“They did it to all of us,” Sully snaps. His eyes are narrowed, his demeanor agitated. He paces with one hand on his hip and the other in his hair. “They used to quarantine, but it never used to be like this. Never. I can’t believe they did this to you.” His gaze is heated when it meets mine, heated and contrite. “I can’t believe they did this to June and the kids.” He looks to June and Riley. His hands slap against his legs in frustration. He turns to me once again. His eyes are dark pools of remorse. “I thought we’d all be kept together.” He looks as though he wants to say more. His gaze is pleading. But the sound of Opal’s voice suspends any further conversation.
“President Sullivan is waiting,” she reminds us curtly.
Rolling his eyes, Sully looks at Opal then back at me. Conflicting emotions vibrate in the air around him. Heaving a sigh, he says, “Guess it’s time to go see my father.” He then turns hesitantly and gestures for Opal to lead the way.
June releases her grip on my waist and slips her hand into mine. She holds on tightly as we enter another tunnel of smooth, cream-colored rock. The floor beneath my feet slopes downward and continues to do so for several hundred feet, curving sharply around a bend until an amber glow spills all around us. The channel broadens then ends. And the sight before me steals the breath from my lungs.
“Whoa,” I hear Oliver say.
“Oh my gosh,” Riley gasps.
June squeezes my hand painfully. “What is all this?” she asks warily.
“I don’t know, June,” I answer in the same cautious tone.
“It’s the underground city,” Sully answers flatly.
Struggling to take in the stunning landscape, I allow my eyes to rove, wandering over structures built of rock with windows lit cozily from within that line the cobbled pathway. Tall lamps are interspersed between them and send a warm glow across the glistening stone. People—clad in an array of vivid colors—mill about. It exceeds my wildest imaginings. Everything looks soft and inviting. Still, none of what I see puts me at ease.
“What is this? Who are those people?” I ask.
“What you’re looking at down the road is Washington Central. It’s where my father and the important people live. It isn’t where the regular people here live. It’s much nicer,” he says with disgust.
Further down the lane, the buildings grow in height, towering so that I forget I’m underground, deep beneath the earth’s surface. The ceiling is so high it fades into darkness as deep and intense as the night sky. I strain my eyes and tell myself that if I look closely enough I might see stars. I don’t, of course, but the velvet, inky expanse overhead rivals the heavens.
“Your father and the important people, they live in a place nicer than this?” Will asks.
“Yes,” Sully snorts contemptuously.
“That’s hard to imagine,” Will comments. His eyes are filled with wonder. “I can’t believe this place.”
“It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen,” Riley adds.
“It’s like a dream,” Sarah marvels.
“Come along now,” Opal encourages. “Tardiness is frowned upon in New Washington.” She sets off at a brisk pace.
Trailing behind her, I try to take in the overwhelming magnitude of the city. We pass a small shop. An intoxicating aroma floats from it. Pleasant and sweet, the scent makes my mouth water. I slow and gaze at the outer wall of the shop. Made of mostly glass, shelves are set against it, showcasing tan loaves of matter I’ve never seen.
Suddenly, Sully’s lips are practically at my ear. “The bread smells good, doesn’t it?”
“Bread?” My brows gather.
“Yup, flour, yeast, salt and water. The bakers toss it in the oven and voila, bread.” He points to the loaves. “You’ve got to try it, Avery. It tastes as good as it smells.”
“Huh, bread.” I nod. My eyes revert back to the disappearing display in the window.
“So which building is your dad’s?” Will sweeps his arm out to his side, gesturing among the stone structures all around us.
“That one.” Sully points straight ahead.
I’m not sure, but I believe he points far away, to the last building. Sitting at the summit of a steep road, I can barely make out the peaks of a massive gray castle. Soaring spires of the structure that is most distant from us disappear in the obscurity. The building is foreboding, intimidating in its sprawling height and width. A sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach tells me that’s exactly where we’re going.
“You mean that huge pointy one?” June asks.
“That’s the one,” Sully answers.
