Resistance (The Institute Series Book 2) (12 page)

“I think
you
would be great at it, Allira,” Drew says. “After all, you did manage to get Licia safe, even though we were watching her like a hawk.”

“And I would go into my room every night fretting about being caught, whether or not I was doing the right thing, and if I had the skill to pull it off,” I say. “I don’t really think I’m cut out for it.”

Cyrus approaches us, after having a conversation with the other council members. “Okay, break’s over.”

***

I’m relieved to find my room empty when I arrive home. No Ebb and no Hall. After the day I’ve had, all I want to do is crawl into bed and go to sleep. My muscles are tight and I’m sore all over. It reminds me of the first few fitness classes at the Institute. I lay down for what feels like less than a minute when there’s a knock at my door.

“No one’s home,” I yell.

“Ha. Ha.” Chad’s voice booms through the door. Groaning, I get up to let him in. He starts laughing as soon as he sees me, hunched over in pain. “Just like old times, hey?” he says gripping me around the waist and pulling me in for a quick kiss before jumping on my bed.

“Me being sore all over and you laughing at me? Yeah, I’m getting major déjà vu,” I say, sitting down next to him.

“I missed you at lunch. What did you get up to today?”

“They brought food down to us in the training arena,” I reply. “It was non-stop.”

“Cyrus will go easy on you the next few days. It’s the first and last day that’s the worst because you have an audience. So how’d you go?”

“Well I don’t think you need to worry about me showing off. I could barely keep up. Even Licia was fitter than me. I can’t believe what three months of no weight training has done to muscle strength.”

“You’ll get back into the swing of things,” he encourages. I hope I do. It didn’t take me long to get used to the training at the Institute but I was also able to borrow Jack’s strength ability to help. “So, will you be homeless again tonight?” he asks, wrapping his arm around me and kissing my jawline.

“I don’t know. Ebb hasn’t been back yet,” I reply, reminding myself to breathe properly as Chad’s lips move to my neck.

I turn my head to bring my lips to his, wrapping my arms around him as he lays me down.

“Get a room!” Ebb’s voice interrupts us.

“This
is
my room!” I exclaim, sitting up and throwing a pillow at her.

Chad sits up, running his hand over his head and down his neck. “Great timing Ebb, as always.”

“How was training, Allira?” Ebb asks me while sticking her tongue out at Chad.

“Eh. It was training. It was pretty entertaining watching the new girl, Licia, fumble for words around Shilah though.”

“I can understand that,” Ebbodine says. “Your brother got hot.”

“Umm eww.”

Ebb shrugs, “Well it’s true.”

“What’s true?” Hall appears in the doorway.

“That my brother is hot. According to Ebb anyway,” I say with a smirk.

“Oh really, Ebb?” Hall says with a laugh.

Ebb mouths ‘I hate you’ to me before turning to Hall to kiss him hello. “He’s alright,” she says trying to shrug it off but failing miserably.

“Chad,” Hall nods to him. “Glad to see you back.”

“Hall,” Chad replies with the same head nod. “Come on Allira, let’s get out of their hair.” Chad pulls me up off the bed and leads me out the door.

“Have fun,” Ebbodine calls out after us in a knowing way.

We walk hand in hand on the way to Chad’s and I feel him staring at me, awaiting an explanation, but I don’t give him one.

“So,” he says. “You told her what happened?”

“Maybe. Well, technically no. I think that maybe her true ability is having sex-dar. It’s like radar that can detect when someone’s had sex.”

Chad laughs. “I don’t care that you told her. Although, I’m pretty sure everyone will know now.”

I shrug. “Most of the people at the Institute thought we were already doing it anyway. What does it matter if a few more people think it?”

“True,” he says. “I just don’t want to be there when your dad finds out.” He shudders. “I’m too young to die.”

“Meh. I’m sure you can run faster than him. You’ll be fine. It’s probably lucky you have your ability though.” I crack a smile.

We continue to walk but my muscles are so tense from today’s training, I’m starting to ache in places I didn’t even know I could ache.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Just sore from training.”

“Right. Well then,” Chad says, picking me up and carrying me in his arms. I laugh at first but can’t help wrapping my arms around his neck, snuggling into his shoulder and accepting the gesture. He carries me all the way back to his place.

“So what’s the deal with the council?” I ask after reaching his room and he sets me down on his bed.

“What about them?”

“What can they do? What’s with Cyrus and his two wives, one of whom is also on the council? How long have they been with the Resistance? Why haven’t they replaced Tate yet? What’s with the old dude? Why is Millie with us if she’s not Defective? And Paxton for that matter? Is that enough questions to start with?”

