Aberrant (18 page)

"Be back in no time." Joshua gave me a reassuring
smile. "See you in a bit, Jacqueline." he waved before getting out
and hobbling with Sydney into the medical center.

Sitting in the car, I surveyed the town. There wasn't much,
at least nothing visible from the car. The town looked old, abandoned. Maybe
that was intentional. If someone flew over town, the town could possibly go
unnoticed. A drone would consider the town uninhabited if it didn't register people.
I wondered what was so secretive and special about where we were.

I sat quietly, unsure how much time had passed since Joshua
had gone into the clinic. It hadn't seemed long, but it had been several
minutes. Chancellor Collins walked toward me, walking with a slight limp I
hadn't noticed before. His presence always chilled me to the bone. "Well,
hello again," he remarked, coming up to the car.

I didn't feel like being friendly, but I forced a smile. "Just
waiting for Adam," I replied. "Doing as I'm told, not getting out of
the car."

"Oh, that must have been Sydney's instruction." Chancellor
Collins’ eyes lit up, seemingly pleased with himself. I couldn't tell why. "Of
course. Of course," he nodded eagerly, appearing to be in a brighter mood
this morning. "She does like to be in charge." I wondered who in this
town didn't insist on being in control. He certainly had acted in the same
manner the previous night. I didn't argue. "At nine you and Adam will join
our recruits," he informed me, giving me a once over. "You'll be
given a proper change of clothes. I'm glad to see you found the shower
useful." I wanted so badly to wipe the smirk off his face. I would do
anything in my power to pass the tests, if only to prove to him that I was more
than capable.

"Well, enjoy your morning," he called as he headed
into the clinic. I wondered if they had the ability to fix whatever caused him
to limp. As he headed in, Joshua and Sydney made their way out.

"Good as new!" Joshua exclaimed as he headed for
the car. No wonder they wanted to keep this city a secret. If they could heal a
knife wound instantly I wondered what else they were capable of.

"Glad you're better," I smiled, watching as he
climbed into the front seat.

"Sydney was just explaining how she was going to take
us into the dining hall where we'll meet the other recruits," Joshua
explained.

"Recruits?" I asked, having heard the word a few moments
earlier and leaving me with far more questions than answers.

Sydney finally spoke up, as she got behind the wheel again, "Yes.
Those who turn eighteen are given the chance, if they desire, to join the
rankings of our militia or our science advisory board."

"Interesting," I replied, wondering if she would
elaborate, and hoping she would leak more information.

"I'm sure the recruits will tell you all about it,"
she assured, starting the car and driving us three blocks north. I'd barely
have known it was part of the town, except for the large single-story brick
building standing alone. "This is your stop," she informed us. "Adam,
if your foot starts acting up, I suggest you have it looked at. It should be
healed though. We rarely have mishaps."

"Mishaps?" What did she mean? I hoped his foot wouldn’t
fall off! Paling, I pulled myself from the car and followed Joshua to the main
entrance. At least his gait seemed fine on his bad foot. I turned around and watched
as Sydney sped off in our vehicle, leaving us to enter the building without her.

CHAPTER 16

We headed into the brick building. I hesitated momentarily
before following Joshua inside. To the left, I could hear a loud commotion of
voices, and Joshua grabbed my hand and led me into the chaos. Others close to our
age gathered around a cafeteria table – all wearing the same dull blue and gray
uniform – eating breakfast. The moment I saw the assortment of food across the
room, my mouth watered. "Do you think we can help ourselves?" I
didn't wait for Joshua's answer as I dropped my hand from his and quickly
headed toward the empty line. I grabbed a tray and piled on fruit and eggs as
my stomach grumbled.

From behind, I could feel Joshua brush against me. "They're
staring at us," he murmured into my ear.

"So, let them." I didn't care what they thought. I
grabbed an empty glass and poured some juice from a pitcher, before taking my
tray heaped with more food than I could ever eat to the table. I knew Joshua
would join me as soon as he finished in line. "Hi." I smiled politely
towards a dark-skinned boy who couldn't have been any older than Joshua or
myself. He was definitely a full head taller than me. "Is this seat
taken?" I didn't wait for a response as I put down my tray and scooted
onto the bench.

