The Remedy Files: Illusion Read Free

intelligent person in our class, she hasn’t dedicated herself to her work studies and made it pretty clear that if she had a choice, she wouldn’t choose that future.
    Flipping her long, curly ponytail to the side with overly dramatic flair, she says, “I have been busy with other things.” then joins me in laughter. We both know Ethan is the sum of those “other things”.
    “You know if they pull me in for more tests, no matter what the outcome, they’re not going to want me to take part in the reproduction of the future of Impetus. I will be deemed as ultimately and hopelessly diseased.”
    Jacqueline snorts in response as she shifts her weight from one foot to another. “We’re all a little diseased in some way or another, right?”
    That’s one of Gavin’s favorite lines. So for a moment, her comment makes me think she knows everything I do- that our knowledge about the truths of reality is finally equal. She knows Gavin, and all the things we talk about and the same lies of Impetus have been revealed to her too. I have wanted to talk to her about all of this badly for so long that I almost respond with, “I wonder if the other communities operate like this” but she cuts me off before I can open my mouth.
    “You probably just need an adjustment to your Remedy dosage. It may not be a bad thing.” She shrugs casually and that’s when I realize that regrettably, she doesn’t know any different. She only knows what Impetus has told her which means no other communities exist. That’s the problem with me having a separate life. Sometimes it’s hard to keep them both straight. I have a best friend in two different lives that I can’t blend.
    Jacqueline is probably right about the dosage increase, though. I take two pills three times a day as it is. Jacqueline and I compared pills side by side once before and mine are slightly bigger than the ones she’s required to take which was the result of the last round of tests that were performed on me. They will no doubt make an adjustment to my doses or pill sizes again since that seems to be their quick solution to everything.
    What’s worst than me not sleeping in the eyes of Impetus, is that when I do sleep, I dream. We’re not supposed to dream. Remedy prevents it. Ever since I met Gavin the dreams started and most are as though I live in The Before with feelings again. I can’t tell anyone that, though. I don’t know how to begin to describe it or understand what it means. I haven’t even told Gavin.
    ***
    I am running. The slapping of my feet against the wet leaves seems to echo from one tree to the next. The sun’s rays are reflecting the water on the leaves, making the ground look like an endless shimmery brown lake. My feet slip on every other step but I quickly regain my balance and continue to run. My heavy breathing makes white puffs of air appear and disappear in front of me. There’s a murmur of a whistle. Could that be a bird singing? No, it couldn’t be a bird. They left a long time ago. Just in time. Just before they were killed off like everything else. I’m one of the last to survive.
    Run, Evangeline. I have to keep running.
    My legs are beginning to tire but my lungs have strength. I have done this many times before. I know I can do this. I just have to go faster than last time. I run off the path and weave in and out between the trees, making crazy eight figures around several groupings at once. My mind is telling me this will keep me safe. They will have a harder time tracking me. But my heart tells me it doesn’t matter; they’re going to find me no matter what. A part of me wants to believe this is a game; the other part screams that my life is in great danger. 
    I hear a faint rumbling sound some distance behind me. In time, the ground begins to vibrate- a tremble at first that almost feels as though the earth is rolling under my feet. Then it grows into a ferocious quake as the rumbling noise grows louder in a wordless battle