The Perfects Read online

  The Perfects

  By D.L. Raven

  Copyright © 2017 D.L. Raven

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be produced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  CHAPTER ONE

  As we neared the front gates of Edgewood Institute—my home for the next year—my insides fluttered with anticipation. I’d faithfully counted the days that I would turn sixteen and get the opportunity to start my life as a productive member of society. All of that started with the training program at Edgewood Institute. Everyone who came out claimed it was hard work but the best year of their lives. I was so ready for my life to begin. I didn’t know how big my class would be. Anyone who turned sixteen within three months of each other were accepted into the same class. No matter how many there were in my class, I knew we’d all be best friends by the end of this.

  Living and working on our family’s small farm had given me and my sister, Catherine, a sense of exclusion among the rest of society. I was home-schooled—as were other nearby farming families—so we didn’t have much interaction with other kids. My closest friend was Ian Weber, who lived down the road. He wasn’t from a farming family, so he went to the community school. We played a lot when we were younger. But since he started at the upper levels in school two years ago, I hadn’t seen him more than a handful of times since then. When he did come over, it was to use our hay bales as targets for his archery. If I didn’t make an effort to catch him in the wee hours of the morning or near dusk, I wouldn’t have seen him. I understood he had a life outside of me, but I didn’t want to lose our friendship.

  An bonus was that Ian and I were born three weeks apart from each other, so he’d be in my class. I hoped our friendship would strengthen while I was building friendship bonds with the others too.

  “You’re doing it again!” my sister, Catherine said with an annoyed tone.

  “Doing what?” I asked.

  “Fidgeting. It’s annoying.”

  “I can’t help that I’m excited.”

  “To be locked away for a year? Doesn’t seem very exciting,” she said with a curl of her lip.

  I smirked. She’d understand someday. “We’re not locked away. We’re being trained to be members of society.” Even if the people working at Edgewood kept us at a strict curfew, I was already used to that with my parents. I was rarely allowed off our property during daylight; it was even rarer when it was dark. My mom always worried about the wild animals like wolves and bigger cats that attempted to prey on our livestock. I knew I could handle myself, but in our house, their word was law. I looked forward to a little more freedom.

  “She’s right,” my mom cut in. She tossed her ginger hair over her shoulder.

  It was the same color as mine, but mine nearly reached my lower back. I’d refused to cut it more than a trim since I was eleven. It complimented by bright green eyes. Since I didn’t socialize much, it was the only way I could stand out and make my mark. I knew Catherine was jealous since she had mousy brown hair. I’d told her I’d help her dye it but she refused. It was her way of distancing herself from me. I hoped that someday she’d think differently about Edgewood, but as long as I was in agreement with the institute, she would be the opposite.

  “We already have a trade, though,” Catherine said.

  She was right. The farmers and other trade workers in the area weren’t forced to go to the institute as they children would be given the opportunity to continue the family businesses. But I volunteered to go. Partly to see what other job was out there for me. During placement exams, we were tested on our aptitude. And as much as I loved our farm I wondered if I could be productive elsewhere. I knew Catherine was going to stay with the farm, so the family’s legacy could be handled without me.

  “I want to try something different,” I said. Another reason for signing up was my grandmother’s love for science. Even though she lived and worked with us until the day she died, she enjoyed experimenting with our crops to get the best yield. She spent a lot of time at Edgewood Institute using their laboratories for her work.

  I absently played with the charm attached to the thick twine bracelet. I cherished it because it came from her and also hid the raised scar on my wrist that I got from falling off my bike when I was eight. The charm was a thin metal square with an engraved “M” on one side and little indentations on the other. When my grandmother passed down the charm, she said it had been given to the oldest child in each generation for safe keeping. She told me to never take it off, even in the shower. I promised her that and that I would continue the tradition with my children. I

  “Everyone is entitled to choose their future,” my dad chimed in. He always had to referee arguments between Catherine and me. We were both stubborn and outgoing which made us clash a lot. But I loved Catherine more than she’d ever know and I was truly going to miss her over the next year.

  Dad looked at me through the rearview mirror. “But know that we’re always going to be here for you if you decide you want to be a farmer. There’s no shame in continuing your legacy.”

  “I know,” I said. I had nothing to lose at this point. I already had a backup plan, so all I could do now was enjoy myself and keep an open mind about the future.

  Dad drove our car off the main road and onto a gravel driveway. Edgewood Institute had a literal name. It was on the edge of a vast forest that stretched on for miles outside of our city. It was the perfect place for the seclusion needed during our skill training. With no distractions, all sixteen-year-olds were forced to be immersed in the program. I wondered how much of the program was outside. I’d heard stories about how massive the institute was, but since I spent a majority of my life outside all year round, I knew I would miss the sunshine if we were stuck inside all day. Maybe with my extensive background in farming, I would be chosen for another type of trade that involved the outdoors. I would like that very much.

