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The Project Integrate Series Boxed Set
The Project Integrate Series Boxed Set
The Project Integrate Series Boxed Set
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The Project Integrate Series Boxed Set

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The Complete Project Integrate Series in one convenient place.

Seventeen years ago an entire generation of aliens were sent to Earth in order to save their home planet and integrate into the human population. Now, those aliens are being hunted.

Join alien Amery and the exceedingly annoying human Lochie as they embark on an adventure that takes them to the most dangerous places on Earth and beyond.

The Boxed Set Includes:

Unite
Divide
Conquer
Soar
Rise
Bonus Content:
Ignite (the Short Prequel)
Broken (Bonus Story)

Five complete books plus bonus content, totalling over 880,000 words. Save money by buying all in one place and enjoy the journey.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateNov 17, 2016
ISBN9781370727896
The Project Integrate Series Boxed Set
Author

Jamie Campbell

Jamie was born into a big, crazy family of 6 children. Being the youngest, she always got away with anything and would never shut up. Constantly letting her imagination run wild, her teachers were often frustrated when her 'What I did on the weekend' stories contained bunyips and princesses.Growing up, Jamie did the sensible things and obtained a Bachelor of Business degree from Southern Cross University and worked hard to gain her membership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.Yet nothing compared to writing. Quiting the rat race to spend quality time with her laptop named Lily, Jamie has written several novels and screenplays. Spanning a number of genres and mediums, Jamie writes whatever inspires her from ghost stories to teenage love stories to tantalising murder mysteries. Nothing is off limits.A self-confessed television addict, dog lover, Taylor Swift fan, and ghost hunter, Jamie loves nothing more than the thrill of sharing her stories.

Read more from Jamie Campbell

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    The Project Integrate Series Boxed Set - Jamie Campbell

    UNITE

    "If we wish to understand the nature of the Universe we have an inner hidden advantage: we are ourselves little portions of the universe and so carry the answer within us."

    - Jacques Boivin.

    CHAPTER 1

    My mind had a habit of wandering. It raced off on a tangent and I had no idea where my thoughts would lead me. I would think of what I had to do, I wondered if I was doing what I was supposed to, and I remembered things of the past. My brain was like that, it never shut up.

    What I worried about most was the future and my role in it. I had a big job to do but I’d known that since I was born. My life existed for one purpose and I had to fulfill my duties, my entire race depended on it.

    But who was stupid enough to put a bunch of kids in charge of their people’s future? We were just babies when we were chosen, how did they know what we would grow into? Why did they have to choose us and not some other group of babies? I wished I could find the answers but I guessed I never would. It’s not like I could go back, not now when we were so close.

    Amery Jones and Lochlan Mercury. The teacher’s voice brought me crashing back to reality. I looked around in a panic, why did he say my name and why did he say it in the same sentence as Lochie’s? Was I dreaming it?

    No, I want a reassignment. Lochie’s eyes were just as wide and fearful as my own as he begged Mr. Moore to turn back time and undo our pairing.

    I second that, I added. Surely out of the twenty people in the classroom, I didn’t have to be paired with that arrogant jerk. Anyone else, seriously.

    I said Amery Jones and Lochlan Mercury, Mr. Moore repeated, staring at both of us in turn. I’m not changing anything. Perhaps you two working together will help you overcome your differences. See it as a life learning experience and grasp it with both hands.

    He liked to be overly dramatic, but he did teach English so I guessed he had a reason to. Perhaps he had read too much Shakespeare in his career. I slumped back into my seat, ignoring the stormy look I got from Lochie. Like it was my fault we had to do our project together – I wasn’t even paying attention so I did nothing to bring this unpleasantness upon us.

    I tried to pay attention to the rest of the lesson, I knew I needed to know the particulars of the project but it was hard to imagine doing it with Lochie. We had known each other since we were little, we started school on the same day and had been in most classes together ever since.

    I think my hatred started for him that first day. He pushed me into the sandpit where I landed with a decisive thud. All of his newly acquired friends laughed at me. I didn’t have any friends to come to my aid so I just had to push myself out of the pit and dust off the sand. I think I’ve been dusting off that sand every day ever since. And it was all because of Lochie.

    I was supposed to be nice to everyone, that was part of the deal. I had to be kind, friendly, and lovable. If I was anything but, then I could potentially be removed from the project. When I was little I might have been okay with being pulled, but not now. Not after I’d spent seventeen years here.

    To lose my placing just because of Lochie would be like rubbing salt into my wounds – except a thousand times worse. So while I knew how I should act toward him, I still couldn’t. Not when one look at him made me want to pull my own eyeballs out of their sockets.

    When the bell rang, it was like a sweet symphony to my ears. I gathered up my stuff before I had to speak with Lochie, fearing he would come my way to discuss the project.

    But there was little chance of that as he scurried from the room. Typical. Whenever there was work to be done, Lochie Mercury was nowhere to be found. I would probably end up doing the entire project on my own. At least it would be right then.

    I caught up with Lola in the corridor as I got the rest of the books from my locker. My mind was already racing ahead to how much homework I had to do that night.

    Good luck with your project pairing, Lola teased me. I could only roll my eyes in response. She knew how much I couldn’t stand the guy. I can’t wait to see what you two come up with.

    You mean me, when I have to do it all by myself at the last minute.

    She laughed, a bit of a rare event. Lola liked to consider herself emo, which meant she was always moody and dark. At least that was the latest anyway. In the five years since I had known her, she’d tried her hand at gothic, retro, nerdy, and oddly enough, preppy. She’d tried all the sub-cultures, trying to find one that stuck. Emo was only the latest. If only she would work out that she was fantastic the way she was, I’m sure she’d be happier. Still, as a supportive best friend, I just accepted whatever she decided to be on any given day.

