Eversummer: The Forerunner Archives Book 1 by J. Rock

  26.

  My first reaction is: how the hells hadn't I seen this before?

  "Did you know about this?" I ask Traylor, pointing.

  Traylor shakes his head, turning back toward the Manse, dead grass crunching under his sandaled feet. "No, I... I guess..."

  "We kept you on the far side of the house," Tien explains as if he is deeply ashamed. “So you wouldn’t see it.”

  "Yeah, I guess that's right," Traylor nods. "I never noticed."

  I turn back toward the grassy plain.

  Before us stands a massive metallic dome, rising out of the landscape like a bubble. Like a maggot. 

  "This is where they experimented on us," Tien explains. My heart sinks, my suspicions about this place confirmed. This isn't a school for mutants. It's a school where humans could learn about mutants–by doing things to them.

  I shudder and feel the tears welling up.

  "I'm so sorry, Tien," I say, taking his cold, pale hands in my own. His eyes meet mine for once, and I see a surprising amount of compassion within. Humanity. He eyes me like he loves me. 

  And, I have to admit, that doesn't feel like a bad thing.

  "Would you like to see it?" Tien asks, gesturing toward the dome.

  I'm stunned, having trouble finding words. "I... I..."

  "Hells, yes!" Traylor bellows, eyes wide.

  "Traylor!" I scowl at the boy, mortified. "I don't think that–"

  "JUNO! TRAYLOR!"

  We all whirl to the left, stunned by a new voice.

  I almost faint.

  It's Ursa!

  "Gods you two!" the woman screams. "Am I glad to see you! I need help! NOW!"

  Ursa is drenched in blood.