Marley and I eventually found ourselves in the dining room sitting with Mae and Edgar. Everybody was there for President Cornelius’s address. Mae asked how I liked the place after touring it. I told her it was pretty cool, sure not to mention the place on the hill, just as Marley had asked.
Belladonna walked in carrying what seemed to be an old radio. Edgar at once stood up and joined her at the front of the room.
“This could be big,” Mae exclaimed. “I sure hope it doesn’t pass, but who knows what Cornelius’s councilmen will do.”
“It’s going to happen at some point,” Marley said. “Might as well be now.”
Mae didn’t seem too happy. “Perhaps,” she said. “It would be nice to have more time to plan what we’re going to do. But I trust everything will work out in the end.”
Music suddenly sounded throughout the dining hall. “I love this song!” Mae yelled so loudly I nearly fell out of my chair. Her fingers snapped to the beat. I had never heard the song, so I assumed it was quite old. Mae seemed disappointed when Belladonna changed the station with a turn of a knob.
Belladonna stopped at a particular station where two newscasters were discussing the upcoming address. “We can expect it to go either way,” she was saying. “Many feel that the Bill of Border Control will not be considered after President Marx’s death.”
“It all depends if President Cornelius wishes to follow in those footsteps,” the man added.
The lady reporter went on talking about how people were still iffy with the ‘tracking law.’ It was all pretty boring, but everybody in the room seemed interested. I kind of just wanted to go to my room. But I’m sure Edgar would never let me hear the end of it. And I admit, I was a bit curious as to what was going on.
The woman was talking about how the family was mourning the president’s death when she stopped in mid-sentence. “And it seems like the president is ready. Let’s see what he has to say.”
There was a pause. Not one sound came from the radio but a steady buzzing noise. The entire dining hall was silent. People were fidgeting and others were leaning out of their seats toward the radio, as if getting a few inches closer was going to speed everything up. Finally, after a few moments passed, a strong, deep voice spoke.
“Good evening,” President Cornelius said slowly. I tried picturing what he looked like. I imagined a pretty stout guy because of the deep tone of his voice. Everybody’s eyes were glued to the radio, as if waiting for it to actually jump up and do something. These people knew President Cornelius as the Grand Imperial. For all I knew, he was just a normal man.
“My friend’s death – your president’s – has affected us all,” he started, still speaking slowly, as if searching for the right words. “We all knew him as a man – a citizen – just like each and every one of us. He would do anything in his power to make this country a better place. And he has not disappointed. I’d say he very was successful.” The voice paused.
Mae and Marley were just like everybody else, watching the radio closely. Marley did glance at me, grin, and quickly turned her attention back to the radio.
“I understand that The Bill of Border Control is not popular among many of you. President Marx understood this as well. I want to use my time today to reassure everyone that the bill will, indeed, help this country move forward – something President Marx would have wanted.”
“Yeah right,” A man sitting at the next table said. Everyone ignored him. I looked back at the radio.
“The good news is that we’ve caught the killer. He will be tried, and he will receive an appropriate punishment.” Cornelius paused again, as if allowing his audience to take in the information. “This killer was from a different region! This is another example in which somebody has traveled from one region to another to commit a crime. Usually they aren’t caught. But under these extreme circumstances, we were able to use more resources than usual in order to find the murderer.”
“Oh, he’s good,” Mae whispered. She had a sobering look on her face. “He knows what he’s doing.”
I didn’t know what Mae was talking about. So I asked “What’s he doing?”
“He’s pretending somebody from another region killed the president when he had it done himself,” Mae answered quickly, not looking away from the radio. “Somebody from another region killing the beloved president sure does make the tracking law look good, wouldn’t you say?”
I didn’t ask any more questions. I turned my attention to the radio again.
“The Bill of Border Control can help prevent this! And it will go into effect within the next couple of weeks. This bill will act as a way to avenge President Marx’s death. It’s time we took the next step in making this country a safer place. Thank you, nation. I hope you will stand beside me in making President Marx’s dream come true.”