    Why do you hate him so much, anyway? She asked as she slammed her locker door. I did the same and we continued walking down the corridor. Other students bustled around us, everyone eager to get out the doors and go home.

    Because he’s Lochie and he’s annoying, I replied. Wasn’t that a good enough reason?

    Nobody else finds him that annoying.

    Well, I guess they don’t know him like I do.

    But what specifically is it about him? Lola continued, she never liked to give up on something that made me squirm. There’s got to be something.

    I tried to recall one event other than the sandpit incident. I came up short, despite how much I really wanted to find something in my memory I could latch onto.

    I don’t know, I guess it’s a combination of everything. Was that vague enough to get her off my back? I hoped so.

    Well no-one else finds him that intolerable so perhaps he just knows how to press all your buttons. Lola looked me up and down, like she was assessing all my buttons. I didn’t entirely know what she was implying but I didn’t like it.

    There was only one way to avoid the whole conversation and that was to divert her attention. I changed the subject.

    So who’d you get paired with? I asked.

    Christina Young. Damn it, she had scored in the partner lottery. Christina was smart and diligent, she wouldn’t accept anything other than a top mark.

    I guess you’ll be acing the project then, I sighed. How was it that Lola, who didn’t like anything, could get the perfect partner and I was paired with the loser of the year? There was something wonky about my luck, perhaps I broke a mirror sometime and forgot about it. It was very possible.

    We walked to the parking lot together and Lola got a ride with her father. He was already waiting for her, unlike my mother. She was nearly always late to pick me up. I offered thousands of time to walk home or take the bus, but she wouldn’t let me. Or perhaps the deal was that she wasn’t allowed to let me. I never knew what was required and what my parents decided by themselves.

    One person I did see in the parking lot was Lochie. He drove himself to school, his parents had bought him a car for his sixteenth birthday. I quite often felt like torching it while he was in class. I never would of course, but nobody could stop me fantasizing about it. Sometimes it was all that got me through class.

    He looked my way so I poked my tongue out at him. I knew it was childish but I didn’t care. Like Lola said, he pushed all my buttons – at the same time and they were all marked danger. He returned my look with one of his own, using his fingers to open his mouth wide and stick out his tongue. I shook my head at him, hoping he got my eyes rolling too.

    A horn beeping took my attention away from Lochie. My mother had arrived, and was apparently impatiently awaiting my presence in the car. I climbed in.

    What was that all about? She asked with none of the usual pleasantries. She usually waited at least a few minutes before interrogating me.

    What was what all about? I tried to remain innocent, hoping she would drop it.

    She pulled out onto the road, her eyes fixated on the street. You know what I’m talking about – the face. Tell me you were just joking with someone.

    Would it even work if I lied to her? I doubted it, she was trained to detect lies and I was probably one of the worst liars around. It’s just a guy I have to do my English project with. We don’t exactly get along. But it’s only one guy in the entire school.

    You have to make friends, Amery, you know the deal. We can’t have even one person not liking you, my mother reminded me, for the one billionth time. I thought for sure I could recite the entire lecture word for word off the top of my head. I had only been hearing it since I could talk. She probably told me even before that but I didn’t remember, it was probably my lullaby.

    I have made lots of friends, I defended myself. It’s just one guy, surely they don’t expect everyone to like me? That would be impossible.

    We drove in silence, which I knew was a ploy to make me think about my actions and feel regretful. I wondered if my mom was aware I knew all her tricks? Probably not or she wouldn’t still use them, she would have felt compelled to try new ways to manipulate me. My father was a bit harder to read, he was more experienced at handling people. But still, I could find ways around him too.

    Finally, Mom let out a sigh. I’m sorry, Amery. I didn’t mean to come down on you so hard like that. I’m just on edge a bit.

    An admission from her was rare, even rarer than seeing Lola laugh. Instantly, I went into panic mode. What happened? Is something wrong?

    She stole a glance at me before turning her attention back to the road. We got a letter from the Department today.

    What did it say?

    I don’t know, we haven’t opened it. It’s addressed to you.

    I forgave her the entire conversation, I knew what a letter from the Department could mean. Inside the envelope could be something horrible, or just something standard. Every time we received one of the non-descript white envelopes it put us all on edge. I didn’t know why, we never did anything wrong – unless you counted my on-going war with Lochie, which I didn’t. But they were still something dreaded anyway.

    We got home and I threw my bag on the floor so I could open the letter. There was nothing on the envelope that said it was from the Department, they didn’t like to advertise their presence. But if you got these letters your entire life, you know exactly what they looked like.

    Good day at school? My dad asked as he joined us. He was nervous too, I could tell by the strain in his voice. It was like I was holding an explosive device that could detonate at any moment.

    It was good, I replied, using the extra few seconds to delay. Once I opened the envelope, there was no way of unknowing the contents. I was dying to know and dreading it all at the same time. It was torturous.

    Open it already, Mom demanded, losing patience. I guess they had all day to worry about it, not just the few minutes like I did. I was sort of surprised they hadn’t opened it without me, they weren’t always so considerate of my privacy.

    Okay, okay. I slid my finger underneath the sheath and slid it open. Pulling out the paper, my eyes scanned it quickly. It’s just an appointment, it’s nothing.

    Mom snatched the letter from my hands and read it herself. She showed it to my dad. Just the regular appointment, thank God.

    I can’t believe it’s that time already, I said, so relieved I could have done a happy dance. Not that my regular appointment with the Department was a fun thing, but at least it was just normal business. I had been going there every year for seventeen years, it was nothing to fear but not exactly pleasant either.

