Influence (Influence Series Book 1)

by David R. Bernstein

  Before the crowd once again shatters, Caiden moves from the back to take Farren’s side, resting a forearm on his shoulder. Then Maddux stands to my left and Ava takes his side as well. Owen and Miya stand, also joining the unified front. Together we peer over the gathering as leaders of this resistance.

  Strengthened by the show of support, Farren steps forward and calls out to the crowd. “We might not have Jax, but we have each other. Our collective skills and abilities are far greater than anything Magnus has.”

  The murmurs of the crowd soften as they turn to hear us out. You can see it in their eyes: they are torn.

  Ava moves from Farren’s side and says, “We live in a world that is manipulated by fear and greed. There is no other group of people with the level of awareness we all possess. Our collective consciousness gives us a great advantage. Let’s not waste that.”

  More and more of the crowd turns to focus in on us. Our words are reaching them.

  Miya adds, “I’ve lived on the inside for way too long. They are fragile. One precise attack can bring them to their knees.”

  A voice from the crowd shouts, “Let’s do this already. I’m in.”

  I track the voice and see Amanda making her way to the front. “We can tear down Magnus if you follow them.” She winks at me as our eyes meet.

  “Will you stand with us and end Magnus?” Farren asks. “Let’s free our family and friends from a world they never chose. Jax wouldn’t want it any other way.”

  Unified once more, the resistance’s chants rattle the clearing. We are again one mind acting against the cruel oppressors known as Magnus.

  ***

  After a full day of training and preparation, the resistance takes shelter in and around the Walton hub. Tents of all sizes line the clearing as fires add warmth and comfort. People settle in for the night and try to sleep, knowing what tomorrow will bring. Amanda and I feel uneasy sleeping with this many people around us. Even inside, in our makeshift quarters, the awareness of so many people is making it hard for me to fall asleep. Always knowing how to care for me, Amanda tells me stories of when she was younger and living with her parents. The hope the Terrance Party had and the knowledge that there was a time when optimism still filled people’s minds gives me a sense of ease and allows me to finally fall asleep.

  17

  SLOW AND PAINFUL

  A NEW DAY of unknown possibilities lies before me. But first, rations and foraged berries are today’s breakfast. After a less than satisfying meal, everyone gathers in the clearing before we make our push to Talas. Farren and Caiden inform the resistance of the final details of our day. The leadership, which I guess I am part of now, ushers the march into the forest. With a half-day hike ahead of us, we need to make good time to reach Talas. The three stolen Magnus vehicles will scout out ahead to make sure the road is clear. Once again, Amanda is by my side as we take one last journey together doing whatever it takes to make a better future for ourselves. The only thing that is different is that we’ll be helping far more people if we succeed.

  ***

  A couple of hours in, and already my feet and knees are killing me. Amanda and I are used to the flat and straight old highway systems. Those endless stretches of road were easy for us. This is no fun at all, with its uneven and slanted angles. Every turn is a new sensation of pain in my legs.

  Trees tower over us and that familiar pine scent fills every breath. The road resembles two carved tracks with overgrown brush creeping its way over our shoulders. This simple path would be reclaimed in a couple weeks if Magnus didn’t use it to travel from hub to hub. The roads are quiet now. We have yet to hear anything from the scouting vehicles up front. Caiden informed us earlier that they’re watching out for patrols and transports, so we might not see them until just before we get to Talas. He tells me Magnus personnel rarely make trips unless they need to, only a patrol every week or so. Each hub is like a fortress so they aren’t worried about much. Besides, whoever gets close enough might get caught in the hub’s Influencer’s web. This would just expand their collection of civilians. Our resistance is being shielded by the frontline Influencers, so we’ll be ready for any push.

  I’ve not seen Farren since we left the Walton hub. He’s been up front brainstorming with Caiden and Miya. Should I be missing him like this? I feel like a little girl with a crush, but I can’t help it. Amanda has been going on and on about all the people she has come across since joining the resistance. Whenever I get a moment of quiet, all I can think of is being alone with him again. It seems silly living in the world we live in, but what we’re trying to do now can change everything. I need to focus and set aside these thoughts for now. Finding a comfortable spot to step has become my new obsession. I’m not built for these rugged hikes in the mountains.

