The White Lilac

  Chapter Twenty-Nine: Caryn

  “May and Janissa are in danger,” I say as soon as the speeder doors close. “The T-Man, Daniel Hawke, is the nephew of Second Official Whit and he mentioned that something would keep May and Janissa from gathering the cure.”

  “What?” Foreman’s eyebrows wrinkle.

  “He wants to get back at the Compound for what happened to his sister. That is why they are in danger,” I say and I can see Foreman’s eyes believing me.

  He calls the Compound and orders a system and building search of anyone or anything May and Janissa would come into contact with. We don’t have time to stop at Doc’s so I can say goodbye to Sara and the others, instead we speed back to the Compound like every second counts. The lights from the city fade and I am swallowed by darkness. I have no time to think about the past events, but when I see the huge, protective dome that covers the whole Compound my heart lurches and all I want is to go home. The speeder hovers over the dome for the transport door to open and then it slowly descends. As we land I see Anderson waiting and he opens the door for me. I step out of the speeder to see the dark shadows of the main house and the lighted windows of the science stations.

  “I am sorry your visit was cut short,” Anderson says.

  “I know,” I say.

  “You need to report to Science Station 3 for some tests to ascertain if you have been exposed to enough germs. You will go from the science station to the aquarium and commence with the cure gathering at 0800,” First Official Foreman tells both of us and then he rushes into the main building.

  “I’m glad your visit went well, although it sounds like more excitement than we would have hoped,” Anderson says, when we are alone. I’d forgotten how deep his voice sounds when he’s being serious.

  “Yes, it was,” I say as we walk toward the science stations, but one thought keeps entering my mind. “Can you find out how Kai, my companion, is doing? He was unconscious underwater for some time and I want to make sure he didn’t suffer any side effects from nearly drowning.”

  “I will do what I can.”

  All the science centers are lit and provide light as we walk along the path to the third building, Science Station 3. When we enter through the doors I am met by several scientist, most I know only by face.

  They take some blood and run a routine check-up, paying extra attention to my lungs and breathing. I follow their instructions and stare at the white walls and floor tiles. I used to wish they would bring some color in here to brighten it up, but now the whiteness seems appropriate. I can almost picture the lilac’s four petals outlined along the wall. They run some scans and I rest my eyes. When they tell me they are done I wait for Anderson to join me. As soon as I see him I ask about Kai.

  “He was taken to the police station to give his statement.”

  “Will he get here before I dive?”

  Anderson does not reply and his handheld buzzes. He clicks to view the message. Water collects in my bottom eyelid and he must have seen because he says, “I will personally go down to the police station and pick him up. We’ll be back before dawn.”

  I nod not trusting my voice.

  “You can wait in the main building until we are ready. The girls are awake and they would like to see you. Oh, and you were right about May and Janissa being in danger. A case of the gene treatment vials was tampered with. They are analyzing the vials now, but they appear to be poisoned.”

  I nod again glad that the girls are safe and he lets me walk back to the main building by myself. After walking down streets crowded with tall buildings and shops squeezed together, all the building in the Compound seem spread out. And I notice how green all the grass is that surrounds the sidewalks.

  When I look up I feel the dome crowding over me and I miss the clouds and stars without the clear, filtered screen of the dome. The air smells sterile after becoming used to the scents that would sweep off the lake and lurk in the alleys. But as my hand touches the scanner for the main building it feels like home.

  “Caryn, you are back,” Janissa says.

  “Yes, I am.” I smile. They don’t appear to know about the poisoned vials, so I don’t mention it. I look at the clock in the wall and am surprised when it says 5:08. The night has passed quickly and once the far sun rises it will be the last one I see. I slow my breathing and return my focus to the others in the room.

  “What was it like?” Janissa asks. Both Janissa and May are dressed and ready for the day.

  “It was big, some of the buildings rose taller than the clouds. People were walking everywhere and the food was wonderful.” I feel like I should go on, but I find myself wishing it had lasted longer. Besides it would not do to make my three days sound like heaven. I doubt if the girls will ever be allowed to leave. They will go from training in the pools, to studying science and practicing it. “And you would not believe some of the horrible smells that come from the trash.”

  May wrinkles her nose and Janissa sighs.

  “Would you like something to eat?” May asks me. She points at a tray topped with milk, bread and jars of jam. There is enough for all of us and we sit down in a circle around the tray.

  “How was your time here?” I ask, as I spread strawberry jam on my second slice of bread. I’m not sure I can eat all of it, but I will need the energy.

  “Fine,” May says. “We spent more time with school than we did at the pools.”

  “My muscles are tight,” Janissa says. “I didn’t swim or stretch at all yesterday.”

