by Mary Ting
“I’m taking Ava on a tour.”
As if those words from Rhett were some kind of cue, Reyna and Ozzie walked away, stating they had to take the kids out and would see me later.
When Rhett paced ahead, I followed, my feet grinding on gravel. The aroma of baked chicken made my mouth water and my stomach cramp. According to my observation of the sun’s position, it was time for lunch.
“There are two parts to Hope City. Families reside at this building, which is not actually a building, but what was once.” Rhett pointed to a long section of small boulders lined in a row. “That section is reserved for schools, meetings, and dining. Behind it, there’s a place to store food, and there are old stoves and fireplaces for cooking. In the farthest section, outside of this lovely home, is a stream and a well.”
I passed by women and men setting up utensils and plates. Some plates were chipped, but in usable condition. Then we went into the garden.
“They have a system. They work in shifts. Everyone contributes, even children to some degree.” Rhett offered me his hand.
Holding his hand felt different this time. I felt more relaxed, comfortable. We climbed over debris and chunks of cement and wood. Embedded amid the rubble were broken pieces of computers, tables, chairs, cabinets, and glass.
This place held history. People had worked in this building long ago. I wondered who they’d been and what their lives had been like before the meteors. How frightened they must have been.
With nowhere to run, or hide, it was like accepting death. Then I wondered if people were buried beneath the wreckage. Images of skulls and bones under my feet made me grimace.
“This doesn’t change anything. I have to go back and get Brooke out.” I wanted to get that out. This topic would come up again sooner or later. I also needed to stop thinking of corpses.
Rhett continued to hold my hand and climbed higher. “Let’s talk later. Be careful. Going down can be tricky. Follow my trail.”
I let go of his hand and hiked down to match his step. I slipped when I caught a glimpse of sub-gliders almost identical to ISAN’s. I laughed at myself. An assassin who had trouble maneuvering debris.
As soon as Rhett touched the ground, kids came through a makeshift door and bombarded him with hugs. Reyna and Ozzie smiled fondly as the other kids raced past them to get to Rhett.
The older kids gave him room, but the younger ones adored him, pushing each other aside to hug him as if he were Santa Claus.
Something inside me melted as Rhett bent to return the embraces and high fives.
“Who’s she?” a little boy asked with crooked teeth.
Rhett ruffled his hair. “She is Ava, Daniel.”
“Is she your girlfriend?” Daniel chuckled.
Jubilant laughter filled the air.
Rhett straightened. He looked at me with a knowing smile. “Yup. She is. At least I think she is. I hope it’s not one-sided.”
The gooey part inside me melted even more.
“What were you doing?” Rhett asked no one in particular.
The little ones stopped giggling.
A girl about thirteen years old eyed me and shifted from one hip to the other with a bit of sassiness. “We were playing broomball. Do you know how to play?”
Her braided hair had loosened, her cheeks were caked with a smudge of grime. Sweat dampened her forehead. Thin and pale, she reminded me of myself when I was her age. I couldn’t tell by her tone if she was challenging me or simply curious.
“I’ve never played, but I’m sure I can learn.” I gave her the same attitude back by twirling my neck the same way she had. Yup, she was just like me. I’d like her.
“Stella.” Reyna sighed through her nose, her tone somewhat scolding.
It seemed Reyna had enough of Stella. I bet she could be a handful.
“We just finished.” Reyna loosened her hold on her broomstick, letting it dip away from her. “We’re not playing again. Maybe after lunch. Maybe Rhett can ...”
Reyna tossed her broomstick at Rhett, but I caught it without even turning his way, my reflexes on high alert.
The little ones ooooohed and clapped like I was their hero.
“I want Ava.” An older boy’s eyes lingered on me a bit longer than necessary.
Rhett cleared his throat and draped his arm around the boy’s shoulder. “Jasper, you mean to say you want Ava on your team. Come with me. It’s time for lunch.” He winked at me.
His wink sent all sorts of heated tingles through every nerve ending in my body.
“Jealous much?” Reyna snickered.
