envisioned for myself, I wasn't that interested in any of the girls here."

  "Mom said you're staying in Boston for a summer job."

  "That's the plan."

  "You'll live with Violet."

  "That's the plan."

  "Will you still have slumber parties?"

  "Yes, although I don't know if they'll be every night."

  "Do you think I could come?"

  "To Boston?"

  "Yeah."

  "It's not my house to make an invitation, but if I ask Bluebell, I'm sure they'd invite you. I don't know what Mom will say."

  "Will you help me work on her?"

  "Sure. It'd be great if you could stay with us for a while."

  She smiled. "You'll let me come to the slumber parties, right?"

  "Absolutely."

  It was a few minutes later than the front doorbell rang. Audra and I both straightened. "Leave your phone and jewelry and stuff," I said.

  "Oh, right." She ran for her room, and I answered the door. Mrs. Higgins was standing there. "Hello, Mrs. Higgins. Audra will be right here." And then I heard Audra's bedroom door close, and a moment later she was standing beside me.

  "You know Mrs. Higgins, Audra."

  "Yeah. Hello, Mrs. Higgins. Are you here for us?"

  "Yes," she said. "Are you girls going to give me any trouble?"

  "Of course not." Audra flounced out the door, and I followed her, closing the door behind me.

  * * * *

  I was a little disappointed. I didn't see either Bluebell or Jasmine. I was hoping they would meet us. Instead, Mrs. Higgins handed us over to Ms. Campos. Audra didn't know her, so I did a quick introduction. We received our wristbands and were sent to separate rooms.

  I sat quietly after ch
anging. I was nervous. Jasmine had said she wanted to Test me again, but she didn't explain why. It couldn't be to determine if she was going to select me. I was with Violet. She wouldn't take me from Violet. She couldn't! Could she?

  Bluebell was going along with this. She wouldn't do that if there was a chance Jasmine would take me from Violet, would she?

  I didn't recognize the woman who came for me. She treated me as if she didn't know I'd done this before. I let her put the visor on me, and as soon as it came live, I tried to access the command menu.

  Of course, I couldn't, but it was an automatic reaction after having my own for six months.

  Then the woman took my arm and led me through the facility.

  "You don't need to be afraid," she said. "It doesn't hurt."

  "I know."

  She led me to a room with a single chair. No one else was in sight. I felt bad, because I wanted to hug Audra once more. But when the woman gestured to the chair, I climbed in without making a fuss.

  She didn't talk to me about what I wanted the visor to do while they were doing everything. Instead, she had the chair swallow me, and everything went dark.

  Incoming video call from Bluebell Beamer.

  I accepted the call, and Bluebell appeared ahead of me.

  "Skye," she said. "I'm sorry we couldn't meet you."

  "It's fine," but I don't think I was very convincing.

  "There are spies in the facility today," she explained. "Jasmine Brighteyes and I can't appear to be too involved in anyone, or someone is going to take notice."

  "Oh. It's fine, Bluebell."

  "We're going to make this look like any other Testing. You're here. The chair is here. We may as well do another medical exam. We won't find anything, but it doesn't hurt."

  "All right."

  "I had a really good program for you. I'm sorry. I can't run it for you. You would come out crying, and that's too hard to explain."

  "Maybe we can do it another time," I said.

  "Maybe we can," she replied. "Would you like to visit a human city or be an animal?"

  "Whatever you pick." My tone wasn't quite sullen, but resigned might be a good word.

  "All right," she said. "How about an Eagle."

  "That would be fun," I said. I didn't put much feeling into that, either.

  "Skye, what's wrong?"

  "Jasmine won't take me from Violet, will she? Or maybe..."

  "Oh, Skye."

  "Maybe Violet wants to get rid of me, and-"

  "Stop right there, Skye. My daughter is hopelessly in love with you. Jasmine Brighteyes and I couldn't be more pleased. You can put those fears right to bed."

  "But-"

  "Do you consider yourself mated, Skye?"

  "We're not married."

  "Are you mated? Do you consider this a permanent relationship?"

  "Yes."

  "You could Test off the charts, and we can't take you. Not won't. Can't. If you are in a committed relationship with a human, we can't take you. But you're in a committed relationship with one of the primary members of the federation. If anyone, anyone at all tried to interfere with that, well, to use a human term, all unholy hell would break out."

  "What if Violet wanted to dump me?"

  "Then she would tell you herself. Skye, when was the last time she engaged in a dry release with you?"

  I colored immediately, but Bluebell simply waited for the answer. "Our last night together," I said quietly.

  "We don't do that casually, Skye. We don't do that with someone we intend to, as you say, dump. Now, Catseye don't engage in the sorts of challenges that happen at this center. We want our mates to come to us willingly. But we are as fierce as any of the species in holding our mates, and Violet would kill anyone who tried to steal you from her."

  "Literally?"

  "Yes, actually. Now, have I put that fear to rest?"

  "Yes, Bluebell. Thank you."

  "Good. So, did you really want to be a bird, or did you have something else in mind?"

  "No. A bird is fine. It'll be fun."

  "Very good."

  "Will you answer one more question, Bluebell?"

  "Perhaps."

  "When does Violet arrive?"

