She cleared her throat. “The vote was close. 18,827,274 voted yes – to free the Kazzies.”
I clutched my shirt at my chest. A band squeezed around my throat.
“18,739,297 million voted no – to keep the Kazzies in the reservation.”
Energy grew in the room as those words sank in. Davin’s hand tightened even more over mine. We turned to look at one another as the president’s words filled the background.
“As of today, the Kazzies will be freed from the reservation. They will integrate into society and join us. Because of them we have a vaccine. Because of them we no longer need to fear Makanza. Please welcome them with open arms.”
Davin pulled me into a hug and crushed me against his chest. Tears poured down my face. Laughter and shouts filled the room. Similar yells sounded outside.
The entire reservation was cheering.
The room around me faded. All I felt was Davin’s hard arms and all I heard was his strong heartbeat. The feel of him pressed against me, the scent of him drifting to my senses – my world became entirely him.
He pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes. “You did it. You really did it!”
“No, we did it.” I choked through my tears. “We all did this together. And now a new future begins.”
22 – SECTION 12
The rest of the day passed in a blur of celebrating, cheering, and crazy partying. The entire reservation had erupted. Even the guards seemed pleased.
I had no idea how the Kazzies’ integration into society would go, but I did know it was better than living here.
The news was all over the Internet since the government had posted it to various sites. I scoffed when clips of Senator Douglas appeared. He promised to fight to overturn the new law. Despite his hatred infused remarks, tears of happiness filled my eyes when I read the sections of the Post Wave Rehabilitation Act. One section, in particular, made my heart fill with pride.
Section 12. Any person who, with the intent to deprive an individual or group of individuals infected with the virus Makanza of the exercise of their civil rights commits an unlawful discriminatory practice in violation of civil rights.
The Act went on to describe the various rights Kazzies held. It was similar to the Civil Rights Act. Anyone who knowingly or willingly subjected Kazzies to inferior treatment was breaking the law.
When Davin scanned the newsfeed, muscles quivered around his mouth. I knew he was close to tears. All of the Kazzies were.
They’d finally been deemed equals in the eyes of the law.
OTHER KAZZIES APPEARED in Sage and Davin’s house throughout the day. It seemed everybody had an open-door policy this afternoon. I’d met more Kazzies and family members in the last four hours than I had met in the last few weeks.
I felt Davin watching me throughout the day. He had that hooded look again. His expression was impossible to read.
Every time I caught him watching me, I ran a hand nervously through my hair. Davin was going to be free. He and I would both be living in the same world. A world outside of the Compounds. A world outside of the reservation. So what does that mean?
The brave side of me told me to boldly walk up to him, grab hold of him, and kiss him as passionately as I wanted to. The other part of me, the niggling insecure side, remembered the letters. Does he want you and only you?
My cell phone rang just as somebody cranked up the music in the living room. Someone else pushed a drink into my hand as he made a beeline for the bathroom. Beer sloshed over the top. The soldiers had graciously shared their alcohol with us. I had a feeling everybody would have massive headaches tomorrow.
I sat the drink down on the closest table and pulled my phone out of my pocket. When I saw who it was, I smiled and brought it to my ear. “Amy, hi. Did you hear the news?”
“Of course I did! I can’t believe it! Mitch, Charlie, and a bunch of other researchers, and I were all together when they announced it. We’ve been at Sean’s all afternoon celebrating. Can you believe that it’s finally happening? They’ll all be able to go home!” Shouts and music could be heard in the background.
“Yeah, it’s pretty crazy up here too. Even the guards are celebrating.”
Amy laughed. “They’re probably glad to get out of there. It’s not the most exciting place to live.”
Just as I was about to respond, I heard a shuffle, and then Charlie’s voice sounded in the background.
“Give me that, Aimes!” Another scuffle followed before Charlie’s voice drifted through the phone. “Meghan, you’re officially a national hero!”
I rolled my eyes. “Yep, that’s me, I’ll go down in the history books.”
Charlie chuckled. “But seriously, good job out there. I know you really worked hard to educate the public. It’s paid off.”
Another person bumped against me on their way to the bathroom. A line was forming outside it.
I stepped closer to the wall and brought my other hand to my ear since the music had been turned up more. “It was a team effort. Honestly, I can’t take all of the credit. Cate did way more than I did, not to mention the hundreds of recruits and volunteers that traveled with us.” I thought briefly of Dr. Hutchinson. I imagined Washington D.C. was having similar celebrations. But I also knew just as many people were angry and scared about what was to come.
Another shuffle sounded on the phone, and then laughter, noise, and conversations in the background became louder. They’d put me on speakerphone.
“Meghan, how’s the reservation?” Mitch’s voice boomed.
I winced and put some distance between me and the earpiece. “It’s probably similar to there, although, it’s a bit more emotional.”
“For good reason,” Amy responded.
“Tell them we wish them the best.” I could barely hear Charlie’s voice over the commotion in the background.
“I will. Thanks, you guys. You’ve all helped so much over the past year. None of this would have been possible unless we all worked together.”
“We all couldn’t be happier, Meghan,” Amy replied. “Come back to Sioux Falls soon. We miss you.”
