take me tomorrow

7/31/2019 Take Me Tomorrow

1/21


2/21

ground, rigid.

Holding my breath, wind rushed through the shriveled leaves, and my heart

thundered with the sudden gust of oxygen. The low growl of my dog was louder than any

bark he expelled, and I reached up silently to grab my knife. Clutching the grip, Argos

continued to growl as I slinked forward through the weeds, listening.

Plants brushed my heated face, but my entire body remained still. Argos growled

distinctly threatening. From the brush, I watched as Argos lowered to the ground, his fur

rising, his canines barred. His keen brown eyes locked on his prey, a tall boy with broad

shoulders and frayed blonde hair that hung in his eyes. The plain black t-shirt he wore

made his skin look tanner than it actually was, and the right sleeve was ripped violently.

He looked as if he couldve been living in the forest for days, but he didnt seem bothered

by his disheveled appearance. He seemed comfortable with it, like the forest had grown

into him, and he definitely didnt seem afraid to attack my dog in order to survive.

Down! I shouted, hurdling out of the trees, and my dogs paws dug into the dirt

in order to stay back.

Thunder rolled across the clouds, and the boys eyes locked onto mine, as green

as the forest. His chapped lips parted as if he was going to speak, but Argos barked, and

the boy stepped back. However, his gaze remained locked on me.

Heel, I commanded firmly, and Argos obediently walked to my side, sitting

down.

The boys eyebrows rose, a light dancing in his eyes. Oh, good. The demon has

an owner.

His voice was rough, as if he hadnt spoken in days, and a smudge of dirt coated

the side of his face where he had wiped sweat away. Even though his tone was

sarcastically carefree, his stare was intensely concentrated, shadowed by the setting sun.

There was something terribly unsettling about the stillness to his expression, like an

animal preparing an attack.

I raised my knife, the blade flashing. What are you doing here?

His emerald eyes focused on my weapon, eerily calm. Dont you think the dog is

a big enough weapon?

Hes trained to attack, I threatened.


3/21

He seemed amused. Are you too?

I tensed at his confidence, realizing that he wasnt afraid of my knife, dog, or me.

Suddenly, the muggy air was suffocating as my curly hair scratched against the nape of

my neck.

Who are you? I demanded an answer, holding my ground with Argos at my

feet. The stranger simply stared, his lips pressed together in a thin white line, silent. We

remained frozen, neither of us willing to move first, except for Argos. My dog walked

forward, growling. The boy stepped backwards, bending his knees as if to prepare for a

fight.

Heel, Argos! I repeated urgently, keeping my eyes on the stranger. There was a

thin red scrap curling down his bicep to his forearm where his shirt was ripped. He kept

one hand on the strap of his backpack while his other hand pressed a piece of paper into

his palm. A black watch wrapped around his wrist, and when I looked back to his face,

his eyes grew shadows beneath them. He couldnt have been much older than me, but he

looked at me as if I were a nave child.

He waited a moment, and then he spoke calmly, as if speaking with a friend, So

you like the Odyssey then? he asked lightly, referring to my dogs name. I ignored him.

He shrugged at my focus and gestured to my knife, changing the subject, Do you even

know how to use that?

Get out of here, I threatened, thinking of all the times my father had cautioned

me about the woods. Tomo addicts would collect in our acres after curfew. I was only

supposed to check the woods during the day, and this was my karma for checking them at

dusk. Ill call the police.

He laugh was animalistic, mimicking Argos quiet growl. I dont think youll

call the police, he stated amusingly, his expression hardening. Or dont you know those

are illegal?

My eyes flickered to my knife for only a moment. Throwing knives were illegal. I

knew that. He knew that. Everyone knew that. Any kind of weaponry was illegal,

unnecessary objects that the government deemed too dangerous for the general

population after the massacre caused from the creation of tomo. My father had never

listened. Using his governmental status to protect us from randomized searches, he


4/21

welded knives in our basement, teaching me how to fight with them properly.

The boys arrogance infuriated me. Get off of my property.

This time, the boy stepped back for no apparent reason, his brow scrunching in

obvious confusion. This isyourproperty? he asked, his eyes studying my face quickly,

quietly, and undoubtedly efficiently. I felt exposed, yet his expression was blank. Youre

sure?

I nodded, and he looked to his side, dropping all eye contact with me. I pressed

my toes into the ground, my calves burning, and I wondered how someone being

threatened could so easily turn their back on their attacker. I would never look away from

someone with a weapon, but here he wasturning away completely as if I didnt exist.

His head dropped, his lips pulled to the side, and his eyes glanced at the black

face of his watch. He ran a finger over the screen, cleaning the dirt off, and read it,

looking up only to study his surroundings. His brow crumpled in concentration, his torso

stilling as his jaw locked. I tensed, anticipating a sudden attack.

