Into the Fire

by Victoria Smith

  “I don’t think so.” Gino’s son blocked the exit.

  “I do. Move.” She grabbed Theo’s hand and squeezed.

  It had been a mistake to come here.

  ~ ~ ~

  Apprehension filled Olivia for the first time since she heard the crash. Whatever waited for them ahead wasn’t here to hurt them, but something similar to dread filled her when a man stepped forward. His face was hidden, and his arms were extended in a pose of surrender. At first, she thought it was her father, but her father was dead, and no matter how much she wanted it, there was no way to return from the other side.

  The man smiled as she approached. The whole thing was surreal, and as much as she knew his intention wasn’t to harm them, she still had no idea what to expect.

  “I’m here,” he said, holding out his hand.

  Olivia took it, peace and determination filling her as well as an overwhelming sense of good. Still, the part of her that kept her questioning everyone’s motives couldn’t simply accept the sense.

  “Franklin?” Aunt Jane had said he’d come. Olivia hadn’t believed her until right now.

  “You didn’t recognize me? I guess it has been too many years.”

  Olivia studied him. The face was familiar, but she hadn’t seen him since they were children trying to ignite the dry grass behind her parents’ house. He was a firestarter, too, and he had been trained by her grandfather like she had. But still . . .

  “What happened when we torched the field?”

  “You got praised. I got sent to the corner.” He laughed.

  “I got praised for putting out the fire. They sent you to the corner for hiding what you could do.” She lunged forward, accepting his hug. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to help. Several weeks ago, we learned what’s going on here. The intel came with a message that the people were in a great deal of danger. Before that, we’d hear an occasional rumor life that wasn’t too great here, but the overwhelming news was that things were fine. We set up a mind session to find out exactly what’s going on here. We were appalled. No sector in the nation is going to stand for what’s happening. A major resistance is building across the country. People want the country undivided and back to the way it used to be. We’re in for a hell of a fight.”

  Olivia rocked back on her heels in shock. None of this made sense.

  “Wait. What? Dan said you were in contact with him because you were interested in his program to help people utilize the full scope of their abilities.” Olivia glared at him.

  “Only partially true. While I am very interested in a similar program, Dan’s is too brutal for my tastes. I contacted him to see if I could get an idea of what’s going on here. It was a convenient lie. He is very convinced he’s working in the best interest of the people.” Franklin held his hand out.

  Olivia took it, unsure. “He’s a monster.”

  Franklin shook hands with Luke and Matt as they introduced themselves, taking an extra few seconds to study Luke as if he had the right to judge who she deemed worthy of her heart.

  It should have made Olivia mad. Instead it amused her. Franklin was an excellent judge of character, or at least he used to be. During their summers together, they used to sit in front of the bus station, and he’d tell her intimate details about everyone passing. It had been a fantastic lesson in how life changes people, but it was sad at the same time.

  “People have been crossing the borders for months now,” Olivia said. “No one has come to help.”

  “We don’t get a lot of border crossers in Midcentral. Usually they get to Midland and stay put, or go north into Canada. I spoke to Midland’s governor as soon as we got the first intel from here, and he was just as horrified as I was. I’m not sure what that means.”

  She studied him, wondering why he’d been the one chosen to come. “Dan told me you were the governor. I thought you were some corporate bigwig?”

  “Was. When rumors of political corruption throughout the sectors started, I decided to use my resources to help. What kind of person would I be if I sat back and watched my people succumb to the pressures of the socialist society we’ve all been forced to accept? Not happening. It’s Governor Franklin to you,” he said with a laugh and held out his arms.

  She hugged him again, glad to see what was probably her only remaining family, but nervous nonetheless. From what Aunt Jane said, he was a breath away from starting down the same road Dan had. “How’d you get here?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “We’ve got some time. Talk and walk.” She pointed toward the house.

  “The ripple effect from the revolution is still going on. They may have closed off the borders, but the dissention didn’t end. Things were going downhill fast when I took over as governor. With abilities openly discussed for the first time ever in Midcentral, we figured the biggest obstacle was that people without abilities didn’t understand, so we began educating the public. That program grew, and several years ago we began opening schools to help hone psychic abilities. Since so many families were separated by the travel restrictions between sectors, a lot of kids weren’t properly trained in handling their gifts. The educational programs went over very well.”

  “I can see how they would.” Olivia glimpsed a tiny hope for the future, but it came with an edge of fear. “But that still doesn’t explain how you got here.”

  “I’m getting to that. With the knowledge of how little of our brains we use, even those of us with special skills, our scientists started experimenting with expanding established abilities. It’s amazing how much most of us still have left to learn, but in the meantime, we have figured out how to do much more with our abilities. Finding out about how things were really going here happened in our minds, which is truly amazing. I’ve also learned I can transport over hundreds of miles in a fireball, no less. I can only take myself right now, but there’s hope I’ll eventually be able to transport more. I’m working on minimizing the devastating effects of that.” He glanced at the debris field.

  Olivia smiled, or at least tried to. This was exactly how Jenner had started, manipulating people’s skills to suit the higher purpose in his mind. Luckily, Luke spoke up before she could form the right questions to ask.

