Chapter 4

“Now remember these people are not as accepting about your condition so do not broadcast it,” Cass told me as he drove.

“I know,” I continued chewing on my nail, a bad habit that I never got over.

“Be polite and respectful of the senior officers,” he warned, “And do not flirt with the junior officers they need to focus on their work, not on you.”

“I wasn't planning on flirting with them,” I replied.

“Whatever you do, try to suppress those ghosts, we don't need to draw attention in that way,” he ordered.

“I got it, Cass,” I snapped.

“What is wrong with you lately?” he frowned.

“I am a teenager I get moody sometimes,” I shrugged, “No one is perfect, everyone is flawed.”

“It's how we overcome the flaws that defines us, our family does it with our strength and cunning,” he nodded.

“Yeah,” I looked out the window, “There is the hall up ahead.”

 

“How did you know that?” he inquired.

“I've wandered around town before, Cass I can't just stay in our house and the testing centre 24/7,” I reminded him.

“You didn't go inside, did you?” he demanded.

“Of course not,” I assured him then hesitated, “Why would it be such a big deal if I did.”

 

“We are in midst of an agreement with the chemists so they are very strict about outsiders in the military hall,” he explained, “Nothing you need to worry about.”

“Okay,” I made a mental note to mention that to Seth tonight.

“So I scheduled your appointment for the injections for next Friday because I am busy with a new assignment for most of the week,” he told me, “So you're going to work on your studies and continue your therapy sessions and ask about an increase in your medication.”

“More pills,” I made a face, “They aren't helping, Cass.”

“That's why you have to increase their potency,” he insisted.

“They make me feel sick,” I muttered.

“You are just not used to them,” he argued.

 

“I've been taking medication for close to eleven years,” I said, “Mom and dad would never approve of me putting all of these chemicals into my system.”

“They would understand it is the only way to keep you healthy and yourself,” he parked in the lot and got out, “Come on no more distractions it's time to put on a smile.”

“Fine,” I put on a fake smile then we headed into the building. It was bigger inside than I imagined it was. I could see the rooms connecting off of it and I wondered what was going on in those rooms. Cass led me over to the large group of people standing around near the tables that were set up.

 

“Garnet,” a man came walking over and I could tell by his air of superiority and stern expression that he must be Head Officer Warner.

“Officer Warner,” Cass shook his hand, “I would like for you to officially meet my Officer Warner, Maya.”

“Oh yes,” he turned to me, “Nice to meet you, Miss. Garnet I've read your file you have been very brave.”

“You read my file,” I looked at Cass then at Warner's outreached hand, “Why would you do that?”

“She's inquisitive,” Warner took my hand and shook it, “Work on respecting your elder's judgement, Maya.”

“Yes sir,” I said putting my smile back in place, “Thank you for inviting me, I promise to be on my best behaviour.”

“I am sure you will be,” he remarked, “Garnet, I need to talk to you about our new recruits I'd like to offer you a promotion.”

“I would be honoured sir,” Cass looked thrilled. Peck looked at me and Cass turned to me then got what Warner was saying. “Maya,” he began.

“I'll just go mingle with the other girls,” I waved then walked over to the tables. Once Cass was deep in conversation I sat down in one of the chairs to observe everyone. I could see a lot of the younger girls checking their phones and laughing together. It was like watching another reality where the pills hadn't divided our society. I noticed a few of them taking little red pills and I thought about asking what they were.

 

“You are not much of a people person are you?” a guy sat down next to me, “You know it's rude to avoid people.”

“It's considered ruder to go straight to accusations when you don't know a person,” I said, “Sorry if it appears I am not sociable.”

“Are you at a new student at the Emerald Pierce Institute?” he questioned, “Your posture is very lax.”

“Good to know,” I sat up straighter.

“You are very beautiful though,” he informed me.

“Thanks for the compliment, but I am a damaged person so I'd stay away if I were you,” I crossed my arms.

 

“Is that a challenge?” he smirked, “You know I always get what I want.”

“You know there are a lot of girls here tonight,” I hinted.

“I know, but you seem strong and as I already mentioned you are a beauty,” he said then some kind of alarm went off in his pocket. He took out a couple of those red pills from his pocket and swallowed one of them. I was suddenly inspired to continue the conversation.

“You know I heard some of the new recruits are taking performance enhancers I hope you're not one of them,” I touched his arm.

“I don't need my performance enhanced, darling,” he winked at me.

“I thought not,” I laughed, “So if you don't mind me asking what do those little red pills do for you, should I start taking them too?”

