Altruist (The Altruist Series Book 1)

by Walsh, Ashley

  I try to take in what he is saying but the words feel heavy on me and I know that once this sinks in, I will not be the same. Everything is changing, everything. Shoshanna holds onto Asher’s hand and runs her fingers across his brow; her touch is so gentle, like a mother to her son. Her son, Abel, the idea of Abel being in that bed… No. I push the thought out of my mind.

  “Cate,” Eliath says, “You will continue to feel all of the burdens of your future, as all our lives, mine included will forever change in the coming years. Soon there will be no going back, no reset clause, and I will be the first to admit that I’m not sure what will happen to us, to you. What I can say though…” I watch Shoshanna peel away the top portion of bandages that cover Asher’s chest. She places her palms flat against his mangled skin and slowly, the faintest of lights begin to appear within the space where their bodies connect. “Is that with all of these burdens, there are blessings. You are capable of wonderful, beautiful things. Your gifts will bring happiness to millions of Plebs around the world. The mere sight of you will restore faith in all Guilders. The sound of your name will strike fear into all Nasai. It is truly unfortunate that our people have warred for so long, but that struggle will come to an end soon and this…” He motions to Shoshanna. “Our true purpose will be able to shine, just the way our Creator intended it to.”

  I feel my jaw become slack, and my lips part, the first sign of true amazement. My eyes focus on Shoshanna as if I am just now seeing for the first time. Shoshanna steps away from Asher, looking back towards me, her eyes meet mine and she smiles slightly, as if showing me this great secret. Eliath releases the grasp he had on my hand and I walk slowly towards her, still unsure of what exactly just took place. My gaze on Asher intensifies as I reach his bed. I look to Shoshanna for permission to touch him.

  “Is…” My voice is feeble and barely escapes my throat. “Is he going to be okay?” Shoshanna takes my hand in hers and places it on Asher’s chest. It is warm, like sunshine bellowing from her palm and it fills me with comfort.

  I smile because the light of every happy moment I’ve ever felt warms my soul. I cannot feel anything but safe. Asher’s eyelids begin to flutter and an unintelligible mumble escapes his lips. My heart quickens and total reassurance surrounds me. I don’t know how I can be so sure, but I know he is going to be fine. As if a weight is simultaneously taken off of my heart and placed directly on my back, I soon realize that though Asher will be able to recover from this, Dante will not.

  Chapter 14

  The soles of my boots click loudly against the asphalt, slick with evening rain, as I run towards my house. My dad must have an address for Adam and Miranda. My heart beats uncontrollably as my legs propel my body faster and faster. Images of my family, friends, race through my mind and I feel pure, unadulterated anger pulsing through my veins.

  “Cate!” I hear Abel’s voice call from behind. My pace quickens as I exit the city center and head south towards Ward 3. “Cate! Stop! You don’t know what you’re doing.” His plea fades into the background of my mind. I know exactly what I’m doing. A guard shack 30 meters from my position enters my view and I slow, cautiously inhaling, trying to regain composure as to not raise any suspicion. I readjust my currency pin, making sure that it is perfectly placed on my jacket, a sign of respect to our magnificent council. The pledge running through my mind, a pledge that every citizen recites each morning so that we will always be mindful of how we are taken care of so graciously.

  Approaching the soldiers, I straighten my posture and begin to roll my sleeve up so that my chip can be scanned. I catch the eye of the young soldier working the gate as I patiently wait in the queue. He is short for a Class 2, their genetic makeup tends to promote height, but he is muscular with brown hair, neatly parted to the left, and faded freckles on his face. He smirks at me as I approach.

  “Hi Cate.” He smiles shyly as I offer my forearm to him to scan.

  “Hey, Ben, you finally got an assignment I see.” I try desperately to make my voice chipper, masking my intentions for the future hours.

  “Yeah, I mean it’s nothing glorious, but it’s better than working security at the stockyard, even if that means having my brother as my commanding officer.” He shrugs and I feel the chip beneath my skin vibrate and see my identification flash on the screen behind him.

  The gate lifts but I linger for a moment. “How is Joseph? I haven’t seen him since, well…” I hesitate, not exactly knowing how to broach the topic of their father. I don’t know what I would have done if my father was a freedom fighter. I do know, however, that I am not strong enough to have turned him over, like Joseph did. I wonder if he regrets it, or if the promotion he received for turning his father in to the council was worth it to him. The Council turned him into a hero of sorts, the poster boy of model behavior. Joseph was trotted out in front of the city center and given some shiny medal that the rest of us are expected to respect but the thought of it makes my stomach turn.

  “He’s good, I think.” Ben lowers his gaze for a brief moment, but then remembers the onlookers and begins to motion me through the checkpoint. “I don’t see him much.” His voice is cold and stern with a resumed sense of purpose.

  “It was nice seeing you, Ben.” I smile, holding onto his arm for a moment. I cannot imagine how he can look at his brother.

