The Complete Makanza Series: Books 0-4

by Krista Street

  He shrugged. “It’s pretty tense as I’m sure you can imagine. The new Sergeant Major has been pacing all morning.” He smiled sheepishly. “We may all be out of jobs if the vote is yes.”

  Sharon laughed. I only managed a nod. My stomach kept flipping.

  “I’m sure your services will be needed elsewhere.” Sharon patted his hand. “And you’re so young, you will have so many new opportunities when my son is freed.”

  It still amazed me that Sharon was so convinced of a positive outcome. The numbers Davin had quoted me last night flowed through my head like hot lava. They burned every time I thought of them. Hearing all of those “no” votes was like a knife through my heart. Those people didn’t want my friends to be freed.

  I knew I shouldn’t take that personally. Voters were scared. A lot of the public still was. Cate and I still needed to better educate everyone, but still, it hurt. It hurt that so many people didn’t understand that my friends were nothing to be feared.

  Lance stood and tapped the roof of our car. “Open the gate!”

  The gate opened in front of us. The long winding road into the reservation waited. Lance waved us forward.

  I knocked on my connection with Sara. We’re here. Just entering now.

  Oh good! We’re all going crazy in here!

  Me too. I’ll see you soon.

  Despite Sharon acting optimistic, I knew she was afraid too. Her hands tightened so sharply around the steering wheel, they squeaked against the leather. With a clenched jaw, she drove down the road. When buildings appeared in the distance, I could barely breathe. It felt like my throat was going to close in. It could still be hours before they released the result.

  Nobody wanted a false report. Anarchy would no doubt ensue if that happened.

  Smoke rose from some of the chimneys in the Kazzie neighborhood. Curtains were open. Lights shone from within even in daytime. As we passed down the streets, my heart filled when I saw Kazzies outside walking around and talking to one another.

  Some of them stopped to watch us as we passed. Sharon’s car was a familiar one. More than a few of them waved at us.

  I waved in return and smiled as best I could.

  When Sharon pulled up to the curb outside of Davin’s house, the front door opened. Davin stood in the doorway dressed in his usual jeans and T-shirt. Even from a distance, the brightness of his eyes caught me off guard.

  It was the first thing I’d recognized about Davin on the very first day I saw him. He had the most beautiful eyes I’d ever seen. They were so blue they put the ocean to shame. Sharon’s eyes were the same. It was the one trait they shared.

  In a blurred movement, Davin appeared at his mother’s door. He opened it before she could and helped her out. The attentive gesture brought a smile to my lips.

  Davin was still hugging his mom when I stepped out and slammed my door.

  “How are you doing?” She cradled his face in her hands. “You’ll be free to come home soon.”

  Davin just nodded, but I still saw the deep emotion that swirled in those irises.

  When he glanced over the roof of the car, our gazes met. As always, my breath stopped. Neither of us said anything. I couldn’t. I was so choked with emotion no words would come out.

  “Let’s go inside.” Davin took his mother’s hand and came around the front of the car. He approached my side and stared down at me.

  “Did you sleep much last night?” His shoulders were tense. I knew he was thinking about our argument.

  I shrugged. “A little, but it was hard.”

  With his free hand, he entwined his fingers through mine. The three of us walked to the front door. Their next door neighbors were outside talking with other neighbors across the street. All of them stopped to watch us.

  Standing in a group, it was so obvious which strain each Kazzie had. One woman’s ears were twice the size of a normal human. She had strain 24. She’d be able to hear us from down the street.

  The man standing beside her had green skin. I knew if he opened his mouth he’d have a forked tongue. With strain 37, he must be freezing out here. Since his metabolism was similar to that of a reptile, he’d have a hard time regulating his body temperature. It probably explained why he wore three jackets.

  The other two Kazzies standing beside them appeared no outwardly different than me or Sharon. That meant they could have one of a dozen different strains. Whether that be strain 11, like Davin, or strain 8, like Dorothy, I didn’t know. Of the 40 Makanza strains, only 13 didn’t result in outwardly physical changes.

  They would be the lucky ones if they were ever released. The public would never know they were Kazzies.

  Davin shut the door behind us. A fire crackled in the fireplace. Its warmth filled the room.

  Sage appeared from around the corner. “Hey, Meghan and Sharon.” He wore a thick sweater and dark jeans. Socks covered his feet. Unlike Davin, he never went barefoot.

  “How was the drive up?” Sage’s normal question helped ease the tension. It felt like electricity crackled between Davin and me.

  I stepped closer to the fire and held my hands out. “It went fine but was long. I’m glad we’re here.”

  Sage nodded and stuffed a hand in his pocket. “Should we turn the TV on? I haven’t had the guts to yet.” The large Kazzie ran his free hand through his hair. The firelight reflected off his unique skin.

  “Yeah, let’s turn it on.” Davin strode to the TV and picked up the remote. The TV buzzed to life.

  Since it opened immediately to the election, I knew all of the channels were covering the vote.

