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I probably wouldn’t have slept well in the bunker in my first night even if I was able to sleep. There was too much movement. People going to the toilet, small children crying and contaminating other children with their cries. Gregory was completely passed out though. I guess the exertions from the journey of the past days had caught up with him. But that meant my mind was free to wander to the worst possible variations of Alex’s death or how I’d mess up my singing. I tossed and turned to try to shake those images off but no matter how hard I tried, they always returned. In the end, I lay flat on my back again and focused on finding my energy flow but just before starting singing, I would disconnect. Then, I did it from the start again.
In the morning, we filed in with the other people who went on a pilgrimage to the breakfast room. I had a half full glass of water in front of me while Gregory ate both his portion of cereal and mine. At the appointed time, we announced ourselves at the attendance office. A tall guy with a pen behind his ear and a lot of paperwork in front of him nodded at us. “Nathalie and Bobby?”
“Yes,” Gregory said.
“So, for you, I have found a spot in the kitchen for the breakfast and lunch shift.” Damian looked at Gregory.
“For you, it was more difficult with all your allergies. I hope you will be fine mopping the floors?” He paused, and I nodded. “There are different shifts. Tracy is your group leader and yours is Jack. You can find Jack in the kitchen now and Tracy will be down in front of the bathrooms in half an hour.” Damian had finished his instructions and we could leave again.
“I guess I’ll see you at dinner. Don’t get hurt.” Gregory told me.
I knew that he didn’t mean the allergies. My nerves were still tense that Theresa might come back and try to measure my pulse again. However, when I joined my cleaning team, I realized everybody was preoccupied with their own thoughts about the upcoming execution. It would be the first one at this shelter. Here and there I overheard someone whisper to someone about it. Most of them were shocked that Alex would be shot because he had talked to them during his stay here and they didn’t think this punishment was fair. But there were also a few idiots who were happy something was finally happening. A change to their boring daily life no matter that it was at the cost of someone else’s. I wanted to slap some sense into them but suppressed that urge for the bigger plan.
The people of importance were busy arranging things for the execution. On one hand, I was relieved to hear they’d bring Alex back but at the same time, my chest tightened. The day of having to sing on cue was approaching.
Sam had gotten himself a job to get the dining room ready. For every meal, they had to set up all the tables and benches and then put them away again. The space was needed for the food trucks delivering their goods and other happenings. Sam was also one of the people who had to help to build the stage for the execution.
“I can’t believe I have to do that. I feel like such a traitor,” he told me when we had a break at the same time and we took a walk across the square together.
“It doesn’t matter. It’s better for our plan if we get an unobstructed view of what is happening on stage.”
He puffed his cheeks and then let go of a breath. “I get queasy if I only think about us having to watch this. I mean, this isn’t a video game. It’s real life.” He added as if I could have been in doubt about it. “How must you feel and are you sure everything for your plan is ready? Because they will be.” He whispered.
I pressed my lips into a thin line, counted to three in my head, and then looked back at Sam, not allowing myself to panic. It wouldn’t help to scare Sam as well and, in the end, it was important that I believed in myself. “Truth is, I can’t wait for it to finally be here. We have practiced what we’ll do at home and know what to do in our sleep.” I threw another glance at the stage. Waiting for the execution was the biggest torture of all. I had no idea how it would play out, but the longer I’d have to wait, the higher was the chance that I wouldn’t be able to sing on cue because I’d be too nervous.
“What exactly is your plan?” Sam asked in a low voice and then gave a nervous laugh.
I smiled at him as if I’d say something trivial. “Give them a big show instead of letting them put one on for us. I’m sorry but I don’t think I should tell you any specifics on those grounds.”
He pulled his mouth into a slant line but nodded. “I can be here for moral support if you need me.”
I lay my arm around his shoulder for a moment and squeezed him against me. “Thanks, that I can use a lot of.”
The night that followed was endless. People were even more restless than on previous nights and in the morning the breakfast room was far too quiet. Perhaps people were afraid that they’d be executed along with Alex if they made a wrong move and so the tension was palpable in the air. Pulses quickened, and hearts were beating louder. However, so far, I still couldn’t feel the presence of Alex and nobody had dropped a line about any high visitors. Before my shift of mopping more floors, I took a walk in the square where technicians set up the last equipment for the big event in the afternoon. I slowly let my glance wander along the fence of the square. I hoped to spot Luke doing what I had been doing in the weeks before – running along the fence in Siren speed without being seen by the human eye. My insides jumped with relief when I did not only see Luke but also Melissa. Both would be there for back-up safety. I bit my lip. Did that mean Dr. Palmer and Monica would be here if Melissa was back from France? I drummed my chest with my fingers to symbolize the energy that was supposed to be boiling in there. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw how Melissa gave me a thumbs up. I puffed my cheeks. Alright, only a few more hours until it would come to the big showdown.
