“I won’t pretend everyone watching this supported the Blackcoats,” I continued. “We were a country divided in more ways than one. Not just by our beliefs, but by the tattoos on the back of our necks, too. By a corrupt, imperfect system that, while providing the very basic necessities, has also ruined many lives and stopped far too many from reaching their full potential.
“But I will say that everyone watching this—you are now free in a way you have never been before. This is a freedom our ancestors fought to protect, and it is a freedom our families, friends, and loved ones fought to restore to us in the Blackcoat Rebellion. And from this day forward, I and the people at this table will make sure their sacrifices were not in vain. We will make sure your rights are protected, and we will make sure that everyone has a chance—a real chance—to live their lives to the fullest. My cousin Greyson may not have been a Blackcoat, but we both believe in freedom and democracy. We both believe in letting you, the people, decide who governs you. And while he will remain Prime Minister during this transitional period, during the restructuring and rebuilding of our government into something the people control, as soon as this country is ready for a fair election, he will relinquish his title to your chosen representative.”
I met Benjy’s gaze across the table, and he gave me an encouraging nod. Taking another deep breath, I continued. “Change won’t happen in a day, or a week, or even a month. It may take years to fully restructure ourselves into something our forefathers would be proud of. We will make sure it happens as fast as possible, but we won’t do so to the detriment of any of you. Your lives will continue much as they are, with the exception of wages and rations being increased for the lower ranks. But to those of you who haven’t taken your test yet—” I paused and looked directly into the camera again. “You will not be ranked. You will be assessed, and you will be guided, but you will not be forced into a life you haven’t chosen. I—” I stopped, my voice tired and my throat aching, but I pushed on. “I know it will be difficult, and things won’t be perfect right away. But please give us a chance. I swear we will make you proud.”
The others sitting at the table applauded, and when it faded, I squared my shoulders. “And now, allow me to introduce your new Prime Minister, Greyson Hart, who will explain our preliminary plan.”
“Thank you, Lila,” he said gently, and while he talked about things like representation, elections, and his plans for change, I let my mind wander toward the possibilities of what this country might be like in five years. It seemed crazy to think about a time without ranks. They had become so ingrained in our mind-set that it would take far more than a few years to shake it completely. But in a generation or two...maybe by then, the people really would feel like equals.
Benjy nudged a piece of paper across the table toward me, and I took it. On it he had drawn a beach with the sun beating down on the waves, and a stick figure with shoulder-length hair building a sandcastle. Me.
With the knowledge that the camera was focused on Greyson, I picked up a pen and drew him a sketch in return. It was once again a stick figure, but this time I stood in a cottage in the woods, and I wasn’t alone. Another stickfigure stood beside me, her hair in a braid and a smile on her face.
I pushed the paper back to Benjy, and he examined my drawing. Looking up at me, he tilted his head questioningly, and I nodded.
I would be there for Greyson. I would be Lila Hart. I would be a member of this council, and I would do whatever I had to do in order to help make sure this country became everything the Blackcoats wanted it to be. But for now, just for a short while, I would be someone else, too.
I would be me.
XIX
Cottage in the Woods
One week later, I sat in the middle of a meadow beside a lake, my head tilted back as the sun warmed my face in the chilly February breeze. I had been out here for nearly an hour now, breathing in the fresh air and the smell of the dormant forest. I couldn’t wait for spring, when the grass would grow and flowers would bloom and I could spend all day outside without worrying Hannah.
As it was, she stood in the doorway of our cottage, holding a wooden spoon as she watched me. “Kitty, you’re going to freeze to death out there.”
“It’s not that cold.” My voice was still rough, but I could speak without pain now, and a doctor came by every few days to make sure my recovery was going well.
“The tip of your nose is red, and I don’t doubt that cuff has frozen to your ear by now,” she said. “Besides, you have someone waiting for you.”
“What? Who?” I stood and headed toward the cottage, brushing the dirt off my pants. The metal cuff was cold against the cartilage of my ear. But while Greyson didn’t use his, and I hadn’t heard a word from Knox since I’d last visited his hospital room the day I’d left D.C., I couldn’t bring myself to take it off.