The Revealed Page 10

  “No, no she didn’t say why,” my mother quips. “He probably offered her a cabinet position.”

  “We offered her a cabinet position.”

  “Secretary of Transportation. Everyone knows that’s the most-useless position, Mark. I told you.”

  “She isn’t exactly qualified for much else.”

  “She wants State. Her ties with foreign diplomats have strengthened since the war.”

  “I already promised the position to Timothy.”

  My mother sighs. “Who offers more support? You need a woman up there as well, Mark.”

  I can see them talking from where I stand at the base of the stairs. The dining room is to the left while the kitchen is behind me.

  “That’s why I have you dear,” my father kisses my mother lightly.

  I try to slink past the stairs and make it to the kitchen for something covered in butter before they both eye me.

  “Sit. Down.” It’s amazing how my father’s voice can go from affectionate to cold in only seconds.

  I cringe. Judging by the tone, I know he’s talking to me. I shuffle into the room and fold myself into the nearest chair, which is three chairs down from my mother, the closest parent. Not a choice I make by accident.

  Luckily, the Advil is kicking in and I’m already feeling the stabbing pain dull down, otherwise my father’s next words would have sank into my head like a cheese grater rubbing against my temples.

  “Do you realize your mother and I have been up most of the night working to make sure all our bases were covered so we wouldn’t have another headline about you on our hands?” I’m sure he doesn’t want me to explain how I spent my night just about as much as I don’t want to hear about his. “We paid off the manager of the club, in case you were wondering, so he would sign a nondisclosure agreement.” Shame fills his voice.

  “Sorry,” I grumble.

  “I don’t know who you are anymore,” my father knocks his fist against the table. “What has gotten into you?”

  “I’m growing up,” I tell him, gratefully accepting a cup of coffee from one of the serving staff.

  I take a long draw of steaming caffeine and accept the soothing warmth all the way down to my toes.

  “According to whom? You think last night is a sign you’re growing up?”

  I shake my head, “I won’t be who you want me to be. I won’t fit in a little box of what is acceptable to make you proud.”

  My father purses his lips, “All of that aside, you are putting yourself right in harm’s way. When will you understand? Those letters you keep receiving aren’t normal, no matter how much you would like to deny it. The Revealed have their eyes on you.”

  “Exactly. This house isn’t going to save me.”

  “Oh and that Westerfield boy will?”

  I’m not sure what my father expects to accomplish by this conversation. I won’t revert back to that little doe-eyed daughter. I’m growing up. There is no going back no matter how much he wishes for it.

  My father continues his lecture, but I haven’t heard a word.

  Kai. I promised to meet Kai at 10:00 a.m. I glance at my watch. It’s fifteen minutes after.

  “I have to go,” I fling back my chair and stand. “Homework,” I say simply, not caring that it’s an obvious lie and ignoring their demands I return.

  By the time I climb over the gate around the property, it’s 10:25.

  But Kai’s black Audi is still waiting. I glance at the cameras suddenly wondering if maybe this time it would be best for security to catch me, though I know Kai has switched them on repeat.

  I suddenly feel guilty for running out on my parents on bad terms. It seems like lately all we are is on bad terms. Maybe I should go back. I glance over at the house looming behind me and feel the overbearing pressure that comes with everything inside of there.

  I look back to Kai, sitting so comfortably in front of my house. He’s holding his phone in his hand with that arrogant pride at his technological abilities. I grin in spite of myself.

  Kai hops from the car to whisk open the passenger door for me.

  He sees my expression and shakes his head, “Today I get to drive.”

  I stare at the passenger seat. It isn’t too late to go back. I stare over my shoulder at the security patrolling the premises. They haven’t seen me yet. I timed my exit well. But they will soon.

  “You can trust me.”

  His words take me off guard, and my gaze flickers to meet his. It only confirms his sincerity.

  I get into the car. “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see,” he says, and pulls out onto the road.

  Great, just the way to elicit my trust. Convince me to get in the car and then don’t tell me anything. There’s no use harping on it now, though. I made my decision.

  The top is down and I stretch my fingers into the air, enjoying the way the wind dances across my outstretched hands. I close my eyes and lean back against the headrest. A comfortable silence falls over us. It’s peaceful, which makes it easier to forget my uncertainty.

  I glance over at Kai, keeping my head pressed against the seat. He has one hand casually draped over the wheel, his bicep bulging underneath his long-sleeve shirt, which he has bunched at his elbow. His eyes are trained ahead, gleaming with the thought behind his eyes I can’t pinpoint. He’s so good-looking it makes my chest ache. I want to take a picture of him, capture that look, and study it for hours.

  Do I trust him?

  Yes.

  I know I shouldn’t feel this at ease sitting with him. I should be wary. But I’m not. Not at all, which makes me foolish, I suppose.

  Feeling my eyes on him, Kai glances over at me. He quickly glances back at the road, but a smile plays at the corner of his mouth now.

  “I don’t think I’d mind if we kept driving,” I tell him.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t think I would be upset at all if I never went back to that house.”

  “Someday you won’t have to.”

  “Someday, I’ll get into a car, put it in drive, and never look back.”

