Arc 7: Cry Softly

Once more I found myself in the back of one of H.E.S.P.’s armored vehicles, but this time it was alongside Nell, Neve, Daria, and Mac. The roar of the engine was loud enough to make any private conversation nearly impossible and we were constantly having to brace as the truck shuddered on the dirt roads […]

The H.E.S.P. base was buzzing with activity. Soldiers moved efficiently in platoons, jogging in sync. Lone staff members found openings to dart past these groups, heads down, minds set to whatever task they were fulfilling. I hadn’t realized just how many people were present at the base as it had been relatively quiet before. I’d

On our way back to the library, AJ suddenly got quiet. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “We should probably hurry up,” AJ said, eyes unfocused. “There’s some people coming this way. They don’t look friendly.” We hurried our pace and once we were back at the library, we began preparing to leave immediately. Coming down to

Seeing Sillwood as a hollow shell of what it once was never got any easier. It had been my home for my entire life, from a child to adulthood, and now it felt like I was staring at a body in a casket, so lifelike I believed it would spring to life at any moment.

A few days later, I followed Nell’s emotions to a large gymnasium within the H.E.S.P. compound. It was an impressive space, large enough to host sporting events with a running track that ran around the outer ring of the gym that encircled an elaborate multi-leveled obstacle course. There were all sorts of rooms, climbing ropes,

I saw you dancing. Emotions swirled like dust in the air. Nothing settled. “I’ve gotten glimpses before,” Nell said tentatively, “but I didn’t want to push it or ask about it. It felt like you didn’t want to share.” The irony of that statement wasn’t lost on me. I’d been feeling the same way about

The Director brought us to a private room with seating and a table to one side with refreshments. Nell idled by the snacks without eating anything. She just toyed with the cutlery while I eyed the Director, trying to get a handle on what they truly wanted. The Director sat patiently, stirring their cup of

And more importantly, a way to neutralize them? The words from the silhouette of the man seated above us sent a shiver down my spine. Did this man realize how violent he sounded? He wanted a solution and thought the best thing would be some sort of figurative pesticide for Shapers. “I will get to

The Director left us to our own devices while we awaited the tribunal. Richard and Vanessa came up to where Nell and I were sitting quietly watching the snowfall. “The crew is free to go, apparently,” Richard said. “That’s great,” I said, forcing myself to meet his eyes. Richard just stood there, frowning. I sighed.

Conrad’s long arms and towering stature claimed the space, even blocking out the light for a moment before he relinquished his grip on the table and stood up straight. I hated how claustrophobic I was feeling. I hated the sudden dimming of my connection to Nell. Conrad had rattled her somehow and now she had