The Complex Law: Young Adult Dystopian Page-Turner (The Complex Trilogy Book 2)

by Heather Hayes

  Chapter 22

  I feel my warm blanket leave my face. "Elira, wake up."

  I pull the blanket back up angrily. "No."

  "You have to wake up. I have a surprise for you," my mother says in her much-too-cheerful voice that isn't convincing me of anything.

  Days of anguish erupts out of me when I yell, "I don't want a surprise! I want Garth!"

  "Then today is your lucky day, because here I am," Garth says as he walks in with a tray of bacon and eggs.

  "Garth!" I scream, as I jump to my feet and throw the silver tray out of the way. I wrap my arms around him as tears run down my cheeks. How can this be? I'm so glad he's here and okay. I whisper forcefully in his ear, "I thought I lost you, and I didn't get to say I love you too." When I let go of his neck, I raise up on my toes and kiss him harder than I've ever kissed him before. I realize after a while that everyone is watching us.

  "Ahem." My mom clears her throat. "Could you two let Rocky and I past you, please?"

  I hear Ernestine's voice ring out behind me. "Rocky!"

  I take my lips back and wrap my arms around Garth one more time. Over his shoulder, I see my mom tapping her foot, so I make us hug-walk to the side to let her and Rocky through.

  Ernestine jumps to her feet with tears streaming down her face and hugs her son so hard, I'm pretty sure his feet leave the ground even though he is twice as broad as she is.

  "I will be back with a broom and dust pan," my mom says as she kicks some egg off her shoe.

  Scott walks past us as Mom brings in the broom and dust pan. His eyes are red, and he looks like he hasn't slept a wink despite the sleeping pill. I let go of Garth long enough to give Scott a hug. Jefrey claps Rocky and his brother on the shoulder briefly. He is the only one of us keeping his emotions in check.

  Garth and I clean up the breakfast tray mess as my mom clears her throat. "Frank just brought these two home. He has been under constant surveillance since the boys arrived to help move the plywood."

  Ernestine looks at Rocky and then at my mother questioningly. "So, does that mean Frank isn't the traitor?"

  "I think he's looking more innocent than he did yesterday. We need to come to grips with the facts. I think we all know that Avra was taken by the authorities while at her parents' house two days ago. This is horrible news for her, and for all of us. The next question I must ask the group is, why did this happen?"

  "Why? Why else? Somebody wanted the money," Rocky says angrily.

  "Okay, maybe it was about the money, but maybe not. Then the next question is, who?"

  "It's obvious, isn't it?" Jefrey says. "Her parents were as poor as they come. They turned her in for the $20,000. In fact, Avra's dad told her to bring all of us with her. It has to be him." Most of us nod our heads as we consider that.

  I interrupt the group reverie. "What happened to the rest of you guys the last two days? I thought they had taken you all."

  Scott rubs his red eyes. "I think you already know, Elira, but a peace officer barged into my parents' house two nights ago. I had to sneak out the back door and make my way back here slowly and carefully. There were peace officers on the streets from there to here for hours. It was almost like they knew the path I would take to get back here. I sat in a garbage bin for an hour just to be safe."

  "We know officers stop by all of our parents' houses from time to time. It was probably a coincidence that you were there that time," Jefrey proclaims.

  I'm not so sure. "Maybe." I turn to the boy that I now realize I can't live without. "What happened to you, Garth?"

  Garth looks at Rocky and lets out a long breath. "An officer came to Frank and Ernestine's house at about 8:00 two nights ago. We had to hide in a hidden compartment in the coat closet for three hours while the officer searched the house and interrogated Frank. There were two pizza boxes sitting on the coffee table, so the officer wasn't convinced that Frank was alone."

  Rocky adds, "When Dad finally let us out, we had both passed out from locking our knees, according to Dad, and a lack of fresh air. It took him a while to get us both back to normal. He said there were two peace officers watching the house so we couldn't leave."

