As soon as I finished, the candles in the room dimmed for a moment before returning to normal. A gust must have entered the cave.
Wes wore a widened grin on his face. “Wow… that’s better than any music I’ve ever tried writing.”
“You’re not just saying that? The chords are still rough... ” I rubbed the back of my neck.
“Sweet paintings, no!” Wes let out a laugh. “This was creative.”
Wes always encouraged people to follow their dreams. I liked that about him. It made him more than a Dreamer. It made him a great friend.
My lip curved upward. “Thanks, Wes.”
“Mind if I chill in here?”
“I was just about to sit down and look at this again.” I picked up the journal.
Wes leaned closer to get a better look at it. “Your mom’s journal is a cool gift.”
“Especially if it can stop all this fighting.” I flipped through the pages — flapping sounds coming out of all but the last one.
“That’s odd—” Wes placed his right hand on his chin, leaving a green stain on it.
I chuckled. Having leftover paint on his skin was a typical Wes trait.
Wes touched the page with his clean hand. “Feels heavy too.”
“I never noticed that before—” I inspected the page further.
“Hey!” Wes’ face lit up. “This is like one of my mom’s scrapbook pages.”
“Scrapbook pages? Never heard of them.”
“They used to store all kinds of memory-related objects. My mother didn’t just do it on the outside though. If she didn’t want enemies to find things, she hid things between the pages. Let me get you some scissors.”
Wes sprang to his feet. While he looked for the scissors, I glanced at the single sentence on that page:
“All will be well if you can discover the connection before The Commander snuffs out the light and all creativity with it.”
“Found ‘em.” Wes smiled and handed me the scissors.
“Thanks, pal.” I maneuvered the tool and cut the last page of the journal open.
A small object clinked to the floor. I reached over to grasp it, but Wes bent over first. He handed me a small device I recognized from The Information Department: a flash-key — a small portable storage device. What was a flash-key doing in this journal?
“Whoah—” Wes paused. “Guess she was tech savvy like you.”
“Do we have anything that can play this?” I asked.
“We’ve got computers, but they can’t fit that wacky thing. This is years old. You’d need an extension cord to play it out here…” Wes explained.
“Great—” I mumbled.
Wes nudged my shoulder. “Hey, don’t worry about it. When we go to another city, I’m sure we’ll find something.”
I stared at the flash-key, its metallic sheen gleaming in the candlelight. At night in a small Safe Haven, there was little I could do to play it. I stood and left the room, my hand still gripping the device — and with it, whatever it contained. Everything had to wait until morning.
EIGHT
Calista
It was a new day: a fresh start to figure out what Mai was hiding. I sipped my apple juice slowly, trying to hold in all the panic bottled up inside me. I couldn’t let that control me. Not today. Golly, I wish I would’ve done better in strategy class.
My eyes met Mai’s and she giggled. She didn’t worry about messing up. She didn’t even have a care in the world compared to the standards Chief Starbright had for me. Still, my gut feeling wouldn’t go away. If Father taught me anything, it was to never ignore a gut feeling. What would Father’s gut feeling think about me now that I was a rebel?
My eyes narrowed in Mai’s direction, shockingly similar to Enya’s. How intimidating did I look copying her? At least Enya was another witness. Despite my reluctance to have her help, she was my best ally for this search. Who would believe only a fourteen-year-old’s words?
Ambert tapped me on the shoulder. “Can you come with me?”
“I’ve been waiting for us to spend more time together.” a smile widened on my face.
“Actually, I wanted you to spend time with Mai. In Jīnlóng, she didn’t have many friends.” Ambert turned to the other girl.
Why in the world did she want to talk to me? Fear coursed through my system, causing the back of my neck to sweat. This wasn’t what I wanted at all! How was I supposed to find proof and keep an eye on her, if I had to pretend to like her? Everything just got more complicated, making me flustered. I could feel the heat in my cheeks. What made Ambert think this was a good idea? Did Mai want this? Did she know I was watching her?