Argos barked, and the boy jumped, completely startled. Surprised, he dropped his

piece of paper into the dirt. Automatically, he leaned forward to grab it, but Argos leapt

towards him, snarling, and rage flashed behind the boys glare.

I snatched the slip of paper, shoving it deep into my pocket. The boy straightened

up, rigid, and he averted his rage towards my pocket rather than on my knife. Apparently,

taking his piece of paper was more of a weapon than my knife was.

He nodded to himself angrily, gaining his composure in a matter of seconds. I

didnt say a word. The boy, on the other hand, opened his mouth to speak only to have a

car horn interrupt him.

Argos ears perked up as a red car drove into my driveway and stopped

somewhere near the edge of the forestonly six acres away. The intruder leaned up as if

his height allowed him to see over the trees, and then he rocked on the back of his feet,

casually talking, Someones here.

I kept my blade up. I dont care.

He smirked. You sure?

Sophia! my name ripped through the trees as the sky continued to darken and

lightning shattered across the clouds. Sophia! Argos! I recognized my friends voice


5/21

immediately: Miles was here.

The stranger in front of me grinned wickedly at the information. Sophia?

I glared at him. I can stop Argos, but I cant stop Miles.

The boy suddenly tensed, his head tipping to the side, his blonde hair sheltering

his eyes. Miles, he repeated, more as a statement than as a question, and I nodded,

ignoring his sudden change in demeanor.

Sophia! Miles yelled again, and Argos jumped back, his tail wagging as his

brown eyes searched the trees. Where are you?

Over here! I screamed backward, keeping my eyes locked on the boy as I

dropped my voice. Get out of here; dont come back, I ordered, and the boy, instead of

taking the moment to run, glanced down at the pocket where I kept his paper. He actually

looked as if he were contemplating taking it back despite the odds stacking up against

him.

Am I near the park? His voice took a quiet, hurried tone that sounded like a

weakened individual. Thats where I meant to go, he promised calmly, his shoulders

dropping in defeat. Really.

I felt my heart lurch at his sudden change of face, and I managed a nod towards

the northwhere the forest opened up to Topekas only park. Dont come back, I

whispered, and the boys expression softened.

Thank you, he said gratefully, disappearing into the forest as quickly as he had

appeared before. The place where he stood was now empty, and it somehow seemed

wrong, like a hundred-year-old tree had been cut down and removed without so much as

an explanation.

I listened to the stranger run for only a moment when Miles burst through the

trees. Argos barked happily at my friend while my disheveled boy strangely ignored my

loyal pet.

Miles! I exclaimed, and he looked at me with wide brown eyes, his mop of

brown curls springing into his face. He was breathing heavily from the run, and his

normally suave physique was ruined with an alarmed expression. Whats wrong? I

asked, my heart already pounding, the rain beginning to fall around us in thick droplets.

Sophia, he gasped, clutching my hand while shoving a recognizable silver-faced


6/21

watch into my hands. Its Broden; hes in the hospital.

Chapter Two

If we get caughtifyou get caughtI had nothing to do with this, Lyn

murmured, her gaze shifting from the rear-view mirror to her steering wheel. Her cropped

black hair, sleek dark skin, and a pair of deep brown eyes made her look bold and

unafraid. The first time I had ever seen her was the day she moved into my fathers

house. She was barely pregnant and wore a purple sweater with the sleeves rolled up,

revealing an array of tattooes. Birds, buildings, and vines caught my attention so severely

that I had gawked at her rudely.

They had reminded me of the Albany Domain, the territory my father and I had

transferred from when I was five. I barely remembered my mother, the woman who had

stayed behind, and Lyn gifted me with her silver necklace the day we met.

I know your mother, she spoke softly, trying to sympathize with a motherless

twelve-year-old.

I grasped the jewelery, my cheeks burning with embarassment. I like your

sweater, I stated, bluntly ignoring Lyns history with my family. I was positive Lyn

would continue chatting, but she simply smiled and told me that her favorite color was

purple. Now, four years later, her purple sweater was replaced with purple scrubs, and a

three-year-old boy slept soundlessly in the backseat. His name was Falo.

We wont get caught, I promised as rain splattered against the windsheild. My

fathers black Jeep may have been government issued, but the night-pass sticker had yet

to be applied. We could be pulled over simply because we were driving past curfew, and,

although Lyn was older than twenty, she didnt have the legal right to transport a minor

around. We were already breaking the law, and we hadnt even arrived at the hospital.Miles, since he was hoping to work within the transportation aspect of our

government, returned home immeidaitely after delievering the bad news: Broden has

gotten into trouble with another boy. He was beaten upbadlyand Miles left him at

the hospital before he could be questioned too. Miles was barely able to recall the brawl,

yet his words thundered inside of me as hard as the rain that pounded the roof of the Jeep.


