Splintering Reality (Breaking Order Series Book 2)

by Catherine Kopf

  He shook it with a toothless grin on his face. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Calista,” he paused when his gaze met Enya’s.

  Enya raised an eyebrow with eyes that looked slightly confused. “What? Something wrong?”

  “You can’t be Harmony Greer.” Dr. Liu’s lip quivered.

  “This is Enya. She’s one of Harmony’s... twins.” the word ‘twins’ had a bitter taste in Chief Starbright’s mouth. What was that about?

  Dr. Liu’s eyes widened. “Your eyes are just like your mother’s.”

  Enya shoved her hands in her hoodie pockets. “Speaking of twins, my brother has a new friend bent on finding out what my mother said in her journal. Or at least that’s what we know so far.”

  “When I confronted her about it, she attacked me. She was from here, so we were hoping you’d know something,” I said, pleading with him for answers.

  “I told them you might know what’s going on if they’re telling the truth.” Chief Starbright raised her eyebrow.

  Dr. Liu nodded. “Candor is a tricky thing… and easily fabricated. I’ll get the truth serum.”

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key. Turning it into a lock in a drawer beside him, it revealed a black case containing clear glass vials and needles. It was almost like Ambert’s old Antiserum he took before we ran away from Father. My heart thumped in my chest. Truth serum had to be injected. Golly, if there were any worse time to be scared of needles, it was now.

  Kuan-yin placed a hand on his shoulder. “Dad, I don’t think they’re meaning any…”

  “You’re being naive, Kuan-yin. They’re outsiders. Outsiders have no reason to be trusted until they reveal the truth.” Dr. Liu filled a needle with the clear substance and turned to face me. Oh boy…

  “They’ll be okay, Kuan,” Ju-long said, leaned against the wall away from us.

  Dr. Liu sternly positioned himself on the couch like Father did during any serious chat. “This drug is a biological weapon. The Regime can get anything out of people like this, which is why I always have Kuan-yin snatch them off train cars. If The Regime wishes to keep a person intact without torture, this would be the way to go. It only lasts a few minutes so questions will be rapid and random. Lying causes pain.”

  “Collaborate, Ms. Knight,” Chief Starbright said.

  At first, I pulled away. Hugging my body, I looked at Enya. Her eyes shifted back and forth between me and Dr. Liu. By her stern glare, she didn’t trust them as much as I did. Dreamers were the good guys, right? I couldn’t just turn away. Hesitation probably made me look more guilty than getting injected.

  My shaking hand rolled up my sleeve and I turned my head away from the needle, lip quivering. Dr. Liu injected the truth serum, leaving a pinch in my skin. A rush of cold streamed through my body, and drowsiness filled me quicker. I didn’t even know if I could walk in a straight line.

  “What’s your name?” Chief Starbright leaned forward in her chair.

  “Calista Knight…” the monotone tone in my voice didn’t suit me.

  “Who’s your mother? What was her importance?”

  “Suzanne Knight. No importance.”

  Chief Starbright and Dr. Liu glanced at each other with widened eyes. Dr. Liu lowered his head away from Chief Starbright, almost disappointed, maybe even shocked. But why? I didn’t get it… I only told them what I knew. I hadn’t lied!

  Chief Starbright took a sharp breath before she continued my investigation, brushing past that question. “And you know Mai is a suspicious figure through events you witnessed?”

  “Yes.”

  “What happened?”

  “She attacked me in Safe Haven when I questioned her.”

  “About?”

  “She had been on a cell phone, keeping in contact with people. She refused to tell me who… or why.”

  “And you’re sure that the lives of Safe Haven are in danger?”

  “Yes.”

  “As well as Dreamers in the community?”

  “Yes.”

  “Any more information?”

  “No." my voice finally returned to normal, a sure sign that the serum lost its steam. I was just glad that ordeal was over with and crossed my fingers. I didn’t want another needle going into my skin!

  “You heard her. What do you know?” Enya’s eyes narrowed at Dr. Liu.

