by Liv Curtis
Suddenly, she could see several other figures emerge from the woods behind Jefferson. Once the garage opened one of them shot Jefferson and the rest ambushed the house. As fast as it had happened, it ended, and Sage was back in the basement with her family and her dad was halfway up the stairs.
“NO, DAD, STOP! IT’S A TRAP!” Sage yelled just as the other figures, clearly CA Agents, stepped out from behind the trees. They seemed annoyed that the setup had failed but they ultimately turned back the way they came and left.
“How did you know that? And what was that weird thing you did with your eyes?” Emery asked, her eyes wide with concern.
“What do you mean? What did my eyes do?” Sage was scared to hear the answer, even though part of her already knew.
“They almost glowed for like five seconds then you came back as quickly as you left,” River said from across the table.
“I don’t know, I just got this picture in my head that showed what was going to happen if we opened the garage. That was only five seconds?” Sage felt slightly disoriented but otherwise normal.
“You had a premonition. Just like the book said you would! Wait what’s today date?” Emery looked around for a calendar. At the bottom corner of the camera monitors was a small date, 08.10, Sage’s birthday was tomorrow.
“Okay, we don’t have time to discover my weird birthday gifts from the gods. We have to go now.” Sage slipped into her boots and grabbed one of the masks as she made her way upstairs and into the kitchen. She pulled on her mask and activated the infrared and night vision as she made her way towards the kitchen windows to make sure the guards were no longer in the backyard.
“It’s clear, let’s get going.” Sage yelled to the others and they all made their way up from the basement holding as many weapons and bags of food as they could carry.
They all loaded Jefferson’s car and slowly pulled out of the driveway. There was enough room for 10 people and for all their bags. They shut the garage behind them and began the hour-long drive to the Core.
“Are you two ready for this?” River whispered to Sage and Emery.
“We don’t have a choice, this is the only option we have other than being locked away in the basement of Chancellor Kelly.” Emery laughed nervously and leaned her head back on the headrest.
“Once we get this over with, we can finally live without constantly looking over our shoulders,” River added with a sigh.
“I don’t think this is going to be the end, I think it’s going to be the start of something much, much bigger,” Sage said as she closed her eyes and tried not to think about how much weight was on her shoulders.
“They have the main roads blocked up ahead so be prepared for a rough ride,” Sage’s dad said, as he turned left onto a dirt road that was meant for the mining trucks.
The SUV bounced and rattled over the large rocks and holes. They had turned off the headlights on the car and were using their masks to see the road in front of them when someone ran out into the street. The breaks squealed as Sage’s dad turned the wheel stopping just before the man. He turned on the headlights and when the dust settled the man became clear. His leather jacket and light jeans were stained with dark brown blood across his stomach. His straggly gray beard was matted with blood and sweat but it was clear who he was.
“Jefferson?” Sage’s mom said just as Jefferson looked up and fell to the ground.
Chapter 10
“River, grab his feet and help me get him into the back of the car.” Sage’s dad and River had picked up Jefferson’s limp body and gently sat him down in the trunk of the car.
Sage stood in front of the car keeping guard for anyone who might be looking for Jefferson. The road was narrow and on either side were thick trees and grasses.
Sage heard a branch break behind her and through the night vision mask Sage could see that there were five figures making their way through the woods and towards the car. They clearly hadn’t seen Sage and her family but they were too close, and getting closer.
“We have to go! The CA’s are right over there,” Sage whispered harshly to her parents.
Everyone had gotten back into the car and Sage’s dad started to drive when they heard Jefferson mumble something from the back. Sage looked behind her seat to hear what he was saying and was shocked by the sight.
Jefferson’s gray beard was caked with dried and fresh blood that was spilling out of the corners of his mouth. His left eye was bruised and swollen shut with a large cut above his brow. His light brown shirt was drenched in blood that had poured out of the wound on his stomach. He turned his head towards Sage and smiled. Sage’s eyes stung with tears as she reached down to take his hand.