7/21

I told myself I wouldnt dwell on it, not until I saw Broden myself. Even so, I

couldnt let go of his silver watch for a second. I wouldnt tell Lynmy practical sister

what I was thinking. I was afraid if I said anything, my entire day would be exposed

including my run-in with the boy. Lyn could tell my father any or all of it, and I didnt

know if I wanted him to know anything. He might take my responsibility of scouring the

acres away from me.

I clutched the passenger door for support as Lyn sped down the road, clearly

disobeying the law completely. Topekas clocktower loomed over us omniously, the

sharp hands pointing past curfew, but we continued to drive in silence. Lyn already had a

plan in place in case we were pulled over. She was a night nurse, which was true, and she

took me to work with her whenever my father was gone, which was partially true.

Hopefully the excuse would be accepted by nightly patrols.

Lyn rounded the last corner before the hospital and cursed at the sight of a police

car. I tensed, reaching up to my mothers heart-shaped necklace for comfort.

Dont talk, Lyn ordered quickly, pulling her long sleeves to her wrists so they

covered her tatooes. Only residents of the Albany Domain had tatooes, and the Albany

Domain was notorious for being chaotic. Most citizens avoided the topic considering the

majority of denizens lived and died in whatever domain they were born in. Lyn was an

acception, gaining her Topeka citizenship through my father, but she wasnt about to

peak the officers suspisons by showing off her ink.

The Jeep rumbled beaneath us as she pulled over, my entire body locking with

anticipation. The cops flashlights jumped in the rear-view mirror as he stalked up to

Lyns window, and she unrolled it immediately. Hello, officer, she spoke calmly, the

bright light flashing in our eyes and remaining there. All I could see was a silhouette as

the man checked our eyes for reflecting irisiesa side effect that happened when a

person consumed tomo, the forbidden drug.

I squinted as he spoke, How are we doing tonight? His voice was harsh, and he

lowered his flashlight, holding it as if it were his authority.

Trying to avoid the rain, Lyn responded with a a sympathetic glance. Then she

leaned forward to grab her wallet off of the consol. Im a night-nurse, she explained.

We received this Jeep last week, so I havent gotten my night pass yet, she apologized.


8/21

But I should soon.

The officer took her wallet, flipped it open, read the information, and looked up

with a curious glance. His eyes were black. And whos this? he asked, questioning my

young age without hesitation. It was past curfew. I was supposed to be in bed asleep.

Sophia Gray, Lyn anwsered quickly. Her father is Dwayne Gray, cooperate

manager in transportation communication for the Topeka Domain. He works for Wheston

Phelps himself. Lyn smiled as if she were proud of the fact that my father worked for

our countrys dictator. I wanted to cringe. I have guardian rights over her while hes out

of town.

Is he traveling then? the man asked, and Lyn nodded. Where is he?

Im never told, Lyn responded truthfully. But his info is on the back of my

card, and my son, Falo, is asleep in the backseat.

The officer leaned over, peered into the back, and smiled at the toddler boy

sleeping. I wondered for a moment if he had a son himself, sleeping at home, but the

question dissipated when a wicked smirk crossed his expression. Well, then. Im going

to go back to the car and check this information out, and then Ill be right back. He left

the Jeep, disappearing into the rain, and returned to his vehicle.

We let out a heavy sigh.

Good job, Lyn, I whispered, keeping my eyes on the dash while Lyn applied

gloss to her bitten lips.

Everything is a scare tactic with these people. Gough told me they dont check

everything, she retorted confidently, reminding m ethat she had spent twenty-three years

of her life in Albany. A coworker told me they upped security recently, she said

uncomfortably. Hopefully hes done asking questions.

I suddenly wondered if making it to the hospital to see my best friend was

necessary, but I didnt have time to change my mind. The officer returned, handing Lyn

her wallet back with a dignified grin. Everything checked up, he stated a matter-of-

factly. Im assuming youre off to work.

Lyn smiled polietly, I didnt want to leave the kids at home by themselves. Not

on a weekend anyway.

The officer laughed, his shoulders bouncing so that the rain shook off of him in


9/21

waves. If only more parents were like you, we wouldnt have as many problems. Then,

he nodded respectively, wished us safe travel, and returned to his car.

Lyn gripped the steering wheel with determination as she pulled away from the

curb. You still want to go through with this? she asked, referring to my visitation of

Broden. She knew how much his friendship meant to me. He had been in trouble before.

