by Kip Nelson
“Are there any other people who feel the same way as us?” Adam asked.
Calling them 'us' felt good. For so long in life it felt like Adam was alone, but being in the midst of war had given him the realization there were others around him, and his life was joined to theirs in beautiful and unexpected ways. Sometimes the tethers were not so good, and Adam wished he could cut the ones that tied him to Lee, but it seemed as though his story with Lee was not over yet. In some ways it only just was beginning.
“Of course there are. There always are. But they were like me, too happy to turn a blind eye as long as they were being kept safe and fed. You know what it's like out there better than most people. As long as the injustice isn't in their face, I'm sure most of them are going to be willing to put up with rumors and hearsay as long as their bellies are full and they have warm shelter through the night. We've all seen the state of the world, and we all have our stories, I don't know many people who are willing to sacrifice that for the chance to do what's right.”
“I've seen too many stand by and do nothing. It was the same at that damned apartment,” Adam said bitterly, wringing his hands together.
“All I saw were shadows. People lost the thing that made them special, that spark of fight against things like injustice. Is that all that's left of us? Surely our humanity is worth more than that? I thought we could make a difference in this world and bring about a better future. This didn't have to be the end. It could have been a new beginning, but instead we're all just happy to stand by and let monsters rule the world.”
“They're all scared,” Tara said. “Lisa has all her allies, like Lee.”
“I know all about Lee,” Adam said tersely.
Through all this Peter had remained silent, listening intently to their conversation. His heart weighed heavily with all he had done that night and he didn't want to be involved in another war. One was enough for any man's lifetime. Adam was getting more and more agitated. Peter had been watching him all through the end of the world, and knew him to be a troubled man. Lee really was getting under his skin and now he was suffering from the trauma of being involved in this battle. Peter had seen it happen to a lot of other men, trying to make sense of a senseless situation. He probably didn't even realize how angry he was getting, or how Tara was starting to look fearful. Peter knew he had to step in.
“Adam,” Peter said softly. It was enough to make Adam pause and for him to look at the older man, to breathe more calmly and try collecting his thoughts.
“This isn't going to help anyone. You know you can count on us. I am tired of fighting and I thought...I hoped that I never would have to pick up a gun again. I vowed to be a man of peace and now I find out that I've been used, and forced to break my vow. I don't want that ever to happen again. I love Annabelle and do not want to see her harmed. What is happening here isn't right, and although I have tried to be a man of peace, I will not sit by while people like this get to rule over others through fear. I have seen it too often in life. Too many times have people looked the other way when bullies have threatened others, and I will not stand for it. I know you won't either, Adam. I know Diana wouldn't either, if she was here. Others will follow us, but we have to show them the way first.”
“And I'm going to show them the way,” Adam said.
“I'm not going to let anything happen to Annabelle. I'm tired of these people thinking they can do whatever they like and get away with it. If we can't rely on anyone else at the moment, then we're just going to have to do it ourselves. But I can't wait anymore. I'm not going to be able to sleep, not when Annabelle is out there alone. She needs to know we're still alive, and that we're coming to help her. To be honest, I think our best chance is to do it now, while everyone still is recovering from the fight. Lisa probably is sitting there crowing over how smart she is. Let's show her there still are some things she hasn't counted on. Let's show her there's still some fight left in us.”
“But how? There's only three of us,” Tara asked, mystified about how the three of them were going to take on the entire camp, if it came to that. Everyone had been enthralled by Lisa for so long that she had taken on almost an omnipotent aura. Anyone who dared speak out against her soon was barred from the community. She held such an iron grip on everything it seemed as though everything was going to fall apart without her.”
Adam pressed his lips together and exhaled deeply, trying to compose his mind. This gave him something else to think about, which was good. He was tired of feeling angry and sorry and frustrated. While he was planning he could pretend Diana still was here, shooting down his ideas in that curt way of hers, the way he always found so annoying, especially because she inevitably was right in her criticisms.
“You said that she's done this kind of thing with people before...where do you think she's taken Annabelle, and what do you think she's doing with her?”
“Like I said,” Tara replied, “I never was involved in this stuff. I tried keeping myself as far away from it as I could. I don't know what they'll be doing with her. I mean...I can't imagine that it's anything too bad. She's a kid. Surely they wouldn't do anything to a kid?”
Tara's question hung in the air, and she didn't know if it was worse that the other two didn't give an answer, or the answer they were afraid to give. She felt weak and dizzy, and wished she had been able to keep a closer eye on Annabelle so none of this would have happened. However, deep down she knew that nothing would have been able to stop Annabelle from finding some way to escape. Tara was sure Annabelle had been determined to get out of there the moment she had entered that classroom. She just was glad she had Adam and Peter with her so she didn't have to endure this alone.
“As for where they're holding her...I'm guessing it's at that community center. She has that place on lockdown. But if the past gives us any indication, then she'll likely make an example of Annabelle, talk about how she doesn't stay true to the values of this community. Then again, she's never done this with a kid before. I can't imagine people are going to be happy with exiling a child.”
“But will they be unhappy enough to stand up to her?”