  “I didn’t either,” May says.

  “What did you do?” I ask.

  “I worked in Science Station 5,” May says. I smile when she looks up at me, but she drops her head and her voice becomes strained. “I also have two new classes, one in advanced computer theory and the other in programming.”

  “I worked in Science Station 2,” Janissa says. “We ran all these different tests and took samples from plants. I loved it. They are going to ask if I can become a full-time assistant as part of my schooling. And I helped plant a new row of lilacs,” Janissa says. Her pride and excitement flow through her voice. “We planted the seeds this Wednesday, two days ago, and already I can see shoots. Third Official Jones says it’s too early, but the baby lilacs are coming up.”

  I eat another bite and try to listen to what Janissa is saying. On the one hand I am happy to be here listening to talk about daily activities. It reminds me of the family dinner with Sara. But I also hear a door open and footsteps walking down the hall. I know they will be coming for me soon and my stomach flutters at every noise outside the room thinking it is time. I can’t finish my bread and I take two sips of milk before I don’t want to drink anymore.

  The door opens again and I recognize Anderson from the way he clears his throat in the entrance.

  “Caryn, it’s time,” he says.

  Not wanting to set off a string of emotions I rise and say, “I have to go.”

  May and Janissa nod, their faces solemn.

  “Take care,” I say. We’re not big on physical displays of affection, but as I walk out of the room, I look back one last time.

  “May?”

  Her head jerks up to look at me and I see tears in her eyes.

  “I’m sorry if my winning hurt you,” I say.

  “What?”

  “You were angry the day of the Tournament,” Janissa says, knowing exactly what I am talking about.

  May shakes her head. “I wasn’t angry,” she says. “I was relieved. The day of the Tournament I panicked. I didn’t want to be the White Lilac, I didn’t want to die and when you won I was so happy it wasn’t me. But I didn’t--I don’t want it to be you either....”

  “It’s okay, May. I did.” I give her a small smile.

  Then before they can say anything else, I walk down the hall, my head high.

  Once we are outside, the Aquarium looms in the far corner of the Compound. It never seemed so big before, but the Aquarium’s two hundred yards of
reinforced glass stretches across the whole back section of the Compound. When our teacher had us visit it I always wondered how it could fit so many underwater plants and fish. Now its large size could swallow me and I would be lost forever.

  “Did--did you bring Kai?” I ask and drag my eyes up to Anderson’s face.

  “He was not at the police station when I stopped there.”

  “Maybe he’s not coming,” I say.

  “I’m sorry.”

  I shrug my shoulders and try not to feel hurt. Now, I want to run to the Aquarium. The sooner I finish this the better.

  A building was erected against the close side of the Aquarium and a walkway system, for the purpose of controlling the tank’s environment, crisscrosses the top to provide easy access for the Officials and White Lilacs. The jiggers are territorial and have to be kept in separate sections, each section with several thriving patches of anemones. I can stay at the anemones’ level under twenty-five feet of water and move from patch to patch and section to section quickly.

  As soon as we enter the building the musky scent of the jigger fills my nose along with the humid blanket of moisture. Loud vents pull the air around my head and several strands of my hair pull loose to wrap around my face.

  “Will you stay with me afterward?” I ask.

  Anderson stops and looks at me, his eyebrows knitted together and his lips press tightly. “Yes,” he says. “I will be there.”

  I feel lighter as I follow Anderson up the platform stairs and take the oxygen mask he gives me. For twenty minutes I breathe pure oxygen and by then the officials, Foreman and various planet leaders, including Highton’s mayor, have arrived and fill the chairs surrounding the first section of the Aquarium. I can’t help looking for Kai among the faces, but he is not here.

  The mayor of Highton City steps up to the platform and gives a long speech, something about the good of the people and how much the Compound is needed. Her words sound sincere, but I can detect a slight sarcasm in her voice. Foreman steps up and gives a short speech on how much we have done to prepare for this moment. Then he introduces me and I am approached by another scientist, this one with the bag I will need to collect the cure. I take it from him, place it over my shoulder and, with one last look at the crowd for Kai, I step up to the edge of the platform. The water is a mossy green and I can see the dark layer of the first anemone patch.

  I wait for my fear to take over, but it doesn’t come. My breathing is normal. My nerves only tingle with a slight nervousness over the visible crowd. But the fear is gone. How could three days have changed me so much? I look down into the water and I see the faces of Kai, Sara, Jackson, Melissa, Tommy and the other kids at the Hubbard’s home. People who need me. People I won’t let down.

  The bell dings. It is time.

  I take a single, deep breath and dive into the aquarium.