The military has responded in force and indiscriminately; rebels, civilians, children. No one is safe now but it has only made our numbers swell. The rebellion is rising across all of England. Last week we gained control of one of the airports. Now we have an entire fleet of planes. Communication with our colonial counterparts has just become easier.
I only recently gained the clearance needed to learn about our colonial base. I was amazed to hear how many people have been sent there. They’ve allied with some of the Americans. I don’t yet know all the details about what they’re doing over there but I know it’s big. It could change everything.
Many of my rebel comrades have asked me how it felt to detonate the bomb. I answer by telling them everything that happened that day, step by step. I am a celebrity now; hunted by one group and revered by another. The rebel leaders tell me to be proud of what I did. “It was a good thing,” they say. In truth, it was just another day on the job. No big deal. My conscience is telling me that is wrong, not to feel, but I don’t care. It was for my cause. I will do whatever needs to be done and keep my emotions out of it.
My father walks in from the street, his cheeks flush from the cold and his gray hair dotted with snow. He doesn’t often come here for fear of being seen. His eyes scan the room as they do every time he enters a place. He is always alert, always on the lookout for something that has gone awry. His eyes land on me. He doesn’t smile like a father should when he sees his daughter. He is calculating and weary.
My father marches over to where I am sewing up a gash on a young girl's head and inclines his head to me. That is his way of greeting. No hug. No handshake. No contact at all.
“What do you want?” I ask, not bothering to look up from my final stitch. I should probably be nicer to my commander but being stuck here makes me feel like a school girl, mad at her father for grounding her.
“Miranda,” he begins, “we’ve made plans for you to leave England.”
“What?” I sputter, completely taken by surprise.
“Now that we have one of the airports, we can put you on a plane.”
“But I’m not done here. I want to be a part of the rebellion.” I only realize I’ve raised my voice when he grabs me by the elbow and pulls me into an empty room. Now I really feel like a school girl.
“You will still be a part of the rebellion. Trust me,” he says in a voice that makes me want to do the opposite. “You are going to the colonies.” Now he has my attention. “You will be one of the higher ranking officers there. You will report to a man named Jonathan Clarke tomorrow evening. The plans have been made. An officer will meet you at the landing strip upon your arrival.”
“I’ll pack my things.” I turn to go but then stop. “I guess this is goodbye then.” I stand ready to embrace him.
“Goodbye Miranda.” He brushes past me and leaves me standing in the empty room…alone.
Chapter 11: Dawn
“Good morning party people!” Adrian’s voice wakes me from my stupor as Gabby lets him through the door. I open my eyes and the light almost blinds me. My head is aching and my stomach is doing flip flops. As soon as I stand up, I start running to the bathroom. I barely make it before all the contents of my stomach come spilling out. I groan and Gabby hands me a towel as she and Adrian stand there laughing. I don’t see what’s so funny. I use the sink to pull myself to my feet and try to go back to bed.
“Oh no you don’t,” Gabby says as she pulls me away from the bed and towards the shower. “We have a busy day ahead of us. Go get cleaned up, you're kind of grotty this morning.” I want to know what our busy day entails but I’m afraid that if I open my mouth to speak I’ll hurl again. I take a very quick shower and get dressed while Gabby and Adrian wait for me.
We leave our building and Adrian tells us that we are going on a job tour. “It’s something that every Texan does in school before they are old enough to start working. Jobs here are inherited but everyone needs to know how the society runs.”
“Society…” he says it with such reverence.
“So, if my father cleaned toilets in some dodgy place then I would end up doing that as well?” Gabby asks.
“Essentially, yes,” Adrian responds. “The only exception is the military. Every Texan spends two years in the military before they start their given career. But, they can choose to stay in the military if they’d like.”
“Even if they end up at the Mexican front?” I ask. I think I’d rather be a janitor than to go to war.
“These are dangerous times, Dawn,” Adrian says. “Most soldiers help in our fight against the Mexican lords. That’s a worthy fight. There are some soldiers, though, who police the town or scout out in the colonies.”
