Fierce Girl Publishing LLC.
Estero, Florida
Copyright © 2017 by Georgina Kane
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written consent of the publisher.
First Paperback Edition: October 2017
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
ISBN 13: 978-1530751976
Printed in the United States of America
To my family-
My father, for always being there for me
My mother, for always believing in me
My brother and sister, for always having my back
My husband, for always loving me no matter what
AWAKEN
A novel
By
Georgina Kane
CHAPTER 1
E than opened his eyes, gasping, sweat dripping down his forehead, pooling where his neck and collarbone met. His chest moved rapidly with every breath, his body catching up with the fact that he was no longer dreaming. He looked down at his shaking limbs, willing them to be still. Taking a deep breath, he released a heavy sigh, throwing the covers off the bed. A flick of his wrist illuminated the bathroom adjacent to his bedroom.
The nightmares began almost a year before Ethan Drake’s sixteenth birthday. In the beginning, they were a blurry mixture of jumbled images shrouded in a heavy cloud of dread. It was as if he was being suffocated with fear. His voice stolen when he tried to scream out.
Nothing had ever terrified him like that before but he pushed down his apprehensions. Everyone saw bad things at night, right? In fact, when the first one hit, he brushed it off as a fluke, even though it left him shuddering under his comforter for the rest of the night. A few days later, when he woke up soaking in his own sweat, he realized the images were not going away.
As time went on, certain details sharpened and he could make out the shape of people and places like a jigsaw puzzle forming a clear picture. But Ethan had no idea what any of it meant since he didn’t recognize them or the landscapes.
Sometimes he would hear a voice calling to him, eerily comforting but foreign none the less. His confusion filled him with anxiety, cloaking the emotion over his body; overwhelming him. He didn’t understand what had brought on the frightful sequences, only that they were becoming more and more frequent.
He splashed cold water on his face, glaring at his reflection in the mirror. He closed his eyes, tightening his grip on the sink. He could still hear the screams, remembering how they shook the very walls of the dreamscape. Agony was the only word that came to mind.
What was wrong with him? All he wanted was a good night’s sleep but that was clearly asking for too much. He found himself especially annoyed at the timing considering how important tomorrow was. It was the single biggest day of school and now he was destined to endure it with bags under his eyes.
Great.
He padded back to the bed, falling dramatically, huffing in the process. He stretched his fatigued limbs, allowing them to wilt on to his blanket as he turned his head, focusing his attention on the darkness streaming in from his window. He listened to the rhythmic pitter patter of rain beating against the glass, allowing the soothing sound to fill his mind. It was late, or early, depending on how one looked at it. The eerie black expanse of the school courtyard should have disturbed him but Ethan found himself particularly calm at the sight. The obscurity of the evening shadows had never given Ethan cause for worry. It was the images in his mind that kept him up at night.
The following morning, he walked along the school corridor anxiously, clutching his knapsack with both hands. He woke up wearied and emotionally drained, like many mornings before. Simple tasks like brushing his teeth and showering felt like an epic chore but he powered through them. If he was going to have any chance as an adult in society, he would need to get his offending sleep patterns under control. After all, his time as a child was coming to an end.
“You look terrible! You’re not nervous, are you?” Caleb asked, giving his friend a sideward glance.
“No. I mean…. no. Why? Are you nervous?” Ethan stuttered.
His friend shook his head and smiled. Caleb Middleton had always been the confident one and it wasn’t because he was good looking though that didn’t hurt. He was tall and muscular with blond hair that was always coiffed to perfection, blue eyes and a toothy grin that made the girls and even some boys swoon.
The last few years in school hadn’t proven a challenge for him at all in terms of social interactions. Everyone liked Caleb. He was smart, talkative, social and destined for great things. Ethan on the other hand had a tenacity for feeling awkward and left out. It wasn’t like he didn’t have friends, he just knew he was different. He figured his eyes had something to do with it. He was born with a genetic deviation that caused his eyes to be a brilliant shade of blue, deep and entrancing, unlike any other person in the city, making most students intimidated.
Ethan wasn’t bad looking either. He was tall, though not quite as tall as Caleb, and had black hair which sat in a messy short Mohawk. Add pale skin and a slender build and he became the only person in their city with such a combination. Yet another reason why Ethan felt at odds with his surroundings. Not that he would ever tell Caleb that.
“Of course, you’re not nervous,” Ethan stated, rolling his eyes.
Caleb grinned back at him and slung an arm over his shoulder as the pair made their way into the classroom. Brighton Preparatory Academy wasn’t a large school but it was of sufficient size to house the one hundred or so students that started each year. It sat on the southern border of the city, surrounded by small ponds and pockets of maple trees that created a calming environment.