Golly, please no…
Mai swayed from side to side, refusing to make eye contact with me. A smirk curved on her face. “Hi.”
“I’ll leave you both to it.” Ambert walked away to sit with Enya, smiling like he’d done a great deed. I wasn’t so sure about that yet.
The words barely left my throat. “Hello, Mai.”
“Listen, Calista. I don’t want to chat with you. I wanna talk to Ambert,” Mai’s smile faded.
“Look, Ambert wants us to talk some. It’s probably better if we…” I gulped. “Try to get along.”
“Get along?” Mai giggled. “What makes you think we don’t?”
A shallow breath quivered through my lips. I had to be more careful than that. “Never mind. Um… do you want to sit down?”
Mai adjusted her fingerless gloves on her hands. “I’ll just be going.”
Mai brushed off dirt from her Lolita dress before slipping into the valley. I followed and hid inside a blueberry bush. Again, just like the day before, Mai took out her cell phone.
“Just a couple more nights. You can come tonight and threaten him.”
I leaned forward, eager to learn more. What was she hiding from us? Who was she talking to? I needed to know something to ease my nerves.
“I’ll report again tonight so we can discuss this with the others. Got it?” Mai’s eyebrow raised.
I gasped. She was up to something! I had to get her phone from her and find out who she was calling.
A twig in my bush snapped, and my face paled. Mai jolted around and faced the bush before pocketing her phone and running off. I released a sigh, eager to figure out a way to save my friends from whoever she was working for. Taking in deep breaths, I emerged from the bush.
“You shouldn’t spy on people. It’s rude.” Mai shifted her weight several times, keeping her hands wrapped around her body.
Apparently, she didn’t run off like I thought she did. Instead, she ran behind the bush, trying to figure out who was watching her. I gulped. How could’ve I fallen for that?
She whimpered some, but I sensed that she was faking. Her eyes flicked in my direction, devoid of pity or sadness. They watched my every move. She knew. She had to. What could I do? Chief Starbright said Oracles took initiative. Was this one of those times? I wish Ambert knew about this! I looked into the heartless black eyes of someone who glared back at me like I was their next meal. Like Dreamers were being prepared for slaughter.
Words of fury blurted from my mouth. “Quit your act! Whatever you want to do with Ambert’s notebook isn’t happening!”
Mai swiftly squeezed my arm and dragged us into Safe Haven’s storage room. She placed my arm behind my back, making me wince. I gasped, breathing in and out heavily from the surprising pain I felt. This was way worse than the bullying in my old school. For someone younger than me, she had a grip!
Was this it? What was her next move? Fear moved through my body, causing my palms to sweat. I tried my hardest not to cry or whimper, but I couldn’t help myself. This was serious. She had me cornered, and I didn’t know what to do without my friends there to help me. My gut feeling was right… maybe. I still needed something to bring to Chief Starbright.
“You better not get in my way. If you even try to tell anyone, I'
ll make sure you and your friends die nasty deaths,” Mai threatened.
I clenched my teeth together, trying to mask the pain. “Who are you working for? My father? The Regime?”
“Why should I tell you? It’s about to get worse, Calista.” Mai grinned her signature crooked smile and snorted. “You can continue your guessing game now.”
“You’re going to tell The Regime where we are, aren’t you? Once I tell the others, you’ll never…” a sharp pain in my arm interrupted my sentence.
Mai’s nails tore into my skin. “You don’t even have enough facts to condemn me. Who would even believe you? You’re just a small girl! Heed my warning, or else. Am I understood or do I have to break something?”
I was quiet for a moment to let all the information sink in.
“Go ahead. That’ll be my proof.”
She twisted my arm back further. I winced. My lungs gasped for air and hot tears fell on my cheeks. I couldn’t stop the flow, almost like the pain in my arm was a faucet for tears. I let out a quiet cry and lowered my head. I needed proof, just one shred of evidence. If breaking my arm is what it took to get that proof, it had to be done to help me be the Oracle Chief Starbright wanted me to be.
