Collapsed: Book One of The Illusion of Truth, page 18
Mrs. Pierce steps to her son and narrows her brow at him. She wants these people from her home, maybe even more than she wants me gone. But if there is a way to accomplish both, I’m sure she doesn’t want anyone getting in the way.
Jax stares hard at her for a brief moment and presses his lips together, waving his hand dismissively at the commander. “Fine. Do what you need to.”
My heart sinks. Even though I knew there probably wasn’t anything he could do, reality sets in as the sentry pushes me out the door.
“What are they doing?” Behind me Ellie screams, and the instant I hear her small voice, tears flood from my eyes.
“Stop it, Eleanor!” Mrs. Pierce says as her daughter wails.
On instinct I twist as hard as I can back to her and shout, “It’s going to be fine, Ellie!”
The last thing I hear is Ellie screaming my name and then an elbow jabs to my face.
Pain throbs in my temple, and everything goes black.
* * *
I blink my eyes open to the back of a vehicle, my head pounding. I try to raise my hands, but they’re still secured behind my back.
“Sit up,” a male voice orders, and I twist my neck to see that one of the sentries from the house is seated across from me, gun pointed my way.
Is all this really necessary? I want to say the words out loud but know I can’t without risking getting hit again. I don’t know why I got hit in the first place—I was just trying to do my job, not resist arrest.
“Sit. Up,” he orders me again. “We’re almost there.”
I strain my body and push up against the seat. My head swims just as the van with no windows in the back comes to a stop. Almost immediately the side door flies open, and my guard is pushing me out, his weapon tucked into my side.
Several other sentries are outside, but I keep my head down as we enter a well-lit building full of bustling people. Some are sentries; others wear similar uniforms but might be civilian workers. With my head spinning and the world blurring in and out, I’m not even sure.
Finally we end up at a door, and my escort scans his palm to open it. The door slides back and he all but tosses me into a room where only a table and two chairs wait. Even if I wanted to, I don’t have time to ask any questions before he’s gone, the door sliding shut behind him.
My head continues to pound as I shuffle to one of the seats and lower myself into it. I blow out an exasperated breath and shake several curls off my face that have come loose from my bun.
Seconds later Commander Treviño enters the room, holding a Flexx. He’s not armed from what I can tell, but his fists and arm muscles could easily serve as weapons if need be.
My teeth chatter as shivers wrack my body.
“Name,” Treviño asks without emotion.
“Um . . . Tenly Hawkins.” I barely get the words out. He should know this already.
He taps on his device and my restraints break free. “Place your hands on the table where I can see them.”
Relieved, I pull my hands from behind my back and do as he says. The commander then holds out his device and hovers it over my DNA tattoo. The Flexx beeps, and immediately he pulls it away to study the screen.
All I want to do right now is shrivel away. My parents would be terrified if they knew what was going on right now. To ease my shaking body, I envision Mama’s arms wrapped around me and Papa’s warm laugh. It almost takes away my pain . . . almost.
“Miss Hawkins,” Treviño’s gruff voice throws me back from my thoughts.
“Yes, sir,” I say.
“Do you know why you are here today?”
“No sir.” Although by now I know it must have something to do with Kalib coming to the house. Maybe he wasn’t allowed to be there at all. Why didn’t I just go with my gut and tell him not to come back?
The commander studies the screen of his Flexx, then turns the device toward me. “Do you know this person?”
On the screen is a recent image of Kalib. My heart jumps at the sight of it, even though the image is no surprise to me.
“Yes,” I admit and do my best to keep my words steady. “That’s Kalib Fisher. He . . . he was my upstairs neighbor in the Tenement, and he’s also a part of the Cobalt Premier Workforce.”
“Was,” he corrects.
I narrow my brows in question but don’t speak.
“Mr. Fisher was a part of the Cobalt Premier Workforce.”
My eyes widen and my breath picks up. “What does that mean? Is he dead?” I blurt out the words before I can stop them.
Treviño chuckles. “No, you stupid girl. But it’s very likely he will be soon.”
I gasp. “Why?”
He stares down at his screen instead of looking at me. “Because it has recently come to our attention that he’s been involved with some suspicious behavior, and we know that he’s been to the Pierce home more than once. Can you confirm this?”
Multiple people saw Kalib two of the three times he was there, so it’s not something I can deny. “He works as a courier for the CPW, so he delivered my first letter from my parents. He also picked up my return letter another time.” The second admission is slightly stretching the truth since he didn’t take my letter until last night.
Treviño eyes me. “And he was there on no other business?”
I try to clear my thoughts despite the intense headache still raging from being hit. “He gave me news of his sister back in the Tenement.”
He narrows his eyelids and glances at the Flexx screen again. “Mr. Fisher is not the typical person to pass the CPW exam. They are quite rigorous and have many requirements. Since you know Mr. Fisher so well, did you expect that he would pass?”
My heart jumps. I know all too well what Treviño is talking about. They think Kalib cheated too. “Kalib never even wanted to take the exam,” I admit. “But he told me that he decided to try it at the last minute, because that is permitted.”
