Paradigm (9781909490406) by Ceri A. Lowe Page A

crystal that spilled through releases, deaths and the bald crown of a baby streaked in blood. Then, there he was on the screen along with some of the faces he recognised from the Transporter—Harrison and Osian amongst others. A young girl smirked and put one thumb up towards the camera. The volume was a muffled growl under the last of the rain but he could hear the scratch of narration above the splashes. His name was one among many others that eked out across the square.
    â€˜â€¦Carter Warren, Osian Woolcroft, Angel Yavez and, lastly, Japheth Young were all released into Wood Community this evening satisfying this quarter’s request to balance the Model. And, to satisfy curiosity, it can now be confirmed that Jenson Solomon, Elizabet Conrad and Carter Warren have been selected to compete for the next election for the position of Controller General.’ Carter felt his whole body breathe a sigh of relief as the voice continued.
    â€˜All three Contenders, selected from different eras, have been released this evening, and for different reasons. We are entering a new phase of our development here in the Community and we need a leader with the strength to guide us and help design this special transition. Each of our Contenders has unique qualities that could make each of them the best to lead us. In the coming days or weeks, we will find out which one of them can transform our Community to the next level.’
    So it was confirmed. Three contenders—all released this evening. Carter zoned in and out of the broadcast, exhausted. His heart beat faster as the news sank in. He’d had no real doubts but the feeling of elation was magnificent. He wanted to shout and scream and throw his hands into the air. But more than anything, he wanted to tell his parents, to show them who he was now. Instead, he smiled to himself and let the feeling of excitement soak into his soul.
    Carter was two streets away from the address on his card when he saw the figure of the woman. Even though her back was hunched over a little and the sandy blonde hair was thin in places and caked in dirt, there was no mistaking her. She moved slowly, scuffing her feet into the ground. The fifteen-year gap between them seemed wide and cruel.
    â€˜Carter Warren—what a surprise,’ she said. The slight lisp that had once turned the corners of his mouth into a smile was now thick and raspy. In one hand she had a full bottle of fire fuel. As he stood there watching her, she opened it, sniffed it and replaced the lid.
    â€˜Isabella,’ he said slowly. ‘What happened to you?’ He was unable hide his shock. The excitement of the announcement drained from his body at the sight of the once beautiful, strong young woman,
    â€˜I noticed you were back.’ She gestured towards the FreeScreens in Unity Square that were playing the announcements on loop. ‘You haven’t changed.’
    â€˜Nothing changes down there,’ said Carter, awkwardly moving from one foot to another. Her eyes were darkened, circled and she carried a small light out in front of her, highlighting her svelte figure and the pockmarks dotted across her skin. Carter shivered and withdrew himself into the shadows.
    â€˜Oh, but it does, I promise you it does, and more quickly than you could imagine,’ she said.
    â€˜What’s happened to you?’ said Carter. ‘You look terrible. Things seem… well… different. There’re guards everywhere and...’ He broke off midsentence as Isabella put one finger to her lips and her eyes flicked up towards the FreeScreens in the square.
    â€˜Have you seen anyone else?’ she mouthed, finger still against her lips.
    â€˜No,’ said Carter, ‘not exactly.’ He thought about the girl at the shelter who had disappeared. ‘What’s going on?’
    Isabella looked at him closely, up and down, her eyes piercing his heart. She turned around and moved in close to