Ill-Fated (Ill-Fated Series Book 1)

by S. C. McMurray

  “The identities of the suspects have not been released,” said the correspondent. “But it is believed that the suspects are being sheltered by the SPC. The Secret Service is offering a reward for any information that leads to their capture, but citizens are being urged to practice caution because the suspects are highly dangerous.”

  As she walked by the living room to the kitchen, Evelyn glanced at her mother. She was sitting at the edge of the couch, earnestly following the report. Evelyn’s mother was just one of many to whom these types of situations had become like sports. It was good television and they seemed to be happening more and more lately. Evelyn wasn’t sure if it was because the mysterious terrorist organization known as the SPC was becoming more active or if the bombing and manhunt were manufactured in order to boost ratings and advertiser revenue. She leaned toward the latter; she didn’t even believe the SPC or “Separatist Coalition” even existed. Nevertheless, her mother’s eyes, like so many others, were glued to the TV.

  Evelyn went to the kitchen and opened the fridge. She scanned the shelves until she settled on the last piece of her birthday cake. She grabbed the cake box and a carton of milk and closed the fridge door with her hip. She tossed the cake box onto the counter then poured herself a tall glass of milk. She returned the carton of milk to the fridge and hurried to her bedroom, balancing a slice of cake in one hand and the glass of milk in the other. She sat down at her desk and took a bite.

  “Hmmm. Breakfast of champions.”

  She finished the cake in no time and chased it with the whole glass of milk. She set the empty glass on the desk in front of her and leaned back, satisfied.

  Sunday was her favorite day. She could sleep in because it was the only day of the week where she didn’t have school and it was usually the day that she and Lana would hang out or she and her father would walk down to the library, or through the park. She would be doing neither that day. Lana had seemingly disappeared off the face of the planet and her father was working again.

  So badly did she want to speak to Lana, but nothing worked. Lana and her mother’s phone numbers had changed, her digital life print was deleted and her holographic messenger was disconnected. When she left, Lana had told her that this would happen because she was moving to another Satrapy. But Evelyn had been under the impression that the disconnect would only be temporary.

  Before yesterday, Evelyn had been starting to believe that maybe Lana didn’t want to talk to her anymore. Evelyn couldn’t wrap her mind around what might be going on now. If Lana wanted to communicate with her, why not call her, or message her or send her a holographic message? Evelyn asked the questions over and over again, until her mind was a broken record.

  The next day at school, Evelyn watched the crowded hallways carefully as she passed through them. She lingered at her locker at the end of each class, but there was no sign of Lana. She even quite embarrassingly pulled the hood off some freshman girl, thinking it was her best friend. When the final bell rang, Evelyn hurried to her locker, anxious to see if another letter was inside. To her disappointment, there wasn’t one. She slammed the locker and begrudgingly made the trek to Miss Kline’s room with Miss Kline’s warning from the previous Saturday still fresh in her mind.

  Miss Kline was waiting when Evelyn walked into the room. She was standing in her usual drill instructor position, rigid with her arms crossed behind her back. There was a bucket of water and a bottle of cleaning solution sitting on the desk directly in front of her.

  “There for a second, I thought you were going to be late.”

  Sorry to disappoint you. She wanted to say the words aloud but she was on a tight leash and she knew it.

  “There is much to be done, Miss Smoak.”

  “You mean I don’t just get to sit here and do my homework in silence?”

  Miss Kline smiled coldly. “Oh no, dear. You are in need of discipline and that discipline begins with the most thorough cleaning these floors have ever seen.”

  Evelyn glanced down at the bucket of water and cleaning solution with dread.

  Miss Kline continued, “You will scrub every scuff mark, piece of gum and hint of dirt off this floor until it shines like brand new. Do you understand?”

  Evelyn sighed to herself and nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Miss Kline produced a toothbrush from behind her back. “You may begin.”

  Evelyn looked at the toothbrush in disbelief before reluctantly taking it. Miss Kline smirked as she marched to her desk and took a seat.