“Oh,” he replies sitting down next to me. “Well to begin with, Cyrus actually has three wives.”

“Three?! Do they know about each other? Is polygamy common here? What the hell kind of place is this?”

“He’s the only one. I think it’s the whole double ability, plus council member thing that draws them to him. They know about each other but they don’t seem to care. It’s not like they all live together. The three of them are on separate properties. I think they feel like it’s an honour to be with someone so strong and powerful.”

I screw up my face. “Really? Because whenever I see him, I can’t help but laugh. His wardrobe is atrocious.”

“I’m pretty sure his wives are more interested in what’s under his clothes,” Chad jokes and I screw up my face again.

“I don’t see it. I just don’t know how they can be okay with sharing their husband.”

Chad shrugs. “Well they’re not really married. Everyone here technically doesn’t exist, so legally, they aren’t married. They just call each other husband and wife. I wouldn’t choose that kind of life either, but I don’t see anything wrong with it if they all agree to it. They knew what they were getting themselves into.”

“Well at least I won’t have to worry about having to share you,” I say playfully, brushing my lips against his. He lets out a groan as I pull away. “So, next person. What’s the deal with the old guy?”

“Connor? He’s a first generation. When it became public that Defectives existed, Connor’s parents kept him hidden instead of coming forward. They had a feeling it wasn’t going to end well. He was one of the first people to come here. He’s getting slower now that he’s aging but could still outrun anyone here.”

“So his ability is that he’s fast?”

Chad nods, “Pretty much.”

“And Millie?”

“Her husband was Defective.”

“Was?” I ask.

Chad just nods again and says, “Yes. Was.”

I lay down on my side, feeling heavy from the day. I have more questions but I can’t seem to keep my eyelids open right now. Chad lies down behind me and wraps his arm over me. A moan escapes me.

“Are you really that sore?” he asks. I can’t see his face but I know he is smiling, mocking me.

“Mmm,” is all I can answer.

“Okay, roll over,” Chad commands.

“Roll over?”

“Yes,” he says, pushing me onto my stomach. He starts massaging my aching muscles. It feels amazing as his hands start kneading my back and shoulders.

“Why didn’t I get this kind of treatment when I was sore after training at the Institute?”

“Because I couldn’t do this at the Institute,” he whispers, leaning down and kissing my neck.

I moan again, only not from pain this time. “I’m sure you could’ve tried.”

He lets out a laugh but I barely hear it. My eyes are closed and I know I’m about to fall asleep.

Chapter Ten

Four days of training, four nights of sleeping at Chad’s to escape Ebbodine’s sexcapades, and ninety-six hours of concentrating on hiding my double ability. I’ve had to focus on being good enough to get placement on the farm, all the while making sure I wasn’t so good that they would want to send me on assignment. It all comes down to this.

The four of us newbies are sitting in the front row of the town hall. Cyrus, Marlo, Millie, Belle, and Connor sit at a long table in front of us, each with their own expression of seriousness on their faces. Mum was called away to help one of the recruiters yesterday. She should’ve been back by now, but she must’ve been held up. Paxton hasn’t made it for the meeting either, but there are enough of them here for a majority vote, Chad said.

Chad and Dad are waiting outside. This is a closed session and even though the council know that everyone will find out as soon as we leave here, they won’t allow anyone else in to see the decision being made.

“Let’s get started, shall we?” Cyrus’s voice echoes through the hall. “Licia. You’re up first.” I squeeze her hand in support. Nervousness surrounds her. She stands and walks to the podium which is centred between the rows of chairs. “We asked you a few days ago what your preferences were, and we’ve taken that into consideration. Are you still wishing to become a recruiter?” Cyrus asks.

“Yes,” she replies, a bit unsteady.

“We’ve all agreed to let you continue with training towards that goal,” Cyrus says with a smile. “It may be a while before you get out there, but after your match and observing your training over the last few days, we think you’ll fit in well. Congratulations.”

She comes back and sits down with a giant grin on her face.

Marlo stands. “Shilah. Your turn,” she says. Shilah is more confident than Licia in his composure as he takes to the podium. “You too have the desire to become a recruiter, with the second preference of being trained as a handyman?”

That’s news to me, but it makes sense. Shilah was always helping Dad fix things around the house. He never was big on the farming side of things, that was all me.

“That’s correct,” Shilah replies politely.

“To be honest, this decision was split. We see a lot of potential in you. You would be great at recruiting, but you would also be great as a jack-of-all-trades, too. We do have concerns about you going out into the field when we know the Institute would be looking for you.” I see Shilah’s face fall from happy to disappointed. “Having said that, we are willing to put you through training for both and make a future decision when we can further develop your skills. If you can build on your ability, there should be no reason why you couldn’t go into the field. Does that sound okay with you?”

