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“Don’t even look at me right now.”
I wanted to punch Raf in his stupid, beautiful face.
Instead, I slapped his hand away as it reached out to rest on my knee. He could save his projecting for the Protectors. There was no way I was going to be manipulated anymore.
“I had to say something.”
“No you didn’t. I had everything under control.”
“How else was I supposed to explain my presence in your house?”
“I don’t know. But I can think of a thousand different ideas that wouldn’t further incriminate my brother.” My glare was sharp, cutting through him like a hundred angry knives. He was lucky I hadn’t learned to project my emotions yet, or he’d have been in severe pain.
“You’ve come a long way in a short time,” Raf said. “But if either of them were Empaths, you’d have been caught in an instant. Your pulse was racing a million miles an hour.”
“Empaths? Those two? Patton couldn’t think of anything but getting home for dinner, and Sims was too scared to think at all.”
“He probably just couldn’t think over the sound of your heart pounding.”
I huffed and walked over to the window. Officer Patton shook the hand of Mr. Reavis, our elderly neighbor across the street, and they disappeared into the house together. He’d be setting up in Mr. Reavis’ front window, watching the streets to catch a glimpse of Cato if he returned home.
“Keep an eye out for me, I’m going to see if Cato is okay.”
Raf stood. “Oh no you’re not. Cato’s long gone by now.”
“Gone? Where could he have gone?”
Raf took my hand and led me to the kitchen table. “We don’t have much time, so I’ll have to be brief. But Cato is safe.”
I shook my head. “That’s not good enough. I want to know where he is.”
“I can’t say for sure. There’s a whole network of underground tunnels beneath the city—decommissioned sewer lines from long ago. There are a few families who have tapped into them around the city, like you guys, but I imagine he’s probably gone Outside for a bit. At least until the hunt for him cools off.”
My brother was gone, and I didn’t even get to say goodbye. There was sadness in Raf’s eyes, but it couldn’t compare to the torture I was feeling inside. I was all alone. And it was Raf’s fault.
I stood and paced the worn wood floors. Raf stood as well. He moved to comfort me, but I pushed him away, shoving my hands hard into his solid chest.
“I need you to stay away,” I said, choking down a sob.
“I’ll leave you alone if that’s what you want, but I need to say something first. Like I said, there’s not a lot of time.”
His shoulders sagged with rejection, but there was still a touch of hope bubbling inside.
“Say it then.” I remained cool, forcing my grief into the shadows for a little longer. My tears would have to wait until he was gone.
“You need to go to the Peacemaker training.”
That was it. I was done talking to him. Why would he attempt to lecture me about the training after helping my brother leave me behind? I turned down the hall to my room, but he grabbed my arm, swinging me back toward him.
“Please hear me out. By accusing Cato of theft, I separated myself from him. At least in the government’s eyes. Now you need to do the same. It’s going to look extremely suspicious if you turn down the Peacemaker opportunity to stay here in this empty house. They will watch you like a hawk, hoping to prove that you’re harboring a fugitive. And they will find a way.”
“But what if he comes back and I’m gone?”
“He’ll understand, Claren. Trust me. This is the safest option for both of you.”
I didn’t want to go. I wanted to curl up into a ball on the floor and cry until my brother came home.
Raf sensed my grief and pulled me a little closer, holding me against his chest. My breathing slowed, and I basked in the safety of his arms. But he wasn’t projecting that feeling into me. I knew it because for once he allowed me to sense what he was feeling as well. His nerves were heavy in the pit of my stomach, and his heart was pounding against my cheek. It was good to know that I wasn't alone. The safety and the comfort he brought me were real. They were my feelings.
“I’ll be right back.” I hated to cut the moment short, but I had to retrieve my letter. I pulled the wrinkled envelope from under the corner of my mattress and pulled out the letter as I made my way back to the kitchen table where he’d resumed his seat. Laying the paper flat, I finally read the words I’d been avoiding.
Ms. Claren Greenwood,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected as a Peacemaker. Peacemakers keep the fabric of New America pure and true. Only the noblest of individuals can successfully ensure that each of our great cities is operating to the highest of standards. Based on your aptitudes, we believe that you are exactly the right kind of person for this job.
We would like to offer you the opportunity to join a specialized training program to prepare you for the work of a Peacemaker. The training is rigorous, so only the best and brightest such as yourself will succeed. If you accept, you will report to the 23rd Street bus station at 8:00 pm on Wednesday, May 27th for your transportation to the training facility. Please pack lightly, space is limited in the trainee living quarters.
You have one week to respond to our offer. For your convenience, we have included a reply card with your statement of intent. Please return this card to us at your earliest convenience so that we may prepare for the new trainees accordingly.
