Redemption

Redemption Part 20

I sat on my bed, preparing myself mentally for calling Dad. Sabra paced the room, her tail swishing. She was impatient with this room, which didn't have nearly enough cat items in it, like her tree. She pressed her paws to the window sill and looked out, probably hoping to catch a glimpse of some birds. It was dusk, just a faint glow of blue in the west, the window lights burning in the dark.

I took a deep breath. This was for Sym and Sol and their families. I dreaded giving away their most painful secrets, but it was for the sake of their freedom. I also dreaded confronting Dad, so soon after my colossal blunder, but any cost to me was irrelevant compared to what they had endured.

Okay. The longer I put this off, the harder it will be.

Besides, what's the worst that can happen? Dad can't execute me or banish me to the Abyss...I don't think he would anyway....

I pressed his symbol, the golden crown draped with purple. It pulsated for several minutes, and my heart thudded hard. Maybe he wouldn't answer. Maybe I'd have to try again in the morning....

He popped up in front of me so suddenly I almost jumped. His disembodied face hovering over my bed, he looked distant, regal, his carefully trimmed beard almost too perfect, his eyes gleaming in the dark.

I shrank before him. Wished I could melt into the bed and disappear before someone so great and untouchable. I fought the urge to bow to him; I didn't want to show weakness.

His face softened slightly as his eyes caught mine. "Jet. What is it? If you're having problems, you should direct them to your supervisors, Violet or Jade."

"I, um..." I struggled for words. What did I want to say again?

"Is it personal? If so, perhaps you should wait until this crisis is over. Unless it's somehow urgent." He raised an eyebrow.

With every word, he made it more and more difficult for me to gather any coherent thoughts. "It's..."

"I am extremely busy, Jet, so if it's not important—"

"It's extremely important!" I blurted.

"Is it?" He looked skeptical.

I forged forward. I couldn't let him get the best of me, not with so much at stake. Think of Sol. Think of Sym.

"The people here. They're innocent."

He frowned. "They each have a good reason for being there."

"No, they don't." I startled myself by my brazenness.

Even Dad looked taken aback. "Excuse me?"

"I mean, the Savannahs and Meridians. They're innocent."

"Jet...." he began wearily.

"The kids haven't done anything wrong. And their parents...." I sighed. "I mean—we put them in here after Grandpapa died, we were angry, and maybe...a few more people got put in here than...than should've. But now—maybe they can appeal their sentences? It's really not fair—"

"I should've known this would happen. You would begin to identify with the inmates. Sympathize with their side of the story. But you should know they tend to have a...flexible relationship with the truth."

"Maybe most of them do, I don't know. But I know Sym and Sol. They don't deserve it. And their parents don't deserve it either."

He sighed, the jewels glittering on his chest. "You don't have the expertise or experience to understand our rationale. We have good reason for keeping some people separate from the majority society. It's not just to keep their DNA separate. It's to keep their ideas blocked, hidden away where their virulence can't do any harm. It's contained. Humanely."