by Chris Babu
“I told you: I don’t know what’s happened. What I can tell you is that it’s real, not random. There is a problem with power. The wind turbines might be failing. I’m not sure exactly. The Dorms will always lose power first. If there’s only enough electricity to light one zone, it’ll be the Palace. From what I can tell, this is permanent and may even be getting worse.”
Cox exhaled. “The power outages have grave consequences beyond not having light. We can’t produce enough food or clean water. That’s why the food allocations have shrunk. Holst won’t tell anyone except his top deputies what’s changed. My guy inside tells me they’re having non-stop meetings now. I think if we’re going to do something about Holst, we need to move quickly. He needs to be removed from power.”
Holy shkat!
Drayden couldn’t believe his ears. If they found him under the desk, he was done, exiled for sure. Jesus, maybe his mom was part of a conspiracy. His head was spinning.
Lily walked behind her desk and pulled the chair out.
Drayden closed his eyes again. He sucked in a breath, held it, and prayed, for the first time ever.
She slammed the chair back in, nearly smashing Drayden’s feet.
He flinched, squeezing his legs even tighter to his chest.
“Goddammit, Thomas, we’re not ready for that yet! We need a lot more pieces in place. You’re going to get us both exiled, for heaven’s sake.”
“Nobody knows about our plans except our friends. Relax.”
Drayden focused on Lily’s feet, mere inches away. Her worn out shoes were black with pointy toes.
“You’re changing the subject,” she snapped. “We’ll take care of Holst in due time. This power problem and the food shortages. Why the spike in exiles?”
Cox sighed. “The exiles are a calculated strategy by the Bureau,” he said calmly. “Whatever’s causing the power shortfall, it’s resulting in food shortages. Between the death rate and the exiles due to crime, the food supply has been in equilibrium with the population size for years. That’s no longer the case, so the Bureau launched a new initiative, Project China. Its purpose is to shrink the population down to a size that matches the recent level of food production. Normally the Bureau exiles people because they broke the law, right? That applies to all zones. Under Project China they’re exiling people at random. Only in the Dorms. For now, anyway.”
Cox wandered around the office as he spoke. “However, as this power problem gets worse, and it will, the rate of exiles will need to increase. Like, a lot. You think nineteen exiles in April was bad? It could skyrocket. I’m sorry to say this, but nobody is safe in the Dorms. Well, you are. You’re untouchable. The Bureau knows that. They don’t want to spark a revolt.”
Drayden sat paralyzed. His face flushed red hot. Was that what happened to his mother? Totally random, thrown away like a piece of trash? He wanted to scream, to cry, to protest, to charge. He ached to grab Cox around the throat. Nobody was safe in the Dorms? He struggled to control his breathing. He had to remain silent.
Breathe.
Lily walked back around in front of the desk. “My God, Holst,” she spat. “That snake. People in the Dorms are always treated like second-class citizens. The Bureau may get a revolt whether they want one or not. Despite what they believe, people in the Dorms are not stupid. If exiles skyrocket, they’re going to figure out what the Bureau is doing.”
“Careful, Lily. Only the Dorms are suffering right now. The Precinct is fine. The Guardians are totally loyal to the Bureau. The Bureau would accomplish their goal much swifter by crushing a revolt with firepower, and they wouldn’t hesitate. You need to keep people calm. I need protection too. I’m risking my own neck here.”
“I know that,” Lily said. “What am I supposed to tell people? They’re looking to me for answers.”
“Hell, I don’t know,” Cox said. “Let’s take a walk. Let people see us talking. At a minimum they’ll know you’re working on it.”
“Fine.”
The door clicked open and shut, and their footsteps drifted away down the hall.
Drayden let out a huge breath and wiped the sweat from his brow. He eased his way out, spun around and peeked over the desk.
The room was empty.
Monsters. Monsters! Drayden snatched a quill off Lily’s desk and hurled it across the room. Get a hold of yourself. He needed to ensure they weren’t in the lobby. He tiptoed to the door and opened it a crack.
