Saving Eden

by K R S McEntire

  “I try to make my house a safe place for people to come to talk about things they could not discuss otherwise. Banned books, policed thoughts,” Winter said. “We want to keep the world our ancestors called home alive, in some way. A place like this allows debate and discussion of many ideas that you would not find discussed elsewhere in the settlement.”

  “What if people disagree?” Angela asked.

  “They are allowed to do that,” Winter said. “Truth doesn't force itself.”

  Angela walked over to the large bookshelf and started browsing the books. She settled on one with more pictures than words. After flipping through the pages, she gawked at a photo of a tiny village hidden behind a small cliff. The most striking aspect of the photo was the sky, the way the stars seemed to dance within the dark night.

  “Moon babies,” Angela mumbled to herself, thinking of her first night in the forest with Jesse.

  “Van Gogh was a creative genius, yeah?” Winter said. “His paintings still exist, somewhere out there. the Watch don’t really value art, but still, it’s gotta be worth a fortune. You know they don’t even teach about artists anymore in what’s left of schools and universities? It’s a shame.”

  They heard a knock at the door, and Winter ran off to answer it. One by one, strangers trickled in. Soon, the living room was full of visitors.

  That night, there were more people in Winter’s living room than in the entirety of the market. Crammed wall-to-wall, some people studied various religious texts and philosophies, while others simply enjoyed each other’s company. They traded food, clothing, and other resources, alongside laugher.

  Angela's heart pounded in fear when she saw a familiar face among the crowd; it was the female Warden with the BlackBerry, from the store. Some of these books were illegal to own. Could she be here to arrest or kill all of Winter’s guests?

  Angela pulled Winter aside. Lowering her voice, she spoke, “That women over there,” Angela motioned to the woman as she chatted with a group of people, “I have seen her before. She is a Warden!”

  “I know. She comes all the time,” Winter said. “She is not the only Warden to attend.”

  “Are the guests here carded?” Angela asked.

  “Yes,” Winter assured. “As far as I know, at least.”

  “She kills people!” Angela exclaimed. She had seen how nonchalantly the Watch took lives. “Carded or not, she could kill all of these people just for being here, just for reading these books.”

  Winter looked thoughtful, “Well, she hasn't done it yet.”

  Annoyed by Winter’s dismissive attitude, Angela took a seat on a couch and decided to observe the people, keeping an eye on the Warden.

  Soon, her attention was drawn to a man who was humming and strumming an acoustic guitar. Angela knew what the instrument was from her father’s stories, but had never seen one or heard one being played. She enjoyed the melodious vibrations of the strings as they were strummed softly. As the man filled the room with warm music, a small group of people gathered around him. Watching him play made her miss her piano. Angela moved closer, listening to the melody as the group started to hum and sing:

  “I am a poor wayfaring stranger

  Traveling through this world alone

  Yet there's no sickness, no toil, nor danger

  In that bright land to which I go

  I'm going there to see my Father

  I'm going there no more to roam

  I'm only going over Jordan

  I'm only going over home”

  While Angela did not know the words, she started to hum along with the music. Though parts of the lyrics sounded sad to Angela, the happiness in which the man sang them transformed the tune into a joyful song. This was the first time music from the settlement had moved her so much, if not more, than the sounds of her piano.

  Angela glanced over at the Warden, who was sitting on the ground and slowly rocking with the tune of the guitar. Tentatively, Angela approached her.

  “Mind if I sit here?” Angela asked, motioning to an empty spot on the carpeted floor.

  “Sure,” the Warden said. “Beautiful music, don’t you think.”

  “It sounds so peaceful,” Angela agreed. “I can’t remember the last time I've felt so calm.”

  The guitarist took a break from singing but continued to strum his instrument, allowing the crowd to hum along with the tune.

  “You’re a Warden, right?” Angela asked.

  “Yes,” the woman said. “I remember you. Your friend had such pretty hair.”

  “Why did you join the Watch?” Angela asked, her curiosity getting the best of her. What could drive anyone to want to join such a horrible group?

  The woman leaned back and looked up, closing her eyes and swaying her head to the tune. At first Angela thought she was ignoring her, but then her lips parted.

  “The same reason anyone does, I guess,” she said. “The benefits from Kane don’t hurt, but at the end of the day I just want to help keep people safe.”

  The Warden paused, but Angela said nothing, sensing there was more to the story. Eventually, the Warden continued, “I believe the world can be like it was before the Bio Wars again. People were healthy, happy, and fully human. We had enough food and water. We never had to worry about random mutant attacks. In the old days, people lived by the law and felt safe enough to do as they please.”

  Angela nodded, but couldn't help seeing flaws in the women's logic. Sure, there were people like Emi and Jesse who chose not to live by the law, but they only made that choice because of people who never had the option to. If you were a mutant, your only options, “by the law,” were death by starvation or murder. Angela wanted to ask her how she felt about the post-humans who would not get a chance to be a part of this new world Kane envisioned, but didn’t want to arouse any type of suspicion.

  “What's your name?” Angela asked instead.

  “Dinah,” she said. “What's yours?”

  “Angela.”