Tara had to think about that for a moment. “I don't know. A lot of them have kids themselves.”
“You'd have thought that meant they wouldn't want it to happen in case the same thing happened to their kids one day,” Adam said.
“Self-preservation is the main driving force in this world,” Tara said unhappily. “I'm afraid that even if people wouldn't agree with it, they'll still let it happen because they would be too afraid to suffer the same fate.”
“Then we have to act quickly. I can't let Annabelle think she's alone in this, and I'm not willing to wait for her to be exiled. We have to get there now, while the camp is quiet, and try rescuing her ourselves.”
“I'd love to come with you,” Tara said, “but I think I should get back to the school. I've been gone too long already. If Lisa notices I'm gone, she'll think something is up. She'll already be mad at me for letting Annabelle sneak out of the classroom. I've had enough trouble convincing her we don't need to bring back corporal punishment. This just is going to lead to another round of arguments about that.”
With that agreed and they all left the apartment and entered the night again. Tara whispered good luck to the two of them, and squeezed Adam's hand. The feeling sent a jolt of warmth through Adam's body, and it gave him the courage to press forward. He nodded toward Peter and the two men started walking, keeping to the shadows. They kept out of the way of most people, but then heard sobbing nearby. Adam rounded the corner and the sympathy in his heart quickly disappeared when he saw it was Joanna sitting against the building. He was about to move on when she held out her hand and grasped his leg.
“Wait...please...wait,” she groaned.
“I have nothing to say to you,” Adam said curtly.
“I saw her, the girl, she was walking out here,” Joanna said.
Adam's eyes flashed wide. “What do you know abo
ut it? Where is she?”
“Please, let me help. I want to make up for it, for everything,” she said plaintively.
Perhaps if Adam had not been so tired and so desperately in need of help, he would have turned her away and left her to her own sorrow. However, he needed all the help he could get to rescue Annabelle. If Joanna was wanting to make up for her sins, then she could be a valuable ally in the endeavor.
“I don't know, but I saw her. She's such a sweet child. Please tell me, how I can help?”
“Are you tired of living here like this?” Adam said.
Joanna nodded. Adam got the sense she just was tired of living at all. “Things are going to change, Joanna. I'm going to get revenge on them all for everything they've done, including what they did to Clark.” At the mention of her ex-husband's name Joanna sobbed again, and wiped her hand across her face.
“They've taken Annabelle, and my friend died tonight. There has been too much blood shed because of them, and they've crossed too many lines for them to get away with it all. I'm not going to give them any more chances. So, if you want to help, then you have to fight with me. Go tell anyone you know that if they want to see an end to Lisa, they will have to answer the call. Go, now, and hurry!” he said.
Joanna nodded and smiled at him. She rose and her frail, gaunt body embraced Adam, thanking him. Adam watched her walk away. At one time he thought she had been beautiful, and he had been incredibly envious of Clark. He hoped there was some shred of decency and honor left in her, and that she could redeem herself.
He then turned to Peter and they resumed their march toward Annabelle.
“Do you think you really can trust her?” Peter asked.
“I don't know, but if we're going to get rid of Lisa, we're going to need help. We're going to have to start trusting people who we don't know all that well. It's time for someone else to be in charge, and to make that happen, we're going to need to take risks,” he said. Then, in his mind, he spoke to Diana, saying that he was doing this for her and that he now was going to take over the responsibility of looking after Annabelle.
She'll be safe with me, Diana. I promise she will be. I'll take her away from all this and we'll find a home where she can grow up without worrying about all the things we have to be concerned about. That's my promise to you, and nothing will make me break it.
Chapter Fifteen
Before they went to the community center Adam and Peter stopped by the armory to get more weapons, nothing too dramatic, just a couple of knives in case they ended up needing to defend themselves. Adam's nerves rattled because it felt as though they were spies and were among the enemy. At any moment he expected a spotlight to shine down on him and an alarm to sound, and for everyone to pour out of the buildings to arrest him. There were good people in the camp, he knew that for sure. Not only Tara, but others he had shared a battlefield with, others like him, who had fought reluctantly. There had to be more of them who realized that what they had done was wrong, and were willing to fight again, but this time for a cause that meant something.
He hoped Joanna was that type of person as well. She had been through so much, and Clark was dead because of her. Adam didn't know if she ever would be forgiven for leaving Clark and forsaking him for life in this camp, but if she did indeed help this uprising, then perhaps there was hope for her yet. The sorrow in her eyes spoke to him and he saw her for exactly what she was –- a broken person who had lost everything. She was one of the shadow people, but perhaps there was a way for them to return to the living and realize that they mattered in the world.
“Are you sure you're willing to do this? I saw you out there. I know how difficult this is for you,” Adam said, remembering how Peter had lost himself to the past and practically had a breakdown on the way to the fight. Although, in the heat of battle, he seemed to shed his current self and the old warrior came breaking through.
“It is difficult, but for a child in danger I'll do anything. If the cause is just, then people have to take up arms. Otherwise, evil wins,” he said.
