Page 8 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
I nodded a stiff greeting at him. He didn’t ask for my help, and I didn’t offer. I’d heard he was spotted staring at the Rock, and his current predicament seemed to prove it.
I pressed my palm against my dented keypad. The chip in the heel of my thumb registered, and the door bolt released. As swiftly as possible, I soared inside. Mom wouldn’t be home from work until closer to curfew—just before sunset. I could use the time to figure out how best to present my new career path.
“Surprise!” Mom jumped in front of me, pretended to blow a horn, and tossed a handful of confetti into the air. As the sprinkles rained to our cracked floor, she noticed my mental state and paled. Her grin faded. “You didn’t get in.”
The exit shut behind me, and air deflated from my entire being. “Someone broke.”
“But you survived.” She rushed over to hug me. “That’s what matters.”
I hugged her back, as surprised as ever by her frailty.
“Did you get into the Center at least?” she asked.
“I did,” I replied, unwilling to disrespect her with a lie.
A bright smile spread as she pulled back. “Oh, baby. You did it! I’m thrilled for you!”
“But I decided to join Fort Bala Royal Academy instead and become a lady for the next three years,” I added. “Who knows, maybe I’ll get a promotion and become a knight.”
Her features fell. “Why would you—my taxes.” Her shoulders rolled in. “But. They can’t do that.”
Wait. “You knew about the debt and didn’t tell me.”
“Of course I didn’t tell you.” Her lip quivered. “I’m working now, and you’re supposed to start your life at long last. You were never supposed to be burdened with this.”
“You are not a burden to me,” I said, my words rushing out.
“But I am,” she cried, throwing her hands up. “I’m helpless. There’s nothing I can do to stop this ... this travesty of justice. Life shouldn’t be this way!Curedhas no right to—”
“Shh, shh.” I pressed my palm over her mouth. If a neighbor had heard those words, they might report us as suspected Soalians. A circumstance to avoid at all costs. “I’m not upset, I promise.”
“I already agreed to work more hours and all holidays.” Sniffling, she wiped away the fat tear rolling down her cheek. “I’ll lodge a formal complaint. I’ll visit my adviser and—”
“No.” Absolutely not. “You’ll let me do this for us.” Complaints againstCurednever ended well because they were never private. Since all suspected Soalians must be checked out, officials came to your home to conduct an interview and administer a Madness test. People noticed, and gossip abounded. Suddenly friends started avoiding you in the halls. Look at what I’d done to Mr. Garfield!
Besides, Mom didn’t need to be working longer hours. Not in her condition. The excitement had exhausted her. Already she panted, glinting with sweat.
“This is a good thing.” I pasted on a bright smile and forced myself to believe my words. “An amazing opportunity to obliterate my worst nightmares before I focus on my studies.” The hope of becoming a strong, powerful woman able to take care of herself flared anew. To no longer feel helpless when someone broke. Yeah, the very idea thrilled me. I just wished I could attempt it in my own time and my own way.
So why haven’t you?
“But. The Madness. You could get infected,” she rasped. “I never want you to have to undergo treatment.” A shudder rocked her, memories of her experience still fresh. “I hate this, baby. I should have planned better.”
“You are not to blame.”
She wiped her cheeks and straightened with a snap. “Let’s run.” Eyes wide, she whispered, “Mr. Garfield has been insidethelibrary. It’s real, Arden. I’m certain of it. He read me a portion of a book written about him, and it included me. My future. I promised him I wouldn’t tell you until you were ready, so please tell me you’re ready. We can—”
“Stop!” I burst out, dread choking me. Just before Mom’s positive test two years ago, she’d developed an intense interest in the Rock. She’d begun taking long walks just to sneak peeks at the structure. Eventually, she’d tried to beat her way inside it, determined to meet Soal. I’d turned her in the next day.
“The libraryisn’treal, nor are there books written about the future. Yours or anyone else’s. Mr. Garfield is either infected or well on his way.” I gripped her upper arms. “We aren’t running. I’m golden, I promise. Nothing gets in the way of my dream, not even death, so we have nothing to fear.” Shiloh’s logic had worked with me. Surely it would do the same for Mom. “Tell me you believe me.”Convince me you aren’t sick again.
A moment passed as she considered my words. “You’re right. Of course you’re right.” She offered me a wobbly smile. Even still, exhaustion and worry dominated her features. But then, exhaustion and worry always dominated her features, aging the former schoolteacher-turned-nanny far beyond her years. “I let stress get the better of me and reverted to old ways of thinking. My apologies. I won’t let it happen again.”
I released her and returned the smile as best as I was able. “Come on. Let’s make dinner. I really, really want normal right now.” Ineedednormal.
“Okay, baby. Normal it is. But there’s no need to cook. I’ve arranged a feast.”
I helped her to the table, where she’d hung two signs. The first readCongrats!The second:You’ll get ’em next time!She’d assembled a celebration/sympathy meal featuring bigger portions of the usual grub and a sweetened cube cake.
