“I'm sure you do, dear.” Dunningham turned to my brothers and me. “So, do you want this job?”
“Of course they do,” Father answered for us. “And they'll do great. Thank you so much, Mr. Dunningham. They won't let you down.”
Mr. Dunningham stood, and his assistant followed suit. “This is a big job, so I'll be enlisting a couple other Grims. This assignment begins in a week. I need them to study and become familiar with high school culture. You won't be invisible to them. You'll actually be living in their world as regular students, so it's very important that you blend in. I'll drop in every now and then to see how things are going. Young Grims, you will have no other assignments for the time being. I need you to focus on this.”
My parents walked Mr. Dunningham and his assistant to the door. Father watched through the peephole until they drove away. Then he turned to us. “Woo-hoo!”
Bram stood and high-fived Father. “This is it! Upper Estates, here we come!”
“Son, this is going to set us up for life!”
Dorian stood and joined them, a boy in desperate need of being accepted like his big brother. “Father, I know we're going to do a great job.”
Father removed Dorian's hood and tousled his black hair. Dorian looked like a satisfied puppy who'd been begging for a belly rub. He was more concerned with his science studies than he was with power and money. He was beginning to realize that was the reason Father favored Bram over him.
Mother smiled from the loveseat, but she wasn't as excited as Father.
“What's the matter, Mother?” I asked.
The boys got quiet.
Mother shrugged. “I'm just a little worried. Where you're going is so much different from what you're used to. I don't want you all to get into any trouble.”
“Eleanor, don't worry. They'll be properly trained, and Bram will be there to make sure nothing goes wrong.” Father patted Bram's chest. “Right, son?”
“Of course,” Bram answered.
Mother seemed to relax a little. Bram was many things, but he was very protective of Dorian and me.
Just then, Father's cell rang, and he answered it. “Emery!”
Emery was Keira's father and my father's good friend. Father was silent for a moment before he hooted again. I wasn't thrilled about this assignment, but it was nice to see my father so happy. “Emery, we need to celebrate. Meet me at Morton's.” Morton's was the only bar in Farrington. “Kids, guess who's going to be joining you?” Father asked after he'd hung up.
I stood from the couch. “Keira and Josh?”
Father nodded.
That made the situation a little better. Keira would be with me, and she always made everything okay. If this job was moving me to the Upper Estates, it would move her, too.
Father removed his cloak and handed it to Dorian to hang up. “Children, I'll be back in a bit. We should get on your studies right away.”
“Don't worry, guys,” Bram said. “I know everything there is to know about today's American teenager.”
I wasn't so sure about that. Sure, we went to their world a lot and got to observe them from time to time. Learning their ways and culture was part of our schooling. We studied four subjects: life collecting, other worlds, Human studies, and languages. Human studies was the hardest to keep up with. The information changed often, and we had to keep up with the new trends and current events.
I'd always felt comfortable with that, but this was different. We were going to actually have to live as one of them for an unspecified amount of time. This time we would be interacting with them.
Mother's concern worried me. If there was any possible way to mess up this job, my brothers and I would find it.
Chapter 3
Since Father had gone out to celebrate with Mr. Emery, we thought it only fair for us to celebrate with Keira and Josh. Although I wasn't sold on this assignment, pretending to celebrate was a good excuse to see Keira and get an unscheduled break from our study time.
Mother seemed lost in her thoughts and absently waved us away when Bram asked for permission to go to Brickman's. Brickman's was an eatery where Grims our age socialized. I texted Keira, and she replied that she and Josh would meet us there.
The streets were virtually empty when my brothers and I began the six-block walk to Brickman's. This was study time, so most Grims were home being taught by their parents while we were free to roam the streets. I had to admit it was a bit exhilarating.