If he was getting sent to the Phoenix Domain, I had to see him now or I might not have

the chance to again.

Will you still let me? I asked quietly, waiting for Lyn to decide that the risk

wasnt worth the trip, but she bit her lip and kept her gaze on the road.

Just tell that boy to behave when you see him, she grumbled, driving straight

towards the hospital.

Stretching over a series of blocks, the hospital was more of an enormous

neighborhood than an array of sterilized buildings. My father continuously joked how it

was the largest neighborhood, jail, and employer in town, yet, under the thunderstorms

shadows, I didnt find the comparison very humorous. Lightning reflected off of the

numerous windows, causing the tall gray building to glisten in the rain.

Lyn parked the Jeep in the main parkinglot, and I snatched her security card off of

the mirror. You stole that card from me, she reminded me seriously, her brown eyes

blazing in the blackness. I nodded, jumping out her door and meeting the rain. The cold

wetness tempted me to rush to the front doors covering, but the side entrance was the

only one I could get into without Lyn or questions.

I darted through the parkinglot, swerving between cars, and I allowed gravity to

guide my feet down a slick hill, grateful that I wasnt wearing my school uniform. At the

bottom of the hill, I pressed against a brick wall, one hand supporting my sudden stop,

the other hand scanning Lyns security card through the scanner.

With a loud click, the thick door sprang open, and the air-conditioning stung

against the rain on my skin. I shivered and hugged my favorite gray sweater desperately.

I spent enough time following Lyn around the hospital that I already knew I was in the


10/21

right wing and finding Brodens room wouldnt be much harder. Brodens mother had a

voice that was beyond distinguishable. It was highwhiny and tightand it was loud. I

hardly had to walk down one hallway before I heard her arguing with an unfamiliar

doctor.

This is his third fight in two years

His first fight in six months, his mother retorted as I gripped the wall behind

them, waiting. Hes doing much betteroutsidemilitary school.

Mam, the doctor paused, and I heard someone tapping their foot restlessly.

Sir, the doctor turned his attention to Mr. OConner, Brodens father and fellow doctor.

I know this is hard. I know how hard youve both worked to keep your son out of

trouble, but

But what? Mrs. OConners voice was threatening. I could only imagine what

she must have looked likeher light brown curls frizzing from rain, her dark red lips

pressed together disapprovingly.

The doctor sighed. This fight

Attack, she corrected, making my heart jump.

Another sigh. Theres no way to prove Broden was attacked.

Theres no way to prove otherwise.

He has a history, the doctor cut her off. And, quite frankly, Mrs. OConner,

your son needs structure. Military structure. And without it, he paused. hes going to

continue this erratic behavior. Next thing you know, hell be taking tomo

Our son, his mothers voice dropped to a low tone she saved for when she was

furious. does notdo drugs.

We tested him.

And it came out negative, she snarled.

It may have been negative, but I can promise youby his x-raysthat he didnt

come in here immediately after his injuries, the doctor clarified, his voice rising

impatiently. And one of the nurses swears on her job that she saw his eyes reflect when

he was brought in, not to mention that whoever dropped him off fled.

My cheeks burned at the information. Brodens mother didnt argue this time, but

Mr. OConnor begged her to calm down, and I heard muffled whispering echoing off the


11/21

sterile walls. Then the two men began to speak, discussing paperwork that the family

needed to return Broden to military schoola school he had successfully earned his

release from less than a year ago. He had worked earnestly to prove he didnt belong with

the troubled, angered, and violent kids of our society, but now he was going backand

with his record, he could easily be deported to the Phoenix Domain for jailtime.

I couldnt breathe.

You can get everything at the check-out desk, the doctor explained, suddenly

sympathetic. I have other patients to attend to, but I will check on Broden in twenty

minutes and sign his leave.

Quickly, the doctors thanked one another while Brodens mother remained silent.

Footsteps rushed down separate halls within moments, and I waited a few breaths, my

adrenaline and disbelief pounding through my heartbeats. Then I peered around the

corner. The hall was empty.

I rushed forward, pushing my way through the heavy cloth the emergency room

used to block peering patients. There he was, lying on the table with absolute shock

covering his expression. He sprung up as I yanked the blinds behind me, exasperated.

He was shocked. Sophia

What the hell happened to you? I spat out, pressing my back against the wall,

glaring.

Brodens brown hair was matted to the left side of his face, dirt and sweat settled

into his exposed scalp. He had thin red scraps running down the right side of his face, a

black eye, and two jagged cuts splitting across his eyebrownow stitched closed with a

thin black wire. His blue jacket had spots of dried blood, and his left arm resting in a

white sling, wrapped up. Broden looked ruined.

