The Institution: A Young Adult Dystopian Series (Sacrisvita Book 1) Read online

  THE INSTITUTION

  SACRISVITA BOOK I

  Dylan Steel

  THE INSTITUTION: SACRISVITA BOOK I

  Dylan Steel

  Heritage Publishing

  Copyright © 2016

  www.DylanSteel.com

  Cover design by Flappy Dog Designs.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places, and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  ALSO BY DYLAN STEEL

  1. THE CITY

  2. ORIENTATION

  3. BEST BEHAVIOR

  4. THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

  5. THE TOUR

  6. THE CLEANSING

  7. FOUNDERS’ DAY

  8. BOKJA

  9. THE CENTER

  10. VANDALIZED

  11. THE EXAM

  12. GRADUATION

  13. PLACEMENTS

  READ MORE BY DYLAN STEEL

  ALSO BY DYLAN STEEL

  Sacrisvita

  THE INSTITUTION: Sacrisvita Book I

  THE ARCHIVES: Sacrisvita Book II

  THE RELIC: Sacrisvita Book III

  ***

  For the most updated list of Dylan’s books, visit www.DylanSteel.com.

  Join Dylan’s Insiders Club and be the first to know when her next book is out! Plus, get an exclusive prequel scene to Sacrisvita.

  1. THE CITY

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea.” His gray-brown hair shook back and forth as he spoke. “It’s too risky. Someone could recognize you.”

  His companion smiled gently, her green eyes showing signs of weariness. “I know, Ethan. But we don’t really have a choice, do we?”

  The pair paused to watch the little girl nearby chase a butterfly. Her dark hair and bright eyes made her the perfect miniature version of the watchful adults. She zigzagged across wet cobblestones and pounced on the small patch of grass the butterfly had taken refuge in. A giant grin spread over her face as she peeked inside her hands at the brightly winged creature she had captured. She ran over to her parents and stuck out her arms.

  “See it?” she asked proudly.

  “It’s very pretty, Sage,” her mother smiled. “What are you going to do with it?”

  Sage pulled her arms back and peered at the little life in her hands. “Well…” she started, “I want to keep it… Can I?”

  Her father bent down to her level. “What will it eat?”

  “I don’t know.” Her nose crinkled.

  “Well, do you think the butterfly knows what it eats?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Everything has to eat. Do you think anyone has been helping it eat?” her father prodded.

  “No.” Sage’s face fell. “I have to let it go, don’t I?”

  “I think the butterfly would be sad if it couldn’t be free. And it probably wouldn’t live very long if it couldn’t eat.”

  “Ok,” she sighed heavily. She gingerly picked her way across the stones and sat down on a dry patch of gravel, holding the butterfly carefully for a moment more before whispering at it and opening her hands. Its vibrant wings lingered for a few seconds but disappeared quickly over the bridge. Sage turned her attention to the very serious work of collecting unique stones.

  Ethan stood up, his eyes begging. “I’ll go. I can meet Charles in town and be back in a couple hours.”

  “It’s safer for me to go, and you know it. I have a little advantage.” She grinned and brushed her hand against her tightening shirt.

  He sighed. There was no sense in arguing with her. He was far too well known to show his face in town, and his wife’s pregnancy immediately put her into a protected class.

  “Just please hurry, ok? Don’t make me come looking for you.”

  She smiled. “Don’t worry.”

  “I love you, Isabelle.”

  “No goodbyes, Ethan. You know that.” She narrowed her eyes at him in reproach and then softened her expression. “I’ll see you soon. Don’t let Sage get into too much trouble while I’m gone.” She smirked and began walking toward town.

  Ethan took a step back and found himself holding his breath as he watched his wife’s mud-colored skirt disappear behind the remnants of the old stone bridge. She was incredibly strong, not to mention breathtaking.

  He remembered how jealous his classmates had been when they were paired together seventeen years earlier. The look of excitement on his new bride’s face when they walked into their first tiny apartment. The way she held Sage lovingly after so many hours of hard work and pain. The confidence she displayed when they made the decision to leave the home they had built together. The newest child they were expecting. His life had been hard, yes, but so, so good.

  As the morning wore on, doubts plagued him. How was his wife doing in town? Had she met Charles yet? Had she been recognized? Did she have the package? Had she run into Lyle? At that last thought, an icy chill ran down his spine. He tried to stop worrying, but the worst case scenarios continued playing in his mind.

  The sound of childish chatter eventually shook him from his thoughts. Sage had found a bit of chalk and thought it was high time the stone faces started talking about their problems with each other. They really had been avoiding each other for too long, and after all, Stone Harold hadn’t really meant to stomp on Stone Bridget—it was Sage’s fault for throwing him so recklessly in her direction. Sage apologized to Stone Bridget, who apologized to Stone Harold. Stone Carla was beginning to feel left out, so Sage told her that she and Stone Bridget could pick wildflowers together.

  Ethan grinned. He stooped over, grabbed a rock, and tossed it near his daughter. She jumped in surprise, ordered the stones to wait where they were, and came skipping over.

