Read Online CHOSEN: A Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Dystopian Novel by A. Bernette - Free Book Online Page A

to do a video call. “ Of
course, it’s Wednesday ,” Stephen thought to himself. She’d told him that on
Wednesday she would call him during her morning break at camp which was in Southern
Allegiance, once known as South America.
    Stephen
rubbed his head and clicked the button on the wall which projected her image
into the empty space above his desk. There she was, smiling at him.
    “Miss
me much, little brother?” she asked. “I know you were pacing by the window and
the wall. You need to relax, I think I was five minutes late,” she teased him. She
could see he was upset.
    “Where
were you? Why were you late? You promised you’d call right at your break? It’s
10:07 a.m.!” he huffed at her impatiently.
    Stella
knew it bothered his sense of order and routine when things weren’t like they
were supposed to be or if they didn’t go according to plan.
    “I’m
sorry Stephen. I had some problems with this new interface. I didn’t mean for
you to worry. How is it back there?”
    Stephen
hung his head and rolled his shoulders. He then glanced down at the closed
notebook he had on his desk. A pencil sat beside it, line to line, its point
sharp to the touch. Sometimes he liked the feel of paper and a pencil, even if
it made no sense when you could get away with not writing anything at all.
    Still
upset but happy she was finally there, he tried to answer her question and thought
to himself about the long three days since she left. He considered the fact
that she only had to leave him because she refused to do her work when she was
supposed to and was forced to go to camp.
    He
avoided looking up and letting her see his eyes. “I’m okay, I guess. We’re very
busy here. There’s a lot to do - more than usual,” he paused and the silence
stretched on.
    Their
mom and dad were busy with their research. Stephen had gotten to a point where
he could help them and he actually enjoyed it. However, it could become too
much. They would go on for twelve to fourteen hours on a regular day, barely
breaking to allow themselves to eat a real meal. He was lonely and he was tired
but, most of all, he was concerned about what was happening.
    “What’s
got you so busy?” Stella finally asked.
    “Just
some testing, data collection and data analysis. The usual, but not quite. We
have to wrap up in the next couple weeks and there’s just a lot. UniCorps and
the World Consensus Science Branch will be coming sometime between next week
and the following week. I’ll tell you when you get back.” Silence again
stretched on as Stephen stared at her image and the fuchsia lipstick and matching
hair band with fuchsia and other bright colors she wore.
    She
finally chimed in again mockingly, “And Stella, how is it going there? Oh, it’s
going great Stephen. Let me tell you! I’ve met some totally nine people here,”
she said before being interrupted.
    “What’s
a nine person?”
    Stella
sighed dramatically, “You know nice. It’s what they say here at the University,
well the camp. Anyway, people from every region in the world. I’m the only one
here that’s ever been to Antarctica and the only person any of them know who
was born in Antarctica. Of course, they wonder how that happened and I was
happy to share the story of our crazy, persistent, stubborn parents. Oh, and
there are all kinds of other people like me here Stephen.
    “I’m
happy for you Stella,” he said in the second between her thoughts.
    “Sometimes
I forget the world isn’t just scientists, engineers, and techies living with
you, Mom, and Dad. Then add in Mave and Rupert and I’m surrounded. It’s so
refreshing, and, oh, what was that? What was that you just said?” Stella paused
and looked as if she were straining to hear something spoken at barely a
whisper, her head cocked to one side.
    “I
didn’t say anything.” Stephen said confused.
    “What
was it you just said in your head? What is it that you are worried about? It
wasn’t that there