  An hour later, Evelyn was wishing that she had been sent to the stockade instead. Her knees were raw and aching because of the hard floor, her skirt was wet and the fresh pine smell of the cleaning solution was giving her the worst headache. She did her best to avoid looking at the clock as the time ticked painfully by. After what seemed like hours of scrubbing, the time allotted for her detention was finally spent.

  Miss Kline rose from her desk and walked over to Evelyn to examine her work. With keen eyes, she scanned the shiny floor slowly, her eyebrows raised as if she was impressed.

  “Miss Smoak…”

  Evelyn stood to her feet satisfied with her work, but tired more than anything else.

  Miss Kline continued, “Your work isn’t good enough. You will try again tomorrow. You are dismissed.”

  Evelyn shook her head, grabbed her bag and stomped out of the room. She fell asleep before the sun went down that night.

  The next three days were the same as the first. No communication with her mother. No sign of Lana. No more letters, only endless scrubbing and disappointment. By Friday, Evelyn’s knees were calloused, she was convinced she would forever smell like pine needles and she never wanted to see a toothbrush again. However, she just had to make it through one last detention and she would be done. But after an hour of scrubbing and a second toothbrush, she doubted if she could finish. She was tired of thinking about Lana’s note, tired of the pine smell, tired of the scrubbing and tired of the perpetual smirk on Miss Kline face. How could forcing someone to scrub a floor with a tooth brush over and over again ever be fun?

  Evelyn knew the answer. Comrade Kline, as some of the girls called her behind her back, was a dictator, like the ones she’d studied from the previous century. Only her weapon was her educational authority and not an army. Evelyn wondered if she had a boyfriend or any friends at all. She wondered if Comrade Kline was ever a fun loving kid. Maybe, before her mandatory military service, but she doubted it. She pitied the Comrade.

  I hope I never end up like that.

  That thought scared her. So did her own mandatory three years of military service that was now less than a year away. She cringed.

  Almost an hour later, Evelyn wasn’t feeling pity for Miss Kline any longer. She was feeling hate. She’d heard the other girls talk of detention and it was never like this.

  Why does she have to pick on me? What did I ever do to her?

  Evelyn wasn’t the perfect student, but she was quiet, paid attention for the most part, and she always did her homework.

  Maybe she is jealous of me? Even Evelyn laughed about that thought. Why would anyone be jealous of her?

  What is it then? Why does she hate me so much?

  Evelyn had had enough. She climbed to her feet angrily, determined to confront Miss Kline, even if it meant being sent to the stockade. Evelyn approached Miss Kline’s desk with clenched fists and was about to say something when Miss Kline stood slowly to her feet.

  Miss Kline looked at her watch.

  “Evelyn, I will be back in precisely three minutes.” And without saying another word, she marched out of the room, closing the door behind her.

  Evelyn was perplexed. “Okay…”

  Seconds later the door opened and someone in a purple hoody slipped inside. Evelyn noticed her familiar shade ebony skin.

  It was Lana! Evelyn’s heart soared.

  She was too dumbfounded to move, but Lana hurried over and threw her arms around her. “I’ve missed
you.”

  “You’re…You’re back,” Evelyn managed to spit out.

  Lana pulled back. “I’m sorry Eve, but I only have a few minutes.”

  “What’s wrong, Lana?”

  “I don’t have time to explain it right now. You just have to trust me. Do you?”

  “Of course.”

  She reached into the pocket of her hoody and produced a plain white envelope with Evelyn’s name on it. “Here is an invitation to a birthday party tonight.” She handed it to Evelyn. “If anyone asks, you got this invitation a few weeks ago.”

  “You’re inviting me to a birthday party?”

  Lana placed a hand on Evelyn’s shoulder. “Yes, I am. The little girl’s name is Lillian and she likes bears and the color pink. Make sure you bring a present.”

  “Really?”

  “You have to trust me. I promise you will get some answers.” Lana glanced over her shoulder anxiously. “I have to go. Will you be there?”

  Evelyn glanced at the invitation then back at Lana. “Yes.”

  Lana gave Evelyn a quick hug then turned to leave. She paused in the doorway. “One more thing, Eve.”

