June
In a way, I feel guilty. Day doesn't know what happened when we were younger. He doesn't know how majorly I screwed up, how upset he was with the loss of his mother and brother. Every day I remind myself that it was all my fault. I continue to be selfish though and keep the sadness to myself. It's better this way.
As I pick out my clothes for watch, I think about the kiss. It was much different than the one we shared the other day. It felt so natural, so right. In that moment I could have drowned in him. But I agreed with Day that we'd start over. That means I can't rush into our relationship before I know what I'm getting into.
I take my time getting dressed, bouncing on the balls of my feet. Anden says that there still hadn't been any sign of Trevor. I'm anxious that maybe he'll show up tonight. I recall the conversation that Day and I had about pretending that Trevor is someone else. I hope that works because if he finds me tonight, I'll need to defend myself.
By the time I get to headquarters, Luna is already speaking to the new recruits. The number of guards seems to have doubled since last time I was here. The rebels seem to be growing in number as well, for there are almost seven paintings every night all throughout the Republic now. I think I'd like to have been leader of the watch guard, but Anden decided to appoint Luna as captain instead. He said I perform best when working on my own.
I search for Day in the crowd but I can't get a glimpse of his blonde hair. Guns are being passed around and I take a deep breath as I grab one being offered to me. I promise myself that tonight, I won't be hesitant. If I see Trevor, I will shoot without a second thought.
When we head out, most people are in pairs. It's not just because we have enough soldiers to do that now, but because after what happened to me Anden wants to make sure every person has backup. I'm paired up with a younger boy who looks to only be about sixteen. I suspect he's in the top of his class or they wouldn't allow him to be out here.
The alley we are placed in is dark. The lights around the area are broken or flickering. This makes it difficult to spot movement at all, even if it's only trash blowing in the wind. I find myself hoping that we don't end up running into anyone in this alley. It's especially hard to shoot in the dark, and it's even harder to dodge bullets.
"What's your name?" I ask the boy walking at my side whose face seems almost bored.
"Ian Springfield," he tells me. "And you're June Iparis. I've seen your records on display at the school, I've even beat a few of them."
I raise my eyebrows. "Impressive. You thinking of being a Commander?"
"No," he shakes his head, "I want to be a medic, but I doubt my dad would let me. He's a commander himself, and if I'm anything less than what he wants to be I'll get kicked out of the house." Pity swells up in my heart. "Don't feel bad," he assures me as if reading my mind. "I'm used to it, and I don't plan on falling short of his expectations. I don't want to end up like my brother."
"Your brother?" I ask as we continue our way down the alley.
"Captain Luke. He was in charge of the Night Guard in Denver. But he was injured; lost the lower half of his leg. He decided that he wanted to go into teaching. My dad kicked him out of the house and I haven't spoken to him since. Dad says he's brought shame unto our family."
"Wow," I whisper. "That's pretty serious. I could talk to the Elector if you want, find out how your brother's doing-"
Ian interrupts me. "Oh, Luke's dead now. He was killed in the shooting on the far side of Denver, the one with the three drunks? Anyways, Luke was leaving the school when a bullet hit him square in the chest. Dad said that it was for his own good."
I find myself shocked with Ian's response. I make a note to talk to Anden about Commander Springfield. I'd hate to hear if Ian ends up like his brother. We turn the corner and before I can notice that anything is wrong Ian crumples to the ground beside me. I resist from screaming and pull out my gun and in the dim light I see an older looking man holding a bat in his hands. I prepare to pull the trigger but a voice stops me.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." I whirl around are see that there are about five other people in this alley as well. One of them happens to be Trevor. I take a deep breath and try to focus my attention on something other than him
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" I scream, glancing at Ian's limp body on the ground. It looks like he's just knocked out, but there could be an internal bleeding that I can't see. He needs to go to the hospital now.
"Quiet down, would you?" Trevor says in a hushed tone. I bend down and grab Ian's gun from where it lies by my feet. I have one gun pointed at the man with the bat and the other gun pointed at Trevor. "I would gag you, but then you wouldn't be able to answer me."
When he sees my confusion Trevor smirks. "You have two options. You may choose one."
"What if I don't want to choose?" I ask bitterly, my hand growing tenser by the second.
"Then you shall face the consequences." The way he says that sends chills up my spine and my heart races. I squint at him but Trevor doesn't flinch even as my hand seems to be itching to pull the trigger on him.
After a long moment of silence I ask, "The options?"
"You can help us spark the rebellion and do as we say," he says in an emotionless voice, "or you can't watch your loved ones die and the Republic burn to the ground." Waving his hand, one of the rebels steps into view, dragging someone with them.
Tess.
My breath catches in my throat. She's gagged and filthy, her red hair tangled and knotted. Trevor without his eyes leaving mine takes his gun and points it directly at Tess's head. Her eyes go wide and she twists and struggles but she can't get out of the grip that the rebel has on her.
"So," Trevor murmurs, "what will it be June?" I turn, now pointing both of my guns at him but he just grins and shakes his head. "You shoot me, and a bullet goes through her head." My adrenaline is pulsing through my veins but I hear Trevor let out a small chuckle. He knows that he's got me trapped.
In defeat, I lower my guns, but Trevor keeps his pointed directly at Tess.
I sigh, closing my eyes. "What do I have to do?"
….
Chapter 26 Preview:
"I don't have a choice."
"Yes, you do have a choice! What happened to the June Iparis I used to know? The one that would do whatever it took to protect everything that she loved?"
"That June is gone."
….
A/N: Hey! Sorry it took me so long to update, I've been really busy lately. This chapter was a major part of the plot so yay! I'll try to update as soon as I can!
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