Prequel
“I won’t let them take you. I won’t.” Bryce released me, and his fingers glided beyond my reach. I didn’t want to let go, but I had no choice. The pain behind his hazel gaze said everything to me. That he was willing to fight for me, the love of his life. But everyone knew resistance meant one thing—death. Many had witnessed or experienced it before, losing a relative or a friend.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let them touch me.” I swallowed hard and put on a bold face. I refused to show weakness.
“Do as they say, and they won’t hurt you.” My dad rested his palm on my shoulder and kissed me on the forehead.
“I know.”
Dad didn’t exhibit or express much emotion, but that one time, I really wanted him to hold me, and tell me not to be afraid. I couldn’t understand why he easily accepted the Eslite order, which mandated every female between the ages of fourteen and twenty-five undergo testing. Married, single, mother or not, no one had a choice. It bewildered me that our government actually formed an alliance with the Eslites.
Trembling, Mom placed a hand under my chin. Tears trickled down her cheeks, and I couldn’t miss the worry etched in the crevices of her eyes.
“Don’t cry, Mom. I’ll be back. Many girls have returned home to their families unharmed.”
“I pray you fail their test, and they don’t need you. I…I don’t want to lose you.”
Tears clung to my lower lashes, and I blinked them away. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, baby.” She hugged me, and I didn’t want her to let go.
My little brother, Matt, pulled on my shirt. I breathed a sigh of relief. Any longer, and I knew I would break down. I eased from Mom’s hug and knelt before Matt. He jumped into my arms, and we held each other. Neither of us spoke a word. More than anything, I wanted to tell him how much I would miss him, but I couldn’t. If I did, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop crying. I repeated the phrase Dad taught me and found strength.
Mays are strong leaders. We never show weakness.
After a few seconds, I pried his hands from my neck and stood.
“Watch over Mom and Dad. You’re in charge now.”
“I will. Be careful, and show’em who’s boss.” He gave me a thumbs-up.
I winked and then turned one last time to Bryce.
“Don’t resist or challenge them. Just do as they say, and you’ll be back before you know it.” Bryce knew me all too well. Stubborn, brash, and a rebel. Truthfully, fear plagued me, but I hid it. Intuition told me I wouldn’t return.
“What if I pass their test? You know they can’t be tricked, or so I’ve heard.”
“Have some faith, Miranda. Everything will work out.”
I leaped into his arms. “I love you, Bryce.”
Holding me close, he whispered, “I love you, too, and I always will, no matter what happens. And don’t you ever forget it.” He kissed me. Closing my eyes, I responded forcefully, meeting him, measure for measure. The world spun around us, and my soul connected with his. I forgot that my parents were right beside us. As I was only sixteen, I’d never kissed Bryce in front of them, but I didn’t care. That might be the last time I saw him.
“We are ready to depart,” a man announced. His voice echoed against the buildings, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
Bryce’s lips ceased their caress. I opened my eyes and smiled, leaving him with a happy memory. In my mind, I captured every detail, engraving his image in my heart, from his dark, wavy brown hair, to the flat mole above his square chin, and his boyish grin that never failed to set my pulse racing. I wanted to remember every part of him.
