Free Stray by Rachael Craw

process accessible to more of us.”
    The bandwidth throbs with a mournful note that moves right through me. I can’t tell if I’m producing it or if it’s Miriam, pale and still beside me. It fills me with an inexplicable longing and grief, Jamie pulsing at the centre. He still won’t meet my gaze.
I will not cry
.
    No one speaks.
    Finally Tesla turns. “Your aunt and your friend have violated directive to assist you, Evangeline.”
    Violated
.
    The word makes me light-headed. “They were just trying to help.”
    “While it benefits our current course to have you pre-informed about the organisation, it does not outweigh the seriousness of such a breach in protocol. Whatever their reasons, they will face consequences for their actions.”
    “That’s not fair.” It’s barely a whisper, and they’re the lamest words in existence. I want to curl into a ball.
    Tesla draws near the table. “We understand the temptation for active relatives who recognise the symptoms of Priming in a loved one. But interference is mostly misguided and often dangerous. Assets can find themselves in a disturbed state of mind post-Spark, a hazard to themselves and others. If they have not been killed by the Stray, we tend to collect new Shields from jail cells, hospitals or hiding places – that is if they have not taken their own life.”
    “Suicide?” The idea winds me. As traumatising as it’s been, transitioning and enduring Kitty’s experience, the thought of taking my own life has never once entered my head. I look at Miriam but she frowns at the tabletop. Jamie keeps his unreadable eyes on Tesla. Have they felt like this, alone in their terror, desperate and despairing to the point of considering ending their lives?
    “It happens,” Tesla says, leaning on the back of his chair. “After the loss of the first Spark, new Assets will often become very depressed, especially in the case of accidental death.”
    “Accidental death?”
    It’s Felicity, her expression full of warning, who answers. “When a Shield kills their Spark by mistake.”
    I cover my open mouth.
    “It is one of the main reasons we bring the Asset in on immediate detection,” she says.
    I had always despised the Affinity Project’s policy of taking Shields regardless of whether they have an active Spark but now I’m not sure. Obviously, Felicity thinks it’s too risky, me staying and delaying Orientation.
    “An Extraction would protect you and those around you,” she says and Tesla starts pacing again. Pretending not to notice, Felicity presses on, “Hence, Mr Davis’s consternation regarding the change in protocol.”
    “It is your choice to make,” Tesla turns to face me. “But you must make it now.”
    Choice. Not a word I associate with Affinity.
    I hope my decision will be read as self-sacrifice as opposed to me dodging Orientation. “I guess, if it’s for the greater good and all.”
    “I need a clear yes,” Tesla says.
    “Okay, yes.”

HARVEST
    Tesla remains cool but there’s a hint of triumph or relief in his posture and he unclasps his hands. “I realise the conditions are not the best, but a Harvest is required at this stage. Felicity is a Conductor. She will be able to give us a clearer indication of your signal strength. The reading we take now will help us interpret your data over the coming weeks.”
    Felicity draws herself up, as though steeling herself.
    Conductor
.
    Terror dries my mouth. The hope I felt in the gift of unexpected time evaporates. How can I protect my secrets? Miriam warned me about the Project’s team of Harvesters and the danger of trying to conceal the truth.
    Tesla pulls out his chair for Felicity so that she can sit closer to me. I shoot a desperate look at Miriam. Her deep brown eyes drill mine, but I’m too anxious to sense if she’s trying to reassure or warn me. What can I do? Refuse? A sure-fire red flag I’ve got something to hide.
    Tesla produces a small metal container from his satchel.