“You have to leave. You have to get out of the Frame tonight. They know where you are and how to find you. They won’t stop until they do.” Jefferson coughed, and blood leaked from his mouth. He winced as he spoke.
“Don’t let her get away with this, it’s time for her reign to end, it’s time for change.” Jefferson pressed a small piece of folded paper into Sage’s hand and exhaled a jagged breath, his hand fell out of Sage’s, and she knew he was gone. Sage felt numb and her ears were ringing loudly as she slid back into her seat and put the piece of paper into her pocket staring blankly into the darkness. She was aware for Emery and River on either side of her, talking and holding her hands, but she couldn’t form any words.
Sage remained frozen until they reached the backside of the Core wall and unloaded. When River opened the door to the car a gust of cool air blew in, and Sage finally snapped out of her daze. The tears that streamed down her cheeks grew cold in the night air and the taste of salt coated her lips. She wiped the remaining tears from her face and switched her focus back to saving her sister; if she couldn’t save Jefferson, she would do everything in her power to save everyone else in his name.
The three of them clipped on their grappling belts and gathered their weapons in silence. Sage had her daggers on her back, and the sleep darts on her forearms. River had his mini crossbows on his arms, one of which was equipped with the sleep darts, and a small handgun on his hip. Emery had her bo-staff in hand, and few smoke screen grenades on her hip.
“Okay, you three know what to do, be careful and remember that you only have fifteen minutes,” Sage’s dad spoke quietly and slowly as he looked up at the wall. He looked back at Sage and took a deep breath in. He was clearly stressed but everyone knew it had to be done. Sage hugged her dad and told him not to worry. He laughed and hugged her harder. Sage hugged her mom, who stood quietly with tears in her eyes, next.
“You come back to me little lady, and bring your sister with you,” she whispered in Sage’s ear and then it was time for them to go.
“You guys ready?” Sage took a deep breath as the three of them aimed the hooks towards the top of the wall.
“See you in fifteen minutes.” Sage smiled at her parents, Harlow, and Audrey.
On an exhale, they all three pressed the launch button and the hooks whistled into the air. There was a click when they latched to the top of the wall, then the cord recoiled, dragging them towards the wall.
The faster they ran the faster it would pull, once they got close enough to the wall they jumped and allowed the cord to pull them into the air. Suddenly, Sage’s feet hit the side of the wall, and she ran upwards, towards the moon.
The wall was made of smooth marble and was slightly slick under her feet. It had started to rain, which was rare in the Frame since the chancellor controlled the weather. It would only rain once a year, on the day that the chancellor’s father died. Sage shivered at the thought that her birthday was on the same day as his death.
“Get ready, we’re almost to the top,” River said through the mask communication system. They were nearing the top when Emery slipped and slammed into the wall.
“Emery!” Sage yelled as she pulled some of her cord out so she could reach Emery.
“I’m fine! Just lost my footing, keep going!” Emery right
ed her footing and started to make her way back up the wall with Sage by her side. River had made it to the top and was squatting down to help the girls up.
The top of the wall was about four feet wide, just wide enough for guards to walk along when there was an event inside the Core. The three of them ran towards the guard tower that had a connecting path to the top of the council Hall.
“We can use that to get into the council Hall,” River said as he hopped into the guard tower. They were drenched and the air was cold but Sage’s blood was coursing with anger keeping her warm and focused.
“Let’s go, we only have twelve minutes.” Sage opened the gate to the path and the three of them ran towards the council Hall roof. The rain had picked up as they made their way to the fire escape on the roof. They rushed into the narrow stairwell and shut the door behind them, breathing heavy and dripping wet.
“Okay, ten minutes to go, let’s do this.” Sage took the lead as they made their way to the exit ladder that led down to the basement elevator.
