“What are the other groups’ objectives? Are any of them joining forces with us?” A girl with purple hair asks.
“Veronica, a few groups will be attacking the head training center on the ground floor of the hospital. Others will blow holes in the outer wall to free the citizens who can’t fight, and some will make roadblocks to prevent the guards from interfering with the whole operation. And so on.” He continues. “One other group is supposed to assist us, but it’s only for backup. Otherwise, we’re on our own. That’s why I selected the best of the best for my group.” We freeze as we listen.
“What about all the innocent people in the hospital?” I ask. “We can’t just blow it to pieces without warning them. They deserve a chance to get out.”
“That’s not our concern. Our main objective is to focus on the task at hand. That group will worry about how to handle the situation.” Keegan glares at me, and the others lower their eyes.
Everyone knows what he’s saying. They don’t have the manpower to get them all out. They’re more concerned with disabling the guards during the main assault. Everything else is on the back burner.
I try my best to focus after that, but my hands shake with anger. I don’t agree with this, but there’s nothing to do. I’m powerless to change anything. I can’t even communicate with Sutton and hesitate to try. I remain silent the rest of the night, holding in my thoughts.
We return to our bunks, exhausted, and I curl up with Zeus and open my map. The commander’s residence looks huge. Dread permeates my soul as I trace the hallways with my fingers like I’m painting. Late at night, someone turns off the lights. I fall into a fitful sleep while twirling the ring around my finger.
Two days pass, full of training and tactics. Electricity flows through the atmosphere due to the party directly after the evening training session. We’re all ready to blow off steam. All the late nights, concentration on maps, and combat has worn us down. Looking into the mirror, the reflection staring back at me is ghastly. Deep, dark shadows rest beneath my turquoise eyes, but I try to hide them with makeup. I let my hair spill over my shoulders and glide mascara over my lashes.
“Do I look all right?” I say.
“Girl, you know you’re sexy. Shut up. I shouldn’t have lent you that mascara. The guys won’t be able to stop staring at your eyes,” Veronica says as she pins up her hair. “You’ll have first pick, that’s for sure.”
“I have no interest,” I reply while handing her mascara back.
“Oh really? Then tell me why you’re worried about how you look?” She laughs and it echoes off the walls of the bathroom.
“I don’t. This is me just freshening up, and plus, I never wear makeup. My mother never allowed me to. So I don’t have the slightest idea if it looks all right. That’s why I asked.” I lean against the wall and watch her as she lines her eyes and curls her lashes.
“Well, makeup or not, you’re a heart stopper,” she says. She stops and looks at me directly. “I don’t know your story. But I want you to loosen up a little and have fun tonight!”
I shrug. Maybe I should let go for a little while. Maybe I should try to have fun.
We enter the main training room, which has been decorated. I laugh out loud when I see the training ammunition from the machine guns strung across the ceiling. A good-looking, red-branded sinner offers free tattoos in the well-lit back corner of the room. People mingle with tiny plastic cups in their hands. Two long tables sit with a banquet of food laid out and drinks for all.
“Drink, ma’am?” I turn and a man offers me a clear cup with something sparkling inside. My eyes meet Veronica’s, and I nod my head. She smiles, and Keegan joins us.
“Cheers, ladies! To insurrection and our last party!” Everyone is relaxed and laughs while toasting. I down my drink and get another.
Pretty soon, people fill up the room. The music blasts from an old-school, beat-up piece of crap boom box that Keegan somehow managed to rebuild. Everyone dances even as their drinks spill. I laugh out loud as Keegan pulls me around, introducing me to others and giving me more to drink.
“Ryder, want to give Lexi a tattoo?” Keegan shouts.
I smack his chest. “I told you I don’t want one.” I can’t stop smiling. Even Zeus gives up following me and takes a post by the door.
Veronica’s hair falls out of her pins and flings around in wild circles as she dances. Sheldon relaxes at a table with a girl I don’t know. Keegan begins kissing a woman with long dark hair, and they disappear for a while. The music slows, and people partner up. My inhibitions are dulled, but I still refuse to dance with anyone. I sit next to Zeus and lean on him.
“Dance with me.”
I look up and Cole stands there, hand outstretched.