Caste (The Corporation)

by RaeLynn Fry

  “A week, maybe a little more. Or less. It's hard to know exactly. It depends on how long their bodies fight.”

  There’s a creak from a chair as someone sits down. Papa’s voice is muffled, as if he’s talking into his hands. “I can't accept that, Eta. I'll go to the Corporation and sell myself to them if they’ll give me the medicine. I'll do anything. Maybe the Further...” His voice trails off.

  “Don’t be a fool, Jeret. The Corporation won’t purchase you, and even if you could manage to get out of Neech, survive the Further, and find what I need, you wouldn't return in time.”

  “Then you have to go to Akin Hughes himself! You need to make him understand how badly we need that medicine.”

  Eta sighs, keeping her voice even. “You don't think I didn't consider that? I think of Ajna as my own kin, Jeret. I would move the sun if it would make him wake again. Trust me; I’m not sitting on my hands with this.”

  “I know,” Papa says, voice cracking. “Losing Rebeka almost killed me. For the Corporation to take Ajna from me, too—I don't know if I'd survive.”

  There’s a meaty thud, like a fist being driven towards a hard surface. “You will survive, Jeret Singh, because you have another child who needs you. There was never an option of not surviving. Stop being selfish about this. You aren’t the only one hurting.”

  There’s a pause, and I think their conversation might be over, but Papa speaks again. “Did you go and see about Kerick?”

  “Aye. He played no part in this.”

  “You're sure?”

  “Positive. His symptoms were in response to something else. I’m not sure what, but he's back to normal now. It was probably an allergy of some sort.”

  “Then where did Ajna get this?”

  “Where do any of them get it? I don't know,” Eta says in a tired voice. “We can only hope that no one else gets it. Come, we need our sleep. Our days are only going to get longer and our nights shorter.”

  “What about Karis?” Papa says.

  “Let her be at peace with her brother. If she was going to get sick, she would have shown symptoms by now.”

  “Very well, then.” The chair creaks again as its occupant stands. “Good night, Eta,” Papa says.

  “Good night, Jeret.”

  I hear Papa climb the stairs and Eta walk across the kitchen into the room we’ve prepared for her. I wait for the house to grow silent again before I roll onto my back, absorbing and replaying what I’ve just heard.

  My brother has a week to live. A medicine to heal him exists. That medicine is in Dahn. I know what needs to be done.

  ७

  My body’s cramped and stiff from being curled up on the thin mattress all night, and I know I couldn’t have been asleep long before being awoken by a strange noise. At first I think it’s the residue of some dream I can’t remember, but when it doesn’t fade, I concentrate and listen.

  A baby’s crying at the back of our apartment, in the extra room just off the kitchen—Eta’s room. I sit up, rubbing at my eyes and trying to make sense of what I’m hearing. Eta and Papa’s voices filter into the living room. Eta sounds worried, and Papa’s making soothing noises.

  I start to stand when three heavy pounds thump against our door. Everything freezes, even the air. The thumps come again. “Jeret Singh! Open the door, it’s the Guard.”

  I scramble from my bed as quickly and silently as possible, tripping over the blanket tangled at my feet. I regain my footing and hurry towards the kitchen, the sounds of thumping and shouting still coming strong from outside. I run right into Papa and Eta. Sai’s cradled in Papa’s arms.

  I look down in silent shock, then up to Papa’s nervous face, confused. “Papa?” I whisper.

  He puts his finger against his lips and looks past me towards the door. He’s managed to stop Sai’s cries, but she looks like she’s about to start up again. I turn to Eta. “Corporation,” I mouth.

  Her face is stern as she nods. She makes some gestures to Papa and heads towards the door. Papa hands me Sai and brushes by as he follows Eta. I start to protest, but the words catch in my throat. I look down into Sai’s dark eyes, pudgy arms stretching out to me. Her cheeks are splotched with red from crying. Her small, warm body tucked against my arm is the most frightening thing imaginable right now.

