Catalyst: (Elevated Saga Book #2)

by Daniel Solomon Kaplan

  “I can’t believe it,” Zach whispers. “He convinced me he was taking this trial to the end.”

  “There isn’t much hope,” I say.

  I lean my head against Elliott’s shoulder, and he wraps his arm around me. I can’t blame Brad for trying to do whatever he can. Probably just trying to make sure Dad is placed into another ward instead of being killed. Mom sits with her face buried in her hands.

  We wait for what seems like days. Finally, the judge returns and reads from a folder in front of him.

  “This court has determined that Catalysts demonstrate a dangerous, destructive power that threatens the fabric of our society. Therefore, they shall be classified as Unsounds. However, in the case of Adam Williams, the defendant has been given the opportunity to undergo an operation to remove the power. He has accepted this, and if the defendant can prove that he no longer has the ability, he will be allowed to return to his family.”

  The courtroom erupts in conversation as the judge leaves the bench.

  “What does he mean—operation?” I ask.

  “Don’t know,” Elliott says.

  Tears run down Dad’s face as they escort him from the courtroom. When they free him from his handcuffs, he waves over at Mom. The courtroom begins to clear out, and I turn to leave, but Elliott grabs my arm.

  “Give it a moment,” he says. “Remember, you have to face those nosey reporters outside.”

  Brad walks over to us with a solemn expression on his face.

  “What’s going on?” I ask him.

  “Rose—I—” Brad can’t seem to let the words out. “Your father agreed to it.”

  “Agreed to what?”

  “He’s going to have his hands surgically removed.”

  “What?”

  “It’s the only way, Rose—”

  Zach pounds his hand against the chair in front of him. “You weren’t supposed to surrender.”

  “I didn’t surrender. Don’t you understand? This is a victory?”

  I wipe a tear from my eye. “A victory? My dad is about to lose his hands.”

  “But gain his freedom,” Brad says. “We’ve never successfully reintegrated an Unsound into society before. We were able to prove his powers wouldn’t manifest if he didn’t have hands.”

  “But how will he live?”

  “Thanks to our donors, the Unsound Society will supply him with bionic hands. Don’t you get it, Rose? Your Dad will become a hero.”

  “I’d rather him just be my dad.”

  “Fine, maybe you should have stuck with another lawyer. Then you could be visiting his grave.”

  I clench my fist, but Elliott holds my arm back.

  “Let’s get out of here, ok?” Elliott says.

  Brad turns on his heel and storms out of the courtroom.

  “I can’t believe it,” I say.

  “Your dad chose it,” Elliott says. “It’s his decision.”

  “What choice did he have?” I ask.

  We stand there in silence. I suppose Brad is right, and it is a victory. But it sure seems like a small one.

  ***

  Even though we wait in the courtroom, tons of reporters still wait to pounce as we exit. We hurry past them as they hurl disgusting questions like, “How do you feel about your dad losing his hands?” or “Are you sure you feel safe in the same house with a Catalyst?” A short man with frizzy red hair shoves a microphone in my face.

  “Do you think other Catalysts will surrender like asked?”

  “What?

  He breaks out into a devilish smile, obviously happy that his question stopped me. “Catalysts have been asked to surrender. If they turn themselves in within the next 24 hours, they may receive the same treatment and be released. If not, they will be sent to an Unsound Ward.”

  I turn towards Elliott before I catch myself. “I’m not sure if there are other Catalysts.”

  “Do you think they should?”

  I take a deep breath. “It’s really up to them.”

  Elliott pulls me by the arm away from the crowd of reporters, who begin to swarm. For the next few minutes, no one can say anything. We reach the parking lot and Shelly and Zach give us hugs before leaving for their car. Zach takes a few steps, then turns towards Elliott.

  “You’ll choose wisely,” Zach says. “You’re always the sound one.”

  Elliott flashes him a smile and we watch as they climb into the car and drive off.

  “I should just turn around and go back,” Elliott says.

  “No, you—”

  “I don’t have a choice, Rose,” Elliott says.

  “Maybe they won’t ever find out about you.”

  “They will someday.”

  “We don’t know that for certain.”

  “The truth always surfaces.” Elliott slumps down on the hood of his car.

  “I just don’t want you to make a quick decision. You have a few hours.”

  “What decision is there?”

  Elliott rubs his head and I place my hand on his shoulder.

  “It’s your whole life,” I say. “Just think about it.”

  He sighs, and then stands up to open the door to the car. “It may seem funny, but do you—”

  “Want a milkshake?”

  He smiles.

  I smile back. “Yeah, I do.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Elliott agrees to wait on his decision, but it seems obvious to me his mind is made up. We sit on the couch and he stays glued to the television, where newscasts constantly interrupt to give updates on the “Catalyst Amnesty” situation. By midnight, he’s asleep, and no Catalysts have surrendered themselves.