"You're new," he mused, looking me over and clearly
sizing me up. He smirked, seeming pleased at my appearance. I couldn’t tell
what amused him or caught his interest – my lack of height and build, perhaps,
or maybe the fact I still wore my filthy clothes.

"Yeah, we got in last night." I sighed, giving the
most believable smile I could while keeping an eye on Joshua as he carefully
carried his tray towards our table. "We're from Haven," I offered. It
was better to befriend the stranger than cause any more trouble. I'd done
enough of that in Haven, whether I meant to or not. Joshua scooted beside me
and nodded once at the other boy to my left.

"Never heard of it." The boy gave Joshua a skeptic
look as he finished his last bite of breakfast and stood. "There are five
openings and already seven of us competing. Don't expect a warm welcome,"
I appreciated his direct response and honesty. He walked to the trash and
disposed of his tray before he sat back down at the table.

"So, it's a competition?" I asked, trying my best
to understand what we'd stumbled upon.

The boy rolled his eyes. "If you want to put it so
bluntly, sure." His leer made my stomach flop as I took a bite of my
breakfast. After a moment and a sense of hesitation, he offered up his name, "Jaxon,"
he introduced himself. "And that's Margo," pointing at the curly
brunette across from him. She was well-built and more than a little buff. No
doubt she could take on any of the boys. I knew not to get on her bad side.

"I'm Jacqueline and this is Adam," I offered my
hand with a pleasant look.

Jaxon stared at my hand, but refused to take it. His eyes
narrowed sharply, "That's real nice, but don't think we're friends because
I'm talking to you."

I shifted in my seat, looking at Joshua for reassurance
before replying, "Lucky for me I'm not here to make friends." I
countered. "I'm just looking for answers."

Jaxon seemed to relax at my response. Had he expected a
fight? "Answers," he paused and gave a slight nod. "Well that I
can give you." The corners of his lips curled up slightly, though he
didn't look particularly happy. "They hand-pick all the recruits from each
town looking for the best – one boy and one girl. Those who don't succeed…”
Jaxon paused, “Well, let's just say they go home in a body bag." Jaxon laughed,
and I wondered if he said this simply to make me nervous. "Don't look so
sick, Jacqueline. Five of us will come out on top." He looked confident
he’d be one of the five.

Joshua slowly sipped his juice, listening to the
conversation. After a moment he put the glass down and confronted Jaxon.
"If we don't pass the tests, what then?"

I caught Jaxon sneaking a look at Margo before staring down
Joshua. "You'll die." His eyes glinted. "It's not the Chancellor
who will likely kill you. It’s the tests themselves." He let the words
hang in the air, and I wondered if he meant to intimidate us. It was working. "Every
year two recruits always leave home, and they don’t return." He glanced at
Margo as she chewed a thin stick of wood.

I couldn't understand why anyone would choose to leave their
life with no chance of returning. I had done it but only out of the sheer need
to survive. "Why?" I asked perplexed. "Why would anyone choose
this?" I couldn't fathom how someone might volunteer to be here.

Margo leaned forward with a laugh, "Why not? This is a
dream for most of us."

Jaxon stared at me, seeing the confusion still etched across
my face. "It's an honor to be here. You should know that," he
clarified. "Oh, we forgot to tell them about the training," he eyed Margo
with an eager sneer. I felt as though they’d left out something, and whatever
it was could be significant. I glanced at Joshua reaching for his hand as he
sat beside me at the table.

Joshua squeezed my hand. His brow furrowed as he focused on
the pieces of information we'd been given. "Training?"

 Jaxon smiled. "Yes, they’ll test us on four abilities
the rebel alliance feels most important for the success of our future. Pass the
training, and hopefully you'll be ready for the tests. Do you know what those
are?"

I spoke up confident in my answer, "Bravery, integrity,
honesty and self-worth." I had remembered that from the previous day.

