Kill School: Slice

by Karen Carr

  “Go,” says Shah. He presses his cheek to her hair.

  Demi runs off into the crowd without waiting for Mr. Wassillie. It breaks my heart to see her go. I can’t imagine what the reunion with her father will be like. I may never see her again.

  “Come on,” Mr. Wassillie says to Burke. “Regulator Krish is waiting.”

  “I can’t go anywhere right now,” Burke says. “Not until all of my campers are gone.”

  “Burke, don’t start today,” Mr. Wassillie says. “Go and see what Krish wants. I will stay here with your campers to make sure they all go home safe.”

  I don’t want Burke anywhere near Krish. That mad scientist will carve him apart. What else would he want with him? Krish has to know Burke is planning to leave. He has to know Burke may not return. What if Burke finds his sisters? Why would he want to come back to Kill School?

  I grab ahold of Burke’s elbow.

  “Burke, you can’t go,” I say.

  “I have to stay here,” Burke says to Mr. Wassillie. He steps in front of me. “I’m not going anywhere until all of my campers are gone.”

  “I am afraid I have to insist,” Mr. Wassillie says. “Don’t make me get the guards.”

  I step in front of Burke.

  “Then I’m going with him,” I say.

  Burke glares at me. Maybe I shouldn’t have stepped in front of him.

  “You can’t come this time, Aria,” Mr. Wassillie says.

  “This isn’t your business,” Burke says to me. His voice is acidic. I can’t tell if he’s angry with Mr. Wassillie or me. Burke, once again, pushes me behind him.

  Mr. Wassillie twists his scarf.

  “Please, Burke,” says Mr. Wassillie. “Just go see what he wants and come back. It should take you no longer than five minutes.”

  Burke sighs and turns toward me.

  “I’ll be alright,” Burke says. Whether or not he is frustrated with me, I don’t see any of it in his eyes. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  Burke walks away without turning around. I am left standing next to an awkwardly fidgeting Mr. Wassillie. Mr. Wassillie and I both stiffen when we see four guards approach Burke from behind. They follow in step behind him. He doesn’t seem to notice, but I know he is aware of their presence. He is stealth. He is in trouble.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Mr. Wassillie makes up some excuse to leave and mingles with the rest of the kids. Coward. He’s not going to do anything to help Burke. I watch Burke’s blond head and tassel hat approach the bleachers. It’s not too late. I have to help him.

  Vanessa and Mateo come up next to me.

  “Where’s Burke going?” Vanessa asks.

  “To see Regulator Krish,” I say. My mouth is dry. My palms are wet.

  Burke disappears through an archway. He did nothing to lose the guards. That can only mean one thing. He knows he is trapped. I want to run after him, to find Vladimir, to go to the Regulator’s box so that I can kill Krish before he kills Burke.

  I turn to Vanessa and Mateo.

  “He lied to us in the dining hall. We were right. Krish wants his blood. He’s gone to the Regulator’s box to meet him.”

  Adrenalin rushes through my body, making me feel as if I could fly. The thought of Burke on the slab in the lab…

  No. I will not do that. I will not think of Burke as dead. Burke is a killer. He is smart. There is no way that he’ll let Krish do anything to him. No way.

  “Is he nuts?” Vanessa asks.

  “I hope not,” I say.

  “We have to go find him,” Vanessa says.

  “What if our parents show up?” Mateo asks.

  “We stall them,” Vanessa says. “We’ll tell them we have to wait for Burke. I am not leaving without saying goodbye to him.”

  “Uh Vanessa,” Mateo says.

  “What?” Vanessa asks.

  Mateo turns her around.

  “Our parents,” Mateo says.

  Two couples rush toward us. I recognize Vanessa’s parents, having seen them many times in school. Vanessa’s mom bursts into tears and hugs her daughter, crying about how she thought Vanessa was dead. Mateo’s parents, a handsome couple standing close together, welcome Mateo into their arms.

  Their reunion gives me a chance to think. I have to wait for my mother. She knows the Regulators. She may even be related to one of them. And, she knows Burke. If anyone can help me get Burke away from Krish, it’s my mother.

  Vanessa and Mateo’s parents walk to the bleachers and sit down. All four of them stare at us with worried expressions.

