The Collection (20 page)

Chapter 47

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.

 

Z
ack 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.

Chapter 48

Polls show Grant Marsden is truly America's new golden boy. He has the second-highest favorability rating of any American, after the grand commander.

—
American Gazette

Finally Grant had some time to devote to his work. He was making progress on the knife and thought he was about ready to order some animals for testing. He feared the liquid would only inject the victim if the knife hit bone, though. The vibration of a cell phone sounded through the room. He dropped the blade. Grant was sure it was Rex checking in; hopefully it would be some good news. Still, he was annoyed with the distraction and walked over to the table.

His annoyance vanished when he saw his screen wasn't lit up, and instead the small black phone was vibrating. It was the first time it had rung since Grant had had it in his possession, and he had a feeling it was the call he was waiting for. He looked at the phone number and realized it wasn't an international line. His annoyance returned and he let the call hit voice mail.

Grant started to walk back to his work when the phone vibrated again. Someone had left a message. He decided it was best to get assurance. He flipped the phone back open and hit the “listen” button.

“Hi.”

Grant was so giddy he almost dropped his favorite new toy.

“I know you won't get this, but I miss you so much. I'm safe, all three of us are. I keep thinking there is something I should have done, but I can't remember what happened. I know I let you down though. I promise—”

Disgusted, Grant cut off the message. He didn't need to hear any more. If the boy was calling from an American number in a foreign country that meant he was on a cell phone. Grant typed out a message to the phone number.

You didn't let me down.

He hit “send” and waited for the bait to get grabbed up. To his surprise the phone started ringing again. Grant declined the call and wrote another text message.

I can't speak right now. Don't tell Amelia or Andrew.

The message went through. A response came fast.

You're alive? I'm so sorry we left you. Can you come meet us?

Can't talk. Call me tomorrow. One p.m.

Okay. I love you, Dad.

Grant brimmed with repulsion over those three simple words. He felt dirty typing them but needed to send the message home.

I love you.

No response came. He put the black phone down and picked up his personal cell to make a quick phone call. The line rang three times.

“Dr. Schaffer,” Grant said, “do you think it's time we woke up our patient?”

At last the wheels of Grant's plan were in motion. He could have everything again. The grand commander position, a doting wife, and the girl who had betrayed him.

Chapter 49

Alcohol and recreational drugs are prohibited in all Affinity camps. They cloud the mind and interfere with our common goals.

—Internal memorandum from Affinity

“I have a feeling about this place,” Carter said. “Everything's getting better since we arrived. Andrew's getting medical attention, nobody is forcing us into something. We have a roof over our heads, food.”

The two were walking up toward the field. Mia was glad Carter was so happy, but she hadn't expected such a change in his attitude over a voice mail. Mia yawned and decided his emotions could be blamed on the lack of sleep. Any drowsiness she was feeling vanished when the field came into view. There was a group sitting around two men playing musical instruments, children kicking a ball back and forth, and a variety of other activities going on.

“Come join us,” a woman said.

She was seated in the circle around the musician. Carter and Mia headed over and took a seat. The man was strumming and singing a song Mia had never heard before. She was a poor singer, so music had never been stressed for her. Mia wasn't sure what instrument he was playing; sometimes her mother listened to piano music, but most often the Morrisseys worked in silence. When her sisters were home from finishing school they would entertain the family with whatever music they'd learned. Corinna played the flute; Mia hated the way it sounded. So flighty and alone. The song finished and everyone clapped.

“Welcome to Affinity,” the musician said.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” Carter said. “You're very talented.”

“Do either of you two play the guitar?” someone asked.

Mia shook her head.

“A little,” Carter said.

The man handed over the guitar and Carter repositioned himself. He moved his hand quickly up and down the neck and played. Then he slowed down and started singing. His voice wasn't perfect, but Mia was impressed. He sang with a twang. Once Carter's song was finished everyone clapped, Mia especially hard.

“I didn't know you could do that,” Mia said.

“I'm full of surprises.”

He gave Mia a wink and went on to play another song at the behest of the crowd. Mia couldn't understand where he had even learned this type of music. She only knew the classic slow songs. Someone tapped on Mia's shoulder and she spun around. Standing behind her was a girl, slightly older than herself. The sun was behind her and Mia couldn't make out many of her features. She stood up and got a better look. The girl had shoulder-length brown hair and big green eyes. She was several inches taller than Mia. She smiled with perfect white teeth. Mia didn't say a word before the girl wrapped her arms around Mia in a hug.

“It's so nice to meet you,” she said.

“S?” Mia asked.