“It looks scary.” June shivers.
I agree. It does look scary. The one building is larger than all the other ones combined. Why would one man need that much space? It seems ridiculous. June and I lived in a cave that was a fraction of the size of most of the tiny shops we’re passing, and that had plenty of room for the two of us.
“Not as scary as my father,” Sully mutters under his breath.
“Seriously, your dad lives there? That’s not another, I don’t know, village or something?” Will looks skeptical.
“Your dad is scary?” June’s grip on my hand tightens.
“Yes, no, and kind of,” he replies with one of his signature half smiles.
“Wow,” Will says.
“So wait a minute, that means he’s halfway scary?” June scrunches her features.
“June bug, he’ll be fine with you, I promise.” Sully his touches his index finger to the tip of her nose and she smiles.
Ahead of us, Opal slows long enough to glare at us. “Let’s keep moving, please,” she says brusquely
When Opal returns to face forward, Sully taps June’s shoulder then, when she looks at him, he thrusts his tongue out. June giggles.
We continue walking, the cobbled path beneath our feet growing steadily steeper until it ends. Opal stops in front of a set of ornate iron gates. She pushes a button on a small metal box and a voice crackles from somewhere in the distance. I spin and look all around. No one beside our group is present. Opal says, “I have President Sullivan’s son and his friends.” The voice doesn’t reply, but the gates part on their own, neither Opal nor any of us touch it, and the large castle of stone looms on the crest above us, overlooking the small cottages and shops below.
“Hurry now,” Opal barks over her shoulder and begins marching up a path that’s darker and smoother than the cobbled one we were on.
“This place,” Sully gestures ahead of him. “It’s a bit much, don’t you think?”
I swallow hard and intend to answer, but my voice is lost. I’m too overcome by what I’m seeing. Larger than I’d realized, the castle rises from the rocks and soars farther than the eye can see. An indescribable sensation causes my skin to prickle. The building feels almost alive, and threatening.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he chuckles.
We enter through a large door, the hinges squeaking in protest, and step into a space that is filled with polished, shiny articles. The floor, the dark wood table, the golden chandelier lit with candles—everything is gleaming. Opal leads us up a wide, curved staircase to the second floor. Stone walls glisten and a narrow band of plush fabric leads to a door at the end of a long hallway.
An ornate emblem is carved in the wood of the door, a winged bird in flight and about to attack, beak open and talons poised. Opal knocks, and a deep voice rumbles from the other side. “Send them in,” the voice orders.
Opal twists the handle and pushes the door inward.
Sitting behind an enormous wooden desk with a finish so luminous I can see my reflection in it, is a man I’ve seen before. Gray and white locks lighten an otherwise fawn-colored head of hair with the heaviest concentration of white sitting at his temples, and an elongated, slim face marked by a nose curved like a hawk’s beak sits beneath it. Silver facial hair masks a too-thin upper lip and neatly frames a strong chin and jaw. Distinguished looking and impeccably dressed, I
recognize him as the man who watched me from behind the glass when I was first brought in.
He stands slowly then with even, unhurried steps, he starts toward us, his dark cloak swirling around his boots.
“John,” he says. “It’s good to see you, son.” His mouth speaks words that are cordial, yet he seems unconvinced of them, emotionless. His faltering smile fails to reach his eyes, and the glint in his eyes conveys hostility.
“Hey, Dad,” Sully matches his father’s wooden tone and demeanor.
The only aspect of President Sullivan’s appearance that resembles his son’s comes in the form of rich brown eyes the color of fertile soil. Unlike Sully’s gaze, mischief does not dance in the President’s, and they are far from welcoming and approachable.
“Don’t look so happy to see me,” Sully says with a mirthless laugh.
“You’ll have to forgive me for not gushing with emotions,” President Sullivan says coldly. “Frankly, I’m surprised to see you’re still alive. How did you manage above ground, living among those monsters?” The President has yet to acknowledge the rest of us in the room. His eyes are dart tips narrowed on Sully.
