Resonance: Resonance Trilogy, #1

By Samantha Ricks

To Kitra Avanis, the city-state of Favil is a place she calls home. Ranked first in her class, her world falls apart when an accident robs her of her voice, and very nearly takes her life. As she struggles to come to terms with it, she finds that everything is not as clear-cut as it appears. Alongside her paired partner, Bayn Lundegran, Kitra navigates the fine line between safety and danger, all in order to return to a normalcy that constantly escapes her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Samantha Ricks
• Release date: Dec 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519909053

Book preview

Chapter One

Kitra woke up to sterile, white walls.

The sound of beeping was faint at first, but soon she could hear it crystal clear. She dared not move; something in her told her to remain still. Yet, her eyes continued to move about, taking in everything around her. Everything was white–the drapes, the sheets, the monitors that surrounded her. Everything except for the garbage bin, which was littered with bandages dyed a deep red. Her eyes widened, and she jerked back on the bed, causing her IV stand to fall over. She failed to notice the individual in the chair jumping up and putting an arm around her.

Are you alright? he asked, ice blue eyes full of worry. She panted and tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come forth.

Kitra. Her companion’s eyes were a blessing and a curse. They were indeed cold, unusually so, but whenever Bayn was worried they showed just as much emotion as any other human. She tried to speak again to respond to him, but she winced.

Pain radiated from her throat.

You can’t speak anymore.

His voice held the exact same sadness as his eyes. Bayn set the IV stand upright and sat next to her on the hospital bed. She stopped taking everything as a shock, and looked at him as he explained everything the best he could. There was an accident. She was found in one of the study dorms with her throat ripped out, surrounded by a pool of blood. They thought she was going to die. The surgery was a success. She was unconscious for five days. There was nothing they could do to restore her larynx, nor her vocal functions.

She looked at her hands as he told her everything, tears filling her eyes. She looked at him as he finished, the questions building in those silver orbs. How did this happen? How am I not dead? Does this mean that I won’t ever speak again?

He sighed and ran his long fingers through her recently cropped hair. Kitra’s hair used to run down to the middle of her back, but it was hastily chopped off in order for the doctors to attend to her neck. He gently patted her shoulder and said, I’ll be back. I’m going to grab a doctor and let them know you’re awake.

Bayn exited the room, leaving Kitra to gather her own thoughts after everything he told her. She rested her hands in her lap and stared off into space, all while trying to make sense of everything. Minutes later, Bayn returned with a doctor in tow. He was a few feet shorter than Bayn, who easily towered over anyone else. The doctor was clad in all white–Kitra began to hate that particular shade; it was everywhere–and wore a pair of thick-rimmed glasses. He seemed to be in his mid-forties, judging by the bald spot in the middle of his head, and had a wiry frame. Ah, look who’s awake, he said with a smile. You dodged quite a bullet, Kitra.

The female in question shifted a bit to look at him , those eyes burning with over a thousand questions all over again. The doctor sat down next to her. Your larynx was ripped out. Bayn turned around to face the door; clearly he was uncomfortable hearing the details all over again. You were immediately rushed to the medical ward of the Academy and remained here ever since. Your partner thought he’d lose you. For a moment, Kitra’s eyes flickered to Bayn’s back, and then back to the doctor’s face. He took that as a sign to continue.

The surgery to save your life was long, but successful.

What about our studies? How will she be able to converse if she cannot speak?

The doctor turned to face Bayn and offered a comforting smile. Even now there are some technicians working on something that can help her. She will also need physical therapy due to the trauma she suffered.

Therapy?

Yes. She may need psychological therapy to heal the mental scars, if any.

Bayn covered his face in his hands and rubbed it, slowly letting everything sink in. Alright, and how long will her therapy take?

It is hard to say. That alone depends on the patient. We’ll keep her for observational purposes, and then we’ll let her go. I’ll even check in on the Tech Squad to see how far along they’ve come with that item they’re working on.