    A year goes by fast, Dad commented. They’ll want to see you every six months soon, now that you’re almost an adult.

    Every six months? That sounded like way more meetings than I ever wanted to attend in a lifetime.

    When you’re an adult, you can make more of an impact on people. They’ll want to ensure you are keeping up your end of the bargain and not becoming a liability, Mom explained. It’s important you are monitored.

    So I guess they couldn’t just trust me then? I looked at them both hopefully but they just shook their heads. Apparently trusting someone like me was never going to happen. The thought was depressing. I’m going to do my homework.

    I left my parents and retreated to the safety of my room. I pinned the letter to my corkboard and tried to put it out of my head. It was a problem for another day, I shouldn’t let it get to me. Not when I had stupid Lochie and our stupid project to worry about.

    By the time dinner rolled around, I was ready to have a break. I wondered if I would have been such a diligent student if I wasn’t ordered to be one? Would I still have cared so much about getting good grades? I guessed I would never know.

    My parents were already at the table by the time I got there. I think the letter had got to them too because no-one really said much. We just chewed and swallowed, going through the motions like robots.

    When my father spoke, it startled me. Amery, your mother told me about the incident today at school.

    The incident? I trawled through my memory bank, trying to recall what warranted such a somber voice. The only thing I could think of was my encounter with Lochie. All I did was pull a face, but thinking it through, it was probably a big deal in their eyes. Damn Lochie.

    You’re having trouble with a boy?

    I rolled my eyes, unable to stop myself. Not really, he just annoys me. But, rest assured, I will do everything I can to make sure he likes me. I was lying, probably terribly, but I couldn’t deal with a big lecture that night.

    Your role is so important to the future, Amery. You have to take it seriously. You can’t do that with people not liking you. It’s important you fit in.

    I wanted to laugh. How could I possibly fit in when I was so obviously different? No other seventeen year old had constant lectures about duties and responsibilities. They didn’t have to attend meetings with the Department every year and they certainly didn’t have to make sure everyone liked them.

    I was getting angry and trying so hard not to. I was normally better at handling my emotions but the letter had shaken me more than I first realized. I was just so tired of the whole thing, I would have done anything to avoid it all and just be a normal teenager for once. A normal anything for once.

    Amery, are you listening to your father? My mother piped up when I was silent for too long.

    I pushed my plate away, no longer hungry. Yes, I heard everything he said.

    You need to take note. We love you but not everyone else will without some effort on your part. My mother spoke gently but every syllable was grating on my last nerve. What will we tell the Department when we meet with them? You know we can’t lie.

    I don’t know, how about what a failure I am? I stood up, unable to stop myself. But then again, that’s what normal teenagers did, right? Perhaps I was just following orders and fitting in.

    Don’t get upset, we’re just trying to help you. That’s what parents do, my dad said, trying to placate me. It wasn’t working.

    You’re not my parents so how about you lay off it? I stomped away and didn’t stop until I slammed my bedroom door closed so hard it made my pictures rattle on the wall.

    CHAPTER 2

    There was nothing as awkward as driving in a car where the occupants weren’t talking to each other. That’s exactly what I was thinking when my mother drove me to school the next day. I wanted to apologize for my behavior, but I knew I only thought that because I was taught to.

    Still, I couldn’t handle the silence any longer. I’m sorry about last night, I mumbled. I didn’t mean what I said.

    It’s okay, Amery. I understand this must be difficult for you. I think we forget sometimes that you are only seventeen and have a big responsibility on your young shoulders. She spoke to the windscreen, not looking at me. I didn’t think that was a good sign.

    I still shouldn’t have said it, not after all you’ve done for me.

    She pulled up in the parking lot of the school and finally looked at me. Why don’t we forget it happened? The letter rattled us all. Have a great day at school and we’ll start over again this afternoon.

    Sounds good. Thanks for the ride. I got out quickly, the freedom of outside beckoning me. Anything had to be better than the car right at that moment.

    Mom took off as soon as I closed the door. She had a right to be angry with me, but I figured I had a right too. Perhaps a day apart was what we all needed to move on.

    Like every morning, I plastered a smile on my face and headed into school. There could be no bad days for me, even one would be too many.

    I found Lola in the courtyard. She was dressed head to foot in black, Doc Marten boots accompanying her skinny jeans. When everyone else was wearing a dress or shorts, she stuck out something shocking. I guess that was the point.

    Hey, good morning, I said with as much glee as I could summon.

    Oh, hey.

    I took the seat next to her, waiting until she finished her text message and put away her phone. I think we should do something fun on the weekend. What do you think?

    Sophia’s having a party, Lola suggested, shrugging. It might be fun.

    I weighed up my options. Would my parents allow me to go to a party where they didn’t know the girl or her parents? The chances were pretty slim. Sneaking out, on the other hand, that was probably something normal teenagers did to fit in, right? Surely I was just following orders to fit in.

    I think Sophia’s party sounds perfect, I replied, grinning. Do you have her address?

    Lola didn’t get a chance to answer before we were cast into a shadow. We looked up simultaneously, although I already knew what was causing it. He was like a shadow on my entire life.

    What do you want, Lochie? Apparently the lecture I received hadn’t had any impact on me. Dad may as well have saved his breath.

    Lochie was taken aback, but it was all just an act. Is that how you speak with your partner?

    "My project partner, and yes. What do you want?"

    Lola watched on, I could already sense her judging me. She was probably studying us, just waiting to get more fodder for teasing me later on.

    I want to get our project done, Lochie finally answered. Considering you’re such a pleasure to work with and all, I thought we should get it over and done with.