  Rounding the corner, I see the familiar red door. The house is dark, the street is quiet, and my stomach drops. Ominous fear creeps beneath my skin. I lick my lips and slowly raise my arm to the scanner and the door creaks open piercing the silence. I reach my hand towards the left wall, feeling for the motion sensor and waving my arm in front of it, but it fails to activate. Darkness. I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone, clicking the torch application, a sliver of light emits into the dark space. “Mom? Dad?” I whisper, as if not to disturb the foreboding house.

  Making my way up the stairs, I shine the torch into Max’s room, and then Sophie’s. Nothing. I head to my room and pull a grey duffle bag from my closet and quickly begin to toss clothes and my laptop into it. Everything is about to change, Eliath’s words echo in my mind. I scan the room, the box, sitting on my nightstand. Its dark outline meets my gaze. I pick it up and cradle the box in my hands, breathing slowly. With nothing to interfere, I feel an unmistakable energy surging and I feel strong. Dante, his name runs through my mind. Quieting my mind, I hold onto the power that is flowing through me, focusing on my prey.

  CRACK. The sound of breaking glass startles me and I jump, nervous. Someone’s here. Slowly, I walk towards the hallway closet and step inside. Loud, heavy footsteps make their way into the kitchen beneath me. I hear cupboards slamming as the trespasser rummages through drawers. I focus intently on the movements until a second pair of footsteps catches my attention—they are slightly lighter, faster, and making their way up the stairs. I swallow hard, preparing myself for inevitable discovery. The second stranger moves past my position and towards my bedroom. I lean into the back of the closet and wood boards creak beneath my weight. I stop, refusing to allow a single muscle to move and hold my breath but I know it’s too late even before I see the second figure stop in the doorway and turn towards the closet. I ready myself, and as the door slides open and I swing. His palm catches my fist and a second palm covers my mouth as the figure moves into the small space alongside me and slides the door silently closed.

  “Dammit, Cate.” Abel’s voice is rough and low. My eyes close and I inhale deeply as he peers through the slanted wood door. “Listen, have you gotten a look at whoever’s downstairs?”

  “No,” I say. “I was in my room packing when I heard them come in.” His silence is enough to clue me in on the severity of our situation.

  “Okay, look, they’re searching for something. I’m thinking it’s a scout, which means that we should be able to get out of here undetected. But you have to stop whatever it is you came here for and you need to listen and follow what I say.” I’ve never seen him like this before, his
bright smile has disappeared and his hand, clutched to mine, is panicked.

  “Okay,” I mutter, surrendering to him.

  “Scouts don’t normally travel alone, there’s likely one or two more either in the house or outside. I want you to head to Max’s room, there’s a window in there that faces west—”

  “Wait, I need my bag, I left it on my bed, and there’s this box on my nightstand.”

  He swallows. “Right, okay, I’ll go get it and meet you by the window. If you hear anything, if you make any noise, assume they heard it and move.” He slides the door slowly and nods down the hall. I creep slowly against the wall where the floor is more structurally sound, hoping my silence can remain a few moments longer. Seeing the window, I peer outside. I don’t see anyone down below and I pray there is no one blocking the entrances. I make my way across the room, feeling my way through the darkness, this is going to be okay, this is going to work, and we’re going to get out of here. I grasp onto Max’s dresser, feeling my way towards the window. It isn’t until I hear the thump that I even realize that my hand has hit one of his trophies. The sound stops me in my tracks and I scan the room. It’s silent, the house silent, dread fills me, they know I’m here. Loud, heavy footsteps begin the climb to the second level and my eyes scan the room hastily, not sure of what to do.

  Abel bolts into the room, my duffle strung across his chest. “Cate, open the window, go!” he yells. I stare at him, puzzled, paralyzed. He doesn’t slow and instead, unlatches the window and pulls it open. “Jump, Cate! GO!” His voice is harsh and makes my heart pound within my chest.

  “It’s too high…” I say, exasperated. “I can’t…” His hand presses into my back and the scouts race down the hall. My head turns towards the door as they reach the room.

  “You’ll make it, trust me.”

  I don’t know whether I jump willingly or he pushes me, but my feet leave the sill and I plummet towards the hard ground. My right shin and left foot catch my fall, smacking into the grass. I scan the yard, half looking for scouts, half amazed at my survival of the fall, then Abel grips my arms and pulls me to my feet. We take off towards the fence that encircles my house when we see a figure standing 20 meters to the right. Slowly they begin moving towards us and then faster, until their run matches my own.

  “Cate, watch out to the right.”

  “I see him.” I remain focused, pushing my limbs harder, soul unhinged. As we near the fence, I accept the fact that the scout will reach me before I can get over and I quickly turn right and run head-on towards the figure. Their pace slows, though only momentarily.

  “Cate!” Abel calls. I clutch my fist towards my side. I will not be intimidated. As I near the figure, I swing my arm around and throw my full force into the scout, my knuckles meeting his nose. An undeniable crack resonates from beneath his skin. Without stopping I climb over the fence as the figure cries out in agony on the ground below. I hear Abel running close behind and it isn’t until we reach the terrace that my pace ever slows. I fall to my knees, chest heaving.

