Redeemer (24 page)

“I had to sit down since I couldn't even get back inside, but I feel good.”

“This is a bit overwhelming, don't you think? All these people?” I shake my head. “I never dreamed there were so many people who were willing to stand up against the Greaters.”

“According to these people, the Greaters are a force to be feared. They say they're decimating the enemy.”

I hadn't thought of it like that, and I wince. Fighting them won't be easy, but then another thought strikes me. “It's the Middles and Lessers who are fighting, and they'll be on our side.” At least, I hope they will. Dad's face pops into my mind, and I push it away.

“No, we won't have to fight against an army like that,” Keegan says. “If it comes to a fight, it will only be against Frost Moon and his guards.”

An idea forms in my mind with his words, and I turn away, thinking. “I saw him.”

“Who?” Keegan frowns.

“Frost Moon. I saw him when we were running from the dome, and he saw me. Do you think he's here?”

His eyes grow wide and he shakes his head. “I don't know. He might be.”

I turn back to him fully. “Guard Nev and Guard Rok know the other guards. Maybe not all of them, but some, at least. Do you think they could convince the other guards to turn against Moon?”

His gaze moves to the high windows of the skyscraper. “It's possible, I guess. We'd have to make our way into the city again, though. Are you up for that?”

I eye him. “Are you?”

He smiles. “Not today, but hopefully soon.”

I nod. Now isn't a good time, anyway. We wouldn't want to take Frost Moon out of leadership until the fight against the mother country is won. Which brings me to my second thought. It's one we've already discussed, but I can't get it out of my head. “How do you feel about others fighting for our freedom while we sit here and hide?”

Now his eyes widen further. “You're not thinking of running off, right? Because I don't think anyone would agree that is a good idea.”

“I just don't feel right about sitting here in hiding while other people make a stand. We need to win our freedom from Frost Moon, but we also need to win it from the mother country.”

He shifts his body, his nostrils flared. “First of all, I wouldn't call what we're doing hiding, exactly. I would guess even Frost himself knows where we are. Second of all, no one is particularly making a stand. The Greaters are rounding up people and forcing them into a war they aren't even sure is raging.”

“I thought you wanted to fight?” Anger stirs inside me. How can he not agree with me on this point? I pull myself up and straighten my shoulders. “Don't you think the win would be swifter if those fighting actually believed in the cause?”

He shakes his head. “I'm sure the Greaters are feeding them some kind of spill about their duty to the country. The people wouldn't fight otherwise. But I don't want you going into that.”

“I want to go.”

“Hana, you can't be serious.” He leans toward me and takes my hand. “It would take days just to get there, and what then? You just slip in and tell some random military person you want to fight?”

I pull my hand away and stand. “I thought you would agree with this cause. We're standing back and letting someone else win freedom for our country.”

“Hana.”

But I don't let him finish. Keegan may not agree with me, but Guard Nev must. There's no way he thinks sitting on his hands while others fight is the best idea.

“Hana, wait!”

I turn at Keegan's voice. He hobbles after me, and my heart squeezes. I stop.

Finally, he reaches me and takes my hand. “Don't run off like that. It's not fair when I can't catch you.” When I don't speak, he goes on. “I get what you're saying, it's just that I saw what those flying death machines can do. I don't want you out there.”

The truth burns in his eyes. Worry mixed with fear.

He cares about me, and he doesn't want me ending up like him. I should have thought of that a moment ago. Fighting himself is one thing, but of course he doesn't want me running off to fight.

Forcing myself to calm down, I turn to him fully. “There has to be something we can do.”

“There are too many of us. The Greaters and guards inside the city cannot control us, not if we get a big enough army together. We can spread the word and build loyalties now, while Frost Moon is thinking about something else.”

“What if he's in the city?”

His determination doesn't waver. “It doesn't matter. We can make it work, especially if your idea pans out about Guard Nev and Guard Rok turning the loyalties of the guards.”

He's right, and if everyone is made aware of the war, then others may take up the cause and join on their own. It's sickening that Frost Moon still thinks so little of his people he believes he has to lie to them in order for them to fight for their own freedom.

I close my eyes and hold in my sigh. I'm so tired of being conflicted. Confused. Uncertain. I'm just tired.

I take a deep breath and open my eyes. “OK. Let's go make some plans.”

33

 

Days pass. I'd still rather focus on defeating the mother country, but Fischer has been recruiting people who will spread Christ's message, and Keegan and Guard Rok work on people who can reach the most people with the news the rebellion is growing.

I pull Guard Nev to the side to question him about something entirely different. Something that has weighed on my mind for weeks. “Guard Nev, what ever happened to Kassy?”

Kassy's fervent promise in Greater City that she was ready to help in any way she could convinced me to trust her, but she wasn't ready at all. She ended up having a breakdown and being locked away while I left for the prison. Had she stayed with the Free? Was she here now?

Guard Nev sighs. “I don't know. When I met Miriam and her people out west, Kassy wasn't with them. I haven't seen her since, and I never asked.”

“Would Miriam know?”

He nods. “Absolutely.”

Miriam stands with Guard Rok at a table set up with various rocks and sticks. They're mapping out attack routes. I shudder at the thought. “Miriam, can I ask you a question when you have time?”

She turns from the conversation and faces me. “Go ahead.”

“I've been wondering about Kassy, the girl who came with me before the prison riot. What ever happened to her?”

Miriam's eyes cloud over and she sighs, remembering. “She wouldn't calm down. She cried for days, screaming about a conspiracy. She thought Supreme Moon had used you to get to her. Once the Greaters began relocating, and we knew it was time for us to move on, we let her go. I'm not sure where she ended up.”

If she was that confused, could she find her way back to Greater City? Was anyone there if she did?

My bad decision may have cost Kassy her life.