  “Well this isn’t creepy,” Catherine said sarcastically.

  “It’s called seclusion,” I said. The morning sunlight filtered through the trees creating a magical glow around the leaves and branches. Almost as if it were a sign of the good things to come. Catherine had no reason to be negative other than trying to be against me. She was grasping at straws now. Maybe after a year, she’d grow up a little. At least then I could tell her of all the good memories I experienced while I was away. Then in two years, she might make the same choice I did. Either way, I wasn’t going to let her ruin my happiness.

  I wished I could have asked my parents about their time at Edgewood, but it had been founded only twenty years ago when the country’s finances were in ruin. Our city was lucky to be the home of Edgewood. It only took five years for our city to turn around completely. And we had a low crime rate as well. It was true that the people who came out of Edgewood were more disciplined which meant they were suited for their jobs and happier overall.

  Every time I thought of how I would be in a year, my stomach fluttered. I wanted to be the same but more skilled person. And a small part of me hoped that Ian and I would become closer than ever, getting
back to our roots. It was a known fact that many of the recruits at the Institute from the same classes were in long-term relationships. The amount of time and the experience were enough to create long-lasting relationships. It was something I’d hoped for since we were kids. True, I hadn’t been in much contact with other boys, but Ian knew my past. I smiled wondering if he were a part of my future as well. It was silly to think of going into this program just for a boyfriend, but a girl could dream.

  The car slowed down, and I snapped out of my thoughts to see why we were stopping. Up ahead there was a massive gate that stretched high toward the sky. It blended into the background that almost looked like it was made from two very tall trees.

  “It looks like we’re here,” Dad said.

  Mom let out a choked cough and a sniffle. I reached forward and touched her shoulder. “I'll be all right, Mom.”

  She turned to me, her eyes were glistening. “I know, dear. I’m going to miss you so much.”

  “Me too.” I turned to Catherine and pecked her on the cheek. “I’m going to miss you too.”

  She pulled a face and wiped at her cheek. “Gross!”

  “Love you, little sis.” I opened the door and jumped out. We weren’t required to bring anything with us since our clothes and toiletries were to be provided for us. All I needed was Grandma’s charm.

  Mom and Dad got out of the car too.

  I walked up to the gate and peered through it. I couldn’t see the institute from there, only more forest. I turned around and looked at my parents. “Are we late?”

  “No,” Dad said. “We’re a half-hour early. I wanted to make sure we got here on time.” Dad was such a stickler for time. On-time was late in his mind.

  I opened my mouth to say something when I heard a car in the distance. I turned back toward the gate and saw a vehicle riding in our direction. I took a few steps back as the gate started to move. Dad placed a hand on my shoulder and Mom took my hand in hers. Even though we looked similar, I was a few inches taller than her. I got my height and thin body from Dad’s side of the family. I didn’t mind. I used to be self-conscious, but now that my features had changed from gawky to somewhat normal, I embraced myself and the genetics given to me.

  A large black vehicle stopped right between the two poles of the gate. A woman came out of the driver’s side. She was about my mom’s height and stocky. Her brown hair was pulled back into a tight bun at the nape of her neck. She wore a black shirt and black pants. She looped her finger through her thick utility belt. I noticed a walkie talkie attached to it. She lifted her sunglasses off her face and narrowed her eyes at me.

  “Abigail McKenzie?” she asked. Her voice startled me. It was husky and didn’t appear to belong to her body.

  “Yes,” I said.

  She waved me over. “Say goodbye now. We have to go.”

  Mom and Dad wrapped me a tight hug.

  “I love you,” Mom said at the same time Dad said, “Have fun, kiddo.”

  “Love you too,” I said. “And I will.”

  I waved to Catherine, and she waved back. It was a peace offering, and I knew she would miss me as much as I’d miss her.

  I jogged over to the vehicle and gave my family one last look before I jumped into the passenger seat.

  “I’m Professor Lucy,” she said, placing her sunglasses back on her face. She turned to me, and I saw my reflection in them.

  Professor? She looked more like a secret agent. I didn’t question it, though. I wanted to blend in right away without any issues. “It’s nice to meet you, professor.”

  She winced, or maybe that was her smile. I chose to think the latter. “Call me Lucy.”

  “Am I the first one here?” I asked as she turned the car around. The gates closed behind the car as we lurched forward toward the institute.

  “Yes, you are. We’re expecting six more before nine.”

  “How did you know we were here?” I asked.

  “We have surveillance at this gate.”

  That seemed a little over the top for a training facility. “Why do you need that?”

  “To keep our recruits safe.”

  I turned my attention back toward the road in front of us. The trail narrowed until we drove through a space just large enough for the vehicle to get through. If I’d been walking through the woods, I wouldn’t even notice this was a trail. Maybe that was the point. Seclusion was the purpose of the training so a hidden path would qualify.

