Sapience (13 page)

I felt blessed to be free, to be able to just lay around and not forced to train my life away.

The warm sun fought away the bite of the cool wind. The sand curled around my arms and legs. I laid there, it seemed so ridiculous yet somehow it was fulfilling, maybe this was why people meditated. The sound of water and woods blended together with the chirping of birds and then slowly began to fade until I was drifting into sleep.

When I woke it was night. Any heat the sun had granted was gone. The woods I had to walk back through looked a lot more sinister in the dark than they had earlier.

The concept of walking through the dark woods was frightening but it had to be done. I sat up and watched the moon glisten against the lake for a while, not wanting to make the long walk back. It was ten minutes before I reluctantly got up and started to make my way through the woods.

I tried as best I could not to be frightened at every sound coming from the black wall on either side of the trail. A rabbit ran through a bush close to my side making me jump a foot off the ground.

The moon lit the woods just enough to make it more creepy. The shadows of trees made it impossible to see any farther than what was right in front of me. If something were to jump out at me I would never see it coming. But what would jump out, a bear, some other wild animal, one of the government’s men? If someone was waiting for the perfect moment to kill one of us, now would be better than ever.

I was determined to make it out as quickly as possible. I kept putting one foot in front of the other and was soon released from the grip of the trees into the warm embrace of my back yard.

When I got inside Adrian was waiting with a plate of food.

“Adrian cooked us dinner.” Lillie said as I took off my coat.

“He did?” It was hard to believe.

“Like I said.” Adrian placed the warm plate of steak and vegetables in my hands. “I’m doing things different from now on.”

There was a movie starting on the TV in the living room so I brought the plate of food with me to the couch and started to watch it. Lillie sat down on the same couch as Adrian and I sprawled out on the other one.

“You guys never told me there was a lake out here.” I said when there was a lull in action.

“We thought you knew.” Lillie said. “You must have forgotten when you got struck with that dart.”

“I figured that out.” Adrian said. “So I bought the boats and built the dock. I was going to surprise you next spring.”

“I guess that’s fair.” I ate a mouthful of food before going on. “It’s a really nice lake, secluded too.”

“That’s what you told us before we escaped the Kingdom.” Lillie said, turning her attention back to the movie.

Like remembering a dream I had forgotten, I slowly recalled a conversation I had had with them about the lake. It was foggy but I had known about the lake before coming here, more than just the satellite image. I wonder how much I had forgotten. It was a disturbing thought that wouldn’t go away for the rest of the night.

It was sprinkling when I woke the next morning, the air was foggy. I dressed for the cold in a gray zip-up sweater Lillie had bought a few weeks earlier. I flipped the hood over my head and went to the kitchen.

I poured myself a bowl of cereal and ate in tired silence at breakfast. I could hear Adrian and Lillie making plans in the other room. I was content to enjoy my meal before seeing what they were up to.

In the still of the kitchen the only thoughts that seemed to be coming to my head were all about the physical user being sent to look for us. I worried for our safety. What if one of us had to fight, to kill them? There would be no avoiding that attention, game over. Could I even kill one of my own?

My new train of thought frightened me more than I wanted.  To try to clear my head, I went to the living room where Adrian and Lillie were coming to the end of an argument.

“So what’s on the agenda for today?” Their heads snapped up as I spoke.

Adrian studied me for a short pause before speaking. “We have decided to go warn the others about this new threat.”

“We're going to force them to move in with us.” Lillie added. “For their safety.”

“We can’t force them.” I was frantic to explain. “They don’t trust us.”

I could see all the trust Brianna had given me start to vanish in their words. I wanted to object, to put my foot down and say no. But I wanted Brianna to be safe even more.

“Won’t it be dangerous to have us all in one place?” I asked.

Lillie shook her head. “Under normal circumstances maybe, but with Adrian and I spending our time on the lookout, we think this will make things much easier to keep track of everyone.”

This could only end in two ways,

1. The house is going to get very awkward for a while.

2. There is probably going to be a shootout.

Chapter 9

             
Adrian led us out to the black suburban in the driveway. Apparently while I was still asleep, Lillie had figured out Brianna’s house number and Adrian had called for them to meet us in the middle of some random park. I couldn’t imagine what he might have said to get them all there. But no doubt it would work. The whole idea of Adrian calling Brianna’s house was embarrassing so I tried not to think about it. I had to hand it to them, when they said they were going to do something they sure didn’t mess around.

I listened to Adrian and Lillie planning their approach as was drove to the far side of town. I didn’t like what I was hearing; they weren’t planning on being friendly at all. They were going to force the others to move in, I had to bite my tongue.

The park consisted of a large soccer field next to a playground made of wood and old tires. The place was mostly barren other than a few kids running through the playground. The leaves had been picked up off the ground letting the grass stand free as if it were still midsummer. There wasn’t much other than the field and tires accept for a long set of swings. Lillie seemed to enjoy herself as she led us straight to the swing sets, which were old and rusty.

From the swing sets we had a perfect view of the dirt parking lot. We would be able to clearly see anybody coming or going.

The others were late, I wasn’t quite sure what that meant. Both Lillie and Adrian swiveled around in their swings when I told them we shouldn’t be doing this.

“Why are you so against this?” Lillie asked as she pumped her legs to start swinging.

I hated when they ask “Why?” because ninety nine percent of the time, they already knew the answer and were just trying to make you feel comfortable.

