Albert waited inside the small interrogation room. He had no idea this small building was here, though considering it was next to the S.E.A. skyscraper, most buildings probably went by without being noticed.

Abe, Poe, and Billy were in separate rooms, so it was clear the agents were going to interrogate them separately. Albert’s mind circled over and over around their plan and the alibis Billy had given them before they even set off on their attempt to rescue Marie. Billy was always prepared like that. The fact that Poe was also brought made Albert more nervous. Marie was never really friends with Poe during her time in high school, and for the most part he had no connection with Marie besides being a classmate. With Poe here, the S.E.A. had to be more than a little suspicious about their involvement with Marie’s escape.

He was going to be okay. He needed to be okay. The S.E.A. wasn’t going to show their hand unless they needed to. They weren’t going to admit that Marie was in Musical Land, let alone that they had captured Marie and kept her locked up in the basement unless they found a reason to. They were simply being interviewed because they were once good friends with Marie.

Albert tried to keep his breathing steady. He tried not to look nervous. He wasn’t sure how long they were going to keep him here, but considering he wasn’t brought here in handcuffs had to be a good sign.

The door opened and Albert glanced over, surprised to recognize the man who walked in with a briefcase. He was one of the dozen high officials in the S.E.A. He recognized his picture. Though their pictures weren’t required in every public building like President Arnold’s was, he still recognized the pictures from TV.

His heart hammered in his chest. A high official was interrogating him. Despite Billy’s meticulous planning, Albert felt a bead of sweat forming on his forehead.

“Good afternoon, Albert. How are you?” the man asked, extending his hand.

Albert shook it, suppressing a shiver. The man had brown eyes and dark brown hair that was receding, leaving a small tuft of hair on his upper forehead. He smiled, and Albert felt none of the warmth.

“My name is Joseph McCarthy.” He didn’t sit at the opposite chair. Instead he set his briefcase down on the table and straightened his tie.

Albert couldn’t trust himself to speak and nodded instead.

“I am one of the high officials of Musical Land,” Mr. McCarthy said.

Albert nodded again before forcing himself to open his mouth. “It is an honor to meet you. I guess I didn’t realize you guys work on the weekend.”

Mr. McCarthy smiled again. “It’s what we do to keep the city safe. Now, Albert, we’ve been tracking your school records, and quite frankly, they are incredible.”

“Thank you, sir,” Albert said.

Mr. McCarthy gave a short laugh. “Oh no, I’m not of the older generation, Albert. No need to call me sir. Mr. McCarthy will do.”

Albert forced himself to smile. “Okay, Mr. McCarthy.”

“Now, we don’t want to keep you here long. I’ll get straight to the point.” Mr. McCarthy finally sat down in the chair. “Musical Land is growing and thriving. As such, President Arnold decided he needs a few more junior officials to help as assistants to the high officials to help the city run as smoothly as it has. Officials themselves have a hard work load, and with the added responsibility of assistants to the high officials, they will be continuously swamped.”

“So…” Albert began, beginning to piece together this strange idea. “You’re wanting assistants to the assistants to the high officials?”

Mr. McCarthy smiled. “You’re not top of your class for nothing!”

Albert had to pause and wonder if he actually was top of his class. Billy might be, but he doubted Albert was anywhere close. He had a strong suspicion that this was how the S.E.A. was going to interrogate him, by having him work for them and watch his every move every day. Albert again forced himself to be excited at the prospect while at the same time feeling the sweat on his forehead threaten to give him away.

“You want me to be an assistant to a junior official of the S.E.A.?” Albert asked.

Mr. McCarthy nodded, a wide smile filling his face. “You are the perfect candidate, Albert! We are offering you a summer internship, and you will start in June after school gets out. I know finals are at the forefront of your mind.”

“Wow,” Albert said, letting the shock play across his face. “I just… wow! What an opportunity!”

It was almost too much. Was the S.E.A. really doing this? Would they trust Albert with someone so high up?

Mr. McCarthy laughed as he opened his briefcase. “It’s an incredible one! With an internship like this on your college application, you can walk into whatever college your heart desires.”