  The Corporation will take her away and Release us if they find her. I can’t let them find her. I need to keep her safe. I look up at Papa; he’s staring at me intently, then points to the pantry. I nod once, understanding what he wants me to do.

  I hurry into the small room and curl myself into a ball against the wall, closing the door. I tuck Sai into the small cubby I create with my body and watch through a crack between the door and wall. Papa and Eta are at the front door. They each take a deep breath before opening it.

  “Jeret Singh?” a Guard says with force.

  “Yes?”

  “We’re here looking for a member of the Sharma family who escaped yesterday’s Release.” I recognize the Guard’s voice. It’s Sergeant Nan.

  “And you come looking here?” Papa asks.

  “We’re looking everywhere.”

  “In the middle of the night?” Eta says. “You woke us from our sleep.”

  Sergeant Nan looks past them and into the house. My eyes race over the small area, trying to anticipate anything he might see that would raise suspicion.

  “It’s important we find the last member,” Sergeant Nan says.

  “We were all at the Release yesterday,” Papa says. “We all witnessed the Sharmas being put into the Further.”

  “There was a fourth member not present,” Nan says, irritated.

  “Sai died in the spring,” Eta says.

  “Who are you?”

  Eta tries to straighten her stooped body. “Eta Pillai. I’m a healer here in Neech.”

  “Are you the one who treated Sai Sharma?”

  “Yes.”

  “If the child did die in the spring, why didn’t you report it?”

  “It’s not up to the healer to do that; it’s the family’s responsibility.”

  Sai starts to whimper softly. “Shhh,” I breathe and bounce her best I can, but it’s not working. Her fussing is getting louder. I put my finger in her mouth to suck on, and it seems to satisfy her for the moment.

  “Why are you here so late?”

  “Ajna’s sick. You can check the Corporation’s records for verification.”

  “Your name sounds familiar.”

  “As it should. I have regular dealings with the Corporation, and I filed a petition earlier today.”

  “You’re staying here?” the Guard asks.

  “Of course I am,” Eta says.

  “Singh…You have a daughter that was to be Paired with Kavin Sharma, is that correct?” Sergeant Nan pulls out his databoard.

  “Another reason I’m here,” Eta says. “You can imagine the state she’s in. I’ve been like a mother to them since their momma left. She needs me.”

  “I’ll need to speak to Karis.”

  “You will do no such thing,” Eta snaps. “This has been a trying time for us all and for you to come in and berate her with useless questions after she’s been through so much. I’ll not allow it.”

  “This isn’t a request—” Sergeant Nan says.

  “You think we took in the baby?” Eta says, not backing

  down. “Where would we keep it? How would we feed it? Do you think taking on a child would be an easy task?”

  Sergeant Nan’s silent. Sai whimpers a little louder.

  “What was that?” the Guard asks.

  I suck in my breath and place my hand lightly over her mouth. “Please, Sai,” I whisper. “Shhhh.” She squirms but doesn’t make any more sound.

  “It was Ajna,” Eta says, gesturing to the blankets on the floor.

  The Guards stand there a little longer, but don’t push the subject. I can only hope they’re exhausted from checking every house. “We’ll be back to speak with
Karis tomorrow after evening shifts.”

  “I would expect nothing less from the Corporation,” Eta says. She starts to shut the door after the Guards.

  “Wait,” the other Guard says, stopping the door with his hand. My whole body seizes up. “I knew your name sounded familiar.”

  “How’s that?” Eta says.

  “Eta Pillai. You said you filed a Petitioned today?”

  “Yes,” she says with caution.

  The Guard reaches into the inside of his jacket and pulls out a folded piece of paper. The Corp’s gold seal catches in the firelight as he hands it to her. The Guards turn and leave. I can see Eta gripping the paper with all the strength she has and shutting the door.

  I let out a long breath and stare down at Sai. She’s sleeping peacefully, not a care in the world. I slip out of the stuffy interior of the pantry and go to Papa and Eta; they’re both staring down at the paper.

  “What is it?” I say.

  Eta looks up at me, disbelief in her eyes. “It’s the Corporation’s official response to my Petition.”

