Chapter 24
I DIDN'T THINK TOO MUCH OF IT at first because I'd been practice posting with all the new recruits. I was zoned into writing code and didn't respond for a few seconds, but when the buzzing continued I stopped and took a look at the contact name on the screen. It was Kristen!
kristen: madison its me are you there      im all right       im alive
madison: yes  yes im here    youre all right
kristen: im a servant in a big house but they didnt hurt me
madison: you got the cell     now we can keep in touch
kristen: how did you do all this    why      its too dangerous
madison: I want you back     what the bloods do has to stop
kristen: what now     what do you want me to do
madison: for now just stay safe and keep the cell hidden    were going to start to shake things up
kristen: what do you mean
madison: we are planning a demonstration and I need feedback    whatever you hear about it
kristen: i can do that but please be careful     you know how the smps are 
madison: i will     ill let you know the day it happens     lots to do     bye for now
kristen: love you
madison: love you too      i will    
"Guys...get over here...take a look...Kristen sent me a post!"
I was so stunned that I didn't even hear what Liza and Birkhoff were saying to me. After a full-blown exhale, I slapped myself in the face in order to rejoin the world of the here and now.
"Madison...Madison...?" Liza said, snapping her fingers in front of my laconic unblinking eyes while Birkhoff was shaking my shoulders.
"Yeah...no...what did you say again?" I apologetically replied, just barely back among the living.
"You must be so relieved...and hearing from Kristen is great, but what now?" Liza asked, her tone still singed with traces of skepticism. 
"She's right, you know, we did all this work, we've got this amazing communications tool slash weapon, but are we ready to actually see what it can do, and are we ready for the fallout if we use it to shake up the Citadel?" Birkhoff added, the seriousness of taking the next step weighing heavily even on his rebellious broad shoulders.
CHANGE NEVER COMES EASY, SO I could appreciate the warnings, but I knew there was no turning back. Things had to change. Freedom and Justice are worth dying for.
Where was that coming from? I was only 16. Why did I even care about anyone but myself and my immediate family? What was going on inside, pushing me to recklessly race down such a dangerous slippery slope? This was one of those rare moments in a person's life—when the only thing you can do is to follow your gut no matter where it leads.
"Look we can certainly go over this more, but for now let's table any talk of retreat and instead plan something to at least let the bloods know there are plebs ready to stand up to their tyranny!" I railed. I was now ready to rally the troops and fearlessly march forward, banner in hand, like Joan of Arc of Middle Ages Earth.
I could see that my best next move was to engage Birkhoff hoping Liza would catch our rebel fever and join in.
"I'm thinking we send out a sniff post to see how many of our contacts would be willing to make signs and meet up at the same time at the same place for a demonstration. What do you think?" I proposed, hoping for consensus without appearing to be driving things forward on my own.
                                      
                                   
                                              YOU ARE READING
The Teacher
Teen FictionHave you ever wondered what happens to our consciousness when our bodies pass away? It's a big question, but let's explore it together. Our minds are like stars in the sky, shining brightly even when the clouds of life cover them. Some believe that...
 
                                               
                                                  