"How do you know that she's not just being delayed? Maybe she's hiding." I could feel myself shaking, and I could feel my heart pounding a million miles a minute. "She can't be the one that got caught. Not Sage. Not our leader. Not my best friend."
Olivia winced. "The governor was bragging about it on the radio," she said, looking down and practically mumbling. "He was hoping he'd lure any of us other Refugees out into plain view if he caught one of us. If he knew she was our leader, his bragging would be ten times worse. Besides, we have Lucas now. At least our numbers haven't gone down."
"Are you suggesting that this isn't a disaster? Because it is. Are you trying to pick out something positive in this mess? Look at the world, Olivia. Sage is caught, and we've got to train this rookie Refugee to survive how we do. Companies and shops are being overrun, families are being torn apart, and things are more complicated than ever. We need Sage here."
"I'm not saying that this isn't our biggest problem yet, losing her," explained Olivia. "I'm just saying that there's safety in numbers, and they think we only have three members now that they have Sage, so it will catch them off guard to see that our numbers haven't been affected. We can use that to our advantage."
I thought about it for a minute, my mind racing. Although losing Sage was the worst thing that could happen, Olivia had a point. We still had four Refugees, even if one of them was barely recruted today. We had brains. We had wit. We were clever and cunning. We could do this.
I inhaled sharply. "Okay, we need a rescue plan," I said. "Where's Gilbert? We need him for this too. We need all hands on deck."
She nodded. "You talk Lucas through the basics while I get our most air-headed member," she said, already making her way to the stairs that led to our separate rooms (hey, just because we were in hiding didn't mean we hadn't found a roomy place to stay). "I'll be right back; Gilbert will have no hesitation when he hears we're already taking action."
I nodded back. As she disappeared upstairs, I turned to Lucas, whose eyes were wide with confusion and concern. I smiled apologetically.
"Don't mind our behaviors and words too much. We're like family, so we really say whatever is on our minds at any time. Anyway . . ." I straightened up, not used to introducing new Refugees to our rules. "Normally Sage does this, but I think I can manage . . . so, there are four basic rules.
"One, you have to stick to one of us when we're on our missions or stay here if one of us is remaining until about two weeks pass, when you're experienced enough to try a round on your own. If it's too difficult, we'll extend the time, but we like our independence, so that's only if it's absolutely necessary.
"Two, whenever any drones fly overhead, you hide immediately. Don't think twice, because an immediate reaction will guarantee your safety and survival.
"Three, never open the door for anyone unless you hear this pattern." I knocked our secret Refugee Knock. "Now you try it. It's how we know it's a fellow Refugee at the door and no some stranger."
He nodded and copied the Refugee Knock slowly at first, then a second time with more confidence. "Like that?" He looked at me for confirmation.
I smiled warmly and nodded. "You nailed it. Now, four . . ." I sighed. "Our missions are always finding any other children or teens whose lives haven't been fully manipulative by the new government. Like you. Sadly, there have been no adults. They're all being watched closely and carefully by the governor's closest workers. I'm just glad we found you before they corrupted your life as well."
"I'm really grateful you found me," he said softly, seeming to sense how sad I was about how absolutely cruel and evil the new system was. "Otherwise I'd still be living off of expired leftovers."
I grinned. "That's the best part about being with us – the food is better than we've ever had. Come on, I'll show you. Gil's the expert on swiping food and stuff, and he gets the freshest stuff – as fresh as frozen and refrigerated food gets."
I led him over several piles of fallen bricks that we still hadn't managed to clean out and brought him into the kitchen, which was cramped and messy but still nonetheless a kitchen. But clearly we weren't the only ones who were looking for food.
I stopped in my tracks and stared at the man casually leaning against the sink. Lucas gasped and take a step back, nearly tripping over a half-broken brick. I vaguely heard him say something to me, his voice shaky. He was probably warning me to run. But I couldn't hear him properly. I was just focused on our unexpected, uninvited visitor.
The man smirked at me. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Bella Stone," he said. "It's been a long time."
"Too long . . ." I said, my throat tightening. "Dad."

© AerumHyorin