  Vanessa and Mateo join me.

  “Mateo and I told our parents we have to find Burke,” she says.

  “We told them he’s upstairs.” Mateo glances at the Regulator’s box.

  “Thanks,” I say. “I want to wait for my mom before we do anything.”

  I look up to the Regulator’s box and see shadowy figures looking out over the field. Vanessa and Mateo exchange nervous glances and look back to their parents. Vanessa’s mom jumps to her feet and heads over to us.

  “We better wait with them,” Vanessa says to Mateo. “You want to come with us?” she asks me.

  I shake my head. I have a perfect view of the Regulator’s box from here and I am not moving. Besides, I don’t want to interfere with any reunions. Vanessa’s mom is so polite, she’d want to make conversation with me, and I don’t feel like talking. Just as Mateo and Vanessa agree to return to their parents alone, Vanessa’s mom reaches us.

  “Aria,” Vanessa’s mom says. Her eyes are red and her eyelids puffy. “I didn’t see you before. I’m afraid I was distracted Vanessa’s injuries. How awful it must have been for all of you. Is your mother coming? Of course she is.”

  “Mom,” Vanessa says. She pats her mom’s shoulders. “We’re going to wait for Aria to find her parents before we say goodbye to Burke. Let’s go back to dad before he jumps to his feet.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to go now?” Vanessa’s mom asks. She glances at me as if to plead her case. I can’t put Vanessa at risk.

  “No,” Vanessa says with such ferocity that it shocks both her mother and me. “Sorry, mom,” Vanessa adds. “But I promised. You wouldn’t let me break a promise, would you?”

  Vanessa’s mom shakes her head sadly and they walk off to the bleachers. Mateo tells me to be strong and then joins them.

  I feel awkward standing alone, and scan the crowd for my parents. Most of the kids in our cabin have gone, except for Shah who stands alone with his hands folded across his chest. He acknowledges me with a nod and then walks toward the nearest exit. I get the feeling he has no parents coming to pick him up.

  Dr. Heap pushes her way through the crowd. She is holding a cup of coffee, a small white bag, and a pad of paper. Seeing her makes me smile. Her gray suit jacket has a stain on the lapel, as if she’s spilled some of her coffee on it.

  “Aria, I’m so glad I found you,” Dr. Heap says.

  She hands me the white bag, which contains donuts, and reaches in her pocket.

  “I’m glad you are here, too,” I say. It’s nice to have her company. I’m not so alone any more.

  Dr. Heap stuffs a card in my hand. “I’d like to stay in touch with you while camp is closed. I think we should still have our sessions.”

  “We have a lot to talk about, right?” I ask. At the same time, I raise my bracelet to see if she reacts to my token.

  Dr. Heap stares at my bracelet. She then blinks at me and clears her throat.

  “Call me as soon as you are settled again,” Dr. Heap says. “I have an office on the green by the post office. I’m sorry I can’t stay. I want to catch the first Vactrain out of here.”

  Before I can thank her, or probe her for more information, she is gone. I am, once again, alone. Except for Mal and Tane, leering at me with impish faces. I could twist their noses off.

  “Aria,” my mom’s voice rings out through the din.

  My mother pushes throug
h the throng of reuniting parents and children. Her hair is loose; she wears slacks and a blouse with no matching jacket. Dad’s eyes are red as if he’s been crying. I hug both of them at once. My dad’s enthusiasm lifts me off my feet. I am surprised to see Sebastian appear behind my father.

  Sebastian. My weary-eyed, disheveled, and foolish brother. I don’t know whether to hit him or hug him. He could have stopped the raid or at least warned us about it. Many people died because of him. He is alive. I know what he’ll tell me. It’s not his fault. I see it in his face, the way he tilts his head as he comes toward me. My feelings boil over in rage. Jack is dead because of him.

  “Hi Aria,” Sebastian says.

  His meek little wave is all I need. My hand balls up into a fist and cracks his jaw before I can stop myself. My fist connects with his jaw so hard, that his head swings back, and my knuckles burst into pain. My parents freak and step in between us. My mother examines my brother’s cheek and my father takes my hand in his.

  “You are an animal,” I scream at my brother over my father’s shoulder.

  My mother’s eyes are on fire.