“Why would he do that?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t tell me.” It’s a lie again. He did it because I brought it up, but I can’t say that for so many reasons.
“Do you believe that your friend cheated?”
“Cheated?” I fold my arms over my chest. “I don’t even remember taking the test . . . all I know is when I woke up it was hours later, and the test administer was informing those left that we had made it into the CPW. How could anyone cheat? Cobalts know nothing of advanced Scarlet technologies.”
The commander glances up at me again. “This is exactly what we’re trying to discover.”
“I . . . I’m not sure how I can help you when my memories are gone. I would if I could.” My gut churns at my last sentence.
Treviño chuckles and places his device down on the table. “I’m so glad that you want to help, because it is our belief that your friend has somehow gotten himself involved with a terrorist organization called the Scarlet–Cobalt Alliance that is looking to destroy our way of life.”
“What?”
“Has he mentioned anything that could fit into our little theory?” Treviño keeps his voice soft and somehow threatening at the same time.
“No . . . as I said. He just delivered the letter and told me the news from back home.” I dig my hands into my sides. How can this be? What is Kalib involved with? He tried to tell me last night and I didn’t want to listen.
The commander leans back into his chair and bites at his top lip before he speaks. “The Pierces have such a good reputation. I’d really hate them being dragged into something needlessly. They do have that little girl . . . you just never know what might happen.”
My stomach flips over and vomit threatens to make its way up. Could I be risking Ellie by not telling my suspicions about Kalib? But that’s all they are . . . I really have no idea if they’re true. He’s my best friend.
“I’d also hate to see you lose the position you worked so hard for . . . or worse,” he hisses.
“Kalib didn’t tell me anything,” are the words that make it out as my entire body quivers.
Treviño stands and glares at me for a second until his expression goes flat. “Obviously you need more time. I’ll be back tomorrow when you’re going to want something to eat and drink. Maybe then you’ll remember more.”
“What? No! I don’t know anything!”
But my pleas fall on deaf ears as he turns. The door opens and he walks outside into the corridor. The second he leaves, the lights snap off and I’m left sobbing in the dark.
Chapter 25
In the darkness, tears sting at my eyes, but they don’t fall. My entire body is a dry well that will never come to life again.
How can this be happening when everything was going as it should?
Everything positive for me about being at the Pierces’ house couldn’t last. Ellie progressing so nicely, Jax’s and my . . . friendship, the science opportunities . . . Life for a Cobalt is never that good. It’s just not real.
I lean against the back of the chair while blinking against the dark.
This is reality.
The nightmare of what I’ve always feared by letting Kalib in too much has finally come true. He never should have taken the exam . . . he never should have come to Carmine . . . for both my sake and his own. He would have been able to make a life back at the Tenement. It would have been difficult, but he would have found moments of happiness. Just like he always did.
At this point I have no idea what is going to happen to me. Even if I wanted to tell the commander something, what would it be? I don’t know anything about how Kalib passed the test. The whole thing was odd, but it doesn’t mean he did anything wrong. And I know absolutely nothing about a Scarlet–Cobalt Alliance.
If I just throw out guesses, I’d be personally sentencing Kalib to prison or maybe even worse. My middle twists at the thought. He’s my best friend, and even if he made mistakes, he doesn’t deserve that kind of punishment.
Then, if I do confess knowing something, will they even let me go back to my job at the Pierces’? After this morning will the Pierces even want me? I’m sure that Madam is mortified . . . not to mention furious that I’ve embarrassed her household by being dragged into custody.
A shudder runs down my spine as I remember Isaiah’s words that other CPWs who didn’t work out didn’t go back to the Tenement. Just where did they go? Before I was in the program, I guess I was naïve. No one ever came back, and I guess I simply assumed that there were never any problems. But of course there were problems. Scarlets hate Cobalts . . . even ones in the CPW. I drag my feet up onto the chair and wrap my arms around my knees to protect myself from the emotions welling in my middle.
Everything. My whole life is ruined. There is no winning with either choice.
My breath comes in short pants as muffled sounds approach from outside the room.
Are they coming for me again? I gulp down my heart, which has risen into my throat.
Suddenly the lights flip on and I suck in a breath. More voices sound, seemingly arguing by the volume and angry tone, and tapping comes from the door. Instinctively I twist my head around searching for a means of escape, but there is none.
The door slides back and I jump to my feet . . . ready to run nowhere.
My eyes widen at the first person who flies into the room. Dr. Pierce, his eyes burning with rage. He makes a beeline for me and grasps my arm.
I yelp. He’s furious with me!
“Sir . . . Dr. Pierce.” Treviño rounds into the room. “You can’t be in here.”
Dr. Pierce continues to clutch my arm as my entire body shakes. “You came into my home without a warrant, searched the premises and removed one of my staff without my permission!” he roars.
“Sir,” Commander Treviño implores, and two armed sentries appear at the door.
“Don’t you sir me,” Dr. Pierce seethes. “There was no respect given when you barged into my home, scaring my family and staff. My six-year-old has been terrified since the second you assaulted Miss Hawkins, her governess, and dragged her from our residence.”
