The Testing (The Testing 1)

“Or he could have been spying on her and was looking to collect a reward for turning information over to Dr. Barnes,” Stacia shoots back.

And we may never know. As much as I want to believe Enzo will pull through, I saw how badly injured he was. It is impossible to imagine the pain he will endure and how he will survive it in order to come back from that.

“Worrying about what’s been done isn’t going to help us now,” Raffe says. “Enzo will recover or he won’t. We can’t change that outcome. The only thing we can do is learn from the mistakes made and make sure we don’t make the same ones in the future.” When no one contradicts him, he adds, “The only way to prevent something like this from happening again is to agree that one person makes the final call on how we move forward from here. And the only reason we’re having this discussion is because of Cia. She pushed for information about The Testing and found the truth behind Symon and the rebellion. The president asked for her help. Cia is our leader. From my position, whatever decision she makes on something should be final. Does everyone else agree?”

Will is the first to nod. Not that what he thinks truly matters, since he is not a part of this. Not really. Tomas studies Raffe and then gives his assent, which leaves only Stacia. I still do not know whether she believes in this cause or if she is only doing it for a reward she thinks she’ll be given once it’s over. Whatever her reason, it is clear she is not happy when she sighs and says, “Fine. Now can we talk about what we plan to do next? We don’t have much time.”

I push my worries about Stacia to the side. Now that the others have arrived, we are faced with two unanticipated problems. Will’s presence and Stacia’s injury. Tonight will be physically and emotionally challenging. I don’t believe Stacia can handle it in her condition. However, I am certain she won’t allow herself to be left behind. And from the way Tomas is acting, it’s clear he is unwilling to discuss strategy with Will in the room. But we really don’t have a choice.

Raffe doesn’t seem to have the same concern since he asks, “So now what?”

Tomas and I look at each other. I can tell he doesn’t want to talk, but as this group’s leader the decision is mine.

Taking a deep breath, I tell them about my brother and what is happening now in the rebel camp. Raffe and Stacia merely nod when I mention Zeen. They listen as, pulling out the list, I explain the strategy Tomas and I have devised. Two teams. Four targets. All to be reached between dusk and dawn, starting tonight.

“But we might have to revise that plan now that Stacia is injured,” I admit. “Maybe Ian . . .”

“No.” Stacia shifts and winces but says, “I’m going. You can’t force me to stay behind.”

“She’s right,” Raffe says. “We need all of us to make this work. Even if we could get word to Ian, I don’t think he’d leave campus. He’s determined to talk to as many of the rebel students as he can and sway them to ignore Symon’s orders. If Stacia thinks she can handle this, then she should try. If she starts having problems then we’ll deal with it.”

“Fair enough,” Stacia agrees. “So which one of you is going to be lucky enough to team up with me?”

“I will,” Tomas offers. “Out of all of us, I’d be the best one to help with the pain if it gets too bad.”

That’s not the real reason. The look Tomas gives me as I start to object tells me I’m right. Any one of us would be able to apply ointment or dab on some of the plant-doctored solution that Tomas has created. But while I am sure Tomas would prefer to face what this night will bring together, as we faced so much of The Testing, doing so would force us to trust the two members of the other team to do exactly as they say they will. Tomas does not fully trust Raffe. I do not trust Stacia. Knowing that, this pairing is the only one that makes sense.

Raffe asks, “Who’s going after Symon?”

“Who’s this Symon?” Will asks.

“He’s someone who works with Dr. Barnes.” Considering that enough explanation, I turn back to Raffe. “My brother is taking care of Symon.”

Raffe studies me for a moment and nods. “Even without Symon, I’m not sure we can cover all the ground that needs to be covered in this time frame.” He glances at the map I drew earlier with the locations of the targets. “If we want to draw the Safety officials away, the explosions will have to happen in the unrevitalized area on the other side of the city. Just avoiding the Safety officials is going to make getting there a challenge. Especially since they must be looking for all of us by now. Then add in the time to scout locations where we’re certain no one will be injured and set the explosions . . .”

“You need someone the Safety officials aren’t looking for to set the explosions,” Will says from the corner. “I volunteer.” When I shake my head, Will says, “The Safety officials aren’t searching for me. I can make it through the city faster than you can. We saw the outskirts of that area of the city during Induction, so I know where I’m going. And no one will think twice if they see me after the explosions go off. They’ll be looking for the four of you, only you won’t be on the city streets. When I’m done, I’ll come back here and be ready to help if you need it.”

I hate that he makes sense. If he were anyone else . . . “You’re not a part of this,” I say.

“Of course I am. They took my brother. And even if they hadn’t, I’d still be part of this.” His normally pale face is flushed with passion. “I know I gave you reason to doubt me. The Testing showed me things about myself. Things I’m capable of doing. But it’s because of what I learned that I know I can handle this job.”

I wait for Tomas, Raffe, or Stacia to say something, but they don’t. Stacia’s flat stare says it all. I am the leader. I decide. I feel the weight of this decision as it settles on my shoulders. Unless I ask for their opinions, they will leave it up to me. Me. The youngest of all of us. Yet, one thing I have learned since coming to Tosu City is that age does not guarantee better decisions or stronger leadership. The ability to put aside personal agendas and decide what is best for the whole does. That is what I now have to do.

Do I trust Will?

No.

Do I believe he can accomplish what he has volunteered to handle?

Yes. As long as he chooses to carry through with the plan. However, if he decides to run to the nearest University official in order to better his position after he graduates from the University, we will all pay the price.

I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and open them. “Tomas and I built the timers this morning.” I get up and cross to where the timers and explosives sit. After picking up one of the timers and a canister, I walk over to Will. “You’ll need to attach them when you get to the sites. One needs to be set to detonate at seven. The other should be placed a mile away and explode a half-hour later. That should convince the Safety officials to focus their search on that side of the city.” Handing him the timer, I add, “We also have a third explosive that doesn’t have a timer—”

“You can’t possibly want him to do this. Think of everything he’s done to us.”

“I know what he’s done, Tomas. But I also remember what I’ve done too,” I say. “What we’ve both done. Dr. Barnes and The Testing are the reasons Will was put in a position to commit those acts. Will’s here. He’s capable. He deserves a chance to prove that he isn’t the person Dr. Barnes?

?s tests turned him into.”