Moirai (Aberrant)

by Silver, Ruth

“Fair enough.” He led me outside. The sun was beginning to rise in the east, enveloping the city in a beautiful golden glow. “We'll have to take the monorail to get back to your room.”

  “Monorail?” I asked, confused, following Kelvin across the cobblestone street and up the cement stairs towards the platform.

  He motioned towards the approaching train and we waited for it to stop and the doors to open. Together we stepped inside. I grabbed an empty seat and sat down, Kelvin coming to sit beside me. “We'll have to walk a few blocks to get back to your place but the monorail is quicker than walking from the hospital.”

  “That's fine,” I nodded, glancing out the window, watching as we sped by different parts of Torv. Graffiti coated the sides of buildings, some old and some newer as we slowed towards the next stop. “Now?” I asked standing up.

  Kelvin shook his head no, gesturing for me to sit back down. “It'll be a few minutes. I'll let you know when it's time to get off.”

  “Okay.” I sat back down in my seat. A few passengers came on the monorail but no one got off. After a minute, we took off again. I reached for the window, gripping the edge as best I could for leverage. I wasn't used to this type of transportation. The train rushed on for several minutes before we slowed to the next stop.

  “This is the financial district,” Kelvin explained. “The wealthy move in to this area. Most of them work down here as well.”

  “The wealthy from where?” I didn't understand what he was talking about.

  “You don't know.” He laughed. “I shouldn't be surprised, I mean you're obviously not from around here.” He nodded twice and then relaxed in the seat beside me. “Don't you wonder where the population of Torv comes from?” I had been wondering but I hadn't known who I could trust to ask. “People travel from around the world to come here,” Kelvin explained. “They make a new life in Torv, settle down in hopes of starting a family.”

  “A family?” I repeated.

  “That's the hope everyone has, wanting children. They travel the world to come to Torv at the chance they may be able to start one.”

  “Is it like in Genesis? Do you get selected by lottery?” Even with the odds stacked against most women, I wondered how many signed up. It explained the increase in population.

  “Families volunteer. Both parties have to sign consent forms because the scientists still consider the treatment experimental. My sister signed up last year: the waiting list is long but if it works, it's worth it.”

  I wasn't sure it was worth it, after what I'd witnessed and done today. “What if it doesn't?” I whispered, glancing out the window again. I was astounded people would risk their lives for children they may never have. Even more shocking was that they were disobeying Cabal's government by coming to Torv. It wasn't just risky, it was insane!

  “There's no guarantee but it's the only chance they have. We have scientists and doctors from around the world who come here. The best and brightest, hoping to discover a cure,” Kelvin explained.

  “Around the world? Where exactly?” I hadn't read what had happened in the history texts to the rest of the world while I was in Haven. The most I'd learned was about the Red Plague and the repercussions it had but nothing further.

  “There are pockets of civilizations—those we have found the means to communicate with —that are struggling in much the same way. Society is dying out. The only reason our town of Torv has grown is because of our success rate with the fertility program: people flock here.”

  I shifted in my seat, turning to face Kelvin. “What do the doctors and scientists ask for in return?” There had to be a catch, something making them want to be here. It wasn't that Torv was a horrible place, I just couldn't understand how someone could leave their home willingly.

  “Food, housing, clothes—they're provided with necessities,” Kelvin explained. “I know, it sounds a lot like the promises Cabal has made, but they don't do it for a physical reward. If we ignore the situation, let it continue as it has been, the human population will cease to exist.”

  “That's not entirely true,” I pointed out. “Cabal has found a way to assure a one hundred percent survival rate.” Kelvin paused for a long moment, contemplating his answer. “What?” I asked, waiting for him to respond. He stood up and gestured for me to do the same. I grabbed the pole to hold on as we shifted with the train until it stopped. Kelvin stepped off first and I followed, walking alongside him.

  “You don't question how they can ensure a healthy pregnancy, each and every time?” Kelvin asked as we descended the cement stairs, walking back down to the ground floor.

  I grimaced. “I do,” I acknowledged. “But why can't we demand they tell us?”