“They are a new experimental drug it shuts down our emotions so we can focus on the mission,” he took the second one, “It takes a few months for them to build in our system is why I am taking them right now.”

 

“Oh,” I twirled a strand of hair around my finger, “I still don't really understand.”

“They react with your nerves in your brain to make following orders easier and open your mind to analyze a situation properly,” he told me.

“So like robot pills,” I frowned.

“They are a new adaption of those cold pills only without the cold factor or the side effects,” he explained.

“They sound...helpful,” I ran my hand down his arm pretending I was flirting with him.

 

“A smart girl like you should already know about them,” he said casually.

“Well I am starting school late in a few weeks actually, I'm Maya Garnet,” I informed him, “You've probably heard of my family.”

“The Garnets are celebrities in the military world, your brother was two years above me he can't be beat at battle strategy,” he commented, “I didn't realize he had a younger sister.”

“Sorry if I am a disappointment,” I smiled, “I should go interact with everyone.”

“It was a pleasure to meet you,” he kissed my hand, “I am Darren Price, I'll be seeing you again Garnet.”

 

“Count on it,” I got up and left him behind. The rest of the night passed in an orderly fashion and before I knew it the night was over. Officer Warner was really beginning to annoy me, but it was his last comment before we left that bugged me the most.

“Garnet, I'll need you to shut down those bunkers on the outskirts,” he shook Cass's hand, “We need to keep track of who is where.”

“Yes sir,” Cass agreed.

“Get better swiftly, Miss. Garnet,” he squeezed my hand and I wanted to slap him. When we got home, Cass was exhausted so within ten minutes he was passed out on the couch. I grabbed two apples and stuffed them in my pockets before heading back out into the freezing night. When I got to the park, Seth was already on the swings and he spotted me as soon as I came into view.

 

“Evening,” Seth grinned and I couldn't help smiling back.

“Hey, sorry if I am late,” I sat down in the swing next to his.

“I was ten minutes early, you're not late,” he admitted, “You look very nice tonight.” I looked down and realized I was still wearing the blue dress. “Of course there is something to be said about warm sweaters,” he continued, “How did the event go?”

“It was a very long evening,” I couldn't help being honest, “But I did learn a few new things.”

“So your brother let you socialize there,” he raised an eyebrow.

“He thinks the military students are automatically who I should be friends with,” I looked out at the rest of the park.

 

“Kiara said you messaged with her last night, you aren't siding with us completely are you?” he joked.

“Well I did talk to some of the military girls and there was this one guy who was acting strangely attracted to me,” I crossed my arms, “You men are unusual.”

“Was this guy flirting with you?” he questioned.

“I don't know much about flirting, but I did trick him into telling me about the little red pills all of the military students are taking,” I informed him.

“Red pill,” he commented, “I've heard about those, but did you find out what they do?”

 

“They're what I would call robot pills, they shut down the nerves in their brains that process emotion and make them obedient,” I explained.

“That's dangerous,” he looked worried, “Did he say anything else?”

“He said they were a new variation of the adaptor pills with 'no side effects',” I bit my lip.

“I'll tell Rogers myself tomorrow morning he is the military expert and he'll convince everyone else to act,” he told me.

“Officer Warner said they were shutting down the bunkers in the outskirts so they could keep an eye on people,” I continued.

“I don't like this,” he got up, “Maybe you shouldn't be digging this deep, I don't want you to get in trouble.”

“You're a good friend, but I want to do this,” I assured him, “My brother said last night that I was his problem and that he was going to rid himself of me by sending me to military school.”

 

“He said what?” he looked around at me.

“He doesn't care, he is so obsessed with his career,” I shook my head, “He's all I've had for ten years, I trusted him and I fought my own nature so he would be proud of me.”

“Then he's an idiot,” he got up, “Remember all you have to do is say the word and the spare room is yours.”

“Thanks, but I think one house guest is enough for you,” I smiled, “Besides Cass is under a lot of stress so maybe he'll change back to his own self again soon.”

 

“The pressure is intense for soldiers,” he put his arm over my shoulder, “You must be completely dreading it.”

“Definitely,” I laughed, “I don't know if I...”

“Well look what we have here,” a male voice said and we turned around to see two thugs standing there, “Two lost freaks all alone.”

“Let's teach them a lesson about infecting our kids,” his friend growled.

 

“Leave her alone,” Seth got in front of me.

“No thanks, kid,” the first guy hit Seth hard in the face. This meant war.