  A steady breeze caresses the path as it flows up the slope of the mountain. We’ve been going uphill for hours now and the higher altitude is not making things easy. The once thick wall of evergreen trees that surrounded us has thinned, revealing a peak at the crest of the mountain. Near the top, Amanda and I catch up to Farren and the other leaders. They sit on boulders and toppled trees. Looking around, I see the resistance resting all over the mountain top. They have broken off into groups and are now snacking on rations and passing around canteens while catching their breath. Turning back, I catch Farren grinning at me for a brief moment before he returns his eyes to Caiden. Before I have a chance to ask what is going on, Ava grabs my hand and pulls me away from the others. I look back and see Amanda give me a puzzled look. She’s not used to others being involved in our lives. I don’t even have a moment to think about this as Ava looks back at me and says, “Stop thinking and trust me.”

  Her long, athletic legs make navigating through the evergreen thickets and large boulders a breeze. Hopping from rock to rock, never losing stride. If she wasn’t assisting me I’m sure I would have broken something by now. We ascend for several minutes before we reach an opening that overlooks the Sierra mountain range. I swallow a gust of cool air and it fills my oxygen-deprived lungs. There is a purity to it that catches me off guard. Looking out at the endless horizon with its textured angles, the view puts this moment into perspective. The rocky peaks vault up through the lush, forested foothills and allow for an expansive view. It’s been far too long since I have had a moment to really enjoy the simple elegance of life. Ava leans down and whispers in my ear, “Do you feel it?”

  No, I don’t, and that is what is so amazing. It’s quiet and still. The complications of others aren’t nagging at my inner peace. I turn to Ava and can only smile.

  “It’s something about the higher elevation,” she says. “Owen says it’s something to do with the electromagnetic field, but I don’t care how, I just like it. Ever since I’ve been with Maddux, we spend most of our free time as high as we can get.”

  Amanda and I have always avoided these mountains. Magnus has infected this area like a virus. Predatory and invasive, they cling to whoever slips into their surroundings. Ripping freedom from their awareness and replacing it with mindless conformity. Even with the apparent danger, I can’t imagine avoiding this anymore. It makes me feel normal in this less-than-normal world. Hopefully, after today, their ominous network will no longer entangle this beauty.

  “Do you think we can really do this?” I ask. “I mean, we’re just a small group of misfits up against an evil army.”

  Turning to me with that familiar look of calmness, she winks and says, “There’s no such thing as misfits and evil armies. You keep forgetting reality is just a collection of thoughts and actions. Nobody is better at molding that than you. I’m not worried about it.”

  She might not be worried about it, but I sure am. No matter how much I have accepted my ability as a gift rather than a burden, I still don’t believe I’m this almighty, powerful one they say I am.

  “Let’s get back to the group before Caiden eats all the rations.” Ava’s eyes brighten as she smiles.

  We re
trace our steps down the hillside and make it back to find that the group has already begun to move out. Farren calls out to me and greets us at the trail opening. “There you guys are,” he says in between catching his breath. “I sent Caiden up the trail to check on the scout vehicles. Their last check-in signal is about fifteen minutes past due. I’m… I’m really starting to second guess having the group push forward.”

  “Do you think something’s wrong?” I ask, scanning his face for a hint of fear.

  “I don’t know, maybe.”

  Just as I reach out to comfort him, fear overtakes his look of concern. The source of his worry reveals itself at the edge of the dirt path ahead.

  “Stop… Stop… STOP,” Caiden’s voice intensifies with every bark. “The scout vehicles have been hit!”

  18

  HIDDEN CLARITY

  CAIDEN’S FRANTIC YELL buckles the formations of the group as confused pockets of frontline resistance slam into another. Maddux, Caiden, and Owen rush back from the front, commanding the group to find cover. People hurry to the trees and road embankment. Splintered, the resistance breaks into small fragments of fighters, each looking for guidance and safety. Before the panic spreads to us in the rear, Farren stands in front of me forming a human shield. One arm holds a very large rifle while the other reaches around my waist, pulling me into his back.

