Altruist (The Altruist Series Book 1) by Ashley Walsh Read Free Book Online

birthday two weeks ago seems like it could stop running at any given second. But it’s more than just a way to get from point A to point B, it’s freedom for him, and although it makes me uncomfortable not having to walk, I’m glad he has it. 
     
    “Your parents are so overprotective!” Willa dramatically shouts from the backseat over the music.
     
    Asher turns the volume down and adds, “Yeah, but for protective parents, they sure seem comfortable with you meeting up with some unknown vagabond.”
     
    “Vagabond? Really, Asher? You don’t even know him, he’s a nice guy. You’ll see.” I reach over and playfully jab his arm.
     
    “Okay, but just so you’re aware, your Dad for the first time has entrusted me with your safety and if I see him so much as glance at you the wrong way, we’re leaving.”
     
    “Yes sir, Asher sir!” I bring my hand up to a salute. Asher smirks.
     
    “Ahh, I love this song!” Asher says excitedly. “You know I listened to them before they even had a thousand plays online.” If Asher has any faults it’s that he’s a complete music snob and though at times annoying, it’s one of those traits that makes him human. By now Willa and I have learned to accept his music critic claims and nod our heads in agreement.
     
    After stalking the parking lot for 15 minutes we’re finally able to find a spot that Asher deems suitable. Getting out of the car, I scan the crowd at the gate for his face. Castle Rock, being the small town that it is, makes an event like this a town affair. Over the next two days, citizens from every sector will undoubtedly check out everything this Festival has to offer, making it extremely difficult to find someone. Soldiers walk the perimeter of the black top lot, ensuring that citizens aren’t loitering; it’s the epitome of forced fun. Talking is fine, but too much talking is dangerous. Walking closer to the ticket booth my heart begins to sink, what if he didn’t come?
     
    “Where is he?” Willa whispers into my ear.
     
    “I don’t know, I don’t see him.” My heart sinks, maybe he’s really not that interested, maybe my middle of the night texts scared him off.
     
    “Don’t worry Cate, whether he’s here or not, we’ll have fun. We have to, this is the one night where there’s actually something to do in Castle Rock.” I laugh. She’s right, it’s silly of me to base the enjoyment of my night on a guy a barely know.
     
    “Class One’s! Sign up for military training today!” A recruiter shouts at the passing patrons, it seems innocent enough, until you realize that they’re offering the lowest class a way to bring their family out of the slums in return for a life of sworn service to the city. I think it is incredibly brave to offer up your life for people you will never meet, but not if it’s bought because you don’t know how else you’ll keep your family fed. Then it’s just the government exploiting good, responsible people, and that is wrong.
     
    Reaching the ticket booth, I slide my jacket off and roll my sleeve up, place my arm under the scanner and see my ticket total register on the screen attached to the kiosk: 15 tickets. Each year my ticket allotment has gotten lower.
     
    “Fifteen, huh?” Nods Asher. “They gave me eleven, I guess they figure you’re in need of more fun than I am.” I stare at the blue numbers, almost feeling numb as his words resonate. Whose job is it to decide how much relief each of us needs so that we’ll stay in line? “I paid for the wristband upgrade and I intend to take full advantage of this shindig,” he says. The Council isn’t opposed to taking what little amount of currency notes we have to add to their War Chests. Maybe one of these days one of the other Republics will actually attack us like we’re always being told they will. Wouldn’t that be something?
     
    Just then out of the corner of my eye I notice familiar brown shaggy hair and the same smile from my