-Worlds Apart- Ruination (15 page)

I swing the door open seeing three representatives. Natalie’s standing in the lead looking as flawless as she did the day of my leap. Flanking her are two regulators with their eyes and faces shielded by their black helmets.

Natalie beams as she invites herself inside. She walks through the doorway and past me like I’m a shadow.

“Miss Hollins, what a pleasure.” She pauses briefly before continuing, “I’m sure this visit comes as a surprise.” She looks to me for a response I won’t grant. Her abrasive attitude shines through, “I know it must be since it surprised
me
to be sent here on business.” She’s made her way around our entire sitting room to position herself near the table. “Sit,” she directs with her sweeping arm, her eyes narrowing to mine commanding me.

Keeping my eyes defiantly locked with hers, I walk around, taking my seat. “You must understand that what happened last night comes as a shock to everyone. Nobody could’ve guessed fates would work the way they did Miss Hollins.”

She places her hands on my shoulders making my skin crawl. “Word traveled fast, faster than we can see possible. Not just citizens here but citizens in
all
the sectors are talking. You’re the first citizen to deny acceptance into a leap and to have that other boy Tyler deny passage too. It’s simply unfathomable.”

She stares out our window at the neighbors’ barren yard. “The leap was designed to give citizens hope, something to work for… a reason to maintain order. Without the leap, people would revert to the barbaric ways of the pre-divide.” She drops her hands from my shoulders, walking around to stare at me. “I’m not saying it was your intention to cause such a thing. But that’s the path we currently find ourselves on.”

I can’t follow what Natalie’s insinuating. It sounds like I’ve unintentionally made our society doubt itself. My mind tries piecing together what it means as my hands fist.

“If the citizens believe there’s more to their purpose than making the leap, that’s when an outbreak begins. By denying the leap you two made them start to doubt the worth of it.” My eyes meets hers. “We need to remind them that the leap’s the
only
thing that matters. The leap and all the preparation and order surrounding it
is
a necessary means to prevent absolute chaos.”

Finally, I prepare myself to address her, “So why are you here? What am I supposed to do?”

She flashes her evil grin, “You do speak? I was beginning to worry.”

I fold my arms across my chest, “
Why
are you here?” I demand.

“Miss Hollins, I’m here so we can discuss how we’re going to snuff this ember you and that boy Tyler lit. We must extinguish this before it turns into wildfire. Central decided we won’t punish your family for your actions. That wouldn’t be fair.” Natalie strikes a chord immediately.

“Why
would
you punish them? They didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t do anything wrong either. It was my right to refuse.”

She sneers at me. “You really think it was your right to refuse?” Her head sways side to side, “Miss Hollins, I’m afraid you weren’t listening. Our nation was constructed on the premise that the leap is the ultimate mission in life; you and that boy temporarily diffused that belief. Without it, order cannot be maintained. Now as I was saying…” She trails off, placing her fists squarely on the table in front of me. “Your family won’t be punished for your actions last night. You however,
will
have consequences. Central’s decided the best action will be to separate you from the other citizens.”

She takes her hands off our wooden table. “In order for the citizens to rekindle their love for the leap they must believe you and Mr. Jackson refused because you’d been offered something favorable. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity from Central.”

A wicked grin pulls at the corners of her mouth.  “Luckily, Central created a scenario that’ll convince the nation that you two made your decision out of patriotism. You’ll
want
to accept our offer… unless you want us to exile Emma to the foreigners?”

I push to my feet crashing my chair to the floor. “Emma? You can’t send her there! She didn’t do anything wrong!” I tremble with rage.

“Calm down Miss Hollins. Nobody
wants
to send her there. That’s why we’re certain you’ll cooperate.” She walks around me, tipping my chair upright and forcing me onto it. “As I was saying, you’ll go on the announcement confirming the story. We’ll tell the citizens that just prior to the banquet you were told of the ‘scout’ position we’d offer to the second place testers.”

“Scout? I’ve never heard of that.”

