33

 

Days pass. I’d still rather focus on defeating the mother country, but Fischer has been recruiting people who will spread Christ’s message, and Keegan and Guard Rok work on people who can reach the most people with the news the rebellion is growing.

I pull Guard Nev to the side to question him about something entirely different. Something that has weighed on my mind for weeks. “Guard Nev, what ever happened to Kassy?”

Kassy’s fervent promise in Greater City that she was ready to help in any way she could convinced me to trust her, but she wasn’t ready at all. She ended up having a breakdown and being locked away while I left for the prison. Had she stayed with the Free? Was she here now?

Guard Nev sighs. “I don’t know. When I met Miriam and her people out west, Kassy wasn’t with them. I haven’t seen her since, and I never asked.”

“Would Miriam know?”

He nods. “Absolutely.”

Miriam stands with Guard Rok at a table set up with various rocks and sticks. They’re mapping out attack routes. I shudder at the thought. “Miriam, can I ask you a question when you have time?”

She turns from the conversation and faces me. “Go ahead.”

“I’ve been wondering about Kassy, the girl who came with me before the prison riot. What ever happened to her?”

Miriam’s eyes cloud over and she sighs, remembering. “She wouldn’t calm down. She cried for days, screaming about a conspiracy. She thought Supreme Moon had used you to get to her. Once the Greaters began relocating, and we knew it was time for us to move on, we let her go. I’m not sure where she ended up.”

If she was that confused, could she find her way back to Greater City? Was anyone there if she did?

My bad decision may have cost Kassy her life.

Guilt slices through me, swift and hot. I force a tight smile and nod. “Thank you for telling me.”

“I’m sorry, Hana.”

I nod again and she returns to the war planning. I make my way to the fourth floor to find the Bible, but a circle of people sits around it, each of them listening intently while someone reads to them. I move in closer, but I don’t recognize the reader or anyone in the group. I don’t stay around to listen with them, but I’m glad they’re using the Bible. Glad they’re finding the healing I found in its pages.

I make my way back downstairs and gasp when I realize someone is playing music. As I glance around, I freeze. Keegan plays a guitar—I have no idea where he found it—and several people gather around him. Even Les and his rats listen from the far side of the room. The music washes over me, bringing happy and sad memories with it. His music is just as mesmerizing to everyone else in the room.

He finishes his song and smiles at me. He’s healed so quickly and is doing well.

One of the Free step forward and Keegan hands over the guitar, but I catch the longing in his eyes.

He left his guitar behind when he followed me out of Middle City 1.

Now that the concert is finished, the room begins to clear out. Keegan walks toward me. His steps are slower than they used to be, but steady.

“You look like you miss that.”

His eyes burn with longing, and he nods. Glancing around, he clears his throat. “I’ve actually been thinking about something, and I wondered if you’d be interested in helping me.”

“Of course. Anything.”

“I want to go into the city.”

I’m not expecting that. “Keegan, it’s too soon since you were shot. Going into the city is too dangerous.”

He grins. “Come with me. I want to grab my guitar, then I can recruit a few people I know from training.”

Lilith.

I shift, suddenly uncomfortable. “Are you sure?”

“Sure that I want more people on our side? Yes.”

“Sure that you’re ready for another adventure.”

He takes my shoulder and squeezes. “I am absolutely sure.”

A few people standing near us immediately volunteer to go into the city with us. That’s when I see Fischer standing a few feet away, his eyes showing his worry. He isn’t one to pressure. To intrude.

But I know he’d like an explanation, so while everyone else prepares to move, I make my way to him. “Keegan has a few things he wants to do.”

Fischer nods and glances across the room at Keegan. “So I hear.”

“Is he healthy enough for this?”

“I don’t see why not, as long as things go well.”

I bite my lip and study him. “Do you think they will go well?”

He shrugs and attempts a smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Who can tell?”

We stand a few moments in an awkward silence before he takes a deep breath. “Hana, I’m no good at this, but I want you to know something before you go back into the city.” He looks away and I can almost see the weight he carries on his shoulder.

“What is it, Fischer?” I ask gently.

His tortured gaze turns back to me. “I want you to choose me. I feel selfish asking, but it’s true. Promise me you’ll at least think about it?”

