Free Luminosity by Stephanie Thomas Page B

drawn to me. When he sees that I’ve noticed his stare, he glances away, and a blush quickly follows. I pretend I didn’t see it, but I feel the same blush warm my stomach from the inside, and I glance away too.
    “Let’s go, or we are going to be late. Brandon will never forgive us.” Gabe speaks to no one in particular and starts walking. We follow him, Mae half skipping, Connie chewing on her candy, and me hoping Gabe will look at me like that again.
    The closer we get to the Meeting Room, the larger the crowd becomes. We funnel through the doors, and the anxiety of my Vision comes rushing back, seizing me. I stop a moment and the people behind me crash into my frozen form. A few swear at me, which draws Connie’s attention.
    “Are you coming, Bea? Let’s go! We want to get a good place to stand.” Connie pulls my hand and drags me into the room. I have no choice but to follow.
    We push and shove our way to the front of the standing area. Huge screens have been set up so everyone can see the proceedings, even if they can’t see the stage. I find I am not the only one looking around, though. Everyone takes note of the armored and machine gun carrying Watchmen who are stationed on the catwalks and the second floor landing. Their guns are held close to their chests, at ease, but every one of them is on alert.
    “What is all this for?” Mae’s previous sunny nature is dampened, and the brightness that warmed her features begins to fade.
    “It’s because of Beatrice,” Gabe notes flatly. The truth stings me, and I feel it in my bones. It is because of me; it has to be.
    “Because of Beatrice?”
    “Please don’t say that too loudly.” I notice a few glances shot in my direction from the people around me. Some even back away, perhaps afraid that they’ll be shot if the Watchmen have to open fire.
    Mae repeats in a whisper, “Because of Bea?”
    “Yes. Remember her last Vision?” Gabe continues, despite my request to keep it quiet. Others are listening, though they pretend not to. “The Keeper probably called the Watchmen here, just in case. After all, we are all gathered in one place…just like we were in her Vision.”
    With a mouthful of candy, Connie adds, “But we were all dead in her Vision.”
    A pause.
    Gabe points to the Watchmen. “And that is why they are here. To keep that from happening.”
    If the other Seers didn’t know about my Vision before, they certainly will now. Like ripples of water, they begin to whisper to one another and the story spreads outward until everyone looks a bit panicked.
    “Great, Gabe,” I mutter, but before I can say anything more, the Keeper steps out onto the stage and to her podium. She is also dressed in white, and her hair has been intricately curled and pinned up. Her gown is so long it drags on the floor behind her, looking as if her feet aren’t touching the ground when she walks. The effect almost makes her look pretty.
    Then there is her raven, a stark contrast against her white gown. The black bird caws loudly and stretches his wings out to an impressive span. Pushing off her shoulder, he flies to a wooden perch that has been set up by the edge of the stage.
    “Welcome, everyone, to the Seeing Ceremony.” When the Keeper speaks, she uses her arms and gestures in long, graceful motions. She reminds me of a giant bird when she does this, especially in her flowing skirts, which continue to settle about her, like ruffled feathers returning to their natural state.
    “Today we are here to mark Seer Brandon, Seer Lacey, and Seer Emelia as full Seers. They have earned their wings after their diligent dedication and intense studies. In keeping with our Code, they’ve successfully reported their Visions to me, their Keeper, and I’ve deemed the clarity of those Visions to be acceptable.”
    On the large projection screen, I watch as the camera zooms in on Brandon’s chubby cheeks as they pull back into a wide smile. He’s scanning the crowd for us, but