  “Stay with Ava,” he commands as he releases his tight grip on my side. Within seconds he is sprinting ahead, darting through frantic resistance fighters. Ava pulls me to the nearest ditch and we take cover. “Amanda… Where is Amanda?” I mutter under my breath.

  I hear a loud crack that echoes through the forest. Creeping over the edge, I see one of the frontline fighters buckle to her knees. Then a second crack, and a third, fourth, fifth, the noise flooding through the foreground. Screams start to blend in with the gunshots and all I can hear now is chaos. People run in all directions looking for a more secure place to hide. The ringing in my ears is no match for the loud pops as more and more shots penetrate our location. Bodies fall to the ground. I can’t see where the firing is coming from. All I can see is our resistance being picked off like a scattering herd of deer. Those who can’t make it to the tree line are first to fall, then the people who are paralyzed in fear, unable to move from the ditch on the side of the road. Their shaking and frantic breathing stop as the bullets pierce their heads and limbs. Their fight is now over.

  Ava tries to pull me off the embankment and into the woods, but I will not let her. Without thinking, I pry her fingers from my arm and run to find Amanda and Farren. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of a hazy object right before I am hit and knocked to the ground. Breathless and aching, I look up to see Farren’s intense eyes locked on my face as his body lies on top of mine. The air rushes back into my lungs as he pulls me to my feet and off into the nearby thickets. “Keep your head down and stay put. Do you understand me?”

  Farren gathers his weapon and once again makes his way toward the front. Taking cover from tree to tree, he narrowly reaches his destination. With all the madness I lose track of him. My heart sinks in my chest and tightness forms around my throat.

  I can’t think of my own safety right now. Farren is probably jumping in front of bullets to save people, and I’m sure Amanda is out there freaking out like I am. My eyes race back and forth and my breathing quickens as I think of what to do next. No more sitting around huddled in a ball—I need to help, somehow. Before I get a chance to test my bravery, Miya darts to Ava’s and my side. She holds one of those large rifles that I have seen the frontline fighters carry. How her petite frame has the strength to carry it is beyond me. After reloading, she looks up at me and says, “Alright, young lady, I’m here to make sure you stay safe. Farren’s orders.”

  When it comes to my family, I don’t follow anyone’s orders.

  “There is nothing you can do right now,” she shouts. “Whoever is shooting at us is protected by implants. Maddux has already tried flushing them out. And with all this firing, there isn’t going to be an animal within miles to come to your rescue.”

  She is right; my almighty push ability is useless in a gunfight against sector group personnel. This isn’t a bunch of mindless Harvesters with pitchforks and foul mouths. This is an army of organized, shielded, well-trained killers.

  The blasts from the distance grow as more and more resistance start to fall. This ambush is plowing through our numbers. A pop bursts above our heads as shattered pieces of tree bark trickle down on us. This prompts Miya and Ava to guide us back deeper into the woods. With our heads hanging low we dart into the nearest clump of tall trees. Waiting around the thickest evergreen are the young Influencers Ava and I met with at the Walton hub. One of the older resistance members has taken responsibility for them in the disarray. Ava motions to them. “Guys, move now.”

  They rush to her like a flock of baby birds to their mother. Trevor and Envee are the first to put their arms around her. “What’s going on?” Envee says to Ava while covering her ears.

  The terror in their faces is tough to witness. Their eyes are so wide and their complexions are pale. “Breathe, guys, just breathe,” Ava says while pulling them in closer.

  All this does is remind me that Amanda is out there somewhere, scared, helpless, and most likely alone. That is when I get an idea. Trevor can find her with the help of Envee. His push can hone in on her to relay our messages while Envee can increase his reach with her ability.

  I look up to Ava and say, “I need their help to find Amanda. I can’t reach her in all this confusion.”

  “What are you thinking?” she asks.

  After I explain my idea, she agrees and pulls back to get their full attention. “Alright, sweeties, it’s your time to help the resistance. Kaylin needs you.”