  "We spent the night hoping we could go home in the morning, but one of the peace officers came in to check things out again after breakfast. So we hid in the closet for another three hours."

  "Did you pass out again?" I ask in horror.

  "Yep. Plus there was still a peace officer car outside the house, so we still couldn't leave."

  Garth squeezes my hand. "Your dad showed up last night with a charity basket and told Frank that he'd take the officer out to breakfast in the morning so we could get away. It worked, and now we're back."

  I hug Garth again, enjoying the warmth and strength I missed. I just want to know why this fiasco happened in the first place. "We still have a traitor."

  Ernestine pipes up, "I'm not so sure it was Avra's dad."

  "Really? Who do you think it was?" Mother asks.

  "I don't know for sure, but I don't think he knew where Scott, Rocky, and Garth were going to be two nights ago, yet officers showed up while they were there."

  "Like I said, it was probably a coincidence. My mom says officers stop by every so often," Jefrey insists.

  I think Ernestine has a point, but I don't want to fight with Jefrey again right now. I look at my friends and say, "It may have been Avra's dad and two coincidences, but what if it's not?"

  Chapter 23

  I am happy to have permission to take a shower. Garth probably gagged when he smelled me this morning. I'm surprised how shaken I still am as I lock myself in our—my room. I see Avra's cast-off shirt on the floor. I pick it up, hold it to my face to catch her scent, and start to cry without tears. There is no moisture left in my body. I want my best friend back. She was the main reason we escaped in the first place. I can't imagine what they must be doing to her. I remember what they did to Rocky and he didn't even have information on escaped dissidents. Her heart can't take this much trauma. What if her heart just gives up? I can't believe I failed her. I should have stayed with her. I could have—taken out six officers? No, I couldn't. I hate to say it, but if I had stayed, I would be back at the complex too.

  I am going to get her back. I have no reservations about the revolution plans anymore. It has to happen, and it has to happen as soon as possible. I start thinking about the phases of the plan. Maxine is doing her part right now. I can trust her; that part will work. Phase two: make the video. My mom and dad say they can do that. I believe them. Phase three: do I trust Greggory to sneakily put the video on the air? I hope so, but I don't know. Phase four: Brock proposes to change the law. I hope that about half of the population is against the complex, but is it slightly more than half or slightly less than half? We need to start creating sympathy for our cause. If it takes a year to pass the law, will Avra be okay that long? I will have to decide if we wait for the law or break my friend out first.

  Come to think of it, maybe I should make a list of possible traitors. If one of my brothers is the traitor, then this plan is doomed.

  Possible traitors: Avra's dad Greggory and Brock, but they didn't know she would be at her parent's house that night. Frank did though. Avra blabbed the street name and everything right before she left. He had a lot of information. Jeffrey from the restaurant. He may have figured out that Edith and Elira have the same birthday and have a history of staying with the Hambles. I think he would have sent officers here though, which didn't happen. My parents and Ernestine. I have to put them on the list because they know everything that goes on around here, but they helped us escape the complex, so I don't think it is one of them. All of us escapees. It's obviously not me, but Garth and Rocky were gone a long time. They wouldn't turn us in for money, would they? No. They were my number one and num
ber two supporters when I wanted to break out. I don't think it's either of them. Scott and Jefrey were alone for quite a while that night too...

  I put my list to the side. I'm not sure what else I can do. I take a quick shower, thankful to send my dried-on tears and body odor down the drain. I leave my bedroom determined to find the traitor. Garth is waiting in the hallway for me. He embraces me. "Are you all right?"

  A sob escapes my lips. "Not really." He gently presses my head to his shoulder and holds me for a while. "Garth, for the first time since we escaped, I feel exposed and vulnerable."

  He strokes my hair. "Something is definitely not right. I can't figure it out though."

  My head pops up. "I am trying to figure out who gave Avra up. Will you help me?"