No one really remembered what life was like before they started school and they never spoke about it. It was just known that once you turned eight you began your schooling and then at sixteen you took your placement test which determined your purpose within the city. Students would then apprentice for two years before being offered a permanent position in one of the main Sectors of society. The three largest Sectors were Technology, Textiles and Agriculture. Each one had a level system that defined your importance in both rank and job placement. Level 1 positions were the most sought after since they generally led to leadership positions within the city. Level 5, the lowest placement, was reserved for mundane city jobs like waste collection or housekeeping.
Caleb wasn’t worried because he would almost certainly be placed in a high-ranking technology post. Those were the spots that everyone wanted because you got to live in the skyscrapers next to the science labs. Luxurious apartments with fine finishes, great views of the city and anything you could ever want right at your fingertips.
But you also needed to be very smart to get those jobs. Ethan knew he was intelligent but he would never want to work there. Those jobs were for people who cared about nice things and Ethan just wanted a regular job in a regular housing district with regular food and regular friends. Ethan was desperate to fit in and nothing said, ‘I’m normal’ like a job in the Textiles Sector.
They were responsible for producing all the material goods for the population. Anything from clothing to furniture, household goods and linens were fabricated in the warehouses that lined the edge of the city. Their living arrangements were considered much more modest, consisting of plain square buildings, a few stories tall
with multi-colored dwellings and artistic décor.
Ethan took his seat next to Caleb and his other friend Abby Westlund. She was basically the female version of Caleb, full of fiery sarcastic wit. She wasn’t tall but she was slender and beautiful. Her vibrant red hair framed her petite face, showcasing her viridian eyes.
She was unique in every way and that made her an attractive addition to the school. Her warm-hearted personality accounted for her extensive accumulation of friends but most of her time was spent with Ethan. He was certain that she was destined for the Textiles Sector where her creativity and artistic talents would be well received.
“Hey Ethan,” Abby greeted with her megawatt smile.
“Hey Abs,” Ethan replied with a small smile of his own.
“You look pale. You’re not nervous, are you?” She asked.
“He’s always pale Abby. It’s the natural hue of his skin,” Caleb mocked, earning a glare from his friend.
Ethan fumbled with his hands before answering Abby.
“I’m a little scared. I just hope I don’t hate my placement,” he said. “It’s so much pressure.”
Abby placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“You’ll be fine. If you’re lucky, you’ll get Textiles with me!” she said, flipping her hair as she spoke. “Can you imagine all the fun we would have picking out patterns and designing tables? It makes me giddy just thinking about it!”
Caleb rolled his eyes as the red head trailed off into a world of colorful fabrics and funky furniture. “Don’t listen to her. I’m sure you’ll get something perfectly adequate.”
Abby shook her head from her delusional thoughts and chimed in.
“Perfectly adequate? You’re making it sound like Ethan isn’t getting a great job,” she snickered.
Caleb sat up in his seat, temporarily offended by her comment.
“That’s not what I’m saying. But I know Ethan and what he wants and it’s not some flashy job,” he countered.
“That’s not true, Ethan would do great in a flashy job. For all you know, he’s headed to the Technology Sector!” she stated triumphantly.
“Be real Abby. We both know the Technology Sector isn’t his scene. He needs something more laid back with less demands.”
Ethan stared amusingly at his friends as they argued in front of him.
“You guys do know I’m sitting right here?” he asked, attempting to intervene in the conversation.
“Butt out Drake.” He wasn’t sure who said it, simply smirking as they continued to fight in his honor.
Thankfully, a few minutes later Mr. Phillips walked into the classroom with numerous envelopes in his hands, ready to pass them out. The man was clearly nearing retirement since he looked exhausted all the time and it showed in his appearance.
He was constantly scratching the scruff of his beard and while his clothes were nicely tailored, the muted colors only added to his sad existence. Excitement was not an emotion he appeared to possess.
As Mr. Phillips went to the front of the room to address them, Ethan felt a wave of nausea hit him. He looked down to his left wrist and rubbed at his tattoo attempting to calm himself. It was a habit he had picked up a few years ago and it always seemed to ease his apprehensions.
He often wondered about the origins of the mark since he didn’t remember receiving it but he had always been too scared to ask. Besides, every citizen had one since nothing could be done in the city without the tattoo. Almost every type of transaction required swiping the inked mark across a sensor.
“All right students. It’s the time you’ve all been waiting for. Inside these envelopes, you will find your future within our city walls,” Mr. Phillips said as he held the envelopes high. They all waited with bated breath.
“What happens if you don’t like where you’ve been placed?” a girl in the back asked.
Ethan turned around and saw it was Hadley West who had made the inquiry. He found the question peculiar because he was certain that Hadley was headed to the highest tower in the Technology Sector. She was the smartest student in their class. An attribute that perfectly matched her appearance.
She had frizzy chestnut hair hanging past her shoulders and big brown eyes that complemented her pointy noise. She was nice enough but focused most of her time on school and not on friends. She wasn’t socially awkward, just abrupt and to the point.
