The Maplethorn Initiative (Book 1, The Maplethorn Series)

Turning Red

Cameron Drexler woke up, not knowing where he was or how much time had passed. He lay in a hospital bed with a single, fluorescent light attached to the wall above him. The tiny, white room had two doors—one at the foot of the bed and one to his right. There were no windows or decorations.

Cam's scalp itched, and his mouth was dry, but nothing hurt. His first thought was that Dr. Bensen lied to him, and part of his brain might actually be gone. He decided to test his memory by reciting his parents' names out loud, followed by a list of his teachers dating back through kindergarten. Next came favorite songs, favorite movies, and favorite foods. After convincing himself that his memories were still intact, he checked for any reprogramming.

"Let's see, I can A.) Do homework all day and night, or B.) Tunnel out of here and find Prita," he thought. "But where would we even go? Maybe Europe. I bet Italy has good pizza."

The knowledge that running away with Prita sounded better than any amount of homework served as proof that, whatever he had just been through, Cam's brain was still in one piece. That was until his fingers traveled to his itchy scalp and discovered it was wrapped in gauze, which suddenly made brain-scooping a possibility again. "But shouldn't it hurt?" he thought. "And where am I?"

As if in response to his last question, the door at the foot of the bed opened, and a familiar nurse appeared.

"What's going on?" he croaked. "What happened to me?"

"Just lie still," she said. "The doctor is on his way."

Benjamin Bensen arrived soon after and whispered something to the nurse before unwrapping the length of gauze wound around Cam's head. "Everything's healed up nicely," he lauded. "But try not to scratch."

"Uh, healed?"

"The equipment can sometimes leave a bruise," the doctor said, obviously backpedaling. "From the examination."

"Did I pass?"

"With flying colors!"

"Can I go now?" Cam pleaded. "Because I really need to use the latrine."

"There's one right there," the doctor said, pointing to a green door with a metal handle. "Just be careful when you stand up. You might be a little dizzy."

•  •  •

Cam wasn't allowed out of the windowless room for the rest of that day and night. A different nurse brought him his clothes the next morning and told him to wait for his floor captain. He still became dizzy when he tried to stand up, but it passed quickly this time. He was soon back in uniform and more than ready to go.

The door opened about fifteen minutes later, but it wasn't Captain Carver who came for him. This cadet wore the gold collar pips of a floor captain, but with the armband of a CP, and a red hat pinned beneath his left elbow.

Where Carver seemed to be perpetually in training clothes, this floor captain looked like he should be leading a parade. Every crease, patch, and ribbon on his uniform was flawless. His long, dark hair pushed the limit of academy regulations with every strand neatly swept into place. The overall effect reminded Cam of a mannequin. Everything was perfect but somehow artificial.

"Cadet Drexler?" he asked, making it more of a statement.

Cam snapped to attention. "Yes, sir!"

"There's no need to bust my eardrums, cadet," the new floor captain said softly. "I'm Captain McGuire. At ease and follow me to your new home."