  "Yes. Should we get Rocky to help us?"

  "No. Just you and me for now."

  "Okay..."

  "Let's lock ourselves in the bunker while everyone is showering so no one can hear us."

  "I like that idea."

  "Garth, this is serious."

  "I know. Sorry."

  Once we're locked in the bunker, we sit on one of the couches to talk traitors. "Were you and Rocky with Frank the whole time? Is there any chance that he is the traitor?"

  "Rocky and I were with him the entire time. He even had the pizza delivered to us so he wouldn't have to leave us alone." Garth kisses my hair and then pauses. "I guess he was on the telephone in the other room when he ordered the pizza that first night. I didn't hear the conversation, but I really don't think it was him."

  "What about Scott? Do you think his sadness is genuine, or do you think he is faking it to cover his tracks?"

  "I'm pretty sure his sorrow real. He would never give Avra up."

  I look into the clear blue eyes that I love and hate myself for asking, "You wouldn't turn her in for $20,000 would you, Garth?"

  He pauses. His eyes betray the hurt he's feeling, and he lets go of me. "No way. Don't you know me? I would never do that to a friend."

  "Would your brother?"

  Garth pauses again. "I—I don't think so. He is a prick, and I can hardly stand the sight of him lately, but I don't think he would do that."

  "I wish I knew that."

  "He seemed really worried about everything a few minutes ago. I don't think he would betray us."

  "Well, that leaves Avra's dad then."

  "I guess so."

  I remember the shabby house and furniture that Avra's family has. Her Dad was nice but something seemed off. "Part of me thought he would do something like this when I met him, but part of me thinks that his love as a parent should stop him from doing such a selfish thing."

  Garth tentatively puts his hand on mine. "It's a strange world out here, Elira. It's so hard to tell what people are going through and what they will do when they are having a weak moment."

  I love the warmth of his hand. "I'm going to have Ernestine drive out there to see if there is any sudden change in circumstances at the Browns' house."

  "That's a good idea."

  "Would you do me a favor, and keep an eye on Scott and Jefrey?"

  "Why?"

  "I know they both were out alone last night before Avra left for her party."

  "I will, but I don't think I'll find anything."

  I glower at him. "Please, Garth. I want to feel safe here again."

  "Okay, I will," he says as he guides my chin to his for a kiss.

  Chapter 24

  Mother says we can spend one night in our own beds, but we have to be on high alert and expect to spend most of our nights in the bunker until we figure out who the traitor is. The next day Greggory stops by to see me. He finds me writing down information I know about possible traitors on sheets of paper at the table in the basement. "Hey, little sister, I haven't let Mom know, but I am really having second thoughts about this plan."

  I throw my hands in the air. "No, Greggory. Not now! Not after they have taken Avra!" I feel the tears start to form.

  He looks confused. "What? They took Avra?"

  "Yes, she went to meet her parents, and when we went to pick her up, the authorities were all over the house. We saw her on the news. Don't you watch the news? You work at the news station."

  "Not on my days off!"

  My fists automatically clench. "Yes, Greggory. My best friend is right back at the place I was trying to save her from."

  He leans back in his chair at the table and looks at the sofa. "I can't believe it. We were all just here having that meeting."

  My fist pounds the table. "That's how quickly life can change when you have a deformity. We may as well call it life with no rights."

  He runs his hands through his messy, blonde hair. "I like Avra. What can I do to help?"

  I resist the urge to roll my eyes. "Stick to the plan. We have to get her out."

  He seems truly distressed by this news. I don't think he is the traitor. "I-I okay. I will do it for Avra."

  "Thank you, Greggory."

  He looks at my list of possible traitors. "You can just cross me off right now, young lady."

  I twist my lips as I look at him. "Okay, but only because you're still helping us."

  Greggory touches Brock's name on my paper. "I hope Brock really does his part. His biggest sponsor is very pro-complex. It's going to be hard to defy him."

