The Queer Rebels

Chapter 39: Reuniting

Eli's truck rattles as we pull into the parking lot, his high beams painting the asphalt silver under the partially cloudy night sky. The clock on the dash reads 11:11, but despite the late hour, the plate-glass windows of the compound glow gold.

The cool night air rushes in as I open the passenger door, bringing with it the faint smell of pine.

Before Eli has even shifted the old jalopy into park, Christopher is running across the parking lot, barely visible under the partially cloudy night sky.

"Do you have him?" he shouts as he approaches.

"Yes," I answer, opening the passenger door but not getting out. Harry has been drifting in and out of consciousness, mumbling incoherently, and he is slumped against me.

"Harry!" Christopher exclaims, reaching the passenger side door. He reaches past me and strokes Harry's face.

"Chris," Harry murmurs, leaning into Christopher's embrace.

"He's been in and out," Eli says as he jumps out of his side, slamming the door behind him. "Let's get him inside."

"I was so scared I'd lost you," Christopher whispers to Harry, still leaning across me, his voice cracking.

"Come on." Eli places a hand on Christopher's back, guiding him to the side to give me some space.

I slide out from my seat, and when I stand up, I see Alex has stepped through the compound's front door, their distinctive purple hair backlit.

Behind me, Christopher and Eli pull Harry from the truck. Together they bear his weight and walk past me towards the building. I close the truck's door and follow.

"What happened? Where is he hurt?" Christopher asks.

"Harry's not... he hasn't been himself," Eli answers. "He fought us. I–I gave him a sedative. It'll wear off soon, but–"

"A sedative?" Christopher asks, cutting Eli off.

Eli pauses before he responds, "It was the only way."

My eyes meet Alex's. Then they drift over their shoulder and I notice Renee is also there.

"You're back," Alex says, reaching out to grip my shoulder.

I nod, suddenly exhausted. "Sorry for leaving without telling you where I was going," I say, my eyes first meeting Alex's, and then Renee's. "I didn't want you to worry."

"Well, you failed at that," Renee says, stepping closer.

I don't know what to say. How to respond. But luckily, I don't have to. Christopher and Eli have reached the front door and carried Harry through it.

In the lobby, I see Jenelle, Mitchell, and Tyree are standing in one corner, their expressions a mix of relief and curiosity. The newcomers are also there, along with several other people. Everyone clusters around the edges of the room, eager to see Harry and hear what happened.

Sequoia stands front and center, her expression stern but with a softness in her eyes. She steps forward, clearing her throat. "I'm... glad you're safe," she says grudgingly.

I know she didn't approve of this mission, and I wonder what conversations happened between her and Christopher while we were gone. I have a feeling that I will never know.

Christopher and Eli carry Harry over to a worn-out sofa, easing him down gently. Then Christopher sits beside him, clasping his hand, as if afraid to let go. "Tell me everything," he urges. "What happened? How did you get him out?"

I take a deep breath, looking at Eli for support. "When we got to him, he said he didn't want to leave," I explain. "He was watching something on a handheld screen. It was like he was hypnotized."