It's the End of the World as We Know it (Silent Moments Series: Book 4)

Chapter 20

 In the aftermath of the chaotic events at the lab, a sense of defeat had begun to permeate our ranks. The air was thick with despair, the weight of our failed endeavors pressing down on us. But, just as hope seemed to flicker out, a spark reignited it in the form of a radio message from Arkadia. The news was almost too good to believe: Jaha's bunker wasn't just a myth—it was a tangible, life-saving reality. And its discovery meant a seismic shift in our plans. Everyone was to move into the bunker, seeking refuge from the impending catastrophe. Everyone, that is, except for Raven, Emori, and Murphy. They were to remain at Becca's lab, tasked with salvaging any useful technology before the lab was consumed by the impending destruction. It felt like a bittersweet parting, leaving behind not just a place, but a part of our shared history. As the rover rolled to a stop at our designated drop-off point, I hopped out swiftly, right on the heels of Roan. The air was filled with a mixture of anticipation and unease, a prelude to the monumental task that lay ahead.

"Kegan, hold on a minute," my mom's voice called out from behind, halting me in my tracks.

"I'll catch up," I assured Roan, watching him nod in understanding before he moved off a few yards, giving us space.

Turning back to Abby, I saw a mixture of hesitation and resolve in her eyes. "What's wrong?" I asked, sensing the gravity of what she was about to reveal.

She let out a heavy sigh, the weight of her next words palpable. "There's something I didn't tell you," she began, "Indra was with them when they found the bunker."

The implication of her statement hit me like a tidal wave. Oh, shit.

"Trikru knows?" I probed, my mind racing through the potential consequences of this revelation.

"Yes," she confirmed in a hushed tone, her expression somber. "And we made a deal with them to share the space."

Her words settled over me, heavy with foreboding. This alliance, while necessary, was fraught with complexities and uncertainties. The history between our people and Trikru was complicated, marked by conflicts and fragile truces. The thought of sharing such a confined space under such dire circumstances was like adding a volatile ingredient to an already unstable mix.

Nothing good could possibly come from this.

Stunned by the revelation, I found my voice barely above a whisper. "What about our deal with Roan?" The thought of betraying our alliance with the Ice Nation king, someone I had grown to respect and consider a friend, sent waves of dismay through me.

Mom's reply was laced with a sense of inevitability, "Trikru would rather face the fires of war than share a roof with Azgeda." Her tone suggested that this was a historical grudge too deep to be easily set aside.

"But mom, Roan is my friend," I pressed, feeling a surge of loyalty for the Ice Nation leader. "He's been more than just an ally to us."

Her words cut through my protests. "Not anymore," she said, her voice resolute, leaving no room for further argument.

A sense of betrayal gnawed at me. "Why didn't you tell me this before?" My question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken accusations.

But before she could answer, a terrible realization dawned upon me. "They're gonna kill him!" Panic laced my words, and I made a dash for the rover's exit.

Mom's grip was firm on my wrist, restraining me. "No, Kegan, not if he surrenders peacefully," she tried to assure me. "We will make room for one. Indra agreed."

Her words did little to quell my fears. I shook off her grip and bolted, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and resolve. Kane's distant voice was like a siren call, urging me forward.