says it puts a dark mood on what is otherwise turning out to be a good day. The rain has finally stopped and Junie says we only have to walk a few miles more before we make it to the Headquarters.
When we take our final turn and arrive at our destination, the first thing we see are dozens of people, just like Reagan's patrol, holding guns, and wearing leather coats and boots like Colton. They line the perimeter of a field and a poorly-paved road. Colton saunters over to the guards and gives a breezy salute with his lanky arm. The guard nods at us and moves aside.
"Hey, Duke. Anyone come around lately?" Junie asks the guard that Colton saluted.
He smiles brightly at Junie, as though seeing her made his day. Duke wears a tank top revealing muscular arms and traces of a six pack are evident through the thin material. Camo pants are slung low on his waist and his short buzz cut emphasizes deep dimples and deep brown eyes. Junie looks him up and down, and I blush at her indiscreet observation of Duke. I hold tight to Timid's hand, realizing we look like bedraggled children with our dirty slippers and muddy gowns.
"Naw, it's been slow. I think the main house is getting a little antsy though, lots of talk’s been going on about new plans."
"Come on, Junie, we need to get the girls up. They need to rest." Colton tells her. I think he just doesn't like his sister talking to other boys, specifically ones primed for some sort of “special forces.”
"You staying around or going back to the Safe House ?" Duke asks Junie as she starts walking away, towards Colton, Timid, and I. There are a few houses along the road and people are walking around the properties, clearly inhabiting them.
"I'm not going back to the Safe House , ever."
"Well, if you're staying tonight, come to the bonfire. We're having a party."
Junie nods her head and beams as she walks towards us.
"You're not going to that party, Junie," Colton tells her.
"Aw, you're just scared of your older sister falling in love," she teases back.
"Two minutes. You're only two minutes older!" He laughs, and so do Timid and I.
But then we stop laughing.
Timid and I stand, staring in awe.
Because the Headquarters is nothing like I imagined.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Lukas
"What is your proof?" I shake my head at Integrity. Wanting what he says to be true. That my parents and Charles were forced to leave against their will.
"I have a letter for you, Lukas. Your father gave it to me. Right before...."
"Before what? Stop being mysterious and tell me what you mean." I shake my hands while still in my cuffs. I am sure my output sucks right now. I'm so flustered. All my energy is seeping out, not up towards the wires.
"Conviction ordered for them to be killed. Remember the people I told you about, who haven't forgotten what The Light is supposed to be? One of them, a man on Refuge One, was ordered to take them to the water with weights on their feet. Drown them in the Sound. That's what we do with all our deceased members. But this was going to be different. They were going to alive when they went into the water."
I don't want to hear this. I shake my head, terrified of what comes next. My family is actually dead . Lucy's on a mission to find them, to ask them for help. But she had it wrong. Charlie isn't really my brother Charles. She is headed nowhere, looking for people who are ghosts.
My chest tightens, there's no one who can help us.
"Lukas, calm down. Listen. They were taken in a boat, just like Conviction demanded. But they were lucky."
"That the boat driver humanely killed them first before dropping them into the water?"
"No. Lukas. Listen! The boat driver had made a plan for their escape. He loaded the boat with supplies. Packs. Real clothes and shoes, food. He gave them guns from the storehouses. Everything they would need to start a new life."
But all I hear is that had everything they need to start a new life without me.
"Before the driver dropped
When we take our final turn and arrive at our destination, the first thing we see are dozens of people, just like Reagan's patrol, holding guns, and wearing leather coats and boots like Colton. They line the perimeter of a field and a poorly-paved road. Colton saunters over to the guards and gives a breezy salute with his lanky arm. The guard nods at us and moves aside.
"Hey, Duke. Anyone come around lately?" Junie asks the guard that Colton saluted.
He smiles brightly at Junie, as though seeing her made his day. Duke wears a tank top revealing muscular arms and traces of a six pack are evident through the thin material. Camo pants are slung low on his waist and his short buzz cut emphasizes deep dimples and deep brown eyes. Junie looks him up and down, and I blush at her indiscreet observation of Duke. I hold tight to Timid's hand, realizing we look like bedraggled children with our dirty slippers and muddy gowns.
"Naw, it's been slow. I think the main house is getting a little antsy though, lots of talk’s been going on about new plans."
"Come on, Junie, we need to get the girls up. They need to rest." Colton tells her. I think he just doesn't like his sister talking to other boys, specifically ones primed for some sort of “special forces.”
"You staying around or going back to the Safe House ?" Duke asks Junie as she starts walking away, towards Colton, Timid, and I. There are a few houses along the road and people are walking around the properties, clearly inhabiting them.
"I'm not going back to the Safe House , ever."
"Well, if you're staying tonight, come to the bonfire. We're having a party."
Junie nods her head and beams as she walks towards us.
"You're not going to that party, Junie," Colton tells her.
"Aw, you're just scared of your older sister falling in love," she teases back.
"Two minutes. You're only two minutes older!" He laughs, and so do Timid and I.
But then we stop laughing.
Timid and I stand, staring in awe.
Because the Headquarters is nothing like I imagined.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Lukas
"What is your proof?" I shake my head at Integrity. Wanting what he says to be true. That my parents and Charles were forced to leave against their will.
"I have a letter for you, Lukas. Your father gave it to me. Right before...."
"Before what? Stop being mysterious and tell me what you mean." I shake my hands while still in my cuffs. I am sure my output sucks right now. I'm so flustered. All my energy is seeping out, not up towards the wires.
"Conviction ordered for them to be killed. Remember the people I told you about, who haven't forgotten what The Light is supposed to be? One of them, a man on Refuge One, was ordered to take them to the water with weights on their feet. Drown them in the Sound. That's what we do with all our deceased members. But this was going to be different. They were going to alive when they went into the water."
I don't want to hear this. I shake my head, terrified of what comes next. My family is actually dead . Lucy's on a mission to find them, to ask them for help. But she had it wrong. Charlie isn't really my brother Charles. She is headed nowhere, looking for people who are ghosts.
My chest tightens, there's no one who can help us.
"Lukas, calm down. Listen. They were taken in a boat, just like Conviction demanded. But they were lucky."
"That the boat driver humanely killed them first before dropping them into the water?"
"No. Lukas. Listen! The boat driver had made a plan for their escape. He loaded the boat with supplies. Packs. Real clothes and shoes, food. He gave them guns from the storehouses. Everything they would need to start a new life."
But all I hear is that had everything they need to start a new life without me.
"Before the driver dropped
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