“What if they try to fight us?” I said not wanting to reveal the true nature of my feelings. Brianna would never forgive me after this, in fact she would probably kill me in my sleep.

“Brianna will forgive you.” Lillie said as she brought her swing to a stop. I was beginning to hate the fact that they knew everything.

Adrian let out a sarcastic laugh that he tried to choke off at the end. “Of course she will.” He said in a serious tone. “It just might take some time that’s all.”

“You’re sure they will come with us?” I asked in desperation to change the subject.

Adrian kicked the dirt and took a deep breath. “I know it might not seem right.” He glanced around the park as if searching for the words. I knew it was just for show. He had the words, he was Adrian. He probably knew we were going to have this conversation before he even woke up this morning. “But I don’t plan on giving them any other choice.” He continued.

I didn’t respond. Of course he wouldn’t give them any other choice. That’s what Adrian did; he made you do it his way. I guess I couldn’t blame him. When lives are at risk, sometimes you can’t afford to give them a choice.

“If it will make you feel better, I will talk some sense into Brianna. She will do anything you ask by the time I’m done with her.” He added.

I tightened my grip on the swing. “Don’t, If Brianna is mad at me then that’s something I have to live with. I don’t want your help.”

“I can’t see why not.” Adrian said. “It’s not my fault you can’t live with a lie.”

“Just stay out of it, ok?”

Adrian’s expression hardened as he turned to gaze at the parking lot. I turned to look, knowing what I would see.

Four figures marched shoulder to shoulder across the green grass of the open field. They carried themselves with an air of authority that could force the average man to bow down before them.

They stopped close to the swing set. Their gazes locked onto us as they waited for us to announce why we had called them.

I recognized them all. On the far left Spencer crossed his arms and glared with the same look of betrayal as the others. To his right standing with her chin held high was a tall girl with bleach blond hair that was short and spiky. Rachel was the name everybody called her by, back at the government building. Next was Josh, his sandy blond hair was buzzed shorter than I remembered. Everyone in the group had the fit muscular bodies of people raised under the harsh whip of the Kingdom, but Josh’s was something more. His muscles were packed on thicker than any of us put together. They were older, besides Spencer, they were both about twenty two. They looked furious, but my attention wasn’t on them.

On the far right side of the group Brianna’s piercing blue eyes were locked on mine. My heart raced as I stared back. She wore a ponytail. Her dimples showed through the concern on her face. It made me feel helpless, which is not good for an assassin to feel.

“Rachel, you look sexy as always.” Adrian broke the silence first.

Rachel took a step forward but Josh placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her back.

“We’re all here Adrian.” He said in a deep scruffy voice. “What do you want?”

The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

“The Kingdom is sending physical users to flush us out.” Lillie said in a concerned tone. “One is being sent here to Newberry.”

Brianna’s group glanced at each other. They were visibly shaken.

“And how do they know where we are?” Josh asked after the focus was back on us.

“They don’t.” Lillie said. “They sent out every physical user, not a single one was left at the government buildings. They are being spread so thin that there is one at every armory in the entire Kingdom.”

“Who is being sent here?” Rachel asked. From the way they held themselves it was obvious that Rachel and Josh where in charge.

“They are being sent out at random.” Adrian said. “But we were able to pull some numbers and figured the best bet would be Haley, serial code nine one nine, fire user.”

“I know her.” Rachel blurted out. “She was on my squad in a simulation mission a few years back. I don’t think she would turn us in.”

Josh stared directly at Adrian, never blinking. “Thank you for the information.” He said then urged the others to turn and start walking away. “We will heed your warning.”

“You’re going to do a little more than that.” Adrian said, stopping them all in their tracks. I wanted to bury my head in the sand. Soon Brianna would be back to hating me. Her eyes were still on me, uncertain whether to be friendly or threatening.

“And what are we going to do?” Josh asked over his shoulder.

“For starters you’re going to move in with us.” Adrian talked as if he were doing Josh a favor. In reality he was giving orders “Then we’re going to monitor the three kiddies to make sure they don’t cross paths with the physical user at school.”

“And what makes you think we will move in with you?” Josh asked skeptically. He had to know Adrian had something up his sleeve.

“Well.” Adrian stretched with a cocky smile. “You could go home. Of course the soldiers would come looking for you on some trumped up charges I would place in the system. Once they capture you and you’re in jail, they would discover your true identity. Thus getting you sent back to President Mead. He would then send you to a concentration camp for your crimes against the Kingdom. Leaving you dead or…” pause for effect “dead.” He looked them over. All but one looked back. Brianna was too busy staring at me. “One way or another, I’m not going to let you sabotage my freedom.”

“We don’t want any trouble.” Lillie added. “We’re just trying to protect you.”

“Save it.” Josh snapped. “How long do we have to decide?”

Adrian sighed. “You have twenty minutes.”

With a jerk of his head, Josh directed the others out of ear shot, into the open field. I was surprised that no one had yelled or even raised their voice. I guess they realized that it wouldn’t help with Adrian tying their hands like this. It didn’t feel right letting Brianna stand there looking so alone.

Not wanting to hear Adrian and Lillie argue back and forth about how good it was going, I got up off the swings and headed for the jungle gym. I had to go past Brianna’s group and didn’t want to be caught with them alone, so I decided it best to go the long way and circle the edge of the field.

I realized as I glanced toward the group in the field, Brianna held her hands in fists at her sides. It looked like the others were yelling at her. If that was true, it didn’t look like she was backing down.