The Circle- Taken by Sage Sask

Author:Sage Sask [Sask, Sage]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781733579384
Published: 2019-03-06T18:30:00+00:00

TWENTY-NINE

I move carefully, so I am out of range of the cameras perched on the ledge. Though a direct path leads to the Sanctuary, I reroute and take an obscured one. Through the trees, I watch as older members arrive and depart. Unaware of me, they talk openly amongst themselves.

My path veers left, bringing me to the side of the building. Two ivory pillars welcome visitors through double French doors. Large, stately windows replace walls. Two agents man the front door. Every visitor scans their palm.

From a side window, I peek inside. An oversized fountain sits in the middle of the marble floor. Planted trees encircle the foyer. Doctors and nurses with stethoscopes hanging off their necks speak to people I recognize as members.

A deep yearning and sadness wrap around me. Unsure of the source, I lay my hand against the white wall. Nothing. I scoff at my expectation. Then, suddenly, I feel a stirring in my gut. My fingers curl against the wall. I lay my other hand alongside and rest my forehead against the cold exterior.

I am almost ten. Alone in the training room, I stand, staring at the walls. There are tears on my cheeks that I desperately try to hide.

“I’m sorry it isn’t me.” The boy in my vision comes to stand next to me.

“I don’t want to leave,” I admit without looking at him.

His words are filled with sadness. “I don’t want you to go.” He grips my hand. “But you will come back. You have to.”

“How do you know?” I ask.

“Because Mama promised me. Now you.”

“I promise.”

The memory leaves me as fast as it comes. My breathing comes in spurts. I reach for the vision again, yearning for the brother I didn’t know I have. He and my mother are waiting for me. No matter my mother’s decision, I must go back. The only way I can is if I survive the Evaluation.

Desperation tears at me. Anxious for another memory, I lay my hands on the wall again when there’s a rustling of leaves. Immediately dropping them, I step back just as Victoria rounds the corner.

“Alexia,” Victoria says. “Nice to see you.” Though curious about her choice of words, I stay silent. “I can feel movement,” she says to my unanswered question. “A shift in the air. It’s subtle, but with one sense gone, the others get heightened.” She moves a basket of crystals from one hand to the other. “What are you doing here?”

I stiffen at her question, and then force myself to relax. I remind myself she is unaware of my real motivation. “I was out walking. Nothing important to report, I promise.” When her face tightens, I welcome the small feeling of victory. Having no desire to be around her or interact, I move to leave. “Have a good night.”

“Do you know someone inside there?” Victoria calls out.

I glance at the Sanctuary and then her. “No. Do you?”

“I know everyone.” Her answer makes me feel foolish. “They are members who gave their lives to the Circle.

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