Once

by Anna Carey

Page 26

  “Today, today,” I sang, unable to stop myself from smiling, “is a very special day, today is somebody’s birthday. ” I nodded my head, remembering how my mother used to hold my hands while we sang and danced in the living room, sidestepping around the coffee table and armchairs.

  I wanted to hate him, tried to remember all the things he had done, tried to picture Arden and Ruby and Pip in that brick building. He was the reason Caleb was in the Outlands, why we couldn’t be together. But right then, we shared something that no one else in the world could: my mother. All her quirks, her silly songs, the way her hair smelled like lavender shampoo. He was the only other person who knew.

  We walked silently through the corridor. Then he turned to me, leaning down so our eyes met. “I loved your mother. However complicated our situation was, however wrong it probably seems. I loved her. And our relationship gave me you. ” He shook his head, his fingers pressing against his temple. “That morning I went to your School, I was excited. I had the same feeling I’d had the day my other children were born. And when we arrived and the Headmistress told us what had happened, that you had left, I immediately ordered the troops to find you. You can think whatever you want, but you’re my daughter—the only family I have left. I hated the idea of you out there, in the wild, alone. ”

  I looked at his face, tense with worry. Then he stepped toward me, bringing me into a hug. For once, I didn’t pull away. It was inescapable, irresistible, even after all he’d done. I saw myself every time he held his fingers to his chin when he was thinking, or smiled with his mouth closed. We argued the same way, our words short and even, had the same pale complexion, his hair was once the same dark reddish-brown hair as mine—though his was now peppered with gray. He was part of me, the connection undeniable, no matter how much I fought against it.

  “Come now,” the King said after a long while. “Let’s get you back to the Palace. ” He led me through the long corridor, past enclosures filled with other creatures discovered in the wild—pythons, alligators, a tiger who had escaped from a zoo. We left through a side exit. The sun stung my eyes. Sweat beaded on my skin. A million thoughts rushed into my head as we walked toward the waiting car. But then I stopped, my feet rooted to the ground, the strangeness of the scene revealing itself to me.

  Outside the front entrance, a few soldiers had gathered, their guns resting by their sides. They were all looking up at the electronic billboard perched high above the lobby entrance. There, in massive letters, were the words: AN ENEMY OF THE STATE HAS BEEN SPOTTED INSIDE THE CITY. HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN? IF SO, ALERT THE AUTHORITIES IMMEDIATELY.

  And below them, a drawing of a face so familiar, it was like looking at my own. Caleb was staring back at me. His height, weight, and build were listed. Descriptions of the scars on his leg and cheek.

  I felt as though all the blood had drained from my body. The King’s hand was on my arm, urging me toward the car. “Genevieve,” he said under his breath, his eyes fixed on the soldiers in front of the building. “This is not the time. We can discuss this in the Palace. ” I barely heard him as I read the last line on the billboard over and over again.

  HE IS WANTED FOR THE MURDER OF TWO NEW AMERICAN SOLDIERS.

  twenty-two

  “I’M NOT FEELING WELL,” I SAID, PULLING THE THICK COVERS around me. The sun had gone down. The upper floors of the Palace were quiet and dark. Beatrice sat at the end of the bed, her hand resting on the mound of my foot. “Will you bring me something to eat? I’m going to sleep but you can leave it by the door. ” I looked away before adding, “Please don’t let anyone disturb me tonight, no matter what. ”

  Beatrice combed my hair, running her fingers over my forehead. “Of course. You’ve had a very long day. ” I squeezed my eyes shut. I kept seeing Caleb’s face on that billboard, hearing the soldiers muttering about the traitor who had killed one of their own, about what they would give to witness the execution. They knew he was inside the City walls. I needed to tell him not to come, that it was too dangerous, but there was no way to reach him. He was already moving through the Outlands, snaking down the empty streets to meet me.

  “What’s troubling you?” Beatrice whispered. She took my hand in hers, cradling it. “You can tell me. ”

  I looked up at her kind, round face. I can’t, I thought, knowing how much danger Caleb was already in. They were probably scouring the Outlands for him. “I’m just sick,” I said, trying to smile. “That’s all. ”

  Beatrice kissed the top of my head. “Well, then I better get to it,” she said, standing to go. Then she leaned over, looked directly at me, and pressed her warm palm against my cheek. “I will make sure no one disturbs you. You have my word. ” She remained there for a moment. Her brown eyes were alert, serious, like I’d never seen them before. I know what you’re doing, she seemed to say, never taking her eyes off mine. And I’ll do whatever I can to help you.

  She stood and went into the hall. I kept staring at the door. It didn’t shut all the way, and she didn’t pull it closed and check the knob like she usually did. Instead it rested lightly on the frame, wood against lock, just slightly ajar.

  I moved quickly. I’d hidden the uniform in the toilet tank, letting the plastic bag float on top of the water. I pressed the bathroom door closed and dressed as fast as I could, donning the wrinkled white shirt, the red vest, the black pants. Then I retreated into the hallway, down the east staircase, taking off my shoes so as not to make any sound.

  It was still before curfew. The streets were just thinning out. I disappeared into the clusters of workers changing shifts, my stomach churning as I glanced over my shoulder to see if anyone was following me.

  People strolled across the overpass, walking arm in arm as they made their way back to their apartment buildings. A Jeep came down the street, two soldiers hanging out of the truck’s bed, scanning the sidewalks. I kept my head down, turning right to cross the main road, toward the building Caleb had marked. It was called the Venetian, an old hotel that had been converted into office buildings. A few restaurants had been opened, the gardens had been replanted, and the wide canals were filled with water once more. As I made my way over the arched bridge, a boat glided past, carrying the last of the day’s passengers.

  I was a few steps from the main entrance when I turned, noticing a figure standing on the dock. She was much shorter than me but wore the same uniform, her curly brown hair pulled away from her face. “Are you waiting for a gondola, Miss?” she asked softly, stepping under an overhang and into the shadows. She paused, waiting for me to respond.

  I glanced down at the map, at the X Caleb had scribbled right by the dock, and nodded. I followed her to the edge of the water. “You should take off your vest, Eve,” she whispered. As the light reflected off the water I caught glimpses of her delicate hands, the old cameo brooch she wore around her neck. “It’ll look odd if one of the workers is out on the water. But keep your hat pulled down over your eyes. ”

  I took off the vest and handed it to her just as a narrow boat glided past us. Caleb was standing on the stern, wearing a black shirt and white hat that shielded his face. I scanned the crowd leaving the garden, looking for soldiers. “Last ride of the night,” he called out. He steered the boat with a long wooden oar, pausing at the dock so I could get in. Then he pushed off, into the open water, as the last few people meandered out of the Venetian’s gardens.