Marigold by Heather Manheim (best books for 8th graders .TXT) 📕

A soft knock came on Davis’s door. “Davis?” It was Quinn. “Are you okay? I just want to check on you. Are you hungry or thirsty? It’s already late afternoon; you missed breakfast and lunch.”

Davis took her time going to the door. She wasn’t sure she even wanted to open it; it felt as if fury boiled beneath her brain. But she couldn’t deny she was hungry and thirsty. Davis got to the door just as Quinn had given up and started to walk away. Quinn turned around and returned. “You okay?” she said as she handed her a tray with some water and crackers on it and a bowl of fruit that Quinn told Davis was strawberries.

“Um, no, Quinn, not really,” Davis said in such a sarcastic way that she surprised even herself. “Let’s see,” she continued, the sarcasm dripping off every word, “I’ve been kidnapped. Forced to miss my vaccines and made ill. It’s also been promised to me many times I could depart, yet I have not been able to leave.” At this, she even stomped her foot like a child who got denied her favorite toy. “I mean, Quinn, you seem to be a smart girl. Do you buy this? What makes what they’re doing any different than what they’re accusing President Everett of doing?”

Quinn took a deep breath. “I do believe them, yes. Be it my natural immunity or just being here so long, I don’t know. I can tell you that before Namaguchi even took me, I was starting to doubt some things. I had a lot of questions in my mind, things that didn’t seem right. I was having a hard time trusting President Everett. Then, I got here, and what they said made sense, and they were so kind to me by contrast, I almost immediately trusted them. Maybe foolish, but I’ve felt comfortable and happy here, although I miss my family.”

At this, Davis looked genuinely concerned and calmed down a little bit. “Your family? What happened to them?”

“I don’t know. Namaguchi told me they were not naturally immune. And I know from before I came here, they were very staunch supporters of President Everett, just like every other person we knew. I never discussed my feelings about Everett with my family because I didn’t want to disappoint them. So, Ringo and Namaguchi told me they brought me here in secrecy as I was in danger because of my natural immunity, which in turn, could put my family in danger. I’m not sure the danger went away, though, as the government knew I was immune, and now all of a sudden, I was gone? They could have interrogated my family, perhaps even hurt or killed them.” Davis’s eyes got bigger and bigger as Quinn told her story. Davis felt for this young girl, although she didn’t believe what Quinn was saying. Davis felt Quinn had been lied to and manipulated by Ringo and Namaguchi. She felt very deeply for her and reached out for her hand to let her know she could continue.

“When Ringo and Namaguchi told me their side of the story, including the fact my family could be in danger, naturally I was inclined to stay because I wanted to protect them. Namaguchi told me he pulled some strings and had their last name changed and reassigned them to a different area of the country. In a small area that gets overlooked frequently. He said my family didn’t question it because if the government reassigns you and says your name is going to be different, that happens without question.”

“Oh, you poor girl! I think they’ve lied and manipulated you. I will find a way to get us both out of here. And we’ll find someone in President Everett’s cabinet we can trust and tell them your whole story, find your family, and you’ll all be free.” Davis talked so fast and passionately; she hadn’t even noticed Quinn shaking her head no.

“Davis, I understand you don’t want to be here. But I do. Thank you for your concern, though. There is something else. You didn’t look at all the papers last night, and there are more. I brought them. I will leave them with you to look over when and if you want. They’re medical records. They show Ana and me as Natural Immunes. And Namaguchi’s records show him building immunity over time.”

Quinn walked over and placed the papers on Davis’s bed. She gave Davis a kind look and asked her if she could do anything else for her. Davis shook her head no and muttered out a half-hearted thanks as Quinn walked toward the door. “I’ll let you be then. But, please don’t hesitate to let me know if you need anything.”

After Quinn left, Davis stood still for a few minutes. She felt numb and less sure of herself than she had before. It made her feel dizzy and crazy. When she felt a little more stable, she walked over and sat on the bed, looking at the folder like it was the Lombardi Plague itself. After mindlessly drinking some water and nibbling on crackers and strawberries, Davis realized she wanted to shower. She wanted the warm water to renew and refresh her. She felt that perhaps a physical transformation could also help her emotional and mental clarity. She could only hope that the water would carry her troubles and pain away with the dirt and sickening sheen of oil she felt on her face.

After Davis cleaned up, she came back into her room ravenous, quickly eating the rest of the food and water, wishing there was more. Well, these people said I am welcome here, she thought, so she decided to go to the kitchen and see what food she could find.

In the kitchen, Davis first got another cup of water, downing it. She filled it up again to take back to the room. She opened the fridge and saw the nuts she had the night