“What about you though? Shouldn’t you be out on a patrol or fighting on the Mexican border?” I ask.
“No,” he responds sharply. He pauses before continuing. “I have a different assignment.” Before I can ask him what it is, he turns away and walks faster.
I don’t know what prompted the sudden change in tone but I let it drop. Gabby doesn’t say anything either. She’s usually the prying one. I look sideways at her and her face tells me she is thinking hard, trying to figure something out. Her nose is crinkled like she just smelled something rancid and her lips are puckered.
We’ve reached the wall and, up close, it is intimidating. It looms over us. There is a lift to take the guards to the top. I can’t imagine having to build such a structure but Adrian tells us that it was built a long time ago so now all they need to do is the maintenance.
“Hey Adrian!” I look around to see who’s yelling and a tall, older man is running towards us in full uniform. Adrian shakes his hand and then the man turns to us.
“Clint, this is Gabby and Dawn.” Clint’s eyes get bigger and he raises his eyebrow in surprise but then catches himself.
“Hello ladies,” he says, looking us over a little too long.
Adrian claps Clint on the back and says, “Clint’s the commander of the wall. He’s a buddy of my uncle’s.”
“So, what’s with this wall of yours?” Gabby asks. “Are you trying to keep people out or do you want to keep them in?” I elbow her in the ribs but that doesn’t stop her. She stares expectantly at Clint, waiting for an answer. I don’t know what’s gotten in to her. I am relieved when Clint starts laughing.
“My oh my, young lady, you have quite the imagination. Well, I need to get back. It was a pleasure to meet you.” He tips his hat to us and then walks away, whistling as he goes. Adrian starts talking to a few of the other people standing near the wall so I turn on Gabby.
“What was that?” I whisper urgently.
“What?” she snaps.
“That question. These people have been nothing but nice to us since we got here and you are being an arse.” I massage my temples as I feel my headache coming back.
“And why do you think they're being nice?” she asks. “Out of the goodness of their hearts?”
“I don’t know,” I pause, “where is this coming from?” I’m confused because she seemed fine with everything just last night.
“It’s just…nothing. Forget I said anything.” She turns away from me and I am about to ask her more when Adrian walks towards us with an older dark-haired woman in tow. His mood seems even more dour as he introduces her to us.
“Guys, this is my mom,” he says. “Mom, this is Gabby and Dawn.”
“Oh please, call me Elle.” She smiles at us and I instantly feel warm inside. It is a mother’s smile. She has crow’s feet by her eyes and her skin looks like it’s been in the sun way too long but still, she is beautiful.
“Elle, pretty name,” Gabby says. I am amazed that this woman can lift even Gabby’s sour mood.
“Thank you dear,” Elle responds. “Are you enjoying Texas?”
“Yes,” I respond, trying to be as polite as possible. “Do you guard the wall?”
“Oh dear no, that sounds awful.” A few of the guards nearby glanc
e in our direction and smile. I’m not sure if they heard that slight. Elle continues, “I work in the government building. I am just doing evaluations of various jobs.”
“Oh.” I feel pretty daft right about now. Of course a woman like her would not choose to spend her life in the military. Her family is in government.
“If you will excuse us for just a second, I need to speak with my son.” Elle grabs Adrian’s arm and pulls him out of earshot like he is still a child. Gabby and I both watch them intently. They're having a row about something. Every few moments they glance in our direction. Elle throws her hands in the air and stalks off. Adrian walks back to us.
“Come on,” he says gruffly. We follow closely behind him; both of us keep quiet for a change. We don’t want to upset him further. And besides that, we seem to have picked up a minder.
What is going on?
Who is Adrian’s mom?
