The Valuable

Chapter 16

"Who's there? Anastasia?", Rupert grumbles quietly.
"Yes, relax. Alright, we're practically ready for the break-in. All we need to do is finalize the plan with our recruits and make sure that we have all of the equipment we will need.", I say ascending towards the edge of the hospital's roof.
I stare at the town spread out below me and catch a glimpse of the disposal cliff. From the hospital, it is just visible. Instead of the usual view of people flinging themselves off of the cliff with blood dribbling down their foreheads, I see everyone working together and practicing the break-in. Smiling to myself, I turn back to Rupert and see him sorting through all of the equipment and mumbling to himself.
"Eight doctor's coats, one pair of scissors, one-hundred-eighteen sets of black attire, one knife.", Rupert lists. "Hey, remind me; what does this deceased body that is rotting at my feet have to do with your grand scheme?"
"Must I go over this again Rupert? Also, it's not rotting! It could be passed as a sleeping person it's so fresh!", I giggle.
Rupert and I begin sorting things into piles and loading them into a bag to bring down to the street tomorrow. Two more day until this plan turns into a reality.

I wake up bright-eyed the next day and shake Rupert awake too. At 11:00 PM tomorrow night, our plan will take action and we have no time to lose. It's almost as if today is our "dress rehearsal" for the break-in. I usher Rupert to climbing down the ladder with the bag of equipment strapped to his back as I follow him willingly. We slink along the edge of town, avoiding the city patrol and any curious pedestrians. With a bag this large, anyone would suspect us to be carrying a body. Approaching the forest, I take in the willing faces staring back at me. They range from the age of ten to eighteen and they're covered in dirt and wearing raggedy clothing. Every person standing in my wake has a smile on their face, eager to get this society back in check. I revel in their presence for just a moment, silently hoping that this group of misfits can pull all of this off.
"Alright! We have thirty-nine hours to perfect our performance and make sure everything goes as planned. Rupert and I are going to begin handing out your equipment for your designated role. Please separate and sort yourself into the correct group so we can move things along quickly.
Once everything was handed out, I  orchestrate a run-through and everything is performed correctly however I cannot help the bit of worry itching in the back of my mind. I know how meticulous The Leader's whole system is and I fear that although we've been practicing for months, we're still just a group of low-class citizens who have little education and The Leader may be able to outsmart us easily. No matter how much hope I contain, the success of this plan relies on fate and fate only.
"Excuse me? Ms. Anastasia?", a small voice whimpers, breaking me from my train of thought.
I look down and smile at the source of the voice. He is a young boy, no more than fourteen, with shaggy blond hair and eyes the colour of crystals. His face is graced with a frown and his brow is furrowed. My encouraging smile fades and I place my hand on his lanky shoulder.
"What's wrong? What happened?", I squeak.
"I-it's my dad. He went into town to take a look at the location of the security system on the care centre under Rupert's order along with a few others and the city patrol pushed him to the ground, taking him under patrol's custody for 'Suspicious behaviour'. It's only a matter of time before they hold a gun to his head and force him into confessing.", the boy cries into my shoulder.
Thinking fast, I yell to the crowd and everyone stops putting their full attention on me.
"There has been a tragedy. We have very little time, so we must act. Tonight. I believe that we can pull this off despite it coming earlier than expected. At eleven tonight, the revolution begins." I say triumphantly.
Everyone stares at me in awe, faces turning solemn. Their fear is visible, but they nod their heads in understanding. They may not be ready, but it's happening. Now.