by Dylan Steel
“You’re not?” Marnie’s eyes widened in disbelief.
She shook her head.
“How come?” Pippa asked.
“Guys…” Penelope glared at the other girls.
“It’s fine,” Sage reassured her. “Headmaster Alexander said they decided it was more important to schedule time for trauma counseling.” That was the official story, at least. She felt a little bad about lying to the only people who actually seemed to care, so she quickly added, “Plus, the investigation’s still open, so they’re probably going to need to keep asking me stuff about when I was gone.”
“Oh.” Pippa picked at the food on her plate while the others exchanged awkward glances.
“It’s fine. Really.” Sage sighed in exasperation. “I just want everything to get back to normal.”
“Funny you should say that,” Marnie said under her breath.
Penelope shot her a reprimanding look.
“What do you mean?” Sage asked, rolling her eyes at Penelope’s overprotectiveness.
“Things haven’t exactly been normal for us.”
“Ok…” Sage looked back and forth from Penelope to Marnie uncertainly. “Penelope mentioned they’ve been a lot stricter about leaving campus.”
“Uh, yeah. You could say that. They broadcast fights from the Bokja Tournament from the practice mats. And last Founders’ Day, we all watched the ceremony from the cafeteria. All of the levels performed over there.” She pointed to a spot along the wall. “They didn’t even let Level Fifteens and Sixteens go to the Center last year for career prep. And the only students that went to graduation were the Level Sixteens. Just the graduates. We watched it all right over there.” Marnie jerked her thumb toward a corner of the room and shook her head. “No one left after you were taken.”
Sage’s mouth fell open.
“That’s not all,” Pippa added. “I heard they were questioning all the adults in the city. Like, every day.”
“They were trying to smoke out the Lawless,” Penelope said quietly, her eyes downcast. “At least that’s what they told us.”
“Yeah,” Marnie nodded. “Of course it was the Lawless. They hate Eprah and everything it stands for. Us kids just got caught in the crossfire.”
Sage gritted her teeth. “It’s not like they ever told me they were Lawless.” She still wasn’t convinced that was the truth.
“Of course not.” Marnie shrugged. “You were just collateral damage. They were just trying to make a point.”
“About what?” The veil hiding Sage’s irritation was growing thinner. “How was taking me helpful to them in any way?” she growled.
“Whoa, guys, maybe we should—”
“—No, really. I’d like to know,” Sage snapped, cutting off Penelope. “What kind of point were they trying to make? Why did they need me to make it?”
Marnie stared at Sage with wide eyes. “You expect me to understand them?” she asked incredulously. “They’re just crazy. They hate everything about Eprah, and they know how much Eprah cares about its kids.”
Sage’s nostrils flared. She wasn’t sure if she was angrier about the fact that Marnie had unknowingly called her crazy or that she wasn’t sure anymore that the Lawless hadn’t been behind her kidnapping. She didn’t know what to believe. She needed answers, but she had no idea how she would get them when her every move was being scrutinized by the headmaster or the Peace or Mr. Gaztok or the Quorum—anyone with the smallest degree of authority over her, which was almost everyone.
“It’s not supposed to make any sense. You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Pippa said gently in an attempt to be comforting. “That’s why the Institution’s been so careful with its students all year. It could’ve happened to any of us.”
“I guess,” Sage mumbled, pushing around the last spoonful of mush on her plate.
The table grew quiet for a minute before Penelope broke the silence.
“We should probably get going. Classes start in a few minutes.” She picked up her tray as she stood.
“Anyone else got math first?” Sage asked hopefully.
“Me!” Pippa bubbled excitedly. “Do you have Ms. Zayer?”
“I think so…”
“Great! We’re in the same class.”
They crossed the room and put their empty trays in the wall bins.
“I think you’ll really like her. She’s a lot nicer than—”
“Eprah’s name!” A loud voice rang out across the room. “You’re back!”
