You guys are amazing. Seriously. I don't understand how you guys can stay so loyal when I'm so busy and don't update in forever. Thanks so much for being wonderful fans! I've been constantly reading your reviews begging me to update, so I finally had a chance too.
This chapter was a little difficult. I tried to write what I honestly think Zach was feeling. There's a little reference to book 4 at the end, in case you haven't read it. But it doesn't give anything away. Please review and tell me what you think, or if you don't have time to review just enjoy reading. But, if you have a chance, I'd love to hear from you guys.
Thanks a million!
"Lies," Mr. Solomon began the next morning as we walked into the classroom.
I took my seat and listened.
"We tell them to our friends. We tell them to our enemies. And eventually... We tell them to ourselves. "
He turned to write on the board.
"A lie is typically accompanied by what physical symptoms, Ms. Lee?" Joe asked.
"Dilated pupils, increased pulse, and atypical mannerisms, " Kim Lee blurted.
I sighed, this was just a review. These girls learned from textbooks and lectures, I learned from living. But I respected Joe enough to keep listening. He knew what he was talking about.
"Spies tell lies, ladies and gentlemen, but that's not what today is about. Today, is about how to spot them. Now, a seasoned operative, will know how to control their pulse and voice," he glanced at me and I nodded.
Let's just say that I am pretty good at lying. I mean, it is my life. Joe continued.
"But for the purpose of today's lesson, I think these will come in handy," he handed all of us little colorful rings.
Oh goodness. Why did Joe just hand me a mood ring? Culture and Assimilation, dances, mood rings, what next? I thought Joe, of all people, wouldn't go crazy at this school. I'm leaving if someone takes out a Barbie. No questions, I'm hopping the wall.
"Dr. Fibs has been kind enough to share these prototypes of a new portable voice-stress analyzer he's developing," Joe continued.
"It's equipped with a microchip that will monitor a person's voice, and if they are lying, it will vibrate very softly, alerting the wearer to the lie."
Okay, so Joe hasn't turned to the dark side. Well, I guess in my world it's all the dark side. But, he hasn't turned over to the… pink, glitter, tea parties (not the revolutionary type), and jewelry side. I grabbed a ring as they went around the class. I will say that Gallagher had some pretty cool gadgets. Although, can't they make them boy friendly? I mean, it would be a little weird if I was wearing a mood ring on a mission. Joe was still talking so I decided to tune back in.
"And the rings can be fooled, with training. For example, ask me a question, Ms. Walters-any question."
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
I rolled my eyes. Yeah, classes here were a little different than Blackthorne. Of all the questions.
Joe bit back a smile and said calmly, "No."
I promise you, I saw about ten girls sigh with relief. It was disgusting. The ring didn't vibrate.
"Nothing. It didn't do anything. So it's true?" Tina asked hesitantly.
I smiled. It was never that easy in real life.
"Ask me again," Joe prompted.
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"Yes."
Tina looked down in bewilderment at the ring in her hand. She shook it as if it had fallen asleep. I guess I was the only one who knew just how good Joe was.
"It's not broken, Ms. Walters. It's just not as good detecting lies as I am at telling them," he explained.
Cammie quickly glanced at me and turned her head away again when she realized I saw her looking.
"Partner with the person across from you. Watch their eyes, pay attention to their voice. And see if you can guess who's lying," Joe continued.
I didn't even need to turn to see who was across from me. I had the feeling that this wasn't an accident. I would get Joe later for this. I turned to Cammie with a smile. Might as well enjoy it.
"Oh, this should be fun."
She seemed to be racking her brain for ways to get out of this but after a minute she sighed and scrutinized me with the ring on her hand.
"What is your name?" she asked seriously, her brows furrowing deeply.
"Zach."
"What's your full name?"
"That's a pretty boring question, Gallagher Girl," I commented.
"Zach!"
"Yes, that's correct," I laughed.
I grabbed her right hand gently.
"See- not lying."
She watched me intently for a minute.
"Where were you during the Code Black?"
I smiled.
"That's better."
"Answer the-"
"I was with you. Remember?"
I leaned over the desk to watch her face better.
"My turn," I grinned.
"Did you have fun last night?"
Why I asked that question, I'll never know. It just popped out before I had a chance to stop it.
"Zach, I really don't think that's what Mr. Solomon is going for with this particular exercise," she mumbled, a blush rising to her face.
"I'll take that as a yes. We should really do it again sometime," I told her.
She glanced quickly at the ring, but it didn't vibrate. Then she cleared her throat and continued.
"Where are you from?"
"The Blackthorne Institute for Boys," I sang, growing bored of these dull questions.
"What do your parents do?"
My breath was trapped in my throat. I didn't move. Such a normal question. But, my answer was anything but normal. Images of mom and dad flooded through my brain.
I hurriedly tried to collect my thoughts before I gave anything anyway. I straightened my notebook and took a deep breath.
"What do you think they do?" I tried to ask nonchalantly.
"They were CIA?" she gently whispered, attempting to understand my reaction.
"Used to be," I replied.
She didn't say anything. She just looked at me sadly.
Maybe she thought that I was like her. Maybe she thought that I had lost a wonderful, good parent who had died while trying to save the country. But my family story was nothing like hers.
Evil ran through my veins.
I tried to ignore it, deny it, forget it. But, it was there. Flowing just beneath my skin. There was nothing I could do. I could pretend to be innocent or try to fight for the good cause. But no matter what I tried to do, I couldn't deny it any longer.
I was evil.