BEFORE by Dawn Rae Miller

Author:Dawn Rae Miller [Miller, Dawn Rae]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies, Short Stories, Teen & Young Adult, Romance, Science Fiction & Dystopian, 45 Minutes (22-32 Pages), Single Authors, Paranormal & Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopian
Amazon: B00A9X943C
Publisher: FinnStar Publishing
Published: 2012-05-01T16:00:00+00:00

3

Snow whips over the long, clear barricade, sending flakes drifting down on us as we walk.

Sometimes, it’s easy to forget they’re on the other side. But not today.

Before the Long Winter, magnificent trees covered this area. Now, instead of towering eucalyptus and acacia, only work crews dot the frozen landscape. Dozens of them—all wearing the bright red wristlets of Sensitives—labor just on the other side of the barricade, clearing city sidewalks and roads.

With my eyes, I follow the line of the barricade across the wide, open expanse of the Presidio to the Bay. Other than the three guarded checkpoints, the barricade encircles us, keeping them out. Or, as Beck jokes, us in.

I touch my wristlet, comforting myself. If one of them broke through the barricade, an alarm would sound. My wristlet would tell me. I have nothing to worry about.

Ahead of me, my housemates trudge along our sidewalk, bracing themselves against the cold. I always linger at the back of the group, usually with Beck or Kyra. Sometimes Maz and Ryker join us, but not the other students. Kyra says that we intimidate them with our wit and stunning good looks, but I think they resent Beck and me. Or at least me. No one could dislike Beck if they tried.

But today I’m alone. Kyra stomps ahead with Maz, probably plotting her next indiscretion, and Beck jogs alongside Lina and Ryker. I have no desire to join either of them.

“I can’t wait until I’m out there, hunting down those evil monsters.” The words float back to me on the wind. That must be Emory. He tells anyone who will listen about his desired career choice: Sensitive Enforcer.

It would be a good job for him. He’s strong and smart. And you need to be clever to outwit Sensitives.

Icy wind brushes over my face and I pull my scarf up to my chin. With my teeth, I yank off a glove and fumble with numb fingers to turn up the sound on my wristlet. The music matches the swirling snow pattern—swaying and floating in rhythm as if conducting it. With each beat, the flakes skip to the side instead of falling downward. And when I turn, the snow follows my movements.

At least, I think it moved with me.

I swish my hand back and forth. The snow glides from side to side softly, as if being rocked. How...strange.

The rational side of my brain says I should be concerned. We had a delay request because of Sensitive activity in the area and dancing snow isn’t normal. But the pretend feeling of control over something so powerful delights me. Besides, I’m inside the barricade, and I have my wristlet. And I’ve never heard “dancing snow” being in the realm of Sensitive abilities—it must be the wind.

For fun, I open and close my fist quickly, and once again the floating snow changes. This time it’s a small pulsing, whirling cyclone.

The rhythmic drumming of one song segues into the haunting melody of another. The cyclone sputters out and a familiar melancholy descends.

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