I recognize this room as the control room where Keegan first took Bruno, Cole, and me. I walk to a spot around the large table in the center and take a seat. People file in until the space is packed with bodies.
Zeus huffs and lies on top of my feet, practically cutting off my circulation until I force him to move a little. “Zeus, seriously…” He refuses to move more than three inches away from me, so I end up sitting cross-legged in my seat, feeling a bit childish. Oh well, I miss him too much to make him get up.
Someone dims the lights as the screens mounted on the walls light up, showing hundreds of people, also underground in other areas of the Hole, anticipating the meeting.
Keegan paces around the center table. “Greetings, fellow warriors! You’re probably wondering why we’re having a meeting this early.” He stands with his fingers steepled in confidence. “It’s time we explain our plans. Many of you know Dr. Sutton, or Sutton, as we call him. He’s a doctor in the hospital, and most importantly, a leader of our great rebellion. He has high connections. With his leadership and knowledge, we’ll take down the Hole, the commander, and acquire power for ourselves!”
Everyone cheers and claps. The person next to me whistles, and Zeus’s ears perk up. I arch my back a little to scan the crowd and see Sutton sitting in the front row, along with Bruno and Cole. They look uptight, but they still clap at all the appropriate times.
“With no further ado, Sutton is here to speak to us today. He doesn’t have a lot of time, so we ask for your complete attention.” Keegan sits down, and the people clap again as Sutton stands.
I catch Cole’s eye. I don’t want to look, but I do. I don’t want to stare, but I can’t stop myself. I break away. I feel the weight of his eyes on my face as a deep flush crawls up my cheeks. He still loves me. I know it.
Keegan hands Sutton a remote. Sutton turns on a hologram that seemingly floats over the center table. The picture is fuzzy at first, but as it clears, a 3D diagram of the Hole becomes defined—the large walls encircling the Hole, the commander’s residence, and the streets with their buildings and shantytowns. I’m confounded by the size, the thickness of the walls with the pathway on top, and the distance we’ll need to travel on foot. My eyes settle on the tallest building—the hospital. It sits central to all the activity. It sickens me to think there’s only one hospital for everyone. It’s no wonder it was always packed, always busy, and disgustingly dirty. Well, except for the basement where the guards train. Yet, how lucky was I to receive a job there, working under Sutton, of all people?
A smaller picture also pops up of the remote transformation center and the lab where everyone is branded before entering the Hole. So this is where Wilson prefers to work. It strikes me as interesting that the transformation center is separate from the Hole. Not that it matters. It’s all for the purpose of torturing people.
Sutton’s voice cuts through my inner thoughts, bringing my attention directly to him.
“This is the only map of the Hole that’s ever been made. Not much has changed since it was constructed. A lot of people died for this, so please take me serious when I say this is top secret. I became a doctor because I love the human body and it gives me joy to help others. My mission started decades ago when I saw the injustices created by a system that accuses, brands, and tortures its citizens. My best friend growing up was an activist. He openly spoke with disgust of the Hole—”
Sutton’s eyes focus on me in the crowd as he refers to my father. Please don’t let my courage fail me now. I nod at him, acknowledging and respecting his words as a torrent of emotions wells up in my chest. Pride. Pain. Memories.
“My friend, my brother, was murdered for speaking openly in defense of those who couldn’t do it for themselves. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to helping your people. The time of watching is over. It is time to act.” He pauses as everyone stands and cheers.
I find myself standing and clapping along with the crowd. The people connected by satellite also stand and clap, their faces ranging from joy to fear. Keegan motions for us to sit, so we do.
“Over the years, we’ve compiled an arsenal of weapons. We’ve finished digging the tunnels that we now live in. We’ve made a plan that will overthrow the current leader and install a new, fairer justice system for all.”
Everyone stands to clap again. The thunderous applause echoes so loud that I look up at the ceiling, hoping the commander can’t hear us. As I drop my eyes, I catch Cole staring at me, and my heart rate increases.