Eyes

Showtime

"And why are you telling me?" Cal asked. "I doubt that's the real reason anyway." Lilith growled. "It's true. Nobody in staff is your friend, and my mother doesn't care what happens to you unless you have something to give."

Cal let go of her hands. "But you're her daughter. I don't believe you." "Carnelian, I've lived here all my life: thirteen years of nothing but watching the campers and testing. I was not born compatible like you.

"I know what she wants, I know what she's planning. And all I want is for you to stay safe, but you have to get out of camp for that." She folded her arms tightly. Cal shook his head. "Then why didn't you say anything in the first place?"

"Because... It was before I..." Her voice trailed off. "Before you what?" "Before I knew you were compatible." He rolled his eyes. "I get the crystal is a big thing, but how is that going to dictate over America?"

Lilith pinched the bridge of her nose. "Dictatorship. Taking over with brutal force and making people follow uour rules. Once she has an army of kids with our crazy powers, she's going to make us do these insane things."

CAL'S P.O.V.

I've heard some crazy things from controlling ice to swearing with flowers. This? This beats it all. I really wanted to believe that she was joking. Then again, she never jokes. And no offense, but I don't think she would make good jokes either.

Why wouldn't she tell me earlier? We could have made it out when the buses were leaving and sneak out at the gate. But she didn't say anything. "Oh my God, Lilith." I said, suddenly growing with anger. "You don't just spring up something like this on someone." "Do you believe me?"

I don't want to. "Yes." I said, stuffing my hands in my pockets. "When is this going to happen?" Lilith bit her lip, "The end of next summer... or so."

"Then we could leave when summer's over." I recoiled. Lilith shook her head. "She's not going to let you guys go so easily. Remember, my mother is the creator of Candlewick technology, and she was a professor in Harvard. She made this an academy so it could count as a school."

"And?" I knew where this was going. Lilith hesitated, "She's going to offer a scholorship. And since it provides everything a school could plus the comfort of home..." It's true. I knew my dad wouldn't refuse an offer like this. It would be hard to not accept.

"So, you have to leave before the offer." She whispered. "And don't talk to anyone about the camp. It'll just cause more trouble."

"And you?" I asked. She looked up at me. "What about me?" "Why didn't you leave?" My hands trembled in my pockets. I really hope I don't accidentally activate my swords.   "Because I'm still human. And I'm scared."

It was hard to believe that Lilith was afraid of something. Then again, I believed that her mom was going to use us as weapons to overthrow the government.

"So you have to leave. Avoid the SSA, avoid the Facility, just go back and forget this summer ever happened." Lilith's brows furrowed.  "But I don't want to forget it." I said. "It was honestly the best summer I've ever had."

We stood there for a minute in silence. I was mostly just thinking about my drawing. Maybe... to prevent what was going to happen we could try and destroy the crystals...

Lilith shook me out of my daydreaming. "Come on. We must tell the others." We walked into the North Gate. Lilith had gathered everyone and told them her story, which sort of created havoc and lots of swearing.

Rose had to cover Darcy's ears, who desperately wanted to know what Justin was cursing. "You don't believe me?" Lilith asked, leaning on her staff. Justin crossed his arms. "We don't trust you. Why should we believe you?"