Compliance (33 page)

“Where is Mr. Kalin,” I ask.

“There is no Mr. Kalin.” She adjusts a tall pointed glass object that’s sitting on a wooden table. Is it just for decoration?

“But I thought that the title Mrs. was reserved for women in marriage contracts,” I say.

“The title Mrs. commands more authority, so I choose to use it.” She gestures toward a sofa. Rich, deep orange fabric covers plush cushions that are as thick as a metal girder. The comparison to a girder ends there. I sit and sink into the softness, the cushions absorbing me, enveloping, caressing, and soothing every ache.

But I can’t afford to relax.

Mrs. Kalin has barely let me out of her sight since we left the Hospital, but neither has she made eye contact. I almost want to grin at the turmoil this must cause for her as she weighs further attempts to influence my thoughts against the possibility I might explode her heart like I did the Shredder’s.

I should do it. If there was ever a case for the ends justifying the means this is it. Mrs. Kalin is dangerous.

All I need is the right place and time. If I do it here, the Comp guard outside will know I killed her. More importantly, before I kill Mrs. Kalin, I need her to do something for me. Scout might be dead, but I need to do everything I can to ensure my other friends are safe—if they’re still alive.

“Tonight,” she says, “after the President’s Birthday, you will move into my spare bedroom. Would you like a drink of lemonade?”

“Move in?”
She has a spare bedroom?

“Of course.” She opens a shiny box and pours a pale translucent liquid into two matching glasses. “You aren’t an orphan anymore. I’ve already filed the HR paperwork for
your adoption. I’m your mother now.” She smiles, making eye contact. “As your parent and mentor, I’ll make sure you live up to your full potential, and I won’t ever let anyone hurt you, ever again.”

My mind buzzes and I can’t find words to reply. In fact, the thought of having a mother again warms me. How could I have thought she was dangerous? I blink. Remembering. She’s not my mother. Those weren’t my thoughts. “I—I need your help.”

“With what, sweetie?” She closes the shiny box.

“With Cal. He was arrested. And two of my friends are missing. I need to know that they’re safe.”

She hands me one of the glasses and sits down on a chair near the sofa that doesn’t look nearly as comfortable as the seat I’m in, yet more luxurious than any chair I’ve seen before today. Even its arms are covered in fabric.

Holding her glass in both hands, she leans forward and rests her elbows on her tightly-drawn-together knees. Her dress shines like metal. “You saved my life, Glory. I’ll help in any way that I can. What makes you think your friends aren’t safe?”

My mouth goes dry. I take a sip of the liquid and my eyes open wide. “What is this?”

“Your first lemonade.” She winks. “It’s just a lemon squeezed into water with some sugar.”

I’ve heard of lemon, but never tasted one. “What’s sugar?”

She tsks and leans back in her chair. “I can’t wait to introduce you to some of the rarer things Haven has to offer.”

The lemonade is tart and sweet at the same time and I take another sip, marveling at how something can both shock and refresh. It’s delicious. I smile at her, then look down. I need to be more careful. I still feel a semblance of myself, even though I’m not positive which thoughts are my own. I need to keep my priorities straight.

“Tell me what’s wrong.” Her voice is comforting, and if she can help, I don’t care if she’s influencing me.

“One of my friends—her name’s Jayma—she’s suspected of sabotage. She’s innocent. The other is a Deviant boy I… I stumbled upon. I was hiding them, hoping I could help them. They disappeared.”

“I had no idea those children were your friends.” Her hand traces over the arm of her chair. Then she looks up into my eyes. “I’m sorry. It’s too late. They’re gone.”

“Gone?” My throat tightens. I try to latch on to her gaze to see if I can focus on her thoughts, but she turns away.

“Gone where?” I ask. “Please. I need to help them. If you can do anything, Mrs. Kalin—”

“Call me Mother.” She looks into my eyes again. “I wish I could help but it’s too late.”

“Too late.” My heart squeezes and tears fill my eyes. She walks over, sets my lemonade on a table, and draws me into her arms. Once in her embrace, I want to let everything go, to take the comfort she offers.

Dizzy, I blink a few times to force back the tears and regain my focus. I can’t let her take over my head. “And Cal? When can I see Cal?”

She holds me by the shoulders and looks into my eyes.
“No need to see him again. We’ll find you a more suitable mate.”