Albert’s mind began to whirl. He wasn’t actually with anyone super high up. Junior official was pretty high, but they would probably keep him so incredibly busy with small, pointless jobs that he wouldn’t be able to do anything else. Including have other meetings with the underground. All the while, they’d still keep a sharp eye on him from high up officials who would simply wait for him to sneeze wrong before arresting him.

Mr. McCarthy pulled out a piece of paper and slid it across the table. Albert picked it up to read it to distract himself from freaking out. He didn’t want to activate the chip. Not now.

He couldn’t help but notice Mr. McCarthy wasn’t giving him a choice. To be fair, if Albert was given this opportunity not knowing anything about Marie, he wouldn’t refuse. To work at the S.E.A. would be just as Mr. McCarthy said. A free pass to any college he wanted.

“So it’s not paid?” Albert asked as he finished reading the flyer.

“Not technically, no. Seeing as you’re still underage, we can’t pay you without breaking laws, so you get to rake up the experience and benefit from that. However, we‘ve worked it out that whatever college you attend, we will pay for the tuition. And you will get a free lunch every workday.”

“Oh,” Albert said. “That’s nice. Wow. Full ride scholarship and... lunch.” He looked at the paper.

“You have a concern?” Mr. McCarthy asked.

“No. Well, yes. I mean, I should probably double check with my parents,” Albert said, feeling how lame that excuse was to prolong the decision.

Mr. McCarthy smiled, and for some reason Albert was reminded of a cat eyeing a mouse. “A perfectly reasonable thing for a teenage boy to request.” Albert swallowed, feeling the immediate distrust Mr. McCarthy had for him. “We’ve already called your parents. They are thrilled.”

“You talked to my parents before you talked to me?” Albert asked.

“You are, after all, underaged. We had to get their permission. Why, is there something you’re not telling me?”

“I... no. Why would you think that?” Albert asked.

Mr. McCarthy looked like he was shrugging off Albert’s concern, but instead it somehow intensified Mr. McCarthy’s obvious distrust for Albert.

“Teenage boys don’t usually ask their parents for permission for a lot of things,” Mr. McCarthy said.

“Well, I mean, this is a summer job and all,” Albert said.

“Of course. You’re right. Other things, though. You keep secrets from your parents, don’t you?” Mr. McCarthy asked.

Albert stared at Mr. McCarthy, not entirely sure what he was supposed to say.

“Are you trying to insinuate that keeping secrets from my parents is going to keep me from getting a summer job?” Albert asked, trying to make light of the situation.

There was no humor at all in Mr. McCarthy’s demeanor. “Depends on the secret.”

It was clear to Albert at that moment that Mr. McCarthy already knew how guilty Albert was, there was just no proof. The stress settled on him. He was going to spend the entire summer under the eyes of everyone at the S.E.A., and they were going to watch him until he gave the proof they needed.

“You are going to have a lot of fun in this internship, Albert. I can tell,” Mr. McCarthy said as he opened his briefcase. “One last thing.” Albert felt his throat close up, waiting for the clincher. Mr. McCarthy pulled out his laptop and opened it. “Since we are having you intern at the S.E.A., we have a few background questions for you, just to make sure everyone at the S.E.A. stays safe.”

Albert laughed and immediately regretted how loud it sounded. “Totally makes sense,” he said in hopes that it covered it up.

Mr. McCarthy began listing off questions. Albert answered them as best he could. He couldn’t believe basic questions like where he went to school, what he was hoping to study in college, his favorite classes, all of them sounded so mistrusting and vile coming from Mr. McCarthy, as though he was already a criminal.

“Now, according to our records, you took a math and a science class at Presley High during the fall, back when they still allowed those classes,” Mr. McCarthy said.

“That’s correct,” Albert said.

“The S.E.A. has nothing against the science and math community, but due to cataclysmic events in our past, I must ask whether or not you're serious about your pursuit in math or science,” Mr. McCarthy said.

Albert felt his eye twitch as he forced himself not to glare. He curled his fists under the table, working hard to keep the annoyance out of his face and he tapped into his acting ability.