  A deep throaty laugh emitted from his throat. “And you think they'd listen?” He shook his head. “That would be something else, the government listening to us. Besides, even with Cabal's perfect rate of reproduction, they'll be the only nation left in existence in the next hundred years.”

  “Not true,” I countered. “You said it yourself that children are being born, right here in Torv,” I reminded Kelvin.

  A faint smile etched to his face. “Yes, but not enough children, and if we continue at the current rate where only thirty percent survive childbirth, in a few hundred years, Cabal will be all that's left. They'll easily be able to wipe us out.”

  “That's why I'm here,” I whispered. “Why Jaxon told the high council who I was: he wanted to help and wasn't sure Collins would've agreed.” I began to make sense of the situation. Douglas, or someone in the high council, must have entrusted Jaxon with the information about the fertility program.

  We walked six blocks on cobblestone pavement before turning right and walking into our building. Heading for the elevator, I pushed the up button and waited for it to stop on our floor. The technology here felt so foreign and new. It was actually old technology—electricity, elevators, even tall buildings had been around for a long time—but not being around it my entire life, it felt weird. “How many floors in this building are living quarters?” Chloe hadn't been specific, and I wondered if it was because she simply didn't know or she was being elusive.

  Kelvin stood beside me in the elevator as we headed up. “Most of the building is housing. A few floors are research facilities and the top levels are for the committee.”

  “You mean the high council?”

  Kelvin shook his head. “Not exactly. Though the members of the high council reside on the top floor as well.”

  Stepping out onto our floor, I glanced at Kelvin. “So who is the committee?” I still had a plethora of questions. I wondered at what point he'd get annoyed with me.

  “The committee is the board that chooses members of the high council. Douglas suggests who he wants in his high council, but the committee is responsible for choosing the delegates. They also make the laws in Torv; however, the council pushes them through.”

  “Oh, I see.” I grabbed my key and headed for my door, unlocking it. “Thanks for walking me back to my room.” I knew it wasn't a choice for Kelvin but I still appreciated it, along with all his answers.

  “Get some rest,” he offered as I stepped into my room and locked the door behind me. As much as I wanted to see Joshua, I was exhausted. In a few hours I'd get up, knock on his door and see what trouble he'd gotten into.

  CHAPTER 19

  I slept most of the afternoon and by evening I heard a sharp repetitive knock at my door. “Just a sec,” I answered, finding the light switch as I stumbled out of bed and opened the door.

  Jaxon smirked, glancing me over. “You don't look ready.”

  “Huh?” I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. “What are you talking about?”

  “Joshua was supposed to tell you, it's time to pack up. We're heading to Genesis in an hour.”

  I frowned. “He didn't tell me. Can I shower and grab something quick to eat before we go?”

  Jaxon showed me his packed duffel he swung over his shoulder. “We don't have that much time. Y
ou shower; I'll bring you something to eat up here. The line downstairs is pretty long. When you're done, just knock on my door, okay?”

  “Yeah, sure.” I found my bag on the floor, grabbed a fresh change of clothes, and walked across the hall to my private bathroom. I tried not to let the butterflies in my stomach take control. I glanced at the counter, seeing a bottle of red dye. I knew Jaxon had left it for me. I colored my hair, showered, and dried off. It was strange to see my reflection once again from root to tip in red. I headed back into my room, packing up my clothes, making sure I had everything before carrying my bag over to Joshua's door. I gave a firm knock, wondering if he was in his room. There was no answer.

  Kelvin watched from the hall, his back against the wall. “He's in with Jaxon.”

  “Oh, thanks.” I carried my bag over towards Jaxon's room.

  Kelvin smiled. “Heading home?”

  I glanced down at the bag in my hand. “Yeah,” I nodded. “Something like that.” I couldn't tell Kelvin where I was going. No one could know: it would put the entire mission at risk. I knocked once then twice on Jaxon's door, hearing the handle as he pulled it back and glanced me over.

  “You look better.” Jaxon smiled, giving me a hug. “I heard you're in a world of trouble from Joshua.”