“Yeah, he is.” Ozzie cackled, holding his belly.
“Shut up, Ozzie.” Rhett’s loud voice bounced off the wall.
Ozzie frowned. “Reyna said it, not me. He always picks on me.” He kicked a pebble for show, pouting like a spoiled child.
The kids’ laughter filled my heart with joy.
Reyna shook her head and giggled. “Grown-ups acting like little children. The show is over. It’s lunchtime.”
All the children whooped and dashed behind Rhett, who was still holding onto Jasper.
“The last group there gets to wash the dishes,” a child announced.
Feet shuffled faster.
“So ...” I sauntered between Ozzie and Reyna and draped my arm around Ozzie’s shoulder. “Rhett told me Ozzie is the one who shot me up with the sleeping serum. Care to explain?”
Ozzie stiffened but kept his pace even. “He did, did he?” He gritted his teeth. “I’m not going to lie. You don’t seem to understand. Ever since you went back, the cards have changed. You’re not safe there, even with Mitch watching your back. Tell me, how often is he around? He has his duties and his own agenda.”
I had to admit Ozzie was right. I only saw Mitch during training or in missions, and that was about it. In truth, I would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed, so I couldn’t be mad at him.
“True.” I patted Oz’s shoulder to confirm. “He’s not around much.”
“Mr. Novak knows more than he shares. If he hasn’t already, he’ll find out Rhett isn’t dead. He’s going to use you and then get rid of you. I did what I thought was best for you, even knowing you would be furious. Rhett was taking too long, so I stepped in. That way, you can be mad at me and not at him. See, it all worked out. Besides, you mean more to me than you realize. I’d rather have you safe with us. You may not remember, but ...”
I halted. Ozzie and Reyna realized a few seconds later I was no longer with them.
“I do remember.” My stomach clenched. “I can’t remember everything, but I do remember we were friends. Not just friends, but family. I remember—no—I feel ...” I gripped at my chest, choking up. “I remember bits, mostly, flashes of old memories, but they’re full of emotions.”
Reyna’s eyes glistened and she slowly tilted her lips. But Ozzie, big, lovable, teddy bear Ozzie, his eyes were so wide I thought his eyeballs would pop out of their sockets. He took three long swift strides toward me and wrapped his big body around mine. I released the tightness in my heart and squeezed him back.
“I missed you so much.” His words were muffled in my hair, his voice shaky. “Welcome back, old friend.”
I let the tears slide down my cheeks. When I lifted my head, I spotted Rhett standing on top of the debris, sunlight pouring down on him. The children were still and looking right at me, mimicking Rhett.
Rhett’s grin not only sent warmth through me, it said it all.
A little triumph, but a step.
Ava
After lunch, I followed Rhett outside of the compound. “Where are we going?”
“Remember when I said there are two parts to Hope City?”
“Yes.” I shivered in an icy breeze.
Fall had come, but there was no sign of snow, just the unkind wind and cold. But one could never be sure of the weather. It had been unpredictable since the meteors.
“I’m taking you to see our crew. Zen want
s to see you. They monitor the perimeter and keep everyone safe.” Rhett’s eyes caught the sunlight and turned golden.
He squinted and pointed to a smaller crumbled building not too far from where we stood.
“Zen wants to see me? Why?” I hopped over plaster and metal.
“We have lots to talk about.” Rhett pinched his lips together and the corner of his eyes bunched. I couldn’t tell if he was upset or if the sun had bothered him when it peeked through the gray clouds.
I glanced behind my shoulder just before going through the makeshift entrance. Piles of concrete and debris that sheltered Hope City towered to the sky. A person passing by would never have guessed such destruction would safely house families. Though there were trees surrounding the area, most were withered. The brown hills were just as barren.
Gliders and trucks were parked to the right under a crude alcove. They were carefully tucked away, hidden from a passing glider or flying drone—Remnant Council guards’ trackers.