“It’s more of a hobby, really. Something to pass the time,” Albert said.

Mr. McCarthy studied him closer, as though expecting to find the truth written on the back of Albert’s eyes. Albert let him read the lie he placed there. He reminded himself that this is how it would feel like every day this summer. He had to embrace it now. “And how much time exactly do you spend on this hobby of yours?”

“Lately? Hardly any. Finals are definitely more of a priority to me.”

Mr. McCarthy nodded slowly, still staring at Albert. “Well, there’s a good chance you’ll be so busy this summer that you won’t have time for any hobbies of any kind. Does this discourage you?”

Albert shook his head. “Not at all. This is an exciting opportunity.”

Mr. McCarthy hit a button on his laptop and music filled the room. Albert’s chip instantly began activating and he stifled a gasp.

“This is the last part of the background check. We need a candid view of your overall thoughts and feelings right now. Go ahead and sing.”

Albert allowed himself to feel the panic for a second. The anger that Mr. McCarthy didn’t warn him first. He was positive this was illegal. It didn’t matter if it was a background check, the S.E.A. couldn’t demand a law abiding citizen to sing without their consent. They needed a warrant. But Albert forced the anger away and instead smiled as the chip began sorting through his thoughts and putting them into verse. It angered him that he had to be fine with this so Mr. McCarthy wouldn’t be suspicious. “Okay,” Albert said.

He closed his eyes to get a feel for the song, prepared to switch around the lyrics if he needed to.

“I’ve always wondered as I’ve studied,

“Whether or not I’d be good enough.

“This internship will help me be buddies

“With others who are made of stronger stuff.

“But though I am young

“to my studies I’ve swung

“And it’s going to pay off very soon.

“I will take this here internship

“And willingly submit to my chip

“And show Mr. McCarthy I’m over the moon!”

Albert swallowed as he forced his mind not to think about Marie. He struggled hard not to be nervous, but as the lyrics for the next verse came, he did some quick thinking in order to change them.

“Finals will come and I’m trying not to be nervous.

“And to them I will not be a disservice.

“For though I don’t know what the future will bring

“To finals I must study so my wellbeing will be a thing.

“I cannot feel threatened by what finals must mean,

“And through it, wisdom I must glean.

“But though I am young

“to my studies I’ve swung

“And it’s going to pay off very soon.

“I will take this here internship

“And willingly submit to my chip

“And show Mr. McCarthy I’m over the moon!”

Albert tried not to feel relieved as the song came to a close.

“Beautiful,” Mr. McCarthy said, though there was nothing in his tone that gave Albert any hit good or ill as to what he thought of his song. “You are now qualified for the internship. It will be good to get to know you better this summer, Albert.” There was none of the friendliness and warmth.

“I look forward to it,” Albert said, trying not to act like he was terrified out of his mind.

Mr. McCarthy gave a cold smile before he glanced at his phone. “It looks like one of your friends is already done. Please go to the main room and wait for your remaining friends there, then we can take you back to your apartment. Welcome aboard the S.E.A. team, Albert. You will begin June 10th.”

Albert shook Mr. McCarthy’s hand and followed him out, his knees trembling as he did so.

Abe was sitting in one of the chairs, looking about as emotionally exhausted as Albert felt. Albert sat down next to him and pulled out the flyer, making a show of studying it to hide how much the song took it out of him. He felt numb as he stared at it, trying hard to keep this numb feeling. He didn’t want to imagine the full consequences of this. Every day this summer he was going to work at the S.E.A., they were going to watch him closely, and if Albert did anything at all suspicious?

Albert closed his eyes. He didn’t even want to think about it.

“Pretty exciting stuff, right?” Abe asked.

Albert opened his eyes and saw Abe giving him a concerned look. Albert let the smallest twitch of a smile brush his face.

“Totally. Looks like we’ll be hanging out with each other over the summer after all,” Albert said.

Abe nodded, and Albert noticed the video camera in the hallway. Abe had started the conversation to keep Albert from looking too suspicious as he wallowed in fear. Macbeth, this summer internship was going to be way harder than he expected.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s a little intimidating,” Abe said.

