Liberty's Hope (Perseverance Book 2)

by Amanda Washington

  “You can’t do that!” she shouted. “It’s not fair.”

  They paused at the door and watched the situation unfold.

  “Yes I can,” Braden replied. Jaw jutted and arms crossed, he asked, “Who’s gonna stop me?”

  “It’s wrong. It’s cheating. Don’t you even care about that?”

  “Why would I? I can do it, so I’m gonna.”

  “See,” Kylee chimed in. “I told you he’s a jerk.”

  “I’m not a jerk,” Braden said. “But I’m not a loser either.”

  Kylee giggled. “You’ve been losing the whole time.”

  “Shut up, Kye. These stupid rules are the only reason I’m losing. I’m sick of them.”

  “You can’t just change the rules,” Ashley insisted, dark hair flying as she spun her chair around and knelt on the seat. She then leaned over the table, practically stabbing Braden’s chest with her finger. “It doesn’t work like that.”

  Liberty elbowed Connor. “Her odd insistence on justice and rule following… she must get that from her mother.”

  Connor held up his hands to show his innocent and purity. “What’s that supposed to mean? I follow the rules.”

  Liberty rolled her eyes. “Right. The question is, whose rules?”

  Connor shrugged. She had him there.

  “Oh, yeah?” Braden asked. Copying Ashley’s pose, he turned around his chair and kneeled on the seat, sticking a finger in Ashley’s face. “I can change any rules I want. Watch me.”

  “We should probably interrupt them before this leads to bloodshed,” Connor said.

  Liberty nodded and invited him to lead the way with a wave of her hand.

  Connor marched into the tent and stood at the end of the table with his arms crossed, assessing the situation. Ashley and Braden looked like a couple of dragons posturing over their hordes of cards. Ashley’s face reddened. She leaned over her pile protectively and grabbed at Braden’s cards. He blocked her attacks and countered. All the while Kylee sat in the chair beside Ashley, pretending to study the few cards in her hand, completely disinterested in the battle before her. But, Connor could tell the girl was watching him out of the corner of her eye.

  Yeah, I’m watching you too, sweetheart.

  “A duel to the death?” Liberty asked.

  Ashley glanced at Liberty, and then her accusatory pointer finger reappeared inches from Braden’s nose. “He’s not following the rules!”

  “They’re stupid rules,” Braden said.

  “Only when you’re losing. It’s not my fault you’re a poor loser.”

  “I’m not a loser!” Braden shouted. Then he launched himself across the table and scooped up as many of Ashley’s cards as his hands would hold.

  Ashley gasped in horror, her eyes wide, like she’d witnessed the most appalling act she’d ever seen. “Hey! You can’t do that. Give them back,” She launched for a counter attack, but Connor caught her in mid-leap.

  “I think cards might be a little too hardcore for you two.”

  She struggled against him for a moment, growling and snarling like some rabid animal. Then she seemed to realize he wouldn’t release her until she calmed down.

  “Fine.” She relaxed against Connor. “I don’t want to play with him anyway. Can I show Kylee around the camp?”

  Kylee leaped from her chair and tossed her cards on the table. “Finally, something exciting to do.”

  “Please?” Ashley asked. “I’m so sick of this game.”

  “I remember telling you to stay in this tent.” Connor frowned, releasing his daughter.

  “It’s so boring. There’s nothing to do.” Ashley tugged on his arm as her dark eyes pleaded with him. “Please? It’s not like we can go far. There are soldiers everywhere and Boom has that one watching us.” She pointed at the soldier by the door, who nodded in response.

  “Okay, but don’t go past the tree line, and be back in this tent before sundown.”

  Ashley agreed to his terms before tugging on Kylee’s hand and leading her out of the tent. The soldier by the door followed. The second the girls were gone, Braden scooped all the cards into his pile.

  Connor chuckled at the peculiar behavior. “Feel better?” he asked.

  Braden scowled at him.

  Liberty sat in a chair next to the boy and rested her elbows on the table.

  “They were stupid rules,” Braden muttered.