Nobody.
He stepped into the hall and took baby steps back toward the front of the office. The front door was only fifteen feet away now. He reached the lobby.
“Hey! Who are you?”
Oh shkat.
The receptionist gawked, her mouth agape in shock.
Drayden bolted for the door and thrust it open.
“Get back here!” the receptionist yelled.
He sprinted north up Second Avenue.
Drayden ran three blocks before looking back.
No one was following him.
He stopped at Thirty-Fourth Street, bent over with his hands on his knees, huffing and puffing. He jogged east on Thirty-Fourth and slumped down on a stoop, buried his face in his hands, and burst into tears. His mother, his everything, whimsically cast off to her death by the Bureau. Maybe it was this new policy, or Lily’s overthrow plot. It might relate to her affair, or even just have been a mistake. But why her? Why his mother?
He had sought the truth, and instead had discovered even more possibilities, and a reality far darker than he could have imagined. It had nothing to do with his mother at all. The world he knew was falling apart. Nobody was safe in the Dorms. Exiles were about to skyrocket. Drayden thought of Wesley and his father. He couldn’t bear to lose either of them to exile. How could he allow it when he had an opportunity to do something about it? If he entered the Initiation and won, he could get them all moved to the Palace where they’d be safe. Who was he kidding? He could never truly figure out what happened to his mother from the Dorms. Joining the Bureau was the only way.
Drayden wiped his tears away. Everything became crystal clear. He knew exactly what he needed to do.
He marched down Second Avenue. He didn’t care anymore if someone from Lily’s office was looking for him, or if the bald Guardian was prowling. After crossing Thirty-First Street, he entered the Bureau’s office.
The sprawling lobby revealed no traces of its movie theater past—no old ticket booth or skeleton of a concession stand. A desk sat in the middle of the room, lit with a single lamp. Otherwise the room was empty and completely dark. The lamp illuminated only the face of the man sitting there. A repetitive, wheezy buzzing reverberated around the vast space.
Drayden approached the desk.
The man cradled his head in his hands, fast asleep, snoring. He was a squirrelly fellow with puffy cheeks, glasses, and a receding hairline.
Drayden cleared his throat loudly. “Ahem! Excuse me. Hello, sir?”
The man awoke with a shudder. He thrust his legs out, kicking the desk. “Oh, oh…hello, young man. How can I help you?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.
“I’d like to enter the Initiation,” Drayden stated bluntly.
The man scratched his chin. “The Initiation, huh?”
“Am I in the wrong place?”
“No, no, this is the right place. It’s just…you’re the first person to enter this year.”
Drayden swallowed hard, contemplating doing this alone. “Seriously? Nobody else has entered?”
“Sometimes people come in at the last second. Son, are you sure you want to do this?”
Drayden hesitated. “Yes. I think so. Yes, I do.”
“I have to tell you, nobody has entered in two years.”
Drayden’s jaw dropped. Two years? He pictured his mom being shoved outside the wall in tears. There was no tu
rning back. “I guess someone has to be the first.”
The man handed him a paper form, a quill, and an ink well.
Drayden sat in the chair facing the desk. He filled in his name, age, address, and family members’ names. He handed the form back.
“Congratulations. You’re officially a pledge now. You need to be back here tomorrow at six o’clock in the morning, sharp.”
“What should I wear? Should I bring anything?”
“You don’t need to bring anything. Wear whatever you would normally wear. Something comfortable, and shoes you can run in.”
Drayden gulped. “Is this where the test takes place?”
The man grinned. “You’ll find out tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 8
What have I done?
Drayden squinted in the glaring sun. It was just sinking in. He’d entered the Initiation, alone. Alone again. It was only fitting after Mom’s exile. He was adrift at sea by himself in this world without her. Tomorrow, he’d literally be alone.