“I fought almost every day, that’s how.”
“Huh.” President Sullivan strokes his chin. “I’m going to need you to meet with my advisers and give a detailed report of everything that’s happening above ground. Actually, all of you will meet with my team.” He addresses us for the first time, yet somehow that fact doesn’t bother me in the least. I’m too stunned by how detached his demeanor is with regard to Sully. He just learned his son is alive and has been returned to him. He should be celebrating. His attitude is far from celebratory. He doesn’t seem to care much at all. My annoyance grows the more I think about it.
“President Sullivan,” I address him directly. He whirls on me, looking shocked and horrified simultaneously. “I just wanted to ask why it was necessary to strip us down and treat us like animals?”
President Sullivan looks at me coldly, his face pinching to a point. “I will do whatever I think is necessary to keep the people of New Washington safe.” He enunciates each word then rakes his eyes over me from head to toe, regarding me as if I’m coated in boart dung. “I didn’t know what kind of diseases you could’ve been carrying or what you could’ve dragged down here.” He puffs his chest out and tips his chin haughtily, believing he’s had the final word.
“We still could’ve been handled differently, with respect perhaps,” I add with a lifted chin, voice stern, refusing to allow an ounce of fear to creep into my tone. Perhaps my words were infused with a bit too much defiance. President Sullivan’s flush deepens.
Jabbing his fisted hands to his hips, he glowers at me. “You do realize you’re questioning the President of New Washington, young lady, and that it would be wise for you to proceed with respect, unless you want to be returned to the surface.” He looks at me, challenging me to utter another word.
I press my lips shut tightly to keep the numerous responses volleying around my mouth from coming out.
“Dad, since when do you care about the people of New Washington so much? You know, other than worrying about what they can do for you,” Sully bobs a shoulder and says calmly.
President Sullivan’s face reddens. The smug smile he wore seconds ago collapses completely. “Well, son, I see you’re still the same arrogant fool you’ve always been. Life up there hasn’t taught you the slightest bit of appreciation or humility.” He points toward the ceiling, his eyes locked on Sully. But soon, his gaze shifts to us and his hand lowers. “I want to make something clear to all of you. I only let you in because you’re with my son. And if I didn’t let my son in, my people would think me unkind, unjust.” He levels a withering gaze at Sully. “I couldn’t have that happen. No one wants an unjust leader. No, no. I had to let him in, even if it was against my better judgment.” His frosty words chill my blood. “If you had shown up without him, I would’ve had my people leave you up there to starve to death.” He shrugs casually and glances out his window onto the landscape of stone structures that are so idyllic in appearance. When his eyes return to us, his gaze is icy. “You are here now, but I’m not bound to keep you. You’re welcome as long as you behave as all the citizens of New Washington do. If I hear of anything, even the slightest infraction, you’ll be sent back up. Am I clear?”
The room grows so still I fear the wild thumping of my heart is audible. Even Sully is silent.
When June’s small voice rings out with the beauty and clarity of a bird’s song, my heart stops mid-beat. “Mr. President, sir, you have a beautiful city. We don’t want to be forced to leave. We’ll behave as you want us to.” Her face is open and innocent, her words guileless. I find myself feeling equal parts proud of her and terrified for her.
“It really is beautiful here,” Riley repeats what June has conveyed.
I wait for President Sullivan to temper his rigid stance and expression, to soften, if only slightly. But he doesn’t. He remains indifferent to the girls’ courage and kind words. Unaffected eyes move from June and Riley to Sully. “You can stay here with me, John, but your friends will be assigned to the General Population.”
The small muscles around Sully’s mouth bunch and flex. “I go where they go.”
“Suit yourself. I better not hear that any of you are telling the citizens of this fair city that it’s safe to be above ground or trying to incite them in any way, understand?”
“Yeah, whatever.” Sully rolls his shoulders.
“No, John. Not whatever. You’ll do as I say or I’ll send you away, too.”
