Read Online The Choosing by Rachelle Dekker - Free Book Online Page B

moment, both of them captive to their thoughts.
    Larkin moved closer to Carrington and caught her eyes. “I know we are raised to believe that our lives are defined by being chosen or not being chosen, but I’m starting to think there’s another truth we’re missing.”
    Her words were blasphemy and they made Carrington’s heart accelerate. If anyone heard Larkin she could be in serious trouble.
    “Larkin . . .”
    She took another step and placed her hand on Carrington’s shoulder. “I’m gonna tell you something because I think I can trust you.”
    Carrington said nothing.
    “There’s this man, beyond the city. He lives . . . Well, I don’t know . . . but he speaks about something outside the Authority. He says there’s more to life than trades and Choosings. You should come with me and hear him speak.”
    “Outside the city? Larkin, that’s forbidden.”
    “I know, but I’m not the only one who goes. Lots of people come.”
    Carrington was horrified. People sneak out of the city limits, risk defying the Authority to hear a single man speak? That was completely insane.
    “Who is he?” Carrington finally asked.
    “He calls himself Aaron. His words are mysterious and exciting. He speaks of things I’ve never heard of.”
    “Sounds terrifying.”
    “He’s not. He’s . . . you should hear for yourself.”
    “No.”
    “Carrington, if you just came   —”
    “Stop.”
    “   —you would see   —”
    “Larkin, stop!”
    Larkin bit her lip and dropped her hand from Carrington’s shoulder.
    “What you’re talking about is treason. Against the Authority, against God.”
    Larkin opened her mouth to speak, but Carrington wasn’t finished.
    “You told me yesterday things would get better once I let the truth sink in and moved on. This is our truth. Right here, this is our reality. There is nothing outside it. I’m not going to commit treason to listen to some crazy man claim there is, and neither should you.”
    “What do you care if I do?”
    “Because I don’t want you to get caught.”
    “Why not? I saw the way you looked at me yesterday when you realized who I was. You avoided me the same as every other girl did our entire childhood, so don’t insult me by pretending to care now.”
    She pushed past Carrington and opened the door. “You may be willing to accept that this is the best life has for you,” Larkin said and then paused. Her ragged breaths slowed and she lowered her voice. “But I’m not.”
    The door shut with a soft thud and Carrington stood alone inside Alfred Stock’s control room.

    Carrington shut the steel door softly behind her. She drew in a deep breath of fresh air and tried to rid her nostrils of Alfred’s terrible smell. She feared the odor had permeated her skin.
    The sun was still high in the sky, which meant this day was only half over. She glanced around to see that she had stepped into a small side alley. The walls rose toward the sky like stone beasts covering the ground in shadow.
    It was standard for any trade worker to put in at least a ten-hour day with little to no break time. The Lint who had been showing Carrington how to clean out the different valves on Alfred had seen the green tint in Carrington’s face and suggested that she take a couple minutes outside to clear her head. Carrington had nearly hugged her. She knew she wouldn’t have long, so she moved up the alley to a place where the sun was spotlighting the concrete floor.
    The sun was warm against her skin and she closed her eyes, letting the light melt into her bones. She didn’t hear the footsteps until they were beside her. She snapped open her eyes and saw two young men eyeing her with perverse curiosity. Her heart jumped into overdrive and a warning bell sounded deep inside her skull. Both looked as if they had just stumbled out of the nearest bar   —their clothes revealing several days of wear, their hair shining with grease. Booze practically seeped through their