“Look, I know you probably have issues in your life and I’m really sorry for you. But I can’t change anything. I don’t have that kind of power,” Jack dismissed me.
“I know you don’t have that kind of power – yet,” I rushed to say before he could continue. “And I know my situation isn’t important to you. But what is important to me is that when you become President, you can change things.”
“I don’t know what my fiancée has discussed with you, but any plans she and I make for our future together are private. And if our private plans were ever made public, well let’s just say we would never be given the leadership role,” he said, glaring at me.
It struck me then that he thought I was trying to blackmail him, which was the furthest thing from my mind. Who would listen to an urchin anyway?
“Please don’t misunderstand me. All I’m trying to say is that if you and Leisel want to make life better for us in the Pit, then I owe it to everyone I love to make sure you become President one day. So if someone is really trying to kill her, then I will do whatever it takes to protect her,” I said passionately.
Something in his expression changed when I said that. He almost seemed surprised by my words. His intense blue eyes held my gaze for longer than I was comfortable with. He seemed to want to look inside me, see right into my soul. Maybe he thought I was lying.
“So you’re saying you’ll pose as the bride and risk taking a bullet for her in order to save your people?” he asked incredulously.
“Yes,” I confirmed.
I knew what I was saying could be considered treason. Jack could call in the guards and have me arrested right now. But I was going on the hope that what Leisel told me was true - that they really did have plans together to change the Dome.
“So, you’re not going to talk her out of this?” Jack pressed.
“Look, I don’t want to be the bride any more than you want me to be. But the only way we’ll change her mind is to come up with a new plan,” I said.
The doorbell rang and Jack set his computer down to go and answer it. Leisel swept into the room wearing a big smile and carrying a large garment bag.
“Good morning, Jack,” she said and kissed him.
“Darling,” he responded and kissed her back.
“Look what I brought you, Sunny.” Leisel held out the garment bag for me to see, then laid it carefully across the sofa and unzipped it. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Leisel, I’m not supposed to see it!” Jack said, suddenly turning into the playful bridegroom.
“Then go away,” she teased him. He left and went into the bedroom. “He behaved himself with you last night, right?” Leisel asked me.
“He was very nice. He slept on the sofa and gave me his bed. He loves you very much. I don’t think you should worry,” I assured her. Then I remembered I was wearing his robe and suddenly felt uncomfortable.
“Oh, you need some clothes, don’t you? I forgot. I’ll bring some later,” she said. It was almost as if she read my mind again. “But right now, maybe you wouldn’t mind trying this on,” she almost sang out.
She produced her wedding dress with a dramatic flourish. I knew I should feel very honored. There were thousands of people excitedly anticipating seeing her wedding dress tomorrow and here I was about to try it on. But I was all too aware of what it would mean for me to wear this dress and walk down the aisle. I could be caught. I could be shot.
The dress was beyond beautiful. The top of the dress was silk with a high collar around the back and sides of the neck, but fell away in the front to plunge into a deep “V.” The bodice was form fitting to mid-hip, then the silk seamlessly draped away into a waterfall of chiffon. The back of the dress was just as stunning with a row of diamond buttons ending at the small of the back in a cluster of silk and chiffon roses. From there the dress cascaded away into a long train.
“It’s beautiful Leisel.” I said, almost speechless.
“Isn’t it? I had it replicated from a picture in an old magazine. I saw it years ago and thought if I ever got married, this would be my dress,” she said wistfully.
“I can see why. You’ll look beautiful in it,” I said.
“No, you’ll look beautiful in it,” Leisel said in all seriousness. “Try it on, but first this,” she produced a thick vest. “You’ll be bulletproof.”
With Jack out of the room, I took off his robe and pulled the vest over my head. It felt heavy and hung from my slight frame. But Leisel began adjusting the velco fasteners and pulled the vest snugger to fit my form. Next, she slipped the dress over my head. Even with the bulletproof vest the dress was too big. It looked horrible.
“It’s not going to work,” I complained.
“Don’t despair. I’ve brought pins,” she declared.
She set to work taking it in on either side, pulling it this way, tucking it that way. At least we were the same height so it didn’t need to be hemmed.
“There,” she said in awe.
I looked at myself in the mirror. Was that really me?
“The dress makes me look beautiful,” I said breathlessly. I wasn’t being modest. The dress was truly spectacular.
“No. You make the dress. It never looked this good on me,” she said.
“I’m sure that’s not true, Leisel. It was made for you and,” she held her hand up to cut me off.
“No argument. You look beautiful in it. In fact when you get married – I mean for real – you can wear this dress and I want to be there to see it!” she exclaimed.
“What?” I blurted out. Leisel laughed at my confusion.
“Well I think it’s a shame that no one will actually get to see you in this dress. Everyone will think you’re me. You’re helping me out so much Sunny, the least I can do is let you borrow it for when you marry that handsome man you were telling me about last night,” Leisel said, smoothing my hair back into a pony tail. “And I hope you’ll let me be part of your special day too.”
