The Season Trials

C H A P T E R S E V E N T E E N

I'm so behind on updates. I'll try to catch up ASAP.

[Mix up on names a few chapters back. Kyell was Kyane. I'll fix it when I can]

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C H A P T E R        S E V E N T E E N

Everything falls into place after that.

I don't know how it happens, or who sets it into motion.

All I know is that it's going a step too far.

"No," I say, voice cracking through their near-whisper argument. "Why are you even considering this? It's insane!"

Kyell, Max and his mother turn to me, where they're all seated in a huddle on the tattered chairs. I get matching expressions: raised eyebrows of incredulousness.

"No," I repeat, standing up from my seat. Pointing to outside, I continue, "I'm not even going to consider this—and you shouldn't either. Out there... are soldiers. Hundreds of them. They all have guns. That all have no inhibitions about shooting any of us. So no, this isn't going to happen. You want to attempt to infiltrate the General's house? Are you crazy? They'll shoot you before you even get close."

In the silence that follows, I watch them all. None of them are shifting; no one's nervous.

They're set on the plan, I realise.

"It's suicidal." When there's no response, I sit down again, the pressure on my ankle too painful to bear. "You can't tell me you're actually considering this?"

"We are," says Max. "And it will work."

Irrational, Kyell calling him. There's no debating it now. "It will work—up until the point that you die."

"No one will die."

"No?" Turning to face Kyell, I raise an eyebrow. "You agree with the plan? Tell me you're smart enough to know it's a suicide mission. Tell me."

He doesn't say anything for a while, expression set in granite: one of guarded caution. "It won't be easy, but it'll be a step in the right direction."

"What right direction?" He continues to watch me giving nothing away. "It's awful what the General does. I went through it. I survived it. I know how cruel it is. But there's nothing we can do—we're powerless. There's a reason why I was taken: people thinking they'll fight the system, change all of it. It hasn't worked—and it won't because he has everything and we have nothing."

Through narrowed eyes, Max grits, "You don't know that."

"I don't," I allow, "but I do know that the chance we succeed in even infiltrating the General's house is slim to none."

"But we have you."

Despite the low, quiet murmur from their mother, I jump in my seat. "What?" I ask, as I turn to face her.

She clasps her hands on her lap, nervously wringing them. She doesn't look up, even as she repeats, "But we have you."

"Me?" Frowning, I look between the three of them, try to gauge what she's getting at—but they give nothing away. "How do I change anything?"