The doctor left the room after writing down a few notes, leaving the pair to their own devices. Bayn sighed and stood up, scratching his head as he struggled to think of something to say. He turned around and looked at her, extreme sadness filling his eyes. I’m so sorry, he murmured. I should have– He couldn’t finish his sentence, because she got up and grabbed his hands, squeezing them. He winced a bit and started to apologize again, but she held up a finger. He smiled a bit but it vanished quickly. I wish I could understand you.

Kitra frowned for a moment before going over to her bed. She sat down and took out the notepad from her nightstand. Bayn’s sensitive ears picked up the sound of pen scratching paper and went over to her. She then ripped off the sheet and handed it to him. "Why are you letting this get you down?"

Why? he said. I let you down! I was supposed to protect you and I couldn’t even do that!

She scribbled on the pad again and held it up for him. "You’re not perfect; I understand that. You protected me to the best of your ability, and that’s all I ask for." He sighed and sat down next to her.

I can’t argue with you. You need your rest. Go on and lie down. Kitra huffed silently in response and–with Bayn’s help–was able to lie back down on the hospital bed. I’m not going anywhere, he said after she placed her head on the pillow. He looked at her, but his eyes wouldn’t stray from the bandage around her neck.

Kitra nodded in response and grabbed his hand, as if saying thanks. She let out a yawn, Bayn fixed the covers around her, and soon enough sleep claimed the young pilot-in-training once more.

* * *

A full week passed before Kitra was released. On the day of her release from the hospital ward, she was outfitted with a thick silver cuff on her left wrist. With the push of a button it split in half lengthwise and revealed a keyboard. The top half of the cuff emitted a thin green light that formed a small display. The technician explained to her that she could type out everything she wanted to say, and once the Enter key was pressed, her words would be transmitted and received through the ear cuff on Bayn’s left ear. The Vertaan found the ear cuff a nuisance at first, often calling it irritating, but he was willing to go through it. Around Kitra’s neck was a metal collar with a red gem in the middle. In the back, there was a small hole that only the right key could fit. Use this only for emergencies, the technician said before handing her the key. It was a golden skeleton key, hung on a thin chain. Kitra slipped the item over her head and around the collar. The technician also stated the various features of their items, and told them to take great care of the delicate tools of communication.

They entered the residence tower and took the stairs to their dorm room. Bayn took out the key and unlocked the door. He nudged Kitra gently between the shoulder blades in order to coax her inside. She slowly walked in and sat down. Their dorm room was about the size of a medium-sized living room, perfectly split between the two in the back, with a blurred living area at the front half. Kitra took out her books and looked through her notes. Bayn strode over and tapped her shoulder, causing her to look up.

You hungry?

She shook her head.

Thirsty? Kitra shook her head again. She sighed and opened up the keyboard on her wrist cuff and typed.

"How am I going to get past this? How am I going to finish my studies? How am I going to do anything if I cannot speak? Plus we have our separate classes; what am I going to do?" She bit her lower lip frantically and ran a shaky hand through her hair, her eyes clearly showing her frustration. Bayn crouched before her and put his hands on her shoulders.

We’ll figure this out together, okay? You’re not alone in this. Do you remember anything at all?

Kitra thought for a moment, and tapped the keys again. Her companion held his breath silently.

"Not really, she typed. The last thing I remember is going to the study dorm to ask you something, but nothing after that."

He let out a breath and relaxed slightly. I see. Well, you have a therapy session today. Do you think you’ll be okay?

"I’ll be fine." Even though she couldn’t speak, she grew more irritated with each keystroke. It was three in the afternoon, and she had a one-hour psychiatric appointment in two hours. She was too nervous to eat, too nervous to attend to her studies. Her ability to think clearly was clouded by preconceived opinions of students and faculty alike. She shook her head to rid herself of those thoughts, and stood up.

Where are you going? Bayn inquired.

"For a little walk, she hurriedly typed. I need to stop thinking."

Are you sure that’s a good idea? What about– He gasped when Kitra slammed the cuff shut. Well, do you want me to accompany you?

