Deprived

Chapter 33

She stayed pressed against the wall as she walked the hall, her legs trembling, pointing the gun she still wasn't sure how to use. But she felt braver with it, and so she kept it close even if to only use it as a club.

Standing near the double staircase, she gazed at the paintings of President Aberdeen, his mother, and President Roman on the wall. How she longed for President Roman to be free and reclaim his rightful place as leader of Wisteria.

Downstairs, the floor was clean. The only sign of disturbance was the serfs who were repairing the front door. Two agents, their back towards the mansion, guarded outside, guns twice the size of hers held tight in their hands.

Earlier, agents had been everywhere, now things had cooled down, much to her advantage.

Maize was terrified, but she knew what she had to do. It was simple, if the people knew that their beloved President Roman was still alive, they would fight to set him free. If they knew that the factory food was the source of their illnesses, they would fight to be healed. If they knew that the virus was a lie, they would fight to be free.

She stepped into a section of the mansion she had never been before—the east wing.

Tiptoeing up a narrow staircase, she continually glanced over her shoulders. Everything had gone wrong so many times. She was expecting someone to grab her from behind and drag her back to Hon. Billo.

Except, this time, her escape was going smoothly, too smoothly. She didn't have to duck away from any field workers or serfs in the mansion.

She continued up the stairs.

She stepped up to the blue door, opened it, and entered into a vast hall that could be used for holding grand celebrations. Numerous crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling like clusters of sleeping stars. The walls were clad in brown. The floors were smooth, white, and glossy.

She shuffled across the hall as quickly as she could, staying close to the brown-clad walls. Her brown dress blended perfectly with the walls. At least she wouldn't be quickly detected and would have a few seconds to run off and hide if anyone saw her looking suspicious.

At the other side of the hall, she opened a brown door, hoping it was President Aberdeen's quarters. She came to a long narrow hall with one lavishly carved door to her right. The door she hoped led to President Aberdeen's office. If everything went as planned, she would be out of the mansion and back in the village before the first star came out.

A floor-to-ceiling window stood at the end of the hall, daylight pushed through.

Her heartbeat increased with each step she took towards President Aberdeen's office.

Everything in her wanted to run away but where would she run? What did she have to return to? In order for change to happen, she knew she had to press on and fight.

Her nana would tell her, "Girl put your big girl panties on." Easier said than done when you really need them.

President Aberdeen had zero love in his heart for her people, which was why he kept the AllPill from the villagers.

Maize knew she was no hero, but she was someone with an opportunity to make a difference, and she was determined to die trying. Her family and all the Lessers needed her.

She pushed forward on shaky legs, though doubtful her plan would be successful.

Standing in front of the door, she pulled out the card she'd stolen from one of the agents and waved it in front of the door. It clicked open.