    I agree.

    Good, he nodded, pursing his lips in thought. He always did that when he was thinking about something, it was incredibly annoying. I bet he moved his mouth when he read too. How about we meet in the library after school? A few hours and our project can be all finished and we’ll never have to speak to each other again.

    If only that were true, I sighed. If completing our English project was all it took to make him vanish from my life, I would have done it ten years ago when I first met him. Unfortunately, he would probably be around for another ten more.

    Just be there and prepared to work. He turned and left, not waiting around while I thought of a witty retort. It was probably a good thing, I couldn’t think about anything other than how insufferable he was when he was around.

    Can you believe that guy? I asked when he was out of earshot and I could concentrate again.

    I like him, Lola shrugged. He’s cute, funny, smart. I still don’t understand why you hate him so much.

    You saw him, he’s irritating. I was getting frustrated, surely I wasn’t the only one who could see it? It was as plain as day to me.

    I have a theory.

    I groaned, I never liked Lola’s theories yet I had to hear them anyway. Go ahead, what is it?

    All those buttons he presses, they’re the good buttons. The ones you liked pressed.

    I wondered if I looked confused enough, I know I felt it. What are you talking about?

    Come on, Amery, you like him. It’s the reason he gets to you. If you didn’t, then he wouldn’t bug you so much. Just admit that you want him.

    I stood up, wanting to get away from the entire conversation and concept. I don’t like Lochie. It’s the exact opposite of liking him. I loathe him, you know, the other L word?

    She stood too and we started walking towards class. I desperately hoped she would drop the subject. She was so far wrong that she was in a whole different universe. Unfortunately, I didn’t get my wish.

    If you don’t like him, then it should be easy to get your English project done today. But I don’t think you will, Lola continually nattered in my ear. I wanted to shake some sense into her but it wouldn’t have worked. She knew how to press all my buttons too. I tried to tune her out instead of taking the bait.

    At the end of the corridor were three men, they didn’t look like teachers. Their black suits and ties were way too expensive to be brought on a teacher’s salary.

    Who are those guys? I asked.

    She didn’t even look. Seriously? You can’t distract me here, we need to get to the bottom of this thing.

    No, really, those three guys. I pointed to the men to get Lola’s attention. She finally rolled her eyes and looked.

    They’re probably just from the school board or something. Oh, maybe they’re going to close down our school because of contaminated cafeteria food. That would be sweet, I could use some time off.

    They send people out to check on schools?

    Lola shrugged. I guess. Someone’s got to keep an eye on all those shady principals. Right?

    I nodded, she was probably right. There were a thousand reasons why guys in suits would be at the school and Lola’s theory was definitely the most likely. I tried to put them out of my mind, even if that did mean listening to Lola again.

    Thankfully, the bell rang and gave me a sweet reprise from her relentlessness. We had separate classes all morning and by lunchtime she had changed the channel.

    Neither of us had seen Lochie so she wasn’t reminded of our conversation from that morning. After lunch I had physical education, one of my least favorite classes. I changed reluctantly and was the last one out of the change rooms. I made sure a sweatband covered the triangle mark on the inside of my left wrist before joining the others.

    It wasn’t so much the education side I didn’t like, it was the physical side of things that haunted me. I was terribly clumsy, no matter what I did my body refused to cooperate. When my mind was screaming to catch the damn ball, my arms and legs would just ignore the signals and react weirdly. Sometimes I would actually lunge for the ball, but it was normally way too late. I didn’t know what it was, but I could never get coordinated.

    As a result, I was always picked last for everything in gym class. Having grown up with most of these kids, they all knew how terrible I was. And to be honest, I didn’t blame them. I wouldn’t want me on their team either. It didn’t stop the sting of rejection though, no matter how much I expected it.

    Amery, I guess. One of the two appointed team captains of the day said. Today was no exception, I was the only one left standing. Her name was Sarah, an overachiever if I ever saw one. She had to be the winner of everything – Mathletes, the Science Fair, the school play, everything. Me being in her team was going to severely impact on her winning streak.

    Still, I tried hard. We played volleyball in the gymnasium and I tried to stay out of the way of the ball. Unfortunately, everyone on the other team knew how much I sucked so they always tried to aim the ball my way. I had three other girls trying to block me but the occasional one would still slip through.

    I considered it a good game, I never made actual contact with the ball and only fell over four times. That was a win in my book, even though we all technically lost as a team. Whatever, it wasn’t like we were curing cancer or anything.

    I ignored the dirty looks I got in the locker room and changed, slipping bracelets over my triangle mark. It had to be covered at all times, otherwise someone would notice it. It was the only physical feature that set me apart from the others. I made the mistake of letting it slip once before and the questions I got were uncomfortable to say the least.

    I was running late to meet with Lochie in the library but somehow I couldn’t find the want to care. I dawdled, picturing him waiting and getting annoyed. Perhaps he might even think I was going to stand him up. I would have loved to have ditched him, but I knew I couldn’t.

    Not only were my parent’s voices echoing in my head to be nice and have everyone love me, but I knew we really did have to do our project. The sooner we did the work, the sooner I wouldn’t have to speak with him again. I couldn’t believe Mr. Moore would be so cruel to pair us together. He was obviously a closet sadist.

    Stepping into the library, I couldn’t see Lochie anywhere. So he had stood me up, great. At least I had only thought about it instead of actually doing it. It was so typical of him to make plans and then just break them without telling me. I had called my mom and let her know I would be late too.

