Time for the Lost

by Chess Desalls

  I crawled on top of the bed, covers and all, and took a nap.

  A knock at the door woke me after what felt like minutes. Mom stood before me when I opened it, smiling and holding a garment bag.

  “I’ve brought your dress for the Gala,” she said, inviting herself in. “You’re thinner than you were the last time I saw you, but I’m sure it will be beautiful.”

  I unzipped the bag and peeled back the corners. The dress was black, knee length with sequins trimming the neck and hemline.

  “Do you like it? It’s a black-tie event.”

  “Yes, it’s great,” I said, trailing my fingers across the fabric.

  “Oh, and I didn’t forget the shoes and purse,” Mom said, pulling a box from another bag. “The strap across the top of the foot has matching sequins.”

  I gave Mom a small smile. “Thanks.”

  “Okay, then,” she said, straightening her skirt. “Feel free to use the ladies’ room down the hall.” She shoved another bag in my hands. “There are showers there if you need one.”

  “What’s this?”

  “A travel kit—with shampoo, soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste and simple makeup. I’ll be back for you in a couple hours.”

  I suppressed a smile. I couldn’t remember the last time it took me a couple hours to get ready for anything. I must have looked awful. “Thanks, Mom.”

  She looked me over again. This time she winced when she met my eyes. “You’re welcome.” Her gaze shifted to the floor before she closed the door to the room.

  I fell back on the bed and sighed. This was going to be a long night. In an attempt to make the primping go by faster, I turned a dial on the TSTA-Vision to see if there were any music channels. There was music, but nothing uplifting. Children in black and gold robes sang in a language I didn’t understand. My shoulders stiffened. It was the Aborealian funeral choir.

  Turning the dial again proved useless. The same concert played on every channel. I turned off the TSTA-Vision and began my preparation for the Gala, in silence.

  I DEALT with the final touches in the ladies’ room. Sample-sized tubes of makeup covered the sink in front of me, which I dodged as I stretched to get close enough to the mirror.

  Blech, I thought, twisting my hair back away from my face. The lack of sun in Susana hadn’t done anything to improve my complexion. My skin was the color of printer paper. Worse yet, my eyes—which might as well have been printed in grayscale—were horrific enough to be beautiful, in a paranormal sort of way. Calla, princess of the vampires, who drank of the waters of Nowheres. Behold the bloom of her hollowed-out cheeks, masked with the powder of… I peeked at the back of the sample-sized blush container. Fresh Petals.

  A knock at the door dragged me back to reality.

  I opened it, and gaped. Mom stood there wearing a longer version of the dress I had on. Her blonde hair, usually pulled back in a tight braid, cascaded down past her shoulders.

  But what really caught my attention was my father, who stared at me over her shoulder, appearing both unsure and self-satisfied at the same time. I shoved the makeup leftovers in the purse and brushed past Mom, letting the bathroom spring closed behind me.

  “You look amazing,” I said as I attempted to straighten my father’s bowtie, which was already perfect.

  He looked just as striking as Valcas did in a dinner jacket, maybe even better. Whereas I’d tied my hair up with pins I’d found in the travel kit, my father had tied back his dark curls with a ribbon. It looked so much better pulled away from his face. His blue-green eyes stood out against his olive skin.

  He wasn’t happy about any of it. “I feel like a monkey,” he said, slipping my arm in his. “And now I look like one in this attire.”

  Despite his discomfort, he didn’t give Mom any more trouble about attending the Gala. She walked quietly behind us. We entered the cafeteria, but it was empty.

  A TSTA official opened a door at the other end of the room. “This way for our honored guests and their family.”

  By family, I figured the official meant Mom, which was weird given that she worked for the TSTA. I hoped honored guests wasn’t synonymous with those who will be given a death sentence for having fled the TSTA in Chascadia, freeing the Lost and destroying Susana.

