The Valuable

Chapter 13

"Alright, looking at the statistics that we gathered back at the disposal cliff, it looks like we have 126 people willing to help us in our revolution. Half are men and half are women, so it looks like we have a good spread.", Rupert says proudly.

I look at him sprawled out on the hospital roof with papers surrounding him. Beaming, I thank him as I sit down to examine his data. 

"I need a break from all of these numbers and words, I'm going for a walk.", Rupert sighs.

Nodding my approval, I bite my bottom lip letting my mind trail off into thinking of a way to get past The Leader. We need a full-proof plan that is going to be able to outsmart The Leader and all of her security machines all before she stops Joel's heart, whenever that's going to happen. I can feel my heart racing again, as it always does when I'm stressed or nervous. I imagine Joel's sultry eyes pleading for me to help, and I am determined to save him before it's too late. 

I'm working furiously by the time Rupert returns back from his stroll. Diagrams and charts are spread out everywhere and I'm muttering to myself. My eyes zip back and forth crazily when I look up at Rupert.

"Somebodies had a little too much crazy juice...", Rupert chuckles.

"I've got it! I've actually got it! A full proof plan to get the electronic chip! I'm almost positive that it will work", I babble excitedly.

Rupert furrows his brow, doubting me yet again.

"I know that you think I'm just some foolish 'little' girl that can't possibly be responsible enough to overthrow The Leader and save our country, but I'll have you know that if I had the chance to go to school, I'd be a straight A student!", I yell heatedly.

"What proof to you have of that?", Rupert asks, testing me. 

My nostrils flare in anger.

"If you don't believe in me, or this plan, that's fine! I am fully capable of leading this army to victory on my own! I don't even know why Joel tried to help you! You're just a lonely old man that doesn't believe in anyone but himself!", I scream.

Scurrying off with my shoulder-length blonde hair flowing behind me in the wind and a defiant  look in my brown eyes, I have full confidence in my ability to conquer the ruling family once and for all.

"Hello! Everyone! In my absence from you, I have created a detailed plan including every aspect we need to put it into action. I went to the news-press station this morning and the chief gladly printed out enough copies for each of you to possess one. These handouts include your role in all of this in full detail and I am almost completely positive that this plan will work. Is everyone still on board?", I announce.

Murmurs sound throughout the crowd on the disposal field and people begin saluting their hands in the air as a sign of agreement. I begin passing out a copy of the plan to each person and briefly discussing it as well as I can. I am fully aware that this plan won't come into action for quite sometime as our entire army needs the proper training and equipment before we attempt anything because without it, we would all be brutally murdered.  

"We will meet in the forest everyday at noon precisely for training. At some point we will also discuss how we will acquire all of the equipment listed. I assume that some of you have jobs specializing in some of what is on the list, so if we're fully committed, I think we will be okay. Who's ready to win our country back?", I scream mightily.

"We are!", the whole crowd chants.

I turn to walk back to town, listening to the enthusiasm raging behind me. Taking one last look backwards, I feel proud that I'm doing all of this. Not only for Joel, but for Christian.

Tucking my legs up to my chest in attempt to keep myself warm that night, I realize that I'm still thinking of Christian. I remember his soft brown eyes, identical to mine, that could calm the storm within my brain the instant I looked into them. He was always so patient and caring with me. He taught me everything that I now know and believe and I am determined not to let him down. I feel hot tears streaming down my cheeks as I think of him. Gritting my teeth, I begin to blame myself for what happened. I know deep in my heart that his abduction from this world had nothing to do with me, but with the demented monster that we call our Leader. But when you lose someone that you love, your brain goes to every measure trying to come up with some answer to why all of it happened, avoiding the truth entirely. I heave in a shaking breath and squeeze hold of the small picture in my pocket. I yank it out and stare at the crumpled paper, faded in age. My brother smiles back and me and I feel the urge to scream. Scream at The Leader who took Christian from me, scream at the whole stupid testing system, and scream at myself for not putting up a fight sooner. I eventually nod off to sleep with the picture of Christian still clutched in my hand and the vision of vengeance etched in my brain.