  “Is this extra training mandatory or voluntary?”

  “Absolutely voluntary. Before you’re accepted for further training an evaluation is performed. It’s the one thing I hate the most about the program because it’s so invasive, but training people who have the potential to use their gifts for evil isn’t high on our list. It’s a self-controlled program. You go only as far as you want. We’ve had great successes in so many areas.” Franklin beamed.

  “Huh,” Olivia said, still trying to wrap her mind around it as she remembered what Aunt Jane said about his agenda.

  “I’m not sure I understand your reluctance.” Franklin touched her elbow.

  “Jenner started the same way. Coming forward and announcing your abilities was voluntary, then mandatory, then forced. That’s how the revolution here came about. Now, years later, we’re still dealing with the effects. You have no idea what we’ve been put through. Things that were supposed to help us have only hindered and suffocated us. We have no freedoms. Education, health care, housing, and everything else are forced upon us, and it’s specified what we can and can’t do, even what we wear. Those of us with gifts are singled out and not in a celebratory way.”

  “Your initial reaction makes sense, then. Let’s see what we can do about helping to change things around here.” Franklin gripped her elbow for a second and let out a sigh. “Like I said, up until a few weeks ago, we had no idea there were any issues here. We were told there were communication problems while new services were being installed to take care of the ongoing media problems. This sector was viewed as one of the top for living and raising a family.”

  Olivia snorted. “There are hardly any families left. Children are an increasingly rare sight, thankfully. I’d hat
e for them to see some of the things going on, especially now.”

  “Where have the people gone?”

  Luke fell in step beside them. “Some haven’t been so lucky. There’s a farm where a lot of people are hiding, but it’s as dangerous as being out here, and I’m not convinced Jenner doesn’t have some kind of hand in what’s going on there. Jenner is up to something, and it doesn’t have anything to do with communication systems.”

  Franklin stopped, turning to face them. “I am so sorry. If I had known, I would have been here much sooner.”

  “You’re here now. That’s all that matters. Providing you’re really going to help.”

  “Where is here? I really have no idea.” Franklin looked around.

  “Aunt Jane’s cabin. She’s dead now.”

  “I’m sorry. Do you remember how old we thought she was when we were kids?” Franklin glanced back at her, but followed Luke. “Our last mind session was two weeks ago. It’s very taxing on the mind, body, and soul. I’m going to miss her.”

  “She waited for me,” Olivia said

  Franklin turned his head and gave her a sad smile. “What’s happened since?”

  “Let’s go inside first. There’s a lot to tell, and we’re not sure what or who’s listening these days.” Matt walked past, his posture tense.

  Franklin shrugged and followed. “You know we’ve heard of you brothers. They say you’re rogue rebels without a care for democracy or the law. There’s a price on your head in every sector.”

  Luke stopped. “How much?”

  “Hundred grand.”

  “Really? Cool.” Luke walked on.

  “It’s not cool, Luke,” Matt said, glancing over his shoulder.

  “How isn’t it? Explain that to me.”

  “You’re a douche bag.” Matt walked on.

  “What do you think?” Luke asked.

  Olivia sighed. “His intentions are good, but so were Dan’s at first. Aunt Jane said if he can’t get over his own agenda, we will lose.”

  Chapter 16

  Jillian felt her eyelids starting to droop. She glanced at Theo sleeping in the passenger seat. She’d almost ended up in a ditch twice because she’d given in to the urge to close her eyes. They were almost there, though, and it seemed stupid to stop for any reason at this point.

  Luckily, they’d gotten out of Gino’s alive. If it wasn’t for the old man telling his angry son to shut up and honor the family code, and Theo opening his jacket to reveal the firepower he carried, they’d probably be in the hands of the authorities by now. She wasn’t sure that wasn’t still a possibility. The guy had glared at them until they left, despite his dad telling him to back off. He’d proven his loyalty to the resistance by telling her a new healer had taken over for Jane and filling the station wagon with gas. At least Jillian knew where to go now, though she still wasn’t convinced they weren’t being set up. Or that Olivia was really the new healer, a thought that had popped into her head when Gino had described her. Either way, it had to be better than going back to the bar where they’d squatted for so long.

  “Hey, wake up.” Jillian nudged Theo.

  “What? Are we there?” Theo rubbed his eyes, sitting up.

  “No, but I need you to help me stay awake. We’re close. Too close to stop, but far enough that it’s hard for me to stay focused on the road.”

  “Sissy hasn’t slept for a long time.” Theo passed her a water bottle.

  “Thanks. Your right, buddy. It’s been a while.” Jillian took a long swallow and recapped the bottle.

  “Theo can drive.”

  Jillian laughed. “I don’t think so.”

  “I can. It isn’t going to be too hard for Theo. I think I could drive as good as I shoot. I read a bunch of books on cars, how to fix them, how they work.”

  Jillian glanced over at her brother, wondering if she’d done him a disservice by sheltering him so much. “I’ll tell you what, you keep me awake until we get to the healers, and I’ll make sure you learn how to drive. Okay?”

