Built on smoke and mirrors

Chapter 21

Bang. Bang. Bang.

My eyes flew open and towards the door. It was still dark outside. The white numbers projected on the wall told me it was too early for anyone to be up. I didn't dare move.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

"Telvi, let me in," Ezra's voice rang out.

My heart only beat faster. Why was he here at this time? Maybe he was here to share news that I didn't want to hear. My eyes welled with tears as I thought about it.

"I don't have much time, Telvi," he said as he pounded on the door again.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

With a sniffle, I got up and opened the door to see Ezra who looked wide awake but with bags under his eyes. I wondered if he actually slept.

"Good. You're here," he said as he walked in, shutting the door behind him.

In the night shadows, I saw a hint of a bruise across his cheek. "Where is she?" I asked.

He rubbed his hands together in silence for a second. "She's safe. I know they are traveling by foot out of the Motherwealth, but they are looking for her. My father has a eye on me. He says I'm too close to you."

I nodded. Before a few days ago, I would believe him. But now, I didn't want to be close to him at all. I wanted him gone.

"That is why I'm here, at this time. My father is not an early bird so coming at this hour is safe for me. I just wanted to warn you to watch your back. I think the Motherwealth suspects you know something and they will want to contain that."

"I think people ransacked my room yesterday."

He frowned. "Did they take anything?" he asked in a hushed voice as he looked around the room for something. He got on his hands in knees and looked under Eydis' bed.

I shook my head.

He reached for something and pulled out a small cylinder looking thin. It was no larger than a thumb nail and it shined in the light. Ezra put it under and cup and continued to look around the room.

"They are spying on you," he said softly as he pulled out another cylinder thing.

My heart raced as I watched him. I did nothing wrong. How could they spy on me? Fear froze me in place. I couldn't stay here any longer. It wasn't safe. I had to go back to the Hell. How could I continue to send Kol money if I was no longer around? No amount of training or money would make any of this worth it.

"Can you get me out of here?" I whispered.

Ezra stopped and turned to me. He shook his head. "Too soon. We need to wait."

My heart stopped. I couldn't wait much longer. This place wasn't safe for me anymore. I had to get out. Tears welled in my eyes as I knew I would share the same fate as Eydis. I would be cut too, just like all Commonwealth kids here. That was our supposed fate.

"Telvi, I promise you will be safe. But there are too many eyes on you right now. I will get you out. I never wanted you to be cut. Getting you out to safety was always my plan. But for now, you need to stay."

"I can't," I choked out.

He eyed my hand but did not touch it. "You don't have a choice." He pointed to cup that contained three cylinders. "Do not touch that." He opened the door. "I'll be back." He looked down the hall then slipped out, closing the door behind him.

_______________

I stared at the cylinders until the sun rose, fear held me captive.

It wasn't until the door bang again that I pried my eyes away from the items on the desk.