  “What?” My eyes widened. “Why would he say that?” I glanced past Jaxon. Joshua was staring out the window. He turned around, a huge smile plastered to his face but there was something behind his eyes. Something that told me he wasn't happy.

  “It's true,” Joshua walked over, wrapping his arms around my waist as he buried his face in my neck. “Call it all off. I don't want you to go.”

  “I can't do that.” I smiled, trying my best to pry myself from his grasp. “You can come with us,” though I knew it wasn't possible. The arrangements had been made for Jaxon and me to travel to Genesis. It could very well be a disaster bringing Joshua along.

  “And I can't do that.” Joshua leant in, stealing a kiss. He hadn't spent time practicing a glamour. It would only take minutes before we'd be caught. “I talked with Elsa. She had some concerns about you…” He didn't finish the sentence; his look said everything.

  I'll be more careful. I promised him.

  You have to, Olive. If anyone found out what we're capable of… He didn't have to finish his sentence for me to know what I'd done was wrong. In some ways it had been selfish. Saving Drezden had been what we were there for, but I couldn't save every woman in labor. It had been a huge risk and could have been a bigger catastrophe. Promise me you'll be smarter in Genesis.

  “I will,” I acknowledged, not caring if Kelvin overheard half our conversation. It wouldn't make any sense to him.

  “Take care of her, Jaxon.” Joshua stared at him hard, his gaze refusing to linger.

  “Like she's my sister,” he promised, shaking his hand.

  “I don't need looking after,” I emphasized, “but thanks.” I planted one last kiss to Joshua's lips before pulling back. “When are you heading home?”

  “In a few hours,” Joshua whispered. Elsa promised to drive me back. She knows we're getting closer to the attack on Genesis and is a little hesitant to be in Torv when it goes down. Besides, Collins’ orders were for both of us to return to Shadow.

  I grinned as I shuffled my feet and shifted my bag in my hands. “You don't say.” I stepped closer, throwing my arms around him one last time, knowing goodbye was inevitable. I'm scared I won't see you again.

  You will, Olive. You know you will. He placed a soft kiss to my lips, resting his forehead against mine.

  I'll be fine. I assured Joshua, though the nerves were getting to me.

  You don't have to do this. He stared at me, his hand reaching up as his thumb grazed my cheek.

  Yes, I do. There wasn't another option. We'd made the arrangements; not showing up might alert someone in the system that we were up to no good. I leant in, brushing my lips one final time to Josh's. I just hoped we'd both come out of this unscathed. “Let's do this.”

  “Stay safe.” Jaxon gave Josh a brief hug. I felt my stomach somersault. Hopefully, all my glamour training and experience over the last few months would pay off.

  “So, how are we getting there?” I asked as Jaxon tossed his duffel over his shoulder and handed me a bag of food.

  “We're driving. Well, someone will drive us,” he specified. “You'll just sit back and do your thing.” I wasn't sure which thing that was but I guessed it involved pretending to look like someone else. “Come on,” he urged as I waved a brief goodbye to Kelvin. Joshua poked his head out from the room. Already, I missed him. Together, Jaxon and I headed down the elevator. Once we were alone, he glanced at me. “I need you to glamour right now.” I nodded slowly and focused my energy on Jacqueline. She was the easiest glamour, the one I had the most training with and the most experience in pretending to be. Besides, the Governor wouldn't recognize her, I was sure of it. Jaxon looked me over. “I'm glad you used the dye. It'll last until we know when the Governor's Ball is and it'll be easier for you to glamour. One less thing to worry about: hair color.”

  “Right.” I smiled, trying not to feel nervous: we couldn't get caught. The elevator doors opened and Jaxon grabbed my elbow, leading me towards a military vehicle waiting by the front entrance. “What are we doing, Jaxon?”

  “How else do you think we'll get inside Genesis?” he asked me pointedly. I knew he was right but this seemed stupid.

  “Just don't take off the glamour, got it?” Jaxon stared at me. I nodded and followed as he opened the back door and I slipped inside. I had no idea how this would work. Visitors didn't come and go from Genesis. How they would get me inside and work in the Governor's mansion, I had no idea.

