plain view.
“Can I have some privacy?” Grace asked.
“Absolutely not.” Miss Adams grinned.
Grace wanted to punch the woman. Instead, she begrudgingly removed her bra and underwear. Closing her eyes, she stood under the piping hot water, letting it rinse away the coat of dirt and mud. While she had been living with Cari, she had bathed in their heated pools until the weather had gotten too cold. It had been a few weeks since she had a thorough cleaning. She pretended the two women weren’t watching and began scrubbing her scalp and body, the fresh scent of lilacs calming her. For a moment, her worries rinsed away and she forgot about the two strangers standing guard.
“There’s just something about running water,” she said, taking her time.
“Okay, that’s enough.” Miss Adams shut off the shower and set the blowers to dry off Grace. She then handed her a white jumpsuit, which Grace unenthusiastically put on.
“Turn around,” Miss Adams grunted.
“For what?”
“I need to brush your hair.”
“I think I can handle it.” Grace reached for the comb, but Miss Adams yanked it away.
“Just cooperate.”
Miss Adams began brushing Grace’s long brown hair. Some of the knots in the back were tougher to get through. As she tugged, Grace lost her balance and leaned into Miss Adams to keep from falling down.
“That’s fine. It’s not like she’s going out on the town or anything,” Miss Parker said.
“Where am I going?” Grace asked.
“Nowhere,” the women said in unison.
Grace didn’t like the sound of that. Everything about her arrest had been extreme and reminiscent of the old days, validating her concerns: Faraday’s power had grown and he was taking over the city center. She might not get a chance to stand trial before the council. She needed to find Blythe to get more information, devising a strategy to make that happen.
The ladies escorted Grace into the main room. While she was showering, someone had delivered a lounger––just like the infamous loungers used to plug into the mainframe. Memories rushed back: her futile searches trying to track down her mother after she had disappeared with Morray. The searches had become too painful, physically and emotionally. It had been over six months since her last attempt.
“How long does Faraday plan on containing me?” Grace asked, stalling.
“You’ll stay here during your trial with the council.”
“So, how long will that take?”
“That’s up to the council and Director Faraday.” Miss Adams forced Grace into the lounger and strapped her down.
“Is this necessary? I mean, it’s not like I can get out of this room.”
“We’re following orders from Faraday,” Miss Adams said.
“I don’t understand why Faraday’s even involved. He’s the Director of the Silicon Valley Academy. Since when does he have clout in Seattle?”
Miss Parker’s perfect smile spread across her symmetrical face. “You really have been off the grid. He’s campaigning for President of the Pacific Northwest Region.”
Bile rose up her throat. If he became president, he’d have executive control of the city center. He’d have the power to open the city and bring thousands of people to Seattle. And the natives would perish. Grace shifted around in the lounger.
Miss Adams grinned with her crooked teeth. “Might as well get comfy.”
“What if I have to go to the bathroom?”
“We’ll return for bathroom breaks and meals,” she said.
The two women headed to the door.
“I’m supposed to just sit here and wait?”
“Yes,” they said in unison, then exited the room.
“Screw you!” Grace yelled as the door closed behind them. She slammed her head against the lounger and squirmed around, but the straps only dug into her wrists and ankles.
The lights dimmed and she settled back, knowing if she wanted to reach Blythe, she’d need to chill out. First she’d have to get out of the restraints. The strap around her right wrist had
“Can I have some privacy?” Grace asked.
“Absolutely not.” Miss Adams grinned.
Grace wanted to punch the woman. Instead, she begrudgingly removed her bra and underwear. Closing her eyes, she stood under the piping hot water, letting it rinse away the coat of dirt and mud. While she had been living with Cari, she had bathed in their heated pools until the weather had gotten too cold. It had been a few weeks since she had a thorough cleaning. She pretended the two women weren’t watching and began scrubbing her scalp and body, the fresh scent of lilacs calming her. For a moment, her worries rinsed away and she forgot about the two strangers standing guard.
“There’s just something about running water,” she said, taking her time.
“Okay, that’s enough.” Miss Adams shut off the shower and set the blowers to dry off Grace. She then handed her a white jumpsuit, which Grace unenthusiastically put on.
“Turn around,” Miss Adams grunted.
“For what?”
“I need to brush your hair.”
“I think I can handle it.” Grace reached for the comb, but Miss Adams yanked it away.
“Just cooperate.”
Miss Adams began brushing Grace’s long brown hair. Some of the knots in the back were tougher to get through. As she tugged, Grace lost her balance and leaned into Miss Adams to keep from falling down.
“That’s fine. It’s not like she’s going out on the town or anything,” Miss Parker said.
“Where am I going?” Grace asked.
“Nowhere,” the women said in unison.
Grace didn’t like the sound of that. Everything about her arrest had been extreme and reminiscent of the old days, validating her concerns: Faraday’s power had grown and he was taking over the city center. She might not get a chance to stand trial before the council. She needed to find Blythe to get more information, devising a strategy to make that happen.
The ladies escorted Grace into the main room. While she was showering, someone had delivered a lounger––just like the infamous loungers used to plug into the mainframe. Memories rushed back: her futile searches trying to track down her mother after she had disappeared with Morray. The searches had become too painful, physically and emotionally. It had been over six months since her last attempt.
“How long does Faraday plan on containing me?” Grace asked, stalling.
“You’ll stay here during your trial with the council.”
“So, how long will that take?”
“That’s up to the council and Director Faraday.” Miss Adams forced Grace into the lounger and strapped her down.
“Is this necessary? I mean, it’s not like I can get out of this room.”
“We’re following orders from Faraday,” Miss Adams said.
“I don’t understand why Faraday’s even involved. He’s the Director of the Silicon Valley Academy. Since when does he have clout in Seattle?”
Miss Parker’s perfect smile spread across her symmetrical face. “You really have been off the grid. He’s campaigning for President of the Pacific Northwest Region.”
Bile rose up her throat. If he became president, he’d have executive control of the city center. He’d have the power to open the city and bring thousands of people to Seattle. And the natives would perish. Grace shifted around in the lounger.
Miss Adams grinned with her crooked teeth. “Might as well get comfy.”
“What if I have to go to the bathroom?”
“We’ll return for bathroom breaks and meals,” she said.
The two women headed to the door.
“I’m supposed to just sit here and wait?”
“Yes,” they said in unison, then exited the room.
“Screw you!” Grace yelled as the door closed behind them. She slammed her head against the lounger and squirmed around, but the straps only dug into her wrists and ankles.
The lights dimmed and she settled back, knowing if she wanted to reach Blythe, she’d need to chill out. First she’d have to get out of the restraints. The strap around her right wrist had
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