  “Yes, Lana?”

  “Be careful, they’re watching you.”

  Just like that, Lana was gone. Evelyn stood, mouth gaped open, for a few seconds, wrapped in confusion. “Who’s watching me?”

  “I’m watching you,” Miss Kline was now standing in the doorway. “And you still have ten minutes. Get to work.”

  Evelyn, still trying to wrap her mind around Lana, just stared at Miss Kline. Her eyes narrowed on the envelope in Evelyn’s hand. “What’s that in your hand?”

  Evelyn slipped it into her sweater pocket, instinctively. “Oh…it’s just a note for my parents from Mr. Stevens, about my gym grade. He’s not happy with my participation.”

  Miss Kline studied Evelyn for a moment. “Hmm…” She looked at her watch. “Well, Miss Smoak, you still have ten minutes. Get to work.”

  Evelyn stood motionless, shocked that the Comrade actually bought her lie about gym class.

  Miss Kline stomped her foot. “What are you waiting for? That floor isn’t going to clean itself.”

  Evelyn bowed. “Yes, Ma’am.”

  Mind spinning, she shuffled back to the bucket of water, bent down and started scrubbing again, though her focus wasn’t on the task at hand.

  It was the slowest ten minutes of Evelyn’s life and when the time was up, Miss Kline approached Evelyn for the routine inspection of the floor. Miss Kline bent down and wiped her fingers across the shiny tiles.

  She sighed, “Not to my standards. But nevertheless, you have served your punishment. You are free to go.”

  Evelyn wasted no time. She grabbed her bag and headed for the door. Miss Kline called for her. “One more thing Miss Smoak.”

  Evelyn stopped and turned around apprehensively. “Yes, Miss Kline?”

  Miss Kline took a step forward, crossed her arms behind her and half-smiled. “Have fun at the party.”

  Chapter Six

  Evelyn noticed a silver car with tinted windows parked directly across from the school. It was there again in the parking lot of the drug store where she stopped to buy the little girl’s birthday present on her way home. Was she being followed?

  She made it to her apartment building and tried her best to act natural until she got inside. But once the front doors closed behind her, the panic and fear she had been suppressing burst out of her, causing her to nearly hyperventilate. She stumbled forward and scanned the lobby. All of the tenants looked suspicious. She headed to the elevator, but a bearded man she didn’t recognize was waiting for it and she quickly decided she didn’t want to be stuck in it with him.

  She took the stairs instead, pumping her legs and arms like pistons as she flew up the steps. She passed her Hispanic neighbor Mrs. Vasquez, who stared at Evelyn strangely as she flew by. Evelyn opened the door to her hallway and peered in both directions. No one was in sight, so she hurried to her front door, typed in the pass code and slipped inside. Her mother, who was sitting on the couch with a glass of wine, glanced up like she was about to say something, but Evelyn didn’t give her the chance. She cut through the living room and hurried up the stairs to her bedroom. She shut and locked the door behind her and went straight to the window. She pushed aside the curtains, being careful to stay out of view and glanced outside. The silver car was parked across the street. She slid down the wall and held her knees against her chest.

  “Why is this happening?”

  It took her an hour to work up the courage to make the decision to go to the birthday party. She didn’t want to leave her room, but she told Lana she would be at the party and she had a way to sneak out without whoever was watching knowing. At the end of the hallway around the corner, on the back side of the building, was a laundry room. There was only one window in the laundry room and it led directly to the fire-escape.