  “No doubt. I’ve never been a fan of rules myself.” Liberty glanced at Connor. “When people tell me what to do it makes me want to do the opposite.”

  Connor kept his expression neutral, but she narrowed her eyes at him anyway.

  Braden’s head tilted and his eyebrows rose. “You? Yeah right.”

  “No, I’m serious. I’m a rebel. Probably started when I was a kid. I hated things like shopping and dresses and the color pink. Mom couldn’t fathom the depth of my hatred for these things, and she dragged me shopping and stuffed me in pink, frilly dresses, insisting that I should like these things. Bored out of my mind, I’d climb in the middle of the clothes racks and knock clothes off hangers until she made me go sit in the car. And every time she tried to dress me up, I’d play with the water snakes and frogs that swam in our irrigation ditches until my clothes got nice and muddy.”

  The visual of a young Liberty covered in mud and running some poor woman ragged drifted through Connor’s mind. He coughed to hide the laughter that the image evoked.

  Braden eyed her. “I can’t imagine Kylee swimming in a ditch, or playing with snakes. You’re a pretty weird girl.”

  “You have no idea,” Liberty replied. The briefest of smiles brushed her lips before she turned back to Braden. “I’m going to tell you something I wish someone would have told me at your age. Something that will make your life easier.”

  Braden shrugged. “Whatever.”

  Liberty watched the boy for a moment. He looked anywhere but at her, seemingly disinterested in anything she said. She sighed and stood. “Alright. Never mind. Seems I misunderstood and you’ve got it all figured out and don’t need my advice.”

  Braden reached for her arm. “Wait.”

  She paused.

  He looked at the table. “You’ve been okay to me. I’ll hear you out.”

  The smile Liberty flashed Connor brightened her green eyes and smoothed away all hints of tiredness. It was a smile of hope, so rare and valuable that Connor wished he could engrave it into his mind to reflect on in the moments when all hope seemed lost. Her treasured smile faded, smoothing into a stoic mask as she sat down.

  “Thank you,” she told Braden. “Now look at me.”

  It took him a few moments to comply, but once he did, she continued.

  “Don’t be a rebel without a clue. It’s okay to rebel, but make sure you have a cause and that your cause is worthy of the punishment you might face.” Her chin rose a fraction as she continued to speak, “Rule breakers are responsible for all great things in the world: freeing the slaves, beautiful art, crazy dances, multiple music styles, innovative architecture, all sorts of awesomeness. Rebels change the world. You hear me?”

  Braden didn’t look convinced.

  “You can be one of those crazy rebellious world changers, Braden, you just have to learn how to choose your battles. Don’t fight stupid rules. Instead, fight bad ones. Fight for freedom and for people who are weaker than you are. Fight to keep life beautiful and extraordinary. Fight for life, love, peace and justice. Fight for truth and purity.”

  “You know I’m just a kid, right?” Braden asked.

  “Yeah, you don’t think kids can change the world?”

  Braden shook his head.

  “Ever hear of Claudette Colvin?”

  Again, he shook his head no.

  “She was a black girl who refused to give up her seat on a bus months before Rosa Parks did the same thing. But Claudette was only fifteen. The girl had crazy courage. Kids have done amazing things… started gardens to feed the homeless and helped
fundraise for all sorts of causes. Being young doesn’t make you helpless, Braden. “I’m glad you’re a rebel. Now what are you going to do to change the world?”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Liberty

  BRADEN REMINDED ME of myself at his age. He was broken. Feeling weak and worthless, he struggled to prove his strength and value. But underneath the greasy hair and grubby fingers, Braden was gold, packaged in ripped jeans and holey sneakers. When I sat beside him, his worth—the worth he couldn’t see or understand—seemed to take hold of my mouth and make me sing of his value. Like a diamond, he’d been created from pressure, and now he needed to be shined. So I encouraged him, words tumbling out of me, like some possessed motivational speaker hyped up on crack. Finally, after challenging this beaten down, kicked-in-the-teeth kid to change the world, my mouth finally closed.

  Braden stared at me.

