My wife is expecting, and I should be thrilled, but I am not. Being a government official has opened my eyes to the goings-on of our new world, which includes children being raised by our government.
—The journal of Isaac Ryland
“I feel like a girl in these pants,” Carter said.
Andrew thought he had a point. They were wearing the same tight clothes as the rest of the mountain people, complete with homemade shirts. Carter’s was dark yellow and Andrew’s green; outside of that they were dressed the same.
“Just say thank you,” Andrew said. He was happy to change out of the suit.
“We’re lucky they’re giving us clothes,” Trent said.
Agent Quillian was no more; now he was just Trent. Andrew noticed Trent was much more agreeable, though still annoying.
Andrew walked outside the wooden structure that was housing them. He looked down the tiny street at the other six buildings, all of which were connected. They were in disarray, much like the place Andrew was staying. He’d offered to fix the roof on their first day here, hoping Mikey would give him a task to distract his thoughts.
“No, thank you,” Mikey said.
“I know what I’m doing,” Andrew said. “Don’t you want to protect your people from the elements?”
“I want to protect my people from your people,” Mikey said. “We found this place like this and intend to leave it that way. I don’t know who left this here, but I’m grateful. We must be ready to move into hiding at any moment. Fixing these buildings up would let someone know people lived here.”
Though the only people Andrew had seen were Mikey, Dustin, JR, and the two who escorted Carter and Zack. He didn’t think five people needed so much space.
“We have a week left here,” Andrew said. “Let’s keep under the radar and then be on our way.”
“What are we doing today?” Trent asked.
Andrew hoped it would be something more exciting than what they’d done the last three days. They hadn’t been allowed to leave their building. Then last night Mikey had dropped off the new clothes. She said it was a trade for the luggage they’d brought with them. Andrew knew that meant their few belongings now were Mikey’s property.
“No clue,” Andrew said.
“Good morning, boys,” Mikey said.
She walked out from one of the other buildings.
“Are we going to see Zack?” Carter asked.
Their blond leader was being housed somewhere else. Mikey explained it was due to his gunshot wound. Zack didn’t object to his relocation so Andrew hadn’t either.
“Didn’t your mother teach you any manners?” Mikey asked.
Carter stared at her blankly.
“Oh,” Mikey said. “Sorry, I forget about the outside world sometimes. Here’s a lesson: wait for your elders to speak first.
“There’s a week until the car comes back,” Mikey said. “We have agreed it is too long to keep you cooped up. My people are getting tired of having to avoid your building and I don’t want to move you out of my sight, so today you’re going to meet everyone.”
Mikey eyed the three men. Andrew opened his mouth to ask a question.
“I’m not finished,” Mikey said. “Close your mouth.”
Andrew did as he was told. Being instructed that way would normally have raised his ire, but for some reason he felt guilty for not following Mikey’s instructions.
“There are forty-two people under my care,” Mikey said. “I don’t expect you to remember all their names, but I do require you to act gracious and show them the respect they deserve. Not everyone will want to talk with you and not everyone is aware of what life is like in the rest of this country. I will not tolerate you spoiling their minds.”
She gave the three a stern look. Trent looked confused and Carter acted like he was about to burst with questions. Andrew had a few of his own he wanted to ask.
“If you have a question raise your hand,” Mikey said.
Carter and Trent both shot their arms up. Mikey picked Carter.
“What do you mean?”
“We don’t tell the little kids about the Registry or service,” Mikey said. “They don’t know about RAG agents, wars, or life outside this settlement until they hit their teenage years. Then we break it to them slowly.”
“Why?” Trent asked.
Mikey reached out and smacked him. It wasn’t hard enough to hurt, just to shock him. Andrew snickered and Mikey looked at him with a sharp glare. He stopped laughing.
“Raise your hand,” Mikey said.
Carter shot his up again before Trent got the chance and Mikey pointed to him.
“How did you end up here?”
“I fell in love with a boy when I was sixteen,” Mikey said. “We ran away together. Over the course of our cross-country expedition we met a few others who wanted to join us and we kept running. There were eight of us when we stumbled upon this place. We decided to stay for a night, which turned into a week, then a year. Relationships developed and we had children. As our children grew up some of them fell in love and had more children. That does not mean we’re inbred; get that idea out of your minds.”
Andrew didn’t know what that meant but didn’t bother to ask.
“Any more questions?” Mikey asked, staring at Trent.
He raised his hand and lowered his head at the same time.
“Who do they think we are?” Trent asked. “The children. Should we have a cover?”
“Don’t talk to them,” Mikey said. “They’ve been told you’re from a neighboring community. We couldn’t have you walking around in suits. The older ones know who you are though. Try to keep to yourself.”
Mikey turned and started walking. Andrew followed, curious what he was about to see.
“One more thing,” Mikey said. “Stay away from the girls. If they’ll let you.”
She didn’t turn around, but Andrew could tell from her voice that she was smiling.