Your arm is broken, I gasped, gawking at his injuries.Whatever fight he had

been in, he had surely lost, and Broden never lost. The word attackedechoed like the way

tomo had.

Its only a fracture, he corrected swiftly, bringing up his right hand in an open

palm gesture. This was his way of telling me to calm down.

Onlya fracture?

Sophia, his dark eyes went soft, and he kicked his legs over the side of the bed


12/21

to better face me. Im okay

Okay and returning to military school? I retorted angrily. Brodens jaw locked

and his eyes darkened from copper brown to shadows. He already knew. He may have

been angry about it, but he already knew. He was going back.

Howd you know I was here? he asked quickly, suddenly suspicious.

Miles, I answered quickly, hoping he wouldnt ask how I broke into the

hospital, but he only lit up at the information.

Did he give it to you then? My watch?

Anger surged through me, and I threw the silver jewelry at him, the metal

smacking against his lap. Broden didnt notice. Instead, he perked up

Broden didnt seem to notice. Instead, he sat up and read the time carefully. This

seemed pointless, considering the crown of his watch was broken, and the time was off.

His brow creased, focused on the timepiece, and then he dropped it into his jacket,

relaxing. Thank you, he said earnestly; I cut him off.

Theyre saying you took tomo.

Broden hung his head and glanced up with shame. Im in trouble.

This was not the answer I was expecting.

I stepped back, quietly whispering, Tell me you didnt take it.

Broden didnt speak. Not even a word. He didnt say he did it, but I knew him

well enough to know what he meant by his silence. He had taken tomothe clairvoyant

drug that had already killed so many.

Quickly, Broden scooted to the end of the bed, and his long legs stretched to the

ground. Even sitting, Broden was taller than me, but I barely passed five feet. His height

didnt bother me, but nowwith Broden looking down at me, staring intensely, I wished

I was looking down at him instead.

I need your help, Sophia.

I shook my head, my gaze locked on the tile floor.I wont help a tomo user. I

wont. Not even my best friend.

Trust me, he pleaded, his unbroken hand lying on his leg. I closed my eyes so I

wouldnt stare at the bruises on his knuckles. Suddenly, the injuries on his body were

more prominent than the Albany tattoos on Lyns arms. On Monday I need you to bring


13/21

me a bag of food, water, and one of your dads knives to school.

My eyes popped open, my neck snapping up to gawk at him. What? I squeaked,

knowing that I had shown Broden my dads forgery in the secrecy of my home. Broden

hadnt mentioned it since, and he wouldnt mention it unless he had to. Unless it was an

emergency.

Broden looked sickened, and his injuries somehow seemed more painful. I

would do it myself, but theyre going to be watching me too closely. His brown eyes

moved to the doorway, and I suddenly remembered the doctor saying hed be back. I

cant do this without you.

I stared at my best friend, wondering who my closest friend was, asking myself if

I ever really knew him at all. I questioned what Brodens life was like before I knew

himthe fights and the military schooland how he was returning to that previous

lifestyle. The panic in Miles eyes flashed in my memory, and my stomach twisted with

the realization that he must have been involved too.

Did you see me helping you on Monday? I asked suddenly, referring to the

clairvoyant that tomo revealed when consumed. Feeling as if I had lost all of my morality

in a moment. Broden dropped eye contact, stared at the wall, and nodded omniously.

Chapter Three

A soft rapping caused my bedroom door to creak as it opened. A hulky man stood

in the doorway, carrying a white hamper while eating a peanut butter sandwich with his

free hand. Argos, the fierce black dog that normally kept at my side, was at the mans

feet, his long tail whapping the wall in excitement.

I laughed. Explains where he was, I commented as my dad dropped my laundry

basket and glanced at the dog, shrugging as if he hadnt noticed Argos begging. Mybedroom was painted a soft brown, the golden light from my single lampshade causing

my dads fair skin to look tan and worn. His pepper-gray hair was lighter and his

wrinkles appeared, warning me of the extreme stress he must have been under.

Youre home early, I commented nonchalantly, sitting up from the pile of

pillows I was using as the perfect reading spot. Chilly night air rushed over my once-


14/21

warm back, and I shivered, remembering how I had left my bedroom window open.

My dad nodded, wiping breadcrumbs onto his dark pants as he finished his

dinner. Just got home, he commented, fiddling with a pair of glasses that hung from his

front pocket. Even at his older age, his eyesight was perfect, yet he carried glasses like

students wore Phelps achievement badgesfor demanded respect.

I raised an eyebrow at him. You werent supposed to be back yet, I stated

curiously. He had been assigned to recruit new military trainers for the Boise Domain. I

hadnt expected to see him for two more weeks.

