Free All We See or Seem by Leah Sanders

Dad was definitely coming downstairs.
    One last glance — he needed enough information to do some follow-up later — and Aaron returned the papers carefully to their place and closed the safe gently. Then tip-toeing out of the office, he skulked up in the front stairs and snuck safely back into his room.
    *** *
    Endfield Replacement Organ Management Institute – Was that all? His father had mentioned a replacement. Maybe Aaron had had an organ transplant because of the accident. Seemed strange they wouldn’t have told him about something like that.
    Things were not adding up.
    It did make sense his father would have such an insurance policy, and it made sense the general would also deem his family important enough to cover. But there were so many details that seemed hidden unnecessarily. What were they not telling him?

 
    Chapter Twelve
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    Gem trusted Ms. Birger. It seemed she was the only one who would tell her the truth, and ever since their first meeting a few days ago, Gem had started to notice all the other Endfield personnel seemed to be hiding something.
    Even Aria was strangely quiet — maybe even avoiding Gem. She would smile when they met in the dormitory hall and speak to Gem like always, but there was a sad glint in her eyes and something she didn’t want to say lurking in the silence between them.
    For Gem, everyone was suspect now.
    The way the food service staff looked at her, the ever-distant clinical staff, even the recreational staff seemed to see something she did not. And perhaps it was only her imagination, but they seemed to be amused, as if laughing at her. It was a new experience. Gem didn’t like it.
    This morning she had received instructions to go to Clinic-M again. It was twice in three days. Since a pregnancy assignment was new to Gem, she didn’t know what to expect or whether or not this was normal. However, she was required to follow all instructions, and she did not want to let anyone suspect how much she knew.
    Gem was met at the front desk by Ms. Birger, who immediately ushered Gem into her office and away from the scornful glower of the desk attendant.
    â€œGood morning, Gemini. Please, sit down.” Ms. Birger motioned to a soft, gray chair near the table. Gem sat uneasily and waited for Ms. Birger to explain what the meeting was about.
    â€œFirst of all, you should know these meetings are normal for any female in your position. I was assigned to your case, so I am expected to meet with you regularly and monitor your progress.”
    She was writing on a small piece of paper as she spoke. Gem had never seen anyone write on paper before. Endfield staff used touch-screen, handheld devices. The rest of the community recorded information by speaking into their monitors.
    Ms. Birger finished scribbling her note and slipped it into her own pocket while she continued speaking. “There are several changes to your daily routine. We can accomplish two things at once if we discuss the changes while we go for a walk.”
    It wasn’t a question, and Ms. Birger pushed back from the desk and stood abruptly. Gem stood also, turned to the door and followed her out of the office, down the hall, and out the back door of Clinic-M.
    It opened onto a well-manicured garden, surrounded by a cobblestone path. Gem inhaled the sweet fragrance of the flowers and closed her eyes momentarily.
    â€œBeautiful, isn’t it?” Ms. Birger broke into Gem’s solitude. “This is one of my favorite things about my clinic assignment. Most of the other clinic posts do not allow for any outdoor recreation.”
    Gem had never considered what the Endfield staff did outside of their clinics. It was a strange idea. She looked at Ms. Birger. “I’ve never thought of it before.”
    Ms. Birger glanced at Gem questioningly. “What’s that?”
    â€œThe clinicians. How they see things.”
    They stepped onto the path and began walking at a