Flux (The Flux Series Book 1)

by Marissa Farrar

  “I bring all of our new recruits here. I want you to understand exactly where you are and how what you’re about to see came about.”

  I frowned, still not understanding what he was getting at.

  He nodded to the ground. “The Cavern is directly beneath us.”

  My eyes widened as I looked down at the dirt covered ground, imagining everyone below us.

  “The Cavern—though obviously it wasn’t called the Cavern back then—was originally built by the military. It was used as an underground test facility.”

  I was confused. “But I thought the underground part of Battery Spencer had reopened. Don’t people run guided tours down there? How do they not come across the Cavern?”

  He nodded. “Yes, the top layer is still open, but the place is like a labyrinth. The area where the Cavern is now is completely blocked off from the part where the tourists go—from where anyone else goes, apart from us. Plus, it’s deeper, far deeper. As far as people are aware, the whole lot collapsed and it doesn’t even exist anymore.”

  I nodded, remembering Hunter telling me the same thing.

  “There are plenty of other parts that are sealed off as well,” he said, walking toward the buildings. “Years ago, my father made the government an offer to purchase the lower levels of Battery Spencer. I guess he figured if it made for a good research center during the war, it would work as a research center now. The government must have decided the money made more sense than having the place lying around abandoned. He used the place for a few years, though I have no idea what he had people working on down there, but then an earthquake caused part of the structure to collapse. Luckily, no one was down there when it happened, but they arrived one day to find access was impossible. It was decided that it wasn’t worth trying to get out the equipment, and that moving anything more would most likely only bring down more of the structure, so they just abandoned it all.”

  “Wow. But you found another entrance?”

  He nodded. “Found … or created.”

  My eyes widened. What was he saying? That he was the one who created the gap in the rock that we walked through to get to the Cavern?

  We continued to walk side-by-side around the abandoned buildings that once housed the military. Huge concrete circles where the massive guns had once been mounted were still present. We stopped at another of the buildings, and I peered through the bent metal railings of what would have been the windows. It was sad to see the amount of graffiti scrawled all over the flaking white painted walls. The darkness inside loomed and, despite the unusually bright day outside, a shiver caught hold of my body. It was bizarre to think all this would be above our heads while we trained down below.

  Kit cleared his throat. “I guess it’s time to go and get you settled into your new home. For the moment, anyway.”

  “Sure.”

  We got back in the car and Kit drove to the other side of the headland, before taking another small road winding down the cliff face, to bring us to the same spot where I’d climbed up with Hunter the previous day. I knew what this meant, and my stomach twisted in knots.

  I peered over the edge. It looked a lot farther down than it did when I had been standing at the bottom and looking up. It was probably about thirty feet—the height of a three story building—and falling directly down would kill me. I wasn’t about to start throwing myself over the edge, however. I knew from the ascent I’d made with Hunter that it wasn’t a direct drop. From my position, I could make out the steep steps cut into the rock. They were impossible to spot, unless someone pointed them out, which helped to keep the access to the Cavern hidden.

  Kit jerked his head. “Come on, then.”

  “What?” I peered nervously down.

  “You’ve just got to get on with it.” With that, he jumped for the steps, making no effort to be cautious or take things slowly. Instead, despite his size, he reminded me of a sure-footed mountain goat, leaping, light footed, downward.

  “Come on, Ari!” he yelled up. “You didn’t strike me as a chicken!”

  I growled, clenching my teeth. What was it with these men putting me in life threatening situations? I thought they were supposed to get all macho and protective, not encouraging me to jump off cliffs and bridges.

  He made it to the bottom, a cloud of dust in his wake. He whooped, as though high on the adrenaline. “Come on, Ari. Trust in your abilities!”

  Was this some kind of test, like with Hunter and the bridge? He was going to make me do it, and do something that would help me make it to the bottom? I was fairly sure he wouldn’t let me fall and die.

  My legs were shaky. I couldn’t bring myself to look right to the bottom. I clutched my backpack to my shoulders, holding the straps tightly, as thought they were the straps of a parachute and had the ability to save me.