  Her mind made up, she quickly slipped out of her school uniform and redressed into a pair of blue jeans and a t-shirt. Evelyn then placed the little girl’s cuddly care bear in a shoebox and wrapped it with pink paper she’d picked up from the drugstore. She put the neatly wrapped present in her school bag and tossed the bag on the bed. She slipped into her shoes and tossed on a black hooded sweatshirt before going to her closet and retrieving her laundry basket. She set her laundry basket on her bed and pulled out most of her dirty clothes, making a pile at her feet. She tossed her school bag in the bottom of the basket and covered it with the remaining dirty clothes. She turned on her music, somewhat louder than normal, and exited the room with the laundry basket. After making sure she left the light on, she quietly descended the stairs to the living room. She found her mother asleep on the couch, as she’d figured she would be. She silently crept across the living room to the door. She opened it and stepped out into the hallway, gently closing the door behind her. She nonchalantly carried the basket to the laundry room where, to her surprise, she found it empty. She placed the basket on one of the tables, pulled out her bag and slipped it over her shoulders. She pulled the hood of her jacket over her head, climbed atop one of the washers and unlatched the window. She took one last look behind her before squeezing though the narrow space and dropping down onto the rickety fire escape.

  She climbed down quickly and ran up a series of back alleys until she came to a busy road. She looked in all directions. The silver car was nowhere in sight. She exhaled, flagged a taxi and, as it pulled up to the curb, she realized she liked the adrenaline rush she was getting. She felt alive.

  She climbed into the taxi and gave the driver the address. In less than 15 minutes, the taxi pulled up next to a light post decorated with purple and pink balloons. She paid the fare and got out.

  She glanced down at the invite, then back up at the cozy suburban home.

  “This must be the place.”

  She reached back and grabbed her bag. She unzipped it and pulled out the little girl’s present. Holding the present with both hands, she walked up the sidewalk to the front door. She paused and looked over her shoulder before pressing the doorbell.

  A few seconds later, the front door opened and an Asian woman waved her inside. “Come in, come in.”

  Evelyn just stood there for a second. There weren’t too many Asians living in America anymore and this was the first time she’d actually seen an Asian person in the flesh. The woman was very pretty.

  Evelyn stepped inside and the woman closed the door behind her.

  The woman introduced herself. “My name is Kim and that must be my daughter’s present.”

  Evelyn nodded.

  “Let me take that for you.” Kim politely grabbed the present from Evelyn. “You are just in time, we are getting ready to do the cake.”

  Evelyn smiled, but she wasn’t there for the cake. She wanted answers. She wanted to know why Lana was being so secretive and she wanted to know who was following her. Still, she followed Kim down a carpeted hallway. Th
e house wasn’t large, slightly bigger than Evelyn’s parent’s apartment, but it was vibrant and warm. Evelyn was sure that a happy little girl lived there.

  Kim led Evelyn to a dining room off the kitchen. A little Asian girl, who Evelyn assumed to be Lillian, was sitting at the center of a wooden table, flanked by other children who seemed to be no older than seven or eight. Circling the table was a small crowd of people that Evelyn had never met. Nonetheless, they smiled at her and acted as if she was one of the family so to speak. Evelyn joined the crowd, but was a little perturbed that Lana wasn’t among them.

  Suddenly, there was a tap on her shoulder. Evelyn turned around.

  “Surprise!”

  It was Lana. They hugged each other. Evelyn was happy to see her friend again.

  “I was starting to think that you weren’t going to make it.” Lana said.

  “I’m sorry, I’m late. I just…”

  “Don’t worry about it Eve,” Lana said, reassuringly. “You’re here and that’s all that matters.”

  Evelyn was eager for answers. “That’s good because I have about a million questions for you.”

  “Excuse me, ladies,” interrupted Kim, carrying a cake with seven lit candles as she walked between them.

  “Later, Eve, I promise.” Lana turned their attention to Lillian, whose eyes were lit up like the candles on her cake. “Right now, let’s celebrate this beautiful little girl’s birthday.”

  Evelyn didn’t have much say in the matter. The ritual singing began and Evelyn and Lana joined in. When the singing stopped, Lillian enthusiastically blew out the candles. She got them all, with a little help from her friends. Lillian’s mother produced a knife, seemingly from nowhere, and began to cut the cake. Soon, pieces were passed around until everyone had a piece sitting on a paper plate, but oddly, no one was eating. Evelyn looked around curiously.

  Are they waiting for a signal or something?

  Suddenly, a tall man with thinning blonde hair bowed his head and everyone followed suit. Evelyn grabbed Lana’s wrist. “What are they doing?” She whispered.