by E S Richards
“What?” Mia instantly replied, her thoughts to plan her sentences and try and lead the conversation in the right direction for her immediately dropping from her mind. “What do you mean? My family is in there.”
“I can assure you, ma’am, your family will be perfectly safe—safer even under our control. But we cannot allow anyone else to become a part of the program. I’m going to have to ask you to turn your vehicle around and leave. You will not be granted entry into this state.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Mia took another step forward, closing the small gap that remained between her and the man until she was practically within touching distance of him. “You can’t stop us from going home. What’s going on in there? What are you doing to my family?”
“We are protecting the future of this great nation and the people within it,” the man replied firmly. “Please step back and return to your vehicle. Your journey cannot continue through here.”
“Where do you expect us to go?” Mia argued, her temper rising along with her voice and she started to panic. She had to get into Texas. She had to find a way back to her family. There wasn’t any other option for her. Mia refused to give up on her mission. “We’ve come all the way from Montana. We’ve traveled over two thousand miles. We can’t just turn around and go back. There’s nowhere to go back to.”
“I’m very sorry, ma’am,” the man tried to calm Mia down. “But there’s nowhere forward to go from here. The entire state is off-limits and believe me, it is in your best interest to just accept that and turn around. Find somewhere else to stay. Your family will be safe under the Authority’s command.”
Mia narrowed her eyes at the man, knowing immediately from the expression on his face that he had slipped up in what he had said. Previously he had declared Texas was under control of the US government, but the way he had just mentioned the Authority then was so natural, Mia knew right away that they—whoever they were—were the true people responsible for closing off Texas. Sadly, what that didn’t help her to know was why they had done it and exactly what was happening inside the state lines.
“Okay.” Mia held her hands up in defeat, understanding that she wasn’t going to make any further progress with the man in front of her or the others guarding the barrier. They were going to have to find another way over the border. This was not the end; Mia wouldn’t be defeated that easily. “Okay,” she repeated, “we’ll leave.”
As Mia started walking backward, she felt the pressure of multiple pairs of eyes bearing down on her. The whole atmosphere around the border had changed as soon as the man said that one word, and while Mia was curious to know why and what it meant, she was more focused on getting away from the group before it was too late. All of a sudden, she felt like they were being threatened so while they still had the chance to escape, she knew they should take it.
“Mia!” Jadon reached across to help push the door open as soon as Mia was at the car. “Are you okay?”
“Quiet,” Mia spoke quickly. “Marcus. You need to drive. Now.”
“Where?” Marcus asked as his hands gripped the steering wheel tightly again, his eyes not leaving the people in uniform who were slowly starting to walk toward the car. Their weapons were all still gripped in their hands and it looked like there were quite a few fingers itching to squeeze the trigger.
“Anywhere,” Mia replied. “Just get us out of here. Now.”
Chapter 14
“Dude, are you sure about this?” Chase questioned, worrying that his friend was making the wrong decision. “I’ll understand if you want to stay here.”
“No, man,” Leo shook his head. “There’s nothing for me here. I’m coming with you. Provided that’s okay?”
“Of course it is,” Chase smiled, more than happy to have Leo accompany them out of the city. “If you’re sure.”
Leo sighed, understanding why Chase was pushing him against this, already certain in his decision. “I am, Chase,” he nodded. “There’s nothing for me here. Mike and Joel have their families back. I don’t have anyone. You guys need me to try and get the truck working. After that, it just makes sense for me to come with you. I don’t want to stay here anymore. I’ve made my choice.”
“Okay.” Chase accepted his friend’s decision, knowing that it would be cruel to try and change Leo’s mind. He understood where the teenager was coming from. In the pit under the Authority’s rule, they had all been in the same position. They were all taken from their families and they were all fighting to get back to them. None of them were happy and they had bonded over that; they had grouped together because they all had the same goals and intentions.
Now things were different. Since leaving the pit and coming to the office facility under Jackson’s control, both Mike and Joel had been reunited with their families. It was a blow for Leo to discover his parents hadn’t joined up to try and rescue the children, but whatever Leo had found at his family home after that seemed to have hit him even harder. Chase still didn’t know what had been there—he hadn’t asked his friend as he didn’t believe that the time was right—yet he knew it must’ve affected him a great deal. Now that there was a chance to leave the city, to get out of Houston and away from what had happened there, Chase couldn’t blame Leo for wanting to be a part of it.
“We should go and find the others,” Chase continued. “We need to say goodbye.”
Leading his friend down the corridor of the office building, Chase headed off in the direction Riley had gone earlier. He was certain she had gone to find Hazel, which meant that Mike, Joel, and Rylan likely already knew what was happening. In all honesty, Chase was a little surprised Jackson had agreed to their plan so readily. He hadn’t argued against it or tried to convince them all that they would be safer staying in the city. Instead, he had just listened and actually offered helpful advice in places, truly wanting Chase and Riley to be able to make it back to their home.
