Graduation Day (The Testing, #3)(31)
Stacia takes a step back as I connect the other ends of the wires to my power source. I count to ten and then let out an exhale of relief when the device stays quiet in my hands.
“Well, that was amazing to watch. I’m glad to know I’m on your side.” Her grin is wide and delighted. “So, when do you plan on giving this to Raffe? I want to make sure I’m far away in case he decides to give it a whirl.”
“I don’t know.” Now that I’m holding it in my hands, I can visualize him turning the dial. Igniting the powder. Getting caught in the explosion.
“Take advantage of the first opportunity that presents itself. If we want to succeed, we don’t have time to waste.”
Knowing she’s right, I carefully pour the last of the black powder into a small specimen container, seal the lid, and put it in my bag, along with a book of matches from the cabinet. Together we clean up the evidence that someone has been in this room, secure the cabinet doors, and gather our things. I remove one of the single-frequency radios from my bag and hand it to Stacia. “I’ll let you know when I’m done testing the others and we can move on to the next step. For now I have to get to class.”
“Why?” Stacia slides the radio next to her books and tosses her hair. “Something tells me skipping a few classes isn’t really going to affect our grades from here on out.”
“Maybe not, but until we start our attack, we need to stick to our normal routines.”
“Well, no one will be surprised if I’m late.” She smiles. “Professor Frick isn’t exactly punctual himself. I’ll see you in class tomorrow if I don’t hear from you sooner.” As she leaves, she looks down at the table where the test for Raffe sits. “And good luck.”
Carefully, I pick up the device, slide it into my bag, and notice that the red message light is lit on my oscillating pulse radio. Tomas.
“I’m hoping this thing works. I’ve been asking some of the upper years about Dreu Owens, and I think I have news. Meet me after class at the greenhouse. With internships canceled, it should be a good place to meet. Oh, and Cia . . . I love you.”
Those words give me the strength to pick up my bag and walk to the door. This test for Raffe is too much like something Dr. Barnes or his officials would have dreamed up. But Tomas suffered the consequences of my confidence in the wrong person before. This time it will not just be Tomas but the rebels and maybe the rest of the country that suffers. Stacia is right. If Raffe understands he has been tested and has failed, his reaction could have serious consequences not only for me, and those who are working with me, but for the rebels and future Testing candidates. I can’t afford to be wrong about Raffe. I have to be sure, and I cannot think of another way.
The professor is ready to begin lecturing when I slip into a seat near the front of my World Languages class. Will raises an eyebrow when he catches my attention. I just smile and shrug as if my almost being late to class isn’t unusual.
I take notes and try to concentrate as the professor discusses the languages of the Asian Alliance countries, but all the while I am glancing down at my bag to check the monitor. Two lights blink close together. One, not far from the building in which I sit, belongs to Ian. The other belongs to the potentially deadly device sitting at my feet.
Class ends. I turn in my homework, write down the instructions for this week’s assignment, and move on to my next class: Chemistry.
Raffe sits next to me. My heart pounds as the seconds count down. Stacia said I should seize the first opportunity that presents itself. This is it.
[page]Somehow I am able to stand without trembling when class ends. My voice is dispassionate when I ask Raffe if he has a minute to talk.
“Are you okay?” he asks after the other students head out of the room. “You look upset.”
“Are you going back to the residence now?”
“I was planning on it. Do you want to walk back with me?”
“I can’t.” I wait for the last student to leave before saying, “I have to meet somebody, but I don’t want to take something with me while I do. It’s too important.” I open my bag and remove the metal box I created.
“What is it?” He turns the device over in his hands.
“It’s a recording Tomas found. One that might be helpful in ending everything—if I can get it to the president.” I take a deep breath. “I’m hoping the restriction against leaving campus will be lifted by tomorrow and I can get it to her then, but I don’t want to have it on me now in case something goes wrong at this meeting. I’d give it back to Tomas, but—”
“I have it covered,” Raffe assures me. “But it sounds like wherever you’re going might be dangerous. Are you sure you should be going alone? Maybe you should let me—”
“I’ll be fine. This is something I have to do by myself. But I need you to promise me that you won’t play the message. The recording device sounds faulty. I’m worried the pulse signal might not hold up for more than one additional play.” A tempting opportunity for someone who is looking to aid Symon and Dr. Barnes. Tracking down the recordings of The Testing should have proved that Raffe and I have the same goals. But there is a chance that he learned through his father about Symon and the false rebellion and knew those recordings would eventually be destroyed. If he plays this recording, I will know where his loyalties lie. And if he gives it to someone else to play, they will pay the price. Either way, I will have the answer I seek.