Eugenia part 27

Read part 26 here!

“Meg is now 19 years old, having run away from society after failing her own IQ test by just five points. She called the station yesterday and requested a by-phone interview, and of course we obliged. What’s that, Ryan the phone man? Alright, ladies and gentlemen, I’m getting word that Meg has followed through and is now on the line. Say hello, Meg.”

Ryan pointed to me and nodded, and I spoke tentatively into the microphone. “Hello, Jon.”

“Now, I must say, this is quite unusual. What made you decide to come to the surface after six years of running from the authorities?”

Grasping the paper in my hands, I squirmed slightly. “Well, Jon, I felt it was time that everyone knew the truth about the FF system.”

“Oh? And what would that be?”

And so I told him. I missed nothing from the moment that I failed the test to the second escape I’d made with Gruber. Jon made comments every once in a while to clarify things, but for the most part he kept silent.

“That was- quite a story.” Jon breathed, sounding as shocked and appalled as he looked. He hadn’t heard all the gritty details before. “Well, New America knows your tale. But now what?”

“Jon, I think we both know what needs to happen next.” I said, my confidence rising with every sentence. “Fastidious Fornication needs to stop. It’s wrong, and we’re subjugating talented people to unfair and often horrible fates.”

“That’s a bold statement, Meg.”

“I’m aware. And of course, it isn’t going to happen right away. But-”

“Excuse me, sorry Meg, but it seems that- that we have another caller.” Jon sounded afraid all of the sudden. I followed his gaze to Tom, who was holding up a sign with only two words. It’s Bluff.

“Hello, caller number two!”

“Hello, Jon.” Bluff’s unmistakeably smooth voice filled the studio like a poisonous fog. “This is Zachary Bluff.”

“He-hello Senator. What can we do for you today?”

“I just have a few questions from your… enthralling interviewee. It’s Meg, is it not?”

“Y-yes.” I answered. Jon and I exchanged a wild look.

“Meg, what makes you think that you’re convincing?”

“I’m telling the truth?”

“Ah, but can you prove that?”

“Excuse me?”

“Do you have photographic proof of these horrendous gas chambers you speak of?”

“No, but-”

“And do you have any sort of evidence supporting the existence of these second and third tests you claim to exist?”

“Not exactly, but if-”

“How do we even know you’re a real Outlier then?” Bluff’s voice was thick with amusement.

“It’s on your stupid list!” I burst. Jon reached forward and grabbed my hand.

“Ah, my list. But no one but I have it. For all society knows, you’re making your name up.”

Thinking quickly, I found my answer. “Emma.”

“Excuse me?”

“A few weeks ago, Emma Carroway went missing from her bedroom, and a boy named Ian called in to this program naming me as her kidnapper. Not an hour later, authorities were dispatched that forced Emma, myself, and Julie Sherman out of the home I’ve lived in for years.”

That shut Bluff up momentarily. “How can you prove you’re the real Meg Carroway, then?”

“I can’t. But I’d like to take this opportunity to appeal to a few of the people who will believe me. Kale Orson, Leah Sorvy, Michaela Findle, Luke Gallagher-”

“My list!” Shouted Bluff over me. “Turn this broadcast off, now.”

Tom held up another sign, this time reading Boss called, shut it down.

“Outliers!” I shouted over Bluff as Jon mouthed ten seconds to me. “I am currently residing in and around New Diego! It’s time to fight back! You can find me! We have to-”

“And we’re off the air.” Jon said quietly, taking off his headphones heavily.

I slumped. “Well, that didn’t go as planned.”

He shook his head. “You’d better get into my office, and quick. My boss will no doubt be coming up here any minute-” he looked resigned.

“Jon, if you get in trouble-”

“Then it will be for the greater good.” Jon finished for me. “Now go. You got your message out.”

I left the studio shaking, and Andy led me into Jon’s office, where we cowered behind his desk. We heard shouting from outside, and I buried my face into Andy’s large shoulder, half of the makeup I’d applied coming off onto his sweater.

Fifteen minutes later, Jon came into the office. “Guys?” he asked quietly. We stood up. “We’re leaving sooner than expected.”

“Why? What happened?” Andy asked, rubbing at the makeup on himself. I looked away sheepishly.

“I am no longer employed.” he replied resolutely. “Can you help me pack my stuff? I’ve got some boxes in the closet.”

Jon’s office was fairly bare, so it didn’t take long to get his belongings together. We avoided the security cameras again and made our way back to the car.

I couldn’t help but feel tremendously guilty, even though the interview had been Jon’s idea. If I’d only gotten proof-

“When were you able to get proof? That’s right. Never.” Decklan told me when I voiced my guilt later that night. “Look, we all knew the risks. And on the bright side, Jon doesn’t have to call in sick whenever we need to do something for you guys.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better? Oh, good, now Jon has more time to cater to my needs!”

“I’m just saying, you shouldn’t feel guilty. Jon is a big boy.”

“What am I?” Jon emerged from the bathroom after a long -and judging from the steam that followed him out, hot- shower.

“A big boy.”

“Right. I’m even transitioning from pullups to boxers.”

“We’re all so proud of you, Jonny.”

“I really hate when people add “y”s to my name.”

“You think I wasn’t aware of that?”

I rolled my eyes at the playful banter they employed, knowing it was partially for my benefit, to show me that Jon was going to be ok. “I’m going to bed.”

“What?” Decklan turned his attention back to me from his roommate, looking slightly disappointed.

“Look, it’s been a long day.” Smiling in a way that I hoped was reassuring, I squeezed his hand once and got up from the couch.

“Yeah.” Decklan returned my smile. “I should probably sleep too. Classes in the morning.”

I nodded, wondering at how easy moments of domesticity like this had become. As I dressed for bed, watching the two younger girls’ chests rising and falling, I couldn’t help but feel a little hopeful. There was enough detail in what I managed to get out on today’s interview that any outliers listening would recognize I was telling the truth. It didn’t matter yet that no one else believed me; first, I had to find the rest of my people.

Continued in part 28