Project Lightning, page 3
“Yes, ma'am.” A tall boy appears from the corner. He makes his way to the center of the room. Dark gray fatigues hug tightly to his muscular chest. His sleeves are rolled up revealing defined forearms and bulging biceps. His square face is neutral. A small cleft in his chin rests below his thin lips. A slight five o’clock shadow graces his cheeks and chin. I can’t see his eyes but I can imagine they are intensely focused. His pace is quick and strong. He stops beside Major Halley and salutes briefly.
Major Halley turns back to the group. “Private Warner is at the end of his first year of training. He will be your initiate class liaison. If you have any questions or concerns, take them up with Warner. Any further questions?”
“No, ma'am!” the group chants as one.
“Good. Warner, you have the floor.” She moves to one side and gestures to Warner to take the floor.
“Thank you, ma'am.” Major Halley nods briefly and leaves through the door she came in. Private Warner turns toward the group and takes a seat against the desk. His legs remain rigid, as if relaxing isn’t something he does on a regular basis.
“Welcome. My name is Private Caleb Warner and I’m finishing my first year of training here at Project Lightning. A little over a year ago, I was recruited just like you all from Fenway Upper School. I took my evaluations seriously and got in the top three.” He stands abruptly and begins pacing. “Project Lightning training is four years long, with each year becoming more specialized. Your training will specialize you to be an expert in one of the four areas.” His eyes meet each of ours. When my green eyes meet his, his eyes widen slightly and his gaze quickly slides away.
“Tonight, you will go home on the bus and get your parents or guardians to sign the permission form included in the packet.” We all open our packets again and I see the permission form. As I briefly scan the information. A hand pops up in my peripheral vision. Warner points to Copeland, “Yes.”
“What happens if our parents don't sign the permission form?” Copeland asks. His hands nervously fidget with the corner of the folder.
“Then you are out,” he states abruptly. He turns to look away when he hears a voice call out.
“What do you mean “out”?” Copeland follows up, with irritation in his voice. Warner’s eyes drill into Copeland’s and I notice his jaw ticking as he walks up to him.
“I mean, Cadet, out.” Warner replies with a perceptively deep and soft voice. I shiver at the sound. “Out of the program. Any other stupid questions?” When none of us raise our hand, he says, “Good. The bus leaves in five minutes to return to the city. Inside your packet, you’ll find a list of items you may bring. Pay special attention to the contraband list. Any contraband found in a cadet's possession is grounds for termination.”
“Termination?” Juliet says quietly under her breath. I don’t think she intended to say it aloud but she did. My breath hitches and I swallow hard. What kind of termination. We are all cowering in fear of the initial death threat.
“Yes.” Warner states as his gaze lands on mine. His eyes remain hard but his posture softens slightly. “Termination from the program,” he turns and faces her, pinning her with an irritated gaze. She cowers beneath his piercing glare.
He turns away and walks the other direction and I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding. “Inside you will find a mock schedule of the evaluation weeks. Along with a mock schedule of training for those of you that make it. Any questions?” I look around briefly and no one raises his or her hand. “Good. Gather your materials and follow me back to the bus.”
We all silently gather our things, follow Warner back the way we came and onto the bus. Warner's intense stare meets mine as I make my way to the stairs. My stomach flutters as I watch his hazel eyes soften slightly on my approach. I enter the bus and take one last look at him as I walk back to my seat. His eyes follow me. My pulse starts quickening. Once the final person gets on the bus, he turns and walks quickly back into the building without another word.
Feeling weird, I sit back in my seat to think about things. But Warner’s face pops into my mind. I feel the heat creep into my cheeks as I think about his deep hazel eyes. I like guys but I have always been wary of being involved with them. It felt wrong to want someone when I can’t even remember myself. I shake my head and wonder if he just liked the way I looked.
The bus ride is silent back to the city. My chest is tight and my body stiff. Juliet's face is scrunched in concentration with her brows furrowed over her beautiful blue eyes. I place my hand over hers and she grasps it tightly. Her face softens as we meet each other's eyes. For the first time, in a long time, I don't feel so alone.
