by Jenna Moreci
currentsituation.MaybeEvewasnobetterthanMadison.MaybeEvewasa
phony,too.
***
Thedayscameandwent,anddespitethenewsofJason’sabduction,school
continued in a startlingly normal manner. Most of the student body appeared unfazed,evenblaséaboutthewholething,andthoughtheyspokeofthe
dissection,itwaswithnomoreseriousnessthantheyspokeofthelatestdirton
who-is-dating-who.Besides,thewellbeingofachimerawasoflittle
importancetomany;muchofthetalkaboutJasonwasspeculationoverthe
appearanceofhischestandpossibleresultingdeformities.
Infact,EvehadbeenhearingfordaysthatJasonwasactuallyonlyoneoftwo orthreechimerasalreadyinthemedicalward.Insomeways,therewasreally
nothingspecialoruniqueabouthissituation,apartfromhisinfluential
father.Soperhapsitshouldn’thavebeensurprisingthatbeforelong,the
dramaticssurroundingJasonValentinehadbeenreducedto“oldnews.”
ButEvedidn’tfeelthatherdayinthemedicalwardwassimply“oldnews.”
Inhereyes,everythinghadchanged.
ItwasaMondayafternoon,twoweeksintothesemester,andEvewasnearly
half done with her classes for the day. She typed up the last of her notes and shovedherscratchpadintohershoulderbag;ProfessorRichards’sclasswas
wrappingup,andshewaseagertoescapetheconfinesoftheprison-like
lecture hall. She glanced at the professor out of the corner of her eye—as much as she hated to admit it, Madison was right, he truly was a dick—and stealthily slipped from the back of the room and into the mass of students heading for the door, desperate to blend in with everyone else. There was no need to draw attention to herself, especially after the catastrophe on her first day of school, and as she moved closer and closer to the exit, she felt the slightestswellofreliefinsideofher.
Suddenly,herpathwasblockedonlyinchesbeforethedoor,stoppingher
andeveryonebehindherintheirtracks.BeforeherstoodagloweringDr.
Dick.
“AreyouEvelynKingston?”heasked.
Herstomachchurned;shewassickenedbythesoundofhernameleaving
hislips.Inaroomfilledwithcountlessstudents,howcouldhepossiblyknow
whoshewas?
“Yes?”sherepliedreluctantly.
Hestaredatherinsilence,asidefromthesoundofhiscongestedbreathing.
“Didyouneedsomethi—”
“Justwantedtoputafacetothename.You’rethegirlfromthefirstdayof
class,aren’tyou?”
Shit,shethoughttoherself. Shit,shit,SHIT.
“Um—”
“Figures.Youcanleave.”Hesteppedtothesideandpointedatthedoor.
“Go.”
Heneedn’ttellhertwice.Evequicklylefttheroom,herfaceflushedandbody
stiffasshehurrieddownthehallway.Anxietytrickledthroughherveins.
Heknowsmyname. Whydoesheknowmyname? Thefeelinglingeredevenas shereachedherStrategicCommunicationclass.
AsshefoughttoridherthoughtsofDr.Dick,ProfessorGuptatookhis
place at the podium, his face bright with excitement and belly bouncing with sprightlydelight.
“Hello,mybrilliantminds.Anotherdayofbettermentandlearning,yes?”
Aknocksoundedattheclassroomdoor,immediatelysilencingtheprofessor
and his students. The door opened, and a bookish, gawky boy with jet-black hair and tanned skin scuttled in and handed a note to the professor. As Gupta readthenote,hissmilefadedintoagrim,somberstare.Hehesitantlylooked
upathisstudents.
“EvelynKingston?IsthereanEvelynKingstonhere?”
Evegroaned. Again?Asshereluctantlyraisedherhand,shefeltherpeersturn andstareather,theirgazesmaddeningandintrusive.
Guptaflickedhisfingers,beckoningherforward.“Please,Evelyn,cometo
thefrontoftheclass.”
Eveclenchedherjawandbithertongueasshemadeherwaytothepodium.
Guptastareddownatthefloor,unabletolookherintheeyes.
“Youhavebeencalledtothedean’sbuilding.Dr.Furstwouldliketoseeyou.”