  I felt my father’s arm tighten against mine as we entered the ballroom. Sure that he was no less suspicious than I was, I said, “Don’t worry. Valcas won’t let anything happen to us. He’s probably planning an escape route right now, just in case.”

  My father grunted. His eyes bounced back and forth, scanning the room, possibly in search of his own way out. I couldn’t blame him. I patted the purse which also held my pair of travel glasses; I had a plan, too.

  But instead of pouncing on us as we entered the room, the people there clapped and shook our hands. Rows of powdered and perfumed guests in formalwear greeted us with smiles as another TSTA official led us to a table.

  I caught my breath. So far we hadn’t been arrested. We’d been treated with respect. That made me nervous.

  Mom sat down at a table and motioned for us to do the same. Dinner was already being served. To my relief, Lily, Ray and Valcas were already there, seated across from us.

  Our table was one of many that circled a dance floor with a stage raised in the middle. A podium stuck out from the center of the stage. From it hung a banner decorated with spirals surrounding a navy blue clock with gold lettering, one that looked antiqued. Above the clock it said Everywhere, below Everywhen. It reminded me of the watch the TSTA had given me before my mission to find my father.

  Across the room, I caught a glimpse of shine from Commissioner Reese’s oily forehead. I couldn’t help it—the light from the ceiling reflected off it and nearly blinded me. Since he was the only figure of authority I’d associated with the TSTA up until then, I expected him to give a speech.

  Instead, someone else, a woman, ascended the stage and parked herself in front of the podium. The woman had red hair, streaked with gray. Her dress was cut in a severe style, almost like a suit, formal but not frilly.

  Lily poked Ray in the rib and pointed. Ray touched a finger to his lips and nodded, as if they shared a secret. His earring sparkled red under the overhead lights, adding a casual touch to his tux. Lily’s dress was black with silver bows. Their clothes brought out the blue in their eyes, which greatly accentuated their twin-ness.

  The woman at the podium tapped the microphone twice. When the room quieted, she set her teeth in what looked like a forced smile. “Good evening,” she said. “I am Susana Bree, your ambassador to all worlds with travelers passing through the Everywhere and the Everywhen. Also, the newly elected President of the TSTA.”

  I RAISED a brow at Valcas. I had no idea the TSTA had a president.

  When did this happen?

  He winked at me and sat farther back in his seat, as if he were enjoying himself by privately trying to solve the puzzle.

  President Bree continued her speech. “Welcome to the TSTA’s first annual fundraising Gala.”

  A couple of people started to applaud, but President Bree raised her hands to silence them. “This Agency has been in great need of support—monetary aid—for some time. Monies earned from those able to pay fines in retribution for their infractions are simply not enough to cover the costs of a greater matter.”

  Guests glanced at one another with worried eyes.

  “We need more funding. What we intend to fight—for the TSTA’s protection—will cost a great deal. And we need your help.”

  Murmurs spread throughout the room. I imagined anyone who attended a fundraiser already expected to shell out a bunch of cash. But the grumpy frowns around me seemed to suggest otherwise. I couldn’t help but wonder whether President Bree was going to ask them for more money than they’d brought.

  President Bree paused and raised her hands again. “You may have already noticed that no one from Aboreal is present tonight. That’s because the Aborealian people have not been invi
ted.” Her inflection on the word people suggested she thought them anything but people. Words like monsters or animals came to mind—something less than human.

  I sucked in a breath. No. I searched around the room, trying to find someone, anyone, with jet-black or snow-white hair. I didn’t see anybody. Okay, maybe a couple of people there had super dark or super light hair, but it was different somehow, less uniform. There was also the matter of the Aborealians’ jewel-toned eyes, something I couldn’t see from where I was sitting.

  A more complete understanding of why Ivory and Nick weren’t present suffocated me. I didn’t see Valcas’ mother, Sable, there either—even though she was an Aborealian who I knew had given the TSTA tons of money to pay for Valcas’ infractions. I covered my mouth with my hand. Why hadn’t the TSTA invited someone as wealthy as her to their fundraising Gala? And why did the TSTA need protection from Aboreal?