  “What were they doing? What were they looking for in my house?” My words are punctuated by gasps of air. Abel stands beside me, his hands on his head, trying to regain composure.

  “I’m not sure, maybe your charge,” he says.

  I breathe heavily, trying to take in his words. Charge? The thought is fleeting as I remember there are more important things at hand. “Where’s my family? Do they have them? Do they have my family?”

  “Don’t worry,” he says, looking up towards the sky, breathing deeply. “We sent a team to pick up Max, Sophie and your dad. Your mom’s with my parents. They’ll be safe. Cate, you need to calm down.”

  I stand up, my anger resurging as the thought of Dante rushes into my soul. “They came after people I care about, Abel. And you want me to calm down?” Whatever it is he is expecting from me, I am not capable of, and for that I am not sorry. He wraps his arms around me, and I bury my face into his chest, hot tears streaming down my face.

  “I know, I know. I get it. This isn’t the time though, we need to regroup. We’re fractured when we’re spread so far apart. I’m going to take you somewhere safe, near the border of the city, somewhere you can calm down and we can figure out what to do next.” I want to reply but I feel broken, I feel numb, I feel weak.

  Chapter 15

  We travel down dark windy roads, and by the twentieth turn my stomach begins to lurch along with the car. I touch a smooth silver button and the window effortlessly lowers, allowing crisp air, infused with winter’s breath to flow inside the vehicle. No matter how many times I take passage in a Class 4 vehicle, I feel odd. I do not belong and I feel as though the vehicle itself knows it. I rest my elbow where the glass meets the metal frame, and lean my hand against my head. Abel is quiet. I wonder if he ever had the choice to love me, or if he were simply thrust into this position by some divine power and that in all actuality he has no free will when it comes to who he loves. I want to shake him and demand that he tells me every single thing he is thinking. I know that I never had a choice. I know in my gut that every time I’ve met him must have been like this time, that it doesn’t matter how many years past. Given the chance, I would fall for him all over again. And if I can step outside of my neurotic mind for a moment, I know he feels the same. I’m tired. I am so tired. For the first time in months I allow myself to drift away from the world until the hum of the new engine pairs with the passing of the trees and I let go.

  Chapter 16 — Abel

  Her slender frame just inches from mine, and I cannot say a word. She needs rest, she does, and when we reach The Manor there will be no rest in sight. Is she ready? She’s different this time, angrier than I’ve ever known her to be. She needs to turn her anger into something productive, something that doesn’t consist entirely of her emotions ruling her decisions. I wonder if her body, if her soul, is genuinely fighting against the tide of her responsibility; if she’s reached a point where she can’t take any more of this; if it’s my fault that it’s gone on for as long as it has. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice her lean against her hand and begin to fall asleep. I feel her drifting more than actually see it. I want to wake her and tell her that I’m sorry, I’m so sorry that I couldn’t get to you in time.

  Chapter 17 — Cate

  “Cate? Wake up, we’re here.” Abel’s hand is warm against mine and I love waking up to him. I feel myself smile as I open my eyes and peer out through the tinted windows. A large house towers to my right, its cream and tan bricks condensed and burnt with age. Two main floors sandwiched between an attic and basement reach towards the sky, as if it is begging to leave this place in search of something better, and I can relate to that. A dark grey roof sits atop what I count as sixteen windows on the top floor of the U-shaped structure. And above the roof are six chimneystacks, in the center of which sits a hollow, marble globe, resting on four pillars. Concrete statues line either side on the tan stone driveway and beyond the statues, lush green hedges sit, alternating between circular and oblong shapes. I shift my view toward Abel and feel his gaze as I stare past him and to the landscape. I haven’t been here before and I am absolutely perplexed as to why a house of this magnitude would be allowed to remain out here so far from the city Centre. “Where are we?” I mumble through sleep’s resistance.

  “The Manor. It’s a safe house of sorts. We can figure out what to do next. My parents are inside along with some other Tylins, and your parents and Willa are in a bunker on the other side of the grounds. They’re safe. You can relax.” His tone is more direct than comforting, almost as if he is ordering my relaxation rather than offering it. Although my initial reaction is to reject his cold tone, I, more than anything, appreciate that he knows the information that I need to hear before I can begin the process of relaxation. I stare down at my hands, clasping them together, Am I messing this up for them? Am I, in some way, not what they expected, not what they need me to be?

  I close my eyes, and p
ress the button that unlatches the door. When in doubt, make the jump, I think. It’s quiet here, no buzz of people, no gawking stares, no loud mechanical grunting from sector gates opening. There is nothing. Silence. The air is clean and I inhale slowly, savoring the feeling it creates within my chest and whether it’s my decision or Abel’s direction, I begin to slowly relax. Staring up towards the long string of dark concrete steps leading to the front door, guarded on either side by perfectly trimmed hedges, I’ve been here before, I’ve stood in this place. The photograph from the dusty box in my parents attic and the one from the Cohen’s mantle meet and meld in my mind. The Manor, this is where my parents met me. It’s been right here, this entire time. Right here, outside of the city. Right here, waiting for my return.