“I do,” I nodded, climbing off the bed. I glanced around the room seeing a few other recruits waking up. Most still seemed to be in bed. My stomach grumbled as I grabbed our training outfit and headed for the bathroom. “Meet you in the cafeteria,” Joshua nodded towards me as I made my way down the opposite corridor to the women’s showers. We hadn’t eaten yesterday, and I was looking forward to breakfast.
Rounding the corner, the bathroom was completely empty. I walked into the double door stall, closing the first door and locking it. Dropping my clothes on the bench, I shut the curtain to keep the water from spraying them before turning on the shower. It took no time for the warm water to trickle down as I stood beneath the spray. I let my body relax, taking the first moment I had to really enjoy some time alone. It wasn’t that I didn’t like being around Joshua, it had more to do with the other recruits and lack of privacy. I wasn’t used to sleeping in a dormitory, let alone the test and procedure they’d put us through. I was nervous to think of what was next.
I shampooed my hair and soaped my skin. Aside from the needle puncture from the sedative, I hadn’t notice any additional bumps or bruises from the procedure and certainly no incision marks. Feeling the cold water trickling down my back, I knew that meant I needed to finish. It was a surprisingly welcome reminder that some things should not be taken for granted.
I dried off and dressed, heading to the cafeteria. My eyes scoped out the scene. There was plenty of food to choose from, and my stomach instantly sounded. Joshua was nowhere in sight. I didn’t dwell on it as Cate, Mason and Elsa were eating together. I knew Elsa didn’t have a partner with the training sessions, but I hated to see her mingling with Cate. I grabbed some eggs for breakfast, taking them to sit down at the furthest end of the table. Maybe I wasn’t being the most polite toward them, but I really didn’t want to pretend to be friends. I took a bite of breakfast, relieved when Joshua came into the cafeteria. Cate was the first to speak up quite loudly at him. “I see you still have your head,” she sniggered, referencing the near-miss of an arrow just two days ago. Mason joined in laughing, seeming to fall in line with everything Cate did. I wondered if he was infatuated or just using her to do well on the tests. Elsa gave an apologetic look but then smiled with Cate, doing her best to befriend her.
Joshua gave them a look, grabbed his food and then sat across from me. “Lucky it was me out there and not you,” he answered Cate with a warm smile, “Otherwise there’d be two recruits going home in body bags.” Joshua knew how to stand on his own. It was no wonder he’d made it this far.
Joshua gestured for us to move further to the opposite end of the table. I wasn’t sure that was possible but shifted my plate and scooted down on the bench. “What’s up?” I asked having the sneaking suspicion he didn’t want to be overheard.
“I, uh, I’m not sure how to ask this,” he hesitated, staring at me. “Did you have any interesting dreams last night?”
I shook my head no. “I don’t really remember dreaming anything,” I admitted. “Why?”
He kept his voice low so only I could hear him. He leaned forward as he sat across from me at the table, “I dreamt about you.” He smiled and stared at me, gauging my reaction.
“What about?” I shook my head curiously.
“Doesn’t matter,” Joshua countered, skirting the question. “I was just curious because I thought maybe the procedure had done something to modify our dreams. Make us dream together, but that’s a stupid idea.” He laughed at himself and what he was suggesting.
I sighed, thinking it over. “I guess it’s possible, but I really don’t remember if I dreamt anything. Dreams can feel real, though, you know?”
Joshua nodded. “Sometimes a little too real.” He admitted having a bite of his breakfast and some orange juice. I was almost certain his cheeks had flushed. Was he flustered? Nervous? I couldn’t quite read him.
“You want to tell me about it?” I offered, more curious than ever what he could have dreamt about. Whether it was his subconscious or a test, I wanted to know more.
He glanced up from his breakfast. “I do, but now isn’t the best time.” His eyes met mine for a moment longer than necessary. He held something back, I could feel it.
“Okay.” I smiled weakly. He didn’t look upset. At least it hadn’t been a bad dream. I considered what the Chancellor would have wanted with us, why he would have cared about our dreams and how that would have any relation at all to the tests. It didn’t make sense. “Maybe the dream is just a side effect?” I offered in explanation to Joshua. “We were heavily sedated during the procedure. Is it possible the dreams seemed more vivid because of it?”
“Possible, but unlikely.” He gazed at me as he ate another bite of his eggs. “I’m telling you, it felt real. Everything about it,” he paused, putting his fork down and having another sip to drink. “I’ve never had a dream so matter of fact, until I woke up to find it wasn’t real at all.”
“I suppose we’ll find out later today what the procedure was for.” I finished the last bite of my breakfast. “As much as they’d liked to keep us in the dark forever, I have the distinct impression they’ll want results sooner rather than later.” I glanced down, reaching for my drink when I heard Joshua’s faint whisper.
It scares me.
“It scares me, too,” I admitted glancing up at him.
His eyes widened, “How did you?”
“What?” I frowned staring at him.
How did you do that?
This time my eyes never left his, I realized his lips hadn’t moved and I’d read his thoughts. Had that been the same thing that had happened the previous night when he told me to be quiet, except in reverse? My eyes narrowed, thinking as hard as I could back to him, You did it to me last night.
“When?” He shook his head, astonished.
I nearly laughed, realizing half our conversation was in our heads and the other half aloud. We needed to be careful. We could have a huge advantage over the others if this was what they’d done to us. Especially if the others hadn’t developed the ability yet. “Last night I was thinking something,” my voice dropped again so that only Joshua could hear me. “You answered me,” I told him bluntly.
His eyes widened. That’s when you called me Joshua!
I laughed, feeling more at ease. I just hoped the instructor, Chancellor, and the rest of the town couldn’t get a glimpse into our heads. “Yes, but we should be more careful.” I stared at him seriously. “Whoever did this to us could potentially be eavesdropping.”
“You’re right, Jacqueline.” He nodded understanding my words. As strange as it was to hear another name from his lips as he spoke to me, it was getting easier to accept. Any idea what they’ll expect of us today?
I shook my head, glancing at the other recruits as they’d all made their way now into the cafeteria, either in line getting food or seated at the table. It’s about to get very interesting.
CHAPTER 22
Finishing breakfast, we gathered once again outside by the shooting range. The bows and arrows were lined up at everyone’s stall. I stood beside Joshua, no one saying a word.
Maya spoke up, “Recruits. Please find your assigned stations.” Everyone moved to their respective booths. Joshua brushed against me as we walked towards ours, standing there, awaiting our next direction.
“Today we will see how well the activation of Mindonsiphan is for each of you. Elsa, you are now partners for the remainder of our training sessions with Hazel.” Elsa walked over to Hazel, standing beside her at the booth. “Everyone pay attention. It is imperative you listen and follow directions closely. We will be training one group at a time. If any of you so much as raise your bow when it is not your turn, you will be immediately disqualified and fail the tests.”