Grandfather

  The next day, once word got out, there was a lot of talk. People wouldn’t leave me alone, approaching me everywhere I went, asking me what it was like to be around Cornelius. I couldn’t get away, so I stayed in my room until Marley and Ashton came.

  “Trying to hide?” Ashton asked. Apparently, people wouldn’t leave him alone either.

  “Yeah,” I told him.

  “I know where we can go to get away from all of this,” Marley said.

  I knew what she meant right away.

  We all went to the hill where we sat in mostly silence. Ashton mentioned how he would never see the city the same way. “Everything is so different inside,” he told Marley. “The people, too.”

  I told Marley that aside meeting Cornelius and everything going wrong, I still thought the city was spectacular. Now that we had the time, we told Marley about the good things in the city. We mentioned the technology, the vehicles, and definitely the Starbucks. “Best drink I’ve ever had,” Ashton told her.

  Marley wasn’t as thrilled. She pretended to be, but her excitement was obviously forced. Ashton must have also noticed this because he asked her if anything was wrong.

  “No,” She said, forcing another smile. “I did, though, always want to see the city.”

  I suddenly felt bad. Ashton and I had gotten carried away in our excitement that we never thought Marley would’ve been upset. I apologized.

  “Well, don’t apologize,” She said. “I’m actually glad I wasn’t there because I would’ve freaked out after you guys were caught. But one day, I’ll see the city.”

  “It wasn’t that great,” Ashton said, trying to make her feel better.

  “Yeah,” I agreed.

  Marley smiled, this one real, and then asked how it was to be away with Edgar and Robert. I told her how Edgar seemed like a changed man, and we all agreed it was because the city was for Edgar, seeing as to how that’s where he used to live.

  “Probably brought back some memories,” Marley said.

  I pictured Edgar walking on the sidewalk with everybody else, dressed in a fancy suit, on the phone, drinking some Starbucks. Then after a long day of work, going back home to his . . . did he have a family? I asked Marley if she knew.

  “He used to have a wife,” Marley said. “I don’t know what happened to her.”

  I wondered what happened.

  “Just don’t ask him,” Ashton said, frowning. “People like to keep some things to themselves.”

  I knew Ashton was referring to his scar. I changed the subject. “I can’t help but wonder if the rich people know what we outside of the wall have to go through. It’s not fair.”

  Ashton and Marley were silent at first. Yeah, everything we had seen was amazing and different, but it just wasn’t fair that only the rich could enjoy it. Actually, the more I compared the inside to the places and people around the orphanage, it made me angry.

  “I know,” Ashton said roughly. “I hate the wall so much. I just hope that after all of this is over with, it’ll come down.”

  I pictured what it would be like coming down. It was so big. I couldn’t imagine. I don’t even know how people would react, and that was including those outside of it.

  That evening we went to the dining hall to find Belladonna, Edgar, and Robert gathered around the radio up front. I assumed Cornelius was making another address. I wondered if he would mention what had happened the previous night. I was sure he would. By the time everyone had their sandwiches, Belladonna had found the right station. From it, a high-pitched woman spoke about her upcoming interview with Cornelius. She was very excited about it and mentioned how it was a last minute thing and how he had something important to say. That really built up some curiosity.

  “We’ll be back with President Cornelius after these messages,” the woman said. Advertisements for vehicles, food, and even Starbucks played. While we waited, Mae talked about the previous night.

  “I’m just glad you guys are okay,” she said. “It was dangerous, but you all did a great deed.” Her eyes moved from me to Ashton. Mae then started chuckling. “I still can’t believe you knocked him out. Now, we all know that had to hurt. I remember getting hit in the head by a vase when I was a kid. Boy did it hurt! Let’s hope Cornelius learned a lesson.”

  “Hopefully,” I added.

  Soon, the commercials were over and the woman’s high-pitched voice returned. “Please welcome our president,” she was saying. Loud applause came in through the radio. I wondered how many people were there to see him. It sounded like hundreds.

  “Thank you Karen,” the calm but strong low-pitched voice said, sounding the same as before . . . as if nothing had happened.

