Dystopia (Dystopia Trilogy Book 1)

Chapter 15

Note: This is the 15th chapter out of 20. Each Friday a new chapter will be posted. However, if you wish to read it now, it can be purchased on Amazon, B&N, iBookstore, Kobo, and Smashwords. You can also follow me on Twitter (JMRUL) and facebook.

The next evening came all too quickly. Taking deep breaths, Dana calmed her nerves. She had a feeling that the resistance met in or around the underground market. The bit of code George used the last time tipped her off.

"Ready?" whispered Dana to Elsie.

Elsie and Sanders had readily agreed to come with her when she asked. They had each put on dark clothing to avoid detection while sneaking around at night.

Dana led them to the hole in the barracks. Not wanting everything they did recorded, she feigned being cold and zipped her jacket all the way up as though it was a force of habit.

They squeezed through the hole and into the chilly night air. The temperature had dropped. Dana knew that summer had gone and winter was coming.

"Hurry," urged Dana.

They ran through the plant, their boots making soft thumps on the semi-frozen ground. Sticking to the concealed areas, the three hurried to the fence where the wires were loose.

"Be careful," whispered Dana. "These spikes are sharp."

She held the barbed wire up for Elsie and Sanders. Sanders' pants caught on one of the spikes. Quickly, Dana ripped him free, a soft tearing sound filling her ears. Making certain the guard towers looked the other way, she slipped through the fence.

"Hurry."

Dana pushed them down the hill and past the trees and bushes that provided cover. She had no idea how many of Officer Burroughs' men knew about her arrangement, but she didn't want to be caught outside after curfew. Though she might be spared, Elsie and Sanders would not be so lucky.

They jogged through Shackville and to George's small shack. Dana rapped on the door. It opened and George stepped out. He waved them onward and they all ran out of the area.

George led them to the train area and the cart that he and Dana had used before. Stealthily, they moved through the darkness. The gravel beneath their feet crunched with each movement. With great care, they hopped over the raised tracks so as not to trip.

"On," said George when they reached the cart.

Dana took one end of the handle and George the other. Together, they moved as one, pushing the rail cart down the tracks and toward the city.

Squeak. Squeak.

Dana winced each time the wheels squeaked. She hoped it wouldn't attract attention. They rode it to the city limits before coming to a halt.

Quickly, they disembarked and ran through a hole in the city wall. George urged them to hurry up. Once through, they quickly darted down an alley, turning many corners before George halted them.

Peeking around a corner, he looked up and down the street. Dana began to recognize the area some, but even she was a bit confused about where they were.

"Come on," said George.

They dashed across the street and down another alley. Now Dana definitely knew where they were. She recognized the rotted door that George opened for them.

"In."

Loud plops echoed around them as they trotted down the hollow, wooden steps to the door. George knocked on it like he did the last time and repeated the passphrase.