  I squeezed my eyes shut and mumbled, “Oh, shit,” under my breath, and then went for it.

  Gravity and my momentum increased my speed within seconds. I jumped from one step to the next, to the next, my arms involuntarily pinwheeling as I did so. The backpack swung from side to side, threatening to slip down my arms and hinder me from using my hands to break my fall should I go over. My feet skidded, and I left my stomach behind several steps up. Dust caught in my nostrils and the back of my throat, stirred up by our descent, and inhaled through my overexerted, terrified gasps. I was too fast, losing control, my feet moving quicker than I could control them. I tried to direct myself to the next step and the one after, but I was losing the ability to process my direction.

  Surely Kit would step in and do something to help me! Perhaps create a whirlwind like Hunter had to land me safely on the ground. But nothing like that happened, and I wasn’t even able to process what was coming out of my mouth enough to cry out for help, instead letting out a garbled shriek. My feet skidded out from under me again, and this time, instead of catching my balance, gravity took over. I pitched forward, but managed to roll, slamming my shoulder and hip against the jagged rock, first on one side, then the other as I tumbled. My bag padded me against some of the impact, but it seemed to move with its own momentum, flipping around with me.

  I hit the bottom with a crunch, not far from where Kit was standing, the river lapping right behind him at the narrow shingle cove.

  I lay there, disoriented and gasping for breath. The fall had knocked all the air out of my lungs.

  “There,” Kit said, standing over me. “I said you could do it.”

  “Are you shitting me right now?” I sat up, fluffing the dirt and stones out of my hair. “I could have broken my neck!”

  “But you didn’t, did you? You’re absolutely fine.”

  I got to my feet, brushing myself down. He was right. I’d had a fright and been winded, but otherwise I’d survived unharmed.

  Kit narrowed his ice-blue eyes at me. “Hunter said he suspected you might be like me.”

  For some reason, I didn’t like hearing that. I didn’t want to be anything like him at all. “You mean because of the whole Kin thing?” I said, playing dumb.

  He held my eye. “No, I mean because of the whole 'just fell down the side of a cliff and got up from it again' thing. Barely a bruise on you.”

  “I’ve been hurt before,” I said. “I was hurt in the bombing. It put me in the hospital.”

  “And yet your sister died.”

  I nodded, not trusting myself to talk.

  He continued. “Has it occurred to you that the government might be responsible for the bombing?”

  My mouth dropped. “Why would they be?”

  “Trying to weed you out, perhaps. Or kill you altogether.”

  “There are easier ways to kill someone.”

  “Yes, but nothing deflects things away from our own government like a little terrorism. See everyone else as the enemy instead of ourselves.”

  “Sounds like a conspiracy theory to me.”

  He held my gaze. “Exactly what they want you to say.”

  “They’re
not going to kill numerous people just to see if I have some… special powers.”

  “Most of the people died because of the building collapse, not the bomb. What if they hadn’t meant for all those people to die, but only for you to go through the traumatic event which would bring on your abilities?”

  I didn’t want to think about it. I’d accepted what Hunter had said about the man who’d been chasing us being a government official—hell, he’d couldn’t have looked more like a government official if he’d been wearing a name badge—but the idea of our own government being responsible for the bombing and killing all those people, Karina included, was too much.

  “How can I be that important?” I said, half to myself.

  “It’s not just you, it’s all of us. That’s why it’s so important they don’t find us, or if they do, make sure we’re strong enough to protect ourselves.”

  “What could they do with us?”

  His eyebrows lifted. “Being able to move things without being close by. Exploding bombs without ever having to send anyone into enemy territory. An energy source that costs no money and uses no fossil fuel. An ability to affect enemies’ electrical supplies or tamper with technology without ever being in the room. Even being able to affect the temperament or put ideas in the heads of our enemies. The possibilities are endless.”

  “We can put thoughts into the heads of other people?”

  “Only one person has been able to do that so far—Dixie. It seems her abilities are more to do with people than anything else, though she has some telekinetic powers, too. They’re just not as strong as some others.”

