Elevated (Book 1): Elevated Read Online Free PDF Page A

younger kids fight over a tiny slide, the one source of entertainment in what is supposed to pass as a play area.
    I pity the kids. Last time I sat in a room like this, I waited for my aunt. feeling bored senseless. Especially after Mom snatched some crayons away from me out of fear I’d mark up something.
    DING!
    The room is silent. A wave of energy sweeps the room as everyone focuses on the status screen. It flashes a phoenix flying by and updates some of the members.
    A533, A535 – Cancelled
    There’s a gasp from the room. Cancellations are rare, and usually mean you were diagnosed with a life threatening disease or something. Few would choose to be a Basic nowadays.
    I wonder what Shelly is doing right now.
    DING!
    The screen updates again.
    A534 – Stable
    I breathe a sigh of relief for Zach.
    A man with the build of an overfed football player pumps his fist into the air. “Told ya he’d get his status fast! Knew he had it in him!”
    It’s Zach’s father. Fast statuses usually mean a desired ability. The quicker you can tell, the more obvious the ability. With few exceptions, obvious abilities equal the most marketable. Even a freakish ability can earn one fame through television or live performances. Maybe Zach will be a Jumper.
    DING!
    The screen updates again. The crowd rustles and I force a peak through an elbow to see the next group of statuses. A507, A508, A513, A515, A516, A518, A519, A520, A524, A527, A528, A532 all show “undetermined.”
    Poor Lillia.
    The dozens of anxious parents moan and sigh. Based on the numbers, some of them have been here for hours, waiting to hear if their children are destined for greatness or will scrape by like everyone else. I can’t help but overhear a woman next to me. She’s caressing her husband’s back, his face buried in his hands.
    “You didn’t discover your ability until you lost your arm. Lillia will be fine George.”
    George struggles with his words. “She deserves more. More than me. Waiting ten years, watching others run, swim, fly. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”
    Their eyes stay fixed on the screen, holding back tears, staying strong for each other. I follow their lead and turn to the screen. I can’t imagine how they must feel. Anyone could go mad waiting in a stifling room like this, listening to the blend of easy listening music and whining kids.
    Elliott’s number still isn’t up. I can’t say why I’m so concerned. We just met. But he’d been so happy. He deserves to be rewarded by a system he defended so strongly.
    DING!
    The screen flashes again. A536. Lungs tightening, I scan over to his status:
    Undetermined
    Crap.
    My shoulders fall. After the excitement, Elliott is going to be at best average. At worst a Lesser.
    A voice comes over the loudspeaker system, interrupting a calm saxophone solo. “Attention please! GEMO subjects A505-A536 will receive a 15-minute break. Undetermined subjects should remain behind the safety line.”
    When my aunt received her treatment, I became very acquainted with the safety line. The line meant danger. She had to stay behind where we couldn’t hug or even touch. I panicked that she would be taken away like Dad. In the end, a power didn’t turn up, and they released her. She refused to say much to us after that day. I’m not even sure where she lives now.
    The doors open and a group of GEMO subjects exit. The stable subjects hurry beyond the safety line and into the arms of their parents. The burly man scoops Zach into a bear hug, which jostles his jacket open, revealing his new wings. Feathers of blue and orange accent his dark skin beautifully.
    “Wow, Son! Give ‘em a good flap!” he says.
    Hard to believe the quiet student next to me in History class is now a Flier. I shake my head. Now girls everywhere will chase him like a rock star. This is the crazy world of GEMO.
    Zach blushes and closes his jacket tight as if undressed. “Dad! I still have to go to training. Until then, no