  "What about his wife?"

  "She is very pro-complex too. She's a social climber and she doesn't want to fall off the top of the ladder."

  "Have they had any doctor visits lately?"

  "Yes, actually. They've had quite a few lately. Why?"

  "I-I just hope nothing is wrong with the baby. I wouldn't want him sent to the complex."

  "Yeah."

  I wish I could spend a day in Greggory's shoes. He gets to work in the news and talk to all kinds of people. He has no idea the knowledge he has at his fingertips because of his ability to wander the town as a free man.

  "Greggory, from the news and the people you talk to, do you think Brock has a good chance of winning the election?"

  "He has an excellent shot. He is leading in the polls by 55% right now. When I go anywhere with him, women want him to kiss their babies, and men want to shake his hand. Even when I'm not with him, almost everyone I know talks about voting for him."

  I nod. "Oh good. It's hard to tell from in here, what the world thinks."

  "He lacks in many areas when it comes to awesome brother-ness, but he knows how to smile and get people to trust him."

  "He is cocky, but I hope he'll do the right thing."

  "I hope so too. So, where are the twins at?"

  "Garth is talking to Scott in their bedroom, and I'm not sure where Jefrey is."

  "So tell me about you and Garth."

  My cheeks heat up. "I don't think that is any of your business."

  "I'm pretty sure my only sister is my business. Does he treat you right? Or does he use you for what he wants?"

  I continue to blush. "He is kind, thoughtful, and treats me amazingly well. He's quiet and not pushy, which I love about him. He lets me be me and loves me for it."

  "It seemed like Jefrey couldn't keep his eyes off you the other night either."

  "Yeah, the choice was obvious to me."

  "It's not obvious to me. Why did you choose Garth over Jefrey?"

  "It wasn't a hard choice once we left the complex, and I could see and talk to them both on a daily basis. Jefrey cares about Jefrey which I find very unattractive. I want someone who can see beyond himself."

  "Speaking of Jefrey, I thought I saw him walking away from the house as I pulled up. I thought that was kind of strange. You guys don't leave the house
alone usually, right?"

  I sit up in my seat. "Right. Especially after Avra was taken. That idiot!" Knock, knock. "That's probably Jefrey coming back from the convenience store."

  Greggory peeks out the blinds in the kitchen window. "No, there are three peace officers out there! Hide, Elira!"

  "Garth! Scott! Rocky! Shelter, now!" I whisper and gesture loudly. I pull open the bookshelf door as the officers knock harder. My parents come rushing down the stairs with Ernestine. The boys run to the shelter with Ernestine right behind them. We shut the door firmly until it clicks. Ernestine and Scott sit on a couch while Rocky, Garth and I press our ears to the door. I hear my mom telling my dad and brother, "Take a deep breath and remember that we have done nothing wrong. So act confident."

  "Excuse us, Doctor and Mrs. Hamble, we have received an eyewitness account which insists that they saw people of a wanted nature on these premises. We will have to search the property." The lead officer sends his men to search in each direction. I can hear all the cupboards and closets being opened and closed. I'm sure my parents and brother are having a hard time looking calm and collected. Please, Greggory, don't say anything stupid.

  "That is ludicrous! We would like to know who says there have been wanted people on the property," my dad demands.

  "The guy wishes to remain anonymous."

  "I'm sure he does."

  Greggory sounds upset. "Don't you have to have a warrant to search someone's home? This is invasive, and against the law."

  "No, young man. Those rights were given up when the Complex Law was revamped by President Alexander Prystine."

  After searching the house for 45 minutes, the officers meet back in the basement great room. "Commander, we have found evidence of people staying in the bedrooms, but there is no one here except a cook and these three."

  "Where is your hired help, Mrs. Hamble? Aren't they the ones staying in these bedrooms? It looks like they haven't done much remodeling inside here. It looks practically the same as the last time I visited."