“You can discuss that with me privately, Ms. West,” the teacher replied, seemingly annoyed by the interruption.
He began to hand out the packets to each student, stating their name as he did so. Some of the kids were too excited to wait, ripping open their envelopes with giddy excitement. Ethan heard happy cheers alongside a few solemn sighs but one celebration stood out.
“Level 1 Technology! Read it and weep!”
Ethan rolled his eyes over at Tyler Hanes, watching as the boy waved his letter in front of other students. Tyler had always been a jerk, so it came as no surprise to anyone that he would act so crass. Ethan and Caleb shared an annoyed look when Mr. Phillips approached them, carefully handing them each an envelope.
“Mr. Drake,” he said glancing at Ethan before turning to his friend.
“Mr. Middleton.”
Caleb snatched the envelope from his professor’s hand and ripped it open. The excitement on his friend’s face was contagious and Ethan found himself equally excited to discover his own future. He tore the package open, grabbing the piece of paper that would determine everything yet to come in his life.
Caleb’s eyes were wide as he stared down at his letter. Ethan matched his facial features, equally stunned by his own results. He did not, however, get to be shocked for too long since Abby was grabbing him by the shoulder, standing him up and forcing him into an excited hug.
“I got Textiles Level 1! Can you believe it?!” she shouted joyously. Ethan finally leaned into the hug, truly happy for his friend.
“That’s awesome Abby,” he said sincerely.
They both stopped celebrating when they noticed the broken-hearted expression on Caleb’s face.
“Caleb? What is it?” Ethan asked. Caleb swallowed hard before speaking. “It’s… It’s nothing,” he said as he abruptly stood and stormed out of the classroom.
Ethan took his own letter and quickly stuffed it into his knapsack. He looked at Abby who shrugged, equally confused by their friends’ impetuous departure. Walking out of the room, Abby hooked her arm around Ethan’s. It was something she had done for years so Ethan thought nothing of it. As much as he liked his friend, he never thought of her as anything more than that.
He was certain the other students assumed more of them but he didn’t care. Abby was his best friend and he valued that over anything else they could have romantically. If anything, he figured Abby would have gone after Caleb but apparently, he wasn’t interested. His loss, Ethan thought.
He leaned into her touch, placing his head on her knit covered shoulder. Suddenly, he was pushed harshly to the side, colliding roughly with the stone wall. He grabbed his left shoulder, rubbing at the muscle which was now throbbing in pain.
Tyler glared at him, smirking to himself as he plowed through the rest of the student body. Seriously, what was his problem? Abby clutched Ethan’s arm, sporting a worried expression on her face. “I’m fine,” Ethan responded dejectedly. She didn’t prod any further, choosing instead to change the subject.
Abby chatted away about how she would transform the Textiles Sector and make the most beautiful things the city had ever seen. Ethan smiled, loving the way his friend could turn anything into an adventure.
They made their way down to the mess hall where Ethan searched for Caleb but couldn’t locate him. Obviously, his friend had not gotten the news he wanted, but then again, neither had Ethan. He wasn’t sure how to feel about the letter that was now burning a hole in his bag. He didn’t know if he should be happy or upset. Maybe there had been a mix up and he accidentally got Caleb’s letter. That had to be it.
“Hey, I’ll be right back,” he said to Abby before turning around and exiting the communal space. He took the stairs two at a time, hoping to catch his professor. When he made it back to the classroom, he saw Hadley speaking to Mr. Phillips. She appeared distraught as she pointed to her letter with glassy eyes.
“This can’t be right Mr. Phillips. Level 2? I’m clearly Level 1 material!” she shouted at the balding man. He seemed tired of explaining himself repeatedly but did so anyway.
“I already told you Ms. West, I do not have the authority to change your assignment. If you feel there was an error, you will have to take that up with the grievances committee.”
The small girl held back her tears as she stomped out of the room, shoving past Ethan in the process.
“Mr. Drake? Don’t tell me you are also unhappy with your placement?” he asked tiredly. Ethan moved farther into the room and met his teacher’s eyes. He shook his head as he dug into his bag for his letter.
“No sir. I was simply wondering if maybe there was a mistake,” he mumbled. He handed the letter over to the professor and waited for his explanation. The adult studied the piece of paper carefully and then sighed, regarding the boy profoundly.
“No Ethan, there is no mistake.” Ethan was confused. He needed to know why this had happened, there had to be a reason. “But it says Level 1 Technology. Clearly that’s a mistake. I mean those positions are for really smart people-”
“You are really smart Ethan,” his professor interjected. Ethan shook his head. “No. I mean yes. But these positions are for people like Hadley or maybe Caleb, right?” he pleaded.
His professor stared at Ethan sadly.
“I’m not sure what you mean Ethan. You are very smart and you were correctly placed. That is all I can say,” he concluded. The professor grabbed his briefcase and coat, walking toward the door.
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