She didn’t answer and exited the room, leaving her partner behind. After a few moments’ hesitation, he hurried out and closed and locked their dorm door. He jogged a bit to catch up to her quick pace, and reached her in a few strides. She took a few side corridors to avoid people. She didn’t want to be the focus of anything right now; her sessions with the psychiatrist would be more than enough for that. They ended up on the far side of the residence tower, where she stared outside the window. Her eyes, usually full of light, were dim. She wasn’t taking this well. But then again, how could she?

Kitra gripped the windowsill tightly. She felt a hand on her head and stiffened at the contact. Everything will be fine, he said.

The tears she held in for so long fell down her face, and splashed silently on the windowsill. Kitra wiped her eyes, but that caused her to cry more. Finally, she fell to her knees, her sobs silent in the empty hallway. Bayn crouched next to her and rubbed her back soothingly. She turned to him and placed her head on his shoulder. He gave a small smile when their eyes met, and she looked at him curiously, wondering why he was smiling while she was crying out her frustrations.

You’re scared, I know, he said. I can sense it. But I also know that you can get past this. Remember that first synchronization test?"

Kitra thought for a moment before nodding. The test utilized a dummy ship in order to see how high their synchronization rate was. Bayn and Kitra had the top score—ninety-seven percent. She smiled a bit at the memory and wiped her eyes again. Her partner stood with her, and looked out the window again. See now that I have faith in you?

The raven-haired female looked out the window and nodded. A few minutes later, she opened her wrist cuff and typed.

"I’m sorry."

The setting sun cast a glow of orange and red on the horizon. A skyscraper thrust its giant shadow over the town. Some citizens walked the streets, while others took public caravans to and from their own separate destinations. No regular citizen had a car of their own; that was specifically for the upper elite, and it was rare for them to leave their own homes. Most of the time, they would send their maids or butlers out for whatever they needed.

It’s okay, he said after a few minutes. He playfully ruffled her hair, chuckling a bit. Still not hungry?

He heard the sound of her fingers typing away on the keyboard. After the final key stroke, he smiled at her answer.

"Actually, I am. I don’t know what I should eat though." She laughed, and even though it was silent, Bayn could hear it clearly.

Chapter Two

Two months passed since the accident.

It was Kitra’s fifth therapy session. She was in the recliner, staring up at the ceiling as the therapist, Doctor Neeva, continued scribbling on her pad.

Did anything new happen recently?

Kitra didn’t move. The pad and pen on the desk next to her remained untouched. The past few sessions went in this manner, with Neeva trying to coax her patient into responding somehow. When the hour was up, Kitra got out of the recliner and slipped on her shoes. Neeva watched with curious green eyes. You know, at some point you need to write down something. I don't have the item your partner has, so I can't hear you the way he is able to. She stood and placed her own pad down before shoving her hands in the pockets of her lab coat. You can only hold so much in, Kitra. If you don’t let anything out, it could mentally destroy you.

The trainee looked back at Neeva, her gaze unreadable even to the doctor. She exited the office and closed the door behind her. Bayn, who sat across from the office door studying his notes, gathered up his papers and stood up. Ready to go? he asked. Kitra gave a nod in response.

The pair made their way down the hall to the elevator, but Kitra stopped short. Bayn paused and looked back at her with concern. Kitra? What's wrong? She stood frozen to the spot, her hands balled into fists. The Vertaan crouched before her. What’s the matter? he said, gripping her hands carefully.

She looked at him, eyes brimming with tears. He didn’t need to hear her voice to know how she felt.

She was being treated like an invalid. The accident robbed her of her voice, but not of her intelligence. She hurriedly wiped her eyes. Her body trembled from anger and frustration. Bayn grabbed her by the shoulders gently and squeezed. She felt relief wash over her.  Kitra hugged him out of gratitude, catching him off guard. He took it as a friendly gesture and returned it unsurely.

With Bayn’s hand on her shoulder, she walked towards the elevator. He pressed the button to summon the elevator car and removed his hand. We have to see Madame Hilda. You are aware of this, right? She nodded.

Aside from being the leader of the booming metropolis, Madame Hilda was also Kitra’s benefactress. She was first scouted at age seventeen, and offered a scholarship to the prestigious school. Kitra’s parents were against it but eventually relented and let her go, much to their own displeasure. They didn’t want this for their child, even if her scores