The Complete Makanza Series: Books 0-4

by Krista Street

  My feet walked on their own accord as the speaker announced me. Cheers and boos came from the crowd. There were so many people. They stretched farther than I could see.

  Since we were outside, a warm breeze flowed across my cheeks. I pictured Davin in the front row peering up at me, his intense gaze sending love and support. This is it, Davin. This one could change everything.

  The crowd died down as I stepped behind the podium. Thousands of faces stared up at me. I avoided the urge to wipe my brow. No. Not today. Today I will not let my anxiety win.

  “Good morning. As most of you know, I’m Dr. Meghan Forester, a scientist with the MRI and employed at Compound 26. As I’m sure you know, I’m here to talk about the vaccine and why it’s effective and why the Kazzies should be freed from Reservation 1.”

  I launched into the science initially, explaining how effective the vaccine was and how it had kept everyone safe who’d been vaccinated and exposed to Makanza, both healthy and the immunocompromised.

  A breeze ruffled the tendrils of hair around my face. I didn’t let it distract me.

  “And I was no different. During my time at Compound 26, I was exposed to Makanza.” From those closest to me, their raised eyebrows were apparent. I nodded. “That’s right. I was exposed. Initially, Senator Douglas liked to spout the fact that I’d never been around someone with Makanza, that I was too afraid, but Senator Douglas preys on fear. He wants you to believe things that aren’t true. The truth, is that I was exposed—”

  “Did you get sick?” someone yelled from the side.

  I glanced his way. “Yes, I’ll be honest. I did. And you may too if you’re ever exposed, but those initial symptoms are to be expected. That’s the natural response when an illness enters your body that you’re vaccinated against. It’s your body responding. But it didn’t last for me, and it won’t last for you. I felt unwell for five days but then it passed. And now, I’m fine. I can freely walk with the Kazzies, without a biohazard suit. I’m immune. Makanza will never hurt me.”

  My speech continued as I discussed the Kazzies and who they were. I stated their names. All 1,200 of them. Behind me, the slides flipped, showing pictures of the Kazzies in various stages of their lives before the First Wave. My eidetic memory let me read their names off Reservation 1’s roster as their pictures brought them to life.

  By the time I finished, and answered the questions from the crowd, two hours had passed. I was exhausted, mentally and physically, but it was done.

  Now, it was a matter of seeing if it worked.

  IAN AND I spent the next six days touring the south. I gave dozens of speeches everywhere we went. He was at my side the entire time. He stood in the shadows, coaching me, encouraging me, being a true friend.

  I wouldn’t forget that. Even though I knew he’d initially wanted more than friendship, I appreciated that he didn’t push for it. He knew where my heart lay. My heart would always belong to the last remaining Lakota Sioux in South Dakota.

  The only man I’d ever loved.

  The only man I’d ever cherish.

  I could only hope that come next week, that man would be free to walk by my side.

  And I could only hope that he chose me in return.

  THE MORNING OF the vote, Sharon and I walked to the voting station in Rapid City. I’d flown in from Louisiana the night prior, and she’d returned from the reservation yesterday afternoon.

  Crowds had already formed outside of the voting station. Hundreds of people were lined up on the sidewalk.

  We huddled together. Cool wind blew across the street. Snow from the freak blizzard had mostly melted, but winter was still on its way. The crowds around us bundled up in groups, like a flock of birds lined along utility wires on a cold winter’s day.

  I hadn’t slept for more than a few hours, and it had nothing to do with my crazy schedule. I had yet to see Davin. The last time I’d seen him had been when he’d walked me to my car a week ago. I longed to be in his embrace, to feel his arms around me, to smell his unique sent. To have him free at my side.

  Maybe soon, that dream will come true.

  Sharon and I finally made it inside after waiting for an hour outside. My toes felt cold as shivers intermittently struck me. The warm air in the building was a welcome reprieve.

  “Name?” the woman checking voters in asked the man in front of me.

  He replied readily.