“Absolutely.”

“But I’m glad my closest friends will be there with me.”

Albert smiled and nodded. He wasn’t sure if Abe was giving him a subtle message, but he felt a resolve anyway. If Albert and Abe were going to survive this summer, they needed to be on the same side. There couldn’t be any more petty fights between them. Albert was willing to put that aside and go back to being friends again. Albert couldn’t help but glance back to see Abe’s healing face, the bruises now a muted yellow and green color. He felt another sharp stab of guilt before looking away.

The door opened and Abe and Albert glanced up to see Billy walking out with a paper of his own.

“I’m so incredibly thrilled!” Billy said. “It was such an honor! I feel so lucky!”

“Oh, luck has nothing to do with it, Billy. Your own hard work got you here,” the high official said.

Billy shook his hand. “I wont let you down. This will be the most memorable summer ever!”

Another door opened and Poe walked out, looking about the same as normal. Meaning, he didn’t look normal, which was normal.

“Looks like you’re all here. I’ll get you all back to your apartment,” the high official said.

They traveled home. Albert again stared at his flyer, putting up the guise that everything was fine. Albert ventured a glance at Billy, Poe, and Abe. All were silent. Albert watched and saw past Billy’s almost immaculate performance of excitement and sensed the smallest pinprick of fear in his eyes.

***

Marie stared off in the distance. She heard her friends were back safe in their apartments, and though it wasn’t clear what had happened, so far their luck was holding.

Marie and her dad were in the safehouse. Sophie would be next, and then in the cover of night, they would move Tom. Charles was there, talking quietly with her dad. She didn’t bother to eavesdrop. At the moment, any time she thought about anything relating to what might happen in her future, she was filled with dread. That was probably why it took her longer than usual to realize Charles had moved from talking to her dad to kneeling down next to her with one of his medical kits.

“Marie, your dad wants me to take a blood sample if that’s alright with you,” Charles said.

Marie glanced at her dad. “What for?”

“To track what the omnitocsil is doing in your system,” her dad answered.

Marie nodded, dropping her gaze from her dad immediately. She unfolded her arms and let Charles do what he needed to. It was quiet as he got things ready. He soaked a cotton ball in some rubbing alcohol and wiped the veins by her right elbow. Marie found her eyes resting on Charles again, feeling her take in the impossibly symmetrical features of his face as he tied a rubber string above her right elbow.

“Hey, Charles. I wanted to ask. The other night when you, um, acted the way you did in front of the S.E.A. agents. Do you usually act like that at work?”

Charles didn’t look at her as he finished prepping her vein. “I did lay it on a little thick the other night, but yes. That’s how I act at work.”

Marie frowned. “Why?”

Charles got the needle ready before he pricked her veins and blood began to pour into the vial. “Sometimes you’ve got to act like the idiot they think you are so they don’t suspect you’re the de facto leader of an organization that is the only threat to President Arnold’s power,” Charles said.

Marie slowly nodded, once again realizing that Charles worked at the S.E.A. skyscraper. She felt sympathetic for him. It must be exhausting and scary to actually work at the place crawling with people who are your sworn enemy. Charles had two vials of Marie’s blood before she even realized he had taken it. He handed them to her dad before pulling out the needle and placing some gauze on the pinprick.

“Hold that there, please,” he said.

Marie held it and Charles grabbed some medical tape. He taped the piece of gauze on, then gave Marie a smile. Before this conversation, Marie would have been drawn to how well the smile fit his beautiful face, but now she saw something else. She saw the exhaustion he was barely containing. Had the exhaustion always been there before?

“Leave it there for a half an hour or so. It should be done bleeding by then,” Charles said as he got up.

“Thank you, Charles,” her dad said, holding the vials carefully in his hands.

Charles nodded as he grabbed the medical kit and left the room.

“I’m going to look for a way to reverse this,” her dad said.

Marie found she couldn’t look at her dad, because the memory of what she’d done to herself was still far too fresh in her mind. “And if there isn’t a way?” Marie was afraid her voice was too quiet for him to hear.

“There has to be. And I’m going to find it,” her dad said.