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Chapter 28.1
Nyla and her friends were sitting on their rooftop spot, avoiding the noise downstairs when Sarah turned to Eason. “Are you having the usual aging out party for your birthday?”
“Birthday?” asked Nyla, her attention diverted from her sandwich, which was in the process of falling apart. “Your birthday is coming up?”
Eason laughed. “Nyla, it’s next week. Where have you been?”
In a dark, dark place.
“But that means you’ll be eighteen and will graduate.” Panic started bubbling up in Nyla’s chest. She couldn’t handle school without Eason by her side.
He seemed to know exactly where her thoughts had gone. “Calm down, Nyla. Sarah and Breanne will still be here with you. You’re eighteen next month anyway. You’ll only have to survive a little bit of time.”
“We’ll be here for you,” Breanne tried to comfort Nyla.
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What Is Love? Chapter 28.2
Breanne swallowed and turned to Sarah. “What do we do now?”“Find a place to hide, of course. We’ve got our food, Eason will be busy dancing for a while, and everything else is about to turn political,” Sarah said matter of factly.“Sounds good to me,” Breanne agreed, looking towards Nyla, who hesitated for just a moment before nodding.“Good. I saw back doors somewhere,” Sarah ushered them outside, where they found a small gazebo tucked away. “This is perfect!”They had barely sat down before Sarah leaped back up. “I forgot! You guys stay right here!” She rushed back inside before either girl could respond.Breanne turned to Nyla. “What’s that about, you think?”“No idea.” Nyla gave Breanne a perusal. “You look uncomfortable.”Breanne blushed to the roots of her beautiful, chaotic hair that had been left to its own
What Is Love? Chapter 29 .1
Nyla and Eason were unprepared for the bark of Edmond’s voice when they entered the house from outdoors. Ever since Eason had graduated at the beginning of the week, he and Nyla had taken to spending the afternoons in the backyard once she got home.Edmond was standing next to the back doors waiting for them, his arms crossed, and his eyes hard. “You two. My office. Now.” His clipped tones did not foreshadow a pleasant conversation.They followed him into his office where they found Veronica waiting, wringing her hands methodically.Edmond gestured towards the chairs in front of his desk. “Sit.” Nyla and Eason sat. Edmond began pacing behind his desk. Nyla didn’t dare glance at Eason. They were in trouble; she just didn’t know what for yet.Turning on his heel, Edmond gave the two of them a deadly glare. “Do you have anything you’d like to tell me?”Bewildered, Nyla shook her head and assu
What Is Love? Chapter 29.2
As dawn was reaching her fingers out across the sky, Nyla arrived. She stood at the front gates that blocked her path and contemplated what to do. She knew she looked a mess; her hair must be a rat’s nest after all the flying. It’d be rude if she flew over the wall. Without any other option, Nyla pressed the buzzer.“Yes?”“This is Nyla Bra- just Nyla. May I come in?”She heard a scurry of movement and then a muffled, “Oof,” before a bell chimed, and the gate swung open. Taking it as an invitation, Nyla started up the long drive. About halfway up it, she was met by Madame James, who flung herself at Nyla, hanging onto her by her neck.“Nyla! We’ve been waiting all night for you!”Michael loped over, his pace much more sedate. “Mom was about to go out looking for you herself if you didn’t get here soon.”“How did you know I was coming?” Nyla asked,
What Is Love? Chapter 30
The days in the James’ household fell into a pattern. Every morning she rose later than she ever had been allowed to before. She then traipsed downstairs to have a light breakfast with Madame James, who was delighted to have a young woman in the house after having raised only boys. The rest of her day was spent reading or exploring the mansion, which was old enough to have hidden rooms long forgotten. This morning Nyla rose the latest she had yet and headed downstairs still in her pajamas. Yawning, she entered the family dining room only to find two guests sitting with Madame James. “Sarah! Breanne!” The girls leaped up, squealing, and attacked Nyla with affection. They each squeezed Nyla tight enough to make her ribs crack. “Nyla!” Gazing over their heads, Nyla found Madame James smiling serenely while sipping on her tea. “What’s going on?” Nyla choked out. Sarah and Breanne let her go and backed up a step. “I was about to send someone up to wake you
What Is Love? Chapter 1.1
One thousand thirty-three, one thousand thirty-four, one thousand thirty – The conversation outside of her sterile room interrupted Nyla’s counting.If they don’t want to be overheard, they should speak softer.She paused and listened to the voices. Even without her heightened hearing she would have been able to understand their heated debate.“She’s still too ill to be taken away, General,” a woman pleaded. Nyla recognized the strained voice as Dr. Bunder, the physician who had been attending to her.“Have her wounds healed?” a man asked. His gruff, low voice held its own authority, which led Nyla to believe that the man was a high ranking official of some kind. He had to be with that kind of self-assurance.Nyla lifted her heavily bandaged hands to her face. The hospital had continued to wrap them even after the skin stitched back together had healed. She thought it was unn
What Is Love? Chapter 1.2
“That has changed as well. You will be joining the civilians at Alet Academy. All Menhits are being integrated into the general population after they’ve been decommissioned.” “Are we all being decommissioned, Sir?” Nyla had only met one other Menhit before, but she knew of at least half a dozen. “All juvenile Menhits, yes. The adults’ fates are still being determined.” They were interrupted by a knock on the door. A nurse poked her head in and announced, “General, the family is here to pick her up.” Stepping inside, she placed a folded pile of clothes on the chair next to Nyla’s bed before hurrying out. “Good, good. Get d
What Is Love? Chapter 1.3
One never knew when they would have to make a quick escape. While getting out of the hovercar at the house, Nyla couldn’t believe the size of it. She knew that civilians didn’t live in tent barracks, but she had never been to one of the grand estates. Edmond is Governor, Nyla reminded herself. And the Governor was just another word for President here. “There’s plenty of space for you, don’t you worry,” Veronica said, starting up the wide white stone steps that led to the front door. “Come, come,” she gestured Nyla forward. Hesitantly, Nyla placed her foot on the first stone step. She half expected to leave a dirty shadow of her shoe on the creamy surface. Accustomed to the trials of war, she was comf
What Is Love? Chapter 2.1
Someone using her name downstairs roused Nyla from her nap. Even with her ring on, Nyla could clearly hear the discussion in the family room.“Mason, go get Nyla for dinner,” Edmond barked at his daughter. There was no rustle of movement. “Now,” he hissed, his tone frigid with displeasure.“Why do I have to?” Mason whined.Edmond sighed. “Because I told you to. Until you are eighteen, you will do as I say.”Mason snorted in disgust. “You’re so old fashioned, Dad. It’s not like that anymore in the real world. Imagine what the voters would think if they knew that you run your house like a prison.”“Mason,” Veronica warned. “Do what your father says.”“Why? I don’t want to be around It.”“For the last time,” Edmond growled. “Nyla is not an ‘it’, even if she’s a Menhit.”“
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