Guilt slices through me, swift and hot. I force a tight smile and nod. “Thank you for telling me.”

“I'm sorry, Hana.”

I nod again and she returns to the war planning. I make my way to the fourth floor to find the Bible, but a circle of people sits around it, each of them listening intently while someone reads to them. I move in closer, but I don't recognize the reader or anyone in the group. I don't stay around to listen with them, but I'm glad they're using the Bible. Glad they're finding the healing I found in its pages.

I make my way back downstairs and gasp when I realize someone is playing music. As I glance around, I freeze. Keegan plays a guitar—I have no idea where he found it—and several people gather around him. Even Les and his rats listen from the far side of the room. The music washes over me, bringing happy and sad memories with it. His music is just as mesmerizing to everyone else in the room.

He finishes his song and smiles at me. He's healed so quickly and is doing well.

One of the Free step forward and Keegan hands over the guitar, but I catch the longing in his eyes.

He left his guitar behind when he followed me out of Middle City 1.

Now that the concert is finished, the room begins to clear out. Keegan walks toward me. His steps are slower than they used to be, but steady.

“You look like you miss that.”

His eyes burn with longing, and he nods. Glancing around, he clears his throat. “I've actually been thinking about something, and I wondered if you'd be interested in helping me.”

“Of course. Anything.”

“I want to go into the city.”

I'm not expecting that. “Keegan, it's too soon since you were shot. Going into the city is too dangerous.”

He grins. “Come with me. I want to grab my guitar, then I can recruit a few people I know from training.”

Lilith.

I shift, suddenly uncomfortable. “Are you sure?”

“Sure that I want more people on our side? Yes.”

“Sure that you're ready for another adventure.”

He takes my shoulder and squeezes. “I am absolutely sure.”

A few people standing near us immediately volunteer to go into the city with us. That's when I see Fischer standing a few feet away, his eyes showing his worry. He isn't one to pressure. To intrude.

But I know he'd like an explanation, so while everyone else prepares to move, I make my way to him. “Keegan has a few things he wants to do.”

Fischer nods and glances across the room at Keegan. “So I hear.”

“Is he healthy enough for this?”

“I don't see why not, as long as things go well.”

I bite my lip and study him. “Do you think they will go well?”

He shrugs and attempts a smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes. “Who can tell?”

We stand a few moments in an awkward silence before he takes a deep breath. “Hana, I'm no good at this, but I want you to know something before you go back into the city.” He looks away and I can almost see the weight he carries on his shoulder.

“What is it, Fischer?” I ask gently.

His tortured gaze turns back to me. “I want you to choose me. I feel selfish asking, but it's true. Promise me you'll at least think about it?”

Heat rushes to my cheeks. I'm so flustered by his confession I don't know how to respond. I manage a nod. “I will think about it. It's all I've been thinking about.”

This seems to satisfy him. He gives me a quick kiss on my cheek, and I flush even more. “Be careful, and come back, OK?”

I nod again, and he moves away.

When the group is ready, we make our way to a hole in the fence that seems to be particularly less guarded. The difference in the atmosphere of the city since the last time we came is almost palpable. Tension is thick. People move with a stiffness I've never seen before, not even during the random raids of my childhood, when neighbors' houses would be searched at will.

No one makes eye contact as they move through the streets. Heads are kept down, and legs are swift.

I glance at Keegan. “Something is off.”

He watches the people, a frown on his face. “I think you're right. Let's move.”

We take alleys, not wanting to chance being seen today when something is obviously happening. Keegan leads us toward the dormitories, which happen to be away from the dome. This is good. If Frost Moon is here, he is at the dome. I don't want to run into him. Not yet.

We reach the dorms and stop. Now that we're here, we'll have to step into the open. We'll have to be seen, and that means we're taking a chance at being caught.

“Are you ready?” Keegan asks quietly. He glances at the others who came with us, also from this city. “You all know where to go. Meet back here in an hour.”

Everyone nods, and Keegan steps out from the alley. The sun breaks through the clouds here, letting sunlight trickle down to warm our arms.

We don't stop to enjoy it.

The campus seems deserted, but Keegan assures me the trainees are around. The plan is to grab his guitar first, then look for Lilith afterwards. He leads us to the dormitories and we sneak in a back door. A few people dot the hallways, but no one gives us a second glance.

When we reach what used to be Keegan's room, the door is locked. Keegan runs his card across the scanner, but nothing happens.

“They locked me out,” he mutters. Disappointment oozes from his words.

I grab his arm. “I'm sorry, Keegan.”

He shakes his head and heads back to the exit. “It's not that big of a problem. Let's go.”

He takes me to a large building, but we stop at the door. He looks at me then his gaze darts away. Something has him nervous, and my stomach twists with his words. “Lilith should be inside here, practicing her singing.”

His simple words fill me with fear. Is he choosing her?

I swallow hard and nod.

“Will you come with me?”

I would rather do anything but.

Instead, I nod again.

Keegan opens the door, and we sneak into a back hallway of the training building.

“Are you so sure she's going to help us?” I ask. Memories of Lilith and her attitude about defying the Greaters don't match up with someone who wants to join the rebel cause.

“She's not as bad as you always made her out to be.”

His words sting, but I push the hurt aside. He's been fooled, because she is every bit as bad as I make her out to be. But...maybe he did tell her about God. Maybe she has changed.

We reach a long, empty hallway. It's lined with windows, letting in light. “She practices in room seventy-three.”

I nod, and we dart down the hallway, glancing at every door we pass.

“Here it is,” I hiss.

Keegan rushes to me and presses his ear against the door. He turns back to me. “I don't hear her.”

“Test the knob.”

He swallows hard and reaches out a slow hand. The knob twists easily in his hand. He takes a deep breath and steps inside.