Adam nodded and found that he couldn't say anything to add to that. They reached the armory and saw there were a few people still sorting out the weapons that had been brought back, for there now were new additions to be added to the collection. Thankfully, Lee wasn't there, and Adam breathed a sigh of relief for that, although one of his generals was there, someone he recognized from the battlefield. The man was called Simon. He had red hair, with a scar running down one side of his face, and he was very tall and lean. Adam had intended to slip in and out of there quickly without anyone noticing, but Simon saw them and stared.
For a moment Adam's heart froze. He thought that somehow their plan had crumbled before it ever had truly begun, and he was so afraid of what Simon might do to them that he took a step back, ready to flee. However, Simon smiled widely and gestured to the others. They all broke out into a thunderous round of applause and cheering. Adam was confused, but he soon realized they were celebrating Peter's accomplishments on the battlefield. Peter swallowed and bowed his head, glancing surreptitiously at Adam because he did not want this attention at all. Simon came up to them and patted Peter on the back.
“This is the man of the hour! I know not all of you saw him, but, man, this guy was an absolute beast out there! You should have seen him. He was like a commando or some shit. I mean, my god, it was a beautiful sight to behold. He's a freaking hero.” Simon had a broad grin on his face and looked at Peter with utter admiration. Adam couldn't believe it either, and Simon barely even acknowledged Adam's presence.
“What can I do you for?” he asked.
Peter glanced at Adam again. “Well, um, actually, we were just looking for a couple of knives,” he said.
“Really, and what would you want them for? I mean, I can't just be giving out weapons to anyone who asks. There are still rules we have to follow. You know how it is.”
“It's just that, well,” Peter said, looking at Adam again, searching for inspiration. All the while Simon's gaze bore down upon him, and Peter knew that unless he said something quickly, their plan would come crashing down around their ears.
“I need training,” Adam blurted out. Simon stared at him as though seeing him for the first time.
“Training?” he asked.
“Yes,” Peter said. “Adam was out there with us and got into a scuffle with one of them. He wants to learn how to protect himself in a close fight, so I thought I'd show him a few techniques.”
“Oh, right,” Simon said, and the two men wondered if the lie was going to be believed. Simon nodded and rummaged through the weapons, then handed them some gleaming knives with ornate handles.
“We picked these up tonight, they look pretty awesome. If you're going to teach him how to fight, you might as well do it with the best we have,” he said, and handed them to Peter, adding that if there was anything else Peter needed then he should come to him directly. Peter thanked him and then he and Adam left, trying not to walk too quickly, lest they draw suspicion.
“Looks like you're a bit of a celebrity,” Adam said. Peter cocked an eyebrow but remained silent.
Adam didn't have anything more than a rudimentary plan as his mind was tired and all he knew is that he wanted – needed – to rescue Annabelle. Besides, whenever he made a plan it always went awry, so he didn't see the point in making one. All that mattered was getting Annabelle, and after that he would see where things stood. But he had a fire in his heart and he knew he couldn't go on living under Lisa’s rule, and that once they rescued Annabelle the shit would hit the fan. After all, Lisa certainly would not be calm when met with such resistance, and she wouldn’t want her lies to come out either. After Annabelle was rescued there would be more fighting, and the three of them would have to try fleeing to safety. He didn't know where they would go, and he was sad at the thought that Tara may not be able to come with them, but that was the way of the world it seemed. It was so easy to get close to people, but even easier to los
e them.
Meanwhile, sleep had not come easily for Annabelle. She had managed to drift off, but the floor was cold and hard, and her mind was filled with plots. She soon awoke and stared up at the dark ceiling. The man with the grotesque face still was standing outside, and she wondered if he needed any sleep at all. She had no real idea about how long she had been in the room, but it felt like hours. Her stomach was beginning to rumble and her throat was dry. She thought about banging on the door again and asking for water and something to eat, but she didn't think the guard would be very receptive to her pleas.
As she thought about the guard, she wondered about him and how his face got burned, and whether that is what turned him into such a hard, callous man. It seemed to Annabelle that Lisa had a way of surrounding herself with tough, mean men, perhaps because she did not have the strength of body herself. But Lisa had a different kind of strength, and Annabelle had sensed it from the very first time they had met. It was the kind of strength that was black like oil and swam through her soul, infecting everything she touched, and now it threatened to engulf Annabelle and drown her.
The young girl tried thinking of different ways to bring Lisa down, for it was difficult for her to comprehend how someone like that could thrive in the world when other good people, like her parents, didn't make it. The world was chaotic, but there had to be some way to restore order; to impose sanity on an insane world, and she started thinking the only way to go about doing so was to do it herself. She remembered the hunts with her father, and when he had told her that it wasn't fair that the deer died, and was torn apart by the wolf, but that was nature. There are people out there who are waiting and watching and willing to tear apart flesh, while the deer just stands by and thinks everything is alright with the world. Annabelle's father told her that she had to be a wolf, not a deer. While in the Girl Scouts she learned many creative things, with her father she learned how to use a knife to defend herself, how to stab it in the right areas, and how to twist just so to make sure that anyone, no matter how big or strong, would fall before her.
