Do I want to be seen?

I didn’t get any sleep and breakfast was terrible. Mom and Dad did all the talking, and I kept glancing at Zack to see if he would do anything. He didn’t. Once I finished eating, I grabbed my screen and headed for the door.

“Where are you going, Rei?” Mom called while passing the coffee pot to Dad. Zack continued eating as if everything were fine.

I tapped a quick -Library.- And kept going. It was one of the few places I was allowed to walk by myself. Like most of the buildings, the library looked like a block.

All off-white walls fitted with glass windows that never seemed to be open, and an equally boring beige door that always seemed to be. It was one of my favorite places to be when the house became unbearable.

The librarian, Mrs. Astral, a grapefruit-loving auntie with bright blue hair, greeted me with a warm smile. “Good morning, Rei. Are you going to check anything out, or just work on your screen?”

I shrugged, making her laugh as I began typing. -Are you coming with us on the move?-

She shook her head. “Sorry, hun. They didn’t ask me to join them. But that doesn’t mean you can’t check something out! You’re going to Australia. Have you ever been there before?”

I shook my head. -Are there any books about where in Australia we’re going?-

“Not the exact location, but come with me. I know we have plenty of other books that’ll help you prepare for your new home. You’re going to love it, Rei.”

I doubted that, but followed her to a reading room set near the back of the building. A few scientists in oversized white jackets were enjoying the quiet, but none of them reacted to our presence.

Mrs. Astral bowed me in with a flourish and shut the door behind her. Out of all the librarians I could remember, I liked her the best. She was fast and passionate.

It didn’t matter what you were trying to do. The moment you entered the library was the moment Mrs. Astral came into her own and helped you, regardless of whether you asked.

I sat down and looked at my screen to find a message from Dad already waiting. -Hey, kiddo. Are you already at the library?-

-Is the GPS not working?-

It took him a few seconds to reply, which meant Mom was the one driving this time. -Ha ha. No, silly. I’m just trying to have a conversation with you.-

-What’s there to talk about? Did Zack say something?-

-No. Why? Did you two have a fight?-

-Of course not. I’m just not sure what else you’d be messaging me for.-

-How long do you long do you plan on staying at the library today? Your mother and I are getting off work early and are thinking about heading to the Drop Off to gather a few pre-birthday goodies. Did you want to come with us?-

The thought was appealing. The Drop Off was the closest thing we had to a store. It didn’t require money; the government paid for everything. It was up to us, and the rest of the live-in employees and their families, to make it go away before anything went wrong.

And sometimes they’d have games and other things to help people pass the time. -I don’t mind hanging out here until you guys get off. Does Zack know?-

-Your brother kindly slammed the door in your mother’s face shortly after you left, and he has a truck. I’ll message you when we’re on our way.-

-See you later.- It only took a few more minutes for Mrs. Astral to place a stack of books on the table in front of me.

“Here you go. Let me know if you want anything else, Rei. And don’t forget about using your library card every once in a while.”

I grinned, knowing that I wouldn’t be using it here ever again. I didn’t know what else I’d be doing except packing at some point this week. And checking things out only encouraged me to stay home.

And that would be close to impossible if Zack stayed in a bad mood. I picked up the first book, one with lots of pictures about different animals and plants, and started reading.

I’d only flipped through five pages when a knock came at my door. I looked up, surprised that anyone would bother with knocking except for Mrs. Astral.

There are several private reading rooms on every floor, and the library has three. No one should be asking to share this one or asking if I know where anything is.

Everyone knew you weren’t supposed to do that. But the person outside the door wasn’t dressed like a scientist or anyone else I knew, for that matter.

He was around the same age as my brother, with wild black hair, deep blue eyes, and skin a rugged brown. But the oddest thing about him was the black trench coat he was wearing.

It was filthy, like he’d dropped in mud and rolled around in a pile of leaves and twigs. I’d never seen him before, and wasn’t sure what to do until he knocked on one of the glass panels in the door again.

His eyes locked on mine as he mouthed, ‘Are you going to let me in?’

I shook my head. Whoever this guy was, I didn’t need to have some stranger poking around and wasting what little peace and quiet I had left. Moving meant being forced to put my screen down until everything was packed up.

It meant no time to unwind and listen to a nature playlist while trying to imagine I’m in a forest or a jungle somewhere, instead of a base stuck in the middle of nowhere.

The man tilted his head, studying me for several minutes, and raised his hand to knock again. I glared and waved my hand in the universal ‘shoo’ gesture.