He shrugged, glancing around my bedroom as if he expected it to change while he

was out of town. Are you ready for school tomorrow? he asked, reminded me of how

my summer freedom was coming to an abrupt end. I cringed, and he laughed, thoroughly

amused. At least you can look forward to that one party, he stated, forgetting exactly

what occasion I had last told him about.

During the last weekend of August, a homecoming party was thrown for all of the

students. The event was highly anticipated considering it was one of the only nights all

year that the curfew was lifted, allowing students an opportunity to mingle. This year,

Miles and his twin sister, Lily, were coordinating the party, which was an honor since the

two would be recognized for all of their achievements. Miles and Lily couldnt stop

talking about it, yet I had barely paid attention to it. Secretly, I doubted Broden would be

allowed to go, and I cringed at the idea of my friends being separated during the event.

Lyn told me about Broden, my dad sympathized with my reaction, staring at his

rough hands, which were calloused from years of forging weapons.

I frowned. Is that why youre home?

He shook his head. Phelps had an emergency; border patrol detected someone

entering Topeka illegally, he explained openly, knowing that I was old enough to be

informed.

I whistled low, impressed. That soundsdangerous.

My fathera man who had illegally crossed borders himselfagreed. Probably

is. Crossing over borders successfully demanded skill. Whoever had done it knew what

they were doing, and they would surely know how to protect themselves afterward. Im

back for the remainder of the week.


15/21

Youre leaving again, I stated blankly.

He nodded, petting Argos with his rough hands. Early Friday morning. Youll

still be asleep. Unable to respond, I gazed out my bedroom windowthe stars burned

against the darkness, but the sky was clear from yesterdays storm. There was a delightful

calmness to the site that relaxed my nerves. It was beautiful.

I wondered how Broden was doingif he could see the sky from his house or

from the military school on the edge of town. Then I thought of the stranger. The fair-

haired boy must have spent the entire storm outside, and my fathers wordsborder

patrol detected someone entering Topeka illegallyechoed dangerously inside of me.

Surely the boy was too young to be that capable not to mention insignificant to Phelps

life. The teen was definitely not worth a search party, even if he did cross.

Argos barked, and I jumped, realizing I had fallen too deeply into my thoughts.

My cheeks burned with an unspoken apology, and my dad raised his brow, knowing that

I was bothered by something. He may not have been around often, but he was still my

father, and Dwayne Gray seemed to know everything.

Everythings fine, I promised, forcibly hiding my worries. Im stressed about

the first day of school.

He smirked, hearing the lie in my tone, but he didnt argue. Instead, he reached

into his pocket and threw a small plastic bag of miscellaneous objects at me. I caught it,

the weight of coins flinging it over my outstretched fingers and wrapping the plastic

around my wrist.

Your pockets, he lectured, amused. Clean them out before putting your clothes

in the washing machine.

I grinned mischievously, Next time, I promised expectantly. We had this

conversation nearly every time I attempted laundry instead of letting Lyn do it.

Im sure, he laughed knowingly and backed out of my room, shutting the door

behind him with Argos at his side. I listened to them walk down the hallway, my father

murmuring to my pet as if Argos was his other child. Family comfort warmed my skin

while I let out a content sigh. I laid back, laughing quietly, and stared at the ceiling.

Then I leapt up.

I gasped, my heart pounding hard against my ribs as if the organ was trying to


16/21

break free. I clawed myself across my covers to the plastic bag and ripped it easily with

one desperate tug. Coins splattered across the floor, pieces of thread and old receipts

littering the blanket in front of me. My breath stopped.

With shaking hands, I dug through the trash, an image of the blonde-haired boy

flashing in front of mehis ripped black shirt, his black watch, his calm exterior, and

then the panic in his eyes when I snatched up his paper. I had shoved it in my pocket, but

now it was among my trash, crumbled and ripped around the edges.

I straightened the paper out in disbelief. The writing scrawled across it was

smudged from water, but remained legible, and I gaped at the note in shock as the

strangers encounter suddenly made sense. He wasnt a lost boy, trespassing onto my

land to find a park. In fact, he wasnt lost at all. He knew exactly where he was, and he

was confident on where he was headed.

Scribbled down in permanent ink wasnt a phone number or a name or even a clue

as to who he was. Instead, it was something that caused me to feel nauseous and nervous

yet all too familiar with.

My address.

Chapter Four

My gray heels tapped against the pavement as the relentless sunlight beamed off

of Lilys white hair. Only two years ago LilyMiles twin sisterhad decided not to

look like her brother anymore, and she bleached her hair, chemically straightening it.

