Chapter two
Iawake to the rain thudding down upon our roof again. “Yay… It’s raining again Norah!” I sing happily but hear no reply. I feel around on the bed for her but find nothing. She must’ve already gotten up. I call her name again and wait patiently for an answer. I know she isnt outside in this weather and the clock on the wall only reads 7:00. I get up and peer around our little bedroom. Nothing. I figure she's playing a trick on me. “Okay. This is not funny Norah. I will find you!” I call playfully. I make a short creep to our living room but am taken aback immediately. Mom sits hunched over on the couch.
“Mom? What are you still doing here?” I blurt. She turns to me, her eyes swollen and red. “Mom what’s wrong?” I ask my voice rising. My heart speeds up suddenly. “Where is Norah?”
She just shakes her head. “They took my baby… my baby girl…”she mumbles. I begin to panic. I cross the room and grab her shoulders.
“Who took your baby? Your baby? Norah!?”
She begins to sob.
“Mom!” I shout angrily. “Who? Where is my sister?”
She points weakly to a piece of paper sitting on the couch. I let go of her and snatch up the letter. The green beaker in the corner of the thick stationary assures my greatest fear.
Ms. Mary Benderman.
In our last observation of Phoenix Ridge, we ruled your daughter was the perfect candidate for a few tests were looking to run to test the physical strength and durability of this era’s young female population. Her skin composition was also just right to test out our new burn treatment technology. We have collected Norah Benderman. Three years from today’s date your daughter will be dismissed from our laboratory and escorted back to your province. Our patient fatality rate goes down each day Ms. Benderman. This is a life experience for your daughter. Thank you.
Wishing ‘Balance, modesty, and Organization’
Owls Peak, Laboratory Staff
Collected by Liam Kingsly
My hands begin to shake uncontrollably. Only a few hours ago Norah was snuggled securely in my arms. When was she taken? Why didn't I wake up? A ringing begins in my ears, drowning out these thoughts and the sound of my Mothers sobs. I drop the paper. It floats to the floor daintily but before it even touch's down onto the concrete floor I was out the door. I begin to sprint paying no attention to the houses I run past nor the neighbors who are beginning to stare knowingly. I run all the way down the path toward our dirt road but I don't turn onto it as I reach it. I keep running, full speed, into the woods. Nothing can stop me. Not the log I leap over, not the fallen branch that cuts my ankle. The rain that is now pouring down has little effect. Only the sight of the clearing and Shane and I’s willow tree alters my movement. I pushed through its welcoming arms and stopped inside the cover of its leaves. Shane is already there waiting for me. His smile fades immediately when his eyes meet mine. His eyes cloud over, teal fading to the color of the storm clouds in the sky. “What’s wron-“
“They took her!” I yell. My face bunchs up and a sudden sob jars my chest. I feel more coming on. Like my heart is tearing in two.
“Who-“
“THE LAB! THEY TOOK HER!” Another sob jars me roughly. “Norah! They-they-they’re going to kill her…” I manage. The next sob rocks me to my knees. Salty tears began to run down my face and my hands shake in anger. Shane crouchs down next to me.
“Jolie! Jolie calm down. I was tested on and I’m just… fine! Don’t you see?”
I push him away furiously. “Calm down? You’re going to tell me to calm down? They didn’t test burn treatment technology on you did they Shane? No! And they didn’t test on you for three years either did they? NO. They made you colorful. “ I stop as his nostrils flare slightly at my last comment, but continue my rant. “Do you know who’s eligible to receive advanced burn treatment? PEOPLE WHO ARE SEVERELY BURNED! Norah’s not been burned once in her life! It’s not hard to imagine how many ways they can dream up to change that. “I pause again, horrible images filling my mind. Norah crying. Norah calling my name. Norah on fire. This destroys me. I collapse onto the damp ground and Shane comes over to me quickly. He places his hand on my shoulder gently and I looked up at him. His eyes are brown now, and very glassy. He pulls me off the ground and into a hug. He holds me up as I shudder and cry into his chest.