Well, that was a quick address. But it apparently meant the world to everybody in the room. Everybody in the dining hall erupted in conversation, discussing what was said.
“I suppose it’s official now,” Mae said, having to raise her voice over the commotion.
“I wonder what others are thinking,” Marley said. “You think they’ll fall for it?”
“It’s hard to say,” Mae said. “He does sound charming. A lot of people will stand by him just because of that.”
At the front of the dining hall, Belladonna and Edgar were engaged in some serious conversation. I wondered if they were planning their next move. Perhaps they would soon so I could go with them to see what this whole Grandfather thing was about and how I was involved. President Cornelius just sounded like a man who was dealing with the loss of his friend and truly wanted to protect the people of the regions. There was a good chance that’s all he was trying to do. He probably wasn’t the Grand Imperial.
After a while, Belladonna and Edgar came to our table. “. . . Nothing we can do,” Edgar was telling her.
“We’ll figure something out,” Belladonna said.
They both took a seat across from me. “Many will support the law,” Edgar went on. “Too many damn naïve people in this world.”
“That’s something that’ll never change,” Belladonna said. “All we can do is hope they don’t.”
Mae frowned. “Well, isn’t that just wasting time? We know most people are going to fall for it.”
“These damn people within the wall have their heads up their asses,” Edgar said angrily. “And I’d be damn if those outside of the wall just don’t care either way.” Edgar looked at me.
I knew I was one of those people, and it killed Edgar. What killed him even more was that he knew there were a lot more like me.
“Patience,” Belladonna said quietly. “Yes, people in this world are naïve. Some of them also tend to lack patience.”
“It’s easy to lose patience when you’re running out of time,” Edgar snapped, his face getting a bit red.
Belladonna didn’t appear offended. She actually seemed amused. “Well, Edgar, if you only knew how patient I’ve had to be. It’s not fun.”
“Belladonna’s right,” Mae said. “It sure isn’t fun. But by golly it’ll be well worth it in the end.” Mae’s concern had completely vanished, quickly replaced by the familiar jovial expression.
Edgar forced himself to agree. “You’re right, Maebelle. As usual.”
Mae appeared satisfied, giggling at him.
Belladonna stood up. “If the people want to support the tracking law because it will appear to stop people like the president’s so called killer, then let them. They’ll learn eventually.” Without another word, Belladonna left the dining hall. Edgar still wasn’t happy by the address and said the law would make “our” job harder.
“Me and Robert will go out tomorrow,” Edgar said. “See what the people are saying about it.”
They were going out again. It was my chance. “Do I get to go on this one?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No point,” he said. “Stil
l don’t think we should let ya.”
“You already agreed,” I said. “Belladonna agreed. She won’t take it back.”
He looked as if he already knew that. “You’ll get your chance,” he said.
“But I want to now,” I demanded. I was ready to actually do something.
“Did ya not just hear us talking about patience?” Edgar asked with a smirk on his face. “It’s not fun, but we got to do it.”
Whatever. I would just talk to Belladonna in the next few days. She would make him take me. Without telling anybody “bye” I went back to my room where I finished the book about the boy and his dog and hated it. The author killed the dog. Who does that?
The next day, after lunch, Marley planned on taking me to the hilltop again, just as she said. I didn’t really want to meet another person, especially Ashton. I hadn’t had much luck with other boys. I mean, what if Ashton was just like the boys back at the orphanage? I was tempted to say no, but it was going to happen eventually. Best to get it over with. Hey, at least I’d get to see the amazing view again.
Marley led me through the many halls, talking about how I was going to like Ashton. “He likes it down here,” she told me. “And he really likes the people here too.” I just nodded and listened.
We entered the familiar small room with the ladder. I admired the view of the city as I climbed up from the ground. I wasn’t the only one doing so. A guy stood tall at the edge of the cliff, gazing at the buildings. His shaggy brown hair blew in the wind. He wore blue jeans and a gray shirt.