  My chest is void of a beating heart when she says that.

  “And?” I almost don’t ask.

  Eta reads the letter aloud, “Cost-Benefit Analysis of Ajna Singh, male, eight-years-old, no caste assignment. It is the finding of the Corporation that the costs outweigh the benefits when it comes to interceding on Ajna Singh’s behalf. As a result, no medicine will be issued, thus guaranteeing its availability for another, higher contributing member of the cities. Thank you for your contribution to our survival and prosperity.”

  I watch as the piece of paper slips from her withered fingers and falls drunkenly to the floor.

  D ay three

  Nine

  The sound of the morning bulletin meets me as I walk down the stairs. Papa sits at the table; Ajna’s quiet and still.

  “Where's Eta?” I ask. I dish up a bowl of oats and a cup of tea before I sit down. The Corporation’s letter is laying face up in the center of the table. I reach out and flip it over. It doesn’t matter what it says. I have a plan that will change everything.

  “She’s getting supplies and checking on a few other patients. She'll be back; don't worry.” His eyes are bloodshot and weary, his face ragged and creased. I think he got as much sleep last night as I did.

  “Where’s Sai?” I ask in a quieter voice.

  “Eta took her.”

  “So she’s going to watch over her now?”

  “We’re all going to help. We can’t let the Corporation get their hands on that baby.”

  I nod slowly. “You need to start sleeping, Papa.”

  “I am sleeping, Karis.”

  I raise my brows at him in a disbelieving scowl.

  “Well, maybe not as much as I'd like, but I’m catching a couple of hours.”

  I’m having the same problem. Most of the night I lie awake thinking about how I should be sleeping, but it doesn’t come. I want to talk to Papa about the analysis, ask him what we’re going to do now, but something about his appearance pushes the question back.

  Instead I say, “Turn up the television.” Something the Corporation said has caught my attention.

  “What is it?” He reaches over and twists the knob while I waive away his question.

  “It is imperative that the Outer City be conscience—more than usual—of its fellow Citizens. Several military personnel have reported seeing Untouchables in the Further surrounding the city’s walls.”

  Untouchables? I’ve always thought they were more of an exaggeration from Ami’s stories—citizens who’ve somehow survived the Further and have changed into something else. They kill, eat their own. No thoughts except those of a primal mind. They’re dangerous.

  “This bulletin is not meant to scare citizens,” the broadcast goes on to say, “but to educate and make you aware of the absolute danger that constantly surrounds the cities. Which is all the more reason to heed the advice and follow the rules the Corporation has constructed to govern the cities. If an Untouchable is seen close to or in the city, do not approach it. Find the nearest comm and contact the Military Guard. They will proceed from there.

  “Untouchables will kill you—or worse—at the first opportunity. They may look normal and safe, but that is only a tool in their arsenal of weapons. Do not trust anyone you do not recognize.”

  There’s a crack of static, and the screen goes black. Papa reaches over and clicks the television off.

  The Corporation has designed the cities to keep people where they belong. The citizens of Neech stay in Neech, physically barred from entering into Dahn or the Further.

  “Papa,” I ask, thinking hard.

  “Yes, Karis?”

  “How would an Untouchable make it past the gates and into the city?” The gates are impenetrable without the right Mark.

  Papa’s voice is grave. “Untouchables are shunned and dangerous for a reason. They don't follow rules, and they’ve had years to figure out ways to get around the Corporation's safeguards. They’re rebellious by nature. They’re willing to sacrifice others and themselves in order to get what they want.”

  A shiver rolls down my spine. I hope the Untouchables stay outside the outer walls. “It’s very slim that they’ll actually make it inside the city. But with the way our luck’s been running,” Papa cringes, “let’s just say I’m not surprised by anything anymore.”

  I get up and go to the kitchen, finding a sharp knife. I slip it into the waist of my pants, tucking the handle under the hem of my shirt. He’s right. I need to make sure I can protect myself, no matter how slim the odds of coming across one may be.

  “Good idea, Karis, but I don't think you'll need it.” I can see Papa trying to hide a weak smile.