At three in the afternoon, everybody got off work. People streamed out onto the square and blended into one big crowd with an armed person from the VPC every few meters. It was mandatory to assemble there no matter what age. In the stream of people, I caught Sam’s glance who gave me an encouraging nod and then made his way toward me.
“You go stay with your family somewhere in the back. I’ll be near the stage.” I said before he could offer to stay with me. I had to minimize any distractions.
“Okay”, he said, his eyes wide. “Good luck.” He squeezed my shoulder and then his blonde hair disappeared into the crowd. I found Gregory close to the stage. We didn’t exchange any words, but his grave look must have mirrored mine. There was no time for making mistakes now.
The stage was equipped with a microphone, a row of chairs, and a few cameras. It was built to the back of the gym and I assumed they’d enter through the side door that led out of the gym and then climb up the stairs on the side of the stage.
Intently, I listened out for new heartbeats arriving. Without bringing Alex here, they can’t have his execution after all. Finally, the familiar strong beat of Alex’s heart entered my radar and I soaked it up as it came closer. The speed with which it was approaching told me that they were bringing him in a car. At least according to the vitality of his heartbeat, they hadn’t been torturing him during the past days, which had been one of my worst fears. However, he was nervous. Like anyone would be who knew he was being brought to his own execution. Hearing him like that didn’t help to calm down my own nerves either. I tried to focus on my breathing and kept it calm and steady. The people around us were murmuring about what was going to happen. I felt that Alex was close now. As I had anticipated, in the gym behind the stage. Apart from his heart, I now also felt two heartbeats which were completely in unison. “They are here,” I said so only Gregory would hear me. I looked around, but it wasn’t possible to see outside the fence due to all the people on the square. Even if I couldn’t see them, Luke, and Melissa and probably also Samantha would be there, somewhere.
Someone from the VCP whom I hadn’t previously noticed stepped onto the stage. He stepped behind the round shaped microphone, which squeaked a moment before he spoke. “Good afternoon on this special day here in Orleans. We are a well-functioning shelter without any flu cases or other horror stories. Our shelter is here to protect our people and we want to continue doing so.” He took a breath. “Unfortunately, we’ve created quite a few negative headlines in the past days. A black sheep who actually didn’t even belong to the city of Orleans but came here from Boston, created some confusion much to the annoyance of you, the dutiful citizens of Orleans.”
Some people imperceptibly shook their heads but of course, nobody dared to interfere. Even if they didn’t agree it was better to stay quiet. Because if anybody said anything, they’d be the next one up on stage. So, the speaker continued with his hypocritical speech without being interrupted.
“This is why we’ll set a warning example today. It’s nice that all of you are here.” I sharply exhaled. Everyone around the world must know that we were forced to attend.
“To watch the execution of Alex Thatcher who has to answer for treason.” Then the speaker smiled as if he had a very special treat for us in store. “I’m very pleased to announce that we have some high guests to attend this execution. Please, give a warm welcome to Dr. Palmer and his close team.” He stepped away from the microphone and applauded. Others joined in cautiously.
I clenched my jaw and my expression hardened when I realized the person leading the group who was coming up on stage was Roisin. She knew Alex! How could she be so close to him and not have rescued him even before getting on stage? She walked across the stage in her black business outfit and took the first chair. Then she scanned the audience, finding my glance and reciprocating it without batting an eyelid. Had they brainwashed her or how could she be so cold?
The others took their seat as well. It was a security guy next to Roisin with his hand around a pistol, wearing a bulletproof vest, then Dr. Palmer and another security guard. Monica built the end of the row. She had her hands clasped together in her lap, a deep crease between her eyebrows. The rest of her face was stretched back tightly due to her black hair being in a tight ponytail. She was wearing a dark suit as if going to a court hearing. I glanced to the ground trying to swallow down my hatred against that woman. My emotions would only distract me.
All heads were turned to the gym door again as Alex stepped through it with his hands cuffed together. Anybody in the audience saw how he nervously chewed on his necklace, but I knew he was safely keeping the magical whistle in his mouth. I watched in sorrow as a VCP officer shoved him up the stage with the gun that he pointed at Alex’s back. The gun Alex would soon be shot with anyway? He motioned for Alex to stand at the right side of the stage, right in front of Roisin. Alex looked above our heads, his chest rising and sinking in a quick interval. He was concentrating hard on breathing through his nose and not accidentally blowing into the whistle. Still, I had hoped he would see me in the audience and could calm down a little because he’d know we were here to help. Now that everybody I needed was gathered together in such a nice assembly it was my turn to do my job. Gregory turned his head toward me to give me a prompting look.
