Variance - Book 1, Issue #9

Potawatomi Woods, Wheeling, IL

Four months after The Rise

   Annie Walker’s eyes opened as a ray of morning light shone through the cottage’s eastern window.  She had slept through the night, remembering very little of her dreams.  The creaking of the wood floors roused her, though she moved very little upon waking, still consumed by fatigue.

   “How can we trust her?” she heard Lara’s whispering voice ask.

   Annie made a move to roll over, but braced her body when the severity of the words sunk in.  They were talking about her.  They were questioning her.  She remained motionless, praying her thumping heart would fall on deaf ears. 

   “What do you mean ‘can we trust her?’” she heard Martin ask.

   “Are you dense?” Lara hissed.  “We find this woman who claims she’s been sleeping for what, four months?  Underground no less!  And you just buy it?”

   “You gotta admit, Doc, what ain’t sittin' right with us ain’t sittin’ right with you either,” Captain Blake said.

   Now it was Enrique’s turn to chime in: “Maybe you should just give her The Test.”

   Annie blinked.  The Test?

   “And where do you suggest I do that?”  Martin asked.  “Here?  Is that what you’re saying, Enrique?  Maybe there’s a microscope in the armoire or slides in the cellar.” 

   “We all did it, Martin.  We all took The Test.  There ain’t a reason in the world why she should have to, too.”

   “She’s already been through a lot,” Martin said.

   “We’ve all been through a lot!” 

   “We’re not getting anywhere,” Captain Blake snapped.

   Silence filled the room before Enrique said, “Can we just agree that when we get to Chicago, if there’s a facility there, you’ll test her?”

   It took Martin a long time to respond.  Annie could hear him sigh.  She could almost feel the eyes on him, the eyes that were looking through him.  “Fine,” he said.  “When we get to Chicago I’ll administer The Test.”  She heard Martin stand and leave the cabin, his heavy boots dragging across the floor as he went.

   After he left, the others continued to speak, but only in muddled whispers too quiet for Annie to hear.  Outside, she heard Martin pacing along the porch, a torturous wave of discontent prodding away at his thoughts.