It was possible he’d overreacted to the news from Lily’s conversation with Cox. Cox implied staying in the Dorms was suicide, given how much the random exiles would pick up. What if Cox was wrong? He should have considered that before he rushed to enter. Now it was too late.
A nervous heat enveloped Drayden, his mouth choked with cotton. He could be exiled tomorrow in the Initiation. Today might be the last day of his life. And damn the Dorms, there wasn’t even a fun way to spend his last day here.
How could he tell his father? What if he didn’t approve? Drayden could wait until his father was asleep tonight, sneak in, and sneak back out early. He needed to eat, though, and sleep so he’d be well rested for the Initiation. Plus, however his family felt about it, he should say goodbye.
Dad and Wes would both be home right now. Should he tell them what he overheard from Cox about the power outages and exiles? He needed to think logically, like a scientist, not a frazzled kid. If he failed in the Initiation and was exiled, his family would remain in the Dorms. They’d be powerless to stop the exiles yet would live in constant fear of the inevitable. It might be better for them not to know.
The sprawling plaza in front of the Bureau office and FDC brimmed with people. Drayden surveyed the crowd, searching for the bald Guardian. His eyes landed on Sidney from school.
A mere thirty feet away, she slumped on a bench facing the Bureau office, her arms cradling her stomach as if she felt sick. She stared at him, but didn’t smile or wave.
She must have noticed him come out. Perhaps she was considering the Initiation too and wanted to see if anyone entered. Holst said pledges worked as a team during the test. Being a super athlete, she would be a major help on the bravery section. She’d be company, rather than him doing it solo.
Yet Drayden didn’t want her to enter just because she saw him do it. Maybe all she needed to make the leap was knowing someone else would be there. Drayden wasn’t just someone; kids at school knew he was smart. Sidney was probably aware the intelligence portion would be her weakness, just like he knew the bravery part would be his. The last thing he needed was liability for another person on the intelligence tests, someone else depending on him to carry them through. It was way too much responsibility, and he was terrified enough already. He felt even more pressure now, considering what he learned from Thomas Cox. Just doing well enough to reach the Lab or Precinct wouldn’t cut it. Those zones might be at risk too as power generation deteriorated further. He needed to move to the Palace, and merely passing the Initiation wouldn’t suffice. He needed to ace it.
Drayden would love to say hello to Sidney. It wasn’t every day that a cute, popular girl randomly talked to him. Still, he didn’t want to tell her he entered, so he turned away and headed for his apartment.
After the two-minute trek, he stopped in front of their brownstone. 328 East Thirtieth Street, second floor. His home for sixteen years. This was the last day he’d ever see it. He’d either pass the Initiation and move zones, or he’d be exiled.
It was now or never.
Tim and Wesley were slouched on the sofa.
In the corner, Dad played chess with Alfie Quintero, his best friend. A scruffy guy, Alfie’s graying hair exploded in wild curls. Dad and Alfie played chess every day, and Alfie had still never won a game.
The savory smell of fried potatoes saturated the room. “Drayden, there are some hash browns in the kitchen if you’re hungry,” Dad said, his eyes fixed on the board.
Drayden’s stomach growled. He hadn’t eaten yet today. He dashed into the kitchen, grabbed a fork, and stuffed his face right out of the frying pan. He relished the warm, salty, fried potatoes melting in his mouth.
“Get a plate, ya animal!” Wesley yelled.
Drayden dumped the rest of the hash browns on a plate and sat on a chair in the living room.
Tim and Wesley faced each other on the couch, engaged in some deep conversation.
Wesley released an exasperated sigh. “I don’t know, man. It sounds creepy. Especially since I work there.”
“I’m telling you. The FDC is a gold mine,” Tim said. “Everybody has to go there. When you see a cute girl, just go introduce yourself.”
Drayden smirked. “You trying to find Wes a wife? Good luck with that.”
“Laugh it up, bro.” Wesley scowled. “I don’t see too many girls waiting outside your door.”
“They don’t have to,” Drayden said through a mouthful of potatoes. “I’m going to marry Catrice.”