I shut my eyes to block out the visual distractions and tried to focus on my inner energies. But I still heard how Dr. Palmer stepped to the microphone and greeted everyone.
“I’m not pleased at all by attending such events. We are a modern and civilized society where such measures should not be necessary.” He spoke with his distinctive nasal voice. “However, sometimes unfortunately, like today, it’s necessary to remind the world that crimes can’t go unpunished. That we have to live by rules to ensure the security of everyone.”
I couldn’t concentrate on myself. Suddenly, doubt spread within me and my knees grew weak. Panicking I opened my eyes again. What if my singing wouldn’t have any impact on any of them? I didn’t even hear what Dr. Palmer said anymore there was so much static noise in my ears. Then I watched in horror as Dr. Palmer stepped back in front of his chair, giving a nod at the VCP police officer. He raised the gun and pointed it at Alex’s head. All the power had left my body. I couldn’t even bring myself to dart forward and shove him out of the way. My body was paralyzed because I knew it was too late. In a second, I’d watch them kill the love of my life.
Roisin opened her mouth. Either she said wow or now, but nothing made sense because a split second later the deadly gunshot sounded.
I watched the bullet fly to Alex in slow motion. I could clearly see the bullet because my eyes were trained to find me a path when running on super high speeds. Alex' eyes were wide with horror, the whistle still in his mouth as the bullet approached his forehead. However, about half a meter in front of his head, the bullet seemed to stop in midair as if by ghost’s hand. Alex brought both his hands forward as if he was touching a wall and then took a step to the side a tremble going through his body. The shooter lowered his gun, confused as to why Alex wasn’t dropping to the ground yet. Then, the bullet suddenly accelerated again, but with less speed than before, dropping somewhere to the ground behind the stage. The sound disappeared in the confused whispers and movements of the audience. Never had a shooter missed his target at an execution and now, nobody knew how to react in the first moment. Monica stuck her chin out, her eyes on the whistle in Alex’s mouth. Then she and Dr. Palmer laughed in unison, which awoke me from my petrification. “Your luck is over now. There are more bullets than whistles,” Monica said to Alex. After that, I shut my eyes and finally managed to not think about what was happening on the stage in front of me.
I was so grateful to those wizards who had given us the whistles. For giving me this split second of a chance to try again and do it right. All at once I thought about the stories I had heard or people I had met who had suffered because of Monica in the past year. I took a deep breath. I could do it. I could stop her. I thought about my many hours of practice and how I had managed to find that stream of energy which I needed for singing. Alex always had faith in me and I couldn’t let him down now.
The biggest weight lifted off my shoulders when I realized I had established the connection. My body sent out vibrations of an orchestra playing an unfamiliar but emotional melody. It swallowed up all the other noises letting my song be the only sound across the square and even past the fences. Nobody was speaking but they all listened with open mouths. The police officer was mesmerized and had the deadly gun pointed to the ground. Alex was gawking at me with an open mouth – the whistle had dropped out of it – and with the same dreamy expression in his eyes as everyone else in the audience. Including Monica, Dr. Palmer, and Gregory. But I had no intention to stop singing even though we’d need Gregory to re-hypnotize Dr. Palmer. Now that it was working so well, I’d be able to walk Alex out of the shelter and once I’d stop, everybody else probably would wake up from being enchanted. However, when I approached the stage, Roisin had already taken Alex by his handcuffs, leading him down the steps. Sirens obviously weren’t affected by my song in the same way as everyone else. She gave me a kind smile, helping for further relief to spread inside me, because the Roisin I knew was back. Everything would turn out well now. Alex stumbled after Roisin, never taking his eyes off me.
By then, I noticed that I was being pushed from side to side. It didn’t come from the vibrations my body was sending out but from the people around me who were trying to get closer to hear better. If it continued like that, they might suffocate me. Another glance at the stage made me blink in wonder because Monica’s chair was empty. She had magically disappeared. Before I could wonder where she had gone a fog spread around me and the people disappeared, helping me to breathe better again. Through the fog, I saw Monica who did not look happy at all. She had her arms crossed in front of her like a sulking child. The odd thing was, she didn’t acknowledge my presence. As if she didn’t know I was there. I realized the Orbiters or Serena must have brought me into this parallel sphere to witness whatever was about to happen with her now. I stopped singing to hear what she had to say.