  “Think they’d be a fool to give in,” Mrs. Ford says. “Sure, they say they’re just going to remove your hands, but then you’re on a list. You can bet—one mistake and—poof. In a ward.”

  “Elliott wants to turn himself in.”

  “As smart as he is, he can be a real doofus sometimes,” she says. “Always holds out for hope.”

  I sigh. “I think I’ve cured him of that.”

  “Maybe you can talk him out of it.”

  “I tried. I honestly don’t know what the right decision is.”

  Mrs. Ford sits down on the coffee table in front of me. “Let me ask you something. Don’t you think it’s strange no other Catalysts have surrendered?”

  “Yeah. A bit.”

  “It means there’s only two options,” she says. “One, there aren’t any other Catalysts. Or two, there are, and they don’t want to be found.”

  “Right.”

  “Now option one, that’s great. Elliott is the only one around. He stays quiet, all is well.” Mrs. Ford’s face gets serious. “But option two—well, we just have to hope they’re friendly.”

  I nod.

  “And if they aren’t, wouldn’t it be helpful to have a good Catalyst around?”

  I check the countdown clock constantly running in the corner of the television screen. Thirteen hours remaining.

  ***

  I jolt awake, and notice it’s bright and sunny outside.

  “What time is it?” I ask Elliott as my vision comes into focus.

  But Elliott is gone. My heart drops as I check the countdown clock. Three hours remaining. How could I have slept in so late?

  “Elliott!” I call out.

  There is no reply. Panicked, I spring off the couch and search the rooms. Mrs. Ford and Mom are sleeping, but Elliott is nowhere around. I try calling his phone, but he doesn’t answer.

  I grab Mrs. Ford and try to startle her awake. “Mrs. Ford, Elliott is gone!”

  “Wha-what?” she says as she jerks up.

  “We’ve got to stop him,” I say, running out to the doorway.

  “You can’t,” Mrs. Ford says, stopping me.

  “What?”

  “He has to make this decision for himself,” she says.

  Her words hit me like cold water in the face. There’s nothing I can do now. If Elliott makes t
his decision, it’s one I have to support. And cope with.

  Just then, there’s the sound of a doorbell.

  “Who could that be?” Mrs. Ford asks.

  She puts on a robe and heads to the front door. She peeks through the eyehole.

  “Dumb reporters,” she says, opening the door.

  The same red-haired reporter stands in front of the door. “Are you excited about Adam Williams coming home?”

  “Look sir,” Mrs. Ford says. “This is private property. Get off my front porch.”

  “We just want to—”

  “Get off my porch, or the next time I open the door you’ll be getting a face full of bleach.”

  The reporter’s eyes grow wide and he quickly turns and runs towards the sidewalk. Mrs. Ford slams the door behind him.

  “Of all the—Adam’s out?”

  We run to the television, which shows Dad walking out of prison. Brad walks beside him. I try to catch a peek at Dad’s hands, but he wears thick gloves.

  Mrs. Ford calls Brad on the phone, and starts yelling at him as soon as he answers. “So when did you think you would tell us you were coming home? I don’t care if—oh—he was released two minutes ago. Right. Well, you should have called us earlier!”

  Mrs. Ford hangs up the phone, and the turns to me.

  “Guess he’s coming home,” she says.

  Coming home.

  After what we’ve been through, it seemed like it would never happen. I want to get excited, but I still can’t help but think about Elliott. Where is he right now?

  Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do but wait.

  ***

  Dad enters and gives both me and Mom a big hug. I shiver when something cold and metallic touches me. Then I realize it’s his hand.

  “Yeah,” Dad says, pulling back his glove to reveal a silver hand. “A little gaudy if you ask me.”

  His fingers move in a jerky pattern.

  “Still haven’t gotten the hang of it yet,” he says.

  “You will,” Mom says. “I’ll help.”

  She holds his hand in hers and takes a deep breath. I’m sure she’s thinking what I am. That he won’t feel her hand in his ever again.

  Dad clears his throat. “Brad told me you kept Mom safe.”

  “Yes,” Mom says. “She sent me off to the Naturals.”

  “The Naturals?” Dad asks. “Rose? What were you thinking?”

  “I was trying to protect her.”

  Dad reaches for Mom’s hands, but can’t quite grasp them as his fingers twitch frantically. “Did they hurt you? Are you alright?”

  “Y-y-yes,” Mom says, shocked at the feeling of his metal hands against her skin. “They didn’t do anything. Why would you—”

  Dad’s face turns red. “I can’t believe you did that, Rose. Do you have any idea what could have happened?”