Chapter 12: Drew
I wake to a searing pain in my stomach as someone kicks me in the gut. He drags me to my feet and pulls me out of my cell. I stumble as I walk and that only makes my captor pull harder. My entire body aches from the beatings that I’ve suffered through day after day. I must have some cracked ribs to go along with the cuts and bruises. At least, that’s what it feels like. I wouldn’t know if they’re actually cracked because the only doctor I’ve seen is the one overseeing my torture. Every few days they decide to mix it up and use the water like they did when I first got here. I’d rather be beaten.
We reach the stairwell and I am pushed down. My shoulder hits first and I Iet out a cry of pain. I can’t break my fall because my hands are tied behind my back. I roll down the last few steps and lay at the bottom, unable to move without feeling like little knives are being stuck in me. Shite.
Someone opens the door to my left and stands over me, glowering. He reaches down, grabs my shirt, and lifts me to my feet. I yelp as he uses my shoulder to guide me into the room. Today is no different than any other. They’re going to ask me questions that I don’t know the answers to and then make me wish I had died in those woods. I have come to the realization that I am utterly buggered no matter what I do.
I agreed to make the video to get Dawn out of her coma but we haven't done it yet. I don't know what else they want from me.
I am thrust unceremoniously into my usual chair. I look up to see Dr. Cole. I still refuse to call him Darren. It’s the one act of defiance that I have right now and I love how it pisses him off. He probably doesn’t give a shite what I call him but he hates that I won’t do as I’m told.
“Hello Drew,” he says. “Sleep well?”
“My night was just brilliant,” I say coldly.
“There’s no need for sarcasm. I am just making conversation.” His lips curve into a smile. I wish I could wipe it from his face.
“Sure,” I say before asking, “What’s on the menu for me today? Beating? Drowning? Beating and drowning? What are you going to do?” I am hit from behind. Texans have no sense of humor.
“My dear boy, I would never lay a hand on you.” He’s right, of course. Dr. Cole has never actually hit me himself. He lets his goons do the dirty work while he asks the questions. “Today, I have some pictures I would like you to see.”
“Pictures?” I ask. He hands me the first one. It’s of Dawn. I haven’t seen her since she was unconscious in a hospital bed. They wouldn’t even tell me how she was. She looks good. She’s smiling and happy. The next picture is of her and Gabby walking down the street. They’re free. They’re not being kept in a prison like me. Thank God.
“They’re okay,” I whisper.
“Of course they are. We don’t want to hurt them. I’m told, however, that Dawn is quite broken up over your death.”
“My death?” I ask, not really looking for an answer because I already know. They’ve told Dawn that I’m dead. Before I can think on it too much, Dr. Cole hands me one last picture. This one is of Gabby practically carrying Dawn and some guy walking with them.
“What happened to her?” I ask.
“Oh just some harmless, yet illegal fun. She drank quite a bit that night.” I don’t have time to process this when the door opens and a second man walks through. I look up at him and instantly recognize him as the guy from the picture.
“Ah, Adrian,” Dr. Cole says. “So glad you could join us.” Adrian crosses the room to stand beside the doctor. “Drew, this is my nephew. He has grown quite close to your little girlfriends.” Adrian doesn’t say anything as he stares at me. I want to lunge at him and rip his throat out. I kick my leg out, hoping to hurt him. He steps back, out of my reach. I search his face for any sign of emotion. He’s hiding it well. I find no hatred, no anger, and no joy.
“Drew, that’s not very nice. Adrian was just coming here to report on your friends. You see, he is a soldier. His assignment is to become friends with the girls and report back on their behavior and their conversations.” He looks at Adrian. “Nephew, why don’t you start?”
“Gabby and Dawn seem to be happy here. There is no sign that they suspect anything. I took them to the wall like you wanted. They met Clint but then we ran into my mother.” Adrian pauses.
“Who’s Clint?” I ask, wanting to take in as much information about the girls as possible.
“It’s not polite to interrupt,” Dr. Cole snaps. “Adrian, I hope your mother didn’t cause any problems. How was my dear sister?”
“She is angry with me for taking this assignment.” His eyes shift down, as if embarrassed.