We look forward to your reply and hope very much to meet you soon.
For the Greater Good,
Emmaline S. Frasier
Emmaline S. Frasier
Director of Career Development for Classen City
I pulled the reply card out of the envelope and passed it to Raf. “I never sent this in. I probably don’t even have a spot in the program anymore.”
“When is it due?”
“It was due today.” I glanced at the clock hanging above the kitchen sink. “The bus leaves in thirty minutes.”
“I told you we didn’t have much time. Go! What are you waiting for?”
I wanted to go. Truly, I did. But I was so overwhelmed in that moment, processing all the ways my life was changing in an instant, that I couldn’t even move my feet. I stood in the kitchen, dumbstruck, while Raf took off in a flurry of activity around me.
He marched straight back to my bedroom and pulled a backpack from my closet shelf, throwing in a sweater and a pair of pants.
“You’ll need to step outside and wait for Officer Patton to meet you. He’ll be angry, and probably accuse you of trying to escape. Don’t give him any more reason to be suspicious. Just hand him your letter. He’ll have to let you go. Where do you keep your underwear?”
“Top drawer, next to my bed.”
Normally the thought of an insanely attractive man handling my personal items in my bedroom would send me into a tizzy, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it. I slipped into my boots sitting by the door and reached for my jacket.
Raf emerged from the bathroom, shoving my toothbrush and a bottle of shampoo into the bag.
“Remember what we worked on. You’re going to be surrounded by people who are trying to read your every emotion. Don’t reveal your fear. Keep your concern for Cato hidden. Be agreeable, and do your best. The more they trust you, the better off you’ll be.”
I took my bag from him and slung it over my shoulder.
“And don’t tell them you know anything about blocking or projecting. If they try to teach you, act as though you’ve never heard of it. They can’t know that I am an Empath. In fact, please try to keep any ties between us a secret as well.”
“Got it.” With the letter in my hands, I was ready to go. “Thank you for your help, Raf. And please take care of Cato. Let him know that I love him.”
Raf nodded sadly. Then there was an electric silence between us as we stared at each other before saying goodbye. I wasn’t ready to go just yet, and I knew he wasn’t quite ready either. I wanted to touch him, give him a hug or a kiss on the cheek, but it didn’t feel appropriate. So instead, I gave him the same awkward salute Cato had given earlier.
“See you soon,” I said.
Raf smiled and returned the salute. “See you soon.”
Officer Patton burst from Mr. Reavis’s door and came galloping across the street before I made it halfway to the curb. I held my letter in the air, waving it like a white flag.
“Where do you think you’re going? Are you trying to compromise the whole operation?” Patton’s face was bright red, and he coughed, gasping in giant lungfuls of the chilly spring air.
“Officer Patton, I’m so sorry to bother you, but I forgot in all the commotion earlier. I’m supposed to catch the bus for my career selection tonight.”
He snatched the letter from my trembling hands, and I hoped he didn’t notice.
“Peacemaker?” He ran his eyes up and down my body with a look of disgust. I sensed his distrust in me, but he couldn’t argue with the letter. It was signed and sealed by a Leader of the city. “This says the bus leaves at 8:00. You’ll never make it in time.”
“I might if I leave right now, sir.”
He gave me one more look over with his beady little eyes, then blew air through his lips like a horse as he shoved the letter back at me. “Good luck,” he said. He waved me off with his hand and made his way back to Mr. Reavis’ door, hacking into the crook of his arm every few steps.
I stuffed the letter into the front pocket of my bag and turned toward the business district, walking quickly to the edge of the block. Once I turned the corner, I broke out into a full sprint, pumping my legs harder than I ever had before. There was more than my choice of pizza on the line this time. I was running for my brother’s life—and possibly mine.
I ran until my legs were burning, the muscles crying out in agony as I forced them to keep working. Any other day I’d have caught a bus near my house and rode to the 23rd Street station, but there wasn’t time. The world passed me by in a blur of deep blues and purples as the sun set over the rooftops on my left. I pushed myself forward, begging my legs to stay strong, to keep working for just a few more blocks.
Finally the lights of the bus station came into view. A bus was parked near the entrance, its taillights glowing red through a smoky cloud of exhaust. I sprinted through the cloud and onto the sidewalk just in time to see the doors close.
Barely able to breathe, I tapped rapidly on the door with the palm of my hand. My legs felt like gelatin, and I didn’t know how long I’d be able to stand. The door opened and I waved my letter at the driver, unable to speak through my panting.
Behind him sat a small blond woman, her pink lips pursed into a tight little smirk.
“Claren Greenwood,” said Emmaline. “So nice of you to join us.”