I had to actually think about what she was proposing; me in a big white wedding dress, down in the Pit, marrying Reyes with bourge as guests - and not just any bourge, but the President’s daughter. Somehow, I just couldn’t see it happening. I managed to stifle my laughter, but not before my lips broke into a huge smile.
“See, I knew that would make you happy,” Leisel said, hugging me.
“It’s not the dress that makes me happy, Leisel. It’s the thought of living in a world where I could have a wedding with you there as my friend,” I said truthfully.
If going through with this wedding meant saving Summer in the short run and the Pit in the long run, then it would all be worth it. Leisel and Jack were exactly the hope everyone in the Pit has been praying for. The hope that one day we could live our lives – our entire natural lives – working beside the bourge instead of for them. As much as I was coming to like Leisel, it wasn’t for her that I was doing this.
“It’s the same world I want to live in too. I’ve never had a best friend before, Sunny. I don’t ever want to lose our friendship,” she said.
Our eyes met in the mirror and I could see the sincerity on her face. I couldn’t help the feeling of elation creeping into my heart. I wished my mother could be here to see me. To know that I was doing my part to help these two people come to power and create a society where we could all live in the Dome as equals. As friends.
“Well, don’t make me cry! My make-up is going to run and Jack and I have a televised interview this morning. Do you believe people want to know about us?” Leisel shook her head in disbelief. “Why? We’re so boring.”
Too swept up in our plans, I had forgotten all about the excitement rippling through the Dome about the upcoming nuptials. They had been showing the young couple on television as often as possible, getting everyone excited. Although, down in the Pit people were more excited about being treated to a feast than they were in watching them get married. But that wasn’t something I would ever share with Leisel.
&nbs
p; “I don’t think you’re boring. I think sharing your wedding day with everyone makes you closer to them. People really like you,” I offered.
“You’re so sweet.” Leisel gave me another hug. “Speaking of the interview, I need to finish getting ready. I’ll just slip you out of the dress – careful of the pins. They need to stay exactly as they are. When we switch in the Registry room, I can just remove them and then the dress will fit me again.”
I put Jack’s robe back on while she carefully tucked the dress away into the garment bag.
“I probably won’t see you again until tonight. But you look like you should get some sleep anyway. I didn’t want to say anything, Sunny, but you look exhausted.” And then she was gone.
Jack peeked his head around the corner.
“All clear?” he asked me.
I nodded. “Leisel is gone to get ready for the interview.”
“About that,” Jack began, “I’m not going to be here most of the day, so you’ll be on your own. Once I lock the door, I’m the only one that can unlock it so you won’t be able to leave. Which is for the best, because if you’re caught walking around up here unescorted, it won’t be good for you. Do you understand?” he asked, giving me a pointed look. He expected me to respond.
“Can’t I just go home please? I promise to come right back. You don’t need to hold me as prisoner,” I pleaded.
“I’m really sorry but that’s not possible,” he said. I could tell by the look on his face that he truly felt bad about it. “I want you to know that your loyalty to my fiancée won’t go unrewarded. Once we’re married, I’ll make sure you and your family are taken care of. It’s the least we can do.”
I was sickened when I realized he thought I was doing this for my own personal gain. I thought I had made my intentions clear. I wanted to say something, but the doorbell interrupted our conversation. Jack motioned for me to go into the bedroom. A few seconds later, he told me it was okay to come back.
“Here’s your breakfast,” he said, setting a tray on the table.
There was a time when the Dome used replicators for meals, but it was discovered that processing the food that way resulted in lost vitamins and enzymes. Now the kitchens produced food the old fashioned way and served it in cafeterias throughout the Dome. I shouldn’t be surprised that Jack Kenner was having his meals delivered though. He came from an important family and would one day be the most important person inside the Dome. Having personal servants to do his bidding reminded me of just who I was dealing with.
“I can trust you alone here today, can’t I?” he asked me.
I could feel the heat of my blush creeping up from my neck to cover my cheeks. Did he think because I came from the Pit that I was a thief? Untrustworthy?
“Yes, sir,” I said looking at the floor. I was too humiliated to look him in the eyes. I heard the door open and close.
I was alone.
Chapter Seven
My feet seemed to be rooted to the exact spot where I was standing. I listened and waited. Waiting for what I wasn’t sure. A hand turning the doorknob? Guards to come crashing through and arrest me? But the only sound in the apartment was the sound of my own breathing. I took a tentative step, breaking my legs free from their temporary paralysis. I heard the whisper of my foot sinking back into the carpet and froze. Was anyone in the hallway? Could they have heard it too? I waited and listened again. No one was coming. I knew I was being paranoid. Why would anyone come barging into Jack Kenner’s apartment without permission?
My focus turned to the tray of food sitting on the table and my stomach gave a growl at the sight of it. I put my hand over my tummy to muffle the sound. I was pretty sure they heard it all the way down in the Pit. I grabbed the tray and ran on my tiptoes into the bedroom and sat down on the floor where I slept the night before. I felt safer here. If someone did come into the apartment I could roll under the bed and hide.