    I threw my backpack onto an empty table and flopped into the seat. I was going to be there for a few hours until Mom picked me up, I may as well do my homework. I wanted to throttle Lochie so bad, I didn’t care about my duties and responsibilities. At least it would be something interesting to report to the Department next week. I wondered if they would kick me out of the project or whether I could convince them it was justified? It was something worth considering.

    You finally made it, Lochie said, making me jump with the sudden noise. He took the seat opposite me, pulling his textbooks out of his bag. I was waiting for ages.

    Yeah right, you weren’t even here.

    Did you think to look at the tables in the English section of the library? He raised an eyebrow at me. You know, near the books we’re going to need for our project? Saves on walking time?

    Damn, I hadn’t actually thought of that. Perhaps I could have looked a little harder for him, I just assumed he had bailed on me. But it wasn’t my fault I instantly jumped to that conclusion, fifteen years of knowing him had done that. He had set the precedence, not me.

    Can we just get on with it? I answered, not trying to hide the contempt from my voice.

    Yes, princess, of course. He opened his book with more force than needed, I could tell he was just as angry as I was. Even that was annoying. You know, you could have been on time. It’s only polite. You’re always on time for everything else.

    I had gym class, I had to change.

    For twenty minutes?

    Yeah, you got a problem with that? I stared at him, silently challenging him for a retort. He just shrugged and looked down at his book. One point, me.

    Let’s just get on with this.

    I couldn’t have agreed more. The next hour of my life was worse than having needles stuck in my eyeballs. No matter what I said, Lochie didn’t agree. To thank him, I didn’t agree with anything he said either. Working through our project was like doing laps in quicksand. In other words, we weren’t getting anywhere – slowly.

    Ugh, perhaps we should do half by ourselves and combine them at the end or something, I suggested, frustrated with the whole thing.

    It’s an essay, how are we meant to do that? Lochie looked at me with distain. He didn’t have a right to. After all, I didn’t see him coming up with any big ideas on how we would survive this project.

    I don’t know, we’ll just make it work.

    Like we’ve ever done that in the past? I didn’t know what he was implying but he was wrong whatever it was. I was completely over the whole thing.

    I’ll do it all then. You’re absolved from doing any of the work. I’ll get us full marks, I offered. Doing the project on my own would have been much quicker and easier. I didn’t need his input, he probably wouldn’t add anything worthwhile anyway.

    "Oh and you just know you’ll do it the best?" He looked at me with skepticism written all over his face from the set of his jaw to his arched eyebrow.

    "You can do it all if you’re so protective of it."

    I don’t want to do it all. It’s a joint project, we’re supposed to equally contribute.

    What Mr. Moore doesn’t know, won’t hurt him, I pointed out. Why did everything have to be such a mission with him? I doubted whether we would agree on anything before the project was even due. You know I always get top marks.

    And you know, I always get top marks.

    Second to mine.

    He laughed, I wanted to hit him. "Yours are always second to mine." Damn it, I knew he was right for many of our classes. We always seemed to battle it out for top of the class. Every time I got my results and I was ranked second, all I would have to do was look over at him and he would be snickering back at me. I would just know who came first without even having to hazard a guess.

    So do it all then. I couldn’t keep the anger out of my voice. He probably thought I was hooked on the grades thing but I wasn’t, I just wanted the entire conversation to be over and done with.

    Lochie started to say something but I tuned him out, I was momentarily distracted by the men standing by the doors to the library. It was the same three men from earlier, the ones Lola had said were probably from the school board. Something felt odd about them. No matter how much I could logically explain their presence, it still bugged me. Something was just off.

    Are you even listening to me? Lochie demanded. It was a fair question, I knew I wasn’t listening to him.

    Say something worth listening to and I will, I shot back. I actually kind of felt bad about that comment but I instantly got over it. Perhaps we should try again tomorrow when we’ve had more of a chance to think about the project?

    We agreed we’d get it done today.

    I know but clearly we’re not going to. I tried to focus on Lochie but my eyes kept drifting over his shoulder to the men. They were talking amongst themselves, not taking any notice of anyone else in the library. I didn’t care about the project anymore, I just wanted to get out of there and away from them. Convincing Lochie of the same was proving difficult.

    Let’s start from the beginning and really try this time, he suggested. I didn’t want to, I couldn’t sit there with those men so close.

    I want to leave, I said bluntly. Subtle wasn’t working.

    So do I, but this needs to get done. Why do you have to be so difficult all the time?

    Suddenly the men looked my way. There was something in their eyes, a threatening gaze that spoke so much more than their appearance. I had to get out of there, something was seriously wrong.

    I stood up and started gathering my books. I tried not to panic, my actions becoming deliberately precise. We need to go, now.

    Lochie’s brow crinkled in confusion. What are you doing?

    The three men started crossing the library, heading directly for me. If I was anyone else, I wouldn’t have cared. But despite all the lectures I had about fitting in, I wasn’t like everyone else. I was different and there were plenty of people that had a problem with that.

    I abandoned my things and looked around for another exit. A green neon sign told me there was one at the back of the library. I hurried after it.

    Where are you going? Lochie had followed me, his voice coming from the side. I guess it was for the better, I wouldn’t want to leave him there to be in danger. I may loathe his very essence, but I wouldn’t want him hurt. Not unless I was the one doing it, anyway.

    I told you, I need to leave.

    Why? Is there a shoe sale somewhere?

    I ignored him, bursting through the doorway outside. Now there wasn’t anyone else around, I started running. Lochie kept up with me easily as he finally had the sense to shut up already. I didn’t have a destination in mind but I needed to get away. I would try to find a hiding place, somewhere I could call my parents.

    The door we had used slammed closed again. Footsteps hurried in the same direction we were going in. I picked up my pace, urging my feet to go faster than they ever had before.