  "Enjoy being a bird, Skye."

  I did.

  * * * *

  After that, Testing went much like it did the first time. The doctor told me I was perfectly healthy. The woman escorted me to the hotel room. I was invited to go for a walk, the visor providing the setting. Then there was a meal and encouragement to take a shower.

  I went along with everything without a fuss, not even over the stolen clothing.

  I don't remember the rest.

  * * * *

  I was awake for a long time but staring into space. Finally my eyes focused, and I realized Jasmine and Bluebell were watching me.

  I looked around. We were in a room. All their rooms looked the same. I was in a wheelchair, much of my body, including my arms and legs, swallowed by the chair.

  I looked up at them. "You two like doing this to me."

  "We certainly do," said Jasmine. "We work hard to stay a hundred steps ahead of humans."

  "So, did I pass?"

  Jasmine asked, "Are you with us enough to remember what I tell you?"

  "I think so."

  "We're going to register your basic results. You have now been officially tested." I didn't say anything. "You scored significantly higher than a year and a half ago." I nodded at that. "If you weren't in a committed relationship, sometime in the next few months, you would find several people on your front doorstep to take you away. Your scores are sufficiently high I would be obligated to take you."

  "But that's not going to happen."

  "Of course not. I already registered your scores. Please tell me you aren't breaking up with Violet."

  "I'm not. What about Audra?"

  She paused and considered me. "I wouldn't normally discuss someone else's results, even if she's your little sister."

  "I already know the results. Just confirm it."

  "She's not off the charts, but she scored in the same range you did. We won't be registering her results."

  "You're cheating the game with us."

  "Yes, I am," Jasmine said. "Complaining?"

  "No."

  "Bluebell and I are taking care of Audra," Jasmine continued. "I will be very upset if you indicate in any way that you don't trust us."

  "You can't protect her forever."

  "No. But I can protect her long enough."

  "What does that mean?"

  "I'm not answering that," she said. "This is a time for unquestioning faith."

  "All right. But you know it's hard. I've watched over her for her entire life. You're asking me to stop doing that."

  "You're still watching over her, Skye. Do you think she'd be getting personal attention from the two of us if not for you?"

  "Oh."

  She smiled. "Do I get that unquestioning faith now?"

  "Yes. I wasn't questioning you, Jasmine. I was just saying..."

  "That you love your sister and want what's best for her. I don't love her, but I like and admire her, and I also want what's best for her."

  "All right. Thank you, Jasmine. What else?"

  "Skye, we engaged in a little career counseling."

  "I don't understand."

  Bluebell took over. "We put you through about twenty different jobs."

  "Really?"

  "It's not an absolute. We could be wrong. Skye, we believe you would be bored in a great many of the jobs we tested."

  "Like what?"

  "Well, the one that comes up the most: biologist."

  "Yeah, I don't know how serious I was about that."

  "You'd hate most of the engineering fields," Bluebell added.

  "That I kind of knew." I was being sarcastic.

  "Quite so," Jasmine said.

  "You would hate any job that didn't have you dealing with people," Bluebell
said. "A lot of people."

  "Like waitressing."

  "Actually, yes," Jasmine said. "Although we were hoping you would set your goals a little higher than that."

  "Waitressing is important work. A good waitress can turn someone's day around. I've had customers come in who were having truly shitty days, and when they go home, they're feeling better."

  "I wasn't disparaging waitressing, but do you really want to be a waitress, Skye?"

  "Well, no, but I don't want you to dismiss it, either. Too many people treat us like we're below worth."

  "I know they do," Jasmine said. "I am not one of those people."

  "I wouldn't know. I never saw you at Sunset."

  "We're getting off course," Bluebell inserted.

  "Sorry."

  "Skye, as your academic advisor, I am recommending you dual major in business and political science. I also want you to take a heavy load in philosophy, and you need whatever law classes you can fit in."

  I stared at her. "There's no way I can hold down a load like that."

  "Yes, you can," Bluebell said. "We're not done."

  "If we give you the tools to succeed with the work load," Jasmine said, "are you going to fight us?"

  "Will I have time to see Violet?"

  "Yes," said Bluebell.

  "As far as we E.T.s are concerned," said Jasmine, "your relationship with Violet is more important than your degree."

  I wasn't sure how I felt about that. "They're both important."

  "Yes. They're both important," Bluebell agreed.

  "How attached are you to living on campus?" Jasmine asked. "If you get an apartment, you won't be as involved in campus life. For humans, this is an important time in their lives. I'm about to take some of that away."

  "Gee, let me think. I have an amazing girlfriend, whose entire family is equally amazing. I get attention from two important Catseye."

  "Three, and soon to be four," Bluebell said. "Azalea is actually far more important than I am, although not as important as Jasmine."

  "And fourth?"

  "Amaryllis."

  "Oh. I think I made that point. To add to that, I got to go into space. I bet if I ask, you'll take me again." Bluebell snorted. "I stood at the lectern at the United Nations. How many humans can say any of those, much less all of them?"

  "So you don't mind."

  "I have one request. Bluebell, you must have friends. You've never introduced me to any. Neither have Violet or Posey. Are you ashamed of me?"

  "Absolutely not. But hold off on that line of thought another few months, okay?"