“What's eating at you?” he asked.
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. There was so much I could say, but would he understand? “I’m a medic, and I couldn't save…” I choked, unable to finish without sobbing.
“I never said war was easy. You can't save everyone.”
“Maybe if Perez hadn't let the Heavies in the room. If she had barricaded the door—”
“You’ll drive yourself crazy thinking about what if. Trust me, I've been at this a long time.”
I gulped down the rest of my whiskey and pushed the glass forward, making eye contact with Jorge.
Tyren sighed. “I’ve seen many soldiers get lost in escape—booze, drugs—don't let that be you. You’re destined for greatness, Ida. You’ll rise above this. The first time is hard.”
Usually I appreciated Tyren’s company, but now it felt like he was driving a dagger through my heart, tearing open the raw memory of the orphanage.
“In your debriefing interview, you told them you and the girl hid among a pile of dead bodies.”
I cleared my throat. “I didn't see another way out. The Heavies were marching down the street. If they'd found us…”
“You saved that girl's life twice.”
“Yeah, and for what?” I slammed my fist on the bar top. “An orphan who had a brother is now an orphan who has nobody. What will happen to her? Does anybody give a shit?”
He paused and stared into his glass. “I don't know. I'll have to look into it.” He shifted on the stool and turned to face me. “I’ll make sure she's properly looked after.”
I chewed the fraying edge of my thumbnail and wondered if he would be true to his promise.
“What you did in that room, Ida, was incredibly honorable. You saved the girl's life. Yes, others died, but you sacrificed your own life to save her from being killed again. You got her out of a war zone.”
“But her face… When she found out her brother died.”
He frowned.
“Tyren, I could've saved him, too, if—”
“Just stop.” He pushed his stool away from the bar. “It hurts when someone dies on your watch. It’ll always be that way, but you have to learn to manage through it.”
I dug my nails into my palms. “Manage through it.” I wanted to choke on the words.
“I put you up for a commendation to recognize your service.”
“But—why? Perez died, the boy died—”
“You're not responsible for their deaths. This is a war where many will die. Every life you save makes a difference, Ida.”
I crossed my arms. The biocuff on his wrist lit up, and he glanced at it.
“I have to go.” He swiped his ID card on top of the bar. “This is on me. Happy birthday.”
After he left, I finished my glass, letting it numb my tongue and warm my belly before walking the quad. It had been hard to sleep lately. Every time I closed my eyes, Hanna begged me to save her brother.
In dreams, I kept replaying the moment of decision. Save the girl, or save the boy? An impossible choice.
Sometimes I dreamt that I saved him instead, but that hurt just as bad.
Tyren had said this is the reality of war.
For every life I saved, would I would lose another?
Is that how it would be?
I didn’t know how much war I could take.
END OF BOOK 1
Dear Reader,
Thanks for reading ALTERED!
Are you ready to find out what’s next for Ida? Book 2 is called BRINK, and it will introduce you to a whole new world.
Ida’s healing ability makes her the perfect medic. But can she keep it secret?
In 2044 Spark City, a mysterious mutant discovers her power. He wants her as his bodyguard.
Even worse, the powerful mayor intends to control her—she might be his last chance to live. His android police hunt her.
On the run and fighting against corrupt forces, what could possibly go wrong?
You’ll love the new cast of characters in BRINK, as Ida’s story continues in this action-packed novel.
Get it now: http://bit.ly/roguespark02
Cameron Coral
P.S. When you leave an honest review of this book, it means a lot. Thanks in advance :-)
Curious about Reed Reynolds?
After We Fall is a FREE standalone novel that charts the events that take place in Woodlawn Youth Improvement Center. Find out what happens to Reed and the others left behind.
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Preview:
I am fourteen when my mother leaves me in the hands of New York State because she can’t handle being a parent. Can’t blame her, I guess. Life in the late 2030s isn’t easy for anyone. Jobs are scarce and environmental disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes are the norm. Having a kid is just another burden in a crumbling mess of a world.
“Welcome to Woodlawn, Reed Reynolds,” Kilpatrick says my first day. I shake the head supervisor’s cold, moist hand while a creeping sensation rises in my throat.
My social worker, a kind lady named Maxine, assures me I’ll be in good hands. She winks goodbye. “It won't be long before a nice couple adopts you and takes you to your forever home.”
I nod despite my insides feeling like quicksand. Once Maxine lifts off in her air cruiser, Kilpatrick introduces me to the real Woodlawn. After handing me a scratchy used blanket, he leads me to my new room, bare except for two cots with worn foam mattresses that aren’t much thicker than a folded towel.
That’s when I meet my roommate, Zeke. He’s a year younger and looks like a frightened shelter puppy at first. Later, he confesses his relief I’m not a bully. We become fast friends. Bonding happens quickly when you’re both picked on by the older, bigger kids.
Zeke’s sister is Daria. She’s my age and blind, which makes life really difficult at Woodlawn. Zeke shakes his head, explaining that they’re a bonded sibling pair. According to him, they can’t be separated during the adoption process. That Daria is disabled means no one in their right mind would take them. I don’t know what to say
