Ingenious

Chapter Ten

 I grip the phone that still has 15% battery left. Everett only called his parents and didn't use much time leaving with me nearly 30 minutes worth of call time. I intend to use every one. I go to the dialing pad and dial in the first of the 3 numbers I memorized from a young age. Please pick up, please pick up.

"Hello?" I almost break into tears just hearing my mom's voice. "Ella Fanning speaking, who is this?"

"Hi Mom," I say quietly, my voice cracking. "It's Raegan." I hear her scramble for something probably to tell my Dad.

"Raegan sweetie!" she exclaims, "how is school going! I heard they put you in a special program because you did that well! That's better than pre-gov isn't it!" I break down in tears at this and slump against the wall.

"Mum," I say, tears filling my vision. "They didn't put me in a special program. I scored perfect, so they knew something was wrong. Apparently it happens once a year. One person born on my birthday every year. They score perfect..." I don't know how to explain this without sounding crazy, yet I've thought out my exact words every night for the past month. "Mom I have supernatural powers. I know it sounds crazy but it's true. All of us do."

"All of us?" she says, the concern in her voice coming through, "Raegan are you okay? Did someone kidnap you or something? I know they said you were busy around there but it's almost Christmas and you haven't made plans to come home."

"Mom, they put us in a prison. I don't know where, but we have been living in a block of cement underground and the people here, some have been here for 4 years. It's terrible," I tell her, "I need you to track this call, come find me."

"Raegan are you okay?" she asks me, "is the school too hard or something, did someone mess with your brain?"

"No Mom!" I exclaim. I'm balling now. She doesn't believe me. My own mother doesn't believe this situation. What if Bailey and Morgan don't believe it. "I'm telling the truth, I've been stuck here for months and I will be for many more if you don't help us!"

"Rae," she whispers, "I don't think you're okay, maybe you should go see the doctor." I shake my head melting into the ground.

"No Mom!" I exclaim, "this is the only call I'm going to get to you for possibly years!" I can just picture her, standing in our kitchen biting her lip.

"It's been a while but years is an exaggeration Rae," she says, "I'm going to put you on with Dad but please don't give him all the power bullshit and let him know you're happy where you are. No need to worry him too." With that there is shuffling as she hands me to Dad.

"Hey Rae!" he exclaims, "how is everything at your special pre!" I'm already sitting in a puddle of my own tears. The question is do I try and tell him or,

"It's complicated," I say instead. Mom was more likely to believe me than Dad. "Is this phone number trackable?" I ask him quickly.

"No it's not a US area code," he says concerned, "where are you calling from?"

"It's a long story," I tell him, "ask Mom to explain, but I only have a few minutes so how is everything there?" At least this way I don't have to worry about convincing everyone. I can gain my surroundings and pretend I'm okay before I call Morgan. Dad tells me about everything going on with him and Mom and their work. He talks a little bit about Morgan but I tell him I'm going to call her afterwards.

"Do you want me to give her the phone?" he asks me.

"No it's okay," I tell him, "I'm going to call her cell and surprise her. Just make sure she picks up. I should get going actually. I only have a couple minutes on the phone."