Defect - By Ryann Kerekes Page 0,36
no one will notice missing. I think of the backpack in my locker and become worried that I’ll be in trouble if it’s discovered. I’m fairly certain I’m not supposed to have it.
The day before the challenge, we forgo our afternoon training and sit on the floor of the gym to listen to the official rules. O’Donovan – affectionately nicknamed O’D, Dirty D and Big D – stands in front of us.
“This challenge combines everything you’ve been training for, which is why it is worth the most to your ranking. There will be a physical aspect, strategy and survival skills.” O’Donovan scans the faces of the recruits. “We’ll release you into the woods in waves so that you will be on your own.”
O’Donovan clears his throat and continues. “There will be staged obstacles that you must get through. And the most important thing is you must find your way back to the compound within thirty hours. If we have to use your chip to locate you – it’s automatic disqualification.”
After a moment, O’Donovan turns and leaves. Without training to occupy us, people mill about the gym, and some head back to the dorms.
When Sam and I make it back to the bunker, people are almost in a celebratory mood. It feels like the last day of school, when you’re both excited and not sure about what’s coming next or how you’ll fit into it.
Jake comes over to where Sam and I sit on the floor. I haven’t actually spoken to him, but after watching he and Sam stumble around the gym because they’re watching each other, I feel like I already know him.
“Hey,” he says. He’s got dark, disheveled hair and kind blue eyes.
“Hey,” Sam says back, but her voice is unsure.
“You’re Eve, right?” he asks, looking to me.
I nod and reach a hand up towards him. He gives it a quick shake and then lets it drop.
His eyes rest heavily on Sam. “I’m putting together a little going away party tonight in the basement – the old weapons room. It’ll start around nine. Hopefully … I’ll see you there.”
“Yeah, sure,” she says.
When Jake walks away, I ask her, “What did he mean a going away party?”
“After this test, those who don’t score well will probably be leaving. There’s always a few who get their assignment after one of these big challenges since they wouldn’t be able to move back up in the rankings.”
“Oh.” I consider it and wonder if I’ll be one of the people leaving. I’m not sure how I feel about that, which I’d prefer – to be assigned to a job somewhere in the compound or stay in training where I can try and learn more about my past.
That night, I dress in jeans and layered long sleeve T-shirts since Sam says it will be cold down in the basement. I shake my hair free from the braid it’s dried in and finger comb the waves. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt pretty, but when I look in the mirror, the effect is better than I could have hoped for.
After lights out, we creep out of the dorm in small groups, tiptoeing through the darkened hallways, trying to keep quiet. But we’re still teenagers, and girls giggle while the guys make echoy sounds under their palms.
Sam takes my hand and pulls me ahead. I have no idea how she seems to know her way around here so well. She leads me down a dimly lit stairwell, and we enter a huge, damp-smelling basement. Once we’ve stepped away from the stairwell, it’s completely dark, and she feels along the edge of the wall, pulling me after her until we’re on the other side of the basement. Sam stops, and her hands roam the wall looking for the doorknob. When she pushes the door open, light spills out, momentarily surprising me.
The party is in full swing. I have no idea how, but the lights burn bright overhead, and there’s even music playing. Music like I’ve never heard before. It’s nothing like the mindless, soft melodies I’m used to. The beat is fast and the voices are filled with emotion. It stuns me for a second, but then I recover and look around the room.
There are about dozen of us, and people sit on turned over crates, or stand near the speakers, tapping their feet, nodding their heads in time with the music.
“Sam.” I tug her sleeve. “Aren’t we going to get in trouble for being down