“I could think of something to make it unbelievable. So, when I’m around, stay away from Ambert. Otherwise, you’ll find Vana or Wes dead in front of your sleeping bag. If Ambert finds out anything, this Safe Haven burns.” Mai ground her teeth together.
“Whatever you are trying to do, you won’t get away with it,” I croaked.
She held my arm even tighter, pulling it a little further back. “Maybe I haven’t been clear enough. Stay out of my way! Understood?”
She wasn’t messing around.
I nodded. Mai released my swollen left arm from its painful position.
“Hopefully this game of cat and mouse will be fun for both of us. See ya later.” she boasted and skipped off.
I paced to the pool of water and washed my face of any redness or tears before taking in a deep breath. I definitely can't tell Ambert about this. What am I going to do?
I looked at the wounds on my elbow. Claw marks like those of a vicious animal dug into my skin, small droplets of blood dripping down my arm. Golly, this couldn’t be the work of a normal twelve-year-old girl. This was someone much more sinister, someone who caused my blood to shiver and turn cold. The claw marks reminded me of a monster lurking under my bed, watching every move like The Regime itself… lurking, waiting for me to make a false move. I rolled my long sleeve shirt over the swelled area and gulped, knowing I only had one option left to turn to.
I have to tell Chief Starbright...
NINE
Calista
What was I going to do? I barely understood my powers, let alone dreaming. How was a shy fourteen-year-old girl supposed to prove to a leader that someone in their camp was up to no good? I drew in deep breaths, knots tangling in my stomach. This couldn’t be happening to me. If it would’ve been anyone else, they would have handled this situation like pros. Me? I was the asthmatic daughter of Mr. Knight, not even counting my slightly below average military schooling.
I couldn’t understand how Mai could be so evil while still being a Dreamer. Was she one of the Cravealings Wes mentioned? Mai was stronger than me, more determined than me. She wanted blood for The Regime, just to see Dreamers suffer. That sinister look in her eyes burned with hate. Nothing like my honor-bound Father, fighting for The Regime because it was his duty.
Ambert sat beside me. “Hey, Cal. Mai told us you had a great talk and you’re now close friends.”
“More like sisters!” I lied with a fake smile.
“Glad to hear it!” Ambert laughed as he helped me up. He didn’t notice my injury as I hid my arm in my sleeve, though he caught my wince. It burned down my arm, like a cat scratch, all over again. What was I to Mai? A mouse?
“You okay?” Ambert looked at me, eyes laced with pity.
“There's nothing wrong,” I jerked my arm away, flinching. “I'm fine.”
Ambert smiled. “Starbright must’ve worked you hard yesterday.”
“Guess so.” my smile was forced, but I prayed he wouldn’t take notice.
“Let me know if you need someone to talk to,” Ambert offered.
I couldn’t tell Wes or Ambert about this. If I did, word would get out and I wouldn’t be able to stop it.
I arrived in the committee room with my clammy hands folded together. My knees locked and a chill ran down my spine, knowing there was no turning back. Constellations and phrases were etched into the cave’s walls and the sterile stench of the recently cleaned room permeated my nose. A small table laid out with tea was in the center of the room with cases on either side.
“Knight, I didn’t ask for you today. Why are you here?” Chief Starbright asked.
“I… I know this is your lunch hour, but it was urgent.” my lip quivered. I touched my injured arm.
“Well?” Chief Starbright’s rosary gleamed on her chest.
“It’s about Mai.” I rolled up my sleeve, revealing the animal-like claw marks.
Chief Starbright tossed me a first aid kit. “Geez… cover that up!”
“Yes, Ma’am.” I grabbed a bottle of ointment and poured its contents on my wound. Then, taking the gauze bandages, I wrapped my arm and secured it with a piece of tape.
“What wild animal did that?” Chief Starbright asked.
“... Um…” I sighed. “A person did. Mai did.”
“So?” Chief Starbright poured a cup of tea for herself.