    CHAPTER 3

    I had two options: cross the sports field and head for the line of thick trees on the other side, or go into the school and find a hiding place. Neither would guarantee my safety and now I was responsible for Lochie too. If I let him get hurt, I could only imagine what my parents would say. The lecture would go on for hours.

    Deciding on the school option because of the hiding opportunities, I ran through the doors.

    Where are we going? What’s going on? Lochie panted beside me. His incessant questions would have to wait, his curiosity was the least of my concerns.

    Our feet pounded on the ground, echoing around the walls. They were quickly joined by three more sets. I turned a corner, hoping Lochie would follow. I led him through the corridors, trying to go in as many different directions as I could to lose the men.

    Finally, I couldn’t run anymore. My lungs screamed from the exertion and I was sure I was starting to slow down. I needed to hide and it had to be somewhere good.

    Lochie must have read my mind, he pushed me into the janitor’s closet and closed the door. It didn’t have a lock on the inside, but we might have been able to hold it closed if the suited men worked out where we were hiding.

    I gasped for air, trying to refill my starved lungs. My ears strained to hear the footsteps but the solid cement bricks of the room barely let in any noise.

    Looking around for the first time, the room was tiny. Shelves of cleaning solutions, mops, and buckets surrounded us. There was barely any room to move, my linen cupboard at home was bigger than the room.

    What was more disturbing was the fact I couldn’t get away from Lochie. Our bodies were pressed together, the room not built for two people. There was no way I could avoid him.

    Tell me why we’re hiding from three men in black suits, Lochie demanded. I had been waiting for it, I knew he wouldn’t just accept the fact that we were running for our lives for no good reason.

    You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, I replied honestly. More likely, he would think I was crazy and just making fun of him or avoiding the question all together.

    Try me.

    Up close I could see how crystal blue his eyes were. I could also inhale the scent of his aftershave. Why was I even noticing those things? I scolded myself for not focusing. Maybe another time.

    Seriously? He looked at me in disbelief. We just ran through the school, being pursued by three people, and you just blow me off? This is so typical of you.

    And it’s not typical of you to question every little thing? You can’t just accept it?

    Not when I’m hiding in a janitor’s closet.

    Shh, keep your voice down, I warned him. If my arms weren’t pinned to my side, I would have pushed him too. "Nobody asked you to come with me. I tried to get you to leave and you wouldn’t. So it’s your fault you’re in this situation, not mine."

    Fine. So I’ll just leave then. He made a sideways shuffle toward the door. I panicked.

    No! If you open that door, they’ll find us.

    "Who are they?" He seemed slightly amused at my panic, of course he would enjoy my discomfort. I was surprised he didn’t open the door and hand me over himself.

    I just shook my head in response, I had to think and having him pressed up against me was not helping. It was practically insufferable in the tiny room. I need to call my parents. My phone is in my pocket.

    And?

    I can’t move my arm to get it out.

    His hands were resting on my hips, a feeling I was all too aware of. He finally sighed. Which pocket?

    My right, your left.

    His hand slid down to my pocket, managing to just caress the skin at the top of my shorts. As he leaned closer still, I wished I could take a step back. He was so close his breath was on my neck. I could feel my face start to burn from blushing, as much I didn’t want it to. I hated the fact we were so close together. I hated the fact that he had his hands on me. I hated the whole situation.

    He pulled my cell phone from my pocket and placed it into my trapped hand. We had to shuffle so I could raise my arm. Thankfully, my home number was on speed dial, I could call them up with just the one hand.

    My mom answered. Amery, what’s wrong? Do you need to be picked up early?

    I can’t talk right now, I said, looking pointedly at Lochie. There are some men here that I don’t think should be. Can you and Dad please come and pick me up as quickly as you can?

    We’re on our way. Are you safe? I could already hear the movement in her voice, she knew every moment counted.

    I’m hiding in a closet, the one marked 5B. There’s three men in total, all wearing black suits.

    Wait for our signal, Mom said before hanging up. I could picture her and my father running for the door and driving like maniacs until they got here. It was reassuring to know they were on their way. All we had to do was wait and they would fix everything. Unless I killed Lochie in the meantime.

    Will you get your hands off my hips? I demanded. Now my arm was up, I couldn’t get it down again. It only meant we were standing even closer together. I didn’t think that was even possible before.

    Where would you like me to put them? He shot back. It was a good point.

    You don’t have to enjoy this so much, I deflected, not answering his question because I couldn’t.

    Trust me, hiding in a closet with you isn’t my idea of a good time.

    I’m surprised you haven’t been in here before with a girl. Or several.

    I prefer the one in C block, it’s got better mood lighting, he grinned. I didn’t know whether he was serious or just teasing me. I never knew that with Lochie.

    I rolled my eyes. Well my parents should be here soon so we can go our separate ways and never have to speak to each other ever again.

    Except to finish our English project.

    My hand was so close to his face, it would have been so easy just to smack him. Knowing him though, he’d probably enjoy it. I will finish our English project… alone.

    Over my dead body.

    That can be arranged.

    He mocked being offended. I was done with trying to talk to him. I needed to wait for my parent’s signal anyway. I couldn’t listen for that and him at the same time.

    Unfortunately, the silence was worse than the noise. Without having to make conversation with Lochie meant I was all too aware of how near he was. He smelt so good, the aftershave mixed with soap lingered on his skin. Had he always smelt this good, or was it just today? It was probably just an illusion, I was probably hallucinating in the confined space with all the cleaning chemicals.