  He smirks. “I might do the same.”

  Maybe we’ll go together.

  Neither of us says it, though it seems to hang in the air.

  “But that won’t happen for a while,” Kai adds as an afterthought. As though we are talking about reality here instead of the wishful thinking it really is. “I gave my word that I’d give my country another year. My leave of absence is almost over. Plus, one of them will become president whether we’re here to see it or not. Running won’t stop the reality of all this. But someday,” he adds, “someday.”

  As if “someday” serves to preserve a hope for our future.

  Kai takes me to the middle of the city where smoke billows from the factory smokestacks, turning the sky gray and orange. We’re told the society we live in now is comparable to that of the 1920s. The war set us back over a hundred years. Technology is for the wealthy. Cars and computers are rare commodities that I often forget not everyone has. Being in the city is a stark reminder. The transit bus is in full swing. It operates nearly twenty-four hours a day, and is the primary mode of transportation for most people. Those who don’t live far from their work usually bike or walk. Only the factory owners are rich enough to own a vehicle.

  Amidst the browns and blacks of the city, there are random splashes of color: vivid sapphire and stark crimson. The blue signs support Atwood and the red are for Westerfield. Posters are affixed to the sides of buildings; they feature my father’s tall and proud image, his eyes glinting. “For a better tomorrow,” the signs proclaim. Westerfield’s banners show a man with a harder look. His chin turned slightly to the sky. His signs promise, “Never again.”

  Seeing the heart of the city splashed with the campaign propaganda is a revelation. Even if The Revealed take me and this is the end of my life, I’ve lived these eighteen years in vivid color. The other ninety percent of the people in th
is city live with monochromatic hues. It’s dirty and destitute.

  Kai notices my expression.

  “It won’t stay like this if your father becomes president,” he says. “Kids will go to college again, really go. Not just the ones who have money. It will be like those old movies where kids our age have fun and play around with life. Your father will find The Revealed. He’ll make it safe again. People will get out of their houses, become innovators, grow. This’ll be a place of promise again.”

  I give a curt laugh. “I wouldn’t be too sure.”

  “We’ll have more of a chance than with mine. My father loves the power he holds. He says these people deserve the way they live. Like they’ve asked for it or something. I’ve heard him say it before. He doesn’t think they’re worth saving. He likes the system without a middle class. This country could be great again, you know, if the government would just give people the right resources, they could really make this place something.”

  It’s obvious he’s passionate about the country. It’s also surprising. I’ve never seen this side of Kai before. He has a true desire to help. And he’s right. The city doesn’t have to be this way. Maybe someday it won’t be. Maybe Kai will be a part of that change.

  It’s too bad I won’t be around to see it.

  Kai pulls into a parking lot.

  It’s a small place. I didn’t even notice the building until we were sitting in front of it. Trees line the median strip between the parking lot and the road, successfully blocking this area off from the rest of the city.

  I read the name at the top of the building: Elias Fitness. “A gym?” I ask.

  “Come on.” He leads me inside, where a bulky man is waiting for us at the counter.

  “Perfect timing,” he tells Kai and takes us through two glass doors that lead out back. “I’m Elias.” He holds his hand out to me, and I shake it. This guy has arms the size of tree trunks, but the features of a child. His face is round and slightly red, topped by light-blond hair, which only makes his complexion look pinker. He’s in his mid-thirties, from what I can tell.

  “Lily.”

  “Pleasure.” He takes us through a large gym to an empty studio. There are only a few people around and none of them pay us much attention, too focused on the weights in their hands or the boxing dummy in front of them.

  “Don’t worry,” Elias says, winking knowingly as I scan the building. “We added your name to the nondisclosure form I signed for Kai months ago. You’ll need these.” He hands me a pair of boxing gloves from a rack hanging on the wall.

  Kai is already lacing up his pair. Elias helps me with mine.

  “We’re really doing this?” I ask warily, looking over my shoulder at Kai as Elias secures the gloves around my wrists.

  “Self-defense.” Kai holds his hands up and shakes his gloved wrists back and forth.

  “What?” My jaw nearly drops.

  “You were the one who said sitting in a house won’t save you. You’re right. But this might.” He playfully throws out his hand and socks me in the arm.

  I flinch.

  “It’s self-defense.”

  “Okay?”

  “So defend yourself,” he laughs, throwing out his hand again.

  “I don’t know how,” I admit, but smile sheepishly nonetheless.

  Elias comes around beside me. “Let’s start by having you work with the bag instead of Kai,” he laughs. “We don’t want you hurting that pretty-boy face of his.”

  “Watch it.” Kai drops his arms.

  Elias leads me to the center of the studio, which is one large room. Mirrors line the back wall where half a dozen weight sets are assembled. Heavy bags dangle from the ceiling in a line, one after the other. In the middle of the room is a boxing ring made of simple mats with ropes strung around the perimeter.

  Elias directs me to a punching bag. “Alright,” he says, moving behind me, “hit this.”

  I look back at him hesitantly before throwing out my fist and connecting with the thick cushion.