  Whatever had come over me disappeared, and I became acutely aware of how lame my pep talk must have sounded.

  Okay. What the heck was that about?

  Braden didn’t even blink. He just kept staring at me.

  Awkward. What do I do now?

  No brilliant ideas came to mind. I glanced at Connor, but he just stared back at me. No help there.

  “Well, I should get going,” I said to Braden. “I’ll see you later?”

  Still no response. If shock and awe were my goals, I’d accomplished them, but now I had no idea how to un-shock and un-awe him.

  “All righty then.” Desperate to escape the humiliating spotlight I seemed to have placed myself in, I stood and made a beeline for the door as quickly as my legs would carry me. Once out the door, I took off running. I sprinted toward the river, desperate for time alone so I could recount what I said and figure out why I’d said it.

  The sound of footsteps behind me told me I didn’t run alone.

  Connor. Would you just go away and give me a moment?

  I came to the bank of the river and turned south. His continued pursuit pressed me forward, and I ran harder, determined to keep going until he gave up. Time blurred as I followed the riverbank, sprinting until my lungs felt like they were going to burst. Even then, I didn’t let up. I ran until my legs burned and the stitch in my side ached. Only then did I stop and lean over, gasping for air.

  Connor came to a stop beside me. “You okay?” he asked.

  Since I was physically unable to speak and suck down oxygen at the same time, I didn’t bother answering him. Also, I wouldn’t know how to respond. Instead, I turned and watched the river for a moment, focusing on my breathing. Staying vertical seemed like an unnecessary waste of energy, so I collapsed on the grass, staring up at the sky.

  “We shouldn’t be here,” Connor said. “It’s not safe to be out of the camp right now. We don’t know how big their force is. They could be anywhere. Everywhere.”

  “You sound paranoid.”

  “I sound smart. But you make me wonder if I am.”

  I didn’t reply, still not trusting myself to talk. In fact, if any evil sea witches lurked in that river, I planned to sell my voice to them so I never had to speak again.

  Connor collapsed next to me, so close his arm brushed mine. I stared at the pale blue sky, trying not to let his proximity distract me from my self-loathing. We were far enough from the tree line that the grass had grown into a thick, lush bed that enveloped us. I tried to replay the stupid conversation I’d had with Braden in my mind, but exhaustion and comfort kept diverting my attention. The music of the river sang to me, lulling my body and mind into relaxation. I closed my eyes and let the sun warm my eyelids as my breathing steadied.

  The warmth of Connor’s arm reminded me that he lay beside me, sharing in this moment, and suddenly I needed to know why.

  “Why did you follow me?” I asked.

  “What?”

  Rephrasing the question, I asked, “Why are you here?”

  Connor shifted. I opened my eyes and he was lying on his side, facing me. Entirely too close, he propped his head up on one fist.

  “It’s not safe for you to be in the woods alone right now,” he said.

  I let out a deep breath. He’d followed me to babysit me. Figures.

  “But that’s not the only reason I’m here,” he continued. “That kid—”

  “Braden?” I asked.

  “Yeah. What you said to him was… wow. I don’t think he expected you to support him. I bet no one has ever encouraged him before.”

  “I know.” I sighed. “I sounded like an idiot. He must think I’m some sort of crackpot.”

  “No. He was posturing like he expected to be berated or disciplined. Instead, you spoke life and hope into him. He’s a punk kid with a smart mouth, and you completely threw him off. He didn’t know how to respond.”

  I eyed Connor, unsure of what think about this new development.

  “You believe it, don’t you?” he asked.

  Looking back at the sky, I nodded. “Every word. I know it sounds crazy, but Braden is so much more than what he appears to be. That kid could be a world-changer if he wanted.”

  “Honestly, that’s what I’m worried about.”

  “I’m not talking about him being with the Progression or something. I’m talking about who he is on the inside. He has the potential to be someone really special, but life has kicked him in the face so many times it’s skewed his vision and he can’t see a future for himself anymore. I just wanted to clear up his vision a little.”