“It’s a position Central created last night to cover the damage you and Mr. Jackson caused. The citizens will be told that your job requires you to live free from the others. We’ll tell them that you and Mr. Jackson will be spies, protecting us from the foreigners.”

Her steps sound hollow against the floor. “Of course it’s all a lie. You’ll live in the wild and provide for yourself. Nothing but the clothes on your back will be given to you. You must
never
have contact with another citizen or else Emma will find herself imprisoned by the foreigners.”

My hands shake with rage. My world’s caving in around me. I’d thought the pillars of my life were crushed last night but now I realize there were still beams to be struck. Garrett’s gone and soon I’ll be without my family.

“How can you expect me to survive alone?”

She grins at my question, “Oh no Miss Hollins, you won’t be alone. You and Mr. Jackson will face this fate together.” My heart stops. I’d rather die than be forced to live next to him.

“I’ll kill him.”

“Then kill him or let the elements kill you. Either way it’s no matter to me. You’ll be at the announcement tomorrow to convince this nation of your excitement to be offered the scout position. You’ll make them believe you refused the leap for this opportunity and then you’ll disappear. Do I make myself clear?”

The rage has reached my eyes; they’re burning with a passion. “Crystal clear,” I choke.

“In that case, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She places a bag on the table as she turns to leave, “You’ll wear this, we insist.”

The door creaks closed behind her as I reach for the package. Inside is my uniform, a green bodysuit with a gold zipper splitting the center. I pull out the heavy black boots that lace-up the front. My costume to play the part of ‘scout.’ I’ll do it for Emma, but I will get my revenge.
 

Chapter 22

I grab the package and storm from the house just as the hovercraft lifts towards the sky. I spend what remains of my last day at our river. The water seems to flow slower and the trees look smaller than ever before. Twice I think I hear Garrett approaching from the brush behind me. My heart jolts with excitement only to endure it crumbling with disappointment when I turn finding the woods empty. The winds are cold but I fight them and stay. I haven’t broken down today, not like yesterday. Yesterday I was weak. I let my soul feel the sharp edges of reality. Not today, I’ve had to numb myself the best I can. Today Central wins and I lose what’s left of my life.

I slip home well past dark, watching Papa in his restless sleep as he tosses and turns, whispering my mother’s name. Maybe that will be me. Forever belonging to one person, a person that’s no longer part of this world. Mama was the love of his life, all these years later I wonder if he only feels the loss as he dreams. I wonder if his heart aches for her during the daytime or has he found a way to calm the torturing binds.

I leave Papa and turn my attention to Emma, she sleeps peacefully with the tiny rising and falling of her chest nearly eclipsed by our heavy blanket. Who’s going to take care of her when I’m gone? She’s too delicate, too soft to be without me. Will she think I abandoned her? Of course she will. She has to believe I wanted to leave, it’s the only way to keep her safe. She will slide into bed tomorrow night and for the first time ever her heart will know loss. She will feel the pain and binds that I’ve always tried to shield her from.

This is my last night to see them. Central announced that a mandatory meeting of all citizens would be held at noon tomorrow. Each sector was instructed to meet in their pavilions where they’ll watch Tyler and I accept our role on the projectors. Emma and Papa will be standing amongst the other citizens and fed a lie that I must make them believe.

First light has just broken when I hear Emma rising from our bed, pattering down the narrow hall. She rubs the sleep from her eyes. “Nessa, did you hear about the meeting today?”

“Yeah, I heard.”

“We should all go together, don’t you think?”

My voice falters for a moment but I regain my composure. “You two go without me. You’ll see me there, I promise.”

Emma
has
to believe this is something I want if I’m going to protect her. Papa joins us with a grunt.

“I was just telling Emma that you two should go without me, I’ll come on my own.” Papa’s treaded lightly since the banquet, he wouldn’t dare question me now.

“Suit yourself,” he says as I push myself from my chair.

“I have a few errands to run before noon,” I say letting my eyes take a final sweep around our small home.

