Mr. Today blew his nose into his hanky. Loudly. And then he looked out over the throng of Unwanteds and said, “And with that we leave our sorrows for another day, because today is a day to celebrate.”
A cheer rose up from the crowd as they began to chant, “To-DAY, To-DAY, To-DAY!”
Marcus Today raised his hand and smiled, softening the chant. He went on to say, “Friends, this is the traditional day of the Purge, and High Priest Haluki, having had little time to make changes, has carried out the Purge as usual—that is the wish of his people. And before you scowl at the practices of Quill, please remember that changes take time. Today we welcome the thirty-two new members of Artimé, seated in the front row.”
A round of riotous applause burst forth, causing the fresh, wide-eyed group of thirteen-year-olds to cover their ears in wonder. Lani poked Meghan, Samheed, and Alex and pointed out her little brother, Henry, just ten years old, sitting in the front row. “Father wasn’t going to waste any more time in getting him here,” she said, grinning.
The crowd buzzed, and then their voices died down as Mr. Today continued. “For now, let us welcome new friends to Artimé. Let us remember the ones we lost. And let us also remember this day as the day we have been redeemed. Wear your Unwanted title like a badge of honor, for we have prevailed!”
The crowd erupted in applause and, for those who could manage it, a standing ovation for their leader. But Alex couldn’t help but recall his conversation with Aaron and wonder if everything was really going to be as easy as Mr. Today implied. In fact he knew it wouldn’t be.
After the lawn had mostly cleared, Alex remained seated with his friends, not quite ready to battle the crowds. Simber nodded to the small group as he passed by. Meghan and Samheed lay back on the fresh green lawn, dozing off while listening to the platyprots chatter and giggle. When Mr. Today finished speaking privately to High Priest Gunnar and they said their goodbyes, Lani hopped up, hugged her father, and bid farewell for now, promising a visit soon. She plopped down next to Alex once again and leaned back, resting her head on his arm and humming a new little song she’d learned the day before from Ms. Morning.
“So,” Lani said, “what do you suppose will happen to Aaron? Do you want to see him again?”
“We talked,” Alex said.
“My father says Aaron’s feeling terrible—terrible about hurting you and about how he exposed Artimé. That sort of thing. Father says he seems sincere.”
“I don’t know about that,” Alex said. “I don’t believe it. He’s quite an actor, no matter how much he denies his creativity.” He closed his eyes and paused, thinking. “I just don’t know if I can ever trust him again. I guess maybe it’s like Justine and Mr. Today. They grew so far apart, there’d have been no way they could ever get back to each other again with all that junk between them. Maybe it’s better if he and I don’t see each other again. At least for a while.”
Lani turned to look at Alex. “That’s sort of sad.”
Alex was quiet. “Yeah, it is.”
“I think you’ll know if you’re ever ready to give it a try,” Lani said.
Alex smiled. He reached for a strand of her hair and twirled it lazily on his finger, his eyes closed, his heart almost full, his body mostly healed. Things weren’t perfect, and they never would be, he knew. But for a fourteen-year-old boy, resting on the lawn in the warm sunshine, the sea gently lapping at the shore, his friends all around … He sighed. At least for now, things were good.
It was more than any Unwanted could ever hope for.