Species Traitor: A Science Fiction Dystopian Novel by Kate Mary (books to read to get smarter txt) 📕

closed door to knock. She didn’t answer, and I pushed it open to find the room empty. After last night, I’d thought she would be here waiting for me. Then again, maybe she’d never been here to begin with. Maybe Dean hadn’t been able to reach her. There was no way of knowing for sure without asking my mother, and I wasn’t about to do that. Wherever my sister was, I had to hope she came home soon so I could tell her goodbye. So I could explain.

My phone rang a few seconds after I walked into my room. I stared at it, knowing who it would be and feeling almost too dejected to deal with the situation. But I answered anyway. The sooner I got this part over with, the sooner I could figure out what I was going to do next.

“Ava?” Dean’s voice swam with worry. “Good, you’re home.”

“I just got here,” I replied, my tone flat.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said, “I’m fine. Did you happen to get in touch with Lena last night?”

“I said I would,” he replied, unable to hide his irritation.

I rolled my eyes. “I know, but she isn’t here, so I wasn’t sure if she was last night either.”

“Oh.” Dean let out a strained chuckle. “Yeah, she was there. I told her what happened and that you were okay. Apparently, she’d seen it on the news, which means your mom probably did, too.”

“She did,” I mumbled, then decided to get to the point. “Are you busy now? Do you have time to meet me?”

“Sure!” His tone jumped, his relief obvious. “I mean, I don’t have a ton of time because I have to get to work, but I can always make time for you. Where do you want to meet?”

“The park,” I said, wanting to keep this as public as possible. “An hour?”

“Yeah, I can do that.” Dean paused. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I will be,” I replied. “I’ll see you in an hour.”

I hung up without waiting for him to respond.

It was a fifteen-minute walk to the park, giving me a little time to gather some things before I left for good.

I looked around my room, trying to figure out where to start and—more importantly—where to go. At least when Ione left home for the last time she knew where she was headed. I didn’t have a clue.

I thought about my cousin as I pulled clothes from my drawers and stuffed them into my bag. She might be able to give me a place to stay, at least until the baby came. I was sure they wouldn’t mind me crashing there for a bit. Like my cousin, I’d be trapped when the laws were changed, branded a traitor, but part of me didn’t care. My species had rejected me, so why not reject them back? I could go to the District, stay with Ione and Rye until I found a more permanent situation. Maybe they even knew someone who had an extra room. It was possible.

My mind drifted to Finn as I zipped my bag shut, but I pushed the thought aside for the time being. I had to focus on Dean right now. I needed to put an end to that part of my life once and for all.

With my bag packed, there was only one thing left to do. Leave a note for Lena. It hurt that I couldn’t say goodbye to her in person, especially when I knew she wouldn’t be able to call me. But I was out of options. Mom wouldn’t put up with me hanging out for long, and I had no idea where my sister would be on a Sunday. A note was my only option.

I found an old magazine and ripped a page out, scribbling a quick note across the face of a smiling woman.

Lena-

I know you talked to Dean and I know you saw me on the news, so I’m sure you’re not surprised to learn that Mom kicked me out. I’m going into the District to stay with Ione until I can find a more permanent place, and I want you to know I’ll be okay. My only regret is not getting to tell you goodbye in person.

Remember that I love you.

Ava

I left the note on my sister’s bed, right on top of her pillow, then grabbed my bag and headed out to meet Dean.

He was waiting for me when I rounded the corner, staring at the ground as he leaned against a tree, the toe of his shoe making circles in the dry dirt. Around him, children played while parents watched—mostly mothers—talking with friends or holding e-readers, soaking up the only spot in the city that was still a little green with life. Every time I came here, I couldn’t help thinking this was what a holiday should feel like. This utter jubilation, this freedom. It was almost like there was an unspoken understanding between the people here that they should leave all their worries and problems at home.

It was an understanding I was about to break.

Dean was still looking down when I stopped in front of him. “Hey.”

He lifted his head, surprise and concern on his face, and took me in before saying, “You’re okay.”

“A bump on the head, but it ended up being fine.”

When he reached out, I almost pulled away, but I forced myself to stay where I was and allow his fingers to caress the bruise under my right eye. “Looks like it hurts.”

“Not as much as it did yesterday.”

He let out a deep sigh. “We need to talk about this, Ava.”

“Yeah, I think that would be a good idea.”

Dean waved to a nearby bench, but I shook my head.

“This is fine.” I looked around, my gaze staying momentarily on a little boy playing in the dirt before going back to Dean.

He was still looking at me, frowning, and I knew what he was going to say before he opened his mouth. “You have to stop