  Studying her roster, her pursed lips never loosened despite the words that rolled across her tongue. A conservative bun held her hair back. Behind wire-rimmed glasses, her gaze assessed each person as if they were bugs to be squashed.

  When it was my turn to sign in, she gave me the once-over. “You’re Meghan Forester.” She stated it like a fact. As if anyone walking the street would know who I was.

  “Yes, that’s me.” I handed her my driver’s license. Since this vote was so contentious, proper ID was required to partake.

  “That won’t be necessary, Ms. Forester. I know who you are.” She handed my ID back and gave me my ballot. “Please step to voting booth number two.” With the wave of a hand, she turned to Sharon.

  On shaky legs, I padded to the booth. I glanced over my shoulder to see how Sharon was fairing. The check-in woman was scrutinizing her, her eyebrows drawing together. Sharon gave me a nod, as if encouraging me to continue.

  When I stepped up to the booth, the noise behind me fell into the background. The vote was quick and easy. The ballot only held one question. One, simple question.

  Shall the individuals infected with the Makanza virus be released from Reservation 1?

  Two boxes waited behind it: Yes or No.

  I tried to fathom how all of this could be summed up into one question. For months and months, I’d worked at freeing the Kazzies. I had poured my heart and soul into helping the public understand that Davin, my friends, and the 1,200 souls on Reservation 1 were not to be feared. Yet it all boiled down to one question.

  Shall the individuals infected with the Makanza virus be released from Reservation 1?

  My fingers shook as I picked up the pen. I placed a darkly written X through the box.

  Yes.

  I stared at that one word. That one word epitomized the depth of my emotions. The love of my life lay trapped within the reservation. If the public did not agree to let him go, he would forever remain behind that fence.

  For as long as I lived, if he was never freed, I would only see him if I visited the reservation. Since the reservation was funded by taxpayer dollars, it was too costly to care for family members in addition to the Kazzies. Therefore, family and friends were not permitted to live on the reservation. We could only visit. It would be the equivalent to living in different countries. Davin and I would be together in spirit, yet forever apart in body.

  My heart beat erratically. I suddenly felt flushed. My very own future depended upon the outcome of this vote. I closed my eyes and took deep, calming breaths as I tried to stem the panic attack that wanted to choke the life out of me.

  It took minutes before I could breathe normally. When I did, I walked on shaky limbs back to the door. After I handed in my voting ballot, I waited outside for Sharon. Tears filled my eyes even though I tried to blink them back. It was all coming to a head. It didn’t help that I hadn’t slept properly in days. My emotions felt like a roller coaster.

  Sharon approached as the line shuffled along the sidewalk. I knew a few people recognized me. A woman whispered to her friend behind her mitten. Both of their eyes followed my movements. A man cocked his head as I passed, as if trying to figure out where he’d seen me.

  Pulling my scarf up, I stuffed my hands deep into my pockets. I didn’t have the energy to confront crowds right now, answer questions, or deal with hecklers.

  Sharon gripped my arm tightly. “Let’s go back to my house. I’ll make a pot of tea.”

  It was such a familiar statement from her that for a brief second I laughed. The hysterical sound bubbled out of me.

/>   Sharon simply squeezed my arm. “It’s going to be okay, Meghan. I just know it.”

  WE DROVE BACK through the quiet streets to her bungalow. The large trees that lined the boulevard were naked in winter. Their skeleton branches stretched over the neighborhood. A blanket of clouds covered the sky. It was gray, cool, and quiet. It seemed everyone was either inside glued to their television screens or at the voting station.

  Sharon parked and we entered her home. Scents of pine filled the air. A small Christmas tree sat in the living room.

  “This will probably be the biggest turnout in voter history.” Sharon shrugged out of her winter jacket and kicked off her boots.

  Her home was cool, and she reached for the thermostat in the entryway. Once she set the temperature up, she retreated to the kitchen.

  I hung my winter jacket on the hook on the wall. I had been coming to Sharon’s house so often that it felt like second nature to make myself at home. Padding into the living room, I fell unceremoniously onto one of the pale green sofas. I still remembered the first time I’d sat on them.