  “Hi, Daddy.”

  “Hey there, kid. Is everyone behaving themselves over there?”

  “Well, sort of. They weren’t, but they’re getting along much better now.”

  “That’s good,” he nodded his head seriously.

  “Yeah,” Sage paused. “Where’s Mommy?”

  “She needed to get something from town. She’ll be back soon and—” Ethan stopped himself and looked around. The sun was higher in the sky now. She should have been back by now. Something must have gone wrong. “Actually, Sage, I forgot I was supposed to meet her.”

  “Oh? Are we going into town?”

  “No, hon, sorry, just me.”

  “Oh.” Her shoulders dropped.

  “Don’t worry, I won’t be gone long.”

  “Ok,” she said sadly and then screwed up her face in protest. “But I never get to go into town!”

  “I know it doesn’t seem fair, but you know it’s not safe.”

  “I know,” she sighed dramatically. “But I still want to go.”

  “I know.” Ethan’s face grew very stern. “What are the rules?”

  “Stay out of sight. Hide if I see someone. And find the meeting tree in the forest before it gets dark.”

  “And…?”

  She pursed her lips together. “And don’t go into town. I know, Daddy.”

  “Good job.” He bent down and hugged her. “I’ll be back as fast as I can. Make sure those rocks behave, ok? I love you.”

  She squirmed under his tight grip. “Daaaaaddy! No goodbyes. Mom always says,” she scolded.

  “You’re right.�
� He straightened up and forced a jovial grin. “Off I go!” He turned and began walking toward town. His stride was steady until he got out of his daughter’s line of sight, but he quickened his pace as soon as he was sure he wouldn’t worry her.

  Sage meandered back over to her stones. The bit of chalk she had procured had fallen into a puddle and disintegrated while they had been talking. That was unfortunate. But her stomach was beginning to rumble, so she abandoned the search for more chalk in favor of a search for berries.

  Wild strawberries and blueberries sprawled in abundance just on the edge of the forest, so she filled her belly quickly. She rubbed her stained hands in the grass and absentmindedly ran the back of her fist along her mouth. “Ow!” She had forgotten about her bracelet and managed to forcefully rake it across her face.

  She plopped down on the grass and rolled over onto her back. She traced the shape of each cloud with her finger and was delighted to see a bird and an alligator and even a giant strawberry today. A sigh escaped her lips. Being alone was boring when everyone else was having fun in town.

  Two twigs snapped behind the tree line in quick succession. She sat bolt upright and scrambled to her feet, sprinting toward the bridge. She didn’t waste time looking behind her until she found a hiding spot. Peering into the trees, she couldn’t decide if she was imagining someone there or if she was just seeing a crooked tree. Her heart was pounding. If someone were hiding in the trees, her parents would be spotted when they returned. And that was the only path she could remember to get to the meeting tree. Would they be mad if she went into town to protect them? If she had already been seen, leaving would be safer.

  She took a deep breath and looked in the direction of town. Just go, she thought. She stood quickly, turned, and sprinted across the rocks and past a large hill. Certain she had heard more noise coming from the woods as soon as she left her hiding spot, she didn’t stop running until she got within sight of the town. Her sides ached, and her lungs burned, but she couldn’t see anyone following her. She ducked behind several abandoned buildings on the outskirts and tried to catch her breath as she got her bearings.

  The town walls towered above her. Its shadow engulfed Sage as she approached it. She looked around and saw people milling about everywhere inside with only the occasional important-looking mounted horse coming and going.

  As another horse clopped its way through the tall, iron city gates, she ducked behind it and entered the city unnoticed. Sage walked past the different buildings in wonder. Some looked quite extravagant—they were littered with statues and moldings and large windows and fountains and had impressive courtyards. Glamorous titles announced that they were official government buildings. Dignitary of the Peace. The Cabinet of the People. The Office of City Beautification. Not more than a few streets away, however, the view was quite different. Similarly tall buildings were crammed together with long lines of tiny windows and rows of numbers outside of a single door.

  Sage was so enamored with the new sights that she nearly forgot why she had come in the first place. This place wasn’t scary or dangerous—it was exciting and beautiful! She hurried along, scolding herself for being distracted and reminding herself to look for her parents and not at the buildings. As she hurried along the street, she avoided making eye contact with the adults around her, so she didn’t notice the strange glances she was getting.

  The noise. She’d never heard so much noise. People talking, horses clacking and whinnying and snorting, the whir of factories a few streets over—all of it was much louder than the crickets and toads in the woods. In fact, there seemed to be something exciting going on at the corner between two shops. A crowd of people were huddled together, all talking over one another, with more people joining the conversation every few seconds.

  “Did you see what happened?”

  “That guy threw a punch. Knocked him flat.”

  “Did you see the other guy?”

  “What happened to the lady?”

  “I heard someone say she was trying to break it up.”

  “I guess one of ‘em didn’t like that.”

  Sage was having trouble seeing what all the fuss was about. Pushing her way partway through the crowd, she tripped over a woman’s heels and fell.

