Escape from Eden (Original Series book 2)

by Rachel McClellan

  I reluctantly obey. I scoot into the seat next to her, ready to be bombarded with accusing questions, but instead she says, "I heard they got Max. I'm sorry."

  There is no sarcasm in her voice.

  "And I'm sorry for Colt," I mumble.

  Maisy picks at her fingernails. "What's going to happen to HOPE?"

  Jet scowls. "It's all going to fall apart, that's what. We all failed. There's no more Eden to protect."

  I stare at him, Anthony's words echoing in my mind. Did I believe Eden was just a place?

  "There you are," Anthony says, coming up behind us. Tank is standing near him, but he's not looking at me.

  I get up from the table. The motion hurts my aching body. If I lay down, I could probably sleep for days. "Do you need something?"

  Anthony pulls me to the side. Tank shuffles over with us, but his attention seems to be on something else.

  "Rafe will be here soon," Anthony says. "He wants to meet with you."

  "Why?" I glance over his shoulder. Someone is saying something about wasting their time being here.

  "He's going to help. He didn't exactly say how, but he insisted he speak with you."

  Two Primes behind him stand and head toward the door. I dart past Anthony as if to grab them. I stop half way, leaving me standing in the middle of the room. I glance all around. No one is looking at me. They are barely looking at each other. Some are talking, but their words scare me. I created this. Now I need to fix it.

  "Sage?" Anthony calls.

  I jump on top of the nearest table, knocking over a glass of red liquid.

  "What the—" a man at the table says. He slides back to avoid getting wet.

  "I need to speak," I say, but I barely hear myself.

  The two Primes, who had walked away moments ago, are pushing on the exit door. I stomp my foot upon the table, much harder than I intend, but I need to stop them.

  "Hey!" I yell. "I have something to say!"

  Everyone goes quiet. The two Primes stop moving and turn around.

  With their attention solely focused on me, my insides shake. I close my eyes and fill my thoughts with Max and the other captured Originals. Colt is there too. My eyes open. This time my gaze is steady and sure.

  "If you haven't heard yet, I'm the one who gave up Eden's location."

  The crowd breaks into a murmur of voices.

  "I messed up!" I call over the discord. "I snuck into Enfield thinking I would save my mother, but instead I found a monster wearing my mom's face. She manipulated me in the worse way possible, and I…I gave up the people who mean the most to me, and I'm so very sorry."

  I don't mean to, but I choke on those last words. It takes me a second before I continue. "What you all have done for Originals, for me, taking on the Institute when the odds were against you, is the bravest thing I have ever seen. There is strength in you the world hasn't seen in a long time. You probably don't hear it enough, but thank you."

  I lock eyes with Tank briefly. "Thank you. You have all sacrificed so much for a cause that may seem hopeless at times, especially now, but I assure you its not. Yes, Eden has been destroyed, Originals have been taken, and Colt," my voice breaks, "is also gone, but we can't let the Institute think they’ve broken us."

  Several Primes look around at each other. A few of them sit up straighter.

  "They thought by taking away years of your life, they could snuff out humanity's spirit. The same human spirit that originally helped to form this country all those centuries ago. But I am hear to tell you that this spirit lives on and cannot be taken away unless we allow it. There is a spark inside us all that yearns to make a difference, that wants to fight for every breath of life, every joy and every love. Men were not meant to be slaves! That is what they have made you—slaves to time, but now we must stand up and say no more!"

  Shouts of agreement fill the room. I flinch at the sound, but continue on, unable to stop even if I wanted to. The words are there, crowding the space in my mind. They have to be said.

  "I have one purpose—to take down the Institute. I know I am not the smartest or fastest person here. I'm definitely not the strongest, but I have a fire inside me that is all consuming. Help me to spread this fire!"

  Anthony begins to thump his fist against the table next to him. Jenna and Tank join in along with several others.

  I meet as many eyes as I can. "We will be the lightning, striking fear into their hearts! Our thunder will be heard as we bring a raging tempest to their doors!"

  Everyone pounds the tables now, a faster pulse that fills the room like the savage beat of a heart.

  "This isn't about protecting Originals anymore. This is about taken down the one organization that has stolen so much from you. There will be no more fighting for your lives. Today you are going to fight to live! It is time to take back those years they stole from you! I'm ready. Are you?"

  The crowd jumps to their feet, cheering and shouting battle cries. I stand as tall as I can, my fist raised into the air. I meet Anthony's gaze. He's smiling and nodding his head. Tank is next to him clapping his hands. He winks at me. Jenna walks over and stands between them. They each put an arm around her. She doesn't pull away.

  At the back of the room, Link stands among the Primes. He's not cheering, but the way he's standing and the look in his eyes, tell me he is ready to fight as much as the others.

  There is no turning back. I jump from the table and walk through the crowd toward the exit. Others follow behind me. Together we are going to save Eden.

  * * *

  THE END

  Dear Reader,

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  About the Author

  Rachel currently lives in New Hampshire, a place secretly known for its supernatural creatures. When she's not in her writing lair, she's partying with her husband and four children. Her love for storytelling began as a child when the moon first possessed the night. For when the lights went out, her imagination painted a whole new world. And what a scary world it was …

  Visit Rachel McClellan's website at www.RachelMcClellan.com to read her other many novels.

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  www.rachelmcclellan.com