  A year ago, I’d come to Rapid City in hopes of meeting Sharon and convincing her to help me. At that time, Davin wouldn’t speak to me.

  It was hard to believe that in a year, my entire world had changed. I’ve fallen in love. I’d defied the MRI more than once. I’d become a political poster child for a movement in our country. I’d broken federal law. Never had I imagined I’d be a household name.

  Curling up on the couch, I tucked my feet beneath me. I knew I could turn on the TV. America News Network would be running nonstop coverage about the vote. But I wasn’t sure I could face it. What if the country votes no? What then?

  Pushing those thoughts away, I sat up straighter when Sharon stepped carefully into the room from the kitchen. Her China tea set balanced delicately on a tray. The pink roses and cherry blossoms were such a welcome sight. She still pulled out her best China every time I visited.

  Sitting beside me, she set the tray on the coffee table. Without asking, she poured my tea. She knew exactly how I took it and handed me a cup.

  Smiling tentatively, she sipped her tea. “Now, it’s just waiting for tomorrow. Come morning it will be a new world.”

  Tea sloshed over the rim when I brought it to my lips. It dripped onto my jeans burning me briefly before it cooled. I didn’t care. My thoughts were focused on one thing only.

  Will I ever get to be with Davin? Will my friends ever be free?

  SOMEHOW, WE MANAGED to get through the rest of the day. We passed time by playing board games, going for walks, and making supper together. Sharon had tried multiple times to teach me how to cook. I tried to warn her that I was hopeless in the kitchen.

  It was around the tenth time that she gave up. She finally seemed to understand that the kitchen would never be my domain. Now, she gave me vegetables to chop or something to stir. Beyond that, I was a useless sous chef.

  That night as I climbed into the bed that Davin slept in when he was a teenager, I tapped into my link with Sara. All day I’d been wanting to talk with her, yet Sharon and I had kept so busy.

  Sara opened readily. Hey.

  How are you all doing up there?

  She sighed heavily. It’s so tense it feels like it’s going to explode.

  Any news on Bethany and Jamal?

  I thought often about the Kazzies from the videos. Bethany was the woman who’d been shot from the sky, and Jamal was the man who’d been shot after the guards purposely tripped his girlfriend. I’d spoken with Sara about them a few times. Jamal was still in the reservation’s hospital. Only Bethany had been released. Both were expected to recover, but still, neither of them should have ever been shot.

  It was all so unfair.

  Bethany’s doing okay. She’s still pretty sore and isn’t able to fly. They’re expecting her to recover that ability eventually. And Jamal has an infection from the gunshot wound. He has to stay in the hospital for another week of IV antibiotics.

  My gut burned. Damn, Dr. Roberts!

  As least he’s gone now.

  I pulled the covers up higher. Is the new Sergeant Major treating you all well?

  Yeah, we’re allowed to leave our houses now as we please, but . . . I don’t know. Things are different. A lot of the Kazzies I’ve spoken with now distrust the guards. There’s so much anger and resentment against them. None of us felt that way before they locked us away in isolation and began abusing us. I don’t know if it will ever get better. I felt Sara shrug. We’ll just have to see how it goes. You know, in case we never—

  Let’s not think that way. Sooner or later we’ll get you out. Even if the final vote is No, I’ll keep trying. Someday, you’ll all be free.

  Let’s hope so.

  Have you all been watching the news?

  No, I can’t. It’s too stressful.

  I turned on my side and stared at the dark wall. That’s how I feel too. And Davin? My voice caught. How’s he doing?

  I’ll let you ask him.

  Sara put distance between us and then Davin entered my mind. It was as though a heavy, powerful presence drifted into my skull. A shiver ran through me.

  Meghan?

  Yeah, I’m here. How are you?

  Fine.

  I knew he wasn’t fine. Tension oozed from his direction. Are you watching the news coverage on the election, I asked.

  Yes.

  His clipped tone made my stomach sink. And?

  So far, 17.8 million people have voted no. 17.3 million have voted yes.