I took the lid off the tray and savoured the smell of breakfast. Two eggs, a piece of ham, bread and fruit. It was more food than I was given in the Pit for an entire day. I ate one egg and some of the bread, then replaced the tray top and tucked the leftovers under the bed for later. Then I sat there on the floor with absolutely nothing to do.
Carefully, I tiptoed back out into the living room. I wanted to turn on the television to watch the interview when it aired, but I was afraid it would make too much noise. I was never interested in the royal couple before, but now that they wanted me to dress up as a decoy bride for any would-be assassins, my interest in them had peaked. Sure I had seen them on television before, but they were just images on a screen then. Now I knew them personally. Leisel’s gentle disposition had taken me by surprise. I guess I had assumed that the daughter of the President would never have time for an urchin like me, yet she was kind and generous. Jack on the hand was still an enigma. Did he really want to change the Dome for the better? I didn’t doubt Leisel’s sincerity, but Jack seemed less enthusiastic about it.
It occurred to me that I was standing in his apartment and maybe I could find out more about him. I knew I shouldn’t snoop in his personal things. In fact, I had told him he could trust me. But if I was going to risk my life for him so he could one day hold the office of President, then I owed it to myself to make sure he was worthy of it.
I opened the cabinet doors on either side of the television and was pleasantly surprised to discover shelves full of old books and magazines. Some of the magazines dated as far back as the 1990’s. They had a look of originality to them, not like the stiff and glossy replicated ones. A pair of white gloves sat on one shelf and I assumed they were required before touching the antique paper. I closed the cabinets and looked in the drawer of the table, but there was only a remote control for the television. I went back into his bedroom, but all I found in his closet and dresser drawers were clothes. There didn’t seem to be anything of a personal nature in the apartment. No diaries, letters, or photographs. Only the library of old books.
I went back to the cabinet and put the gloves on. I recognized many classics I learned about in school but never read like, Pride and Prejudice, and Paradise Lost. Although I would love to read them now, I was still hoping I wasn’t going to be here long enough to finish them. I turned my attention to the magazines instead. They ranged in topic from news and nature, to architecture and computers. I took one out and looked at the front cover; it was dated April 2012, and the headline read US and Nato Plan Defence Project. The next one was dated May 2012, Russia Vows Pre-Emptive Strike Against US and Nato. I jumped ahead to the most recent magazine and the headline read Korea Not Happy with Vice President Kenner’s Visit. The name Kenner had my attention.
It was a short commentary on Vice President Theodore Kenner’s meeting with North Korea’s leader about working together to solve the current nuclear crisis. The meeting didn’t go well because the North Korean leader expected President Taylor, not the Vice President. The article went on to say that instead of repairing relations between the two countries, the rift had grown larger. It was dated January 2024. The nuclear holocaust began in February 2024. Was the Kenner family somehow implicated in the start of World War Three?
It was no secret that the Holts and Kenners had never gotten along. Not that we followed that kind of gossip in the Pit, it was just common knowledge. The engagement of Leisel and Jack came as a surprise to everyone. Maybe that’s why they were making such a big deal of the wedding. The Holts were finally forgiving the Kenners for their past mistakes.
I thumbed through the rest of the magazines, but didn’t find anything related to the Kenners. One headline dated early February 2024 read, Are We on the Brink of World War Three? I couldn’t help but wonder why our ancestors were smart enough to ask that question, but not smart enough to avoid a war.
I couldn’t find anything else about the Kenners and I decided reading about nuclear war was depressing. I already knew how we all ended up living in the Dome. What I wanted to know was when we could
get out.
I turned my attention to the nature magazines. I selected a few and shut the cabinet doors. As quietly as I could, I returned to my spot in the bedroom and curled up to read. I felt safer tucked away in the corner with my food tray close at hand.
The nature magazines weren’t any more uplifting to read than the news magazines. Most of the featured articles were about global warming and how extreme droughts and vicious storms had wiped out more than a third of the earth’s population. Food production had become a global issue since the countries that received most of the rain were the northern countries that didn’t receive enough sun to grow the food. The world had become unbalanced. Even if there hadn’t been a nuclear war, the human race seemed doomed anyway.
Feeling hungry again, I took off the gloves and ate some of my food. I replaced the lid and got up and washed my hands. For a moment, I was startled at how loud the sound of running water was and I quickly turned it off. But no one came running into the apartment to arrest me. Feeling more confident now, I turned the water on again and took a good long drink before I returned to my spot.
I didn’t recall falling asleep, so I was surprised by a hand on my shoulder waking me up. My immediate thought was that I’ve been caught in Jack Kenner’s apartment. My heart was in my throat.
“Fall off the bed again?” Jack asked, giving me a sarcastic grin.
“You scared me,” I squeaked out.
“It’s time to get up. Leisel wants you in her apartment to get ready for the wedding,” he commanded.
“The wedding?!” I asked in confusion. “How long have I been sleeping?”
“You were asleep when I got in last night. I decided to leave you that way.”
Sunset Rising Page 7