  “There’s a tale I tell all my gifted students, and even with The Regime in control, it still holds value. In all fifteen years of The Regime, a single phrase remains true: ‘It’s easy to find a thousand soldiers, but hard to find a good general.’ Thus, The Regime has many branches to counteract Dreamers in varying departments. It’s also is why students are placed into branches based on health, academic standings, and contained skill sets. Other than The Commander himself, I suppose you’ve heard little about The Lieutenant?”

  Enya crossed her arms. “You mean The Lieutenant who ordered for my public execution in Fortress and opted to kill me?”

  “I can see you already have experience with her.” Dr. Liu adjusted his collar. “She’s the one who carries out projects in The Science Department and many of The Commander’s secret programs. She also oversees the training for military staff and Fortress’ Military Academy. More than likely, she’s sent a spy to oversee your rebellion and destroy it from the inside.”

  “And so she’s trying to break us apart with Mai.” I trembled. That wasn’t good.

  “How could you know so much about her?” Enya blew a piece hair out of her face.

  “Well… I…” Dr. Liu’s voice quivered, not eager to tell us that information.

  There was a banging on the door.

  “Dr. Liu! Open this door immediately!” a man’s voice yelled.

  I panicked, my heart racing and eyes widened.

  “Hurry, there isn’t much time. Ju-long, get them to the guest bedroom and have them change clothes. Kuan-yin, stay here and help me distract them.” Dr. Liu pointed to the stairs and Kuan-yin nodded.

  Ju-long escorted Chief Starbright, Enya, Ivory, and I into a small guest bedroom, complete with black painted floorboards and red walls darker than my hair color. Ivory smiled after seeing the porcelain dolls dressed in Regime clothing: a red ankle-length dress with a black ‘C’ on the right side of the chest. Her hair was down, letting silky black hair extend down the doll’s back. Despite the doll’s beauty, the face of the doll showed it was made in a Regime factory. There were probably dolls all over Jīnlóng just like her.

  Ju-long shoved a dress into my arms. “Put this on, Miss. It’ll help you blend in.”

  I clutched the dress in my hands. It was just the same as the doll’s from the shelf. We’d blend in just like the dolls in the factory. I smelt my armpit. It was time to change clothes and leave Fortress behind me. We were in a mission at Jīnlóng now. Getting back to Ambert safe and sound was something we had to do, especially with Mai being a spy. But what if it were too late? What if Ambert couldn’t recognize she was a spy? What if he were being tortured by her right as I… no. I couldn’t let that happen.

  Ju-long handed a dress to Ivory and she snatched it from his hands like a brand new toy. Quickly taking some gold thread, Ivory embellished the bottom of the dress with gold swirls. I chuckled under my breath. Ivory was always customizing clothes, despite how serious the situation. That was a true Dreamer.

  Chief Starbright cleared her throat. “Ivory…”

  “Aww…” Ivory pouted her lip and reluctantly removed the swirl.

  Ju-long lowered his head and handed Chief Starbright and Enya their dresses. “These were my mother’s. Be sure to care for them.”

  “Great. Old Regime clothes.” Enya threw the dress on the floor.

  “Thank you for your hospitality.” Chief Starbright bowed to Ju-long. “Ivory, stitch these dresses with a small embellishment so we know we’re on the same side. After that, get dressed.”

  We waited in the dead silence. I
vory embroidered on each dress, leaving a personal mark: a silver swirl for herself, a purple eye for me, an orange flame for Enya, and a gold star for Chief Starbright. Each embellishment was the size of a small bug. After Ju-long left, I slipped into my new clothes behind a curtain. The fabric was sleek, nothing like the warm wool fabrics used in Fortress. It wasn’t cold here. Instead, these clothes were lightweight and easy to move in other than the long sleeves.

  Hours passed, and I worried about what happened downstairs. Were they caught? What happened? Were they in some sort of trouble? I had to know, but yet I worried elsewhere. Had Ambert lived through the day? Did Mai want to kill him? That was the big one. Why would she become friends with him if she wanted to kill him? Maybe she was just as cruel and heartless as The Commander, or maybe she was fascinated about his life.

  The door to the guest bedroom opened to reveal Dr. Liu and Kuan-yin, both relieved and tired by the looks on their faces. Kuan-yin smiled at me softly, and boy, I was glad to see her safe and sound. Chief Starbright’s firm gaze changed to a kind smile.

