by Jamie Canosa
“Is that what he said?” He looks almost amused, but I’m having a hard time finding the humor in any of this. “Well, let me tell you a little secret. Syms is a liar. He’s using all of you to fight his war.”
No, really? We showed up at the front door with guns a blazing. I’m pretty sure we know we’re fighting a war for the guy, only the thing is . . . “It’s our war, too.”
“It is, but you’re fighting on the wrong side of it.”
He must think I’m a real moron. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Why don’t you tell your friends out there to just put their weapons down, and we can talk about it.”
“Yeah, I don’t think they’d really go for that.”
“We don’t want to hurt you. You are not our enemy.”
I’m dying to know just who it is he seems to think we should be teaming up against, but before I can ask, the sound of gunfire from out in the hallway distracts us both. The remaining two guards race for the door, drawing their weapons as they go. That leaves Perman and me alone in his office. The door is roughly fifteen feet behind me, but it’s at least another five from Perman, and he’s got that pretty desk in his way. The clock is ticking, it’s now or never.
Before my face can give away what I’m about to do, I jump to my feet and sprint for the door. I’ve almost made it when his hand clamps down on my arm, pulling me to an abrupt stop.
“Don’t do this. I’m urging you to hear me out. We can help you.”
Do I have naïve tattooed on my forehead? I don’t think so. I yank my arm, but he refuses to release his crushing grip. He’s unarmed as far as I can see, but he’s obviously a hell of a lot stronger than I am, and he’s got at least eighty pounds on me. I may not be a kung-fu ninja, but I do have one trick up my sleeve. Something Peter taught me back when we were twelve and some guys were giving me a hard time at school.
Four minutes. Fighting back the urge to vomit, I step into Perman, angling my body against his. His face flashes confusion just before I bring my knee up. Then it shows nothing but intense pain, just like that jerks did back in school. A solid knee to the groin can be a girl’s best friend. His groans follow me out into the hallway. Above them, I can hear the guards shouting at the person who arranged this nice little distraction for me. As if I don’t already know who that is. There’s only one person on this planet idiot enough to try something like this. And, said idiot is currently headed in the wrong direction.
He’s obviously trying to draw the soldiers away from Perman’s office, but he’s going to end up trapping himself in a corner with no exit. Mentally regarding the map of Permatech, I cast about for the nearest staircase. There’s one in the southeast corner. If he hasn’t already gotten himself caught, we should be able to make it there. I tear down another hall following the loud voices and wishing I didn’t have to waste time looking for him when my wish is granted. Peter flies around a corner, slamming right into me.
“This way.” He follows my lead without question.
When we duck into the stairwell, all of the voices fade away. The thick metal door blocks out any sounds of pursuit, and my pounding heart breathes a sigh of relief for the momentary reprieve.
“What are you doing in here?” I’m torn between wanting to kiss him, and wanting to slap him upside the head as we take our time descending the stairs so that our footsteps won’t echo and give us away.
“You were taking too long.”
“So you came into the building with the explosive about to go off? Brilliant.”
“What, you can bust into a work camp for me, but I can’t bust into a building for you?”
Touché.
“The camp wasn’t about to explode when I broke into it. You do know that this whole place is going to blow sky high in about three minutes, right?”
“Yes, I do know that. Why do you think I’m here? Connor filled me in on your latest insane plan. If I’d known earlier, I never would have let you come in here alone in the first place. And, you and I both know that you would have come into that camp either way, just like you would have come in here after me if our positions had been reversed. Don’t bother to try and deny it. ”
He knows me so well, but still, “That’s a little presumptuous of you, don’t ya think?”
“Leigh, less bickering, more running for our lives, all right? You can point out my character flaws some other time.”
Peter grabs my hand as he whips out the door on the first level, dragging me along for the ride. There are even more soldiers down here. Shouts telling us to stop or they’ll shoot rise up all around us. Little do they know that stopping right now is probably the more dangerous option. Two minutes. I refuse to look back, but even though we’re both running as hard as we possibly can, their footsteps still sound like they’re gaining on us.
A shot rings out just as Peter pulls me around another corner, and a sudden intense pain erupts in my shoulder, and radiates outward along with a warm damp sticky something . . . blood. A sickly sweet copper scent fills my nostrils as the force of the shot sends me reeling into Peter. He grips my arm to steady me, while simultaneously turning to fire off a few shots of his own, all without ever slowing down. I don’t bother checking to see if he hit anything, but knowing his aim, he did.
The pain recedes to a dull throb as adrenaline courses through my system. We enter the front corridor, and for one glorious moment our exit stands before us. The glass doors are lit from without by radiant sunlight, looking every ounce the salvation they promise to be. And then, the view is lost. Dozens of troops fill the corridor ahead of us, sending us into a skidding halt. Behind us, the troops that were chasing us finally catch up, and block any attempt at retreat. There’s nowhere left to go.
A sharp tug on my arm lurches me sideways into a small room with shiny metal surfaces and a large metal table in the center. Peter lets go of me just long enough to slide the lock into place on the door. On the only door. Locking them out. Locking us in. One minute.
“Peter . . .”
“Leigh.” He’s beside me again, so close that I’m pressed against the wall.
We both ignore the blood streaming down my arm and pooling on the ground near our feet, refusing to waste what time we have on a pain that we both know won’t last much longer. His arms feel strong around me, and I need that strength right now. I’ve always needed it, and he’s always been there to lend it to me. Peter tips his head down until his forehead rests on mine, our lips so close we’re breathing the same air.
“I’m sorry, Peter. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m not.” A soft smile touches his lips. Forty five seconds. “We’re here fighting for the right to choose. Well, I think we’ve earned that right. So, I choose you, Leigh, and even if this is all the time we’re ever going to get, then I’ll take it . . . and I’ll be glad for it. I love you, Kaleigh.”
Forty. His eyes are shinning with unshed tears, and it breaks my heart.
“I love you too, Peter. I always have.”
Throwing my good arm around his neck, I have to stand on my tiptoes to reach his lips. Thirty. His arms around me, pulling me close. Twenty five. His lips pressing firmly to mine with a fiery desperation. Fifteen. An ache in my chest that dwarfs any gunshot wound. Ten. Connor and Lori outside waiting for us. Nine. My mother. Eight. My father. Seven. Peter, and how, for just this one moment, everything is finally perfect. Six. Clinging to each other as tightly as possible. Five. His eyes, his beautiful, blue eyes staring into mine. Four. The feel of his soft hair running through my fingers. Three. A world where everyone will have the right to choose this kind of love. Two. His lips on mine again.
One.
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Dissidence
Jamie Canosa
©Jamie Canosa 2012
©Prose by Design, LLC 2012
Cover Design: Paul Beeley
Cover © 2012 Jamie Canosa
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“To my beautiful daughter, Kaleigh. For adding a bit of spice to my life. I love you, Principessa. Never let anyone change who you are.”
Other books by Jamie Canosa
From It’s a Love Thing anthology:
Temptation
From Screams in the Night: Tales of Terror anthology:
Our Own Worst Enemies
About the Author
Jamie Canosa is a full time author of YA literature, which she absolutely loves. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in Ravena, NY with her husband, and their three crazy kids . . . plus the dog, the bird, and the rabbit.
http://jamiecanosa.blogspot.com/