  Dinah reached her hand out to shake Angela’s, but before she could, her BlackBerry phone made a sound. She looked at a message on her screen and sighed.

  “An uncarded person is acting insane. Shocker.” Dinah rolled her eyes. “Duty calls,” she added before rushing off.

  The majority of the people in the room were quiet, all enjoying the melody and the man’s smooth vocals. A few visitors lay down on cots, willing to let the music lull them to sleep. Others stayed up late and continued to congregate. While Angela did not understand the majority of topics they discussed, she enjoyed listening to the prayers, thoughts, and conversations. These people were not as preoccupied with saving the world as Jesse and his friends, but the people at the Lighthouse lived a type of quiet resistance. She had the feeling that she could learn just as much here, amongst these thoughtful individuals, than she could inside of the walls of any school. But she didn’t have that luxury anymore. She told Violet she appreciated the safe place to stay, but she had to go back to The Resistance tomorrow, no matter the cost. Her father's life was in danger, and Jesse was the only man who could help her find her way back home.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Do you want me to come with you?” Violet asked the next morning. Most of the guests were still in the living room, sleeping or chatting. Angela and Violet were sitting at the cocktail table while Winter stood in the nearby kitchen, whipping up breakfast.

  Angela was preparing to confront Jesse and Emi to see if either of them would help her find her father, but Winter refused to let anyone leave on an empty stomach. Angela could hear butter sizzling as Winter browned toast over the stove. As Angela watched her cook, she was reminded of her own father cooking dinner back at home. She appreciated the way Winter seemed to enjoy serving others in simple ways, by offering food and shelter to those in need.

  “It could be dangerous for you to go alone,” Violet said again, drawing Angela's attention back.

  “I mean, they did try to lock you away alread
y,” Winter agreed from the kitchen.

  “I don’t really have a choice at this point,” Angela said. “The Resistance has cameras everywhere. If I try to bring one of you with me, they will notice, and they have weapons to protect their hideout. I think it's best if I go alone.”

  “You are forgetting one thing,” Violet said. “Jesse and I go way back. And Freedom knows who I am. They won’t lay a finger on me. I really want to come with you and make sure you are alright.”

  “I will be,” Angela said. “Once I get back to my father, I can bring him back with me. A place like Lighthouse might do him some good.”

  Angela tried to picture her father talking about art and philosophy with the members of Lighthouse and chuckled to herself. Maybe he would find a cozy corner and read. Still, at a place like the Lighthouse, Angela got the feeling that that would be okay, too.

  “That’s a beautiful idea,” Violet said. “With your ability to grow food, you could probably start your own Lighthouse.”

  Angela brushed off Violet’s suggestion. “Does Chicago really need more than one? It seems you are already pretty established.”

  Violet shook her head. “I am talking about starting one outside of Chicago. I love your home, Winter, you know I do, but can you imagine a Lighthouse out in the woodlands, away from the Wardens? Angela has the ability to create that.”

  Winter smiled, “That sounds like a piece of heaven.”

  “I just want to check on my dad. That's it.” Angela said.

  Winter offered Angela a plate full of French toast and fruit. It was the best food she had eaten since leaving home. It had been a while since she had felt so full, so loved. But she could not leave her father at home to die. She said goodbye and was on her way.

  Angela’s hands were sweaty and her stomach was in knots as she approached The Resistance, but she tried not to show her nerves, knowing they were likely already watching her approach. Jesse didn’t know she had found her mother's file. Maybe if she acted casual, all would be well.

  Angela walked through the broken front door and summoned the loud elevator. When she made it to the basement, Freedom, Rain, Emi and Zinc were already waiting at the elevator door for her.

  “Nice of you to join us again, Angela.” Freedom‘s face was hard.

  “Sorry, Jesse told me he loved me and it kind of freaked me out,” Angela said, careful not to mention her mother’s file. “I’m not sure how I feel, and I needed time alone to think.”

  Freedom stepped closer. She showed no signs of compassion.

  “You had a job to do and you failed, Angela,” Freedom said. “Only people working for The Resistance can have our CitCard. I’m afraid I'll need that back until you prove yourself.”

  Angela grimaced, but she handed Freedom the card. Angela knew she would need the card to bring her father back to the settlement. Heck, now even leaving this building could be fatal if a Warden was around. She would need to find a way to get it back before she went to find her father.

  “Where is Jesse?” Angela asked.

  “He’s downstairs, trying to do your job without you,” Freedom said. “Come on, follow me.”

  As Freedom turned away, Angela looked at Emi for help, but she averted her eyes. Angela followed Freedom to the storage room in The City Below. But when Freedom opened the door, Jesse was not inside.

  “Where is Jesse?” Angela asked. Freedom ignored her and grabbed her arm, pulling her inside. Angela let out a high-pitched scream as Freedom’s hand roughly clamped over her mouth.

  “Quiet,” Freedom whispered as she dragged Angela to the dreaded cage reserved for mutants. Reserved for people like her. She was a prisoner, after all, not a guest like she had been led to believe. Freedom had likely ordered Jesse to find her.