“Ashton,” Marley said. He swung around. His hazel eyes darted at me. My eyes went straight to his right cheek. There, a scar ran from his ear to his nostrils. I wondered where it came from, but didn’t plan on asking. “This is Carsyn,” Marley told him.
He walked toward me, the stern look on his face not leaving. When he was a few feet in front of me, he extended his hand. I took it and shook it. “I’m Ashton,” he said.
“Carsyn,” I said.
He turned his gaze to Marley. “So, Marley showed you our secret spot,” he said. He turned back around to look at the city again. I wondered if it bothered him that Marley brought me.
“It’s pretty cool up here,” I told him.
“Yeah,”
“A cool view of the city,” I added.
“Yeah,” he said again. “Just don’t tell anybody about it.”
“He won’t,” Marley said quickly. “I trust him.”
“Don’t trust anybody,” Ashton snapped at her.
Marley and I didn’t say anything. Ashton walked toward the edge of the cliff again. Marley shrugged her shoulders and joined Ashton. I followed.
“Carsyn never saw the city until he came here,” Marley said.
Ashton didn’t seem surprised. “I first saw the city here, too,” he said. “That means you’re from outside the wall, like most of us down here.”
“Yeah,” I said. “Came from the orphanage.”
He glanced at me.
My eyes caught the scar again. I looked away, hoping he didn’t notice I was staring.
He looked back at the city. “If you ask me, outside any city wall is better than the inside.”
“Well, you’ve also never been inside,” Marley said.
“I know,” Ashton replied. “And I don’t want to. He pointed toward the buildings. “Because all of that . . . that’s where Grandfather is planning our destruction.”
I didn’t say anything. Marley looked at me, knowing how I felt about the entire thing.
“The people inside are so caught up in their fancy lives,” Ashton said, crossing his arms against his chest. “I don’t want to be ignorant of Grandfather’s existence like they are.” Ashton looked at me again. “Edgar mentioned you before going to get you . . . how do you like it down here so far?”
“It’s alright I guess,” I said. “I don’t really have anything to do yet.”
“Well, it sure is interesting,” Ashton said. “You see, down here, you get to be around people who know the truth. Down here, we get to look forward to stopping that evil group.”
“Well,” I started. “I’m still working on that one.”
Ashton tilted his head and squinted. “Working on what?” he asked.
“I’m still working on the whole Grandfather thing still.” I was honest. No point in lying.
“What do you mean? You’re still working on trying to expose them? That’s what we’re all here for.”
Marley breathed heavily beside me. “I should mention, Ashton, that Carsyn doesn’t really believe yet that Grandfather has returned.”
“You what?” Ashton asked, his eyes narrowing in on mine. “You don’t believe in Grandfather?” I could already tell things weren’t going to go as Marley had hoped.
“I just need some time to see for myself,” I told him.
Ashton didn’t understand that. And he just lost it. Not even kidding. His face turned bright red in a second. He clinched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white. I was worried he might actually throw a punch. Even Marley seemed worried so I didn’t put it past him. “You don’t believe?!” he shouted so loudly a flock of birds in a nearby tree flew away. “How can you live with us down here and not believe?”
“Not yet,” I said, trying to amend the situation. “I mean, I’ve just heard about them days ago.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“Ashton,” Marley said. “We didn’t believe at first either.”
“Well, at first there was nothing to go on,” Ashton told her. “Now it’s so obvious.” He stretched out his fingers, then made a fist again
“Belladonna and Edgar have told me things, but I just want to see for myself,” I told him, still preparing to be punched.
“So you think we’re liars?” Ashton said. He moved closer until his face was just inches away from mine. “Is that what you’re saying?” he asked, his stare so firm it could’ve burned a mark on my forehead. First meeting with Ashton was not going so well. I was wishing I refused to meet him.
“No,” I said. “I . . . you don’t understand.”