  “Okay,” Elias says, “needs some work. But okay. First things first, you want to reposition your feet so they are staggered.” He bends over and lifts my right foot, pushing it back behind my left. “Now loosen up.” He grabs my knees. “They should be slightly bent. When you punch, use your whole body, not just your arms. Follow through on your shot and move with it, extending your arm out as part of the natural rhythm. A straight shot. Imagine hitting two inches deep into your target. Don’t curve your hand around. Keep your wrist straight, and your thumb tucked on the outside of your fist. Get the power from your hips.”

  Elias moves out of the way. “Go ahead and try it again.”

  I swing out. This one is better. I can feel how it is better, though it doesn’t really show much strength. I don’t see the bag move. But I can feel the movement in my body.

  I can’t help but drop my mouth in awe of the strength and excitement that pulses through me. I’m suddenly empowered. The rush of emotion comes with the adrenaline, and it feels like I can breathe again for the first time since turning eighteen.

  I punch the bag again.

  My body understands the movement. Though I know my motions aren’t yet coordinated, there’s something so fluid and natural in it.

  “Better,” Elias says and nods, “but you want to keep your other hand up.” He moves my left fist up near my face. “If you ever do have to defend yourself, it won’t be in front of a bag. There will be another person, and they aren’t just going to stand still while you punch them. Keep your hand up as protection.”

  I do as I’m told and punch again. Then again.

  “Much better,” Elias says, encouraging me.

  He makes little corrections as we go along. He teaches me different ways of striking. He explains it’s best to ball my hand in a fist and use a hammer motion to the side. If I don’t have gloves on this will keep me from hurting my knuckles.

  Once I’ve gotten the hang of punching, Elias teaches me some other simple self-defense moves. It doesn’t take long before my arms begin to feel heavy. No doubt the muscles will hurt in the morning.

  But I’m alive. And I’m proud of myself. Taking on this new challenge is invigorating. It makes me feel like I have a chance.

  “Alright, come here Kai,” Elias motions him over. He positions Kai so he’s behind me.

  Elias moves around us and says, “Now Kai, I want you to wrap your arms around her and grab her as though you were an attacker coming up behind her.”

  Kai does as he’s told. His arms encircle my arms and waist. The bare skin of his forearms is warm against me, and I feel his breath against my neck. The rest of his body is aligned with mine. I’m tense with the sudden awareness of him touching me, touching him. I try not to get distracted from what Elias is saying, but being this close to Kai does weird things to my mind.

  “Your right foot on his,” Elias is saying.

  My right foot where?

  “Lily?” Elias glances over at me.

  “Um … yeah. Right.” I blush. “Sorry, could you repeat that?”

  Kai chuckles and my cheeks flush.

  Elias rolls his eyes good-naturedly. “You’re going to start by stepping on his right foot with your right foot, okay?”

  “Right,” I nod. “Right now?”

  “Let me explain the rest of the move,” Elias says.

  “Right.”

  “You’re going to step on his foot and then push your body out to create some space, throwing your elbow behind you as you do this. Let’s try it in slow motion first. We don’t want anyone getting hurt today.”

  “Okay.” I do as instructed, pretending to step on Kai’s foot and then pushing my elbow back. I can’t get my arm out of his grip. He’s too strong. I struggle for a moment before Kai starts laughing.

  “Well,” Elias says, “obviously it doesn’t work very well in slow motion because it’s your momentum that will carry you through.”

  “She can try it full
force,” Kai tells Elias.

  “Maybe it would be better if she practices with me. I’ve been punched before, and I can take a hit. I don’t want you getting hurt. Then the whole country would be after my ass.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Kai brushes him off. “I’ve been training in combat. I’m in the military.”

  “Kai, are you sure?” I ask hesitantly.

  “Of course. Come on.” He puts his arms around me again. “You won’t hurt me.”

  “Okay,” Elias says skeptically. “One … two … three.”

  I step on Kai’s foot with all my strength, throw my weight forward like Elias showed me, then jab my elbow back. But instead of it connecting with Kai’s ribs, he dodges out of the way, wrapping his arm around my elbow and dropping me lightly on the ground, falling next to me on the mats.

  I sprawl out on my back and start giggling. “You’re such a show off!” I roll over and push his shoulder.

  He shrugs. “I told you. It’s the military.”

  “What do they teach you? How to assassinate people?”

  “It’s top secret,” he says and stands to help me up.

  “Did I even hurt you a little?” I ask, taking his hand.

  “Maybe,” he says and grins, keeping hold of my hands.

  “Not even a little?” I pout.

  “What? You wanted to hurt me?”

  “Not badly.”

  He lightly socks my stomach and I grip his elbows, squirming to push him away, laughing.

  “Come here.” He tries to reach out to me, and I pull back, preparing to run. Instead, he grabs me around the waist and hoists me up, swinging me over his shoulder.

  “Kai!” I’m breathless as he tumbles with me to the ground again, gently tossing me as though I’m weightless. I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face, and we’re both laughing euphorically. I can’t remember the last time I did anything like this. Not since I was a child, living in Arizona, did I feel so carefree.

  “Alright.” Elias walks between us, reminding us he’s still in the room. “I think that’s enough for today. You better get Lily home before her family realizes she’s gone.”