The girl pulled away. “Yes,” she said. “But you can call me Sarah.”

Emotions overtook Mia. She couldn't pinpoint what she was feeling: relief, nerves, or a general breakdown. She let out a small sob and the tears started flowing. Sarah wrapped her arms around Mia's shoulders and led her away from the group who were still enjoying Carter's musical talents.

“Let's find a place to talk,” Sarah said.

Mia nodded her head, unable to think of anything she wanted more in the world at this moment.

 

I
'm not normally so emotional,” Mia said.

“It's fine,” Sarah said. “I'm so happy to meet you, and you've traveled such a long way.”

“This place is . . . ,” Mia said. “It wasn't what I expected.”

“It takes some getting used to,” Sarah said. “But it's home now.”

“What's your job?”

“I'm in computers,” Sarah said.

“That's a little vague,” Mia said.

Sarah nodded. “I rotate between positions,” she said. “I'm not one of the leaders, if that's what you're asking.”

“Leaders?” Mia asked. This was the first she had heard of them.

“It's hard to explain,” Sarah said. “There's no grand commander or anything like that. Everyone here has a say, or the option to have one, but there's a group of six with the highest positions.”

“Like Dina?” Mia asked.

“No,” Sarah said. “She's semiretired. Zack actually just replaced her.”

Mia still cringed over the word “retired,” even though Zack had informed her of the different meaning. Mia had picked up on some of the hostility between Dina and Zack, making her wonder if the other version of retired still had a more unpleasant meaning than Zack wanted to admit.

“What do you mean they have the option to have a say?” Mia asked.

“I'll just explain it all,” Sarah said. “But act surprised when you hear it again.”

Mia nodded.

“There is a board of six people,” Sarah said. “They make all major decisions and report to each other. They each run a section of Affinity: Internal Controls, which is Zack; Internal Maintenance; Internal Software; External Planning; External Affairs; and External Tactics.

“It can get confusing and I have a tendency to babble, so stop me with any questions,” Sarah said. “I'm stationed under Internal Software mainly; I do a little with External Planning sometimes. I'd like to move to that branch permanently.”

“I don't know what any of this means,” Mia said.

“IC handles our defenses here; IM covers the houses, meals, what we need to live; IS covers constant updates of our computer systems, technologies, makes sure we stay cutting-edge and integrates the new systems. I do a lot of converting things to wireless these days.

“EP works with bringing in the supplies we need, figuring out how to trade and raise money if we need more; they also handle all recruitment, which is how I met you,” Sarah said. “EA deals with the other branches of Affinity, and ET are the ones you don't want to mess with. All they do is think about ways to take down the Registry.”

“That's bad?” Mia asked.

“Well, all branches work toward that common goal,” Sarah said. “But focusing on one idea all the time can make anyone a little . . . intense.”

Mia thought everyone here fell into that category.

“So we have section meetings once a week, where the division heads report the goings-on and what we need to work toward,” Sarah said. “Then once a month we have a mass group meeting. It's here that we're updated by the other sections. Mainly ET runs the meeting.

“Some people here want to take down the Registry,” Sarah said. “But they're happy doing their part. They don't want to involve themselves further.”

“Are you in one section forever?” Mia asked.

“Not at all,” Sarah said. “With the exception of ET, you pick where you want to work, what you want to do—people switch all the time. We have a lot of interactions with each other too.”

“Except for the people in ET?”

“It is considered a great honor to get asked to join ET,” Sarah said. “They have so much information and technology at their disposal. But if I ever received an invitation to that branch, I don't know how I'd respond.”

Mia didn't want to hear about any more tactical planning. She changed the subject.

“How long have you been here?”

“Three years,” she said. “I was seventeen when I arrived.”

“What made you come here?” Mia asked.

“My story isn't as exciting as yours,” Sarah said. “Dina told me, but I want to hear details.”

“I want to know yours,” Mia said.

“I was in a car accident,” Sarah said. “We were in the middle of nowhere. Someone pulled me from the wreck, and then it blew up. I remember seeing the flames with my parents and sister still inside the car. I fainted and my savior took me to his home. The nearest hospital was hours away.

“He didn't know what the procedure was, never having had any children of his own, so he let me stay for a few days while he figured it out. Then a few days turned into a few weeks. He lived in the Midwest Area, in the mountains. He worked with lambs and goats. My family was moving to the Southwest when the accident happened.

“One day he went into town and everyone was talking about the family that was killed in the car wreck. I was pronounced dead too. He found out I was supposed to go over to the government and they should raise me until I was ready for the Registry, but he liked having me around.

