Chapter 2: Dance Till' You're Dead

Trevin's heart pounded as he examined the dancing mob below him. A mix of "Clears"; uninfected, and "Rusters"; infected, clung together as their heads and hips swayed to the beat. The thumping bass of the music left his ears ringing while the smoke and flashing strobes eliminated any chance of him preventing a headache. He watched around him as the blue and green lights bounced off of the steel walls.

Trevin clenched his teeth as he saw yet another body guard standing silently less than ten feet away from him. For being Leader's son he knew he should have been used to it, but after he turned 21 it all just seemed so ridiculous. His father never let him go anywhere unprotected; especially out in town. Trevin knew that he was surrounded by two different kinds of people. Number One, the people (mostly Rusters) that wanted him dead for being related to Leader; the man who raised the price of FVR1 and was severely prejudice against anyone poor or infected, and Number Two, the people (mostly Clears) that looked at Leader and his family as if they were god's gift to the world. Both of these types were dangerous; and Trevin's father made sure that the future Leader was always under constant security.

"Hey stranger." He heard a sweet voice in his ear followed by a nibbling sensation.

Trevin turned to face his attacker; biting on his earlobe was Blair. Also known as Dr. James Hayland's great granddaughter.

Trevin didn't hate Blair, he just didn't like her. She was too clingy, and everyone knew it.

"Why don't we get outta here?" Blair ran her tongue along his jawline and entwined her hands in his dark hair.

"I'm thinking not." Trevin said coldly as he brushed his way past her.

Shay pulled off her jacket and dropped it on the stool next to her. She rested her elbows on the copper bar and ran her hand over her newly fused shoulder. She bit her tongue.

Shay figured it would take about seven weeks pay to cover the cost. She hated Miles for making her do it; even though he had good reason. Ever since her parents died from the virus when she was fifteen Miles had been there for her. Shay knew at a young age that she would not live a long life; most Rusters didn't. She had first become infected when she was three, and from then on it was just expected that her condition would worsen. Her parents tried to scrape the money together to get her the cure, but it wasn't even close to enough. So instead they just payed for fusing; temporary life. FVR1 now cost over $15,000, after Leader Jonathon so kindly decided to raise the price. And for the Rusters that worked in the places they were accepted, the average yearly income was about $25.

Shay's fists clenched. She hated Leader with everything she had. The bastard limited the resources of Rusters; only increasing infection rate and poverty and then had the guts to raise the cost of their only chance at life.

"What can I get you Shay?" An Australian accent got her attention.

Shay looked away from the wall.

"I'll take a scotch Cary." She said as she handed him a quarter. "Keep the change."

Cary nodded with a smile.

"So why the long face and the big tips deary?" He asked as he handed her the glass.

Shay took a large swig and set it down in front of her.

"I found another spot; Miles said I don't have long." She replied effortlessly, as if she was remarking on the weather.

Cary frowned.

"Don't give me that look." She muttered as she took another drink.

"What look am I supposed to give you Shay?" Cary grimaced.

"We both knew that this was going to happen." Shay shook her head.

"Not this soon." Cary ran a hand through his light golden hair that almost reached his shoulder.

Suddenly Shay heard someone yelling next to her.

"Well I say we bloody do it! The bastard deserves to die!" A man in his mid thirties bellowed in an Irish slur to the person beside him.

"What the hell are they talking about?" Shay asked Cary.

He took a deep breath.

"They're part of the Rebellion Group. They've got it in their minds that they are going to kill Leader and start a revolution. They have been coming here for weeks plotting. Though I don't think either of them have the balls to go through with it."

Shay raised an eyebrow and stared at them.

"Rebellion Group...the one that started that Riot at the foundry?" She asked.

"That's the one. I'm surprised they are still alive." Cary snickered.

"True, but they did get the pay raised." Shay mumbled.

Cary's eyes widened.

"Oh no. I know what you're thinking Shay! Don't you-" He started.

"Shut it!" Shay interrupted and continued to ease drop.

"I can't do it, if I get caught I don't know what they will do to the kids. Why don't you do it?" The Irish one asked the other.

"Hell! I'm lucky I didn't get caught last time...maybe we can get someone else to do it? It's going to have to be a one man job. Quick in and out." He returned.

"Shay, it's suicide!" Cary grabbed her elbow sharply.

"I'm already on borrowed time Cary. Besides...this son of a bitch took everything from me. The least I can do is take everything from him." Shay pulled her arm from his hold, picked up her jacket and made her way over to the two men.