The smile is back on Shilah’s face as he thanks them for their consideration.

Millie is next to stand up. “Drew,” she says and nods towards him. He gets up and stands at the podium. “You informed us that you have no preference and will be happy with whatever we think is best. Is that correct? Have you thought of anything since then, that you might want to do?”

“Whatever you think is best,” Drew replies. I think he knows there’s no way in hell they’re going to let him recruit. I don’t know why he hasn’t chosen something else as a preference though.

“We have voted and all agree that a young, strong man like you would best suit us working in the farms, harvesting.”

Drew nods and comes back to sit.

The butterflies in my stomach suddenly appear when I realise it’s my turn. They kick up a notch when Belle is the one to stand up to deliver my verdict. “Allira,” she says. I take to the podium, sweat dripping off my brow. “Are you able to tell us why you did not preference work as a recruiter? With your proven experience in this field, I would’ve thought you would jump at the chance to do it again.”

My mouth drops open in shock. Why am I the one to get an inquisition? Drew has a lot more experience than me and he didn’t get questioned. “I honestly don’t think I have the nerve for the kind of work,” I try to explain. “It’s true that I have training and experience, and I do like the idea of helping people, but … I just don’t think I can give one hundred percent when a big part of me would always be worried about being caught by the Institute.” I take a deep breath before getting out this next part. “I don’t want to go back there.” I hang my head, avoiding eye contact with the panel.

When I look back up, I see the panel of council members discussing between themselves, quiet enough that we can’t hear.

“We’re going to have to vote again,” Belle says. “I still vote to make you a recruiter,” she says. Of course she does. If I was to do that, I wouldn’t be here with her son. My face turns angry but I try to conceal it. “We could use your skills and with added training, I’m sure we could get your nerves under control.”

Cyrus stands up. “However, knowing your feelings about being in the field, I’m putting forward that you assist me with training. With your amplification ability, we think you would be really beneficial in helping us reach the trainees full potential. Plus I’ve been thinking about getting someone trained up to take over if I’m ever needed elsewhere; to spend more time at home perhaps.”

“Which home?” Marlo – his wife – jokes, making the panel laugh.

I can’t believe everyone is okay with his …situation. And to actually make jokes about it? I just can’t wrap my head around it. I tell myself to stop being so judgemental. It has nothing to do with me.

“Does that sound like something you’d be interested in?” Cyrus asks me, ignoring his second wife.

I think about it for a moment. Why are they offering me this? Is it so Cyrus can keep a closer eye on me? Prove to them that I’m just like him? Why haven’t they offered Chad or Drew this position? Again, they are much more qualified for the job.

“This is an honour of an offer, Allira,” Belle interrupts my train of thought. “Either you want us to vote on this, or we’ll assign you to be a recruiter.”

I breathe in deep. “I would love to help with training,” I say with the most forced smile I’ve ever had to fake. The council talk amongst themselves again and it feels like forever until I get my answer.

“Welcome to the training team,” Cyrus says with a smile.

***

Sitting at the dining table of my parent’s house, I’m silent as Mum, Dad, Shilah and Drew talk about our placements. I try to change the subject numerous times but it keeps making its way back into the conversation. Mum made it back from assignment this afternoon so she said she wanted to have a celebratory dinner with us. I’m just waiting for Chad to come pick me up to take me back to our place … his place.
His
place. I have to keep reminding myself of that fact so I don’t casually let it slip that I’m not exactly living where Mum and Dad think I am.

“So you’re not happy with your placement?” Dad asks me.

“It’s not that. I realise I’m really lucky to be given such a great position,” I say hesitantly.

“But?” Mum asks.

“I guess I’m wondering why they have offered it to me, when Chad – or even Drew – is more qualified for it.”

Drew lifts his head from his food. “There’s no way they’d offer me that kind of position. They don’t even trust me to live on my own.” He looks over at Mum, “Sorry. No offence. I don’t mean to talk about you like you’re not here.”

“That’s okay. You’re actually pretty correct on that one. We want to trust you, but … well …”

“No need to explain,” Drew says. “It’s okay.”

Mum smiles at him. I want to tell her to be wary of Drew’s charm. He’s sucking her in, I can tell.

“But back to you, Allira,” Mum says. I take a deep breath in and try not to sigh when I breathe back out. “Why do you feel like you don’t deserve it? Like Cyrus said, it’ll be more like helping him out. It’s not like you’ll be in charge or anything.”