The Mill loomed far ahead of us. Its sharp edges and tall cylinder towers looked sinister in the distance, but the Mill was the heart of Nowhere—where the lifestones were kept. Not only did the lifestones keep us alive, but they provided our city with power and electricity. We each had to donate a portion of our lifestones to the Generator Fund. The lifestones were crushed and then put into an enormous generator. Without them, we would expire, and our colony would stop running. Every Grim took a tour of the Mill on their thirteenth birthday. I remember seeing the room where over a thousand tall glass cylinders were stored. Each Grim in Nowhere had their own container, filled with lifestones that signified how much longer they would live. The Mill was sacred, the most important part of Nowhere.
I took a deep breath of the crisp, late morning air. The sky was eternally gray and bleak in Nowhere. I loved it. Classical instrumentals blared from speakers attached to light posts. None of the music we listened to contained words. We were supposed to think up our own as we listened. The sky and the music set a comfortable atmosphere.
The Human world was much too bright in the daytime. I always had to wear shades, for fear I'd go blind. Don't even get me started on their music.
Several Watchers turned a corner, heading toward us. They were men in perfectly pressed black suits and shades. Bram said their shades contained cameras so they could record our every move. I didn't know if that was true or not.
“Just look straight ahead,” Bram muttered.
On the opposite side of the street, one of the Watchers whistled to us. Gideon. We ignored him and kept walking.
“Young Grims,” he called.
We stopped, but only Bram addressed him. “Yes, sir?”
“Where are you going during study hours?”
I looked up at Gideon, hoping there wouldn't be any problems. He was tall and well-built, like all the Watchers. Gideon was handsome, with tan skin and a small amount of black hair, which he kept cut close to his head.
“To Brickman's,” Bram answered. He knew better than to lie. There was no point. Eyes were everywhere.
“During study hours?”
“Yes, sir. Mr. Dunningham just left our home. We're engaging in a major assignment soon, so we're taking a little break to celebrate before we begin our research.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. There was no lie in that.
Gideon nodded as if he knew the assignment Bram was speaking of. “Very well. Carry on.”
Bram zipped up the front of his black hoodie and stalked ahead. “That's what I'm talking about.”
Dorian and I struggled to keep up with Bram's long strides. He wore a self-righteous smirk.
“What?” I asked.
Bram looked at me. “Didn't you see it, Nay? The respect he gave me when he heard we were on that assignment? That's just a taste of how it will feel when we get to the Upper Estates.” Then he turned so he was walking backwards. “You won't be questioning me. I'll be questioning you, pissant!” he yelled to Gideon.
I yanked his arm. “Bram!” I looked back. Gideon was down the street. He paused and looked back, but I was sure he hadn't heard what Bram said.
“What? We're in good. What's he going to do, turn us in to Dunningham? Dunn loves us now.”
“Correction,” Dorian said. “He loves Father. I'm pretty sure he hates us.”
Bram shoved his hands in his pockets. “Either way, they won't touch us.”
The last thing Bram needed was a license to do whatever he wanted. He was putting the cart before the horse,
because Mr. Dunningham could easily give this assignment to another family if we screwed up. But there was no use telling Bram anything.
Bram pulled the door open once we reached Brickman's. “Ladies.”
Dorian rolled his eyes, and Bram kicked him in the calf as he walked through the door.
“Hey!” Dorian yelled.
The place was empty except for Keira and Josh, who were already sitting in a booth in the back—our booth. Naturally, they had arrived before us. They only lived two blocks in the other direction.
Keira sat on her brother's left side. I hurried to sit on the other side of Keira before Bram could. Bram and Dorian occupied the seats across from us.
Keira flashed her famous gorgeous smile. “I can't believe we got this assignment, and better yet, we get to do it together.”
“I know.” Bram nodded. “I can already picture our house in the Upper Estates. Maybe we'll be neighbors,” he added, raising his eyebrows at Keira.
I hated when they flirted with each other. I had the urge to kick him under the table, but I knew he'd only kick me back much harder.
Keira pushed her long hair behind her ears and looked down at the menu. “I'm excited, but we have a lot to learn about them. I mean, when I go to their world, I try to block out as much as possible. So much of it seems so silly.”