  “I want to start off by congratulating you on passing the Bill of Border Control. I do believe it goes into effect next Tuesday . . . five days.”

  I had completely forgotten about the tracking law. With everything going on, I guess I just didn’t realize it officially passed. Of course the way everybody had talked, it was going to happen eventually. That’s probably why nobody around me seemed all that surprised.

  “That’s right,” Cornelius said. “We’ve got a lot of improvement coming, and this bill is only the start.”

  “It sure does sound exciting,” the woman – Karen – said. “Even with the controversy behind it.”

  Cornelius chuckled. “You know, Karen. I’ve heard a lot of people call it the tracking law, thinking we’re doing it to just keep people organized in the four regions. It’s mostly those outside the wall who believe this.”

  “That’s right,” Karen said. “But they also can’t help it.”

  “Exactly,” Cornelius said. “They don’t get to see a lot of things we see, so they don’t understand.”

  “Maybe if you didn’t separate all of us,” I heard Mae whisper.

  “But they still feel pretty strongly about the bill,” Karen said.

  “They do,” Cornelius answered. “But all I’m doing is taking a step to lower crime. You can’t fight against facts. Data tells us that most crime committed is indeed committed by those from other regions. It’s a sad truth in today’s society.”

  “Very sad, indeed,” Karen said. “but many would say we already have the lowest crime rate in history.”

  “That may be,” Cornelius snapped, though he didn’t exactly sound angry. “But we can make that number even lower. Always room for improvement. Never settle.”

  “Oh, absolutely,” Karen said. “I think we can all agree that less crime would make this world a better place.”

  “I sure do hope so,” Cornelius said. “And that’s exactly what we’re trying to achieve. People will adapt to it and in just a few years they’ll see it was the right choice to make.”

  There was a pause while Karen cleared her throat. She continued, “I don’t mean to switch directions completely, but I want to move on to something even more recent. The biggest news we’ve all been hearing is about the incident from last night.”

  “Ah yes,” Cornelius said, still sounding as if nothing happened. “It was an interesting night to say the least.”

  Ashton and I exchanged looks. We were both wondering if he would mention us. Probably not. He would avoid the truth, especially about Sub X.

  “What exactly happened?” Karen said. “The fire trucks showed up, but there was no fire, is that correct?

  “Thankfully it’s true,” Cornelius said.

  I snorted. Edgar said he definitely caught the basement on fire. But Cornelius couldn’t just come out and say that. He’d be afraid that word would get out about the virus.

  He continued, still sounding as if it was no big deal. “A couple of kids thought it would be funny to break in and set off the fire alarm.”

  “Oh my,” Karen said.

  “I caught a glimpse of them. They definitely weren’t from within the walls.”

  “Oh,” Karen said. “Outsiders rarely get in. That’s quite
unusual.”

  “It is,” Cornelius said.

  “Well, I guess you never know what to expect from them.”

  “Never know what to expect from anybody,” Cornelius said.

  Karen cleared her throat again. “So you weren’t in any danger?” she asked.

  “Absolutely not,” he said. “Just two kids playing pranks.”

  “Reports say that when you first came out, your forehead was swollen quite badly.”

  “Karen, I was in such a hurry to get out that I slipped and fell.” Cornelius laughed.

  Karen laughed with him.

  “And for all I knew, the place was actually on fire. I don’t think I’ve run so fast in my life.”

  They laughed even harder.

  I caught Ashton’s glance and grin. We knew the truth.

  “Well, we’re all glad you’re okay.”

  “That’s kids for you,” Cornelius said, still chuckling.

  “And speaking of kids,” Karen said right away. “That brings us to the next big topic people are just dying to know about.”

  “Yes,” he said. “I knew it would come up, and I don’t blame people questioning the situation.”

  I listened intensively.

  “Reports say you were seen outside the wall earlier today.”

  “Unusual, isn’t it?” Cornelius said.

  Cornelius outside the wall? Now that was something I couldn’t imagine.

