From Ruby's point of view.
Chapter One
Clancy stared at the papers in my hand, his expression incredulous, as understanding dawned on him. He realized that I must have pulled the papers out of the fire he had set in the garbage can, saving the research from his attempt to destroy it. His eyes were wide, and satisfaction set in me as I saw the terror in his face, and the fact that I had stopped him from his mission.
"You…" he breathed. "I can't believe it."
I nearly smiled at his horror. Behind me, Liam, Chubs, Vida, Cole, and everyone else were just standing there, everyone's eyes on the papers I was holding. I stood after a moment, and I turned to everyone standing behind me. A few of the men and women training their guns on Clancy moved towards him and yanked him up by his filthy arms, and he acquiesced with only a grunt as they dragged him towards a tree nearby.
We still had to make contact with Cate, and Liam, Cole and Vida walked a few feet away with me to discuss that.
"We need to find out where Cate is," Cole said, voicing my thoughts. "We need to establish contact with her and get the flash drive from her.
From the hill we were standing on, overlooking the city below, I could see tiny little soldiers flooding through the streets, and plumes of black smoke rose from the tops of dilapidated skyscrapers and buildings. The sight was terrifying, and it reminded me of Jude. I almost collapsed from grief right there on the spot, but I knew I had to keep going for the other kids that needed shelter.
"We need to get to the ranch," Cole said as I was thinking it. "Before the soldiers find us on this mountaintop and we're either all captured or shot to hell."
I looked at Liam, and I could see that we were thinking about the same thing. "Are you still going to leave after all this?" I asked him, and I could hear the hurt in my voice as I said it. I was afraid that he would leave, and I'd be forced to choose. And I didn't want to have to do that.
"I have to," Liam said. "I can't stay here. These people…" His voice trailed off. "So I guess the question now is: are you coming with us?"
I exhaled, my throat still feeling dusty. Cole could take care of the kids here-that I was sure of-but I felt like I had to stay to help. Now that Jude wasn't here, I wouldn't be tied to the League with his loyalty, and I would never leave him, but there was Vida, and I wasn't sure if she'd come with me a second time. I didn't want to leave her, even though she was more than capable of taking care of herself. I wanted to find Cate, though, and find the flash drive.
So I guess the thing I was most worried about was Liam himself. What would happen if I was to go with him and Chubs? Would he still be angry with me for what I did to him, or would he forgive me and go back to the way he was? I didn't know if I was ready to find out yet.
"I don't know," I decided, and I could see Liam's face turning shadowy. He knew what that most likely meant. "I need to think about it," I said. "I don't want to just give up on the people here, when they need me more than ever. They have to get to the ranch, where it's safe. And, we have to find Cate and the flash drive. There are so many things here that have to be done, and they can't be done in California."
Liam seemed hurt, and it killed me to say that to him. But, his next words surprised me.
"I'll make you a deal," he said. "If you promise to go with us when these kids reach the ranch and we find the flash drive, then I'll stay with you and help you. I'm sure Chubs will stay too."
I was shocked that he would be willing to do that, just to get me to come with him. "Really?" I said, not sure if my mind was making things up. "O-okay, definitely. Definitely."
He grinned. "Well then let's do it, darlin'."
He leaned forward and gave me a peck on the cheek, his shaggy brown hair brushing up against my dirty cheek, and warmth blossomed within me. Maybe, just maybe, this could all be resolved, and things could go back to the way they were. I felt hope spark within me.
I should have known that it couldn't, wouldn't be that easy.