  “Okay. Fair deal. Good deal.”

  Jillian took another long swallow of water, recapped the bottle, and put it in the cup holder. Theo yawned, his eyes going wide with horror. As she turned her attention back to the road, she realized what had Theo dismayed.

  Bodies covered the two-lane road, bodies that had obviously been dead long enough to become bloated and distorted by the elements and time. Jillian slowed, locking the doors and turning off the vents. The grotesque scene was a trap. Stopping was out of the question. Except, if she didn’t, she’d roll over dozens of corpses.

  A light as bright as daylight pierced the darkness behind the car, sweeping the road. She hit the gas, screaming as she tried to avoid the carnage. This was probably one of the most horrible things she’d seen and done in her entire life, or at least it would now rank near the top.

  “Don’t look.” The headlights were still off, but if that super spotlight hit the road in front of them, they’d see exactly who they were plowing over. “Get down.”

  Jillian ducked and hit the gas harder as the light swept over the car. They were in trouble. Big trouble. The light followed them, blazing inside of the car. If she didn’t check the road, she’d end up crashing, and if she did, they’d identify her in a heartbeat. They were so screwed.

  Theo handed her a stocking cap he found in the glove box. Jillian shoved it on her head, pulling the left side down as far as possible before shooting up and checking the road ahead. There were only a few bodies left in front of them. If they could get through, they might stand a chance of outrunning whoever had set up this macabre trap.

  Theo was crying by the time they’d cleared the last body. Hell, she was crying, too. She’d tried not to see the faces of the people she was driving over, but with the light flooding all around, it had been hard not to see them. She hadn’t recognized anyone, but they were still dead, dead and important to someone who most likely had no idea what happened to their loved one.

  Headlights came up fast out of the woods to their right. Jillian swiped at the tears and tromped the gas, fishtailing and not wanting to think too hard about the cause. A few more miles and she’d be able to get off this cursed road.

  But they couldn’t lead their pursuers to the healer. She’d have to go around and head in the back way. Fantastic.

  With a little luck, she’d be able to make it. She might run out of fuel, but if she got clear of her tail, there was some in a can in the back. Or they’d walk in, as much as that idea didn’t appeal to her.

  The lights disappeared, creating a false sense of relief. The turn for the cabin was only a few feet ahead. She considered her options, hesitating. The lights returned directly behind her, only a few feet from her bumper.

  ~ ~ ~

  Olivia stopped in the kitchen. As she collected meal components out of the pantry and fridge, she realized there wasn’t much left. Which meant it was soon time to leave indefinitely. Maybe forever. Tears filled her eyes. She still had no idea if she’d done the right thing, besides healing Matt.

  “Can I help?” Luke crowded her until she was in the pantry, then he kissed her until she saw stars.

  “If that’s how you’re helping, you’re going to have to make an appointment for after dark.” She nipped his jaw line, wishing they were alone.

  “I was hoping for that.” He caught her lips with his and leaned her into the shelf.

  A heavy knock on the closed pantry door broke them apart. Luke growled into her mouth and she giggled.

  “Housekeeping,” Matt called in a falsetto voice.

  “Go away.”

  “Can’t. You asked me to help, and in order to help I need to get some stuff out of here, and I can’t get stuff out of here if you two are in there making out, which, by the way, is gross. You might contaminate the food. Stop it and come out.”

  Luke opened the door with a glare for his brother. Olivia followed him out, a bag of rice in her hands. “We were just getting the
rice.”

  “Sure. And I’m making lemonade.”

  “There are no lemons in the pantry. Try the fridge.” Olivia scooted out of his way. “How are you feeling anyway?”

  “Better than I have in forever. Thank you.”

  She checked his forehead anyway. “I’m glad. You still might feel a little weak. I’m sure that’ll be gone by morning though.”

  “Good. I didn’t want to tell you because I thought you’d make me go back to bed.”

  “I should.” She turned away as Frank came in.

  “So, tell me what else has been going on,” Frank said, leaning against the counter.

  Olivia listened as Matt and Luke filled him in, not leaving out any detail no matter how gory.

  “So everything Jenner’s saying is a lie?” Franklin didn’t seem to believe them. “Everything? Housing, medicine, military?”

  “Well, I guess it depends on how you look at it. Yes, he’s building new homes for the citizens, but did he say those homes are equipped to fully monitor every aspect of a person’s life? Or they will be once he can get the technology, right? Or that we’ll be forced to move there when he finishes burning down our homes?” Matt sounded calm, which was more than Olivia could say for herself.

  “He’s making tremendous strides in medical discoveries, but did he say he makes those strides by brutalizing and experimenting on innocent people, people he deems unworthy of his grand vision of what society should look and act like?” Luke tossed the dishrag onto the counter and reached into his pocket for his ringing phone.

  “He has a great army, all right,” Olivia said. “An army of the drugged and deranged, with no conscious thought of their own except taking the next victim. He’s abused his power and twisted the constitution to meet his own desires. He hates people with special abilities and the serum babies, even though he approved giving the drug to pregnant women before he even took office.”

  “But he claims he was ill and under the influence of the old corrupt government.”