“But—”

She holds up her slim-fingered hand. “Even if you think you love him, you’re young. It’s not real. You’ll get over it. Besides, love isn’t what matters in a good match. What matters is combining your DNA with another’s to create children, future employees for Haven. And someone who’s Chosen cannot be wasted on such an ordinary mate.”

Her words are comforting. My shoulders relax and my breathing slows. “Yes, I’ll find another mate. One more suitable,” I say. I’m still myself enough to know she’s not right, though.

“Good.” She returns to her seat and takes a long sip of her lemonade.

Head swimming, I take another sip of mine. I’m walking a thin line. I need to let her look into my eyes often enough and long enough that she’ll think she’s influencing my thoughts, but not long enough to actually let her, or to chance that it will last.

I’m not sure whether I’m winning the battle. I’m weak. I’m sad. I’m defeated. And I’m ashamed at how much better it feels to let myself accept Mrs. Kalin’s comforting influence. My own thoughts right now are too horrible to bear.

I look into her eyes and keep my voice steady. “Even if Cal won’t be my mate, I’d like to see him. I’d like to say goodbye.”

She shakes her head. “I’m sorry, that’s not possible. There’s no time. We need to leave soon or we’ll be late for
the birthday celebrations. It’s important you attend today’s ceremony.”

Remembering the possible terrorist attack, I shiver. “Why?”

“Because you deserve something special, of course. You deserve to have some fun.” She smiles, but I look away, avoiding her eyes.

I’ve failed Tobin and Jayma. I’ve failed Scout. I need to focus on saving Cal. “I know you think I’m special and all that—”

“Chosen. You were Chosen.”

“Does that mean I can’t even talk to people who aren’t Chosen?”

Her fingers drum on her glass and a cloud of impatience crosses her face. She makes eye contact, then looks away, clearly apprehensive. “Of course you may talk to people who aren’t Chosen—you and I are quite rare—but you can’t talk to Cal. It’s simply not possible.”

“Why not?”

She leans back in her chair and drapes one arm over its back. “Because tonight, during the celebrations, he’ll be expunged.”

I leap out of the sofa down onto my knees in front of her. “No, please. You need to stop it.”

She runs her hand over my hair. “I’d help, sweetie, but it’s not up to me. He was found guilty of fraud during a Compliance investigation. My hands are tied.”

“But you got me released.”

“That’s different. You’re Chosen. You’re my daughter.”

“But if you convinced the President that I wasn’t guilty, how can Cal be guilty of trying to get me cleared of a crime that I didn’t even commit?”

She shakes her head. “It’s not that simple.”

I grab her hands. “I saved your life. Can’t you do this one thing for me?”

She looks me in the eye. Her expression’s cold. “I saved your life too,” she snaps. “If not for me, you’d be heading for an expunging yourself—and don’t you forget it.”

M
Y KNEES SHAKE
as I step into the viewing gallery high above the Hub and directly opposite the largest viewing screens, which look five times larger from here. The room is painted a deep red and the furnishings gleam in chrome and polished black leather. My gaze dances over more beautiful objects and opulence than I ever imagined existed—never mind all in one place. But I can’t be distracted.

The room opens up onto the Presidential Balcony, jutting out over the Hub’s edge.

I wonder if Mrs. Kalin wanting me here is another cruel test. I almost hope that it is. Perhaps if I stay calm and do as she asks, she’ll change her mind and pardon Cal. I must keep my wits about me, my thoughts my own, but my defenses are wearing down. I’m so tired and my head aches from the effort of barring her from my mind.

“Glory,” Mrs. Kalin looks me directly in the eyes. “You should be honored to be here. I know that today was difficult—you faced some bad news—but I’m proud of how you’ve handled it all.”

“Thank you.”

“How is your shoulder?” I ask her.

“Much better, dear. Thank you for asking.” She leans in close. “The dust helped. It’s nearly healed.”

I nod, dismayed that I’m happy she’s feeling better, proud that she trusts me enough to share this classified information.

The room is filling with every member of Senior Management, and with Mrs. Kalin’s hand on my back, my last defenses collapse and I give in, feeling like the luckiest, most important girl in Haven. Comps in full uniform are stationed in each corner of the room, with two more on the balcony, Shockers at the ready.

I’m special. I’m safe. I’m Chosen.

