Body of Stars by Laura Walter (free ebook reader for iphone TXT) 📕

Marie’s mother congratulated me. She poured the tea—white tea, for the antioxidants, she said—and told me that Marie was preparing to move in the fall. She’d earned a scholarship to a university in a larger city a full day away by train. And Cassandra, she added, was spending the summer in a special premed program before beginning her own university studies.

“Cassie surprised us all,” Marie’s mother said. “Ever since she switched to that private school, she’s been focused on nothing but schoolwork. She and Marie don’t see each other much.” She frowned, setting down her teacup. “But you were always special to Marie. She misses you. When she’s back, you’ll have to meet her girlfriend, too. Louise. They’ve been together for a few months now. I’ve never seen Marie so happy.”

“I’m glad.” I was trying not to stare at the gloves covering her hands, trying to reconcile how she could be modest but also accept that her daughter was dating another young woman.

“Graduating early from the Mountain School is quite the accomplishment,” she went on. “What are your plans?”

“My brother and I are working with an interpreter to help girls.” I’d meant to offer a white lie, but the truth came out instead. Still, I didn’t care, didn’t regret my indiscretion. I realized I wanted her to know. “Especially girls who have been, or who might be, abducted,” I added. “We want to change things in the future. For them and for as many girls and women as possible.”

A silence overcame our table. I didn’t dare make eye contact.

“I’ve heard the rumors,” Marie’s mother said quietly. “People have noticed that girls from out of town are seeking out our interpretation district. I just didn’t realize that you and your brother were mixed up in this.” She paused, studying me. “But I want you to know that you have my full support.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. I wasn’t even sure what her support might mean.

“When Marie gets back,” her mother continued, “I’m going to send her to you. Maybe she can help.” She paused, staring out at the empty street.

Was it really as simple, I wondered, as whispering the plan to other women and waiting to see how they responded? To give them the opportunity to be stronger and more determined than the rest of the world imagined.

“I wish I could help, too, but I don’t think I’m capable of it.” She held up her gloved hands and studied them, as if mystified by what she’d become. “But you are, and Marie, and Louise.”

“I hope so.” I picked up my cup of tea, which was rapidly losing heat. I could see it escaping in narrow threads of steam. Everything was so fragile, so susceptible to decline.

Marie’s mother freshened my tea to heat it up. I raised my eyes and studied her, every covered inch of her being. She looked at me in return, considering my uncovered hair and neck and clavicle. We sat like that for what felt like ages—long enough, perhaps, for the world to change around us.

*   *   *

As soon as I made it to Julia’s, Angel ushered me back to the office, where Miles and Julia were waiting with a girl who looked to be about thirteen years old. I was meant to read the markings by her left elbow to determine whether she was fated to be abducted.

At first I felt nothing. I closed my eyes and pressed a little harder, but I felt only static, echo, rainfall. When I applied more pressure, the girl wrenched her arm away.

Miles guided her arm back to me. “Try again. Softer this time.”

I held her arm again and focused all my attention on this girl’s markings, on her future, and still I came up blank.

“I don’t feel anything.” I looked up helplessly. “I can read the markings, but nothing is jumping out at me related to that prediction.”

“That’s because she’s clear,” Miles said. “Nice work, Celeste.”

I studied my hands. They were trembling slightly.

“Am I done?” the girl asked.

“You’re free to go,” Miles told her.

After the girl left, Julia walked over to the chart on the wall. In the prediction column, she wrote negative in careful lettering. When I scanned the list, all the negatives ran together, girl after girl assured of her freedom.

I thought of the fantasy novel. I thought of possibility. I held up my hands again and saw that they were strong, capable. They were instruments of the future, providing a way to continue my brother’s work through my own body.

When I closed my eyes, I saw ice: the heavy, gradual advance of a glacier.

Addendum X: Abduction Prediction in Juvenile Girls

Category—Abduction

Location—Elbow, left outer

Diagram Variations: This pattern can assume various forms. In some cases, individual markings will cascade from left to right while decreasing in size [A, B]. Other variations are possible, however, including a spiral pattern [C]. Please note that these pattern examples are not exhaustive.

Interpretation: This marking pattern is unlike others and, as such, relies more heavily on the sense of touch. To obtain an accurate reading, run the pads of your fingers over the marking in a clockwise motion, softly at first, then firmer. Exhibit care. Close your eyes if need be. Wait to feel it—sun flare, vibration, a quivering sense deep in the stomach. Be patient, be steady. If no sensation arises, the subject may be clear. Read again to be sure. Read again, and think of her not as a subject but as a girl, as a body holding breath, as a future independent of prediction and prophecy.

27

I worked for hours that day. All the while, my mother drew closer on the train. She was due to arrive that night, but I wouldn’t let myself think about what would happen when that moment came. Instead I read girl after girl, and I came to believe my skills were improving, that I might have a future in this. I started to believe