The elevator was on its way back up when they started down the ladder, the water was dripping off them, making it harder to maintain their grip on the ladder rungs. Once the elevator stopped, they stepped down off the ladder and waited to go down. The elevator started to head back towards the basement and River quietly opened the hatch. The guard stood alone in the small steel elevator, clearly unaware of River right above him.
River nodded to Sage, signaling to her to use the sleep dart. When he looked back down to see if the guard had moved a drip of water ran from his hair and hit the guard directly on the cheek. The guard flinched and looked up before they even had a chance to think.
He reached for his gun at his hip, but Sage was faster as she dropped into the elevator landing on his shoulders and wrapping her legs around his throat. She held onto the edge of the escape hatch and pulled up until the guard stopped moving and went limp. He was unconscious but still alive as Emery and River dropped into the elevator with her.
“Where the hell did you learn that?” Emery said as she started to steal the guards’ clothes for River to change into.
“Jefferson had shown me how to put someone in a choke hold so I just modified it a bit.” Sage felt her throat tighten at the mention of Jefferson’s name and her blood boiled. She quickly removed one of her darts and jabbed it into the unconscious guard’s neck. River had changed into the guards’ uniform while Sage and Emery stepped aside just in time for the elevator doors to open.
River stepped out and, moments later, another guard entered the elevator. Sage quickly injected the guard, and he fell to the floor in a heap. Emery took his key card and the two of them exited the elevator to join River. As soon as the elevator shut behind them, they stopped dead in their tracks.
Standing in front of them was over twelve guards all with their guns pointed at Sage and Emery. River was nowhere to be seen, and Sage felt her heart skip a beat. Suddenly, from the back of the group, there was a yell and two guards fell to the ground. Behind them was River with his twin crossbows pointed towards the two guards who had just fallen. Without thinking Sage and Emery burst into action. Emery whirled with her bo-staff, and took three guards out with a single spin. Sage instinctively grabbed her daggers and dove straight into the middle of the group, slicing at knees and ankles. Once a guard fell, she would inject them with the sleep dart and move on to the next.
Sage heard a yell and looked up to see two guards pinning River against a wall and threw one of the darts, sinking it between the guard’s shoulder blades. He hit the floor with a howl, and River took the other one down with a single punch to the face. Emery spun in a wide arc and slammed her staff into the face of the last guard She steadied herself on the end of the bo-staff, and leaned over the guard.
“That was for Jefferson,” Emery said and injected the guard with one of the last darts.
“Five minutes, let’s go,” River said as he wiped the blood off his cheek. When they turned the corner into the cell hall there were only four rooms and a small screen that showed the inside of the elevator. On the back wall were four rooms, each one with a prisoner. Sage ran to the first one and opened it with the key card. The door slid open and the prisoner jumped back towards the corner of the room. Sage knew it was Eliza immediately.
“El, it’s me, Sage.” Sage slipped her mask back and retrieve her flashlight from her belt. The room illuminated and Eliza finally came into view. She wore burgundy pants and a matching tank top. Her hair was a mess, and her face was scarred and bruised. She looked gaunt and empty, as if she hadn’t eaten since she had been locked away.
“Sage?” Eliza stood and threw herself around Sage.
“How did you find me?” Eliza looked around wide-eyed as if Sage wasn’t really there and it was all a dream.
“I will explain everything later but right now we have to go.” Sage squeezed her sister’s hands and pulled her out of the room. Emery had found Andrea and was hugging her when Sage came out of the cell.
“We have to go. We have three minutes!” River said to them as he made his way back towards the elevator.
“Wait! We can’t leave them.” Sage pointed towards the other two cells.
“Sage there is no time. We got what we came for now we have to go.” River shook his head, but Sage knew she couldn’t leave them.
“Go, get them out of here and get back to the car I will be right behind you, but I am not leaving them behind if they are just as innocent as we are.” Sage hugged her sister and sent her with River towards the elevator.
“We are not leaving you behind, Sage. It is too dangerous,” River refused.