  My fingers shook. I grabbed onto the blanket in the dark room and gripped it tightly. I tried to get my heart rate under control. Thirty-eight million people are eligible to vote in this country. It could still go either way.

  Hmm . . . was all he replied.

  So what else have you been up to? How are you and Sage?

  Sage is practicing more with his electricity. He said the next time someone tries to put mitts on his hands, he’s going to fry them.

  He said the words in a joking manner, but I still heard the undercurrent of anger. Is he serious?

  Yeah, I think he is. You don’t know what it was like . . . when they . . .

  No, I don’t, but violence won’t help things.

  Tell that to the guards when they shoot you.

  I sighed heavily. Yeah, Davin, I know. I really get it, okay? But if the vote . . . I swallowed thickly. If the vote is no tomorrow, I need you to all be patient and let me try again. I need—

  If the vote is no tomorrow, Meghan, that’s it. It’s done.

  No! I won’t let it be done, I’ll—

  Meghan. His tone grew quiet. Please. Listen to me. If the vote tomorrow is no, that’s it. It’s over. You’ll have to let this go.

  Don’t, Davin. Just don’t!

  No, I’m mean it, Meghan. And please, believe me, that I’m not trying to change you, but sometimes, things can’t be helped. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how hard you try, and I’m not going to watch you run yourself into the ground, not eating, losing weight, having dark circles under your eyes for the rest of your life, all to—

  That was just from the campaign schedule! It was crazy busy, but it’s not always like that.

  Yes, it has always been like that ever since you started trying to free us this summer. I won’t let you kill yourself for us. I won’t.

  Tears poured down my cheeks. How is it that we have the same conversation every time we talk?

  Because every time we talk I see you slowly killing yourself for me and everyone else. You have no idea what that does to me, to see what kind of toll this takes on you.

  So it would be better to leave you to rot up there?

  His tone softened even more. We’re not rotting. We’ll be fine. Since Roberts left, things have improved. We can handle it.

  You shouldn’t have to handle it! I sat upright in bed and pushed the covers down. I wanted to scream in frustration. I didn’t understand how Davin and I could
keep talking about the same thing over and over and not come to some sort of resolution.

  But I knew why we couldn’t. We were both stubborn in this matter. He was adamant I stop “killing myself” as he put it, and I was adamant I’d rather die than see them continually imprisoned.

  It was a lose-lose situation. If I stopped fighting for them, it would forever eat at my soul. Yet if I didn’t, it would continually eat away at Davin.

  There was no good outcome.

  I wiped the tears from my face as moonlight poured across the room. My hand looked ghostly white. Sniffing, I tried to pull myself together. I guess we’ll have to hope that the final vote is yes.

  He sighed heavily. Yeah, I guess so.

  21 – OUTCOME

  Sharon and I drove to the reservation first thing the next day. The votes were in. The polls had ended at midnight.

  Now, it was just waiting for the result.

  During the drive, if Sharon and I weren’t nervously chatting with one another, we were both staring ahead lost in our own thoughts. Within a few hours, Sharon would know if her son would be free, and I would know if Davin and I ever had a chance of being together.

  When the large gates, tall fences with barbed wire, and watch towers appeared, my heart rate increased. I leaned forward in my seat. The seatbelt tugged sharply across my chest.

  “We’re here.” Sharon drove slowly across the bridge.

  We weren’t the only ones arriving. I recognized a few vehicles. During my time in the rez, I’d met other family members. Some of them had greeted me like an old friend before we’d been introduced. I knew that was from all of the news coverage. My familiar face made them think they already knew me.

  I loved that I was making a difference in their lives, but those familiar greetings had triggered my anxiety. One mother had actually pulled me into a hug the second we shook hands. Sweat had erupted across my entire body. She’d never seemed to notice, but I had pulled back the second I could.

  Sharon rolled down her window as we approached the gates. One of the guards came forward and ducked down. “Sharon, Meghan, good to see you both.”

  “You too, Lance.” Sharon smiled. “How is everyone doing?”