Chapter 4
I arrive home an hour before normal. Walking up the steps to my aunt and uncle's house, I clutch my packet in my hands. Steeling my nerves, I open the door. I can hear Aunt Myrna flitting about the kitchen. Pots and pans banging against the stove. The number one thing I’m going to miss is my aunt's cooking. Savory smells draw me to the kitchen where I find Uncle Greg sipping on water.
I stand for a moment observing the scene and smile. They didn't have to bring me into their family. They didn't have to love me, but they did. When I had nothing, they took me in. Tears prick in the corner of my eyes at the thought of leaving them.
A strangled sob escapes my mouth and Uncle Greg turns sharply. His eyes and body tense as he automatically reaches for his sidearm. His eyes dart madly around the room. I stiffen slightly. When he sees me, he softens and smiles. His hand slides away from his waist as I smile back tensely. He appears to notice my tension and opens his arms. At this point, the tears refuse to remain at bay, cascading down my cheeks as I throw myself into his arms. A musky scent, that is only him, surrounds my senses as his warm arms envelop me and I relax into him. His large hands rub gently down my back, but I’m instantly revolted by my weakness. When I tense in his arms, he croons in my ear and I smile. He knows I’m feeling weak, but he doesn't let me. Somehow, he knows I need this.
I feel another set of arms surround me from the other side. My aunt's sweet scent, something like fresh strawberries, hits me and I continue to sob. Minutes go by as I soak in their warmth. This is what I am going to miss. Their care, warmth, and love.
When my tears abate, they slowly release me. Uncle Greg leads me to the living room and sits me on the couch. He gets up and pours a glass from the decanter on the sideboard, instructing me to sip slowly. The bitter taste hits my tongue and I cough. I’m instantly repulsed. I shove the glass back in his hands and he chuckles softly.
“At least we know you won't be an alcoholic,” he says with a wry chuckle as he sets the glass on the bar and turns to face me. His intense green eyes inspect me. Aunt Myrna sits softly next to me. Her kind brown eyes crinkle in the corners as she puts her arm around me and I settle into her.
“Now, tell us what brought this on,” she implores as she gently caresses my back. Uncle Greg sits on my other side and I feel suddenly squished. Like I can’t breathe. Moments ago, I was craving this. Now I want to push them away.
Tears begin to well again but I quickly wipe them away. I can't break down. Taking a deep breath, I stiffen my spine slightly. “I was recruited.” I state plainly.
“Well, that's wonderful news!” Uncle Greg says with enthusiasm as he pulls me in for another hug. “What program?”
“I have to leave tomorrow morning and I have a permission form for you to sign.” I ramble, trying to get the courage to tell him. This isn’t a normal recruitment. I will be leaving with no chance of seeing my family any time soon.
“What program?” Uncle Greg asks again, this time with more urgency. His tone was laced with irritation and I could see his jaw tick slightly and his face tighten.
Taking a deep breath, I whisper, “Project Lightning.”
My aunt's eyes instantly meet my uncle's over my shoulder. She tenses slightly and I feel her hand grip me tightly. When I meet her face, a forced smile is pasted on her face. My uncle's face drains of blood as he stares off into the corner of the room. I gulp. Silence fills the room and tension radiates through us.
Uncle Greg jerks back to reality as Aunt Myrna grasps his hand. He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. They keep the tense smiles on their faces while congratulating me. Confused by the sudden change, I sit up straighter. Did they know something about Project Lightning?
“Well, I guess we’d better sign that form, huh?” Uncle Greg says tersely. His body tight as he got up and grabbed the form from my shaking hand. His hand shakes slightly as he puts his pen to paper. He closes his eyes briefly as if he is struggling to sign his name. He lets out another deep breath and signs.
He sharply stands and mumbles about forgetting something at work as he leaves the brownstone. I look quizzically at my aunt but she just continues to smile and squeezes my hand. My mind is spinning as I think about my uncle’s reaction. He was so happy when he heard I was recruited. It wasn’t until I said “Project Lightning” that his feelings flipped. Did he know something about them?