  I remembered Hunter telling me about how she’d felt me wake up. Had she tried to put any thoughts into my head?

  “Okay,” I agreed. “You have a point. Maybe it is all down to the government.”

  Kit’s lips pressed together and he gave a brief nod, as though approving of my acceptance of the possibility, then he turned and started to walk away. I followed.

  We crunched our way across the narrow shingle beach, the waves of the river lapping at our feet. This time I knew my way, but I still let Kit lead me toward the rock overhang which hid the entrance. I ducked down and scooted inside, squinted against the darkness which lay ahead, the black pressing upon my eyeballs. I heard something fizz. In front of my eyes, the candle on the wall lit, the wick flickering with light. Kit moved his hand in sweeping motion down the tunnel and each of the candles burst into flame. I didn’t like the guy for some reason, but even I had to admit that was kind of impressive.

  From the smirk on his face, he knew it, too.

  I followed his broad back down the tunnel. I was amazed he even fit—his big shoulders bunched with muscle and stretched across the t-shirt he wore. He filled the space completely. I wove around the bends and ducked beneath overhanging crags, inhaling the damp aroma of the rock. The place felt familiar to me now, and not as frightening as it had before, though the thought of a part of the structure collapsing played on my mind. It was hard not to be claustrophobic knowing it was a possibility.

  We emerged into the Cavern, blinking in the bright light, and immediately I found myself searching for Hunter’s familiar face and dark hair. I didn’t see him anywhere, and my stomach dropped. I was sure he’d at least be here to meet me, especially after last night.

  I dared to ask Kit. “Hunter around anywhere?”

  “He’s busy,” he replied, his tone curt. “We have other recruits than you, you know.”

  I wanted to ask who the other new recruits were, but I didn’t think Kit would give me a civilized answer.

  Dixie ran over to me, her blue eyes bright. “I’m so glad you came back,” she said, giving a little excited clap.

  I wanted to absorb some of her enthusiasm, but instead I felt out of kilter from not having Hunter here. “I didn’t feel like I had a huge amount of choice.”

  “Well, you made the right one,” she said, grabbing my hand. “Let’s tell everyone you’re here.”

  Unease flooded over me as I glanced down at our joined hands. How did I know she wasn’t using some of her ability on me right now? I didn’t know what her motive for doing so would be, but even so, I was mistrustful. Call me jaded, but I wasn’t someone who made friends easily, and anyone being overly nice to me automatically made me think they were up to something.

  She must have noticed my hesitation. “Is everything all right?”

  “Yes, I just—” My cheeks burned with sudden embarrassment. I didn’t want to accuse her of something I knew nothing about.

  Kit’s deep voice spoke from behind my shoulder. “She thinks you might be affecting her emotions or thoughts in some way.”

  I hated that he’d plucked the thought right from my head. I hoped it wasn’t one of his other skills as well.

  “You are?” She seemed surprised. “Oh, no. I wouldn’t do that. I couldn’t! Didn’t Hunter tell you our three rules?”

  He had, and I went back over them in my mind. No one is to know about this place. We never use our powers to hurt an innocent person, which includes financially or emotionally. And we never use our powers on each other.

  Ah, we never use our powers on each other.

  “I get it now,” I said, and a small part of me relaxed.

  She didn’t appear to be perturbed by my suspicions. “Come on. I’ll show you where you’re sleeping,” she said, bouncing off like an excitable puppy.

  I couldn’t help but smile as I followed her. I glanced over my shoulder to see Kit watching us walk away, his light blue eyes focused on me. I quickly snapped my gaze away. I didn’t know what it was about him, but a part of me felt like I couldn’t trust him.

  Where are you, Hunter? I sent the thought out, hoping I might have a little of the talent Dixie had, and was somehow able to make him pick up on the fact I wished he was here.

  Instantly, I regretted the thought. I didn’t want him to think I was missing him. How pathetic was I?