Aneruptionofmurmursspreadacrosstheclassroom.Evecoulddistinctly
hearJJ’scondescendinglaughteramongthewhispers,andshesquirmedwith
discomfort.
“AmIintrouble?”
Guptaremainedwithdrawn,hiseyesstillpointedtotheground.“Hewould
liketoseeyouimmediately.”
Withaheavysigh,Evegatheredherthingsandlefttheclassroom,leaving
the irksome whispers behind. She made her way across the campus grounds, plodding slowly, as if each step took her closer and closer toward an eerie unknown.ShewasfamiliarwithDeanFurst:hewasawell-respectedman,one
ofthefoundersofBillington,andeasilythemostesteemedfigureatthe
university.Whatcouldamanofsuchimportancewantwithsomeonelikeher?
Thedean’sbuildingwassmallanddiscreet,butbeautifullydecoratedwith
ivoryadornmentsandimmaculatelandscaping.Itslobbywasjustaselegant,
featuringperfectlypolishedhardwoodfloorsandlinesofebonydoorsthat
extended across either side of the room. As Eve entered, the receptionist—a stunningwomanwithgoldenblondhair—lookedupfrombehindthecheck-in
deskandsmiled.
“EvelynKingston,Ipresume?”shecooed.“Followme,dear.”
Thewomanglidedfromherseatandledthewaytowardthebackofthe
building,finallystoppinginfrontofablackdoorwiththename Dr.Finnegan Furst emblazoned across it in glittering gold letters. The receptionist rested herhandonEve’sshoulder.
“Haveawonderfulday,”shesimpered.
Evefeltherbreathcatchshort.Shelightlyslidherfingersacrossthegolden
doorknob,almostscaredtoturnit,tofindoutwhatwasontheotherside.With
asurgeofconviction,sheopenedthedoorandsteppedintoFurst’soffice.
Furstwasasmallman—muchsmallerinpersonthanheappearedinphotos,
Eve thought. He looked older, too, most likely in his early seventies, with a tired, round face and white hair that thinned toward the top of his skull. His attire, on the other hand, was fresh and dapper: he wore a rich brown suit, vibrant red tie, and glasses—it was so very strange to see someone wearing glassesthesedays—linedingoldwithadesigneremblemoneithertemple.
EvewaitedpatientlyatthebackoftheroomwhileFurstremainedathisdesk,
lookingoverastackofpapersandignoringherveryobviouspresence.
“Youwantedtoseeme,Dr.Furst?”
Furstcontinuedtoskimthroughhisdocumentswithoutsomuchasagrunt
inresponse,andsoEvestoodinsilence,waitingforsomethingtohappen.Just
as she’d resorted to counting the tiles on the ceiling, the dean scribbled
somethingonthelastpageofhisnever-endingpileofpapers,pushedthemto theside,andfinallyglancedoverinherdirection.
“Please,haveaseat.”
Eveawkwardlysatdownintheburgundyleatherchairinfrontofher,
eyeingthelineofawardsandplaquesthatadornedFurst’sdesk.
“AmIintrouble?”
“Haveyoubrokenanycampusrules?”
“Nottomyknowledge.”
“Th
enwhywouldyoubeinanytrouble?”Hescowledatheroverhis
glasses.“Thetruthis,MissKingston,I’vecalledonyouforafavor.”
Eve’seyeswidenedwithsurprise.“Afavor?”
“Yes.”Hebeganshufflingthroughmorestacksofpaperwork,avoiding
direct eye contact with her. “You see, Miss Kingston, the world is an unfair place.Itisfulloflies,deception,andfalsepromises,evenfromthosewiththe bestofintentions.Thisuniversity,unfortunately,isnoexception.Weadmitthe
brightestofthebrightandpromisetomoldthemintotheleadersoftomorrow.
But,well…”Heputhispapersdownandlookedupather.“Forsome,thatjust
won’tbehappening.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Therearecountlessstudentsroamingthesehallswhoaremorethan
qualified to be leaders. Visionaries. Innovators. They are gifted, driven, and extremely intelligent. They possess all the ingredients they need to lead this
countryandbecomelegends—allingredientsbutone.”
“Andwhat’sthat?”
