The Remedy Files: Illusion Read Online Free PDF Page A

weathered proof, meaning that no fire could burn them and no man could chop them down. If someone was walking by, they may not even notice that there is a community behind the bushes. Supposedly the birds in the air would be the only ones to notice since there is nothing but open sky above Impetus. 
    I bypass the gardens, staying close to the shadows casting down from the buildings that precede them so no one notices my descent from the thickets. The first building is one of two that sit on the outskirts and have always been a mystery. They stand out with an exterior of gray steel frames which make them look so cold and dark. No one talks about these buildings and I’ve never seen anyone go in or come out. I walk a little faster to hurry past the one closest to the Clinic. There’s just something disconcerting about a part of the community that all of the members have silently allowed to be a menacing obscurity for all these years. 
    “Good afternoon.” Mr. Frank is standing in his usual pose with a hose in his hand as he’s watering the plants around the shed. I thought no one was around. It seemed like the coast was clear. Now I wonder if he saw me come out of the thickets.
    “Hi, Mr. Frank.” I search for something else to say to cover my tracks- some story as to justify what I was just doing. I can’t think of anything. It’s a losing battle anyway. There’s something about Mr. Frank’s soulful brown eyes, set deep with aged kindness that prevents me from lying to him. It’s like he would still know the truth, and even if he didn’t, he would simply be the last person in the world I’d ever want to betray in any way. 
    He turns off the water and smiles at me. “Beautiful day today.” His voice is low and sweet, as though every word he says could be a song in itself that you want to play each morning as the sun is rising.
    Nodding, I say, “It is. You seem to be working a bit late.”
    “Well, it began with a visit to the Clinic today that set me back a couple of hours.” Mr. Frank looks up at the sky and chuckles. “I keep defying Respite despite its attempts at trying to get me. It can be a good thing to be a fighter, you know.” He brings his eyes back down to look into mine. It’s almost as though he’s trying to tell me something- a secret message that I’m not able to decipher.
    He must know that I sneak out. Yes, he’s secretly trying to convey that he knows. This isn’t the first time he’s found me so close to the edge of Impetus. It would be like him to keep it quiet. I wonder if he knows how often or even the reason why which could be worse than just me sneaking out. It would then put Gavin at risk.
    I remind myself that no matter what, though, Mr. Frank has proven over the years that he won’t ever report me to the Officials. He has had multiple opportunities to do so yet has never taken the step. I would hate for him to think bad about me personally, though. That fact alone would be worse punishment than what Impetus could ever do to me.
    “I should probably get going to work.” I’m reluctant to leave as a part of me wants to discover how much he knows. There aren’t many times the two of us are alone in conversation with no one else around. But there’s no way for me to ask without blatantly breaking Impetus rules even more than I already have.
    “Have a wonderful evening, Evangeline.” Mr. Frank turns the water back on. “By the way,” He folds the hose together, temporarily preventing the water from running. “I know you’re graduating Level 17 soon. Please know that you’ve always been my favorite.” He turns the water back on with the release of the hose, humming as he walks around the side of the shed.
    The tone of his voice as he said it registered more like a goodbye than a random compliment. Maybe it is goodbye in some sense. It may be the last time we talk if I do end up as a Paired. Or maybe he’s just thinking that he will be whisked away into Respite