Revolution

Chapter 10

"Mommy, I'm tired," Lily starts to whine.

Emma sighs and hoists her up onto her shoulders without complaining. The rest of us trudge on. The wind starts to change from pleasant to frigid. Dark clouds swirl behind us, slowly catching up to stop our quest.

"Everyone, pick up your pace! We have to hurry," Raven directs.

Soon after the words leave Raven's lips, cold droplets start to attack us. The sun is gone, surrendered to an army of clouds. I stare cynically at the murky grey sky. There goes our good mood.

"How far until we get there?" Maria asks, her quiet voice practically drowned out by the sound of rain.

"We're not halfway yet," Thorne replies. He never sugarcoats facts.

The mud sucks our shoes to the ground as we trudge along. Dave stops abruptly and we all turn around when the sound of the slap of his shoes on the ground ceases.

"I give up!" he yells, his voice echoing in the torrent of water.

"Give up?" Raven says incredulously. "You can't just give up!"

"Open your eyes!" Dave exclaims. "You've wasted all of our money and look how far we've gotten! 'Not even halfway,' says Thorne! It's not too late to turn back yet. I'm taking my family somewhere safe. You kids can die at the hands of the Officials."

"Wasted our money?" I scream at him angrily. "That money has been feeding your family! We made a deal! Where will you go? Nowhere is safe!" Thorne's hands are in fists, and this time, I'm not going to stop him.

"At least we weren't-"

I see the stranger walking toward us before anyone else. Short, platinum hair makes him stand out like the daisy among the weeds.

"You need to find shelter! This rain isn't going to stop anytime soon!"

His face is chiseled and his jawline is firm. High cheekbones. Full lips. Green, deep-set eyes find mine and he entrances me immediately. I can't make myself look away as he talks. We're all silent we judge this stranger.

"It's okay! I'm not dangerous!"

That's what they all say. I come out of it and see that his clothes look brand new and he's suspiciously clean for someone in the middle of nowhere.

"We never said you were," I say. "And why are you so clean? We're miles away from the closest city."

Something sparks in his eye, but I can't figure out what it is. "Alright, don't freak out on me." I cross my arms and raise my eyebrows at him. "I used to be an Official."

Thorne automatically jumps in front me and I realize how loyal he is. "Used to?" he says accusingly.

"I ran away! Look, I'm one of the good guys." He runs his hand through his dripping hair calmly. How does he still look good when he's soaking wet? "Don't worry, they do check ups every two weeks, so they won't come find me yet."

Chase is glowering at him and Raven looks uncertain. For some reason, his eyes stay on me, and I blush and look away. Stop it.

"I just thought that you guys might need help, that's all." He reaches his hand out for me to shake. "I'm Faust."

I shake his hand dubiously. "What can you possibly help with?" I ask somewhat indifferently.

Faust chuckles as if this is all a big joke. "This is quite a large group. I'm guessing that you'll need some money soon? I have unlimited access to the Officials' money for the next two weeks..."

I note the look in Dave's eyes instantly. Unlimited money? It seems too good to be true. I look at Raven for her opinion, but she's speechless. "I think that it would be smart to start following this guy from now on," Dave says.