“Connections.”Furstpulledoutahandkerchiefandbegancleaninghis
glasses. “All the knowledge and skills in the world are useless without the meanstoleveragethem.Ofcoursemoneyhelps,buttruly,connectionsare
imperative.” He rested his glasses on his nose and glanced at Eve. “And that brings me to our second group of students at this fine university: the well-connected.Theyhaveattheirfingertipsallthepower,money,andsupportthey
couldeverneed.Now,whetherornottheyareintelligentisbesidethepoint.
Thesestudents willbecomeleaders,notbecausethey’requalified,butbecause the path has already been paved for them. The hard work has been done by someoneelse:amother,agrandfather,anuncle.”
“You’reright,thatisn’tfair,”Evesaid,crossingherarms.
“Yes, well, again, such is life. The fact remains that these well-connected studentshavegreateroddsofbecomingnotonlysuccessful,butmonumental.
Andbecausetheoddsareintheirfavor,itisourjobtomakesuretheybecome
strong,cultivatedindividualssotheycanbecapableleaders.Doyou
understand?”
“Yeah,Igetit.They’reguaranteedthejob,andyoujusthavetomakesurethey
don’tsuckatit.”
Furstcockedhisheadandsmirked.“Whatyoulackineloquenceyoumake
upforinbrutalhonesty.”
“So,whatdoesthishavetodowithme?”
“Ah,yes,thefavor.”Hesmiled.“You’reawareofourcampusattacks,yes?”
Evesanklowerintoherchair.“Isn’tthistopicofflimits—atleast,forme?”
“Timeshavechanged.Areyoufamiliarwiththevictimofourmostrecent
attack?”
“Oh,God.”Shewincedassherecalledthescene.“I’mmorethanfamiliar.I
wastherewhentheybroughthimin.Isawhim…Isawhisinsides,too,
actually.”
The dean fiddled with his pen, seemingly unaffected by the dark turn their conversationhadtaken.“HisnameisJasonValentine,thoughI’msureyou
knowthatbynow.HisfatherisaNewYorksenator,so,asyoucanimagine,his
abductionhasreceivedagreatdealofattention.”Hepausedforamomentand
lookedEvestraightintheeyes.
“Ineedyoutotutorhim.”
Evebarelycontainedherlaughter,completelytakenabackbythedean’s
statement.“Wait— what?”
“Allofthehigher-upshereattheuniversityhavediscussedthebestcourse
ofactiontotakewithMr.Valentine,andithasbeendecidedthatyoumusttutor
him.”
Eve’sfacedroppedassherealizedthatFurstwas,indeed,serious.
“I’msorry,Idon’tunderstand.He’sasophomore;I’mafreshman.Imean,
wedon’thaveanyofthesameclasses—”
“Youwillnotbetutoringhiminhisclasses.”
Furstpausedandleanedincloser.
“Youwillbeteachinghimhowtousehisgift.”
Eve’smouthhungopen.Inaninstant,shefeltherbloodpumpingthrough
her veins like fire, heating her entire body and burning within her chest. Her fingersgrippedthearmsofherchair,hernailsdiggingintotheleatherasshe
attempted to control her visible shock and anger. This isn’t happening, she thought,thoughsheknewitwasalie.Afterwhatfeltlikehoursofsilence,she
tookinadeepbreathandfinallymanagedtospeak.
“Whatdidyoujustsay?”
“JasonValentineisthesonofasenator.Thereisagoodchancethathewill
be a politician someday. With a path like that in front of him, it’s very importantthathenotonlyunderstandshisgift,butlearnshowtocontrolit.”
“Howdidyouknowaboutme?”
“Weallknow,MissKingston.”
“Who’s we? ”
“ThestaffhereatBillingtonUniversity.”
“Howisthatpossible?”
“Applicantsarescreenedforanypotentialitemsofinterest.Beingachimera
isobviouslyespeciallyinterestingtous.”
“That—”Evestutteredasshestruggledtostiflehernowboilinganger,“that
is noneofyourbusiness.Therehavetobelawsagainstthat—diggingthrough peoples’history.That’saninvasionofmy privacy. ”
Thedeanchuckled.“Privacy,ah,yes.Irememberwhenthatactuallyexisted.”