  “Stop it, Aria,” she says through gritted teeth. “Not here.”

  I push closer to my brother and mother, not knowing what I will do. My father tries to hold me back, but I twist out of his grip. I punch at my brother over my mother’s shoulder.

  “I’ll hate you forever,” I say. “Wait until I see Viviane. I’m going to tell her what a coward you are. How you let innocent people burn to death.”

  Something in me, a fear for my brother’s life, keeps my voice low. I want him to know how angry I am. I want to punish him with words and fists. I don’t want him to die.

  “Go ahead and tell Viviane,” Sebastian snarls back, pushing against my mother so that she is sandwiched between us. “She’s not going to hear you. She’s not going to hear anyone anymore.”

  My tense muscles suddenly go wobbly. I swallow as I look into my brother’s bloodshot eyes.

  “She went deaf?” I ask.

  I feel my father behind me supporting my body. The four of us are pressed together like coals on a hot fire.

  “Viviane’s dead, Aria,” my mother says.

  “The scrawny little runt got to her,” Sebastian says. “And I killed him for it.”

  “Viviane’s dead?” I repeat the words, but they still have no meaning. Viviane can’t be dead. She was the love of Sebastian’s life. They were planning a future together. I can’t believe she is gone.

  “She is not dead,” I say as if my words will bring her back to life.

  “Don’t make this harder,” says Mom.

  All at once, Sebastian pushes Mom away and brings me into his arms.

  “I’m sorry, Aria,” he says through sniffs. “I don’t want to hurt anyone anymore. Especially not you. When I think of what may have happened to you…”

  Mom and Dad wrap their arms around us and we hug for a few more seconds. I soak in the sounds around me. The cries of forlorn parents. The happy reunions. The din of the stadium lights shining down upon us.

  “We are family,” Dad whispers. “We stick together.”

  Mom breaks the hug, turns to Sebastian, and folds his hair behind his ear.

  “After we get Aria home,” Mom says to Sebastian. “You are going to tell us exactly what you did here.”

  “But,” Sebastian says. His unruly hair springs out from behind his ear.

  “Not now,” Mom says with a wave of her hand. “Home first.”

  “Let’s get out of here,” Dad says.

  Dad tugs on my arm. I plant my feet firmly on the ground.

  “I can’t go home yet,” I say. “I have to help Burke.”

  Mom’s eyelashes flutter as she gazes at me.

  “Burke?” she asks. “I told you to stay away from him.”

  Her perfectly manicured nails dig into my arm.

  I take a deep breath.

  “I couldn’t really stay away from him,” I say. “He’s my camp counselor.”

  “You’re not ruby,” Sebastian says. His eyes are still puffy and weary. He probably didn’t get any sleep.

  “I’m not turquoise either,” I say in a low tone.

  My mother squeezes my wrist so hard that I think my hand is going to pop off.

  “Remember where we are,” she whispers. “No more words about tokens.” Mom’s expression turns soft. “Tell us about Burke so we can get out of here. What does he need?”

  I feel my body grow weak as my mom agrees to help me. It’s as if my adrenaline is being released into the air. I feel as if I’m going to collapse. Dad grabs my elbow to catch my fall.

  “Easy there,” Dad says. “Maybe we should sit down.” He glances toward Vanessa’s parents.

  Dad doesn’t get it. I shake my head.

  “We have no time,” I say. I push away from Dad with a renewed force. “Burke needs to be saved. Regulator Krish has him...”

  “I knew it,” Mom says before I can finish my sentence. She pushes in front of Dad and ignores his hurt look as she grasps my shoulders.

  “He’s finally going through with it,” Mom says. “We have to help Burke. He is too important to lose. Where is he?”

  Mom’s comments startle me. Is Burke important to the resistance or to me? Dad nervously plays with his chin. I reach in my pocket and hand him the small flute he gave me before I left for camp. He takes it with a grateful smile.

  “Wassillie forced him to go to the Regulator’s box,” I say to Mom.

  Mom shades her eyes with her hands, looks up to the glass box above the bleachers and frowns.

  “Mother,” she mutters. “Well, come on. I’ll bring you up there.”

  “No you won’t,” Dad says.

  Dad puts a gentle hand on Mom’s shoulders. Sebastian and I exchange puzzled glances. Before we can ask any more questions, Mr. Wassillie appears before us.