Jaxon raised an eyebrow, impressed I knew in part what we
were here for. "That's right. Taken from the texts of the old system,
bravery and integrity were the principles of very powerful men and women. Many
were leaders who helped shape our world." He shot a quick glance at Margo,
and with her brief nod of approval he elaborated, "With time, the old
system had crumbled. Wars erupted. A horrifying disease plagued our world and
made women infertile. Our goal – the reason each one of us is here – is to
fight the oppressive government and to help grow our nation reach its fullest
potential. We are here to reclaim what was once ours."

I didn't object, unsure what to say. Was one government
system better than another? Back home things were a mess, but I hadn't seen how
it was any better here. Truth was I hadn't seen any part of their government. I
was here to train, perhaps as a soldier, but had no understanding of their real
mission. I was blindly trusting a town unwilling to grant me the freedom to
leave.

"Jacqueline, Adam." A voice came over the
intercom. I looked around, wondering where it had come from. "Please head
to the sleeping quarters for your room assignments."

I finished what I could and grabbed my apple. I had managed
to eat far more than I thought possible, and yet hadn't satisfied my hunger. Joshua
and I stood and stalled, unsure where to find the sleeping quarters.

"Out the door and to the right." Margo pointed
giving us a faint smile. I saw something in her eyes and the way she held
herself that showed me she didn’t fear being here and neither should I.

Stepping out of the cafeteria, we slowly walked together
down the hallway, only to see a sign that read 'Dormitory'.

"I guess this is it," I remarked, heading inside finding
rows of bunk beds. I walked along the wall reading the names beside each bed,
and I noticed Joshua had the top bunk and I had the bottom. "At least
we're roommates," I said, turning around to see Chancellor Collins coming
into the dormitory.

"I believe you've gotten acquainted with a few of our
recruits?" he remarked, cane in hand. He leaned on it for support. I was
certain he hadn't needed one the previous night. Had something happened after
he locked us in the cabin? "Adam, how's the foot?"

"Healed." Joshua nodded. "Good as new." His
eyes shone as he must have been curious about the Chancellor's injury, as well.

The smile never left the Chancellor's lips as he stepped
further into the room with us. "Glad to hear it. Some of us don't heal at
the same rate as those who are younger." He tapped his leg with his cane. "You
both have recruit wear to put on." He gestured toward our outfits laying
on the bunks. "It should fit. If it doesn't, let Maya know."

"Thanks," I breathed, spotting the gray and blue
outfit. I had no idea who Maya was, but figured I'd find out soon enough. I was
grateful to have something clean to change into, even if it wasn't the most
stylish. In Genesis, I made due wearing the same outfit every day. It was nice
to have lived in Haven, even for a short while, to see what it was like to
choose what to wear. I didn't ever want to take that for granted – choices.

"You will be given pajamas to wear at night, and we
expect you both to wear these during your weeks as a recruit," he informed
us.

"Can I ask something?" I was tired of not getting
any answers.

"Be quick, dear. I don't have much time." He studied
his watch.

"Why is this town such a secret?" I voiced staring
at him, refusing to back down.

"Interesting question. For someone so young, you're too
smart for your own good. If you pass the tests and that's a big if," he
reiterated, "you'll have your answers. Until then, you should know that
allowing you to join the recruits is an honor."

It didn't feel like much of an honor, though, I kept my
mouth shut. I could see it wouldn't do any good to start a fight. I didn't ask
anything else. This was our only option – fight to stay alive or escape and go
on the run. I was tired of running. I'd seen the Gravelands, experienced the
brutality of the world we lived in. It had to be better here. Chancellor
Collins turned on his heel and limped out of the room. I grabbed the clean
clothes from the bed, giving them a once-over. "I guess we should get
changed." I realized it was the same outfit Jaxon and Margo had been
wearing. It must have made it easier for the town to identify all of its
recruits, especially if we weren't supposed to leave the building. "Turn
around." I gestured toward Joshua.

He laughed, shaking his head. "Fine, fine. Eventually
you'll let me see," he mused, quite proud of himself.

I rolled my eyes and waited until he faced the other
direction. I glanced toward the closed door and quickly disrobed, slipping into
the outfit provided to us. "Done yet?" I asked with my back to him.