“Allright.”Evefinallyreleasedhergriponthechair.“Soyouknowmy
wholedamnstory.Wonderful.Whatdifferencedoesitmaketoyou?”
“Mydear,howdoyouthinkyougot in tothisinstitution?”
“Igraduatedwiththesecond-highestGPAatmyhighschool.Mycollege
preptestscoreswereintheninetiethpercentile—”
“Andwehaverejectedstudentswithgreatermarks.Eventhosefewwhohave
beenluckyenoughtomakeithereonsuchcredentials…well,they’recertainly
notlivinginRutherfordHall.”
“Soyou’retellingmethatIwasaccepted justbecauseI’machimera?”
“Notjustanychimera.”
Thedeanremainedemotionlessasheheldhergaze.
“Youarethesinglemostpowerfulchimeraintheentireworld.”
Evestaredathimindisbelief.Therageseethingwithinherdrainedawayas
shetriedtomakesenseofwhatthedeanwassaying.
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Youharnessedyourgiftataremarkablyyoungage.Eightyearsold,
correct? That is the earliest documented shift on the entire planet. And your abilitiesaresharper,moredeveloped,morecontrolledthananyotherchimera
that we’ve heard of. There are plenty of chimeras in this world, but no one quitelikeyou,andthat,mydear,isafact.”
“How,”Evestammered,“howdoyouknowthis?”
“The government has access to all types of data, and this is a government institution.Wearekeptwellinformed,especiallywithregardtoourstudents.
Receiving your application was quite a treat for us.” Furst relaxed into his chair,lookingpleasedwithEve’sobviousconfusion.“Doyouunderstandwhat
thismeans? Youarethebest.”
Evesatinsilence,overwhelmedbytherangeofemotionsandquestionsthat
floodedhermind.
“Youaremuchstrongerthanyourealize.”
“IknowwhatIcando,okay?”Evefinallyspoke,shootinga
glareatthedean.
“NooneknowsthatbetterthanIdo.”
“Idon’tdoubtthat.AndthatisexactlywhyyoumusttutorMr.Valentine.”
Eveshookherheadandsighed.“Thisisunbelievable.”
“Youwilltutorhimfivedaysaweek,MondaythroughFriday.Ifheisslow
tocatchon,wewillincreaseittosix.Possiblyevenseven.”
“Wait,doInothaveachoice?”
“No,mydear.I’mafraidyoudonot.”
“Youhaveno righttoforceme—”
“Ifyou’reworriedaboutyourschoolworksuffering,Icanassureyouthat
thatwillnotbeaproblem,”Furstinterrupted.“Yourprofessorsarefullyaware
ofthisarrangement.Theywillmakespecialaccommodationsforyouto
ensure that your tutoring duties remain a top priority. If that means you must missafewclasseshereandthere,thensobeit.Youwillnotbepenalized.”
“Don’tyouthinkpeoplewillstarttonotice?Won’tpeoplewonderwhy I’m
theonetutoringthisJasonguy?”Evepickedathercuticlesnervously.“People aregoingtoknowsomething’sup.I’vebeenharassedmywholelifeforbeing
whoIam.You’rejustgoingtogoaheadandputmeontheradarlikethis?”
“Itisariskyoumusttakeforthegoodof—”
“Thegoodofwhat?Yourreputation?YourrelationshipwithsomeNew
Yorksenator?”
Frustrated,thedeansighed.“You willtutorMr.Valentine.Andwewillmake theprocessascomfortableforyouaspossible.”
Eventhoughshe’djustlearnedthatshewasthestrongestchimerainthe
world,Evefeltcompletelypowerless.Shehadenvisionedhercollegeyearsas
atimeforhertotakecontrolofherdestiny—andyetallhercontrolhadbeen
wrestedawayfromherinaninstant.
Athoughtcametohermind.
“What’sinitforme?”
“Pardon?”
“Youcan’tpossiblyexpectmetodothisfornothinginreturn.Therehasto
besometypeofpayoff.”
“Ah,yes.Youareaverysmartgirl.”Thedeanpulledoutyetanotherstack
ofpapersandbeganflippingthroughthem.“You’rehereonascholarship,
correct?”
“Yes.”
“Andwhatdoesthatscholarshipcover?”