  We all crouch down under the shelter of a fallen fir tree. Trevor looks to me and in a shaky voice asks, “What do you need me to do?”

  He’s so young, but among all the chaos he’s still able to focus on me with his pure blue eyes.

  “I need you to find my friend and send her a message. Can you do this for me?”

  He looks to Ava for reassurance before turning to me. “I… I can do it.”

  I can barely hear his soft voice over the ongoing bursts of gunfire coming from every direction.

  “Thank you,” I smile. “Tell her to fall back, but have her go through the tree line just off the road. Make sure she understands we are back here waiting.”

  “Use Envee’s ability to enhance your reach,” says Ava.

  “I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready,” says Envee. Untamed energy spills from her.

  Trevor nods to Envee and he shuts his eyes. Her hand softly rests on his shoulder in what she says is a way to link up with his push. He is trembling now more than before. “It’s okay, we are protecting you,” I say while resting a supportive hand on his other shoulder.

  Being so young makes it easier for these kids to use their ability as there aren’t as many complications bouncing around their minds. Of course, this situation is far from the ordinary. Gunshots and the cries of wounded people screaming for help must be hard to block out even for them. Less overthinking is one thing, but being so young amplifies your fears. That fear can consume your mind.

  To my surprise, after a few seconds Trevor looks up and tells me it’s done. I am shocked at how easy these kids can use their push ability even in the middle of this hectic battle. It’s amazing how just a few years of maturity can screw with your clarity. I couldn’t even focus long enough to get inside my own head during all of this, let alone extend out my push.

  “That’s it?” I ask, surprised.

  “Yeah, she got the message,” he insists.

  Ava asks Terry, the man watching the kids, to take them deeper into the woods and wait for us. His round face and washed-out beard remind me of old magazine pictures I’ve seen of Santa Claus. He seems safe to me, and that is all I can hope for at this moment.
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  Ava and I make our way to a break in the trees that gives us a better vantage point. We can see the opening at the end of the path. Miya jumps from tree to tree and finds a ditch near the road. From there she will assess the battle and plan our next move. All we can hear are more gunshots all around us. We look ahead, waiting for Amanda, but only see our resistance fighters firing aimlessly into the trees ahead of our frontline. In between the patches of groundcover bursting into the air and branches snapping all around, I catch a glimpse of her. It’s Amanda. With her head covered by her arms, she runs with a purpose. Darting to the outer tree line, I lose sight of her. She’s alive, she IS alive. I become antsy and try to shift to follow Amanda’s movements. Ava grips my shoulders and shouts, “She will make it. You can’t go after her now!”

  My breathing hastens. All I can do is nibble on my lower lip and keep my head down. Ava’s eyes are locked on mine. Her stare is holding me in place. That, plus she is physically much stronger than I am. It feels like it has been forever and the wait is killing me. My lock on Ava snaps as I hear Amanda rushing through the trees.

  “Holy crap!” she says. “Whenever I leave you, the world explodes all over the place.”

  I yank her down onto me. My arms crush her as I squeeze all my fear out of my muscles. Releasing the pent-up emotions, my eyes brim with tears.

  Amanda pulls back to look at me and asks if I am okay. We embrace for a little bit longer, but the cracks and bangs of gunfire all around pull our attention back to the battle. Ava rests a hand on each of our shoulders and guides us over to Miya at the embankment. We crawl the final few yards to her position. Glancing over the edge, we see just how intense the battle has become. Most of our fighters with weapons are firing blindly with no results. I haven’t been able to feel anyone’s awareness beyond the resistance. The enemy must all have the block implants. Our numbers have fallen, dead bodies stretching back across the dirt tracks we’ve been traveling on. Amanda tells me she saw Farren and the other leaders held up near the frontline. At least he—or I should say, they—are still alive. I don’t have time to think about the complications my feelings for Farren have created. We are all trapped in ditches or crouched behind trees. Every few minutes a new scream rattles my body as someone else falls. Even Ava, who is never fazed by her surroundings, is scouring the landscape, popping her head up and down hoping to catch a glimpse of Maddux.