After we hung up, Davin appeared at my side. It had grown so crowded in their house he pressed against me as more people filled the room. “Were those your co-workers?”
I bit back a smile even though the crowded room was getting to me. Davin still referred to them as “my co-workers” despite knowing them for longer than I had. I no longer hoped that bridge would be mended between Davin and them. Too much had happened for him to fully forget what they’d done under Dr. Roberts’ rule, but he didn’t have any animosity toward them. Not like he did to Dr. Roberts. Davin simply didn’t want to stay in touch with my colleagues.
“Yes, they’re celebrating at Sean’s right now. They’re all happy that you’re going to be released.”
Davin frowned. “There will be just as many people who will be angry.”
My stomach clenched. “Yeah, I know. But the law has been signed. You’ll be free whether they like it or not. And Cate and I can still work on educating everybody. And honestly, after you’re all out, and they all realize Makanza won’t kill them, things will change. I’m sure of it.”
Davin cocked an eyebrow. “Are you going to keep doing those tours of the country?”
I smiled. “I hope not. I am not cut out for political life.”
He laughed. The sound filled the room despite the other laughter and conversations taking place.
“Do you want to get out of here?” Davin nodded his head toward the door.
I ran a hand through my hair. I was acutely aware of his presence beside me. “Sure, where do you want to go?”
“Somewhere less crowded?”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes, please.”
WE DONNED WINTER jackets, hats, and mittens, before pulling on our boots. Sharon waved goodbye when she saw us leaving. A contented smile covered her face. With Christmas only a week away, I knew where her thoughts were.
Her son would be home for the holiday. It would be the first time that had happened in seven years.
Outside, Davin and I walked through the neighborhood. Dozens of Kazzies were also walking around. Laughter, giggles, and excited conversations filled the streets.
Davin and I headed west. Only a few blocks away lay the open prairie. It was like we both wanted the wild open, away from all of the crowds to have a moment of quiet.
When the snowy prairie appeared, I was reminded of that night with Ian. The night we broke into the reservation and I re-established my link with Sara.
I wondered how he was doing. I hadn’t spoken to him since flying back from the south, but he’d texted to tell me that he was back in Seattle. Other than that, I didn’t know what he was up to.
“You’re rather quiet.” Davin walked at my side but his gaze was on me not the sidewalk.
“I was just thinking of Ian.”
He frowned. “Is that the guy who broke into the reservation with you?”
I hadn’t spoken to Davin about Ian very much. All he knew was that Ian and I had worked together in Seattle and down south. He also knew that Ian had broken into the reservation with me. Beyond that, he didn’t know the details. And he certainly didn’t know that Ian had shown interest in me.
“Yeah, that was him. I wondered how he was taking the news.”
“Do you want to call him? I can give you some privacy if you want to talk to him.” His expression was once again impossible to read, but he watched my every move.
“Yeah, I will. But not right now.”
Other Kazzies waved as we passed them. My phone rang again just as we reached the edge of the neighborhood. “I don’t think I’ve ever been called this many times in such a short span.”
Davin chuckled. “There’s nothing like starting a revolution and changing a country’s laws to really bring out the hecklers.”
I grimaced. “I’m sure that hecklers will come. That’s not something I’m looking forward too.”
Davin’s gaze hardened. “If anybody gives you trouble, you tell me.”
A shiver ran through me. I didn’t know what Davin could do if I actually was harassed, but I knew he’d defend me.
My phone continued to ring. It would go to voicemail soon if I didn’t answer. Taking off my mittens, I pulled it from my pocket. With a face, I showed Davin the screen. “I can talk to them later.”
Davin shook his head. “They’re your parents, Meghan. Talk to them.”
Anybody else would have shrugged, but Davin had such a strong sense of family. He’d encouraged me for months to repair our broken bond. But it wasn’t that easy.
We didn’t have the relationship that he and Sharon had.
Reluctantly, I tapped the screen. “Hi, Mom.”
“Meghan? Is that you?” She sounded genuinely surprised that I’d answered.
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Um…” She cleared her throat. “Your father and I wanted to congratulate you on the outcome of the vote. We know how hard you worked to change the course of this country. I…” Her voice caught.
My eyebrows rose. Never in my twenty-four years had I ever heard my mother get choked up. The only time I’d seen her cry was at Jeremy’s funeral. Other than that, she was as cool as a cucumber.
“Mom, are you okay?”
“Yes. Yes, I’m fine. I just…” She took a deep breath. “I just wanted to tell you that I’m proud of you. You’ve accomplished so much.”
For a moment, I was speechless. When I was young, I’d tried for years to make my mother notice me. It had been a singular goal. But as I’d grown older, I’d realized that I was wasting my time. Now, hearing her words, I didn’t know how to reply. “Um, thank you. We’re all very happy with the outcome.”
She cleared her throat. “Well, I just wanted to let you know how happy I am for you. You’ve worked so hard. Do you think…”
I cocked my head. My mother was definitely acting bizarre. “Yeah, Mom?”
“Will you be home for Christmas?”