“Oh, I think I understand,” he growled. “If you don’t believe us, then you think we’re liars. Why else would you want to find out for yourself?”
He kind of had a point. I didn’t believe them. And if I didn’t believe them, well . . . that did mean I thought they were lying . . . technically. But my point was that maybe they couldn’t help it. Belladonna and Edgar believed strongly in Grandfather, so I knew they weren’t just lying. Maybe they were just being misled. Oh, I don’t know.
“Come on, Ashton,” Marley begged. She grabbed his arm and pulled him out of my face. “Just stop. He’ll find out soon.”
“Oh, he’ll find out soon,” Ashton said. “Let’s just hope it’s not too late.” I couldn’t take much more of Ashton. I didn’t understand why everybody wanted to shove Grandfather at me. Edgar and Robert were that way. I was surrounded by them. My not believing was as if it was the end of the world for these guys. Yeah, I was angry, and I just let it all out.
“I’m attacked by Edgar in an alley. The guy looks absolutely creepy. He tells me I’m in danger and need to go with him . . . all in one day. I know nothing about Grandfather. I’m sorry, but it’s kind of hard to just believe.”
Ashton shook his head. He just wasn’t buying it. “But the clues are right there. The tracking law. And the night the President was killed . . . weren’t you warned?”
“Yeah,” I said.
“Then what’s the problem?”
“You don’t understand,” I yelled. “I’m not saying it’s not true. I’m saying that I want—”
“What are you saying?” Ashton asked. He poked my chest with his finger. I really wanted to punch this guy. I had felt the urge many times at the orphanage, but not once did I actually go through with it. I came closer to punching Ashton than anybody else. It was a good
thing Marley was there. She got in between us and pushed Ashton away even further.
“He’s just saying that he wants to learn on his own,” Marley said.
“So you’re on his side, Marley?’ he asked.
“I’m on nobody’s side,” she said. “Now stop this right now.”
Ashton turned around and walked back to the ledge. I had nothing more to say to him. All I wanted to do was leave and get back to my room where I didn’t have to deal with people. I told Marley. She agreed to take me back.
“I’ll see you later, once you’ve calmed down,” Marley told Ashton, her cool tone returning.
“Don’t even think about bringing the nonbeliever,” he told her.
I stomped my way down the ladder, followed by Marley. My face was hot with anger. A few more minutes with Ashton would’ve surely led to a fight.
“I shouldn’t have come,” I told Marley as I darted through the tunnels.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, having a difficult time keeping up. “I should have warned you.”
“What’s his problem anyways?” I asked, finally allowing her to catch up. After all, I had no idea how to get back.
“He feels more strongly about Grandfather than anyone.”
“Yeah, I noticed that,” I snapped.
Marley looked at me with gloomy eyes. “Something happened to him before I met him. He won’t tell me what, but I know it’s the reason why he’s so angry with the group.”
Well, I didn’t know what Ashton went through, but it didn’t give him a reason to treat me that way. He needed to take things down a notch.
Marley left me alone in my room until dinner. I was just going to go back to staying in my room, talking to nobody.
I was afraid I’d have to sit close to Ashton at dinner, but he sat at another table beside a man in a white uniform. I guessed that was Dr. Mac. Occasionally, I would catch him glaring at me. I just forced myself to ignore him. I’m pretty sure Marley noticed this, but she didn’t mention it. What could she do? There was no chance in changing Ashton’s mind.
I couldn’t even sleep that night. My blood was ready to spew. I wanted to leave that underground facility so bad. I even thought about it, but knew the only place I could go was the orphanage. I was not letting that happen. I even thought about going to another region but realized how ridiculous that was. I wouldn’t even know where to go. I’d probably starve to death on the streets. I had no choice but to stay with these people, so I was just going to have to get used to things. I was trapped, and the anxiety just kept swelling inside me, twisting my stomach. This was going to be harder than what I thought.
Chapter Five