“I’m proud of you,” she says, her kind eyes flashing, “and I need you tonight. Tonight and every day going forward.”

“You need me.” Every fiber inside me yearns for her approval. I can’t wait to hear her tell me she’s proud again. I’ll do anything to earn it.

“You displayed great skill and bravery today,” she says, “I know it was difficult.”

“Very difficult.”

“But we must act now. For the good of all the people in Haven.”

“What do you need me to do?”

Mrs. Kalin pulls me to the side of the balcony where we can’t be overheard. Lights flash on the screens all around the Hub, not helping my focus.

“In a moment,” she says, “the President will go to the microphone to make his Birthday salutation.”

I nod. “Tell me what you need.”

A soft smile spreads on her face and warms me inside. “I need you to give him a gift.”

“A gift? I didn’t bring a gift.” Panic grabs me. I’ll disappoint her.

She cups my cheek. “Don’t worry, sweetie. You’ll be presenting a gift on behalf of all the Employees of Haven.”

“Such an honor.” Music swells and I turn my head to find its source, but she draws my attention back with soft fingers on my chin.

“It is even more of an honor than you realize, because you’ll deliver something else along with the gift.”

Excitement builds inside me; it’s all I can do not to bounce.

“Seeing your power in the Hospital today, I know that it’s finally time. With you at my side, I’m ready. It’s time for the President to go.”

“Go?”

“Yes. It’s time for me to take charge.” She leans closer. “Tonight, I’ll be promoted to President.”

“Really?” I grab her hands. I feel like the flashing lights and grand music are for our personal celebration.

“Yes. Haven will be so much safer under my direction, even if a small percentage of the population resists.”

“Resists.” The word clicks something inside me and I remember what she can do, that she can affect minds. I feel numb. I turn and see an image of Cal on the screen across the Hub. He’s being held by Comps at what I recognize as the exit they use for expungings.

I blink. No matter what Mrs. Kalin’s doing to me right now, even if she’s in my mind, I need to please her to save Cal.

Mrs. Kalin turns my face back to hers. I want to please her; she’s my mother now. It isn’t just her influence affecting my decision. Or is it? I’m confused.

“If you do this for me, I’ll save your Cal.”

Air and hope fill my lungs. “I’ll do anything.”

She puts her hands on my shoulders and stares directly into my eyes. “The future of Haven is in our hands. Yours and mine. Some lesser-minded individuals will resist—it’s inevitable—but we’ll eliminate the most simple-minded, like the former VP of Compliance.”

“Mr. Belando.”

“No.” She purses her lips. “I saw no signs of resistance in Belando. I’m referring to his predecessor, Mr. Singh.”

My mind buzzes. I once wondered if Mr. Belando had killed his former boss, but it was Mrs. Kalin. She’s so powerful, so strong. And she’s my new mother. I’m so lucky.

“He had to go,” she says.

“He had to go,” I repeat. “For the greater good.”

A huge smile spreads on her face. “Yes. I knew you’d understand. And while I convinced the President to release you from prison, he’s showing signs of resistant thinking. I
can’t let him hurt us, hurt you, hurt the future of Haven.”

“You’ll keep me safe. You’ll keep us all safe.”

“Always.” She smiles and squeezes my shoulders. “Once the President is terminated, you and I will reform Haven together. Once I have access to all the Communication Department’s screens and control over the System, I’ll explain our way of thinking to every Haven employee. Those who resist…” She leans in. “You will eliminate those threats.”

“Eliminate the threats.” My mind slides in and out of her control. It sounds so reasonable as she says it. Why wouldn’t I eliminate threats? But then I blink a few times, and what she’s saying sinks in. She wants me to kill everyone whose mind she can’t control. She wants me to use my Deviance to kill, starting with the President. Tonight.

“It’s time for us to rule Haven,” she says. “Together we can raise the standard of living. We can make Haven the wonderful place we know it can be—a place where employees are rewarded for their talents, where promotions aren’t based on connections or your parents’ job placements.”

That does sound better than the status quo. She listened to my ideas. “Tell me how I can help.” I blink and a mist passes through my mind, clouding my thoughts.

Mrs. Kalin is my mother now. She’s the smartest, most wonderful person I’ve ever met. “Tell me.” I lean forward. “Please tell me how I can help.”