  “Sources tell us that you were recently at an orphanage.”

  Whoa. I quickly glanced at Mae, Marley, and Ashton. They looked at me, just as shocked and turned their attention back to the radio. I noticed a few people in the room glancing my way. When they caught me looking them back, they quickly turned away. Edgar was one of them. I continued to listen, leaning toward the radio; just as I had seen other people do.

  “I was,” Cornelius admitted.

  “Mr. President,” Karen said. “This is surprising to us. If you don’t mind . . . we’d like to hear why. Were you just helping? And outside of the wall? It’s not very safe there.”

  “Safety wasn’t an issue,” Cornelius said. “Yes, people outside are rowdy, but I had plenty of security to keep me safe.”

  Karen exhaled deeply, as if she had been holding her breath. “I’m so glad to hear that,” she said. “But why did you even take the risk?”

  “Let me tell you a story first,” Cornelius said. “A story I think everybody deserves to know.

  “Well, do tell,” Karen said, the excitement in her voice returning. “I love a good story.”

  “I had a friend . . . Benjamin Hawkins was his name. Like myself, he wanted to make a difference. He wanted to see people living a much safer life. Karen, he and I would stay up late, discussing different ways we could better this society and the people in it. I remember one time, he came up with the idea that the walls should be painted a different color.” Cornelius paused to chuckle.

  I just couldn’t believe how normal he sounded. No wonder so many people were fooled. It could be easy.

  Cornelius continued. “Benjamin wanted it to be a bright color . . . said it would make us happier to see a jolly color while we get our shopping done and take our families to eat.”

  “It sounds like he really cared,” Karen said. “I personally would love to see a purple wall.”

  “That would match your hair,” Cornelius said.

  She giggled. “It would, wouldn’t it?”

  They chuckled for a few seconds.

  “Anyways,” Cornelius started again. “He was a good friend . . . told me everything. About twenty years ago . . .” He paused for a second . . . “Yes, it’s been about that long. I was working in the west region and he called me, telling me how he had met the most beautiful woman. Her name was Jaclyn.”

  “Her name certainly does sound beautiful,” Karen added.

  “She was amazing,” he said. “Absolutely gorgeous. And they fell in love, of course. They knew they were perfect for each other, so they quickly got married, and a few years later, she was pregnant. I can’t even tell you how exhilarated Benjamin was. He loved children.”

  “A love story,” Karen said as Cornelius paused. “I love a romantic story.”

  “Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a happy ending,” Cornelius said.

  “Oh my,” Karen said. Then, she said in dread, “Please continue.”

  Cornelius did so. “Unfortunately, Jaclyn didn’t make it through the birth, leaving Benjamin alone with the child.”

  “Oh no,” Karen said. “Many folks today don’t understand what that’s like because our technology has improved greatly these last ten years, making this problem very rare. So sad, Mr. President,” Karen said.

  “Sad, indeed,” Cornelius said, slowly. “She was a dear friend of mine. And she was the love of Benjamin’s life. She made him happy, and that’s all he wanted in life. That and to help people.”

  Everyone focused on the radio more than usual, wanting to know what the point to Cornelius’s story was.

  “And unfortunately, Benjamin felt as if he couldn’t take care of the child on his own,” Cornelius continued. “He had become depressed. And can you blame him?”

  “Absolutely not,” Karen agreed. “I can’t even imagine what it would be like to lose the love of your life. And he had to care for the child all by himself!”

  “I’ll say it again, Benjamin was a good guy. He didn’t mean harm. But he just couldn’t help it, and he did start drinking . . . until it got out of control.”

  “Oh no,” Karen said, legitimately sounding sad.

  But I had to agree, it was very sad.

  “I tried talking to him, but he had completely lost it. I still don’t blame him. I don’t know how I would’ve reacted.”

  There was another pause. I couldn’t help but think how I first thought these people were lunatics as they had their eyes glued to the radio. There I was, feeling just as dedicated as the others.

  Cornelius said, “Anyways, Benjamin didn’t think his boy was safe with him. He didn’t think he could be a proper parent. He did what he thought was right and placed him in an orphanage . . . to keep him safe from his own misery.”