Tim threw his head back in shock. “I’m sure you’re aware she’s rejected everyone who’s asked her to hang out. Have you told her this yet?”
“No, not yet.” He drew in a quick breath. Catrice. It hit him like a hammer. He would never lay eyes on her again. Oh God, no. Her last memory of him would be his beating from Alex.
Drayden slumped in his chair and set his empty plate on the coffee table. He observed the room, gauging the mood. There was no way he could bring up the Initiation. Everything in here was so…normal. Routine. Like any other Saturday. Part of him even felt guilty for spoiling their pleasant morning. Drayden stood and cleared his throat. “Everybody? Can I have your attention?”
Tim tossed a crumpled-up ball of paper at him. “I didn’t mean tell us you plan to marry Catrice. No need for some grand announcement. Go tell her, ya flunk.”
Wesley cracked up.
“Knock it off, you guys. This is serious,” Drayden said.
Dad and Alfie tabled their chess game and gave Drayden their attention.
“I signed up for the Initiation.”
Silence.
Stunned faces gawked at him. While Wesley beamed, Dad turned beet red. Wesley sprung up, arms outstretched inviting a hug. “That’s my b—”
“You did what?” Dad shouted. He jumped up from the chess table. “Absolutely not! What were you thinking, Drayden? I just lost my wife. I’m not losing my son too. I’m going to march you right back down to that office, young man, and we’re scratching your name off the list.”
“It’s too late, Dad,” Drayden said, shaking his head.
Dad stuffed his feet into his shoes. “Like hell it is.”
“Dad, it’s too late to change my mind. I had a long talk with Mr. Kale, and he’s sure I’ll pass. I’m doing this. Not just for me, for all of us. Mom wanted me to take care of this famil—”
“I’m your father, and I’m not allowing you to do this!” His face twitched, the corners of his mouth turned down. “You’re just a child. You don’t know how cruel the world can be. I’m protecting you, which is my job.”
Like you protected Mom?
Angry tears welled up. “Dad, what happened to Mom? You said there were things I didn’t know about her. What didn’t I know?”
“I don’t know what happened! I don’t.” He took a deep breath, ga
thering himself. “Gavin Kale is not your father. I am. I’m the only one that has your best interests in mind. Nobody else. Everyone else wants something from you. The Initiation is a trap. Do you hear me? It’s not real. Nobody passes. I’ll bet you that. Now…go to your room.”
Wesley stepped up to their father. “Dad, let him go. He needs to do this. He can do this. He’ll pass. He’s going to get us out of here. We can all have better jobs, more food. You can be a doctor again.”
Tim stood tall. “I’m going with him.”
Everyone’s heads snapped in Tim’s direction.
“Tim, no,” Drayden said. “I can’t let you enter because of me. I mean, I’d love to have you there, believe me. But please don’t enter just because of me.” He paused. “Would you enter if I didn’t?”
“Hells no, I wouldn’t! You crazy? I wouldn’t have a chance in hell on the intelligence section. That’s what I have you for. You’ll have me for the other stuff. We’ll get through this together.”
Perhaps he wasn’t alone after all. Drayden rushed Tim and bear hugged him. An enormous weight lifted from his shoulders. “Thank you, buddy.”
“Tim, go home,” Dad said, jabbing his finger in the air. “Are you two insane? You boys have no clue what you’re doing. The Initiation’s not meant to be passed, I’m telling you. It’s just there to exile more people. God only knows how impossible they’ve made it these days.” He rushed toward Drayden.
Wesley gripped their father in a clumsy hug around the chest, restraining him. “No, Dad. He’s going. Drayden, go get your things and stay at Tim’s house. Go!”
Drayden hustled to his room. He collected a change of clothes and comfortable shoes.
When he returned, Dad was sitting on the couch in defeat, his shoulders slumped. Wesley stood over him. Alfie still lingered awkwardly by the chess board, his hands in his pockets.