Everyone turned to see who was shouting. Sage’s face lit up when she realized it was Darren. He was the last person she’d seen before she’d been kidnapped. And now he was barreling toward her.
“It’s true! I didn’t know if it was true.”
He swept her up in his arms, squeezing her tightly. Her stomach tumbled as she felt her feet leave the ground. He’d grown a lot in the past year, and lifting her seemed effortless for him.
“Sorry,” he said as he set her back down, noticing her flushed face. “I just wasn’t sure I could believe it was true that you were back.”
She gave him a slight smile. “Well, here I am,” she said matter-of-factly.
“I just—I thought I’d never see you again. After he—” his face went pale. “I’m so sorry,” he mumbled softly. “I didn’t stop him.”
“Are you kidding? You couldn’t have done anything.” Sage looked at him in surprise. “I was actually worried for awhile that you’d been taken too.”
He shook his head. “I got locked in that room for a few hours, but I was fine. Freaked out, obviously, but fine. Not like—” he stopped himself. “I’m glad you’re back.”
“Thanks.” She fidgeted. She was starting to get tired of repeating the same lines.
“Did they catch the guy who took you?”
“Uh, no, not exactly…”
“Seriously? Don’t they know who it was by now? They obviously got you back…” Darren’s brow furrowed. “You can’t tell me they don’t—”
“It’s fine,” she said quickly, not wanting to explain anything in the middle of the cafeteria. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it reassuringly like he’d done for her on countless uncomfortable Transfer rides. “I mean—I’d really just rather not talk about it. Not right now, at least.”
“Oh.” His face turned a light shade of pink as he shoved his hands in his pockets. “Sorry. I guess I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s ok. Really. And I’m really glad you’re ok too…” She shifted her weight awkwardly and glanced over at an impatient Pippa. “I have to go. First real class again today.”
“Oh!” He took a step back. “Yeah, you should go. I have class now too. We’ll catch up later.”
Sage nodded and gave him another small smile before turning and rushing down the hall with Pippa. She hoped it wouldn’t take long for things to return to normal.
4. ESCORTED
Sage glanced up at the clock and sighed before making her way to the edge of the room. It was almost time for her session with Ms. Verdan, but she couldn’t leave the Common Lounge until her escort showed up.
Always escorted. Both Mr. Gaztok and the headmaster had insisted. Any time she was supposed to go anywhere on her own without her classmates, she wasn’t actually allowed to be alone.
Even after a month reintegrating with her fellow Level Thirteens, even within the Institution’s walls, they still considered it too risky to leave her unattended. She couldn’t understand why—it’s not like anyone could sneak her out of this place. It was probably just a chance for them to save face after the colossal screw-up that was her first kidnapping. She’d been kidnapped on an Institution-sanctioned excursion, and that was completely unacceptable in their eyes. No way could the administration risk a second one, especially not so soon after the first. And despite their previous failure, they were quick to remind her that Eprah and the Institution could and should be trusted to protect her. Apparently, constant escorts were pro
of of their motives and capabilities—proof that they had the best intentions for her, unlike her horrible kidnappers.
Inwardly, she’d rolled her eyes, but outwardly, she’d told them that she didn’t blame Eprah—that she knew there was nothing anyone could have done. Ms. Verdan had pursed her lips and frowned at the screen in front of her, saying nothing in response. Not exactly a positive sign. She couldn’t wait for the day when they believed her. It would be really nice to do even the simplest things without the Institution’s ever-watchful eyes, but that wasn’t going to happen any time soon.
Sighing, she crossed her arms and slumped against the door frame, looking out into the empty hall. Whoever today’s escort was, they were running late. She hoped it wouldn’t get her in trouble with Ms. Verdan, but she wasn’t about to hold her breath. The woman didn’t tolerate many missteps. It was easy to see why Mr. Gaztok spoke so highly of her.