“Well.” Aunt Myrna says with a clap of her hands. I jump at the sudden movement. Her pinched smile shows her remorse for startling me. I relax slightly as she pulls herself up to standing. “Let's go get you packed.”
I nod and we retreat up to my room. After looking over the approved equipment list, we begin the task of packing up my things. About an hour later, I look over my duffel. Everything is packed neatly. My tools are tucked in the side pocket. Several books on programming, I set on the very top of the duffel. I place my computer, phone, and holocube into a box. My aunt says she’ll put them in the attic for safe keeping. Maddy bounces into the room and glances around at the disarray. Her smile falters. My aunt gets up and gives me a kiss on the head and leaves the room.
Glancing over at Maddy, I see the tears welling in her eyes and I open my arms to her. We both knew this day was coming, but I thought we’d have more time together before I left. She collapses into my arms. Her body is wracked with tremors as she lets her weakness show. Tears are a sign of weakness that are not acceptable in Zeus. But I ignore the pull of my mind to dry her eyes quickly. Her tears drench my shirt as she grasps me tightly. I kiss her head and stroke her back as I try to soothe her.
After several minutes, her tears slow. She pulls back and looks at me through swollen, red eyes. I put away any apprehension I’m feeling about my recruitment and smile. Her weak smile back gives me some semblance of comfort. Letting out my breath, I prepare for her questions.
“You got recruited,” she states instead of questions. Her soft voice is still thick from her tears. I look down and see her sad eyes assessing me. I try to smile.
“Yes, Maddy, I did,” I reply with more strength than I thought I’d have. I continue to rub her shoulder. I should pull away. Start creating space between us. But I don’t have it in my heart to do that.
“Where are you going?”
“Natick.” I keep my answers brief, afraid my tears will come again.
She nods, steeling her face against any wayward emotion that might show through. “When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow morning.” I know our time is short. Most cadets on recruitment day get at least a week with their families before reporting to training. Her face snaps up to mine and I see the tears begin to prick in the corner of her eyes. I quickly wipe away those that fall. “No more tears. Okay?”
She nods, continuing to sit in my arms. Maddy has been my sister for as long as I can remember. She has been my constant friend. Although sometimes annoying, she’s been a companion when I felt alone in the world. I knew there would be a day when I’d have to say good-bye. But I had hoped to have longer.
“Can we visit?” she asks tightly, struggling to hold back tears. Her body fit tight against mine. Like she was trying to crawl inside my body.
I nod gently, trying to reassure her. “Twice a year, you can come visit and I can come home for one week.” Reciting the lines from the packet I had read. There was a family visiting day a few weeks into training and graduation at the end of the year. I could apply for my week of leave when I wanted it. She nods almost imperceptibly, but sadness is clearly etched on her face.
“Well at least we can see you,” she mumbles. But I can tell it is of little reassurance to her. I gently stroke her hair as she snuggles deeper into my arms. As if that was possible.
I smile, knowing she is trying to hide her weakness. It is considered one of the worst traits a person can have. We have all shown more weakness tonight than I’ve ever seen. With this, I give her one final hug. She clings to me briefly, telling me to be safe.
I pull back, looking into her concerned eyes. “I will be.” I state but I don’t know if I will be safe. I think about Colonel Barnum’s warning and I shiver.
She smiles, apparently feeling reassured and I say, “Let's go see what’s for supper.” I pull her into a standing position and she smiles warily. Together, we walk downstairs to the dining room. Aunt Myrna is laying out the meal. I look around before turning to my aunt. “Where’s Uncle Greg?” On my last night here, I expected my uncle to be here. A deep ache settles into my gut.
“He got held up at the hospital; there was a training accident. He’ll be back later.” Her voice is shaky and I’m sure she is lying. She doesn't know where my uncle is, but she wants us to continue being happy. My chest tightens and I swallow, managing to squeak out an “okay.”
