Into The City: An EMP Survival Story (EMP Crash Book 4)
Page 15
“I'm sure he still does need you, Maggie. They're just reveling in the freedom right now but, soon enough, they'll realize how tough it is. When the supplies start running out, when they're cold, that's when they'll realize they can't take it.”
“But how can we wait that long? I just want my son back.”
“I think it may be sooner than you realize. I get the sense that Peter is more intelligent than most teenagers, and he knows they can't stay here forever. That's why he wants to get the other factions to let them travel around the city. Right now they're hemmed in, and they won't be able to expand to hunt for food without the permission of the other factions. That's why he hasn't killed us yet,” but little did Mack know that Peter was planning their executions as they spoke.
“I don't want to stick around until he decides to make a statement by killing the adults. We have to get out of here. Do you have any thoughts?” Maggie asked.
Although her lips were pressed tightly together, and her entire body was rigid with tension, Mack was glad her mind was alert. He looked around at the small cell. He'd already considered kicking it down. The wood looked to be in poor condition, and it only would take a few strikes from his powerful legs to separate the panels, but the commotion it caused would bring the army of children down on them. Even if Mack used force against them they still had guns, which made them a formidable enemy. He was about to reply to Maggie when he heard frantic footsteps. The door was flung open and Tristan's face peered at them. In the young boy's eyes Mack saw the same fear as in his mother's.
“Tristan!” Maggie exclaimed.
“You have to go! Right now! Peter, he...he's ordered your executions to send a message to the other factions. You need to come with me. I can show you a safe way out,” he said, his voice trembling.
Tristan had been standing beside his king when Peter had given the order, but he couldn't send his mother to her death, nor the man she was with. Without hesitation Mack and Maggie got out of the cell. As soon as she could, Maggie wrapped her arms around Tristan. When they parted, Mack knew she was striving to stop herself from sobbing.
”At the back, there's another door. Go through it, and take a right. It'll take you down the backstreets. There's lots of cover. You should be safe until you leave the boundaries of our territory,” he said. Mack made a mental note as he knew Maggie was too preoccupied.
“Come with us, Tristan. You don't have to stay here. We can go back and be together again. We can make up for all the lost time,” she pleaded.
The conflict was plain on Tristan's face. His body was leaning back toward his king, but his hand still was holding onto his mother’s. There had been so many times when he'd needed her and she hadn't been there. Then he thought he never would see her again, but now here she was, and he wasn't sure if he could let her go. But the Lost Children, they all were so important, and he knew that Peter would not take his treason lightly. As though reading his mind, Mack spoke.
“We'll keep you safe. We won't let any of them come after you. Tristan, you know this isn't right. You should be where you belong, with your mother.” Tristan licked his lips and, after a few moments where his eyes darted around, he nodded. Maggie cried out with delight and hugged him fiercely again, the way only a mother can.
“We'd better listen to him and get going. Tristan, you lead the way,” Mack said. Maggie let go of her son, but it was clear her entire demeanor had changed now that the two of them were together again.
“We don’t have long,” Tristan warned as they made their way out of the warehouse.
Tristan continually looked behind them and Mack couldn’t imagine how he was feeling, turning his back on his brethren when they only had had each other to see them through the darkness. But Mack was glad to be free of his imprisonment, and he was determined to get back to the settlement and unite the fractured city. The Lost Children were only one faction among many, and they all were suffering. If they pooled their resources and worked together, they would be able to accomplish so much more.
After hurrying along, down the dark backstreets and shadowed alleys, they once again were caught in the rays of the sun, but had managed to escape without being seen.
“They won’t chase us out here,” Tristan said, but also warned there were other factions who may try taking advantage of them.
Mack was fully aware of that. He needed to get back to the settlement--and quickly--but he also let Maggie and Tristan talk between themselves, walking ahead to give them some privacy. He smiled as he watched the two of them stumble through awkward conversations. He thought about Anna, and how it might be if they ever saw each other again, but before then he had much to do if he was going to help everyone in the city find a better tomorrow.
Find out what happens in part five! Coming Soon!
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