  “Those were Regime officials asking if they could borrow some of my technology,” Dr. Liu informed.

  “Dreamer technology?” Chief Starbright clenched her fist.

  Dr. Liu nodded. “Used to test a Dreamer’s mental and physical abilities to extreme limits. The Lieutenant often asks me for supplies. This one was for Phase Two of a project in the Myths Lab.”

  “Xiang’s there now. He passed through Phase One with ease, and they said it’d be a while before they got technology for Phase Two testing,” I said.

  “We can still save him, correct?” Dr. Liu’s brow furrowed.

  “If we return to Fortress and stop Mai,” Chief Starbright confirmed.

  “Those soldiers took the last train to Fortress with the supplies we gave them fifteen minutes ago.” Kuan-yin tugged at her earlobe.

  “You can spend the night here if you like,” Dr. Liu offered.

  Enya let out a gentle sigh and smiled. “We’d appreciate that.”

  “You and Calista can share this room, Starbright can sleep in the living room, and Ivory and I can stay in my room,” Kuan-yin waved at Ivory.

  A jolt pulled my body. Dizziness overtook me, the rooms spinning around like a carousel. My vision was seeing spots, flashing in and out as the room got blurrier. Colors around me changed shades from vibrant blues and oranges to shades of gray and black. My heart leaped within my chest as I struggled to keep consciousness. I faded in and out of reality like a pendulum. Dreamshade hadn’t taken a hold of me this time.

  Back and forth I swayed as I fought what was taking over. It was if a driving force within my body wanted to grasp control over me like second nature. I clutched my shirt and looked to my friends one last time before plunging to the ground. My vision faded to black and everything around me was no longer there. I was on another plane of existence, and there was nothing anyone could do to wake me from my slumber.

  THIRTEEN

  Calista

  My dream whisked me back to our camp in Safe Haven. Barely any light could be seen in both the valley and the cave. The wind howled from Fortress’ cold weather, nipping at our home. Vana held a flashlight and made her way across the darkness and cold. Dead leaves crunched beneath her feet. Mai skipped ahead of Vana headed toward the mouth of the cave. I assumed Vana was following her. Why was Mai trying to leave?

  Mai took in a deep breath of cold air. A smile appeared across her face as she looked at the downtown area below. She grabbed the ladder and placed it across the gap between her and the ground. Mai was about to descend when a snapping noise sounded behind her.

  She paused and I gulped. If Vana revealed where she was, I had no idea what would happen to her.

  Everything was silent once again. Mai was about to go down again when she was interrupted.

  “Stop right there.” Vana pointed her flashlight at Mai.

  Mai’s signature crooked smile curved over her face. “Or what?”

  “I’ll tell everyone about what you did to Calista,” Vana threatened.

  That was the wrong move. I told her not to tell anyone that. What would Mai do to her now?

  Mai twirled around. “Vana! Calista told you about what happened yesterday? I kinda hoped it’d be you.”

  “I’m not scared of you.” Vana stood her ground, firming her muscles in place.

  “You should be.” Mai pointed a gun and stepped forward.

  Vana backed up one step at a time and held her flashlight like a weapon. “W-Where’d you get the gun?”

  “I don’t want things to get messy.” Mai sounded bored.

  “So, why leave?” Vana cocked her eyebrow.

  Mai giggled a second before answering, “I wanna see this place burn once Enya and Calista get back.”

  “You wouldn’t!” Vana’s eyes widened. “The Regime ain’t gonna believe you anyway.”

  Mai pulled out a pin. “Lieutenant Mai: second to The Commander. You’re good with tech, aren’t you?”

  “You already got your answer.”

  She held her hands firmly around Vana’s neck, suffocating her. Vana elbowed her attacker. Mai winced, stumbling back from the blow. Vana’s breath looked like smoke coming from her lungs in the snowy weather, worn out, tired, and unprepared to fight.

  Mai charged Vana and kicked her down the drop. Vana’s eyes widened as she fell into the snow below her. Mai climbed down the ladder, Vana’s unconscious body lying in the snow beneath her feet. Vana twitched for a second before she appeared to be sleeping.