  My heart dropped. I could feel everybody’s eyes staring a hole through me. I forced myself to keep my eyes on the radio. At that moment, I didn’t care about them.

  “He wanted to do what he thought was best,” Karen said slowly.

  “He did. I was sad to hear that Benjamin drunk himself to death a few weeks ago from today.”

  “So sad!” Karen cried. “I’m sorry to hear that. I can tell you two were close.”

  “We were,” Cornelius said. “You see, Karen, I got to speak to Benjamin one last time before he passed. Of course I didn’t know he was going to drink himself to death at the time. I would’ve tried to stop him, although he wouldn’t have allowed it. I even begged him to stay with me until he got his feet back on the ground. But he just wouldn’t do it. He said he didn’t deserve it. He went on telling how he was a terrible person for putting his kid in the orphanage. He had heard that it was hard on the kids.”

  I could’ve laughed if I wasn’t so focused. Hard wasn’t the right word to describe life at the orphanage. Miserable, devastating, tormenting . . . yeah, those words fit better.

  Cornelius kept talking. His tone was completely different from the calm one he’d had in the beginning. If I wasn’t mistaking, I would’ve said he seemed . . . sad. Very sad, actually.

  “He said that he wanted so badly to change things and give his boy a good life. I remembered his words after his passing. I was at the orphanage looking for the boy. I wanted to take care of Benjamin’s son. My good friend deserves to rest in peace, knowing that his son is okay.”

  I took a deep breath. The dining hall was dead silent. I did take my eyes off of the radio for a second. Everybody seemed worried. I just knew they were thinking the same thing. Up ahead, Edgar, Belladonna, and Robert
didn’t look at me. But I know they were thinking it too.

  Finally, Karen asked the magical question. “What was his name?”

  “I held my breath, knowing the answer already. He confirmed it.

  “Carsyn,” Cornelius said. “His name is Carsyn, and he’s been taken away.”

  Yeah, I was expecting it, but hearing it made it official. It was like a bomb exploded right on top of me. Edgar jumped up and immediately walked in my direction. Everybody’s eyes beamed at me as they whispered to one another. Cornelius saying my name echoed in my head. Mae placed a hand on my shoulder. Edgar reached the table, just as Cornelius started talking again. Edgar was about to say something, but decided to let Cornelius finish. I forced myself to focus.

  “Somebody has taken him,” Cornelius said. “He’s been missing for the last couple of weeks. And I intend to find them.”

  “Such a tragedy,” Karen said. “Oh my goodness, Mr. President.”

  I heard Cornelius sniff. “I just want to make a better place for him, because it is what his parents would’ve wanted.”

  “And you tried,” Karen said. I pictured Karen placing a hand on Cornelius’s shoulder to comfort him. I pictured Cornelius crying. Man, I had so many questions.

  “You see, just before Benjamin died, he told me how he had something he wanted Carsyn to have one day. It meant a lot to him. He showed it to me. So after his passing, I went straight to his house and found it. I intended to find Carsyn, but it took so long to track him down. Benjamin never mentioned where he had dropped him off at. They got to him before I did.”

  “They?” Karen asked. “Who do you think they is? And why do you think they took him?”

  “As I said before, Karen, people just do not like the Bill of Border Control. I suppose they figured out I was looking for Carsyn, and they took him as a punishment for me passing a bill that will help protect all.”

  “So you believe that these people found out you were looking for Carsyn, and they kidnapped him in order to get back at you?” Karen asked, absolutely perplexed.

  “As for who they are? I don’t know exactly. But I know they’re listening right now.”

  “Well, Mr. President. I think this is a tragedy and you deserve to send them a message while we’re on the air.”

  Cornelius was silent for a few seconds before answering with an even deeper, rougher tone. “You think you can beat me,” he said.

  “He’s talking to us,” Mae whispered.

  Everybody in the dining hall fidgeted in their seats.

  “You won’t win this,” he continued. “We will find you, and you will give Carsyn to me.”