  “No!” I yell. “Because you don’t tell me anything! Everything is secret. What do you know about the Naturals?”

  “All I know is that they’re dangerous.”

  “How?”

  “You don’t think there’s a reason why the government leaves them alone? It’s not just out of the kindness of their hearts, Rose.”

  “They just want to be left alone,” Mom says. “That’s all they ever told me.”

  “How did they feel about you barging in on them?”

  “All they told me was I had to stay in my room, or they wouldn’t let me ever leave.”

  Dad frowns. “You were a prisoner?”

  “They said they had secrets.”

  “I bet they do.”

  I turn towards Dad. “Got any guesses?”

  “No.”

  “Doubt you would tell me if you did anyway,” I say. “You don’t want to tell me anything.”

  “I don’t have anything to say.”

  “I’m sick of the secrets, Dad.”

  Dad sighs and takes a seat in his armchair. “Fine. My friend David, you know, from the lab? He didn’t exactly leave on good terms with me. Told me he was going to get even for what I did to him.”

  “What did you do to him?”

  “He had a bad reaction to the transition. It’s something they screen for now. He ended up half blind and with a disfigured face. He joined the Naturals and swore revenge. Of course, it wasn’t long after that Maddock decided to set me up.”

  “But Mom stayed with the Naturals,” I say. “And they didn’t hurt her.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Dad says. “Just seems too convenient. They’re up to something. I just wish I could figure out what.”

  Dad stares off towards the TV, deep in thought.

  I glance over, looking at the countdown clock. Two hours left.

  “No Catalysts have reported themselves,” I say.

  “And none will,” Dad says. “Because there aren’t any.”

  “What?”

  “They would have been found by now. Or one of them would have showed up.”

  “How could Elliott be so rare? Are any other abilities that rare?”

  Dad shakes his head.

  “Can you explain it?”

  “I wish I knew,” Dad says. “I just don’t have a good answer right now.”

  “Rose,” Mom says, “give Dad a rest.”

  “I need to take a walk,” I say, and head out the front door, closing it behind me.

  It’s painful to see my Dad struggling to master a simple grip. I’m not used to him looking so helpless. I had hoped he’d be able to explain this, but he’s just as confused as I am. I call Aaron, hoping to get a ride to Fowler’s Grove.

  “Sorry Rose,” Aaron says. “I’m just not ready for that yet.”

  “You’re going to have to show your face in public eventually,” I say.

  “Yeah,” Aaron says quietly. “Just hoping these meditation exercises might work before then.”

  “You’re not going to be able to think your powers away.”

  “Thanks Rose, have a good day.”

  He hangs up.

  I want to run back inside and curl up in bed, before I spy a familiar shape coming down the sidewalk.

  “Elliott!” I call out, as I run towards him, meeting him in a big hug.

  I take a moment to catch my breath, then look down at his hands. Still there.

  “I couldn’t do it,” Elliott says.

  “Elliott!” comes the voice of my Dad behind us. “I heard you yell, Rose. So glad to see you.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Williams,” Elliott says.

  “What made you decide to come back?” Dad asks.

  “I was thinking. If there are other Catalysts out there, I think I’ll appreciate keeping my power.”

  “Understandable,” Dad says. “But I don’t think there are any.”

  “Well,” Elliott says. “Better safe than sorry.”

  “Right,” Dad says, and holds out his hand to give him a handshake.

  Elliott takes his new hand, and Dad struggles to get a good grip.

  “Sorry,” Dad says. “This bionic stuff takes a little getting used to.”

  Elliott’s voice is shaky. “You’ll be a pro in no time.”

  “Thanks,” Dad says. “I’d better get back to Mom.”

  He heads back inside the house, leaving us alone. Just the sight of Elliot standing there makes it feel warmer.

  “That’s not the complete truth,” Elliott says, stepping towards me.

  “It’s not?”

  “You see, your dad has his memories. But I—I—”

  He stops inches away from me and reaches out to brush my cheek.

  “I don’t think I could live the rest of my life not knowing what it was like to really touch you,” he says.

  He leans forward and pulls me close.

  “I love you, Rose,” Elliott says.

  “I love you too,” I say.

  The words come out before I even think them. They are effortless and easy. Everything about this seems right. I forget everything a
round me. It’s just me and Elliott. The world may eventually discover his secret, but in the meantime, I can enjoy his hand in mine.

  I’ll make these moments count.

  ***

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  Acknowledgements

  Writing a sequel to Elevated in many ways was more difficult than writing the original book. I’d like to thank all my friends and family for putting up with my writer angst. I’d especially like to thank Amber Salaz for being such a tremendous support. For any of you out there who have e-mailed or written a positive review, thank you! Without your encouragement, I don’t believe I could have completed this project.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Acknowledgements