Once by Anna Carey

wanted to thread my fingers through his, to pull him close to me, so close that his chin was on my shoulder, his face nestled into my neck. I wanted his arms around me, pressing our bodies together so we were one again.
    But the soldier turned back toward the crowd. He left the woman with the white dress and circled me, yelling at a man who was standing on a trash can to get a better view. The King stepped away from the metal barricade and signaled for us to return to the Palace. A young blond boy reached out, over Caleb’s arm, begging to say hello.
    Caleb released me to them.
    I stood there, strangers’ voices in my ears, my hand still warm from his touch. It took me a second to process the tiny piece of paper tucked between my fingers, folded so many times it was smaller than a penny. I clutched my chest, pushing it into the neck of my gown.
    â€œWelcome, Princess,” the teenage boy said as he gripped my hand. “We’re so happy you’re here.”
    I stayed there, frozen in my father’s stare, as Caleb backed away. Then, as suddenly as he’d appeared, he pulled down his cap and was gone.

sixteen
    AN HOUR LATER, THE CONSERVATORY WAS FILLED WITH PEOPLE . Women in ball gowns strolled through the indoor garden, admiring the peach-colored roses and blooming hydrangeas. Giant balloon sculptures drifted over the crowd. After the parade ended, many of the Outlanders, as the King had called them, had disappeared into the far reaches of the City, where the land was barren except for a few houses and motels. Others had taken the elevated trains back to their apartment buildings. Only a small group—members of the Elite—had been invited to the parade reception. Some waited on lines to ride the giant balloons. A few climbed up into the baskets beneath them and lifted up to the glass ceiling.
    I stood there watching it all, unable to stop smiling. Caleb was alive. He was inside the City’s walls. I pressed my fingers to the neck of my dress, feeling for the tiny slip of paper, just to be certain it was real.
    â€œIsn’t it incredible?” A young man strode up beside me. He had a thick mop of black hair and a strong, angular face. A cluster of women turned when he approached. “It’s become one of my favorite spots in the Palace mall. In the morning it’s quiet, nearly empty. You can actually hear the birds in the trees.” He pointed to some sparrows on a branch above a small fountain.
    â€œIt’s impressive,” I replied, only half paying attention. I stared straight ahead as the King greeted the Head of Finance and the Head of Agriculture, two men in dark suits who always seemed to be whispering to one another. I didn’t mind them now. I didn’t hate the crowd congratulating the Lieutenant. Everything seemed more certain now, the whole City a more manageable place. I’d slipped into the bathroom after the parade, savoring a few solitary moments in the cold space. Caleb had drawn a map on one side of the paper. The line snaked out of the Palace and across the overpass, where the land was less developed. An X was scrawled on a dead-end street. I’d run my fingers along the message, reading it again and again. Meet me at 1 AM , he’d written at the bottom of the page. Take only the marked route .
    The man was still looking at me, his lips twisted in quiet amusement. I turned to him, for the first time noticing his clear blue eyes, his flawless, creamy complexion, the way he stood with one hand in his pocket, so self-assured. “I think you’re impressive,” he whispered.
    The heat rose in my cheeks. “Is that right?” I knew it now, the playful tone in his voice, the way he leaned forward as he spoke: He was flirting.
    â€œI read about your adventure in the paper, how you were lost in the wild all those days. How you survived after being kidnapped by that Stray.”
    I shook my head, careful not to reveal too much.