He wasn’t even bothered that Blake and Vic intended to join them, nor concerned about Leo leaving his home behind. Both Blake and Vic had told Jackson they would return to the city once the journey was complete—but they both held true to their promises and declared that they would help Chase and Riley make it back to the farmhouse. It had been a long time coming, and now finally Chase was about to start his trip back home.
“Chase!” Joel’s shout carried down the hallway as soon as he turned into it, seeing his group of friends at the other end, Riley with her arms around Hazel as they hugged goodbye.
“Is this for real, man?” Joel asked. “Are you really leaving?”
“Yeah,” Chase nodded. “We’ve got to get back to our grandparents. We don’t belong in the city like you guys.”
“But what about you, Leo?” Mike questioned, placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “You know you can stay here with us if you want. You don’t have to go.”
“I know,” Leo replied in a sad voice. “But what’s the point? There’s no one left for me here now. I might as well just leave.”
“That’s not true!” Mike argued, his face showing how upset he felt because of Leo’s remark. “We’re here for you. Just because your parents aren’t doesn’t mean there’s not anyone here who cares, man. We do.”
“I know,” Leo faltered. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just,” he paused, looking around the group of friends and suddenly felt a wave of determination wash over him. He hadn’t known them for very long at all, yet because of what they had all been through together, he couldn’t deny the bond he felt with each and every one of them. Even Mike’s brother, Rylan, who hadn’t even been with their group in the pit. “It’s too hard to be here when my parents are not. I don’t want to leave any of you guys. I just can’t be here. Not right now. Maybe I’ll come back later down the line; right now, I think I just need to get away from the city.”
Mike looked at his friend, realizing how difficult it must have been for Leo to admit that to everyone. “I get it, man,” he nodded. “I unde
rstand.”
“Thanks,” Leo replied. “I will miss you guys like crazy.”
“Yeah,” Chase added. “Me too. Once all of this is over, we’ll make sure we get you all out to the farm. Have a proper cookout, just like we used to. Right, Riley?”
“Sure,” Riley nodded, even though everyone was aware it would be a long time until everything could be described as over. “Definitely.”
Sharing a few more moments with each other, everyone hugged one another and said their goodbyes, the atmosphere bittersweet as they parted ways. They all agreed it was best for everyone, knowing that Chase and Riley needed to get back to their family and Leo needed time away from the city, while the others had to stay behind. Still, it was difficult to walk away. They had become bonded to each other so deeply in such a short span of time that each of them almost felt like they were losing a brother or sister. It was so hard that Chase refused to let himself look back over his shoulder as he, Riley, and Leo walked away back down the corridor, worried that one last look would make him burst into tears.
“You guys ready?” Blake nodded to each of the three children a few minutes later, all now holding their rucksacks of meager possessions as they prepared to leave the office building and head back to P. J. Wilson Construction Company and the truck that would hopefully take them back to the farmhouse.
“Yep,” Riley replied for the group, determined once again to make sure she wasn’t just seen as the little girl of the team and kept off on the sidelines. “You?”
“Sure are,” Blake reported back, he and Vic both carrying their own rucksacks, along with several other supplies. “We should have everything we need to get the truck working again. Unless you think there’s anything else, Leo?”
“No,” Leo shook his head, analyzing the gear that lay at Blake’s feet. “That should about do it. Like I said, it’s a pretty easy fix if you know how. I don’t think it’ll take much longer than an hour or two.”
“Great,” Blake nodded again. “We should be on our way before nightfall then. Assuming we don’t run into any other distractions.”
“Distractions?” Chase questioned, reluctant to have anything slow them down on their journey. It felt real to him that they were going back to his grandparents. He knew that if they could drive through the night and the roads were clear, they would be back at the farmhouse by morning. Less than twenty-four hours and he would be home. It sounded too good to be true, and yet he was determined to make it so.
“We’ve had a few reports of the Authority being spotted in the city again, my friend,” Vic explained. “I don’t think we need to worry, though. Their efforts are all still focused in the theater district. We shouldn’t need to cross paths with any of them.”
“Won’t they hear the truck starting up?” Riley asked boldly. “Or see us driving out of the city?”
“Maybe,” Vic pondered, “but once we’re on our way, I don’t think they’re going to stop us. They’re more concerned with taking over the city rather than controlling what happens outside it, I think.”
“Sounds a little risky,” Leo replied, a shred of doubt entering his mind about whether he really should leave Houston behind or not. He had never spent much time outside of the city before and even though he knew there was nothing left for him there, it was still his home.
“It is,” Blake agreed. “But if we want to get out of here, it’s the only option we have. We’re prepared to go to the end with this,” he declared, referring to himself and Vic. “If we’re doing that, we need to know you guys are on board as well. We all have to work together and have each other’s backs. Can we count on you for that?”
“Definitely,” Riley answered immediately with a nod, then looking to her brother to reply.
