“Can I help you?” I asked, keeping fear and anger out of my voice. It was best to remain neutral, if not subservient, at all times when addressing the Watchmen, who were always looking for any excuse.

“Routine check,” said one of the pair, the one who was yanking off my sheets without looking at me.

“Let’s see what you’re hiding,” the other one remarked, running his hands under the edge of the sink.

I felt the blood leave my head. I felt sweat prickle under my arms. But to them, I just shrugged and walked into the room.

The one by the sink put a hand on the rod nestled in his belt and put the other one out in front of him. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Just what do you think you’re doing?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, just coming in?”

“No way. Out in the hall. Now. And stay to the right of the door until we’re done.” He walked a few steps forward, as if ready to physically push me from the room.

I did as I was instructed, happy to avoid what was to come but also wanting to be present. Every second out there was torment. How long until they found the napkins? What would they do to me when they did? Would I get kicked out of the Program? Would I join the residents in the isolation wing, using my own blood to send SOS messages to the person bringing me Spam sandwiches? I listened for anything that would let me know they were ripping open my mattress, that they were bagging the evidence for Agent Mellin. I could already hear the siren winding up.

“All right.” I jumped at the voice. “We’re done.”

I exhaled. It was the first time I noticed I’d been holding my breath.

“Okay, well, thank you.” I gave them a tight smile and started to push past them into my room.

“Not so fast, Chief,” the taller man said. He grabbed my arm. “You’re coming with us.”

“But—”

“Did you think we wouldn’t find your contraband? How stupid do you think we are?” He pulled me back into the hall. I looked into the room. Everything was on the floor—blankets, pillow, my clothes—and the mattress was flipped up against the wall.

I had no words. This was it. It was all over.

They marched me down the hall to the stairs. We were headed to wing that held both Agent Mellin and the Correction Room. I wasn’t sure which one I’d prefer. All I could think was how I was responsible for the misery of the entire isolation block. Every one of those people had trusted me with their letters, and I had done nothing but get us all caught.

CHAPTER 20

MOVING ON

The Family

“WE’RE MOVING INTO THE NORTH.” BULLET ADDRESSED the entire camp from the base of the hill. “This spot has been good to us for a long time. But in light of recent events, the Council feels it’s best to pick up and find a new base.”