Grounded

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Thankfully, the fire station has a small bank of showers, useful for the long shifts the firefighters work on a regular basis. Clean and fully dressed, I wait in the tiny vestibule of lockers outside the bathroom for Korwin to emerge, anxious to get him alone.

When he sees me, I don't have to ask what's wrong.

"I've been such a fool." Hands on his hips, Korwin shifts from side to side. "This whole time I thought my father was a hero. You heard what he said when the Greens threatened him. He's a killer. Collateral damage! A murderer... of children."

"It's awful, Korwin, but he said he didn't know."

"And you believe him?"

I spread my hands. "I don't know what to believe, but he's not here to defend himself, and I certainly don't trust the Greens."

He shakes his head. "I've spent enough time making excuses for him, for this whole damn rebellion."

Placing my hands on his shoulders, I turn him so that we are face to face. "I agree with you. Your father's actions are deplorable, but don't you see? This is an evil world. Do you remember what I told you about Hemlock Hollow, about the choice my ancestors made to live behind the wall?"

"Yeah."

"A person can't have it both ways. You either fight or you separate yourself from the evil." My mind spins at the edge of reason. "I... I think, we can't judge what your father or the Liberty Party did any more than we can judge what David did. We're all just trying to survive."

He narrows his eyes. "I'm sick of just surviving. I want a life. A real life, away from all of this."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying I don't want to go to a safe house. I want to go with you, to Hemlock Hollow."

* * * * *

As I lie in the dark of Jonas's flat, I ponder how I used to sleep at home in Hemlock Hollow. I miss it. I'd fall asleep when my head hit the pillow and only wake when the rooster crowed. The English world never sleeps. I've been running on stolen moments. My dreams, even my nightmares, used to be hopeful. Now they are filled with explosions and people chasing me. As if our circumstances aren't horrific enough, my brain replays them over and over in my head. It's the middle of the night but I am wide awake while Korwin's chest rises and falls in peaceful slumber on the cot next to me.

I'm not sure how I feel about Korwin's admission that he wants to leave the English world. Part of me is elated. I love him and won't have to live without him. But another part fears this is an escape, a way to not have to face the debunked hero that is his father. Life in Hemlock Hollow isn't easy. It isn't a place to escape personal problems. It's just different.

"Korwin!" Jonas snaps. "Wake up and get over here. You need to see this."

Korwin groggily opens his eyes and runs a hand over his face. I, on the other hand, bound from my cot and hasten to Jonas's side. He swipes his finger across the screen, rewinding a television clip to the beginning.

On the monitor is the same blond newscaster I'd seen at Maxwell's house and on the street, Alexandra Brighten, but today there's a man behind the desk as well. SPECIAL REPORT scrolls across the screen. Korwin joins me at the monitor.

Earlier today, rebel terrorists escaped Green authorities before they could be transported to Crater City penitentiary. The fugitives, seen here in their previous escape, are considered armed and dangerous. The clip of Korwin and me bursting through the front window of CGEF flashes across the screen.