President Sullivan and Sully stare at each other stonily for a long moment before the President turns to us. “See Opal for your room assignments and course schedules.”
“Course schedules?” Will asks, genuinely confused.
“You will all be educated, as all inhabitants of New Washington are. We need to fill your heads with knowledge, though I gather it will be a challenge. I assume none of you were taught anything of value.”
Ire bubbles in me like molten lava. “We were taught to survive, not hole up and hide.” I can’t resist. The words vent from me in a venomous hiss.
President Sullivan slams his hand upon his desk. “If one word like that is spoken to my people, you are gone, all of you!” Spittle sprays from his mouth. His cheeks are magenta and a vein that looks like a lightning bolt bulges from his forehead. Tears well in June’s eyes, and Riley sobs quietly.
“All right, I’m sorry. I was out of line,” I say with my sister—with everyone’s—safety and best interest in mind. I realize the need to appease the President. If we’re relegated to the desert without food or water, we’ll die for sure.
The President doesn’t look pacified. He’s as disbelieving of my words as I am. “Just watch yourselves, because I’ll be watching. You can count on it,” he growls. Opal appears, knocking softly on the open door. “Take them away.” President Sullivan waves his hand dismissively.
“Come on, let’s go,” Opal orders us. We follow her and are led out of the stone castle, back down the cobbled street.
With each step we take, a thought pulses through me. I wonder what awaits us. With a ruler like President Sullivan, I can’t imagine New Washington will be the utopia we hoped it would be.
Chapter 13
The patter of Opal’s shoes against the stone floor is the only sound I concentrate on as I follow her. Towering, ornate buildings gradually give way to shorter structures, still elaborately adorned with colored glass and dramatic architecture. Iron posts with frosted glass globes keep the picturesque community awash in pleasing light. From the pretty collection of stone houses, the pathway leads us back through rows of shops. Once we reach the open area where I was reunited with June and the others earlier, we do not continue to the pale stone tunnel. We veer and cross the courtyard. Relieved, I assume we’ll be led through another to a collection of dwellings similar to the ones we saw not long ago.
A
small warm hand slips into mine. “This is so exciting,” June whispers
I smile at her. She’d clearly been thinking as I had, imagining what our lodgings will look like. Though President Sullivan issued numerous threats and proved himself to be every bit as awful as Sully said he’d be, a thread of hope still weaves its way into my heart. I can’t help but envision June in a cozy cottage of rock with welcoming, golden light surrounding her. She deserves it, deserves a life free from constant fear and fleeing, free from Lurkers and Urthmen. This is our chance, this is her chance.
“Let’s go girls,” Opal prompts and snaps her fingers at June and me.
I realize I’ve slowed my pace. Opal’s not-so-subtle reminder hastens my feet. June and I catch up to our group just as we enter a different tunnel. Darker and narrower, this one doesn’t resemble the one that led us from our containment rooms. Pallid light crawls along the dingy, uneven floor, making it difficult to see in the distance, and a dank, mustiness tinges the air.
Sully drops back, slowing until he’s beside me. “Get ready. The real New Washington is just ahead.” Bitterness coats his words.
“The real New Washington?” I quirk a brow at him.
“Just wait, you’ll see what I mean,” he replies with a frown. He holds my gaze for several beats then returns his attention straight ahead.
I shrug, knowing fully I won’t get any more information from him, and continue following Opal’s lead. Jagged rocks jut from the walls on either side, tapering the passageway further. My breathing hitches. A sense of confinement presses me. Just when I feel as if the walls are literally closing in on me, the tunnel widens significantly, opening to dusky light and small, squat buildings.
“Where are we? This doesn’t look like the place we were at before,” June says, her tone low and concerned.
Sully’s words resound in my head. I stop and look around. We’re heading between a clustering of plain gray buildings. Gone are the tall iron lanterns topped with frosted glass, and missing are the artfully adorned, inviting structures. A metallic, earthy scent hangs in the air rather than the aroma of freshly baked bread. “This isn’t at all like where we were before,” I mumble aloud.
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