My thoughts explode. Dr. Pierce is here to protect me. Why would he do this?
“Dr. Pierce,” Treviño says and waves back the sentries. “We understand that you are a respected member of the community—”
“I am not only a respected member of Carmine . . . I am the head virologist for President Nelson’s scientific team. The president himself trusts me with top secret information, yet you seem to believe that I do not have control of my household! In fact, I was pulled from a meeting with him when my wife contacted me with the news of what had happened.”
My eyes widen at the information he’s blurting out. I knew Dr. Pierce was important . . . but not this important.
Treviño gazes away from Dr. Pierce. “We were simply moving on intel concerning terrorist organizations.”
“And you are accusing me of allowing terrorist activity in my home?” His grip on my arm tightens, but I don’t pull away.
“Miss Hawkins is a Cobalt! She has no rights.”
“No, but I do,” Dr. Pierce growls. “And she is a Cobalt who has proven herself to be trustworthy in both the Tenement as well as her position as a governess in my home. My daughter, whom Miss Hawkins looks after, is shining in her Red Ladies curriculum, and I personally have given her additional responsibilities at which she has excelled. Miss Hawkins has proven herself over and over, and I will not have you disparaging my household when we are upholding our civic duty to support the Cobalt Premier Workforce program. You did not even legally have the right to enter my home without my expressed permission! There was no warrant.”
The commander opens his mouth to speak, but Dr. Pierce cuts him off again. “If you need Miss Hawkins’ cooperation with any sort of investigation, I will be happy to have her do so . . . but not like this. I will be taking my governess at this time, and if you attempt to stop me, you will be hearing from my attorney.”
This threat obviously means something important to Treviño because he throws his hands up into the air in defeat. “Fine, fine. But there is required paperwork before she can be allowed to leave.”
Dr. Pierce narrows his eyelids. “Then prepare it immediately.”
The commander turns and storms from the room, leaving the door open. “Move!” he yells at what must be the sentries further back in the hall.
As soon as he’s gone, Dr. Pierce releases me and turns my way. He gives me a once-over and stops his gaze at the side of my face where the sentry hit me with his elbow back at the house. He raises his hand and touches the tips of his fingers to it. I wince. “Are you all right?”
I touch the bruised spot, which hadn’t hurt quite so much until just now.
“I got knocked out.”
Dr. Pierce purses his lips. “Oh, believe me . . . I heard all about it. When we get home, I’ll make sure you get treatment. I’m sure you have a concussion.”
Having Dr. Pierce here and caring anything about my condition is not as good as having my parents, but it’s something. His demeanor tells me that his concern goes at least somewhat beyond appearances and making sure that his daughter isn’t traumatized permanently.
A sentry appears in the doorway and clears his throat. “They are ready for you to check out, Dr. Pierce.”
He turns and glares at the guard. “This had better be fast.”
The sentry nods. “It can be.” He eyes me as if something I can do will speed up the process.
Dr. Pierce gestures me from the room, and I follow the sentry. He leads us into a large open area where Commander Treviño stands next to a desk, holding a larger handheld device. He presents it to Dr. Pierce, who reaches out and takes it. “What is this?”
“The formalities that I told you about,” Treviño says.
Dr. Pierce studies the screen and puffs out a large breath in frustration. “This is not what I intended when I came in here.”
Commander Treviño raises a brow. “A signature will ensure that there will be no further need to bother your family with this investigation.” He eyes me, and I want to sink into the ground. “Plus, if your governess is truly loyal, she will not have a problem signing it . . . to ensure her own future as well as the integrity of your family’s position.” He smiles, revealing a set of perfect white teeth.
Dr. Pierce turns to me and holds out the device. I take it and read the words.
I, Tenly Hawkins, swear loyalty to the Scarlet government and President Nelson. I am opposed to anything which could inflict harm on any Scarlet citizens or the foundation of Scarlet society, including acts of terrorism.
My body freezes, knowing what the next lines are going to say. They want me to denounce Kalib and to say I know that he must be involved with something dangerous. But I don’t know any of this. From our meeting last night he is involved with something . . . but I have no clue what it is. By saying I do . . . my stomach sickens, and bile rises into my throat.
I return my attention to the screen . . . Kalib Fisher . . . domestic terrorism . . . punishable by death. The room starts to spin, and I catch my hand on the corner of the desk to steady myself.
“Miss Hawkins,” the commander says. “Dr. Pierce is ready to take you out of here, and you’ll hopefully never have to see us again. You can go along with high marks in the CPW program, and the Pierces will be issued a public apology for our mistake this morning.”
The weight of what he’s telling me presses on my chest and I waver my attention to Dr. Pierce, who releases a low growl in his throat, saying nothing. He and I both know if I don’t sign it, I instantly look guilty and so do the Pierces.
I have no choice. Treviño used this situation to set me up.
It was probably the entire plan from the start if Dr. Pierce didn’t simply cast me off.
Holding back the vomit, I place my finger to the screen and sign my full name to the line. As soon as I’m done, Treviño snatches the device from my hand, taps the screen and hovers it over the back of my hand. When it finishes scanning my tattoo, the device beeps.
