To the Well-Organized Mind

Chapter Fourteen

[Nia]

We lost contact with the outside world many years ago. And still we treat our mission as the difference between life and death, an assignment that we must accomplish or fail humanity.

But to be frank, when the radio waves went quiet, when the wi-fi shut down, when attempts to reach the White House only turned on static...we knew the only people still awaiting a cure were us alone.

-from Gerald P. Anagnost's log

*

Our resident angel is preaching when I wake up the next morning. I'd know Furie's irritating voice anywhere, and even here, in my bedroom, her voice echoes a familiarity I hate. Even now, she's infiltrating my life.

Groaning, I turn over and daydream about going back to sleep. But by this point, my ears can't stop hearing her anything-but-dulcet tones. Sitting up, I wonder if anyone would protest a rogue rock that came out of the sky to silence her.

I never said I was a morning person.

I fumble for clean clothes with a sigh. As I pull on clothing that hasn't had to survive the Barrens, a special treat, pieces of Furie's appeal reach me more clearly through my open window.

"Please, someone must know!" Then silence, as perhaps someone is responding to her. "No, I will not be quiet!"

I nearly roll my eyes. That's obvious.

Then my ears pick up something that makes me freeze: "I need to know if Diya Rhee and the other scientists were here!"

In the six seconds it takes me to fly down the stairs and out the front door, Furie has lowered her voice. She and Hale are talking more quietly together. Or rather, arguing. Jaden, Fen, and Vitch stand nearby, not even pretending not to eavesdrop.

Other faces and heads of Asis citizens peer through windows or pop up from the path to the gardens. A ruckus like this usually only means one thing: someone in Asis has been caught exhibiting feral symptoms. The headman, Gregg, will be over momentarily, no doubt.

"It's been six years," Hale is saying. "We've talked about this; they all must've perished during the journey either to or from Paradise."

I figure now is not the best time to correct him on the town's name. And anyway, I have more interest in encouraging this conversation, not stifling it. Quite a shock.

As I stride over to the two of them, Furie's eyes look around desperately and latch onto mine. Apparently I'm not done with my savior role, even though we're safe in Asis now.

"Nia! You must remember. A group of scientists used to come and trade with you all. You'd give them fresh produce, and they provided vaccines against feralism."

My heart is pounding, and Furie grows her angelic wings before my eyes. She's the one. The one I've been searching for all these years. Or if not her, she's tied to my quest.

Of course my savior would have to be my nemesis.

I grab Furie's arm and pull her closer to me and away from Hale, who seems to be trying to silence this conversation I've been waiting six years for.

"Let's talk about this indoors." I scan the area again, hoping not to see Gregg's silver hair and goatee. The headman will catch on to these happenings soon enough, but if I can speak with Furie privately first, it might make all the difference for my predicament.

Jaden is already at Furie's back, steering her toward our house. Furie glances once at Hale, who tries to shake his head subtly, but she purses her lips and allows herself to be led along. When we reach the front door I have just burst from, Hale grabs Furie's arm in an attempt to keep her from entering.