  “Shouldn’t she be in school?” The woman’s voice rang out loudly through the crowd.

  “You know, you’re right, Georgia,” her friend clucked in agreement. “She certainly doesn’t look like she’s got a private tutor. Look at how dirty her clothes are.”

  “Officer, officer! I believe we have a truant!” The first woman shouted, grabbing at Sage’s arm and yanking her to her feet.

  “Ow! Let go!” Sage protested, squirming.

  “OFFICER!” Georgia bellowed as she dug her nails deeper into Sage’s arm and motioned for one of the officers in the center of the crowd. Sage yelped and stomped on the woman’s foot. She immediately released her grip and grabbed her foot as she hopped in pain.

  The officer was already making his way towards her through the crowd. Several hands were now reaching for her as she tried to break free of the crowd. She managed to slip out of the way and could just see the end of the crowd when a strong hand fell on her shoulder and knocked her backwards. She stumbled to the ground. As she scrambled to her feet, another set of arms caught her around her middle and squeezed. She desperately gulped for breath as she watched the officer pull out his cuffs. He slapped one side down on her wrist and the other on his own. Her heart sank.

  “No, no, let go!” she pleaded.

  The officer ignored her and hollered over the crowd, “Hank, you got this?”

  “Sure, Ty, Beautification’s already been called.”

  Sage looked back at the other officer. Her vision was blurring through tears, but she caught a glimpse through the crowd. A man was sitting on the sidewalk holding his jaw with a blood-stained hand. She could just make out two other people on the ground. One was wearing a brown skirt and the other was a man with dark peppered hair.

  “Mommy! Daddy!” she screamed as the officer tugged at her arm.

  “Quiet, kid, don’t be stupid,” the officer admonished her.

  She tried to pull against him and run back into the center of the crowd, but he was too strong. He continued walking in the other direction, pulling her along. When she went limp, he picked her up. When she flailed and kicked him, he set her back down and issued a stern warning that he would knock her out if he had to, but she was coming with him.

  She bit a quivering lip. Tears stung her eyes as she struggled to keep up. Now she was scarcely aware of her surroundings.

  After what seemed like hours, they stepped through a revolving door and into one of the buildings she had seen earlier. Gold letters scrolling across the entryway read “Dignitary of the Peace.” It didn’t seem nearly so glamorous now. Or peaceful.

  “Where are we going?” she sniffed.

  The officer ignored her as he marched past the front desk and stepped through another door. He pulled her next to a bench and paused for a moment to unlatch his wrist. He slapped the empty cuff on the bench, leaving Sage attached. “Wait here,” he ordered with a smirk and walked away.

  Sage looked around the room and saw about a dozen other officers walking in and out, studying screens, paying little attention to her. She gave a halfhearted tug on the cuffs. She knew she was trapped. She climbed onto the bench and brought her knees to her chest, wrapped her free arm around them, and buried her head while her shoulders shook with sobs.

  She felt her free wrist being grabbed, and she looked up to see that the officer had returned and was inspecting her bracelet. He was using a device that looked like a small platinum egg to scan it. The egg emitted a sharp beep. He whistled. “Well, now, isn’t that something. Who are you, kid?”

  Not waiting for an answer, he immediately turned and walked back to his desk. Sage rubbed her eyes with the back of her wrist. She stood on her tiptoes to try to see what the officer was doing across t
he room, but he was too far away. He paced the four feet in front of his screen a few times, mumbled something, and grabbed an extra chair from the empty desk next to him. He looked back over his shoulder at his small captive. Staring at his screen for a moment more, he turned and walked back toward her.

  Sage shrank back as he approached.

  “I’m going to let you out of these,” he said, jerking his thumb at the handcuffs. “But if you run, they’re going right back on. You won’t make it out that door anyways. Understand?”

  She nodded slowly.

  “Ok.” He pocketed the cuffs as Sage rubbed her wrist. “Now, come with me.” They walked to his desk, and he pointed to the extra chair he had just pulled over. “Sit.”

  She obeyed silently.

  “Where did you get this?” he asked, grabbing her wrist as he dug through his drawer.

  “My parents,” she whispered.

  He shook his head. “Tell the truth.”

  “I am.” Sage clenched her teeth, anger beginning to replace fear.

  The officer stopped rummaging and held up a tool. “Hold still,” he commanded. He placed a prong on each edge of the bracelet and pressed a button on the handle. The bracelet split in two and tumbled off her wrist. As he reached out to catch it, he watched it disintegrate into a fine powder and slip through his fingers. “What the—” He raised an eyebrow at Sage but stopped when he saw the confusion on her face as well.

  “What did you do?” she asked.

  He glared at her. “You said your parents gave you that?”

  “Yes. I told you that. What did you do to my bracelet?”

  “And where are they now?” he pressed, ignoring her question.

  “They—” she bit her lip and tried unsuccessfully to fight back the tears.

  “Were they with you when I picked you up? In the crowd?”

  She nodded.

  “What are their names? What do they look like?”

  “They—” she paused again and bravely tried to continue. “I think they were on the ground.”