Years of life flash before me. I try absorbing all the love and warmth this place holds. I’m being robbed of so many things today but I can’t let them see that. I hold onto one of the paper creations Garrett made for me. I took it from my dresser last night and turned it over again and again in my hands. It felt so flimsy, so small in my palm but somehow it gave me strength and courage. It gives me something to hold onto. I reach the door and at the last moment I stop. I’d planned on leaving without a goodbye but I’m not strong enough.

“Emma, you be good.” She looks at me intently as I turn to Papa. “Papa, thank you for making me strong.” I turn, pulling our creaking door wide as I exit. My heart breaks as the door closes behind me. Tears threaten my eyes as I round the corner but I refuse to let them fall. I stride boldly to our hillside to retrieve my uniform from the branches where I left it yesterday.

I undress, tossing my green uniform aside. I no longer need that uniform, it’s a part of the old me. I stand in the chilled air a moment before pulling the new uniform over my pale and shaking skin. It fits tightly, sealing the cold from my body. I fasten my boots and twist my hair into a braided knot.

I must have read the note affixed to the package a hundred times since Natalie left it with me yesterday. It’s burnt into my mind. I take one last inhale and look at our river as I picture Garrett bathing in the waters only to see him fade away.

My boots feel heavy on my legs and my breath’s hot against my lips as I walk to the shuttle. I board, riding alone toward the banquet hall. When the shuttle arrives I don’t stumble like I did nights ago, now I stride to the front door with my head held high. I won’t let them see me broken.

I reach the wooden doors surrounded by the towering marble pillars. I tear them open. The room’s hollow and barren, all except Natalie, Tyler, and a regulator. I can’t tell which of them makes my blood boil more. I hate Natalie with a fierceness only Tyler can compete with. I want to run on stage and attack them both. The only thing stopping me is knowing Emma will be exiled to the foreigners if I do. Natalie steps to me, flashing her cold smile.

“Miss Hollins it’s a pleasure to see you. I trust you know what’s expected of you?” My eyes glance to the projection screen that amplified the banquet-masters beady eyes nights ago. This time I see my face reflected with raging eyes.

“I’m fully aware,” I snarl at Natalie. Tyler’s voice startles me, stirring an ardent revulsion.

“Try to look excited,” he says looking at me. I immediately turn away. “Neither of us wants this, but we don’t have a say. I’m sure they threatened you like they did me.” He glances down at his feet, letting the pain reach his eyes. “We have to snuff our anger, make the nation believe. Tryin’ isn’t good enough either. We
have
to convince em all.”

I want to lunge at his throat but he’s right. The animosity in my eyes will give away our charade. His eyes travel back to mine.

“Whatever they’re using against you, picture it safe. You can do that, you just gotta make em believe.” I see Emma smiling on our bed as I braid her hair. My eyes soften just as the clock strikes twelve.

Natalie interrupts, “Stand near me at the podium and remember what’s at stake here.” We fall in line beside her. The spotlight powers on and the cameras buzz to life. Natalie clears her throat and the show begins.

“Ladies and gentleman, it’s been years since an announcement such as this has been made. I can assure you Central would not have brought you together if it weren’t for reasons of utmost significance.” She smiles, “Three years ago we came together on a day much like today, standing in the very places you stand now. Each of you learned that the foreigners had managed to find a weakness in our walls and successfully laid an attack to the Inner sector. Lives were lost that day.” She skillfully pauses, letting the listeners absorb her message.

“I’m here on behalf of Central, not to break news of horrors such as those, but to bring word that new measures are about to be placed that will ensure the foreigners
never
have the chance to breech our walls.
Never
rob another citizen of breath!” She pauses and I imagine cheers rising from the pavilions nationwide.

“Since that attack, Central’s been devising a new line of defense to thwart future attempts. Central’s proud to announce the first lines of defense will be held by the highest ranking citizens in the Inner sector! Let me introduce you to your new protectors,” she waves and Tyler and I to step into view. The cameras scan to us, we’re frozen on stage.

“Miss Vanessa Hollins and Mr. Tyler Jackson! They proved themselves worthy of making the leap, however deferred their placement to pursue the role of scout.” Natalie pauses. I envision the hordes of people muttering in the pavilions, trying to understand what she’s saying.