  R

  My dream fizzled out. My eyes fixated on the red bedroom curtains I saw before my blackout. Apparently, no one decided to move me after I sank to the floor, probably for good reason.

  “Wallflower! Calista! Please wake up!” Enya was over me, shaking me awake like I had been in some sort of coma, sweating and hyperventilated.

  Fear consumed my voice and I couldn’t speak. Instead, I sat there in awe, scared for the future, scared for my friends, scared for all The Dreamers. This was bigger than anything we thought.

  Ivory squeezed my body in a desperate attempt to hug me. “Cally! Don’t you ever do that again!”

  “You blacked out for thirty minutes. We couldn’t wake you up even if we wanted to,” Kuan-yin said.

  Chief Starbright shoved Enya, Ivory, and Kuan-yin out of the way. “What did you see?”

  I took a deep breath and sighed. The others were looking at me, wide-eyed and ready for my answer. This wasn’t just a moment for me to prove my worth as an Oracle. This would change our entire mission. It could change everything. I just hoped they would believe me.

  “Mai isn’t spying for The Lieutenant. She is The Lieutenant.” Worry laced all over my face.

  Enya raised an eyebrow. “What the heck does she want with us?”

  “Whatever it is, she can’t do it while we’re away.”

  Chief Starbright took charge. “Then we’re staying away from Safe Haven for its own protection.”

  “What about Ambert?” Ivory asked.

  “Go back, and he’s as good as dead!” Enya chortled. “It’s not like he’ll fight Mai himself.”

  “He’s your twin! You’ve got to go back,” I argued.

  “I won’t let him die by playing into Mai’s hands! ” Enya screamed.

  “We have some time, don’t we?” Ivory asked.

  Enya crossed her arms. “As soon as we get back there we’re going to be in for a ride.”

  Chief Starbright nodded. “You three are staying with me.”

  “Ju-long, you better go with them too. They don’t know the terrain out here.” Kuan-yin looked at her brother.

  Ju-long raised his eyebrow. “What about Mai’s threat?”

  “I don’t care anymore,” I stood from the ground. “Tell everyone you can to get out of there, Kuan-yin.”

  Enya nodded. “Nice going, Wallflower. You realized we need
to start fighting back.”

  “Tell Mai there was a mix-up with the train cars, and we boarded the wrong one,” Chief Starbright said.

  “How are we getting out of here without a train?” Enya tapped her fingers on the wall.

  I took a deep breath in, sucking in the bay’s air. The smell of the water calmed me down with the sensation of it being pulled in and out. Water could be so calm and relaxed. Water. That gave me an idea.

  “Are any boats still left out?” I asked.

  “None going to Fortress. Several going to Goldcrest and Weisheit,” Kuan-yin informed.

  “You can drive a boat back to Fortress, can’t you?” I asked.

  Dr. Liu nodded. “How accurate is another question.”

  He rushed out of the bedroom and back into his workshop.

  “So, where to? Are we going to Weisheit or Goldcrest?” I looked at the others I was going to travel with.

  “I haven’t been to either before,” Ivory said.

  “Me either,” Enya said, crossing her arms.

  “Well, I’ve always wanted to go to Weisheit,” Ju-long mumbled.

  “I’d rather go to Goldcrest. It’s a great place to find lively people, romance...” Enya asserted.

  “Which one’s closest to Serre and Filía?” I scratched my head.

  Ivory smiled and said, “Weisheit’s closer to Fortress than Goldcrest, so we should go to Weisheit so we won’t have to go back before traveling to any of the further cities.”

  “But you’ve never visited either place before.” Enya narrowed her eyes.

  “Just because I’m ten doesn’t mean I’m dumb,” Ivory argued.

  Chief Starbright butted in. “Then it’s settled: Weisheit it is.”

  Dr. Liu returned, several backpacks in his hands. It looked like just enough for each of my friends to take for their journey.

  “You can’t go without food and supplies, especially since you’re traveling by boat.” Dr. Liu handed each of us a backpack.

  I opened mine. Dr. Liu packed us canned foods, crackers, canteens, and other materials. There was also a watch and I put it on my wrist, but it was set to the wrong time. I went to adjust it before my hand was slapped.