of the test results. I had to know what happened because I almost completely lost myself, and I had to know why before I lost myself again. If the woman from my vision hadn’t shown up, I don’t think I would’ve found my way back.
“I’ll cut off your access to the lab if you don’t take some time off to heal yourself,” Kai said.
My attention returned to my mentor, whom I was now starting to loathe. Except for Master Avery, I never had such a strong dislike towards anyone. “You’re right.” I bowed my head towards Kai, wanting to get him out of my loft so I could analyze my COR readings. “It’s been a long day, Master Kai. Forgive my insubordination.”
Kai bowed in return. The reciprocal gesture reminded me I was just promoted.
“You’ve been through a lot,” he said. “I strongly urge you take your vacation early.”
“I have a lot of work that needs to be done by the end of next—”
“Consider this your first day. I’ll see you back in three weeks.”
OUTSIDER
I left for Emerald Mountain a day ahead of Wade. Between my visions and growing hatred towards Kai, the time alone worked better at easing my anxiety than Harmony. I pitched my tent at the base of the western side of the peak and went to sleep after the canopy of juniper and pine concealed the last traces of sunlight. Dreams of Wade’s death taunted me until the motion alarm I set went off. I could hear footsteps outside.
“Who’s out there?” I cautiously separated the tent flap and aimed both my plazer and flashlight towards the mouth of the trail. The woman from my vision stepped into the light beam’s path.
“Who are you?” I edged towards her, and a name came to my mind. “Sutara?”
She smiled and entered the thicket.
I tracked her along a dark narrowing path, but I soon lost sight of her. On my way back to my campsite, I was surprised by a wild dog. Sitting on his haunches, he remained eerily still. I clutched the grip of my plazer, stepped back, and took aim.The dog growled and leapt towards me. I fired my plazer and woke up to the sound of my COR alarm, followed by a splash of water on my face.
Wade hovered over me with his overturned canteen. “Wake up, your Lordship. Today, we’re climbing to the top of the high ridge. Master Tyrus showed me all the blind paths of the motion sensors. Unity Forces will never see us leaving…or returning.”
I may have been half-asleep, but I still recalled our sailing adventure that ended with an interrogation, followed by three days of isolation. “I’m not risking it. I’m stopping at the beacons this time.” I turned off the alarm.
Wade yawned. “Had a rough time at work—could use some time alone.” He walked out of the tent.
“You slocking reckless—” I slid out of my sleeping bag and followed Wade out. “You know I can’t leave you alone!”
“Grab your things. I’m leaving now.”
I stormed back into my tent and rolled up my sleeping bag.
Wade pushed apart the tent flap. “What are you so worried about?”
I stuffed my lantern and the rest of my gear into my backpack.
“You’re a Unitian hero. They’ll tolerate more from you,” Wade said.
“Your death is starting to sound preferable to a reprimand from Kai.”
“Does that mean you’re coming along?”
“We’ll camp in the valley tonight and watch the meteor shower,” I said as I zipped up my backpack. “If we must risk reintegration, let’s make this trip the envy of all Unitians.”
When we reached the top of the high ridge, we had a breathtaking view of Unity. The dome glistened like a diamond but seemed small in comparison to the bordering land.
“This is why I break the rules.” Wade stared at the outer-patrol station. “What gives them the authority to deny us a view like this?” Wade tugged his climbing cable, which he secured around a large tree trunk.
“I’m going first.” I tossed my already secured cable over the precipice.
Navigating beyond the
“I’ll cut off your access to the lab if you don’t take some time off to heal yourself,” Kai said.
My attention returned to my mentor, whom I was now starting to loathe. Except for Master Avery, I never had such a strong dislike towards anyone. “You’re right.” I bowed my head towards Kai, wanting to get him out of my loft so I could analyze my COR readings. “It’s been a long day, Master Kai. Forgive my insubordination.”
Kai bowed in return. The reciprocal gesture reminded me I was just promoted.
“You’ve been through a lot,” he said. “I strongly urge you take your vacation early.”
“I have a lot of work that needs to be done by the end of next—”
“Consider this your first day. I’ll see you back in three weeks.”
OUTSIDER
I left for Emerald Mountain a day ahead of Wade. Between my visions and growing hatred towards Kai, the time alone worked better at easing my anxiety than Harmony. I pitched my tent at the base of the western side of the peak and went to sleep after the canopy of juniper and pine concealed the last traces of sunlight. Dreams of Wade’s death taunted me until the motion alarm I set went off. I could hear footsteps outside.
“Who’s out there?” I cautiously separated the tent flap and aimed both my plazer and flashlight towards the mouth of the trail. The woman from my vision stepped into the light beam’s path.
“Who are you?” I edged towards her, and a name came to my mind. “Sutara?”
She smiled and entered the thicket.
I tracked her along a dark narrowing path, but I soon lost sight of her. On my way back to my campsite, I was surprised by a wild dog. Sitting on his haunches, he remained eerily still. I clutched the grip of my plazer, stepped back, and took aim.The dog growled and leapt towards me. I fired my plazer and woke up to the sound of my COR alarm, followed by a splash of water on my face.
Wade hovered over me with his overturned canteen. “Wake up, your Lordship. Today, we’re climbing to the top of the high ridge. Master Tyrus showed me all the blind paths of the motion sensors. Unity Forces will never see us leaving…or returning.”
I may have been half-asleep, but I still recalled our sailing adventure that ended with an interrogation, followed by three days of isolation. “I’m not risking it. I’m stopping at the beacons this time.” I turned off the alarm.
Wade yawned. “Had a rough time at work—could use some time alone.” He walked out of the tent.
“You slocking reckless—” I slid out of my sleeping bag and followed Wade out. “You know I can’t leave you alone!”
“Grab your things. I’m leaving now.”
I stormed back into my tent and rolled up my sleeping bag.
Wade pushed apart the tent flap. “What are you so worried about?”
I stuffed my lantern and the rest of my gear into my backpack.
“You’re a Unitian hero. They’ll tolerate more from you,” Wade said.
“Your death is starting to sound preferable to a reprimand from Kai.”
“Does that mean you’re coming along?”
“We’ll camp in the valley tonight and watch the meteor shower,” I said as I zipped up my backpack. “If we must risk reintegration, let’s make this trip the envy of all Unitians.”
When we reached the top of the high ridge, we had a breathtaking view of Unity. The dome glistened like a diamond but seemed small in comparison to the bordering land.
“This is why I break the rules.” Wade stared at the outer-patrol station. “What gives them the authority to deny us a view like this?” Wade tugged his climbing cable, which he secured around a large tree trunk.
“I’m going first.” I tossed my already secured cable over the precipice.
Navigating beyond the
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