To her surprise, she looked up to see a grinning Mr. Walsh rounding the corner, stopping just outside the doorway. He jerked his head, beckoning her to follow him.
She stepped into the hallway and blinked in confusion, looking around. “What are you—”
“I offered to be your escort today,” he said quickly. “It’s good to see you again, Sage.”
“You too,” she said uncertainly.
“Since I’ve known you for awhile, I’m apparently ‘less clinical’ than some of the other escorts they had in mind for you,” he continued, smiling. “After I pointed that out, the headmaster agreed that it might be a good idea for you to see a familiar face.” He leaned closer and whispered, “Between you and me, I think they’re hoping I help put you more at ease before your… counseling session today.”
She nodded, a distant expression on her face as a torrent of questions flooded her mind. At least he knew the truth behind the charade. As far as her classmates knew, her sessions were only for helping her to work through the trauma of being ripped away from the Institution, from Eprah.
In truth, she was meeting with a counselor, but her other meetings—the ones with Ms. Verdan, like today—had nothing to do with her emotional well-being—their sole purpose was to probe deeper into her memories and make sure she was telling the whole truth about her time at the benefactor’s estate.
Her steps fell beside his automatically as they began making their way down the corridor, the Common Lounge fading in the distance behind them.
“And I figured it would be a good chance for us to talk. At least a little bit.” He lowered his voice so that she almost couldn’t hear his next words. “I know you’re being monitored closely. And I’m sure you’re aware of that as well.”
Her lips parted almost imperceptibly as she stared up at him, saying nothing. They exchanged a knowing look.
He cleared his throat and returned his gaze to the front. "We’ve all missed you quite a lot around here, Sage. And it’s good to have you back.”
“Is it?” The words slipped out without her thinking.
A deep crease formed in his brow as he shot her a pained look.
“I just mean… Not everyone seems happy I’m back.” She hesitated. “I’ve heard people talking… when they think I’m not around, not listening.” She bit her lip and stared at the ground.
“People can be very selfish sometimes, Sage. It’s not always easy to see things from someone else’s perspective.” He paused. “There were a lot of difficult changes around here while you were away. And while I doubt the hardships of those changes come close to comparing to the fear and uncertainty that you faced, I also doubt that many people could imagine what it must have been like for you.” His steps slowed as he met her eyes. “Sometimes people don’t know any better. Not everyone can easily figure out the truth of a matter, especially if they’ve been told something else altogether.”
“I guess,” she said noncommittally, wondering if they were still talking about her kidnapping. She dragged her feet as they continued. “I guess… It’d just be nice if everything got back to normal.”
“Normal, eh?” A slight grin played at his lips as he continued staring ahead. “I’m not sure if that’s possible when you’re growing up.”
Sage fell silent. Mr. Walsh probably hadn’t meant anything bad by it, but she couldn’t help but think he was teasing her a little, and she didn’t particularly appreciate it.
She frowned. This wasn’t really what she’d hoped to talk to him about when she saw him again. There were so many questions she wanted to ask him, but he’d made it clear that she was still being watched—they certainly couldn’t speak freely yet.
Still, she didn’t want to drive herself crazy with regret.
“They told me…” Sage hesitated.
“Yes?”
Their footsteps echoed across the hall, filling the silence as she worked up the courage to ask him the question that had been haunting her since she’d gotten back.
“Do you know… Are the Lawless really behind my kidnapping?”
He paused and looked at her thoughtfully. “I really can’t say. I’m certainly not privy to the all the inner workings of the Lawless.” He gave her a curious look and continued without missing a beat, “Mr. Gaztok certainly seems to think so.”
Mr. Walsh was speaking cautiously, clearly guarding his speech from anyone who might be listening. She wanted to ask him more questions, but there wasn’t time. And he wouldn’t be able to speak openly anyway. Her questions would have to wait longer—until she was no longer stuck under Eprah’s microscope.