Keira was a diehard for the Covenant rules. If it weren't for me and my brother, she would have a perfect record. Going to Litropolis had been my idea. Keira hadn't wanted to go, but I'd talked her into it.
“I think it'll be cool to live there,” Josh said. Josh was Dorian's best friend. They were inseparable, much like Keira and I. “I don't know. It just seems different—not so serious.”
Bram nodded. “I second that, Josh. I get tired of following all these stupid rules for no reason. Just because somebody said.”
“They have rules in that world too, Bram,” I warned my brother. I didn't want him thinking when we went there it was going to be a free-for-all.
“Well, if I lived in their world, I could be a scientist,” Dorian said. “That would be cool.”
“Sorry, little man. You're a Grim, and that's all you're ever going to be.” Bram tapped the edge of his menu on the table, which annoyed me to no end. “I know they have their issues, but they can choose who they want to be in love with. Kiss and hold hands when they want, with who they want. . .”
I didn't like where this conversation was headed. “What are you guys getting? I think I might have a cheeseburger.”
The table was quiet except for Dorian telling Josh about his recent scientific discovery. Keira and Bram looked at the menu while stealing glances at each other that they thought I didn't notice. Yes, my brother and best friend were probably in love, but I hated to think about that.
The only consolation was the two-year age difference. Bram had already turned eighteen and would be paired off with someone else long before Keira was old enough to be betrothed. They were both aware of this, so I didn't understand why they didn't just get over each other.
I guess I couldn't blame Bram. In most people's opinions, Keira was the most beautiful girl in Nowhere. With copper skin, large eyes, and an incredible figure—I would probably hate her if she wasn't my best friend.
As for what Keira saw in Bram, I had no idea.
Sullivan came over and took our orders—four cheeseburgers, four sides of fries, a chicken salad for Keira, and colas all around.
“Dunningham said we're going to be studying at your place,” Josh said, pushing his glasses up on his nose.
Bram gave Josh a cocky smile. “You guys are going to be studying. I know everything I need to know about that world. I'm not like you. When I go there, I observe.”
I rolled my eyes at my brother's never-ending supply of confidence. Most times it annoyed me, but sometimes I was a little jealous of his self-assuredness. “This is going to be different, Bram. We won't just be watching them as we hide in the shadows. We have to hang out with them, become their friends. If you want to fit in, you're going to have to study.”
Bram's smile faded, and he narrowed his eyes at me. He hated me telling him what to do. After all, I was younger than him—and a girl. “You think I don't know that? Why don't you worry about yourself and why you feel bad about collecting lives—a.k.a. doing your job.” He looked at Keira. “Do you know what she had the nerve to ask Dunningham?” He mimicked my voice. “‘What's going to happen? Bombs and a shooting in a school?' All sad and concerned.” He folded his arms across his chest. “You’ve never had the heart of a Grim.”
“Leave her alone, Bram,” Keira said, coming to my defense, as always.
Bram sighed and shut up.
Sullivan brought our orders over and it got quiet for a while as we scarfed down our food.
Halfway through my cheeseburger, the bell above the entrance of Brickman's rang. Two boys from the Upper Estates walked in. If I didn't know these boys personally, I could tell they were from the Upper Estates right away because of their black blazers.
People from the Upper Estates could come to Farrington whenever they pleased. Although most of the rich kids stayed on their side because they wanted nothing to do with us, Tristan and his sidekick Blake liked to visit frequently and cause trouble.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” Sullivan called from behind the counter. The boys ignored him and walked up to our table with smirks on their faces.
“Ladies,” Tristan greeted Keira and me.
Bram shoved the last bite of cheeseburger in his mouth. “What are you doing here?”
Tristan laughed and looked at Blake. “What am I doing here?” He fingered the intricate G embroidered on his left lapel. “You don't question me, boy. I question you. What are you doing here during the poor people's study hours?”
“We're not poor,” I mumbled.
Tristan looked at me. “What was that, sweetheart?”
