The Solar Code (Short Story)

The Solar Code

Next to me is a little boy. He whimpers because he just came back from having spinal fluid removed. Its been done to me before, so I know how much pain he is in. The needle that the Seekers use, is like sticking a sipping straw through your back. I couldn't sleep right for two weeks. Even now as I think of it, I can feel phantom pain in my spine.

I extend my hand out and squeeze his but I know it's not enough. He needs his mother... sometimes I do too, but I am older than him so I could never say it out loud. The Seekers will be coming for me next. They have been poking and prodding at me for almost a year but they can't find what they're looking for. They want my part of the puzzle to the solar code that will reveal Earth's coordinates. Tanis wasn't the oasis we thought it would be so our only option is to go back.

Today they will remove bone marrow. I heard one of the Seekers say that they remove it from the hip because that's where they can extract the most. They don't use an anesthetic either. I know because another girl told me. She cried all night. I figure it can't be as bad as some of the other things they've done so far, like when they removed my kidney or that other time they cut out part of my liver. One of the Seekers had a theory that if she implanted my body organs in her body, then her brain would be able to tell her the code. Her theory was a failure. Her body rejected my organs and she was hospitalized for a month. Even now she still has to take antibiotics. She hates me now.

All this wouldn't be so hard if the solar code wasn't so difficult to find. No one understands why only some are born with solar codes. My father always told me it was put there by a greater power and those who had it were very special. That was all before he suspected that I had a solar code hidden in my DNA. I'm not sure what made him suspicious but it didn't take much for him to turn me over to the Seekers. I will never speak to him again. Ever.

The Seekers hardly say anything to us. They just move us from one room to the next and perform tests on us like lab rats. Except we're not rats. They've forgotten that we're human. Many of us just kids. I'm probably the oldest person here, two months shy of twenty-one. I won't even get to celebrate with a drink. Unlike my friends.

"Take her to lab A17," a female Seeker says with a clipboard in hand. "They want a full pint from her."

The table that I'm on is getting rolled to the lab and for the first time since they strapped me down to it, an hour ago, I can actually feel the cold metal cut through my smock. It sends a chill through me because no matter how many times they take things from me, I'm still not used to it and my heart rate increases. Sweat collects in my palms. I keep swallowing, but my throat is tight and dry. How could my father hand me over, knowing the things the Seekers would do?

"This is going to hurt," the Seeker says as he prepares the needle for my hip. "I ran into your father today." He smiles teasingly. "He sends his love."

"Are you ready?" another Seeker asks as she stands over me but I don't respond. "I'm going to count to three and then Dr. Jig will insert the needle. When I say three, take a deep breath. Ok?"

I nod. What else can I do?

"One... two..."

Pain surges through my hip and I scream. Jig didn't wait for three. However, it's not over. The pain gets worse as I feel the fluid sucking upward and through the strawlike needle. Apparently, it isn't deep enough and Jig plunges further. My body convulses.

"Damn it Irah! Hold her down!" Jig barks.

"Your body is just reacting from the pain. Ignore it. Focus on your breathing," the Seeker's voice is soft and her eyes are kind, however, she is anything but kind. She hates me. She's the one who took my kidney and part of my liver. "Remember, a full pint. Ok, Jig?"

"For the last time Irah, I know."

"You were half an ounce off on the last one."

"Well, if you keep her steady, then I'll get the full bloody pint! Ok?" Jig snaps.

"You listen to me!" Irah says with her palm slapping down on Jig's hand as he holds the needle. I screech like an animal. My vision is getting blurry from tears and I gnash my teeth.

"Damn it Irah! You want the needle to snap?"

"You need to show me some respect. Don't forget I'm your superior," Irah growls, gripping Jig's collar. "Just because we have a little fun, doesn't mean you can address me as if I'm your assistant."

I try blinking away the tears and I can feel them roll down the sides of my face. As my vision clears I see Jig and Irah kissing over me. It certainly didn't take long for them to forgive each other...

At times like this, I wish they would extract my eyes. Maybe if they did then they would get closer to what they were looking for. Except they'll never find the code. Only I know where it is. I see it when I close my eyes, glowing behind my lids when I squeeze them tight. Only I can see the thousands of stars guiding the way back to Earth. I will never tell them. Even if I wanted to, I never could.

They cut out my tongue long ago.