I felt Davin watching me. I knew that he’d heard our entire conversation. Not even the wind could cover up the volume from my phone. I nodded. “Yes, I’ll be home for Christmas.”
I could hear her grin in her next words. “That’s wonderful news. We’ll see you next week.”
After we hung up, Davin reached for my hand. I felt his strength. Every Kazzie with strain 11 had such immense power running through their bodies. It was impossible to not notice.
“She seems genuinely happy and proud of you.”
I searched his gaze. “It could be a fluke. Come next week, she could go back to ignoring me.”
“Give her a chance. She deserves a second chance.”
He squeezed my hand as we carried on down the sidewalk. The prairie was less than ten yards away.
A few steps later, we were in the open. Snowy hills stretched as far as I could see. Clouds dotted the sky, and the sun hung near the horizon. It was getting close to suppertime, so the day was growing darker. With it came colder temps. I wrapped my arms around myself. On the open land, the wind howled.
“It’s so pretty out here.” My stomach suddenly felt like it was in my throat. I was acutely aware of how closely Davin stood to me.
“It’s even more beautiful in the summertime. You should see it then.”
I gazed across the prairie. “So, what do you think you’ll do now? After you’re out of here, where will you go?”
He stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. “I’ll go home to Rapid City. I know my mom wants me to stay at home for a while.”
“Your mom will really enjoy that. She’s missed you a lot.”
The sun had started to set. With it, came a red sky blazing across the snowy ground. He took another step toward me. We were almost touching. “And you? What will you do?”
My heart rate sped up. “I’ll keep working at the Compound for the time being. I’m not sure how much longer they’ll stay open, but for right now, I still have a job. If it closes, I’m not sure what I’ll do.”
“You’re definitely not moving to Washington?”
“No. Management isn’t for me. Traveling around the country has been amazing, and I’ll never forget the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had, but South Dakota is my home.”
He grunted. “Good. I don’t want you that far away. You know since I’m free now.”
Biting back a smile, I glanced up at him. “Yeah, I don’t want to be far from you either.”
An intense look came into his eyes before he stepped even closer. Our chests brushed together. He placed both hands on my shoulders before leaning down and whispering in my ear, “I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me. You’re fearless and brave. Every day you blow my mind.”
I shivered from the warm feel of his breath on my skin. Tilting my head up, I managed a nod.
His eyes darkened as his gaze drifted to my lips. A memory surfaced so sharply in my mind it burned. It was of us in the forgotten corridor, when we’d shared our first kiss, when we’d both finally declared our feelings for each other.
And now he’ll be free. In a few days, we’ll both be living on the outside.
An eruption of happiness burst inside me. Every nerve felt like it tingled.
A low growl emitted from his throat before he pulled me to him. His lips descended to mine as my arms wrapped around his neck. He lifted me from the ground, pinning my body to his. Heat from him encircled me, as if being enveloped in a warm blanket.
His teeth nipped at my lower lip until I opened my mouth. He deepened the kiss, and in that moment, all the worries I had melted away. Any earlier doubts I’d had about the letters I’d found or Davin not wanting me vanished like the sun below the horizon. Davin loves me. He loves only me. I have nothing to worry about.
That absolute conviction settled within me as we kissed and kissed. Neither of us seemed willing to let go. We kissed as if it was our
last chance on this earth, and suddenly, everything felt all right.
23 – FREEDOM
The gates were scheduled to open on the reservation a week later, right before Christmas. The MRRA felt it was safest to keep the Kazzies contained until preparations could be made on the outside. So many things needed to be put in order. All of the Kazzies needed to find somewhere to live. None of them had jobs. Some of them no longer had families.
So much needed to be organized before they could rejoin the public.
With the upcoming change, the MRRA asked family and friends to vacate the reservation to decrease the chaos. Consequently, Sharon and I had to say goodbye the day after the vote’s outcome to return home.
As much as I hated leaving Davin and my friends, I knew it was temporary. I also knew I needed to return to work. Dr. Sadowsky sent me an email congratulating me on the vote’s outcome but also reminding me it was time to return to my job. My political reprieve had ended.
The morning after our victory, I stood by my car with my bag in hand. Davin, Sara, Sophie, Dorothy, Garrett, Sage, and Victor all huddled around. The seven Kazzies from Compound 26, the seven people I considered my friends, all came out to tell me goodbye.
One by one, they hugged me. With each, I closed my eyes and squeezed them tight. It was the first time I’d ever willingly and openly been so affectionate. And not once did my anxiety crank up.
When it was Sara’s turn, her eyes misted over. Tears streaked down her blue-skinned cheeks while her eyes swam with emotion. “Drive safe and promise me you’ll be here when they open the gates.”
I hugged her fiercely, her thin upper body feeling fragile in my embrace. “Of course I’ll be here. I wouldn’t miss it.”
With Sophie it was the same. While she was stiffer and didn’t hug me as tightly as her sister, I still felt her love. And when it came time to say goodbye to Davin, no words were needed. His look said everything.
“I’ll see you next week.” His deep words promised so much more to come.
I bit back a smile. “You can count on it.”
Section 12: Book #3 in The Makanza Series Page 24