  “But there are Aborealian personnel among the TSTA,” called out a man from the crowd.

  President Bree shook her head. “That’s no longer the case. All Aborealian employees have either been sent home or detained.”

  Buzzing sounds of surprise and fear circulated the room. I couldn’t tell whether the other guests were worried for themselves, the Aborealians or the TSTA. Had Ivory lost her job? If so, did she know that yet?

  And what about Valcas—people like him who were half Aborealian? Were they TSTA enemies too? Would they take him away?

  “Valcas?” My voice shook under the weight of my fear of the unknown.

  “Don’t worry, dearest,” he said under his breath. “My birthplace is the White Tower, not Aboreal. I wouldn’t have been invited if they didn’t want me to hear this.”

  “That’s what I’m worried about.” Maybe the TSTA wanted him here, trapped with me.

  After hushing the guests once more, President Bree eyed the crowd and smiled. She clasped her hands in front of her, near her heart. Polished fingernails matched her red hair. I wondered what world she came from and how she’d been elected. “Tonight we have special guests, talented travelers who have visited and survived the Place of the Lost.”

  A dark silence followed as those present absorbed the president’s words.

  “Basileios Plaka and Calidora Winston, if you would please stand so that we may recognize you.”

  I froze in my seat. I’d already known we were to be guests of honor for the Gala, but my arms and legs seemed to have fallen asleep.

  “Don’t be shy,” urged President Bree. “A round of applause, please, for the last two Remnant Transporters.”

  “Monkeys,” my father said softly as he stood from his chair.

  I couldn’t focus on anything else but his face as I followed his lead. That one word, spoken by my father, coupled with peals of clapping, explained the purpose of the entire evening—why we were there. Like my father said, we were monkeys, dangled in front of the assembly for the guests’ entertainment. The TSTA was using us to gain support and the funding they needed to stay safe from Aboreal.

  Valcas’ eyes darted back and forth between me and my father as we sat back down. A frown spread across his face.

  I worried for Nick and Ivory as waiters placed plates in front of me. I worried through salad, soup and an entrée sprinkled with sides. I wondered how much the TSTA knew about Susana—did it know Susana by that name or as the Place of the Lost, like President Bree had said? Mom had mentioned Susana by its name in the invitation. Was that because Ivory told her about it, or was it knowledge she’d already had? I kept these questions to myself during dinner, and continued to worry. President Bree’s first name also concerned me. Her name was also Susana. Dessert showed up at some point, but none of it mattered. I tasted nothing.

  After dinner, the dance floor that circled the stage quickly populated with guests. Had the circumstances been different, it would have been a great party. A tap on my shoulder further soured the event.

  I turned to find a redheaded woman towering over me. Her dress looked even stiffer up close.

  “Calidora,” said President Bree, holding out her hand. “How wonderful to finally meet you.”

  I winced. Finally? Something in her voice hinted at the possibility that she’d heard of me before. “Hi,” I said as I gave her hand a polite, but quick, shake.

  President Bree responded with a smile doused in sugar. “Your mother talks about you all the time. She’s proud to have a daughter with such an exquisite talent.”

  All the time, huh? I hated how she tried to make it sound like she and Mom were best friends. “It’s too bad I didn’t find out about my travel talent until after I was charged with a TSTA infraction,” I said, sweetly. “That would have been useful information.”

  “I have no intention of telling others how to raise their children, but I have to agree.” She looked at me with mock pity; her eyes brooded conspiracy, as if she was letting me in on a secret. “You should have been trained by the TSTA so you could learn how to make the best use of your talent.” She paused. Something across the room apparently caught her eye. “On the other hand…”

  I followed President Bree’s gaze, which led to my father. Her lips quirked into a half grin.

  “On the other hand?” I hoped she didn’t enjoy what she was looking at quite as much as it seemed.