  CHAPTER 20

  The guard who drove us into Genesis, I never did bother to get his name. He gestured towards the trunk and a change of clothes that would be appropriate for my position in town. I rolled my eyes and changed outfits in the backseat just as we headed towards the stone walls of Genesis. I kept glancing in his rearview mirror, making sure he wasn't watching me disrobe. Although the pants were one size too big and the shirt one size too small, it would have to do. Dressed in grays and blues, I would fit in for my position as a servant. I fidgeted with the crest on my sleeve, Livery. Although I'd never seen it up close, I knew what it looked like from school. My stomach clenched and my hands bunched into fists as I felt my heart rate climb. I could do this, I had to do this, I had no other choice. I swallowed the fear and uncertainty. The guard dropped us off at the front of Governor Craynor's mansion and Jaxon gripped my arm as he led me towards the entrance.

  I glanced at him, raising an inquisitive eyebrow. He looked nothing like the Jaxon I knew, clothes included as he wore the government's standard-issue gray military uniform and carried a file in his hand; the game was on. “This way.” Jaxon's voice was deeper than usual—he didn't even sound like himself. His skin color hadn't changed but his eyes were a lighter shade of brown and I couldn't make out his hair under the military hat.

  “Did you grow two inches taller?” I whispered, unable to take my eyes off him. It was still strange to witness a glamour: it didn't matter that I was just as capable of performing one.

  “Quit it, Jacqueline,” he rasped, reminding me of my role. I stared straight ahead as we approached the front door and Jaxon gave three knocks. A moment later the door opened and one of the servants stepped aside, letting us enter.

  “It's good to see you again, sir.” The young brunette closed the door behind us. “The Governor is in his study, I'm sure he'd be happy to see you.”

  “Good.” Jaxon nodded curtly, leading me up the staircase, familiar with the layout of the mansion. I knew he must have studied the blueprints, gotten them from someone in the rebel alliance. How had the servant recognized Jaxon? Who was he pretending to be? I had no idea where I was going and knew Jaxon otherwise wouldn't have had a clue.

  Jaxon paused momentarily before knocking on the closed
study. “Come in,” Craynor's voice echoed from behind the door. I tried my best to relax, to not show fear, but I was terrified. Jaxon turned the handle and pushed the door open, stepping in first. I followed close behind him.

  “Sir.” Jaxon handed the manila folder to the Governor. “From the city of Livery, Governor Sevean would like to lend you Jacqueline.”

  Governor Craynor looked me over and gestured me closer. “Jacqueline.” He tilted his head, examining me. “What is it you do, child?”

  Jaxon answered for me. “She was a housekeeper and servant for the Governor in Livery.”

  Craynor laughed, throwing his hands on the desk. “And what did you do to deserve coming to visit me, hmmm?” He watched me for a moment before answering his own question, “I know he owes me one but this is beyond preposterous. There are rules about travel between towns for a reason.” He glanced me over. “You're okay—you didn't see anything frightening out there, did you?”

  “I'm fine, sir.” I was surprised he cared at all about me traveling through the Gravelands. Or was he protecting himself, for fear of what I might tell the others in Genesis?

  “Very well.” Craynor closed the folder, not looking too much at the details. “If Sevean says you're good enough to work under my roof, so be it.” He eyed me skeptically. “Do you not have family back in Livery, a husband?”

  “No, sir. He died from an unfortunate event.” I didn't elaborate and hoped he wouldn't ask any more questions. I knew Jacqueline was under eighteen but there was no way they'd have transferred a child between cities. I had to be quick and think on my feet.

  “I see.” Craynor answered. “Very well. We'll have to make accommodations in the meantime for you here, if that's all right with you?”

  “That would be fine, sir.”

  “Good, good.” He stood up. “Take the young lady—Jacqueline, is it?” I nodded in response. “To her quarters. Show her the work uniform and then have one of the girls give her the tour. The last thing we need is you getting lost before the Governor's Ball.” He laughed. “That would be something else. I'll have to thank Sevean for bringing me such good company as well.”