Today it was twisted into a long braid that swung obediently as she walked, chattering

away.

She was alive with excitement, unable to calm down about the homecoming party,

and I was trying to listen to every bit. So far, all I comprehended that the amount of hoursshe had devoted into the project guaranteed the best homecoming party Topeka students

would ever see.

Hey, Lils! Sophia! Miles shouted, raising a hand to wave from the end of the

courtyard. The boys uniform consisted of a long-sleeved blue jacket, white-collared

shirt, and long tan pants. He had to be suffocating in the August heat, but he grinned


17/21

widely as he leaned on the front gate.

Lily waved and ran up to her brother, a ritual that happened every day after

school, and I walked slowly up after her. Standing next to Miles, Lilys white hair did

little to differ the siblings. Their tan skin and dark eyes were undeniably related, and they

both teetered only a few inches above me.

How was your first day? Lily squealed, appearing younger than her calm

brother. Miles nodded in response, and Lily began recounting her day in extravagant

detail.

Before her monologue set in, however, she turned me around to face her, smiling

enthusiastically, I have news, she chirped, her shoulders bouncing. I tried to force a

smile back, but Lily sensed my lack of sincerity. She sighed, tilting her face as expression

faltered. Youll like it.

Okay, Igiggled, unsure, while she squeezed my hands lightly. What is it?

Theres a boy, she answered, shifting her weight from her heels to her toes,

singing her news. He just transferred from the Phoenix Domain, interning under Phelps

as he finishes his senior year.

My eyebrows shot up, interest slamming against my chest. Domains hardly

received transfers, and the government refused to hire students so young. Whoever this

transfer was, he must have been capablevery capablebut he couldnt be the person

who illegally crossed borders if he was working for Phelps.

What does this have to do with Sophia? Miles interjected the conversation.

Lily rolled her eyes at him. Because, Miles, she explained. I dont have time

for a boyfriend.

My stomach lurched. Boyfriend? I squeaked, shaking my head back and forth at

my friend. I dont

You knowyoure interested, Lily commented confidently, using her sweet

exterior against me. A blush burned my cheeks while Miles huffed in disagreement. Lily

glared at him. And youre just jealous.

Miles laughed, straightening out his blue jacket. Jealous? He sounds like a

pompous jerk or a jail-break, Miles joked harshly, referring to the Phoenix Domain

revolving around the Domains main jail system. If teenagers committed small crimes,


18/21

they were put in a correctional institute or the military school like Broden. With special

permission the military students could go into town, but, if their actions worsened, they

were sent to the lumberyards to work or to the Phoenix Domain for jail time, sometimes

execution. I was relieved that Broden would only be at the military school across town.

Phelps wouldnt hire a jailbreak, Lily glowered at her brother. Hes probably

done more than you.

Miles placed his hand on his breast pocket, showing an array of achievement

badges. Ive done plenty. Im even hosting the homecoming party.

We, Lily corrected her brother promptly. are hosting the party, she spoke,

winking at me. Which Anthony will be attending.

Anthony? I asked, the common name feeling heavy on my tongue.

Lily nodded, her tanned cheeks flushing. I met him today. Hes cute. Now my

cheeks were flushing. And he wants someone to show him around

And youre picking Sophia? Miles asked, sarcastic.

Shut up, Lily spat at him before turning to me, grinning widely. Youre

beautiful. The way she switched her expressions so easily intimidated me. And Ive

never seen you date anyone

Because shes always with Broden, Miles teased.

Theyre friends, Miles, Lily said patiently, her voice wavering with warning.

Anthony is an opportunity.

I stopped her. I dont know, Lils.

See? Miles stepped between us, pointing at me. Shes not interested in your

matchmaker scheme.

Lily ignored him, sticking out her bottom lip in a desperate pout. Will you please

meet him? she asked sadly, exaggerating her vowels. Puh-lease? I nodded

mechanically as if Lily had coaxed the gesture out of me, and before I could argue it, Lily

danced so that her heels tapped the ground with excitement.

Miles gaped in disbelief, and she giggled, spinning so that her braid wrapped

around her petite torso. Thank you; thank you; thank you! she chanted, grabbing my

hands and jumping until a deep voice interrupted her.

Whats with all the estrogen?


19/21

Lily broke away from me in surprise, turning around as Miles arched his neck to

look over. Standing on the sidewalk was a tall boy with short brown hair and copper-

colored eyes. A sage uniform identified him as a military student while the jagged cut

splitting through his eyebrow identified him as a troublemaker.

Broden, Miles acknowledged our injured friend, surprised.

Broden smirked, high-fiving Miles ritually, ignoring his military uniform

completely. The twins didnt react either, and I had to remind myself that Broden had

been a military student only two years ago, before I know him and became his friend.