    Three knocks sounded on the door and every thought of Lochie was pushed from my head. Every muscle in my body tensed, so did Lochie. I waited, praying for a fourth knock. Our secret signal was three sharp knocks, then a pause, and then a final knock. I could hear my heart pounding as I waited, it was so loud I could count the beats.

    Knock. A final knock, my parents were outside, it would be okay. It’s my parents, we can leave now.

    How can you be so sure? There was so much arrogance in that question that I completely remembered why I loathed him so much.

    Because I just am, I replied, not even trying to keep the contempt out of my voice. We shuffled the inches needed to get to the door and I used my free hand to knock twice – the return signal. The door opened immediately.

    We practically fell out of the tiny closet. I untangled myself from Lochie and joined my parents. I wanted to throw my arms around them I was so happy to see the pair. But there was no time, it could wait until later. Right then, we needed to get out of there and to safety.

    Come on, let’s go, Dad urged. He waited until Mom and I started running before following. We left Lochie standing there, ignoring the questions he threw our way. If my instincts were correct, he was in no danger. The men in suits would have no business with him and he genuinely didn’t know anything. He would be fine, I was almost positive.

    We jumped into the car and took off. I filled my parents in on everything that happened and how we had ended up in the janitor’s closet. They listened intently, not asking any questions until I was finished reeling off every detail.

    Do you think they’ll come to our house? I asked, worried not only for my safety but my parent’s too. If anything happened to them it would be all my fault. I couldn’t handle that type of guilt, it would destroy me.

    Probably, Dad replied. But we’re not going home, we’re going to the Department. They need to know about this.

    What will they do? I needed to know as the panic started to rise within. Telling the Department was the last resort, I didn’t want to have to involve them if it could be avoided. If my parents instantly jumped to that conclusion, then they must have been worried. It wasn’t like them to overact, they were trained not to.

    I don’t know, but we need to keep you safe until we know more, my mom answered for both of them. They could think it’s nothing and just let us keep going.

    I hoped that would be the case. I didn’t say another word for the two hour long drive to the Department. We passed through security after having our identities confirmed and entered the big building. I was always intimidated by the place. Ever since I was a kid I always felt so small compared to the giant walls. You could have fit thousands of people in the foyer alone. Massive was an understatement.

    We walked down the long corridor and waited for our case officer to collect us. We weren’t allowed to go any further without an escort. If you did happen to wander into the wrong area, several security police would tackle you to the ground without asking any questions. I had done it once – accidently – and it took my shoulder weeks to heal. You only make that kind of mistake once.

    Our case officer, Rob, came within minutes. He led us back to his office before he spoke even one word to us. And only then, he made sure the door was securely fastened behind us.

    What’s happened? He asked with none of the customary pleasantries that normal people used. That was Rob for you, or should I say Special Agent Robert Bower. It always felt weird using his full name, I’d seen him so much that I couldn’t think of him as anything other than Rob. He had been my case officer since the very beginning, even before my parents came into the picture.

    Mom and Dad stood back, letting me tell the story. There were three men at my school today. They were there in the morning and then I saw them again after school in the library. When I ran away from them, they chased me.

    Did you recognize them? Rob asked, standing with one hand on his hip, flaring his suit jacket up at the side.

    No, I’ve never seen them before.

    So why did you run from them?

    For a moment, I felt stupid that I did run. Was I just making up the entire ordeal? Were they just men checking up on the principal like Lola said? Doubt was certainly creeping in. I don’t know, I just felt like I needed to. They didn’t seem to belong there and I was feeling weird about it.

    Rob finally nodded, I didn’t know whether he believed me or not. Perhaps he would just think I was a stupid drama queen of a teenager.

    She was very scared when we arrived, Dad added, defending me. It was sweet, especially in front of Rob.

    I’m sure she was, he finally replied. He turned his attention back to me. Would you be able to describe these men to a sketch artist?

    I can try. So you believe me?

    Unfortunately, yes, Rob said solemnly, like he would much prefer me to be overreacting. Now I was starting to get worried. If Special Agent Robert Bower was concerned, then it meant I should be terrified.

    My mother had the same idea. What is it, sir? What aren’t you telling us?

    Rob took a few moments to consider how much he wanted to tell us. With each moment that passed, my anxiety levels skyrocketed. "There have been other… incidents."

    Incidents? I asked. What’s that supposed to mean?

    He didn’t sugar coat for me, he rarely did. Others, like you, have been killed. At each scene they reported seeing a group of men lingering. Were these men wearing black suits?

    Yes.

    He didn’t say anything, he didn’t need to. My whole world was spinning around me. Killed? Others like me had been killed? How could the Department let that happen? Why would people murder us in the first place? I always knew my existence wasn’t going to be welcomed by a vast number of people, but why kill us? It didn’t achieve anything.

    I know it’s hard to hear this, Amery, Rob continued. But our main concern now is for your safety. We have to keep you safe at all costs. I’ll put you into protective custody. We’ll find you a new life somewhere else, there will still be time to accomplish the mission.

    I came back to my body at hearing his words and understanding their implications. I don’t want to leave, I can’t move. My whole life is here in Portview. I’ve worked seventeen years to get where I am, I’m not starting all over again.

    You’re not going to have a choice, Amery. Do you want to be a sitting duck until the men find you?

    But my friends, I can’t- I turned to my parents, trying to get some support from them. I needed backup, someone else to step in and tell Rob how ridiculous he was being. Mom, Dad, do something.

    My father stepped forward first. Surely there’s something else we can do? We’re not even sure if they’re the same people. Until we get further evidence, I don’t think we should jump to a hasty conclusion.