  I sat back in my chair and awaited the future I’d been looking forward to for so long.

  CHAPTER TWO

  I didn’t like that I was the first one to arrive. I wanted to experience this with the others. Professor Lucy didn’t seem to want to talk to me that much during the ride so I hoped that the others would come soon.

  I didn’t expect Ian to be there on time either. He always lived on his terms and recently he’d been in a lot of trouble. I’d heard that from my parents when they didn’t think I was listening. His parents had called ours a few times asking if he was practicing archery when he wasn’t. Which meant he was somewhere else and hadn’t told his parents. That was something Catherine and I never even contemplated doing. There were any number of awful chores we’d have to do if we disobeyed our parents.

  We continued through the woods for some time until there was a clearing up ahead. I sat straighter in my seat and leaned forward, wanting to get a good look at the Institute.

  The vehicle accelerated and soon enough the forest around us was gaining distance on us. We were on a smooth paved road, much different than the bumping forest ground that we had driven in on from the gate.

  Bright, lush grass stretched out on either side of the road. Edgewood Institute appeared to grow as we neared it. There had to be at least a dozen floors. I hadn’t had much experience with skyscrapers, but I would count Edgewood as one.

  “Whoa,” I breathed.

  “It is impressive,” Lucy said. Her voice held an air of awe as well.

  My eagerness overpowered my disappointment at being the first to arrive. At least I could calm my excitement before the rest of the recruits came.

  There were only a few windows in the building, and they were only on the lower levels. It made the building look strange, but I was too excited to question it. I was sure there was a reasonable explanation for that.

  A crackling sound came out of Lucy’s walkie-talkie. “Two more arrivals at the gate.”

  She grabbed the walkie and spoke into it. “Roger. On my way.”

  The vehicle slowed down near the front entrance. Lucy left the car idling and turned to me. “Wait outside. And here.” She handed me a folded piece of paper. “Get familiar with it in the meantime. Don’t move from this spot. We need to go in as a group.”

  I nodded. “Okay.” I took the paper and got out of the vehicle.

  Lucy made a wide circle and sped off toward the forest. Without the hum of the vehicle under me, there wasn’t much sound around me. There were no other people around. If I listened carefully, I only heard a distant crash of waves. Along with being on the edge of a vast forest, the other side of the institute led up to the ocean. I had never seen the ocean in person. I hoped I’d be able to see it once while I was here.

  I opened the piece of paper. It was a map of Edgewood. I held it up in front of the building, trying to familiarize myself with the structure. It seemed like a much smaller map than what the building contained, but I assumed it was only the parts I would need to get familiar with. A diagram of two floors showed the cafeteria, living quarters and classrooms that we would utilize in the time that we were here. My excitement built up again, and I couldn’t wait to meet the others.

  Even though I had the map memorized in a matter of minutes, I continued to study it until I heard the familiar sound of Lucy’s vehicle coming toward me. I neatly folded the map and slid it into my back pocket. I moved out of the way of the vehicle as she pulled up alongside me.

  I squinted, trying to see who wa
s inside the car. Maybe Ian was here so my introduction to the rest of the group would be more comfortable. But either way, I’d be okay. I didn’t need him around to help me make friends. But he would make it easier.

  Two girls and a guy had exited the vehicle before Lucy got out. She said something into the walkie-talkie that I couldn’t make out.

  But I was too focused on the new recruits to care too much.

  I walked up to one of the girls. She seemed the most approachable.

  “Hi, I’m Abigail,” I said reaching my hand out to her.

  She whipped around, her raven hair tied back into a ponytail almost whacked me in the face. She adjusted her thick rimmed glasses on the bridge of her nose and looked at me. Her eyes widened for a moment, and she glanced down at my hand but didn’t shake it. “I’m Karen,” she said in a small voice.

  I dropped my hand to my side. Maybe I startled her?

  “It’s nice to meet you,” I said.

  She nodded but said nothing else. She wrung her hands together in front of her and looked up at the massive building next to me.

  “Pretty neat huh?” I said.

  “Sure.”

  I looked at the other teens. The other girl was blonde and a few inches shorter than me but absolutely gorgeous. Her ice blue eyes assessed the building like Karen did. Her gaze flicked over me and then to the other recruits.

  The guy next to her was short and a little chubby around the middle. He looked intimidated like Karen had.

  I decided not to be so forthcoming. I didn’t want to scare off everyone in the group. I wanted to make a good impression. I waited for them to make the first move.

  While I waited, I noticed someone exiting the building. I couldn’t help my jaw from dropping. He wore similar clothes as Lucy but he was three times the size of her. He stopped a few feet from us. His eyes were hidden behind aviator sunglasses, making his expression that more intimidating.

  “I’m Professor Christopher,” he said in a booming voice. “I’ll be the point of contact for all male recruits. Lucy here will be the contact for the females.” He looked us up and down, but said nothing more.