“I know. I just …” I can’t tell them my real concern which is that I think Cyrus suspects I have a double ability and the more I’m around him, the more chances he will have of proving it. Maybe I should just tell everyone and get it out of the way. If the worst they can do is keep me here, I’m okay with that. I don’t want to leave anyway. At least if I’m forced to stay here, I won’t ever be assigned as a recruiter.

“You deserve it, hon,” Dad says. “Watching you during the games, seeing what you have achieved since …” he gives Drew a deathly stare. “You’ve grown into someone I am proud of. You’re strong and selfless, but you’re too modest for your own good. You
deserve
this.”

I don’t respond to that, continuing to shovel food in my mouth as an excuse to stop talking about this. I’d really like to talk about something else right now.

“So how is living with Ebbodine going?” Shilah asks, a wry smile on his face.

I take it back. Let’s go back to the placement conversation. I’m fairly sure Shilah knows I haven’t been spending my nights with Ebbodine.

“It’s fine,” I shrug. I decide to get him back for asking that though. “She thinks you’ve gotten hot, Shilah. But I told her you were taken.”

Shilah practically chokes on his food, which makes me smile. Mum and Dad look at Shilah, awaiting a response.

“Nah. I’m not taken,” he says giving me a glare that could break glass. “But she’s not really my type anyway.”

“Easy isn’t your type?” Drew jokes.

I reach over the table and slap him over the head. I can’t help but notice Dad out the corner of my eye trying to suppress a smile. “Not nice!” I say. Granted I’ve said similar, if not worse, but it has always been in her presence and as playful banter. It’s one thing to say it to someone’s face, but saying it behind their back is not only mean, it no longer classifies as a joke.

“Sorry,” Drew says unconvincingly.

We continue to eat, now in silence, with the occasional small chatter thrown in here and there. I think it’s impossible for Mum to sit and not talk for longer than five minutes. She does a lot of,
‘Oh wasn’t the weather wonderful today?’
and
‘Even though it’s winter and hardly any crops are growing, isn’t this food wonderful?
’ Lots of random weather related things.

“I might head to bed early,” Shilah says. “Had a big day of nerves and all that.”

He starts making his way to his room and I have a feeling I may have stepped over the line by announcing to everyone that he’s taken. He still hasn’t opened up to me about the mystery relationship he had back at the Institute. Whenever I’ve asked him about it over the last few days, we’ve been interrupted or he’s wormed his way out of talking about it.

I think I need to go apologise. It’s obviously a sore subject, yet I brought it up anyway.

“Excuse me,” I say to the others at the table, following Shilah into his bedroom. When I get to his room and open his door, I find him climbing out of his window. I clear my throat and smile.

“Oh. Hey,” he says, quickly climbing back in.

“Going somewhere?”

“No?” he replies.

“Was that a statement or a question?”

Shilah sighs, “Okay, I was going out.”

“Out where?”

“Apparently there’s a hangout up the mountain, for those in recruitment.”

“Oh. Okay,” I reply with a shrug. “Can I talk to you for a minute, before you go?”

“You’re not going to stop me from going? Are you going to tell on me?”

I shake my head. “I don’t care what you do in your spare time,” I say in a tone indicating that if he doesn’t say anything about my extracurricular activities, I won’t say anything about his. “But if Mum and Dad catch you, I can’t help you.”

“You could probably come if you want? Technically you’re in recruitment too,” he says. “I’m sure Chad could come as well. He used to be one of us.”

“One of
us
, hey?” I smile. “I’m happy to see you excited about something.”

“You’re not excited?”

I shrug. “I’m definitely happier here, but I don’t know. It still doesn’t feel like
home.
I’m beginning to think I’ll never have that feeling again. Or if I’ve ever had that feeling to begin with.”

“It’s only been a week. I’m sure it will grow on you,” he says putting his arm around me.

“I wanted to make sure you were okay. I didn’t mean to blurt out that you were ‘taken’… okay, maybe I did. But I didn’t mean to upset you.” He doesn’t respond, but he does remove his arm from around my shoulders. “How are you going with all of it? The whole, being separated thing? I was only separated from Chad for a week and I hated it. We weren’t even together at that point either. I can’t imagine how hard it’s been for you.” I’m fishing for information again and I think he knows it, but he answers me anyway, finally.

“I don’t know.  I guess I’m just upset I didn’t realise the last time would be the
last
time, you know? I had no idea about any of this until I was on my way to my assignment. That’s when I first saw what was going to happen and I realised I didn’t get a proper goodbye. I thought I would be back.”

“If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here. I know that sounds cliché and overbearingly sisterly of me, but I want us to be able to talk to each other about anything.”