The Institute Read Online Free PDF Page B

I was
meaning.
    “It was last
Thursday, everything seemed normal. She was angry at me for talking
to Rory but that was nothing new. I just don’t understand what
could have happened to her.”
    Neither do I,
it’s not like Ebb to just disappear, be late sure but to not turn
up all together? Something is definitely going on and I don’t like
it.
    “You don’t
think … what happened to Hall last year has happened again?” he
asks me.
    “I really hope
not,” I reply. I really, really hope not.
    Hall was a
senior last year. He vanished without a trace about six months ago
and was the main topic of gossip at school for at least a month
before the next scandal popped up to keep people entertained.
Everyone figured Hall must have had a defect and got sent to the
Institute. But his parents did not send him and I don’t know why
anyone would offer themselves voluntarily even if it is the law,
although I am sure it does happen.
    The law states
anyone with a defect must turn themselves over to the Institute for
treatment but I’m sure there are those out there just like us that
believe those with defects shouldn’t be caged like animals. My dad
is obviously a strong believer in this otherwise my brother Shilah
would have been shipped off to the Institute at the age of four. I
know there must be others with defects out there, but just like us,
they are good at keeping it hidden.
    I arrive at
school and I can see that everybody is staring at me, only I don’t
know why they are staring anymore – because of Jax or because of
Ebbodine? I don’t want to be here, I want to be out there, doing
something to try and find my friend.
    “I heard she
went explosive in public and is in a padded cell at the Institute,”
I hear one girl say as I walk past. There’s a group of them huddled
by the lockers, laughing about the whole thing. I turn to them and
stare, letting them know I can hear them and they had better
quieten down before I go over there and punch one of them in the
throat. One of them spots me and they all shut up. It’s a shame, I
kind of feel like punching someone, not that I ever would though. It’s important not to draw attention to yourself, I remind
myself, trying to calm down.
    It’s all
feeling so surreal. Is Jax really dead or was it just a bad dream?
Is Ebbodine really missing or is everyone freaking out for no
reason? Maybe she is at the Institute. As far as I am aware she had
no defect but she could have developed one in the past week, or
maybe she is as good at hiding things as my family is. But if
that’s the case, then why now? Why go to the Institute now?
    I’ve been okay
at holding it together so far but I’m using all of my strength to
try and stay calm. She can’t really be missing can she?
    I am pulling
books out of my locker when I feel a presence behind me.
    “I heard about
Ebbodine. I’m really sorry Allira,” says Drew. I feel my heart skip
a beat. I turn to face him and he leans in. For a moment I think he
is going to kiss me right here in the hallway but just like on the
train a few days ago, he doesn’t kiss me. He leans down and picks
up my back pack, leading me down the hallway and my heart starts
slowing to a steady pace.
    “So what do
they think happened to her anyway?” Drew asks.
    “I don’t know,”
I shrug. “Carwyn only told me this morning. It’s not like her to
just wander off or disappear for a few days. I’m really worried,”
and scared but I don’t admit that.
    “I’m sure she
is fine,” he says reassuringly. “You’re her best friend. Has she
been acting weird lately?”
    “No weirder
than normal for her,” I start. “But it’s still not really sinking
in, I’m expecting her to walk in those doors any minute.”
    “It’s the same
for me. I still think Jax will be here any minute and I saw what happened to him,” Drew says.
    “Hey, speaking
of Jax, has anyone asked you about that yet?” We were expecting to
be harassed about what happened but no