As much as Tomas wants to race away from whatever he left behind, he says, “Why don’t we camp here for the night? We can wash and maybe catch some game before we start into the city.”
I am quick to agree. Leaving Tomas to fill and treat the water bottles, I head off to the southwest to set snares and look for other fresh foods. There is a small wooded spot several hundred yards away where I set my snares and begin my search for roots and greens. I am digging up some wild carrots when I spot movement in the wooded area beyond the Testing fence. The man with gray hair appears from behind a tall bush. He approaches the fence and beckons me. Without a second thought, I dump my bag on a tree stump and remove my identification bracelet. I place it on top of the bag, and then walk the fifty yards to the fence to meet whatever fate has in store.
Chapter 17
I DON’T BOTHER to take my weapon. If this person wanted me dead, he could have killed me days ago. The man’s gray hair gives the appearance of age, but his eyes and the lack of lines on his face tell me he is years younger than I first guessed. He’s wearing a gray sleeveless shirt, which shows off strong arms, and brown loose-fitting pants. In his hand is a bag much like the ones that he has tossed over the fence to me.
Pushing my hair out of my face, I say, “Thanks for the food.”
The man smiles. “You’re more than welcome.” I wait for him to continue, but the silence stretches between us.
Jamming my hands in my pockets, I ask, “Who are you?”
“I’m a friend who wants to see you survive this journey. My name isn’t all that important.”
Maybe not to him. His unwillingness to share it with me sets me on edge. “Well, thanks again for the food.”
I turn on my heel to leave and hear, “If you wait, I’ll explain why I can’t tell you my name and why I want to help you.”
My feet stand still. I look at him and wait.
“My name will mean nothing to you, but it might mean something to those who evaluate your performance when this test is complete. And while I trust you would not willingly share my name with the Testing officials, you might not have a choice.”
“Why?”
“They told you about the interview after the fourth test?” He waits for me to nod. “Before the interview begins, they will give you a drug to encourage you to answer the questions honestly, without holding back anything you wish to keep secret.”
While there are things I’ve done during this test I would rather not talk about, nothing I’ve experienced thus far would cause me difficulty if I’m forced to speak. My ability to remove the bracelets might cause the Testers concern, but wouldn’t they see that as a sign of my resourcefulness? Even this strange man and his gifts of food are not dangerous to me. Dr. Barnes stated we could not leave the testing grounds. Nowhere in the rules did he mention not accepting food thrown over the fence.
Straightening my shoulders, I say, “I have nothing to hide.”
“Are you sure of that, Cia?”
The sound of my name on this unknown man’s lips makes my heart clench. I had assumed my encounters with this man were random. The fact that he knows who I am suggests something entirely different. “How do you know who I am? Are you a Testing official?”
He laughs. “Far from it. I’m someone who believes the Testing process is wrong and wants to help you survive—not just to the end of this test, but through the challenges the University will bring.”
Up until now my goal has been to survive the Testing in order to make it to the safety of the University. The idea that the University might be filled with more tests sends a chill straight to my heart. But while questions about the potential dangers of the University spring to my lips, I know this isn’t the time to ask them. I will worry about that if and when the time comes.
Instead, I ask something equally if not more important. “If you are against The Testing, why are you throwing us food and water? Why not help us escape?”
“As I believe the
esteemed Dr. Barnes explained, Testing candidates cannot leave the Testing ground. The fences are harmless enough until a Testing candidate goes over them.” The man reaches into his pants pocket and pulls a silver identification bracelet from his pocket. The symbol is a triangle with what looks like a drawing of a human eye at the center. A memory nags at me from after the third test. Tomas pointing out the students in his group. A boy with a shock of untamed brown hair and a sweet smile. “The boy scaled the fence about a hundred miles back. He was dead by the time he hit the ground. The only thing we could do was bury him the way you and your friend buried the girl candidate you found.”
My muscles go still. “Only a Testing official could know Tomas and I did that.”
“Not all Testing officials agree with the current procedures. One even disabled several skimmers in an effort to keep officials from arriving at their designated colonies in time to pick up candidates for The Testing. Unfortunately, the part we had him disable was not as difficult to repair as intelligence led us to believe. Otherwise you would still be in Five Lakes Colony and I would be having this discussion with a different candidate.”
Was he talking about Michal? Is he the one who told this gray-haired man about me? Something tells me asking will not get me the answer. This man is here for a purpose. I have already been away from the Testing officials’ listening device for too long. Too much longer and they might question my stillness. It is time to learn what this man’s purpose is.
“Why are we having this discussion?”
For the first time he smiles. “Because, Cia, we know your family has secrets you don’t want the Commonwealth to know.” The bag he has been holding comes sailing over the fence. “Inside that bag is a small vial. It contains a liquid that we believe will counteract the interview drug. Take it the morning of the interview if you want to keep you and your family safe.”
The tacit threat to my family scares me to the core. But fear won’t help me. I tamp it down. I look at the bag in my hand and then back at him. “How do I know this isn’t another test?” If it is, the liquid in the vial will probably kill me. Punishment for a wrong answer.
“You don’t.” There’s sadness in his voice. “You have only my word that I am not part of the United Commonwealth.” He takes a step back from the fence. “Hide the vial in your spare clothing before you cross the finish line. One of my friends will make sure it isn’t discovered by the Testing officials and is safely hidden in your possessions again before the interview begins. Good luck, Malencia. I hope we meet again.”