  I could feel Connor’s gaze burning a hole into the side of my face, but I didn’t look at him. He watched me for a while before saying, “You barely know the kid.”

  “I don’t have to know him to see his potential. He’s a human being, Connor.” I thought of Braden, his small frame shaking with heart-wrenching sobs as he held me and accepted the fate of his mother. “He’s courageous. He has a big, hurting heart and he’s fiercely protective over those he loves. His life hasn’t been easy, but he isn’t giving up. He’s a fighter.”

  Connor grabbed my hand.

  I looked down, studying our interlaced fingers, but didn’t pull away.

  “You are the most beautiful person I’ve ever met,” he said. With his other hand, he traced my face starting at my forehead and running his fingers down toward my chin.

  “Sexy as hell, but you’re so much more than this,” he said. His fingertips ran down my throat and hovered above my heart. “This is what makes you beautiful.”

  Feeling like a deer in the headlights, I could see the truck coming straight for me, but I couldn’t move. Part of me didn’t even want to move. Something dangerously comforting drew me into Connor’s sights. I wanted to close my eyes and drink his compliments in like lemonade on a hot day.

  He leaned toward me. My heart sped up as I waited for him. Closer and closer he came until only inches separated our lips.

  I wanted to kiss him, but if I started, I didn’t know if I could stop. If I’d even want to stop. Terrified of the erratic way my heart kept beating and desperate for reprieve from the desire that burned through me, I blurted out, “Why did you quit the Army?”

  He pulled away from me. “What?”

  “You were in the Army with Boom. Why did you quit it?”

  Connor sat up and ran a hand through his hair. “Why would you ask that?”

  My question seemed to touch a sore spot, and I considered it for a moment. “I’m not sure. I just want to know about you.” I pulled myself up to sit beside him.

  We sat in silence and watched the river. I could sense how upset and tense the subject had made him, and thought about withdrawing the question, but instead I waited. And my patience eventually paid off.

  “I enlisted in the Army just out of high school,” Connor said. He spoke so low I had to lean closer to hear him. “I scored in the ninetieth percentile on my ASVAB and the recruiters were tripping over each other to sign me up.”

  “ASVAB being...?”

  “Military placement test.”
/>
  “Ah-ha. You scored well and the vultures swooped down on you.”

  I'd meant the comment to lighten his mood, but clearly failed because his frown only deepened.

  “I volunteered for Special Forces and was selected. I made it through the Q-Course. I became a non-commissioned officer and went back to school, and then I ran the Q-Course again as an officer.”

  “What’s the Q-Course?”

  “Hell.” Connor cracked a smile. “Also known as the Qualification Course. It’s a six-phase assessment and training course designed to either make or break soldiers.”

  I tapped my shoulder against his arm. “Sounds pleasant. You went through it twice?”

  Connor nodded and continued staring at the river. “Yep. I thought I was pretty impressive. After I graduated the second time, I was given my team. That’s when I met Boom.”

  “He was your weapons guy.”

  Connor smirked. “That he was. You haven’t seen an explosion until you’ve given Boom free rein. It’s a glorious sight. I had an incredible team. Every one of them were like brothers to each other. And to me, and well... I botched a mission and got a couple of them killed.”

  I watched Connor's jaw clench as he struggled with demons from his past. Desperate to offer some sort of comfort, I wrapped my arm around his and leaned against him. Since I didn't know what to say, I kept my mouth shut.

  “I was a solid intelligence sergeant, but I never should have become an officer. It changed everything when I became responsible for them all. I hated it.” Connor leaned his head against mine, and I closed my eyes and breathed him in. At that moment, I realized I loved him. Not the arrogant attorney nor the clever and capable soldier, but the real Connor. The handsome, courageous and afraid-to-let-anyone-get-too-close Connor.

  “Connor,” I whispered.

  “Yes?”

  I wanted to tell him I loved him, but didn’t want him to wonder if my declaration of love came from sympathy for his past. When I told Connor how I felt, I wanted it to be different, under better circumstances and without possible motives. So, I swallowed back what I wanted to say, and replied, “We should probably get back and check on Ashley.”