Page 136 of Storm Caller

And once again, I’m not sure what any of this means for my future.

49

It’s about midday the following week when everyone is summoned to the cafeteria for an emergency meeting. I arrive with Rook to find Dean Withers standing at the front, the giant portraits of the chancellors and General Sol serving as a backdrop.

We take our seats as everyone exchanges confused looks. What’s going on?

In the corner, I notice a few third-year students from House Asale. Their heads are bent, and a few look like they’ve been crying.

Prickles of dread gather in my stomach.

Dean Withers claps her hands to get our attention just as I spot Domino and Journey enter with Calloway and Skylar. They all slide into their seats on the far side of the room. I offer a wave, and Domino tips her head in question, but I respond with a shake of mine. I have no idea what’s happening, either.

“Students!” Dean Withers calls over the noise until everyone quiets. “I’m sorry to announce that we have called you here today to share some tragic news.”

Whispers ripple through the crowd.

“Last night, a student from House Asale was taken from us,” she says. “They were found this morning in the plaza right outside.”

Worry turns to shock.

The House Asale students are crying harder now, consoling one another.

Dean Withers goes on to tell us the victim’s name. I didn’t know them personally, but I’m heartbroken nonetheless.

Once everyone has had a moment to process the news, Dean Withers speaks again. “Vigilance is our only tool against this violence,” she says. “We must do everything we can to seek out the infected, lest things become even worse.”

She clasps her hands, and then a stream of people enters. Extinguishers and Patrol officers, all holding stunners. Dozens of them. Another ribbon of anxiety creeps down my spine as I share a glance with Rook.

“Today, everyone will undergo testing,” she says. “Here at Amery and throughout the city, every citizen of New Manhattan must be assessed. It’s the only way we can stop this ongoing massacre.”

A row of Patrol officers stands blocking the only exit as the blare of alarm bells rings in my head. I recall my father’s cryptic statements about the murders and wonder what’s really going on.

“No one will leave this room without passing the blood test,” Dean Withers says as several Extinguishers brandish the devices I’ve become all too familiar with. But I’d be willing to bet there isn’t a single actual Keeper in this room. I’ve heard too many rumors about false accusations to believe this is real.

I watch the Extinguishers as they work, breathing a sigh of relief every time the monitor beeps and the light turns green.

They continue for several minutes as the tension in the air grows thick. No one speaks or seems to move, and the silence becomes unnerving.

Then the first person starts to scream.

“No! No! I’m not infected!” someone shouts.

A commotion ensues, and a student is hauled up from their seat.

My vision blurs when I realize it’s Journey.

“No!” I yell, standing up.

A Patrol is on me immediately, jamming the butt of his stunner against my stomach. I double over, gasping for breath. Rook jumps to his feet, and the Patrol swings his weapon around, aiming it at Rook’s chest.

“Sit down,” he snarls. “Or I’ll shoot you.”

Journey is now being dragged away by her arms as she kicks and flails.

“Journey!” I choke out. She already passed the blood test last year. I know she isn’t a Keeper.

Domino is also up, trying to reach Journey, but she’s held back by two massive Patrols. More officers surround Journey as she screams and fights.