“He taught me so many things. I didn't even know how to read, and I was twelve. Nobody bothered us or knew I was there. I think he was lonely, and I didn't know what family was.”

“What do you mean?” Mia asked.

“There's no real family in America,” Sarah said. “Boys are kicked out so young they think it's right to throw their sons away. Daughters are seen as dollar signs and mothers are okay with that because they were treated the same way. When that car blew up, do you know why I fainted?”

Mia shook her head.

“It wasn't because my parents and sister were killed in front of me, it was because I was scared their deaths meant I couldn't enroll in the Registry.”

Mia understood all too well. Throughout this whole journey she'd never given much thought to her mother or father. Mia's two living sisters weren't on her mind much either. Mia didn't wish them harm; she didn't care about them one way or the other. She looked over her shoulder at Carter. He and Andrew were her family now, and she loved them more than she thought imaginable.

“My time with Ernie changed me,” Sarah said. “Soon I stopped caring about my appearance and started caring more about what he was teaching me. He wasn't my father; he was my dad.”

Dad.
That was the informal word Carter used to describe Rod. Mia knew it had a powerful connotation. One she'd never experienced.

“What happened to him?” Mia asked.

“He started getting sick,” Sarah said. “We were both in denial over it, but he was older. He could have been my mother's father. I didn't want to leave him and he knew I never would. So he set this all up. There was a knock on our door and he told me to open it. On the rare occasion when someone came to our house, I hid in the basement. At first I suspected it was RAG agents and Ernie was turning me over to the government because he couldn't take care of me anymore. Instead it was Zack.”

“I thought he was born here,” Mia said.

“We used to sneak into America and bring people down,” Sarah said. “The rules have changed though.”

“So you just drove over the border with him?” Mia asked.

“Not exactly,” Sarah said. “He had a huge cargo truck. I had to hide in the back. It was filled with American flags, ceramics, knickknacks. Those things are very popular in most of Mexico. I was terrified when the border patrol opened the back of the truck. They just shined a flashlight and checked a few boxes. Our hearts were beating so fast.”

“You weren't alone back there?”

“No,” Sarah said. “There were seven of us.”

“So you left Ernie?” Mia asked.

“He came too,” Sarah said.

Her eyes started to water. Mia looked at the ground. She thought it might be a good idea to have Sarah talk with Carter. Maybe she could help him through his grief.

“Why does this place have to exist?” Mia asked.

“What do you mean?”

“The Registry,” Mia said. “What caused it? Mandatory service too. Why does America operate the way it does?”

“After the conflict, or Great War, whatever you want to call it, an outbreak happened in America,” Sarah said. “People were dying. It was bad, but the soldiers returning home weren't affected. Most of them were men, but not all. Either way the population was very low, between the war and the outbreak. Men outnumbered women at least five to one, maybe more.

“There was a concern that the population would go under. No country could give America any aid; people were scared. Those who'd just gotten back from war were too wounded, physically and mentally, and the ones left home were dying. Chaos broke out. The women who weren't infected were at risk of getting kidnapped and attacked. It wasn't pretty.

“There were military women too; they were strong and brave but so outnumbered. It turned out scientists were responsible for the outbreak. The man who was general of the army stepped up and took over the country. General Aaron Miller, or Grand Commander Aaron Miller. The government offered sanctuary. If you were a woman and made it to the capital they would protect you. Most went; their families back home were dead and they couldn't leave their homes without risk of getting gang-raped.”

“Men aren't that brutal,” Mia said.

“Not under normal circumstances,” Sarah said. “But these men were scared. Their families were dead too. It wasn't about power or sex even; they wanted to keep the population going. It started to seem like a woman should be pregnant at all times.

“Once most of the women were in the capital it was decided that those who wanted children would be matched with a partner. It was seen as a duty back then, to carry on the lineage of America. Repopulate the country in a much more controlled manner. Those who didn't enter the program would never have children or families of their own.

“The logical way to determine which men got women was money. That meant the man could provide protection from those who weren't matched and the government could start collecting funds to rebuild the country. Women didn't see themselves as being sold yet.”

“I'm sure some did,” Mia said.

“Would you rather live your life alone and never have children when the population is dying out? Or go live with a man who could offer protection from the unruly mobs?”

“What about the women who had money of their own?” Mia asked. “Or were already married?”

“Most of the married ones fled the country,” Sarah said. “As far as those with money, some ran and the ones who stayed went into protection. By the time they tried to access their money the government told them it was gone. There weren't a lot of wealthy soldiers anyway.”