The weight of everyone’s stares when I strolled in made me want to walk right back out, especially when a particular somebody could have buried me alive with her glare. But Cleo’s eyes softened when they shifted to Rhett. She turned away and busied herself with whatever she had been doing before we arrived.
At first glance, I observed mostly men and a few women dressed casually. Like in the other building, tents were lined to the left, but there were a lot fewer here. Quickly, the voices quieted and eventually halted.
I recognized Zen, the man with salt-and-pepper hair. He seemed taller and more muscular than I remembered. Then again, I’d been sitting in a truck with tinted windows.
Zen stopped talking and approached us. “Rhett. And you must be Ava. I’m Zen. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Zen took my extended hand, his grip strong yet gentle, and released it.
“Hello. It’s nice to meet you.” I recalled the etiquette class with Diana and smiled.
“Rhett gave you the tour, I assume. And you had lunch?”
“Yes, he did, and yes, I have.”
“Good.” He offered a grin. “Let’s talk somewhere more private. Please, follow me.”
I exchanged glances with Rhett. When he gave me a nod, I understood that as his way of telling me to go.
I gasped when a high-tech room similar to Russ’s setup materialized around the corner.
A handful of men monitored the screens that projected the outside perimeter, and another projection gave us a view of the land from an aerial viewpoint. Apparently, cameras were set somewhere high above.
“Frank.” Zen’s voice boomed in the small space.
A guy whipped around, along with the other few men sitting by the large screen.
“I see we have a guest, a very lovely one. Ava, correct?” Frank accepted my hand and kissed the back of it.
I didn’t have to look at Rhett to know a scowl crossed over his face.
Frank released my hand and indicated the people standing next to him. “My team. This is Hansh, Miguel, and Owen. We were ISAN agents from the North. We escaped and formed a rebel group when news got out there were others.”
I met their eyes and greeted them each with a smile. They gave me a simple nod in return and got back to what they were doing.
“I knew Frank when I was one of the scientists assigned in the North.” Zen placed a hand on my back, leading me. “Please, have a seat. We need to talk.” He gestured to an old wooden table and chairs with torn cushions.
I took a chair next to Rhett and waited. What could Zen possibly need to talk to me about? Being one of the scientists, he must know more about ISAN than I did. Maybe he wanted to question me about Mr. Novak.
As these thoughts circulated in my mind, Cleo walked in and stomped over to Zen. Ozzie and Reyna appeared next and leaned against the wall behind Rhett.
“Why am I needed at this meeting?” Cleo crossed her arms. “It doesn’t concern me.”
I raised an eyebrow. Zen seemed to be the leader, and here she was talking to him as if she was ...
Zen placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, but his eyes demanded authority. “Cleo, you especially need to know everything. I won’t let you go back without all the details.”
Lovers? No. They couldn’t be. He was old enough to be her...
“Fine. Then I’m leaving tomorrow morning, Dad. That’s not up for discussion.” She shuffled across and pulled out a chair. The headrest bent awkwardly, but she placed it back and plopped down with all her anger.
I was surprised the chair hadn’t fallen apart from the force of her weight. But Dad?
Never mind, Ava. It’s none of your concern.
I closed my eyes from the heat rising up my neck. I wished I could take back how poorly I had treated her when I’d woken up. Not just because Zen was her father, but because I really didn’t know her. It wasn’t fair of me to judge. She was Rhett’s friend and nothing more. I would find the time to apologize to her later.
Zen cleared his throat when he sat next to his daughter and looked at the three of us.
“Rhett informed me ISAN is planning to attack a rebel base.” Zen rested his elbows on the table and rolled up his sleeves. “We got this information from Mitch. As you know—”
“Mitch?” I immediately regretted raising my voice. “He, I mean, how does he know? Are you sure you can trust him?”
Zen’s eyebrows crinkled to the center. “As Rhett informed you, Mitch is working as a double agent. Yes. I do trust him, or I wouldn’t have repeated his words. We may not be in direct contact, but he has a strong motivation not to turn on us.”
“Why?”
