The Awakening

Oliver- Back to Basics

Oliver was exploring the middle class section of Malum, where he had stolen those loaves of bread what seemed like a lifetime ago. Of course it was only about a month. This was where the donut shop was, only a few blocks away.

He grabbed five rolls from a nearby cart and hid them in a pack the rebels gave him. Then Oliver walked casually down a few side streets and alleys until he found the mother and her twins. They were thinner then the last time he saw them.

"I'm so sorry! This time I was able to get more then usual. Here, take all of it," Oliver removed the rolls from the sack and the twins grabbed them.

"Where have you been?" the little girl asked, shoving a large chunk of bread into her mouth.

"Don't pry, Meg!" the mother took four rolls from the children and split the fifth evenly.

"It's okay, I've been trying to help. But my friends did something big and it didn't go well."

"Sometimes you gotta start itty bitty, and then go up up up!" said the little boy with a full mouth.

Oliver nodded, suddenly understanding. "You're right! Hey, how about you all come meet my friends, they can give you enough food, and you can help me!"

"What kind of friends are you talking about, here?" the mother asked, suspiciously.

Oliver leaned in and whispered about the rebellion. The woman's eyes sparkled.

"Your friends seem to be very nice people. I think we could give 'em some help in exchange for a bit to eat," she stood up and took her children's hands. "Let's meet 'em!"

So Oliver led the family to the warehouse, where they were accepted and asked to work with the bread. The children would stay far away from the third floor, where training was. Instead they would help their mother package bread, in exchange for two good meals a day.

Once Oliver made sure the family was settled, he sought out Isabelle. It didn't take him long to find her, her bright blonde hair was like a beacon. She was sparring with a guy Oliver didn't know. He didn't know anyone outside of Isabelle, Keira, Rose, and Hood.

"Hey, can I talk to you for a second?" Oliver asked Isabelle.

"Your girlfriend's only been gone a week and you're trying to go out with her best friend?" the boy asked.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?"

"No, you don't. This guy's just a big jerk who makes stupid jokes," Isabelle said, stepping off the mat and wiping sweat from her brow.

"Then why are you sparring with him?"

"Cause I have no one else to do it with."

Oliver led her over to a quiet corner. "About that. You're right. We've got to do something. If we can't get her out, then we should make a difference somewhere else."

"What do you have in mind?"

"Let's blow something up."

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A/N: Please leave a vote and comment so I know what you like and what you want more of. This section of the book is much more depressing FYI.