Heat rushes to my cheeks. I’m so flustered by his confession I don’t know how to respond. I manage a nod. “I will think about it. It’s all I’ve been thinking about.”

This seems to satisfy him. He gives me a quick kiss on my cheek, and I flush even more. “Be careful, and come back, OK?”

I nod again, and he moves away.

When the group is ready, we make our way to a hole in the fence that seems to be particularly less guarded. The difference in the atmosphere of the city since the last time we came is almost palpable. Tension is thick. People move with a stiffness I’ve never seen before, not even during the random raids of my childhood, when neighbors’ houses would be searched at will.

No one makes eye contact as they move through the streets. Heads are kept down, and legs are swift.

I glance at Keegan. “Something is off.”

He watches the people, a frown on his face. “I think you’re right. Let’s move.”

We take alleys, not wanting to chance being seen today when something is obviously happening. Keegan leads us toward the dormitories, which happen to be away from the dome. This is good. If Frost Moon is here, he is at the dome. I don’t want to run into him. Not yet.

We reach the dorms and stop. Now that we’re here, we’ll have to step into the open. We’ll have to be seen, and that means we’re taking a chance at being caught.

“Are you ready?” Keegan asks quietly. He glances at the others who came with us, also from this city. “You all know where to go. Meet back here in an hour.”

Everyone nods, and Keegan steps out from the alley. The sun breaks through the clouds here, letting sunlight trickle down to warm our arms.

We don’t stop to enjoy it.

The campus seems deserted, but Keegan assures me the trainees are around. The plan is to grab his guitar first, then look for Lilith afterwards. He leads us to the dormitories and we sneak in a back door. A few people dot the hallways, but no one gives us a second glance.

When we reach what used to be Keegan’s room, the door is locked. Keegan runs his card across the scanner, but nothing happens.

“They locked me out,” he mutters. Disappointment oozes from his words.

I grab his arm. “I’m sorry, Keegan.”

He shakes his head and heads back to the exit. “It’s not that big of a problem. Let’s go.”

He takes me to a large building, but we stop at the door. He looks at me then his gaze darts away. Something has him nervous, and my stomach twists with his words. “Lilith should be inside here, practicing her singing.”

His simple words fill me with fear. Is he choosing her?

I swallow hard and nod.

“Will you come with me?”

I would rather do anything but.

Instead, I nod again.

Keegan opens the door, and we sneak into a back hallway of the training building.

“Are you so sure she’s going to help us?” I ask. Memories of Lilith and her attitude about defying the Greaters don’t match up with someone who wants to join the rebel cause.

“She’s not as bad as you always made her out to be.”

His words sting, but I push the hurt aside. He’s been fooled, because she is every bit as bad as I make her out to be. But...maybe he did tell her about God. Maybe she has changed.

We reach a long, empty hallway. It’s lined with windows, letting in light. “She practices in room seventy-three.”

I nod, and we dart down the hallway, glancing at every door we pass.

“Here it is,” I hiss.

Keegan rushes to me and presses his ear against the door. He turns back to me. “I don’t hear her.”

“Test the knob.”

He swallows hard and reaches out a slow hand. The knob twists easily in his hand. He takes a deep breath and steps inside.

Lilith sits at a table with an instructor, pouring over some type of list. She gasps and her face lights up. “Keegan!” Then her eyes fall to me and she scowls. “What do you want? I warned you not to bother me again.”

The instructor frowns and stands. He marches toward us. “What are you doing here?”

Everyone ignores him, and he huffs before storming from the room.

“I didn’t come to bother you.” It’s all I can do to keep the snap from my voice. “I came because Keegan asked me to.”

Her eyes turn to Keegan, but the suspicion is still there. “I told you not to come back here unless it was to choose me. I won’t help you help her.”

“I want you to come with us.” Keegan moves closer to her, standing way too close in my opinion.

She frowns and rolls her eyes. “I would never live in some rebel camp outside the city. When this war is over, I am going to be Greater. I promise you that. I’ve already been to the dome four times to entertain.”

I glance at Keegan. Ignoring the fact that they were obviously good friends, I focus on the fact that Lilith knows about the war and speaks openly. Does everyone know the truth and ignore it so blatantly?

“The Greater system will be obsolete once this war is over.” Keegan takes her hand. “Come with us.”