  There was another pause of silence. It was official … Cornelius knew we all existed, planning to take him down. Thankfully, that was all he knew. Edgar looked at me again, shaking his head. Mae still had her hand on my shoulder. I knew they were just trying to help, but it was annoying to have a bunch of people gathered all around me. It was drawing attention, and I needed less of that.

  “I think I speak for the rest of the nation in saying we’re behind you,” Karen said.

  He knew about us, and he would search for us, not stopping until we were found; not stopping until he got his hands on me.

  “I hope so,” Cornelius said. “If only the Bill of Border Control had already been passed, we could’ve possibly prevented the kidnapping.”

  “You believe they’re from another region?” Karen asked.

  “I think there’s a good chance they might be,” he answered.

  “Riveting story,” Karen told him. “Is there anything else you’d like to say before we sign off?” Karen asked.

  “There is,” Cornelius said.

  “Whenever you’re ready.”

  “I know you’re probably listening too, Carsyn,” he started.

  I listened more closely, swiping Mae’s hand off of my shoulder.

  “If you can get away, please do so. You can find me in the capitol at the Presidential Tower. Get here if you can. I want to give you a better life. Find me. You won’t regret it.”

  Karen signed off and more commercials came on. Belladonna turned down the radio. The room was completely silent at first. Eyes stared into me, of course. I kept my eyes on the radio, trying to avoid eye contact with anybody. Then, they all began whispering. I heard Grandfather and my name repeated.

  Jaclyn.

  Benjamin.

  Carsyn Hawkins?

  I never knew a thing about my parents. Neither did the orphanage. I was dropped off, no names given but my own. The orphanage told me they tried tracking my name to find a birth certificate or something, but they didn’t find anything. I was never sure if they actually tried tracking it down. I really doubt it.

  Now I faced a similar problem as I did when I came with Edgar. I had the same question I had been having over the past couple of weeks. Was it true, or was it not? Did Cornelius actually know who my parents were? And if so, were they just as evil as Cornelius? If they were friends, then there was a good chance. Unless Cornelius wasn’t evil. But he had to be. Unless we were all mistaking. But the way he talked to us in the city. But . . . but.

  That’s when the anger came. I was furious at all the confusion that had suddenly entered my life. Not knowing what was true was terrible, and it just made me all the angrier. Then I thought of how – if it was true – terrible it was that Benjamin – my dad – had thrown me into the orphanage. I hated him for it, making me go through all that.

  Then curiosity mingled in with my anger. I wondered what it was Cornelius had to give me. He said it was from my dad. Then the anger would get worse because I didn’t know the truth. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. Why was it so hard to get the truth?

  “Ya okay?” Edgar asked me quietly.

  I didn’t reply, looking at the floor. No eyes staring into mine there.

  “Carsyn,” Mae said, leaning her head down, trying to make eye contact as if I was a child.

  I didn’t reply.

  “Carsyn,” Edgar tried again.

  I still said nothing. I waited for him to get angry as usual, but he didn’t. It was a good thing because I would’ve snapped.

  “He’s smart,” Edgar said, turning his attention to Mae. “That damn stunt just got him sympathy from almost every person out there. Now people are going to think he’s some sensitive guy. Be a helluva lot harder for people to realize what he’s doing. His next move will be overlooked easily.”

  “Carsyn,” Marley said immediately after Edgar was done speaking.

  This time, I answered them. It was simple. “I’m going to my room.”

  Nobody argued. They were silent. I left the table. Eyes continued to stare me down as I exited the dining room.

  Parents. Grandfather. Cornelius. Parents. Not many kids mentioned their parents at the orphanage, but I knew they all thought it. We all wondered why fate had landed us in such a horrible place. What kid wouldn’t want to know about their parents? But it was impossible to find answers at the orphanage.

  But was it possible that I finally had a way to get answers? It was possible, but that wasn’t the problem. The problem was that only one person knew the answer, and he was the enemy. Unless we were wrong about him. Suddenly things had gotten a lot more complicated.

  Chapter Eight