If a foreign national wishes to join Affinity they must participate in a thorough background check to ensure they’re committed to the cause.
—Internal memorandum from Affinity
The dining room was filled with people. Everyone was chatting among themselves, but as soon as Zack walked Mia and Carter in, the sounds vanished. Everyone watched as Zack led them over to the end of a long table. Mia and Carter took seats across from him. Soon the interest faded and the noise of the conversations continued.
“Sorry about that,” Zack said. “I brought you in after the announcements were made and assumed you’d draw less attention, but I guess I was wrong.”
Carter shrugged. Mia wanted him to perk up but didn’t know how to get through.
“Is S here?” Mia asked.
“She’s working,” Zack said. “It’s important, or else she would be. I think she’s going to stop by your cabin later tonight. She wants to meet you just as badly.”
“But we’re going to see Andrew later tonight,” Mia said.
“Yeah,” Zack said. “I’m sure you’ll find the time to fit in both visits.”
A salad bowl was passed to Mia and she eagerly scooped the contents onto her plate. Next came some fish, and Mia took an equally large helping. She was hungry and took a big bite. It was fine, nothing special. She assumed it was hard to make enough to feed this many people, but knew she could do better than this. She spent the rest of the meal thinking about working in the kitchen. Mia had always loved to cook. Before, she had dreamed of making food for her husband and eventually daughters. Maybe in this place she could cook for all of the residents. Her eyes scanned the room. Preparing a meal for two hundred people would be a challenge, one Mia knew she would excel at.
Zack escorted Mia and Carter out of the mess hall. Some people waved and giggled as they walked by. Nobody said anything though.
“Are they not allowed to speak to us?” Mia asked.
“You guys broke protocol when you strolled up on us,” Zack said. “Normally things are a bit more scheduled. We don’t want a formal introduction until you’re intact.”
“Andrew,” Mia said.
“And Rex,” Zack said.
How could Mia forget the man she had shot? She cringed at his name, wishing she still didn’t know it.
“He’s okay?” Carter asked.
“He’ll make a quick recovery,” Zack said.
“There’s something you should know,” Mia said.
She felt a sharp pain in her leg. Someone had kicked her. She put her hand on her shin and Carter broke in.
“We don’t know Rex all that well,” Carter said. “He’s another American who helped us and saved Andrew’s life. He’s a virtual stranger, but I think he’s a good person.”
“Well, everyone is a stranger when you first meet them. Talk to whomever you want and go wherever you want. Some people will get together in the field over the next hour and socialize. I’ll be there,” Zack said.
“When can we see Andrew?” Mia asked.
“In the morning,” Zack said.
“No,” Mia said. “You promised we could see him tonight.”
“He’s sleeping,” Zack said. “The doc says if he gets enough rest she’ll release him tomorrow.”
“You’re lying,” Mia said. “You’re doing something to him.”
“Stop,” Zack said. “You’ll give yourself another panic attack. Keep breathing. We want to help him, and you too. It’s one more night.”
Mia tried to keep her breathing regular. She looked at Carter, who didn’t seem concerned. Maybe she was overreacting. Andrew had been in bad shape earlier. These people hadn’t done anything to earn her distrust—yet.
“First thing tomorrow,” Mia said. “I get to see him.”
“As long as the doctor’s on board,” Zack said. “I promise. Why don’t you two relax a little and then go to the field. Say in one hour? I’ll tell S you’re going there. You must have a lot more questions for her.”
With few other options, Mia nodded her head. Zack was right; she did have a lot of questions. He walked away, leaving Mia and Carter to head down to the cabin. Mia wanted to discuss his newfound admiration for Rex. She was about to give Carter the backstory, but when she looked up at him she couldn’t do it. He looked so forlorn; he hadn’t touched his food at dinner. Mia couldn’t express her fears. That would make him worse.
“Socializing sounds fun,” Mia said. “Maybe they’ll play games or sing songs.”
“Whatever,” Carter said. “What does it matter anyway?”
“It will get your mind off of things,” Mia said.
Carter pulled open the door to their cabin and stepped inside. Mia followed.
“Beating yourself up isn’t going to help,” Mia said.
“You don’t have a clue how this feels,” Carter said.
“When my sister died I—”
“Was living miles away from her and never expected to see her again,” Carter said. “My dad was my life. I’m already forgetting him. His voice is slipping away.”
Mia had lost other people too. Whitney, who was like family. Even parting ways with Riley was difficult, but of course Mia could always call her. Suddenly an idea hit her. Riley had shown Mia how to use the phone and programmed in her number. When Mia had called Riley’s phone she didn’t pick up. But it had clicked over to a message with her voice. She wasn’t sure if it would help Carter cope or make things worse, but he needed something. She walked over to the desk and dumped out the plastic bag. The cell phone bounced across the table.
“Did your dad have a voice mail message?” Mia asked. “That he recorded himself?”
Carter nodded. Mia grabbed his hand and put the cell phone in it.
“Call it,” Mia said. “At least that way you can hear his voice again.”
“It’s been inactive,” Carter said. “I’m sure they canceled his number.”
Mia didn’t know about any of that, but if there was a chance to make Carter feel better he needed to try.
“You don’t know that,” Mia said. “It’ll only take you a few seconds to find out.”
He looked down at the smooth black phone in his hand. Mia saw his eyes well with tears.
“Tell him how you’re feeling. It might make you feel better,” Mia said.
Carter didn’t look up.
“I’ll leave you alone,” Mia said. “Just for a few minutes though. Then I’ll be right here for you.”
“Thank you,” Carter said.
Mia smiled at him and walked out of the cabin. She started up the hill toward the bathrooms, the whole time wondering what building Andrew was hiding in and hoping she was making the right decision by not demanding to see him tonight. Part of her wanted to sit by his bedside and wait until he awoke, but another part was too enthralled with her new situation. She sighed, deciding to focus on that evening, and smiled thinking of all the questions she had for S—questions she might finally get some answers to.