  In a lightning fast move, Davin rearranged the couch and chair to face the TV. Sage dropped onto the chair. It squeaked under his weight. Davin, Sharon, and I sat on the couch. With Davin in the middle, his weight pushed the middle cushion down. Gravity pulled me toward him.

  He glanced my way, a forced smile on this face.

  More than anything, I wished he’d put his arm around me. He didn’t. I figured his distance was either from our fight last night or him preparing himself for the worst.

  My troubling thoughts helped distract me from the news. ANN kept going over the results that they’d documented. Some said the vote was yes, others said the vote was no. The reality was that it was too close to call.

  “This is going to drive me crazy.” Sharon bounced up from the couch. “I’m going to make a pot of tea. Does anybody want some?”

  Before any of us could respond, she hurried to the kitchen. Banging sounded as she searched for a teapot.

  “Do you even own a teakettle?” I glanced between the two men.

  Sage shrugged. “I have no idea. I don’t drink that stuff.”

  “I’ll help her.” Davin stood. His warm side disappeared.

  I leaned back against the sofa and bit my lip. Closing my eyes, I tapped into my link with Sara. Where are you guys?

  It took her a minute to respond. I could sense that she was busy. When she finally did, her response was distant. Sophie, Dorothy, and I are talking to our neighbors. We’ll be over soon. I’ll find Garrett and Victor and bring them too.

  Good. See you soon.

  Alone in my head, my worries resumed. “Let’s turn it off.” I didn’t wait for Sage to respond. I stood and turned off the TV.

  With nothing but silence in the living room, I began pacing.

  Sage ran a hand through his hair. “Meghan, you gotta turn that back on. The second they release the results I need to know.”

  I shook my head. “Of course, I’m sorry.” With a shaky finger, I turned the TV back on. “I’ll be in the kitchen with Davin and Sharon. If the results come in, please tell us.”

  In the kitchen, Sharon had found a pan to boil water. Davin stood ramrod straight, his hands on his hips. His broad shoulders and hard chest were visible through his T-shirt.

  I wrapped my arms around myself. “Is there enough tea for me?”

  Sharon jumped at the sound of my voice. “Oh, Meghan. Of
course. Of course I’ll make some for you.”

  She looked so frazzled. It was becoming apparent that her optimism was a false front.

  A few minutes later, knocking sounded on the front door. Sage answered and the rest of the Kazzies from Compound 26 poured into the room.

  “Meghan!” Sara ran to me and pulled me into a hug.

  I gripped her tightly.

  She pulled back. “It’s so good to see you. I’m so scared about what they’re going to say.”

  Sophie and Dorothy joined us. Sophie looked identical to Sara. Blue skin, blue eyes, a lithe physique, and silky blond hair. Dorothy, on the other hand, was middle-aged, brown haired, and eternally plump. Strain 8 would never allow her to be thin.

  “Hi, Dorothy.” I squeezed her hand.

  “Oh, Meghan. You must be bone-tired after these past few months.” She pulled me into a fierce embrace.

  When I pulled back, I waved hello to Victor and Garrett. Victor’s red skin looked darker than normal. I imagined his fiery temper had triggered a few times this morning while we waited for results. On the other hand, Garrett’s relaxed posture seemed calm as usual. However, his large, egg-shaped eyes kept glancing toward the living room’s TV. More than once, he crept to the edge of the kitchen to get a better look.

  The kitchen felt crowded with so many of us together, but the bodies pressing against me didn’t trigger my anxiety. If anything, I felt more relaxed having my friends so close.

  I gripped Sophie’s hand. “Let’s just hope for the best. I think—”

  “You guys! Come in here! They’re announcing the vote!” Sage’s booming voice filled the entire house.

  Davin’s and my gaze met. With shaking legs, I reached for his hand. He pushed away from the counter and with a blurred movement was at my side.

  All nine of us crowded into the living room. The newscaster on the TV sat behind a desk. He shuffled papers, his movements shaky and erratic.

  Clearing his throat, he faced the camera. “The results are in from the vote. As many of you know, this was a close vote. The president will be announcing the outcome. She feels it is best coming from her.”

  My heart beat so hard I thought it would beat right out of my chest. Davin’s hand closed tightly over mine. I squeezed him back just as strongly.

  It was so quiet in the living room, I could hear everyone breathing.

  The president appeared on the TV. The tension in the room grew, as if we’d all come face-to-face with a lion, and no one knew what to do. Fight. Or run.

  Regardless, this was it. The time had come to know the fate of the Kazzies. And the truth was—there was no running from it.

  “Good evening.” The president sat at her desk in the Oval Office. Her elbows rested on the wooden top. Her gaze didn’t waver. “To begin, I want to thank those of you who voted, and thank those who worked tirelessly through the night to count the votes. I know everybody wants to know the outcome. Before I announce it, I want to remind everyone that this is the final decision.”

  Final. No. It can’t be final if the answer’s no!

  Davin seemed to read my thoughts. He squeezed my hand, a sad smile covering his face.

  The president continued. “After today, there will not be any changes. I encourage all of you to come together. To rebuild our country, we need to work as one. It is imperative that the division among us does not forsake our future.”

  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.