The Amplified by Lauren M. Flauding

Author:Lauren M. Flauding
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2017-12-03T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

"These came for you," Alia mumbles sullenly when I walk into our dorm. She's laying face down on her bed and gesturing lazily to some items on the table. From one glance I know what they are, and I hastily grab up the two precious Adhesives from my mother and Adrian. I start to head out the door to find a private place to watch them, but then I look back at Alia. Her face is buried in her pillow and she'd look almost lifeless if it weren't for the occasional twitch of her foot. I should try to talk to her. She's been really withdrawn since the other day, which I'm guessing is a result of her apparent fallout with Jaren.

"Alia," I begin, "I know we haven't talked very much lately, but I still consider you one of my closest friends, and if you — "

I'm cut off by a loud snore from Alia. Since my attempt at consoling her is futile, I leave the room and head to the recreation lounge, wondering at Alia's transformation. I almost liked her better when she was with Jaren all the time. I had considered telling her about almost being strangled in the hover chamber, but she generally hasn't been in a listening mood. Plus, I kind of just want to forget about the whole thing. I check a clock in the hallway. I only have about 30 minutes before lectures this afternoon.

The lounge is empty except for a few people messing around at the aerial obstacle course. I find a couch in the corner and apply the Adhesive from my mom onto my temple. Immediately I'm surrounded by the dusty recording room from my compound, with my mother and Daniel's faces in front of me. The room is dull and drab as usual, but for some reason it makes me homesick.

"Mari, we were so thrilled to finally hear from you!" My mother exclaims. She looks beautiful and confident as always, except for some faint lines at the corners of her mouth that make me wonder if her smile is as fake as mine was.

"Everything's been pretty normal here," she continues, "except for a minor incident with the Restrainers."

"Oh, man you should have s-s-seen it, Mari!" Daniel interrupts excitedly. "They were running through a-all the fields at the farm, trampling d-d-d-down all the crops, and they were so fast! But they n-never found — "

"It blew over in a week," my mother says quickly, "it was just a misunderstanding." She has a tone of strict finality in her voice. Daniel looks like he might have added something, but quickly shuts his mouth. I'm unaccustomed to seeing my mother so tense.

"Anyway, " my mother says, forcing a smile, "we really miss having you around here. It gets lonely with just the two of us."

"Yeah," Daniel cuts in again, "we spend m-m-most nights cleaning or doing puzzles or boring stuff l-like that."

"It's not all bad," my mom counters, "we still play plenty of games.

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