I couldnt stop staring. It was as if I was staring into his previous life, the one I had

ignored upon getting to him.

Nothing really, Lilysang playfully, twirling her gray skirt. Im setting Sophia

up with the most promising political student in all of the Domains.

Brodens eyebrows rose, and his stitched brow burned red. Really? Broden

looked directly at me, but I had to look away. And who would this be?

Miles shook his head in aggravation. Some jerk from the Phoenix Domain.

Broden laughed. The Phoenix Domain? You mean, jail-breakers?

Miles threw his hands into the air, his expression exaggerated. Thats what I

said, he seconded, enthused with Brodens agreement. The guy is a jailbreak.

He cant help that hes from the Phoenix Domain, Lily argued, heated.

Grabbing my arm and pulling me next to her, I felt short awkward next to her thin,

nimble self. Hes a great guy; well show you guys.

Im sure you will, Broden laughed, clearly amused with the situation, and then

he ended the conversation, gesturing Miles to follow him elsewhere. Quickly, the two

childhood friends walked a few yards away, and I remembered meeting Broden through

Miles only two years ago. I had known Miles since I was nine, but the two boys had

known one another since birth. Most of the time it barely occurred to me that I had only

met Broden recently, but I felt like a strangerclose enough to Broden to smuggle a

knife to him in my bag but far enough away that the boys would speak in private.

Sophia, Lily spoke up, bouncing in front of me. Are you even listening?

I looked at the thin girl and nodded briefly as she began chattering again, my eyes

fluttering to the boys every few seconds. Brodens face was lowered, his lips moving


20/21

quickly as he spoke to the curly-haired boy. Miles was frozen, petrified even, and his tan

skin had paled significantly. Miles back was to me, but Broden didnt seem to be

comforting his disheveled friend. Instead, he was causing it with whatever he was saying.

Lilys voice might as well have been further away than the conversation I couldnt even

hear. Whatever the boys were talking about something Broden didnt want us to hear.

We should go, I stated, interrupting Lily as I pulled her arm, ignoring her chirps

of complaints. She stumbled behind me, and Brodens eyes flickered to mine as I neared,

his jaw locking. Miles shoulders rose, and he turned to look at us, and before we got too

close Broden muttered one last thing, and both of them straightened up calmly.

Hows the blind-date going? Broden asked with only a hint of annoyance in his

tone.

Lily smiled, falling into the conversation as Miles stood next to her, silent. His

fingers pulled at the ends of his jacket, and he avoided my eye contact by looking around

the courtyard. Then, suddenly, he touched Lilys arm and murmured that they had to go

home.

See you guys tomorrow, Lily said, completely disregarding how Broden now

went to a different school. I couldnt fathom how he had already managed special

privileges to leave campus. Perhaps he was a friend of the guards from living in the

military school before. Maybe he just left, walking out illegally. I wasnt sure I wanted to

know.

What were you two talking about? I asked quietly, watching Lily talk to her

paling brother as they walked away. Whatever the subject was, he was shaken up badly.

Broden glanced over, rolling up his sage sleeves to reveal his splinted hand. His

forehead was sweating, and he touched his torn brow as if the salt bothered his stitches.

Nothing.

I nodded bitterly, glaring at the school grounds. Everything seemed to be burning

in the sunlight. The redbrick buildings. The trees. The bushes. The dying grass. The

cracked sidewalk. It was all so hot, and I couldnt help but anticipate autumn. I sighed.

Broden spoke up, Thank you for helping me the other night.


21/21

I looked over in surprise, and I saw the sincerity in his eyes. Pulling a small bag

out of my backpack, I handed over the food, water, and the knife he had asked for.

Broden checked it grimly before reading his faulty watch.

Are you out of trouble now? I asked.

Brodens lips bent into a frown. I dont know, Soph ia. I he paused. Miles

he stopped again, and he looked up, unable to express what he was thinking.

What were you two talking about? I repeated, my dropped solemnly. I wasnt

one to play games. Just tell me.

Broden glanced at his watch again, focusing. I, he began slowly, and then he

changed the subject. Lyn drove you to the hospital that night, right? After curfew?

My heart lunged into my throat. Whats this about, Broden?

He sighed, shifting his weight and looking around. I waited, knowing he was

thinking of either a distraction or how to express himself. I need to go tonight, he

explained, his copper eyes darkening.

After curfew?

He nodded shamelessly, Do you thinkshed drive me?

Where? I asked, curiosity controlling me.

The forest by the lumberyard.

No, I answered, Broden dropping his gaze to the ground in defeat before I

finished my sentence. But I can.

take me tomorrow

Documents