“Tell us what you know!”
Meacham removed a gavel from inside the podium, then banged it against the wood. It took ten knocks to get everyone to quiet down.
“We don’t even know they’re alive,” Meacham said.
Arielle stood up from her place in the crowd. “Yes, we do.”
Meacham focused on her, stunned. “Arielle, what do you have to do with this?”
“I know they’re alive. They’re in Praetoria. I sensed them.”
Michael didn’t expect what came next. Louis Blake, still in handcuffs, ran to the central aisle. Warren and Elkin rushed to restrain him.
“That’s impossible,” Blake said, gawking at Arielle. “How did you pinpoint—”
“I had therapy sessions with them for years. I know their minds well.”
Blake resisted as Warren and Elkin tried to pull him away. “You would’ve had to be a few miles outside of—” He didn’t finish the thought, but glared at Michael and the other boys instead. “You took her out of Gulch? What’s the matter with you?”
John Meacham’s rage had been replaced by amusement. He watched his men drag Blake toward a side door.
“Don’t do it,” Blake shouted at the boys. “You’re not ready!”
Dominic grabbed Michael’s shirt and spun him around. “What the hell did you do?”
“Well, well…” Meacham said from his podium. “Another crime to add to the books.”
Michael worked his way out of Dominic’s grasp. He shouted into the commotion.
“We took our motorcycles outside Praetoria with her consent. We used telepathy to stay undercover. It was safe, and we were careful and armed. Now that we know where those women are, we can get them and bring them back. You should all know that our telepathic training is for the protection of Gulch and nothing more.”
The room was silent except for the creaking of chairs. John Meacham leaned over the podium, arms resting over its edge like he wanted to climb over it and beat Michael’s face in.
“Michael Cairne,” he said, “last time I checked, you were a mass murderer. You wiped out an entire city block a few nights before you were brought here—”
“Enough!”
The plea had come from Louis Blake, who was still standing by the exit, Warren and Elkin restraining him on either side.
“We all know the circumstances of Michael’s arrival in Gulch,” Blake said, “and we know it wasn’t his fault. The issue at hand is one of legality. These boys are not yet eighteen, and therefore aren’t allowed to leave town. Period. You made that law yourself, John.”
Smiling, Meacham puffed up his shoulders. “All of a sudden, you’re respecting the law, huh, Louis?”
Blake bared his teeth. He was about to speak when a sudden coughing spell took hold of him. Warren and Elkin let go, letting him fall to his knees.
“They”—cough—“can’t”—cough, cough—“do this.”
Midas Ford rushed to his side. “He needs medical help.”
“Not happening,” Meacham countered. “The verdict has been decided. He goes straight to jail. You can tend to him there.”
Peter put his hand on Michael’s shoulder. “Just so you know, we’re with you on this. No matter what anyone says. You decide.”
“We’re going,” Michael announced to the crowd.
Dominic closed his eyes, shaking his head in disappointment.
A booming voice filled the room, suddenly upbeat and optimistic.
“You boys have my permission,” John Meacham said. “Hell, I’ll loan you one of my trucks. I’ll even let the major go free when you get back. If you make it back.”
He grinned as if he’d just done the town a tremendous service.
Blake’s voice entered Michael’s mind. Michael was sure the other boys could hear the old man, too.
Don’t do this. You don’t know what you’re walking into. You’ll die.
Michael clenched his teeth against a brutal wave of fear and uncertainty.
It’s done, he sent back. These people need to know we’re here to help.
That’s not important, Blake insisted.
Another voice joined the conversation.
Yes, it is important, Dominic sent. And I’m going with them.
Blake said nothing more as they dragged him off to jail.
To be continued…
If you liked the novel, please go to Ascendant: Episode 2’s product page and leave a review.
Why review this book?
Writing one of these things is never easy, and every review I get, whether positive, lukewarm, or critical (as long as it’s honest), provides me with information I can use to keep improving my stories. Without them, I have no idea what I’m good at and what still needs work. So go ahead and post a few words, let me know what you think, and stay tuned for the next book in the series!
Best,
Rich Denoncourt
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Richard Denoncourt is the author of dystopian, futuristic and epic fantasy fiction. He studied literature and political philosophy at Colgate University and received an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School in New York City.
Contact the Author at:
www.rdenoncourt.com
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