  Pushing thoughts of Hunter away, I followed Dixie out of the Cavern and into the corridor. We passed the common room, and I spotted a couple of faces I recognized from yesterday. The blonde twins, Lisa and Lyle, sat side-by-side on the couch, and waved at me as I passed by.

  “Do they always hang out together?” I asked Dixie.

  “Pretty much. They’re nice enough, but way too attached to each other, if you ask me. Thing is, their abilities don’t work if they’re alone. They can lift insane amounts when they’re together—can turn over buses—but they can barely move a pebble on their own.”

  “That’s incredible.”

  “Yeah, it is. I’m glad I don’t have a twin, though. It would drive me nuts to have to rely on someone else all the time.” She gave a shrug. “They seem used to it.”

  We passed the kitchen where I’d eaten toast with Hunter the previous morning, and then the bedroom where he’d kissed me and Kit had interrupted. Another couple of doors led off the corridor, and Dixie pushed one open. I followed her inside and she threw herself on the bed closest to the door.

  “Ta-da!” she exclaimed, her hands lifted in the air above her. “This is your bed!”

  “Thanks.” I wondered why she was lying on it, and immediately she said, “oops,” and rolled off.

  “Sorry, this one’s mine.” She clambered onto the bed next to it. “We’re roomies.”

  I smiled. “Cool.” I hesitated then added, “But did you just hear what I thought?”

  “Ah, damn. It wasn’t on purpose, and I didn’t hear it exactly. It’s more like being super great at picking up on other people’s vibes.”

  My smile widened. “Got it.” I figured Dixie was one person who I had no choice but to be completely honest with.

  A figure appeared in the doorway, and she bounced back off the bed to greet him.

  “Hey, babe.” The guy with the afro caught Dixie by the waist, kissing her neck. She squealed and I experienced a hollow pang of loneliness in my chest.

  “Sledge, you r
emember Ari?”

  “Sure. Hey, Ari. You ready to start training?”

  I liked these two together. They were relaxed and natural, as though I’d met them at a coffee shop instead of god-knows how many feet below ground. I wondered what Sledge’s special talent was. It suddenly occurred to me that we all had one thing in common, and not just our own powers. We all knew how it felt to have our mothers die.

  “Yeah, I guess so,” I said, ignoring my morbid thoughts. “Though I have no idea what I’m supposed to be doing.”

  “Kit runs most of the training schedules, but I’m sure he’s already fixed you a spot. He’s kind of interested in you.”

  “Me?” I couldn’t hide the surprise in my voice.

  “Yeah. Way more than the last few people we’ve had in.”

  Her boyfriend raised his eyebrows. “It’s hardly surprising, Dixie. Ari here is kind of gorgeous.”

  She smacked his big arm. “Hey. You only have eyes for me.”

  “’Course I do, babe. I’m just sayin’, that’s all.”

  I noted the small set of drawers beside my bed. “Is this mine?” I asked.

  “Sure is,” said Dixie. “We’ll give you some space to get unpacked and then come out into the Cavern.”

  They left me to it, and I sat on the edge of my bed with a sigh. My backpack was beside the bed where I’d dropped it. I picked the bag up and opened it, removing the photographs of my family first. Though I’d squashed the framed pictures between my clothing, I’d worried the tumble down the cliff might have broken the glass, but as I pulled them out, I was relieved to see them all still in one piece. I placed them on the top of the drawers, angling them so the faces of my family looked over my bed. A wave of homesickness washed over me. This was ridiculous. I was twenty-two years old. I could handle being away from home, even if I was alone.

  Where was Hunter?

  I barely knew him and I couldn’t rely on him.

  I had to deal with this myself.

  Chapter Twelve

  With my clothes slipped into the drawers and my toiletries deposited in the adjoining bathroom, I stopped in the kitchen for a quick drink of water—a part of me hoping Hunter would somehow materialize there—before continuing to the Cavern. I passed a number of people. Everyone smiled hello, and I smiled in return, feeling awkward and self-conscious. How many people did Hunter say lived down here? Eighteen? I wished I was better with names, but I guessed I’d figure everyone out eventually.