Free Viral Nation by Shaunta Grimes Page B

brother. And my father.”
    Bennett walked toward her. “Your father. James Donovan. He’s an executioner, isn’t he? Such important work. And I’m certain he’ll be pleased when he learns of your important role.”
    Clover held her ground on shaky legs, and for a minute she wassure she felt the whole tall building sway under her. “I need to go home now.”
    Bennett didn’t move. “Did you study the Vietnam War in primary school?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then you’ve heard of the draft?”
    This was absurd. “Are you saying I’ve been drafted?”
    “We don’t call it
drafted
, sweetheart.”
    “My name is Clover.”
    “Yes. And you have a certain set of skills that makes you invaluable to your country.”
    “What skills?”
    “The important thing is that we recognize them, and we are equipped to help you learn to use them.”
    Clover didn’t know how to answer that, so she changed the subject to give herself time to think. “Can I look out your windows?”
    Bennett froze, as if she’d shocked him with her request, then shrugged. “Of course.”
    Mango followed her closely to the closed curtains. She figured out how to open them while Bennett sat down in his chair, watching her. The view was startling. Like nothing Clover had ever seen before. She could see over the tops of all the trees and buildings and houses below. The gray concave curve of the wall cut a line between the relatively manicured occupied part of Reno and the wilder area beyond.
    If the window were on the other side of the building, Clover would have been able to see the farms. As it was, she could just make out the gate, standing wide open. Two people, as small as ants, milled near it. “Are there just two guards at the gate?”
    Bennett came to stand beside her. She felt his breath blow over her head and took a giant side step away from him.
    “Yes,” he said.
    “All this work, to build the wall, and the gate is left open with just two guards?”
    Bennett smiled slowly when she looked at him. She tried to place the look that swept over his scarred face. Irritation? Maybe pride. She couldn’t be sure. “Waverly-Stead has helped build America into a country where the virus and violent crime, are a thing of the past. Who would want to leave their city?”
    Clover’s brow furrowed as she thought about what she knew of the walls. “They weren’t built to keep people in.”
    “That’s right. And there is no one to keep out anymore.”
    “I really have to go home,” Clover said.
    “After your first trip through the portal, you will. I’ll make sure your brother gets word.”
    “Mr. Kingston said I could work at the farm with West.”
    Kingston’s forehead wrinkled. “I would be personally offended if you were wasted with the dirt slingers.”

chapter 5
     
    Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.
    —JOHN F. KENNEDY, INAUGURAL ADDRESS, JANUARY 20, 1961
     
     
    Bennett led Clover and Mango outside, across a courtyard, and behind the main building to a tower so tall that Clover had to lean back and crane her neck to see the top.
    They entered a small lobby on the first floor, at the end of which was another bank of elevators. Overhead, Clover saw a giant chandelier that matched the one she’d seen in the main building. At least on this one, the bulbs were unlit. Gas lamps attached to the walls cast a soft, flickering glow instead.
    “What is this place?” Clover asked.
    “The first three floors hold the offices for the Mariner and guard units,” Bennett said. “The next two are our physical training facilities, and then the barracks up to the top.”
    This elevator didn’t have any mirrors. Just brass handrails and cream and muted pink candy-striped wallpaper that looked to be about as old as the building itself.
    Bennett pushed the number seven button and then let his hand fall on her shoulder.
    “Please don’t do that,” she said, sidestepping away.
    Bennett dropped his hand to