“We're not poor,” I repeated more loudly. We weren't. We were middle class. It was a huge sign of disrespect to our father for him to say otherwise.
“Quiet, Nay.” Bram scowled at Tristan. “Don't talk to my sister.”
“Hey,” Blake said. “You don't give us orders.”
Bram picked his teeth with his pinkie nail, which I found utterly disgusting. I hoped Keira was wondering what she saw in him.
Bram leaned back and rested his hands behind his head. “Laugh now, gentlemen. Pretty soon we'll be living right next to you.”
Tristan placed his palms on the table and leaned forward. “What?”
“Dunningham just gave us a huge job,” Dorian said. “We'll be filthy rich by the time we're done.”
“Huh,” Tristan said, standing back up. He hated Bram, but he loved coming to him to flaunt his money and status. Soon that would be taken away. “When is this so-called job?”
“In a week,” Bram answered, “so we'll be there really soon. You should throw us a welcome party.”
Tristan leaned over, getting way too close to Bram's face. “Shut the hell up. I'm sure before the week is up, you'll do something to screw up this opportunity, and Dunn will give it to someone else.”
“Yeah,” Blake said. “Everybody knows your family could have been on the Upper Side a long time ago if it weren't for you.”
Tristan stayed in Bram's face, as if daring him to hit him. He wanted him to mess up this chance. To my brother's credit, he didn't take the bait.
“Did you have roadkill and ass for breakfast?” Bram asked.
Josh and Dorian laughed.
Tristan backed away and pointed at Bram as he and Blake made their way toward the door. “Watch yourself, Grim. You're not on the other side yet, asshat.”
“Have a nice day, gentlemen,” Bram called as they exited.
“Don't they have anything better to do than to come over here and bother us?” Keira asked.
Bram took out a handful of silver coins and counted them. “Apparently not. I can't wait to get over there. It's go
ing to drive them crazy. Lunch is on me, guys.” Bram left some money on the table, and we left.
The five of us decided to go to our house to hang out for a while. We were halfway home when sirens blared through the streets. The noise startled me.
Sirens meant Foragers.
Chapter 4
Several doors flew open as men bolted from their houses, armed with rifles. “Kids, get in here!” shouted a man named Colby, pointing to his open door as he ran out.
I looked at Bram, and he nodded. The five of us made a run toward the house. At least twenty men were in the street with their weapons. Colby's wife, Lamya, ushered us inside.
Bram stopped on the porch and backed up.
“Bram!” I yelled.
“It's okay. I have to go help.”
I called for him again, but he was gone, running in the direction of the other men. Lamya closed the door. Bram was eighteen, the age a Grimm had to be to participate in defense actions if our colony was raided, but he hadn't had his Confirmation ceremony yet. After my parents chose a wife for Bram and he was confirmed, he could help the men.
“Children, have a seat. I was just about to put on some tea,” Lamya said.
The four of us took seats on her living room sofas. I hoped Mother was safely indoors. I couldn't call to tell her where we were—getting a signal was impossible while the sirens were engaged.
Dorian tapped his knee nervously. “I should go after Bram.”
“No, you shouldn't, and you're not,” I said forcefully.
Dorian shrugged. “They're just Foragers. They can't hurt me.”
That wasn't entirely true. They couldn't kill us, but they could cause us injury. Foragers used to be Grims. They were descendants of Dunningham's twin brother, Dunstan. Dunstan had been cast out for falling in love with a Fated and refusing to kill her. They'd even had a child. That crime was punishable by death, but he'd escaped that by being Dunningham's brother.
Foragers didn't have the years of life we were granted. No longer Grims, they don't receive assignments. They only stayed alive by stealing lifestones before we got to them or by raiding the Mill, as they were attempting to do that very moment. Foragers died of old age. They wrinkled and their hair turned white, something that was unheard of in Farrington or the Upper Estates. They couldn't kill us, but we could kill them.
Naomi Grim: The Final Breath Chronicles Book One Page 3