“... I think she might be a spy.”
Chief Starbright raised her eyebrow. “You think?”
I nodded. “I know.”
“And do you have any proof, besides your arm?”
Sweat poured down my neck. “Enya was with me when Mai first acted strangely. She’s been around Ambert a lot.”
“Then your proof is a rebel with a bad track record and a bunch of scratches.” Chief Starbright’s wry smile wasn’t a good sign.
I was silent. It wasn’t enough. The wounds on my arm weren’t enough. Mai probably destroyed her cell phone too since I caught her with it. How was I supposed to explain myself to Chief Starbright now? I frowned, not knowing Chief Starbright’s next move. If she told the others, we’d be doomed. If she did nothing, we’d be at Mai’s mercy. She had to do something, right?
For a while, Chief Starbright said nothing. The whispering of the wind blew the dream catchers back and forth over the doorway. She looked into her cracked crystal ball for a short moment before clutching the rosary around her neck. It seemed so important to her, and I was curious to find out why. My chest rose and fell with my pulses, and my slimy hands joined for protection. My eyes pleaded with Safe Haven’s chief council member, eager for her response.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve.” Chief Starbright crossed her ankles under her chair. “If your accusation’s incorrect, you might as well be kicked out of Safe Haven.”
“But we need to at least check it out, right?” I asked.
Chief Starbright stared me in the eye like I was a suspect. “An investigation will be necessary. Ambert told you she’s from Jīnlóng, did he not?”
“Yes, Ma'am.”
“Conduct a field mission there next. If you find nothing, if no one comes forward with any information on her, then you stay away from Safe Haven. You and whoever believes you, including Enya. It’s not good to have Dreamers who outcast and accuse their own. We don’t need those with too proactive imaginations.”
“I’ll be sure to do that, Ma'am,” I began.
Chief Starbright loaded a gun from a weapon’s case and placed it in a carrier on her belt. “Not so fast. I’m coming with you. That way, your lying tongue, if that’s the case, won’t come back with false evidence. The rest of The Committee will take care of things here. Gather a small group, and be sure Ambert doesn’t come with you. If Mai’s thr
eat is real, we can’t risk the safety of too many Dreamers.”
“Yes, Ma'am.” I straightened my posture and saluted her.
If I was lucky, I'd get some answers about Mai. If I wasn’t, I’d be abandoned in The Regime with nowhere to go. But Ambert couldn’t come with me. Mai would never let that slide, but if I left him with someone else, Mai would be limited by how much contact she had with him.
R
I approached my friends and told them about Chief Starbright’s mission to go to Jīnlóng.
“She doesn’t want either you or Ambert to go this time.” I looked at Wes. “You know more about Safe Haven than anyone.”
Ambert nodded. “Sounds like a good plan. Wes and I can stay while you and Enya get new recruits. Maybe Mai will go with you.”
“I doubt it,” I countered. “She wants to be around you more than me.”
“I'll try my best to balance time between her and the others. They need me more,” Ambert said.
“Maybe you and Enya can get at least one person to come with you,” Wes said.
Enya smiled. “I’m ready for an adventure. I hope it isn’t too easy.”
“I don’t think it will be…” I murmured.
“Well, it seems like you two have a challenge ahead.” Wes nudged Enya’s shoulder.
She gave him a dirty look.
“Let’s tell the others,” I said.
We ventured outside to discuss the idea. This was old news by now for most, save for the newer Dreamers from Wellspring, they looked confused — some even terrified.
“We’re going to Jīnlóng next. Anyone from there wanting to come with us? So far, we just have the Wallflower and me.” Enya pointed at me. I waved.
The crowd looked to the ground and remained silent.
I looked at Mai to find her wearing a crooked smile. Someone had to keep an eye on her while I found answers. I just didn’t know who. I didn’t want to put Wes in danger, and I couldn’t tell Ambert. I had to rely on some of my new friends.
Splintering Reality (Breaking Order Series Book 2) Page 5
