“We used to play basketball,” Foster adds. “You were better than me.” Wes nods, liking this detail. Foster goes to stand behind Wes and watches him navigate the forums.
If The Program didn’t exist anymore, this would be the beginning of our normal. All of us together, ready to move on with our lives. Of course, that’s not what’s happening. Sadly, I’m not sure it’ll ever happen. Tomorrow, I could be rotting in a hospital somewhere, instruments stabbing my brain.
I shiver, and Wes glances up at me with a quick flinch of concern.
“Right there,” Foster says, pointing to a post on the screen. Wes lowers his eyes to read it, and then clicks the preview to dive in further.
“I think this is it,” he says, smiling at Foster. He pokes the keys of the computer before turning it so Nathan and I can see. “It’s a phone number from Corvallis,” he says, “registered to Anna Realm. No address.”
“But here’s the weird thing,” Foster adds. “The area code is for Springfield, pretty close to the Program facility there. It’s one of three lines she has. Why would she need three phone lines?”
“Other kids?” I suggest.
“Anna’s not his mom,” Wes says. He leans forward to tap a few keys and comes up with a picture of a pretty blonde with a passing resemblance to Realm. “Sister, I’m guessing. No mention of parents anywhere, so they’re either out of the picture or dead.”
We grow quiet at that suggestion, the sadness at the possibility of Realm’s parents both being deceased. I take out my phone.
“Well,” I say. “One way to find out.”
“Tatum,” Nathan warns. “Are you—”
“I don’t have time, Nathan,” I say turning to him. “I need Realm. Marie needs him, and that means so do I.”
Nathan chews on the inside of his lip and then nods for me to go ahead, looking anxious. Foster drops back into his chair, and I dial. I set the phone on speaker and place it in the center of the table.
The line rings, and we all exchange nervous glances. The sound echoes around the room, and I start to shake my leg under the table.
The phone rings four times, and when it clicks, I assume it’s voice mail and my heart dips. But instead, Realm says, “Hi, Tatum.”
I cover my mouth, stunned by the sound of his voice. The deep familiarity there. Affirmation that he still exists. Wes stares at me, wide-eyed.
“Realm,” I say, slightly out of breath. Nathan leans his elbows on the table, listening closely. “I... I need to talk to you. I have to see you.”
He coughs once, but when he talks, I think I hear a smile in his voice. “I figured,” he says. “I’m not in town right now. Can we meet tomorrow?”
“I don’t have much time,” I tell him shakily. “The Program has flagged me.”
“I know,” he says. “But you’ll be okay until then. Just... lay low. They can’t find Derek, so they have no idea that he got to you. As far as they’re concerned, he could have fled; they’re having a high rate of handlers disappearing. Happened before with closers, so they’re not alarmed. Not to mention I put it out there that Derek was somewhere in California.”
There is a prickle over my skin, a bit of awe, but also annoyance. He really does seem to be dialed in, but if that’s the case... “You let him try to take me?” I ask, betrayed. “You knew he was coming.”
Realm is silent for a moment, and under the table, Nathan puts his hand on my knee to steady my leg. I look sideways at him, and he presses his lips into a sad smile. I’m hurt that Realm could have stopped this and he didn’t. I mean, what the fuck, right?
“I couldn’t get there in time,” Realm says, coughing again. “I got the word out, though. They would have never gotten you out of that school. We still have people on our side, Tatum. Now... we have a lot to talk about. And I mean that sincerely.”
“We sure do,” I say, my voice darker. I’m angry with him. I don’t care what side he’s on because he failed me. “When?” I ask.
“Tomorrow morning,” he says, his voice scratchy. “There’s a café outside of town. I’ll text you the address.”
“She won’t be alone,” Wes says, and then flashes his teeth at me in apology for speaking up.
Realm laughs softly. “I didn’t think she would be. Now, whoever else is there,” Realm says. “I’m guessing Nathan?”
“And Foster,” Nathan says.
“Okay, good,” Realm responds. “It’s important to keep up appearances. I know that sounds impossible, but I need to know who the other handlers are. Melody hadn’t figured it all out yet.”
Nathan shifts next to me, his hands balling into fists on the table.