“One hundred percent,” Chase confirmed, turning his head to hear Leo’s answer.
Leo felt four pairs of eyes land on him and swallowed. He had to make a decision now and stick to it. Once he was outside of the office building, he knew there would be no turning back and he had to be confident that he was doing the right thing. Weighing the options in his head one last time, he took a moment to himself before opening his mouth to reply.
“I’m in,” he nodded firmly. “Let’s do this. Let’s get you guys home.”
Chase clapped his friend on the back, thanking him once again for what he was doing for them. He knew this was a massive step for Leo and he knew he would need support along the way. But Chase was determined to give it to him; if he had learned one thing since leaving his grandparents’ farmhouse all those days ago, it was that no one could achieve anything by themselves. Whether it was something simple like fixing an engine or something massive like getting over losing your parents, everyone needed a support system to get through things, and he understood how important that was.
That was all it took for their group to get on the way, making their way out of the office facility and waving goodbye to the brief time they had spent there. While Blake and Vic planned to return almost immediately, the others didn’t know when or if they would see the place or their friends again. It was a difficult thing to do, even if they had all made the right choice.
Blake led the group through the streets, with Leo beside him, followed by Chase and Riley, and the rear brought up by Vic. They moved swiftly and quietly, using the shadows to their advantage and only speaking when absolutely necessary. The city was still shrouded in darkness, the cloud occupying every corner and every turn, blackening their route and forcing them to stay close together or else risk getting lost in the haze. Looking up at the buildings, Chase noticed once again how they looked like they were melting. The gray sludge from the ash cloud clung to them and yet somehow dripped down the brick as if it were changing forms. The air was cold and frosty, while the heat from the eruption was still etched inside each of the toxic particles that floated through the air.
Everyone wore breathing masks from Vic’s store, the design by far the most superior any of them had worn. Riley still longed for her Re-Breather, but couldn’t complain as she breathed fresh, clean air with every lungful she took, nothing even faintly scratching at her throat. It was a welcome respite compared to some of the rags she’d been given while under the Authority’s control, the worry that her lungs had been damaged quietly hidden away at the back of her mind. As her grandmother had always taught her, there was no point worrying others about something until you knew it was true and real.
Riley thought fondly of her grandparents as they maneuvered toward P. J. Wilson’s Construction Company, excited for the moment when she would see them both again. She smelled her grandma’s perfume in the air and felt her pop’s strong arms holding her tightly, protecting her from the dangers of the outside world. While she and Chase had spoken about the possibility of things not being exactly as they were when they left, Riley still imagined it all that way. She couldn’t entertain the possibility that something bad might’ve happened. She was excited to see her family again and that was all she kept her focus on.
“This is it,” Leo announced several minutes later, their team finally reaching the truck that they had worked to fill earlier. “Will someone pop the hood open for me?”
Vic did as he was told, peering in and scratching his head at the engine within. He knew very little about cars and so was entirely at the mercy of his young companion now. “Tell us what you need, my friend,” he said to Leo. “Let’s get this old beast ready for the road.”
Chapter 15
It felt weird still being in the office facility without Chase, Leo, and Riley. As Mike made his way over to his dad’s study, he wondered how far out of the city they would’ve made it by now. He hoped they were well past the outskirts of Houston and therefore beyond the Authority’s reach. As much as he already missed his friends, he wanted them to get home safely and—in Leo’s case—he wanted them to be away from the place that caused them pain.
Mike wasn’t yet certain how he felt about Houston. He’d lived there for the past ten
years, since he was eight years old. Before that his family had bounced around a lot, living not only across the country, but all over the world. It was because of his dad’s job. Jackson had been pretty high up in the military himself, rising through the ranks since he was just eighteen and working his way right up to the top. Mike was proud of him, but he couldn’t help thinking that his father was disappointed he hadn’t chosen to follow in the family business. The military life just wasn’t for Mike—Rylan excelled in it much more, though even he had turned away from it when the opportunity came knocking—he was happier behind a screen than anything else. He was still an athletic young man, except his passion was in computer electronics, something he doubted he’d get a chance to do again any time soon with the current state of the world.
Despite Jackson perhaps not approving of the path Mike had chosen to follow, it didn’t mean he was any less supportive or loving toward both of his sons. Mike knew his father only wanted the best for him and after everything that Jackson had done with the rescue from the pit, there was no way Mike could now be anything other than grateful to his old man. Everyone had been saved because of his dad, and that only made the pride Mike carried swell in his chest.
Knocking on the door to his father’s study, he pushed it open and walked inside. Jackson sat behind his desk going over some papers, looking up when Mike walked in and pushing them to one side, smiling.
“Ah, son,” he greeted Mike, gesturing to the chair in front of him and indicating for Mike to sit down. “How are you doing?”
“I’m all right,” Mike replied, “you?”
“Good, thank you,” Jackson nodded. “Did you manage to say goodbye to your friends before they left?”