  “Did I hear my name?” Mr. Wassillie asks.

  We break our family circle and stiffen as Mr. Wassillie approaches. At the same time, I notice Vanessa and Mateo standing a few feet from us. I slink away to my friends as Mom confronts Mr. Wassillie. She’s furious with him for not protecting the camp.

  “You alright?” Vanessa asks.

  I nod. “Thanks for staying.”

  “Our parents want to leave,” Mateo says. “They have a big dinner planned for both of our families.”

  “What are we going to do about Burke?” Vanessa asks.

  I glance up at the Regulator’s box hanging high over the stadium and think I see Regulator Thorn with Regulator Krish. I still have time.

  “My mom’s going to take me up there,” I say, gesturing to the box with my head. “She’ll help me. You guys can probably go home.”

  Vanessa stamps her foot.

  “Burke’s our friend,” Vanessa says. “I’m not going until he’s safe.”

  Mateo glances at his parents.

  “Me neither,” Mateo says. “I won’t be able to eat.”

  Mom leaves Mr. Wassillie talking to Dad and Sebastian and comes over to us. By the look on her face, I can tell she’s in professional-doctor mode.

  “Mr. Wassillie has agreed to escort us to the Regulator’s box,” Mom says. “You have to come now, Aria.”

  “Vanessa and Mateo want to come, too,” I say.

  “They won’t be allowed in the box,” Mom says with a sigh. “Blood only.”

  “Blood only?” I narrow my eyes at my mother. I don’t like secrets.

  Mom frowns at me. “You want to rescue Burke or not?” she asks.

  I purse my lips and clench my teeth. “I started this,” I say. “And I’m going to finish it. Let’s go.”

  “We’ll wait outside the door,” Vanessa says.

  Mom glares at Vanessa and then waves to Vanessa’s mom who has jumped to her feet."

  “The best thing you can do for Burke is to go home,” Mom says to Vanessa and Mateo. “You won’t be of any use to us and if you get
hurt, Burke will never forgive himself. Do you want that?”

  Vanessa and Mateo shake their heads vigorously. Mom’s wrong about them. I know better than to try to convince her otherwise.

  “Can you head off Vanessa’s mom while I say goodbye?” I ask. I frown-smile, which always works on Dad.

  “Fine,” Mom snaps. “Short and sweet.” She squints as she walks over to Vanessa’s mom.

  The Vactrain is leaving soon. We don’t have much time. I apologize for my mother’s words and make plans with Vanessa and Mateo. Our plans are somewhat sketchy. For now, I think Burke is still in the Regulator’s box. Mateo and Vanessa agree to wait outside the stadium in case Krish hauls Burke up to his lab.

  “There’s only one way to the lab,” I say. “Across the bridge. If you wait there, I’ll find you.”

  “What if we see Krish take Burke across?” Vanessa asks.

  “Stay there,” I say. “I’m the only one who can kill him.”

  Vanessa and Mateo look at me with wide eyes. There’s no time to explain.

  “Never mind,” I say. “Just trust me. Don’t do anything without me. Don’t step a foot across that bridge unless I am there.”

  I leave Vanessa and Mateo with a wary feeling and join my mother who is chasing after Mr. Wassillie. Mom tells Dad and Sebastian to escort Mateo and Vanessa to their parents and then to the Vactrain. She tells my brother and father to wait for us there. Dad holds onto the flute as he gives me one last hug. Sebastian touches my cheek and walks away with Dad.

  “Let’s go,” Mom says to Mr. Wassillie.

  Mr. Wassillie shakes out his robes and leads Mom and me through the dwindling throng of parents and children. Last time I went to the Regulator’s box, I felt excitement, eager anticipation at meeting all the Regulators. This time, I feel dread. I can kill a Regulator after I complete training camp. If I have to kill Krish before my lessons are over, I risk being sent to control.

  When we reach the Regulator’s box, Mr. Wassillie opens the door. My legs feel as if they are encased in boulders. I can’t get them to move. Mom nudges me in the spine to get me over the threshold.

  My eyes dart across the room. Regulator Thorn and Halsted stand together nearest the door. Immediately, Regulator Thorn sees us and comes over with a surprised look on her face.