Elevated (Book 1): Elevated Read Online Free PDF

wings.”
    “Fine,” the father says. Then he leans down and whispers, “I know a quiet field where we can practice.”
    Probably making plans to train at night at Fowler’s Grove. I catch novice Fliers practicing at night when I go out to see the glowdaisies. They pick a few to use as beacons since their light is visible from the air.
    Subjects keep pouring out of the doorway. Stable ones come first. They race and skip into the waiting room. Next, come the cautious steps of the Undetermined.
    “You’re doing great, Lillia!” George calls out to his daughter, a girl with flowing black hair and smoky eyes.
    She manages a little wave, but it’s clear she’s not having a good day. Behind her, a boy in a chocolate fedora inches out. He stands right behind the safety line.
    “Elliott!” I call out.
    An older woman staggers over to meet him. I’m not sure what I’m doing here. This is a time for families to get together. Share hugs, exchange tears. I don’t even know him that well. I’m about to leave when he waves me over. As I walk towards him, the woman steps right over the line and wraps him in her arms.
     “Grandma,” he says. “You’re supposed to stay over the line.”
    She laughs. “And what do you suppose they’ll do, shoot me? At my age, I can afford to take my chances. Don’t need them telling me what to do.”
    After a quick squeeze, he breaks the hug and gestures towards me. “Grandma, this is Rose. I met her in line.”
    Her face lights up. “Met her in line? And out already? You must be one of the lucky ones.”
    She gives me a wink.
    I feel pale. “No I—”
    “She’s undetermined,” Elliott says. “Like me.”
    “Don’t let that get you down. Abilities emerge late sometimes. But you know that,” she says.
    Elliott sighs. “Only hope I’m not stuck here for weeks.”
    “How long did it take for your uncle?” I ask.
    “My uncle?”
    “The Spitter.”
    Elliott frowns. “I thought we moved on from that.”
    “Elliott. You didn’t tell her about Uncle Hubert did you?” his grandmother asks.
    “Yeah, it, he, it came up, ok?” he says.
    I want to curl up into a ball.
    His grandmother puffs up her chest. “You did make sure to mention your parents and the tremendous success they achieved, right? I’m sure Elliott has the same Ford family potential. Hubert always was a pesky little scrawny thing.”
    “Grandma,” he says.
    “Sorry dear, but I’m an honest woman. He was so pitiful a ceiling fan could knock him over.”
    “Grandma, do you need to—”
    “None of us were entirely surprised when he turned out, how shall I say, disappointing? But there’s a failed bud in every rose bush. That’s why I told you, Elliott, ‘Stop worrying. You aren’t going to end up a Lesser.’”
    Elliott face indicates he’d rather be anywhere else. “Grandma!”
    A monotone voice silences the room. “Attention please! We ask that all Undetermined please return to the test centers at this time. Thank you for your cooperation.”
    Elliott smiles, probably relieved to be getting out of this conversation. “Ok, test time.”
    “And you too, my dear,” says his grandmother, nudging me over the line. “Walking right over the line indeed, I like your spunk.”
    I fight against her push, but Elliott tucks his arm under my elbow and leads me to the other side.
    “I don’t need to—”
    “Oh don’t be so modest. Rose says she’s sure of her power. But we need to learn it officially first.”
    “I’m not.”
    Everyone around me glares back. If I bolt, they’ll think an Undetermined stormed out. It could create a panic. To them I could be an Unsound or something. I decide to let Elliott escort me into the hallway.
    “What was that about?” I ask as we head down a narrow hallway.
    He stops, letting the other kids pass.
    “Don’t you see?”
    “What?”
    “This is your chance. Tell them you were in the bathroom or something-”
    Elliott grabs my arm, trying to lead me to the