Cassandra Rose Clarke - HALO: Battle Born

E vie waited until her father was grading student projects before she approached his door. He always said that he hated to be interrupted during grading, but over the years, Evie had learned the opposite was true, that really he was grateful for the break. It meant he was more likely to say yes to whatever it was she wanted to do.

This discovery was a tactical maneuver Evie was careful not to overuse. But she suspected she would need it for the concert.

She knocked lightly on his office door. Yes? he called out terselygrading did that to him. Evie slid the door open.

I know you said not to interrupt you while youre grading Evie leaned up against the wall and pulled her hands into the sleeves of her sweater. The room was dim, the overhead lights turned down low so that her dad could see the hologram projections more clearly.

Its fine. He darkened the projector, flipped on a desk lamp, and then leaned back in his chair, like she was one of his students showing up for office hours. Whats up?

I was wondering She took a deep breath, then spilled the rest out in a rush. IwaswonderingifIcouldgotoaconcerttonightwithVictor.

Her dad frowned, scrunching his forehead up. Did I just hear you ask to go to a concert? Tonight?

Evie nodded. Everyones going, she said, a little breathlessly. This guy from school, his band is playing, plus some other bands from Port Moyne.

Her dads frown deepened.

Ill be there with Victor, Evie said. Please? Nothing cool like this ever happens here. And its not like you ever let me go to Port Moyne with you . Port Moyne wasnt much, but it was the biggest town next to their little seaside village of Brume-sur-Mer, big enough that it had a University of Meridian campus.

Where her dad taught.

Where his students lived.

Maybe she shouldnt have mentioned the Port Moyne bands.

Shouldnt you be studying? her dad asked.

I did my homework already. This, she was prepared for. Including the extra credit for Mr. Garbetts computer science class.

Her dad smiled, the worry vanishing out of his features. Good. That Mr. Garbett doesnt challenge you enough. Was the extra credit difficult?

Not really, but Evie figured a white lie might help her case. It was very important to her father that she be Challenged. Totally, she said. Definitely harder than the usual work.

Thats good. Her father rubbed at the few days growth of salt-and-pepper stubble on his chin. Victor will be with you?

She nodded.

His parents are okay with this?

Of course.

Usually the approval of the Gallardos was enough to swing her father, but tonight he just kept rubbing at his chin. The frown had come back too. Evie tugged at her sweaters sleeves. The rain had picked up again and was pattering softly against the windows of her fathers office, its soft, constant rhythm hinting at the impending rainy season.

I dont know, her dad said. Im not sure a concert is a good place for someone like you.

Evie resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Hope fluttered inside her chest, though, since her dad had just given her an opening to use her best weapon in the war of father-daughter negotiations. She took a deep breath.

I think Mom would want me to go.

Her dad sighed, the universal sign of parental defeat. Evie didnt want to take her chances, though.

I mean, every time I talk to her, she tells me I need to do something besides studying. That I need to go out and experience the world.

Her dad shook his head. Your mother is too adventurous for her own good. He paused. But I suppose you going to a concert for one night wont hurt anything.

Evie shrieked with delight and threw her arms around her fathers neck. Oh, thank you, thank you! Victors going to be so excitedhe didnt want to go by himself. Youre the best, Dad. She kissed him on the cheek.

Yeah, yeah. Now get out of here so I can finish my grading. And remember that your curfew is still in place!

I know! Evie bounded over to the door and gave her dad a little wave. He flicked the holo-projector back on in response.

Evie stepped out into the hallway and let the door ease shut behind her. The house was quiet except for the rain falling across the roof. Maybe it wasnt entirely fair to bring her mom into it, but it was trueEvies mom was always telling her to go out and rebel. Just a little, shed say, smiling through the transmissions interference. Evie, youre almost eighteen. Dont let your dad keep you locked up like his little scholarly princess. And Evies dad would scoff at that, shake his head, and her mom, every time, would say, My rebellious streak is why your father married me, with a sly little smile that made Evies dad blush.

Evies mom was a soldier, which was weird for Evie to think about. She hadnt always been a soldier. But five years ago she had enlisted in the United Nations Space Command and disappeared into the starry night sky to fight aliens. Sometimes when Evie thought about it, her chest would get hard and tight, like a fist was squeezing around her heart. Her father told her she should be proud, and she was. But her mom being gone meant the house always felt empty and echoing, like it couldnt make sense of the blank space where Evies mother should be.

Evie shook her headher mom wouldnt want her getting morose like this. In fact, her mom was going to be thrilled during the next transmission, when Evie told her all about the concert. Her first concert! Excitement arced down Evies spineexcitement and anxiety. She needed to get ready. She had to figure out what someone would wear to a concert, especially this concert, which was happening down in the old town bomb shelter. At least her dad hadnt asked about that . Probably he assumed it would be at the meeting hall downtown.

Evie scurried up to her bedroom, heart pounding, her thoughts flipping through the latest VR concert shed watched of her favorite bands. VR was funbut now she was going out, really going out. And for the moment, at least, the house seemed a lot less empty.

Victor was waiting for her in the usual spot, beneath the big banyan tree that grew at the entrance to her neighborhood. He lived across the highway, down on the beach, where his parents owned a seaside motel. He also had a car, which idled beside the tree, the headlights shining on the thick, draping vines and on Victor, who stood out in the rain with his comm pad focused on something up in the tree.

What are you doing? Evie called out.

Shhh. Victor tilted the comm pad up. Evie crept over to him and held the umbrella over his headnot that he noticed. Too involved in his art.

Evie leaned over his shoulder, peering at the image on the comm pads view screen. The cars headlights carved the tree branches into shadows, but there was something moving in the darkness.

A sardans cat, Victor breathed softly. Ive never seen one in the wild before.

Evie scanned the tree branches until she saw a pair of glowing yellow eyes set into a round face with tufted ears. The cat clung to the branches, its long, sleek body hunched up tight, its tail dangling like a hook.

Whats it doing so close to town? she whispered. Sardans cats lived deep in the surrounding forests, stalking through the thick, lush overgrowth. They were terrified of humans and never came into town. Or, almost never, apparently.