He grinned at that—at me, and opened the door, stepped into the room, and shut it before I could even think to grab my screen. His grin grew wider as he held up his hands to show they were empty.

“Pardon the intrusion, but I can’t stand the atmosphere out there, and the librarian is already busy enough without fussing over me. Do you mind if I sit down?”

I nodded to show that I did mind. There weren’t any other chairs in the room, and I didn’t like the idea of him sitting on the floor where I wouldn’t be able to see him.

Ankle biters have a bad reputation, but very few people appreciate just how dangerous someone who aimed for your ankles could be. But the man didn’t sit on the floor.

He hopped up on the edge of the table and sighed in relief. “Thanks, I really appreciate this. I know exercise is good for you, and walking is the easiest. But why does it have to be murder on your feet?”

I picked up my screen, still confused about what this man thought he was doing, and quickly typed. -I’m mute. But if you don’t get out of here right now. I’ll trigger an alert that’ll have security in here in less than five seconds.-

He stared at my screen and snorted, then looked up at me in shock. “That wasn’t towards you.”

I just stared at him.

He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his head. “What I mean is that…snort, I just did? That wasn’t me laughing at you…Well, I was, but not about your…sorry condition? Is that still okay to call it that?”

-Are you asking me if it’s ok for you to call me mute?-

“Pretty much.”

-I don’t care. Other people might, though. So you should get out of here before I call security.-

“Now, see. That’s what I was laughing about. You calling security just because I came in here. No offense, but I don’t think you’re that kind of person, kid.”

-And I don’t think you know me at all.-

“True, let’s change that,” he held out his hand, paused, and lowered it while smiling. “The name is Bao, at least that’s what everyone calls me. And you are?”

-Not giving my name to someone who doesn’t even want to shake my hand.- I knew why he didn’t. Whoever this ‘Bao’ was, he clearly knew enough about current social norms to wonder what could or couldn’t be said and done.

I, on the other hand, could get away with pretty much anything due to my condition and gender. It’s a bizarre system, but not as bizarre as Bao.

Who now looks like he just swallowed a lemon and couldn’t decide if he should spit it out or choke on it. “Um…I…”

I typed again. -Really should get going. Mrs. Astral likes to check on me often, and anyone could see you in here at any time.-

“Am I not supposed to be in here? This is a library.”

-Do you have permission to use any of the reading rooms?-

“Not exactly.”

-How about a library card?-

“I do… just not to this one.”

-What department do you work for?- I watched his face as much as possible; a large knot of dread was taking over my stomach.

I shouldn’t be talking to him like this, but he was closer to the door than I was. And Bao showed no signs of moving. He did, however, look more confused than dangerous now.

“Department?”

-Do you work here?-

“I think you already know the answer to that. But I’m not here to hurt you.”

I raised an eyebrow, like my mother does when she knows someone’s lying to her. It works every time on Zack, even when he’s at his most disagreeable.

And it proved to be just as effective on Bao. He sighed and held his hands up. “I surrender. You got me.”

-Doing what?-

He opened his mouth, and the power went out. Luckily, none of the windows had curtains, and my screen was still able to provide enough light for me to see, so I backed up instinctively as Bao’s silhouette moved closer.

“Don’t worry. They’ll figure it out soon.”

My fingers clenched around my screen, wanting to demand answers, but too scared to take my eyes off of him.

Bao must have sensed my fear, because he didn’t move any closer. Instead, he began tapping on the desk.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

I tried listening for a code or something like they show in movies, but the rhythm never changed as he continued speaking. “I’m sure you can already guess what’s going on. You’re a smart kid. You must see the patterns by now.”

What patterns? Is he some kind of stalker? I didn’t want to believe that. I wasn’t stalking material. I had strange dreams around my birthdays every once in a while.

I didn’t visit shady sites or even talk to people online. There wasn’t any reason for someone to stalk me. But Bao didn’t care. “See, it’s like this, kid. What’s happening to you is completely unfair. No one can deny that. But we can’t let things continue. Lives are at stake… Do you get it?”

How is anyone supposed to get that? My family are scientists who have to move for their jobs. They weren’t bad people, and neither am I.

But Bao’s quiet sigh told me that kind of justification wasn’t going to be enough. He grabbed my hands and tugged me close enough so I could barely make out his eyes… his now red eyes staring at me with concern and guilt.

“I’m so sorry to have to be the one to do this, but you were never supposed to be born, Rei.” I shook my head and tried to pull away, but he refused to let go as he whispered. “You need to wake up.”