    "And you know Amery is right about all the work she’s put in – the work we’ve all put in. We don’t have enough time to start all over again, not when the end is so close," my mother added. She had the right amount of emotion mixed in with logic, she knew how to speak to the Special Agent.

    We all stared at Rob, silently begging and pleading for him to agree with us. I was only one of his cases, surely he could take a risk on just one.

    Please, Rob, I said again. I suddenly wished I hadn’t said anything about the men at my school. I should have just got myself out of the situation and told nobody. Now, if I was to be sent away, it was going to be my own fault. My parents were going to have to move and I was going to have to start a new school. I was going to have to make new friends and join all those stupid clubs all over again.

    Finally, Rob sighed with a decision. Fine, you can stay for now. But I’m going to have a security detail on you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. You will let them follow you everywhere and you will do everything you can to keep yourself safe. You are not to put yourself in any situation that could leave you exposed. Am I clear?

    My heart was leaping at the reprieve, even if it did come with conditions. Absolutely clear.

    Good. And you’ll also wear an ankle monitor so I can track your location at all times.

    What? I asked, picturing a horrible clunky thing around my ankle. Surely that was going to be overkill? I’m not wearing an ankle monitor. I already have a tracking chip in my shoulder, shouldn’t that be enough?

    Rob stood up to his full height. Do you realize how much paperwork I have to lodge to activate the chip in your shoulder? It would take me a week to break through all that red tape. With an ankle monitor, I can get instant access.

    I felt like rolling my eyes. He was worried about paperwork? If the chips were so difficult to activate, why bother implanting them in us all in the first place? I seriously didn’t get the government. Rob didn’t take my silence well.

    Okay, you’ll move then. How does Alaska sound? Rob said, challenging me with a raised eyebrow. It completely sucked that he had the biggest say in my life.

    She’ll wear the monitor, my father confirmed. I wanted to protest further but I knew it wouldn’t do any good. I seriously had no say about my life, not even a right to privacy like everyone else on the planet.

    Rob did the paperwork for our new conditions and we all had to sign on the dotted line. We waited in the hallway while he organized everything for us. Within the hour, I had two plain clothed security officers assigned to us for the first shift. They would change every eight hours with a half hour overlap in case someone picked up on their routine.

    I wanted to get out of there and go back home. I was beyond tired with the whole thing. But there was one last thing to do, Rob held up the monitor. Forgetting something?

    I held my tongue and just stood there as Rob fixed the black device around my left ankle. It looked like a wristwatch, except clunky and ugly.

    Rob pulled the leg of my shorts down but they were nowhere near long enough to cover it. See? No-one will even notice it’s there.

    So what about when I want to wear a dress? I asked, failing to keep the contempt out of my voice.

    Don’t, was Rob’s big answer to my problem. He must have felt sorry for me, because he added: Look, these guys are serious. If something happens, this monitor is going to be the best shot we have at finding you quickly and bringing you home safely. I’m not doing this to punish you, it’s for your own good.

    I knew all that, but it was still difficult to take. I wanted to be a normal teenager and fit in, just like all the times my parents had told me to, but it was days like this that told me I never really would be able to live like that. I would just be pretending for the rest of my life.

    Rob let us go with our security team in tow. They followed us all the way home. Not another word was said for the entire journey.

    CHAPTER 4

    Promise me you’ll be inconspicuous, I demanded, facing the two security officers. They had changed since the previous night, these were two new ones. I don’t want anyone knowing you’re with me. Okay?

    Certainly, ma’am, one replied, he didn’t wear a badge so I didn’t know what his name was. I figured it was probably best not to know too much about them. Hopefully they wouldn’t be around for too long. Rob assured me they were doing all they could to track down the men. With the amount of resources he had at his fingertips, hopefully they would throw everything at finding them.

    And you have to make sure we can find you at all times, the other officer said, looking more serious than the first one. No trying to give us the slip.

    I’m not going to do that, I sighed. They were there for my security, I wasn’t going to make it even harder for them to do their job. Even if it did cross my mind once or twice.

    I left them standing at the front of the school and headed inside, keen to distance myself from them as quickly as possible. If Lola saw me talking to them, she’d interrogate me until I caved in and told her everything. Then I would have another person gunning for my life as she realized I had been lying to her for five years.

    I went to my first class without seeing her, grateful for the time to settle my nerves. With each step I took, my new ankle accessory rattled against my skin. I had put on jeans to cover it but it needed tightening, even just a little would stop the annoying movement. I made a mental note to get my parents to have a look at it that night, hopefully they would know what to do.

    Or… I could just cut it off? No, it was for my own protection, I needed to leave it alone. I didn’t know how often Rob checked on my whereabouts, but if I was in the one place for too long, he would come looking for me. I didn’t think I’d be able to talk him into letting me stay in Portview twice.

    Everything was back to normal as soon as my first class started. I was finally able to settle back into the usual routine and forget all about what had happened the previous afternoon. It felt good just to pretend and block out the memory. I didn’t even see my security detail so perhaps the whole thing wouldn’t be so bad after all.

    I even enjoyed advanced algebra, something I rarely did. All those numbers and letters did my head in, I never wanted to take that class but Principal Tobin insisted on it. Anyone who qualified for it based on their ordinary math test was automatically enrolled in the class. I totally should have thrown my scores.

    The bell rang for lunch and I went to pick up my bag off the floor. Unfortunately, as I did, the monitor caught against my chair, sending me tumbling to the ground. I quickly got myself up off the floor, my face red from the embarrassment. I turned around to see if anyone had seen my epic face plant.

    Everyone was staring at me. At first I didn’t know why, after all, I had fallen over my own feet more times than I could count. But they weren’t looking at me,

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