“Of course she is. She should understand more than most, though, that a soldier doesn’t choose his tasks. Soldiers do as they’re told.”
“She should,” he agrees.
“Tell me nephew, are you willing to do what needs to be done?” Dr. Cole asks.
“I am,” Adrian responds.
“Good.” He turns to me. “You see Drew, you need to cooperate or my nephew here may have orders that you don’t like.”
“What do you want from me?” I ask in desperation. The doctor smiles.
“You may go Adrian.” As Adrian leaves the room, two more men come in. I recognize them instantly. I probably still have their footprints on my chest or their hand prints on my arms. They come closer and one of them punches me in the face. “We need the bruises to look fresh,” Dr. Cole explains as a woman walks in with a small camera in her hand. “Now, Drew, we've prepared cards for you to read. Do not deviate from them unless you want me to call Adrian back for his new orders.”
I nod as the cards are set up in front of me. I am given the cue to begin and I start to read out loud without thinking. I tell myself that I can't stop. I can't mess this up.
“Hello, I am Drew Crawford, son of Commander Crawford.” My voice cracks as I speak. “I am being held by the Texans for questioning. This message is for General Nolan.
You do not know me but I came here with Gabby and Dawn Nolan. They too are being held in Texas. Our captors won't release us until you agree to a peace meeting. Tensions with the rebels are heating up and the Texans need guaranteed aid. If you do not agree to this, your daughters will not live long past your refusal.” I stop as I choke on the last sentence. This is a ransom note. I am hit from behind and told to keep going even as a single tear falls from my eye.
“I plead with you sir,” I read, “don't let Gabby and Dawn suffer the same fate as me.” As soon as the last word passes my lips, the camera is shifted away and a single gunshot pierces the silence.
Chapter 13: The General
“Keep moving!” I bark as I walk the perimeter of the training field. The new batch of rankers that Commander Crawford sent over is even weaker than the last. I put them through drill after drill as the intense sun hangs above us. I wipe the sweat from my brow and turn towards the exhausted group of men and women. I look on in disgust as a few soldiers fall to their knees and retch. Others have collapsed to the ground and are breathing heavily.
“Pathetic!” I scream. “Pitiful. Depl
orable. Useless!” I turn to leave and yell back over my shoulder, “Dismissed!”
I could care less if these incompetent soldiers can eventually help the British military. The problem is that the state of the armed forces has a direct impact on my reputation. Reputation is key.
“Sir!” A squaddie runs down the steps of the plantation house and sprints towards me, waving something in the air. He is panting when he reaches me.
“Calm down soldier.” I wait until he catches his breath. “What is it?”
“There's a dispatch waiting for you in your office sir,” he pauses, “it's from Texas.”
I speed up and by the time I reach my office, I am running. I push open the door and step inside. A small man in a crumpled uniform greets me with a salute. I don't return the gesture.
“Sit,” I command. I don't like having a Texan fanatic on British grounds. We've grown used to these messengers showing up as the Texans realize they can't fight the Mexicans, the British, and the Rebels. They want an alliance. Each time, we send their messenger back with our denial. Last year Darren Cole, husband to their supposed prophet, even paid us a visit.
I move around my desk and straighten the papers on it before sitting down. Neither of us speak as we evaluate each other. Finally, I ask, “What do the Texans have for me today?” When he hesitates, I raise my voice. “Hand it over.” The nervous man opens his bag and produces a small screen. He hands it to me as he presses play.
It begins with a view of the hospital building before heading into a sterile room. The video zooms in on a sleeping girl. She shifts and my eyes widen. Dawn. I bring my hand to my mouth as the image becomes dark. I now see a boy tied to a chair in a concrete room. His head hangs on his chest and he is wet. Someone comes into view and lifts the boy's head. His eyes open and he stares at the camera. His voice quivers as he begins to speak.
Day of Reckoning (Dawn of Rebellion Series Book 2) Page 4