I’d always been suspicious of Mitch. Set aside that he lied to me and said he’d never met me before. Set aside that he’d snitched on us. What made Zen sure he would never turn on us?
“Ava doesn’t know.” Rhett fixed his eyes on Zen’s as if asking him for something.
As if Zen could read Rhett’s mind, he nodded, and Rhett nodded in return to thank him.
I gnawed the inside of my cheek, wondering what he needed to tell me.
“I’ll explain later.” Rhett placed a hand over my own on the table.
Cleo’s gaze followed Rhett’s thumb as it idly caressed my fingers. Then her eyes met mine, and she turned away as if to let me know it didn’t bother her. But the tightness on her face betrayed the hurt she tried to hide.
“I’m aware the serum has been perfected and is being put to use.” Zen looked at me for confirmation. “Male recruits have attempted missions on a trial basis and have been successful. No aggression or outbursts have been reported. Do you have any information about this?”
“Why don’t you ask Mitch?” I leaned back and almost tipped backward.
Stupid chair. Stupid big fat mouth of mine. That was out of line. I should give Zen more respect than I had shown.
Instead of being upset or looking offended, he drummed his fingers on the table. “Rhett asked Mitch, but he doesn’t know. Seems like this serum is highly classified. Even the top agents haven’t been given details. Let me ask you again, Ava. Do you have anything to tell us?”
The way he said my name sent chills over my skin. His tone indicated he was running out of patience, and I didn’t blame him. I decided to push back my pride.
I rubbed my temple, feeling the weight of my knowledge as everyone stared at me. “When we went to ISAN West, I snuck around and ...” I paused, wondering if Rhett had told Zen I was different, that I didn’t have to be injected with the serum to heighten my senses. “I went into a restricted area and overheard two women talking. One was a scientist and the other an ISAN agent. My dad and that scientist perfected the serum.”
“We already know that. It had to be your father.” Cleo waved a hand as if to dismiss me, but I knew something else bothered her. “Stop wasting our time and tell us what we don’t already know.”
I deserved her snarky comment for the way I had treated her earlier, but it still took effort
not to snap back or introduce her to my fists. Or swipe a foot under one of the legs of her chair. She would fall flat on her ass. Now that would be delightful.
Calm down, Ava. Violence will do no good.
“I have more to tell.” I gave Cleo my award-winning smile. “The serum is called HelixB88. The problem with HelixB77 is in how it binds with testosterone. HelixB88 reduces testosterone levels until they are nearly nonexistent. The destroyed testosterone levels eliminate male aggression.”
“Brilliant.” Zen rubbed his chin, looking pensive. “Then we can assume the average dosage would be the same.”
“Yes, I presume so, but there’s a problem.” I shifted, the cushion underneath me squeaking in the quiet. “HelixB88 can’t be used on females. If they’re given the wrong serum, the side effects could be fatal.”
“I see.” Zen strained his features, staring blankly over me. “If we’re to have a chance at this war, I need to get ahold of 88 to duplicate it. I already have a sample of 77. We can’t fight an army of superhumans. I hate to impose when you just arrived, Ava, but I need you to go back.”
I was just about to tell him I already planned to when Rhett pounded the table with his fist.
“No. Find another way.”
I flinched and cringed at the sharpness of his tone.
“There is no other way, Rhett, unless you get Mitch to do it. We need that serum.”
“Mitch won’t.” Reyna shook her head fervently. “It’s too risky for him. He may be our spy, but he thinks about himself first.”
“I have to agree with her.” Ozzie poked Reyna’s rib.
Reyna flinched and gave him the evil eye, but a trace of amusement showed.
“Then I’ll go back.” Rhett rubbed at his chin and drew a deep breath.
“No, Rhett. It’s suicide.” Cleo wrinkled her forehead, her nose flaring. “They’d kill you on the spot. And let’s say you do get in, then what? You don’t think they’ll interrogate you? They’ll just hand over the serum to you? You’ll end up dead.”
“Cleo is right.” Zen rested a hand on Rhett’s shoulder to get his attention. “The only person who can safely go back is Ava.”