Aberrant by Ruth Silver Page A

science lessons always seemed to leave something out, just
like our history lessons had done.
    "I think the government has been lying to us, and I'm
not sure the council is any more forthcoming with information either," Joshua
remarked. "Have you visited the technology center?"
    "Jacqueline pointed it out to me," I admitted. "But
there's no way to get inside. You need a badge to enter.” Was Joshua suggesting
we check the place out? I didn't think I felt comfortable breaking in. If we
got caught, we had too much at stake. I’d spent one day in a prison in Genesis.
I didn’t want to find myself in a prison ever again, no matter where I lived.
    Joshua sighed glancing down at the text, "I tried to
walk in there. Being new and all I thought I could at least get away with
wandering into a place I didn't belong." He paused for a long while.
    "What happened?" I asked, my eyes widening and
heart leaping. “Did you get inside?”
    "I didn't get far. In fact, Landon spotted me and
whisked me right off the premises. He threatened to send me back to Genesis if
I ever tried that stunt again." Joshua rolled his eyes with a sigh. “They’re
hiding something in there.”
    Unsure what to think or feel, I said, "You're right,
they probably are. We’re not going to find out what’s inside without the
council coming right out and showing us."
    “You’re not suggesting what I think?” His eyes widened in
horror.
    "They made it sound like I'd be more involved in the
council after I adjusted to the news. I’m hoping, after the first two weeks
they'll involve me a little more with the town. Once I agree to have a child,
and do as they've asked, there's no reason they shouldn't trust me."
    "You don't have to do that, Olive." Worry lines
etched his forehead.
    I nodded and sighed. "I do, Joshua." I felt this
to be my least dangerous option. "This is the only way."
    "You'll take me with you." It wasn't a question. Joshua
stared at me, and I took his hand.
    "If that's what you want. Of course," I couldn't
believe he'd choose the unknown all over again. He at least still had his
mother in Haven, and his sister, too, even if he hadn't reconnected with her.
    I felt his other hand find the small of my back, and I
shifted on the mattress to look at him. “We should study together.”
    "Study?" I repeated. Was it the same studying he'd
done with Rane? I couldn't bring myself to ask him. I sighed and changed the
subject, "My real question, the one I can’t wrap my mind around is how did
your mother get here before we did?" It was an honest and simple question.
    "I've been wondering the same thing," he admitted,
"but I haven't been able to come up with how it's possible. Maybe by
vehicle," he suggested. "But I'm fairly confident that the guards at
the border wouldn't just let her go and come back. There's more to it," he
admitted. “But I can’t figure it out, either.”
    He shut the book on his lap and stood up, putting it back on
the shelf. "I am sorry, Olive, for how I've been acting. I think it's nice
you're trying to meet people and settle into this new life," he reasoned. "But
I miss you."
    "I miss you, too," I confessed. "But if I
remember correctly you were the one who appeared to be moving on." I
stared at him with a slight smile, unable to voice her name. "Just because
I'm trying to follow the rules the council set doesn't mean I care any less for
you." It was the truth. "I promise, my feelings for you haven't
changed."
    "Okay," he replied, taking my words in. "Can
we still hang out? I mean I did come to Haven to be with you," he reminded
me. I knew he’d risked everything to help me escape from Genesis and was glad
he hadn’t stayed behind.
    "Of course." I wrapped my arm around his shoulder.
"We're friends, and that will never change. I promise you, Joshua, no one
can take my best friend's place." I wouldn’t allow it. I owed him that
much after all he’d done for me.

CHAPTER 9
     
     
    A little over a week had passed since we