She jerks her hand away. “Why would I do that?”

I close my eyes, dreading the words that will come from Keegan’s mouth next—because he wants to be with her. Because he can’t stand to lose her.

“Because we’re friends, and I care about you. You want to be with the people in charge? Come with us. Ours will be the group in charge when this war ends.”

Confusion fills me once again. He doesn’t mention the true reason behind the change in rule—he hasn’t tried to turn her heart toward God.

Lilith snorts and backs away. “The war is almost over as it is, and the Greaters are still in charge.”

“What do you mean, it’s almost over?” I ask.

“The enemy has left the outer cities. We’ve defeated them.”

I step forward. “Then why do you say it’s almost over?”

She hesitates, her frown unsure. “No one knows where they went, exactly. The city is on high alert.”

No wonder the city is filled with so much tension. I turn to Keegan. “We need to go. Now.”

Keegan doesn’t take his eyes off Lilith. “Come with us.”

Slowly her gaze moves to me. “I warned you not to bother me again. You better run fast, because my instructor is probably alerting the guards as we speak.”

I turn for the door but Keegan grabs me. “She’s not serious.”

“Yes, she is!” I say.

“Yes, I am!”

Keegan growls. “Come on, Lil. Don’t be stubborn.”

Her chin lifts in the air. “You had your chance.” She glances at me. “Which he took advantage of, by the way. I’m warning you to go, unless you want to be caught.”

Keegan’s nostrils flare and he jerks toward the door. I scowl at Lilith before following him out the door and through the training building. We don’t go far before the familiar sound of pounding footsteps rings out behind us.

Keegan glances behind us and shakes his head. “I thought she would come.” He swallows. “We were friends.”

“Lilith is only concerned with herself.”

“Can we please not discuss it right now?” he bites out.

Guilt gnaws at me. He really is disappointed. I could at least pretend to understand he was so fooled by her, but the pain of knowing he considered a relationship with her is too raw.

The guards shout at us, but we don’t slow as we make our way to the fences. “What about the others?” I ask.

Keegan shakes his head. “They’re on their own.”

We race through alleys, people stepping out of their shops and homes to stare as we pass. Finally, we turn a corner and the fence is in view. Three guards stand in front of it.

Keegan stumbles as he changes directions. He catches himself on the corner of a building and propels himself forward. “Are you OK?”

I gasp out an answer, hurrying to keep up. “What do we do?”

“We have to try the drainage pipes.”

“They’re going to be swarming with guards. You know that.”

He shakes his head. “The last group of insurgents claimed they came through the pipes.”

Just what I want to do, trust someone I’ve never met. But we have no other choice, and I follow him to another alley. This one has a large, metal disk covering a manhole, and I work with Keegan to move it as quickly as I can. It clangs to the ground just as the guards turn the corner and spot us.

“Go!” Keegan shouts.

I scramble down the rungs. A moment later, Keegan follows me. His feet barely touch the ladder.

“Run.” It’s not a shout or even a demand. It’s a plea.

I don’t need to be told twice.

My legs move through the damp tunnel at a painful speed. Every inlet and outlet looks exactly the same, especially in the almost complete blackness surrounding us. “Which way do I go?”

“Just keep running straight. I don’t care where we come out, as long as it’s away from them.”

Good point.

The guards splash along behind us, but the darkness definitely works in our favor. Keegan finds my hand and tugs me toward the left. “Step up softly,” he whispers.

Following his lead, I find my feet on more solid ground. We’re on a ledge of sorts. I hold in my gasp. Now the guards can’t hear which direction we run.

We hurry along the cobbled path, and after a moment, we make a left turn into a different tunnel. I don’t hear the guards behind us. We made it.

I turn and grin at Keegan but then remember he can’t see me. Instead, I follow him, eager to get out of this inky grave.

After a few more minutes of running, we reach what feels like a wall. Keegan uses his hands to feel out the area. “Over here,” he says quietly. “There’s a ladder.”

We climb up, and he uses what little strength he has in his arms to remove the top.

We should question why it moves so easily, but we’re both too anxious to get out. Keegan scrambles into the open, and I quickly follow him. I recognize the location right away. We’re just outside the area of our skyscraper.

And we are not alone.