  As Angela was shoved inside, she cursed herself for being so naive to think she could simply waltz in and convince Jesse to take her back home just because he had said that he “loved” her. Was that all just a trick to get her to come with him? To get her to stay? Freedom locked the cage.

  “Let me go!” Angela screamed, her blood boiling with rage.

  “I know that you found your mother’s file,” Freedom said. “And I'm sorry that it has come to this. I know you will not understand this right now, but I am doing this for your own safety. You cannot be outside right now.”

  And with that, Freedom left Angela alone in the room to fiddle with the lock. Tears fell down her face uncontrollably, yet she tried to not make a sound. This was her fault. She had run off, and now her father would die because of her. This was not how any of her fairy tales ever ended. Hours went by and when Angela ran out of tears, she curled into a ball and drifted off to sleep.

  The sounds of keys rattling jolted Angela awake. She sat up in her cage as Emi and Jesse entered the room. Not wanting to get her hopes up, she remained silent.

  “Angela!” Jesse raced over to the cage, looking genuinely worried.

  “Jesse,” Angela walked over to him and smiled, trying to hide her fear and anger. Would he let her out?

  “I’m sorry Freedom did this,” Jesse said. “We are going to get you out of there.”

  Angela nodded, hopeful. Emi hung back, letting Jesse do the talking.

  “I need to find my father,” Angela pleaded. “I think I kept our garden healthy, and without me, I’m sure he will starve. He could already be dead.”

  “He’s not,” said Jesse, “but we don’t have much time.”

  “What do you mean?” Angela asked. “Have you seen my father?”

  “We just saw him with a group of Wardens. He came to the city looking for you last night and was captured. They are planning another public execution near the market.”

  Angela felt like the air was being squeezed out of her lungs. She sank to the ground inside of the cage.

  “No!” Angela cried out. “Not my father! He didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “But he’s not carded,” Jesse said. “That’s his crime. Don’t worry. We are going to get you out of here, and we are going to get your father.”

  “Freedom took my card,” Angela said. Jesse pulled her card out of his pocket and tossed it at her. She caught it as more tears fell. Only this time, they came from a place of joy. There was still time to save her father.

  Emi unlocked Angela’s cage. Angela took a tentative step out, testing out her newfound freedom. She walked over to the largest gun mounted on the wall and took it down. It felt foreign, cold, and heavy in her hands.

  Jesse walked over and took the weapon from her hands. “That’s way too much firepower for your first time. Try again.”

  Angela looked at the many weapons on the wall, trying to find one that would suit her for this rescue mission. Her eyes locked on a long, metal sword that seemed fit for a knight. It reminded her of Excalibur.

  Angela walked over to it. She could see her reflection in the blade. As she picked it up, she said, “Let’s bring my father home.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  The sky was gray and gloomy when Angela, Jesse, and Emi set off towards the market. By the time they approached the old mall in the distance, it was raining hard, and thunder boomed across the skies. Dozens of spectators gathered around the decaying mall, eager to watch the show. In the center of the commotion, three Wardens in their trademark red-, white-, and blue-striped shirts paraded around three prisoners who were shackled together with chains. Even though they were a good distance away, Angela could see that one of the prisoners was her father, but he didn’t look how she remembered him. He was thinner and bruised, a hopeless look on his pale, dirty face.

  It was all Angela could do not to scream or run to him and say that she was sorry for leaving, that she should have listened and not acted like a child. At the same time, part of her still felt as if he should have known that he couldn't hide her away forever. Why would he stand by while the Watch hunted down her brothers and sisters like dogs? She had come to believe these mutants were her family. Like her, they had be
en touched by the chaos in the world and still fought to survive.

  Angela looked over at Jesse. It didn’t matter anymore if he brought her there to use her gift; he was helping her save her father now. She reached out and took his hand.

  “I’m sorry, Angela,” he said, guilt all over his face. “You were right. Freedom did send me on a mission to find you. She knew about your mother and felt your mutation might be useful. I doubted I would actually find you alive or that you would be so eager to come with me.”

  “I don’t care about any of that right now,” Angela said. “How can we save him?”

  Jesse looked sternly into Angela’s eyes. “We're going to have to kill the Wardens.”

  “But how?” Angela asked. There was a crowd of thirty people. It would be impossible to kill a Warden in a place like this without being seen.

  Angela remembered Jesse promising her that it would not come to this, that she was not here to harm anyone, only to garden. But in this situation, it seemed it was the only way to save her father.

  “I don't know, Jesse,” Emi said. “We can’t do that out in the open like this. Kane will not like the message that it sends. If we do this, every Warden in America will come to Chicago to hunt us down. I do want to help Angela’s dad, but maybe this isn’t practical.”

  Angela glared at Emi and Jesse, “So you want to just let my father die?”

  Jesse put his hands on Angela’s shoulders and looked into her eyes, “It’s my fault that either of you are even here. I can’t take back the fact that I caused this, but I can keep you safe now. I said I would protect you, and now I am saying that I will protect both you and your father. We are going to save him.”

  Jesse pulled Emi and Angela behind some debris a safe distance away from the commotion. He waited until both he and Emi had a clear shot.