Book 3 Project

Specials by Scott Westerfed
Final Rating: 7 out of 10

This is a deleted scene right after Shay and Tally have been turned into Specials. They are flying on their hover boards and experimenting with their new abilities. Tally’s point of view--

“Shay-la, wait for me!” Tally yelled, her voice ringing out among the trees.

Tally giggled at the sound of her voice. It was clear with perfect pronunciation. The sharp but beautiful notes echoed around the forest. Tally could just barely see Shay’s outline ahead of her, gliding gracefully on her hover board, darting in and out of site behind the trees. But, what Tally could see was perfect. Everything was vibrant and sharp. No detail escaped her gaze. Tally felt everything with an icy clarity: the brittle, freezing wind across her bare hands, the shifting gravities that pressed her feet against the hoverboard. (Pg. 3)

“Geez Tally-wa get your board moving already,” replied Shay as she dashed past Tally in a whirlwind of long dark hair. “Enjoy our new life!”

Tally grinned and nimbly hopped on her hover board in response. The propelling fans on the bottom began to whirl quicker and quietly to lift her in the air but Tally could still hear it. Just like she could hear a distant trickle of water off to her side or the faint rustle of leaves in the cool evening breeze. Although she noticed the lack of brash noises made by animals. When she used to come out in the forest when she was an Ugly she could always spot animals and hear the birds chipping, but that was the difference. The animals knew when fierce predators were around and had intelligently hidden or run away from Tally’s presence. After all, Specials were the ultimate predators.

Delighted yells sounded throughout the air as Shay dove and dipped on her board. Icicles whipped past in glittering streaks, and moonlight silvered the world, like an old, colorless moview come flickering to life (Pg 4). Tally tried to follow her example but her heart wasn’t in it anymore. She ran her tongue over her teeth, feeling the sharp canine edges cut at her soft skin. They were unnatural. Meant to inspire fear into those she hunted. Tally remembered when she was a Pretty. One step better than being an Ugly, a Pretty’s whole life was centered on having fun and being, well, pretty. Was it worth it to become such a fearsome creature?

Shaking her head, Tally cleared her mind of those bubble-headed thoughts. Of course being a Special was worth it. She had highly enhanced senses and abilities. She got to keep Shay as her friend. For if Shay was made special and Tally wasn’t, they would never see each other again. Tally tried to keep her mind off of all the people she left behind. But she couldn’t help but wallow in sorrow.

Tally’s hands began to tremble and her board stopped moving. “Shay? Do you wish we weren’t turned into Specials?” she whispered. Shay would hear.

“Why would you say that? Keep your head filled with icy thoughts Tally. Being Special is special. I never want to change back to being a soft, weak, bubble-headed Pretty,” Shay replied harshly as she zoomed to a stop in front of Tally.

The moon light draped over Shay’s face and Tally could see the harsh beautiful features. They were those of a hunter, a deadly ruthless hunter. They were those of Tally’s face as well.

Shay’s pointed look settled on Tally and she realized she needed to reply. “Oh Shay you’re right. I hated being a bubble-head,” she added fiercely. Pretties went about their life unaware of what happened around them. That was the problem. The lessons that were injected in their brains kept their thoughts harmless and fun loving. It was much better to be Special where everything was in icy clarity. She liked being special, being outside and and icy and better (Pg 6).

“Let’s go Tally,” Shay said gently. “I saw a waterfall a few miles away. Race you there!”

“Ha I’m coming Shay-la! No way I will let you win!” She called as she moved her board into motion.

Tally whipped past the trees and felt the surge of adrenalin knowing that she was in no danger because her body was perfect and she was flawless. She was Special.