  “The Military Guard can't be everywhere at once. And do I need to point out that they probably wouldn’t save a Neech citizen from an Untouchable even if they could?”

  He gives a slight nod and goes back to his breakfast.

  “How's Ajna?” I ask, walking to my brother's side. I don't have to let Papa answer to know he’s gotten worse during the night.

  “Not well.”

  I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I hadn't thought my brother could look any worse, but proof of that lie is lain out before me. So much of his body has wasted away, and in less than eight hours. His joints and bones protrude like a knobby tree. Gray, translucent skin stretches tight over his small frame with no fat to fill it out. Blue veins trace their way along his arms, neck, and face.

  I can make out the blood as it pulses its way through his body in slow, labored pumps. I can't see his chest move when he takes a breath, so the only thing telling me he’s alive is the raspy and shallow sound coming from his chest. Like there are holes in his lungs. His eyes dart around under the thin skin of his eyelids. His fingers are turning a bluish black at the tips, like they’re the first part of him to die.

  Something red peeks out from under the blanket draped over his chest. I reach over and gently pull the rough cloth down. I gasp. There’s a rash with a festering sore deep in its center. I pull the blanket down farther. The sores coat Ajna’s chest, and out of the center of each one seeps a cloudy fluid.

  “Has Eta seen these?” I say, turning towards Papa, horror in my voice.

  He nods. “She left to get salve that will hopefully keep them from getting worse.”

  “Hopefully?”

  Papa closes his eyes and rubs at his temples. When he opens them again, they’re bright red and glossy, and I know he’s holding back tears. “Karis, we need to think about saying goodbye.”

  It feels like he's slapped me across the face. “Goodbye? Are you insane?”

  “Eta says—”

  “I don't give a damn what Eta says!”

  “Karis! You will not talk that way about Eta.”

  “I'll talk that way about anybody telling me to give up on my brother. Including you!” I shoot up and start towards the door.

  “We need to a
ccept the facts—”

  “What facts?” I turn on him.

  “The Corporation’s denied Eta’s Petition so we won’t get any help from them.”

  “We don’t need their help.” I’ll do this myself.

  “And the fact that no one’s survived this.”

  “You seem to be all too eager to say goodbye.”

  “Karis!” Papa’s stern voice comes after me. I’ve gone too far, but I don’t care. “Where are you going?”

  “Work.” I fumble with my duster and mask.

  “It's not time for you to leave yet.” His words have turned calm and patient.

  “It is now.”

  “Your shift doesn't start for another hour.”

  My hand’s already on the doorknob, I don’t have time for my hat or gloves. “Then maybe I just don't want to be around you anymore.” I fling myself into the dark, early morning.

  The cool air hits me like a wall. It calms my hot temper, but only barely. I stomp through the deserted streets, still disbelieving that Papa’s so willing to say goodbye to Ajna. It’s as if he doesn’t care. I’m clenching my teeth and fisting my hands. As the adrenaline from my anger wanes, my steps lighten and slow. Soon, I’m moving at a less emotional pace.

  I walk in a churning silence through the dark streets for a few minutes before I notice a sound buried deep in the stillness. A slight shuffling. I stop and cock my head, listening to the night. There it is again. Shuffling footsteps on the paved ground coming from my right.

  I scan the darkness, trying to find something out of place. Then I see it. A shift of movement. I watch for a few minutes. Whoever it is is stopping for a fair length of time before moving on to the next spot where they wait again. They’re sticking to the parts of the street where the darkness is deepest. From the look of their unbroken pattern of movement, they haven't seen me. Yet.

  Pressing myself up against a wall, I wait and watch for whatever is about to unfold. As the person moves closer to my hiding place, more of their body becomes visible, but I still can’t make out their features. Then I see the red.

  My heart stops for a few beats. What if the stranger from the Jatis is an Untouchable? What if this is who the Corporation is looking for? My head buzzes with fear, and my palms grow itchy as I start to retreat. I’m glad I’ve brought the knife with me.