  “Some travelers seem to have no problem developing their talents without the agency’s instruction,” she continued. “The most interesting are those who also manage to avoid infractions.”

  “Or becoming Lost,” I shot back, unsure where she was going with this, not to mention uncomfortable with how she continued to stare at my father.

  President Bree wrinkled her forehead. “Yes, what a sad situation for those who were Lost. Those poor beings—”

  “You mean like me? I was Lost before helping to free the others from Susana.”

  She let out a sharp breath before smoothing a hand across an imaginary wrinkle on her suit-dress and pulling her lips back into a smile. “Yes, of course.” She patted my shoulder. “I’d like to hear more about your experiences, but I don’t want our other guest of honor to feel unwanted.”

  I choked back laughter. If she only knew just how unwanted my father wished to be—both by her and the agency she represented. The smugness in her eyes suggested that she mistook my silence for agreement.

  Before I could set the record straight, she looked away as if bored with me and our conversation. “Some other time, then? Thanks again for being here with us this evening, Calidora. I look forward to chatting with you soon.” Her feet were in motion before her lips stopped moving, headed in the direction of my father.

  I stood there alone, scowling, as President Bree traced her red nails along my father’s arm. I couldn’t blame her for thinking him handsome, especially when he wasn’t dressed like a coyote hunter from ancient Greece. I bet she also thought he was powerful because of his talents and healing abilities. What bothered me most was that I wasn’t certain whether she was genuinely intrigued, or if she was making it up as part of a trap.

  I wanted her nasty claws off my father. I had to find a way to break them apart. I didn’t want to throw Valcas at her. That would be awkward.

  Fortunately, my father didn’t seem to be the slightest bit interested in her. He was polite, but I could tell from the look in his eyes that he despised her. To him, she was a symbol of hatred, the conniving figurehead of the agency he despised.

  But more than once, I caught him looking over President Bree’s shoulder, with love in his eyes. When he looked at the bar, or more precisely, at the woman standing there. Mom.

  That gave me an idea.

  MOM GRINNED at me as if I’d just graduated from an Ivy League university. Not that traditional schooling had been my style. I wondered what life would have been like had I attended an in-person high school or, weirder yet, trained with the TSTA.

  “Hey, Mom,” I said, grabbing the nearest drink. Fizz burned my throat as I took a few gulps.

&nbs
p; She swirled a glass of clear liquid topped with a wedge of lime, and then tilted her head toward me. “Are you enjoying the party?”

  I bit my lip.

  “I see.” Mom set down her glass. “What’s on your mind?”

  “Lots, actually.” I exhaled through my nose as I thought about how to bring up a topic I was sure she wouldn’t like. “How much did you know about my father’s travel talent?”

  Mom’s eyes darkened. I wasn’t sure what I’d expected. Suddenly, we were back to how our conversations about my father usually went, with me asking questions and her looking at me with the same disgust she had for my father. Maybe my idea wouldn’t work after all.

  “Come on, Mom. This is more important now than ever. Did you suspect I might have the Remnant Transporter talent?”

  She pressed her lips together, tightly. Interesting. She didn’t deny it.

  “Then why not make sure I trained with the TSTA? You work there. You could have signed me up for classes, or whatever they do. I could have learned along with Ray. You trust Ray—you think he and his talent are so great.”

  A glassy sheen filled her eyes. “It’s just that I—”

  “I get it, that you were trying to protect me, give me a normal life. But, for what? I had to learn everything by myself. I even had to find my own father. We could have saved the Lost earlier; we could have prevented so much misery. And we could have done so before I became Lost and my father ended up in the arms of President Bree.”

  Mom’s head snapped over to the dance floor. Her eyes narrowed.

  I covered my lips to mask any suggestion of a grin. “She, um, seemed really interested in him when she was talking to me.” If she and Mom were friends, they certainly weren’t besties anymore.

  Mom looked away, and then smoothed her dress. “Well, that’s none of my business. The president is free to dance with whomever she pleases.”