“Well,” she said deliberately, “I don’t know if Mr. Gaztok’s telling the truth or not, but I know I am. I know who took me, and now so do they. Not that they’ve done anything about it,” she added bitterly.
She could’ve sworn she saw a look of alarm flash across Mr. Walsh’s face while she was speaking, but it was so brief, she couldn’t be sure. By the time she’d glanced at him again, she was looking up at his standard, slightly-lopsided grin.
Her stomach turned. If she’d actually seen what she thought she’d seen and Mr. Walsh was actually concerned about what she might have told the authorities, it was possible that Mr. Gaztok had actually been telling the truth—that she’d actually been taken by the Lawless, that she’d actually turned against one of her own allies when she revealed Mrs. Bennick’s identity.
But it still didn’t make any sense. Why would the Lawless want to kidnap her? And why wouldn’t they tell her if it really was them?
“If the rumors are to be believed, Sage, they are doing their best to conduct an impartial investigation before making any arrests.”
She nodded uneasily.
“All anyone expects of you is the truth.” Mr. Walsh stopped walking and waved a hand toward the door in front of them. “I believe this is your stop.”
This was the worst part. Sessions with Ms. Verdan were always the same. The same questions with the same answers. The same disapproving stares and the same incredulous raised eyebrows.
Sage sucked in a breath and reached for the door.
“I do hope you’re able to put this all behind you someday soon,” he said gently.
She turned to ask him another question, but he’d already begun retreating back down the hallway.
“Me too,” she whispered. She’d been left alone. Just for a moment, but she was alone. It was as if he knew how much she wanted just that, and he’d done the only thing he could for her. All her other escorts had stepped inside the room with her, passing her off directly to Ms. Verdan’s care.
Sighing, she pushed open the door and braced herself for once more reliving the past year for the next hour.
5. UNBELIEVABLE
“Watch it, Sage! You nearly took my head off!” Drue staggered backward, holding his hands in front of himself protectively.
Sage spun forward again as she dropped her leg back down from shoulder height. “Sorry ‘bout that,” she said hoarsely as she gulped for breath.
Ms. Bax walked past while they were doubled
over, recovering. She looked pleased.
“Good.” She spoke loudly, addressing the whole class but looking straight at Sage with a subdued smile. “Five more minutes of sparring and then we’re done for today. Keep going.” She nodded and continued pacing the mats.
“Are you kidding me?” Drue muttered, half to himself. “What’d they do, make you train eight hours a day while you were locked up in your dungeon?”
Sage’s face lost a shade of color. “No.” Her heart thumped a little faster as she pushed back memories. “Not that it’s any of your business.”
Drue’s chin jutted forward slightly as he looked away. “Sorry,” he said reluctantly, “shouldn’t have said that.”
He sounded genuinely embarrassed by his own words, but they’d already been sparring for awhile, and it was impossible to tell if his face had grown any more flushed in the last few seconds.
“It’s fine,” she said, brushing it off as she steeled herself in a fighting stance again. It was never good to look weak in front of an opponent, even in practice. Weakness had a nasty habit of reappearing at the worst times in the tournament. “You ready to keep going?”
He smacked his fists together in reply, bracing himself to fight once more.
They began circling the mat again, eyeing each other cautiously.
Drue was the first to strike again. They exchanged a few easy blows, weaving back and forth, missing any major connections. After about twenty seconds of formulaic attacks and simple evasions, Drue’s knuckles finally managed to graze Sage’s ear as she ducked to the side at the last moment. Irritated by her own slow response, she wasted no time delivering a blow beneath his still-outstretched arm.
She could practically hear him grit his teeth as he recoiled from her hit. In that moment, the tone of the fight turned suddenly serious. Before she had a chance to dodge it, his elbow slammed against her shoulder, driving her into the ground fast.
Her eyes widened as the floor came rushing toward her. She ducked her head instinctively, rolling out of his reach before launching back up and facing him again.