“Let's eat and celebrate. If tonight is our last night with you, let’s go out with a bang,” Aunt Myrna says, her tone a little too bright. I see her smile but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
I chuckle slightly and nod. My aunt pulls out a bottle of sparkling cider and we eat heartily. The conversation is tight but loving. We tell stories and laugh at the memories. Lingering at the table for longer than normal. We are trying, just for tonight, to forget what tomorrow’s going to bring. The lights out whistle sounds throughout the city and we all retire to our rooms. As I lay in my bed, I feel it dip slightly.
“Can I sleep with you tonight?” Maddy whispers softly. I smile and pull the covers back, relishing in the knowledge that I’ll be missed. Maddy snuggles up against me. Before long I feel her breaths go even and deepen. Staring up at the ceiling, I think about the day I have had. It’s amazing how everything can change so quickly. This morning I was thinking about how isolated I felt within this family. Now I can't imagine leaving them in the morning.
A door closes downstairs and I know my uncle’s returned. I gently move Maddy's arms from around me. She rolls and snuggles up to my pillow. I listen, waiting for his footsteps on the stairs. When I hear no sound, I tiptoe down the stairs. A flickering flame shines from the dining room.
As I make my way into the room, I see my uncle sitting at the table. His head is in his hands while his back is moving up and down slightly. As I move to get a better look, I accidentally bump into the side table. Uncle Greg sits up sharply. His hand immediately goes to his side. When his eyes meet mine, he relaxes slightly. His hand returns to the table.
“You might as well join me,” he says as his eyes cast down. He stands sharply and grabs another glass from the bar. I make my way to the chair next to him and sit down. He pours me a small glass of amber liquid before refilling his own. He stares out beyond me as he throws the liquid down his throat. I am slightly shocked at his behavior. Not that I haven't seen him drink at all. But he usually drinks because he enjoys the flavor. Tonight, it seems different. Like he’s drinking to forget.
I take a small sip and shiver as the bitter flavor washes down my throat. My face pinches and he chuckles softly. “Definitely not an alcoholic,” he chuckles as I take another small sip. The tension is broken and I laugh softly as he pours another glass. This time he sips it slowly. He moves back to the table and we sit in silence for several moments before he finally speaks.
“The last time I saw my brother was at his program graduation.” I gasp because my uncle never talks about him. For the longest time, I had no idea my dad was my uncle's brother. My aunt always got upset so I thought he was related to her. “My parents were so proud of him. Special Forces.” He sighs. I inhale sharply as I think about my dad. Anytime I asked about Dad, Uncle Greg always changed the subject. “I was proud too. He was so strong. I remember the look on his face as he met us. His crooked smile as he hugged our parents. I couldn't have been prouder of him.” His look is distant, as if he is somewhere else. Suddenly, his eyes narrow on me.
“The day you were dropped off with us, I knew something terrible had happened. I’d heard he met someone but we’d never met her. You were so beautiful. You look so much like him.” A true smile graces his face, as if he is feeling pure joy as he thinks about his brother. “I tried to find out what happened to him, but they wouldn't tell me. Top secret.” The memory washes over his face and the blood drains slightly. “For the first few weeks after you came to us, you were so quiet. Hardly ever cried and I knew you were strong too.” He shakes his head back and forth. His eyes narrow slightly and lines appear on his face. “I looked into it a little before I knew I was getting in too deep and I didn't want to put your aunt or cousin in danger.”
“What did you find out?” I ask. I never knew how desperate I was for information about my parents until this moment, when it was just within my grasp. My hands are tense. I want to know.
He smiles slightly. “Always so perceptive.” Another chuckle escapes him and I smile brightly. “Your father was a part of a top secret military program.”
My eyes widen as I realize the top secret program he is talking about. “Project Lightning,” I whisper. A feeling of dread infuses my body. I have been recruited to the same program as my dad and mom. Something happened to them. They were dead and I was alone.
He nods slightly. “Now I don't know what happened to him or your mother. But I do know that I promised your father that I would protect you.” His eyes narrow on my face and his body straightens.