“Yeah, Sage, come on, there’s no time!” Emery begged as she and Andrea made their way towards the elevator.
“Just go! I’ll be fine, I’m not leaving them, please just trust me!” Sage pleaded and turned back to the cells.
“Fine, but if you aren’t out there in five minutes, we’re coming back for you!” River agreed and turned to go back to the elevator.
Sage took a deep breath and opened the first cell door. Inside the cell was a young boy, with shaved black hair, warm chocolate skin, and large dark brown eyes. He winced at the light when Sage turned on her flashlight, and she could see that he had clearly been beaten and not fed enough either.
“Please, I already told you everything I know, I swear. Just let me go.” His voice was young and raspy, as if he hadn’t had water in several days.
“I’m not here to hurt you, I’m going to get you out of here. My name is Sage Blackwell. I am one of the Awake, and I’m going to need you to trust me. What’s your name?” Sage knelt down next to the boy and removed her mask. He turned his face towards her, and she could suddenly tell that he was young, not much older than Audrey. His face was round and fuller in the cheeks with large eyes.
“Wesley,” he replied, his eyes wide with fear.
“Well, Wesley, my family and I are going to escape tonight and live outside the Frame. I would like it if you came with us. I don’t have much time to explain, but you can trust me.” Sage stood up and stretched out her hand to Wesley. He took it and stood slowly.
“I’ll go with you but you have to help my friend, too. He’s Awake, and the chancellor really hates him. Sometimes she comes down here just to watch the guards beat him.” Wesley pointed towards the cell next to his as he stepped into the hall.
“Of course, what’s his name?” Sage asked as she made her way to the cell.
“Jaxon, but I call him Jax.” Wesley smiled. Sage went cold when she realized she had heard that name in one of her dreams, and she nearly dropped the key card. She opened the door, but the room appeared empty. She gripped the dagger in her left hand and stepped into the cell. From her right a large shadow stepped out quickly and gripped her throat. She turned the flashlight on in her right hand and raised it into the face of the figure, blinding him long enough for her to escape his grasp. She stepped back and raised her dagger to the throat of the figure.
“Jax, is it?” Sage coughed as she spoke, and she could finally see her attacker. He was tall, and muscular with dark brown wavy hair, and light brown eyes. His facial features were sharp and his skin was pale like Eliza’s had been. He had clearly been in a few fights based on the scar above his left eye.
“Who the hell are you?” Jax spoke with the same raspy voice that Wesley had.
“My name is Sage Blackwell, I am here to help you, but I don’t have time to explain it all, and I’m going to need you to just trust me and come with me.” Sage felt strange when she looked into his eyes. There was something very familiar, but she pushed it down and stood her ground.
“Jax, please.” Wesley stepped out from behind Sage and Jax’s face softened. He eyed Sage once more, and then stepped around her and out of the cell. They made their way to the elevator and Sage’s heart sank when she saw that the elevator doors were shut.
When they opened again, a large guard stepped out and charged towards Jax, tackling him to the ground. The guard was stronger than Jax and pinned him to the ground in one swift move. He had his hands around Jax’s throat and clearly had no plans of easing up.
Sage moved fast as she drove the last remaining dart into the guards’ neck. The guards’ muscles weakened, and he dropped to the ground, landing on top of Jax, who threw him to the side.
“I had it under control.” Jax coughed as he stood and made his way to the elevator.
“Yeah, I could tell.” Sage rolled her eyes and started up the ladder. Wesley was right behind her, and Jax took the back. They made it to the roof escape hatch, and Sage opened it to the rain. The smell of fresh air rushed in, and she saw both Wesley and Jax inhale deeply. She realized it had been a long time since either of them had seen the outside world.
“This way.” Sage made a break for the guard tower but was quickly cut off but another guard. The guard was tall and much bigger than Sage, and she recognized him as one of the guards who had taken Jefferson and Eliza.