The Sniper will almost kill Nedrick the Sanctimonious twice. Once as he drives in his best friend’s red pickup truck. And the second time, it will be near his home, and he will send dogs in the direction of the shot.
The Sniper will make it out alive, but the dogs will discover the tunnel.
During the next week, the government’s army will take back most of its states and the residents will be happy. They will be freed from the camps. Children will be reunited with their mothers. Wives will be reunited with their husbands.
Ferret Company will be dismantled. K-Duty will cease. All able-bodied New American men will be commanded to report to the last state ruled by Nedrick the Sanctimonious and will amass for one final battle, which they know they will lose, but they will do it anyway.
Exiles will start the long walk home. They will look like ghosts—withered by three years of hunger and war. The children will stay chillingly quiet. The Sniper will hide in the tunnels with her rebels. Her husband will plant explosives under enemy territory. She will clean her rifle. They will wait in silence as troops march above their heads. They will wait until the right moment. Until they are sure.