Dystopia (Dystopia Trilogy Book 1)

Chapter 16

Note: This is the 16th 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.

A week had passed and Dana was no nearer to getting George to take her to the resistance movement. She had no idea how to do it. Frustrated, she slammed her locker shut.

Colonel Fernau stood right behind her. "Stressed?"

Instinctively, Dana jumped back. His malicious demeanor frightened her. This is a man who wouldn't hesitate to kill his mother.

"What makes you say that?" Dana tried to sound casual, but her shaky voice betrayed her.

"It has been a week, and we have heard little about your progress," said Colonel Fernau.

"There hasn't been much."

"Perhaps you do not understand the gravity of your situation."

"I understand it fine," said Dana. "It's just George does not fully trust me. The resistance is a tight-knit group. They aren't about to let me in without reason to."

"Yes, well we'll just remedy that." Colonel Fernau used his stick to turn Dana's head toward a window. "You see those people out there? Dregs of society. They are the ones who did not understand how things work. So they are here, where their lack of understanding will not harm anyone. You are quickly becoming one of them."

Colonel Fernau's dangerous undertone unnerved Dana.

"The little problem of yours will soon be at an end."

Dana eyed the man, wondering what he referred to.

"It has been arranged," continued Colonel Fernau, "Just make certain that you are in that mass of rubble known as Shackville. When you see George head out, follow him. The resistance is meeting tonight."

"How do you-"

"Oh, I forgot that you would be completely unaware of such things. We decided to do something that would push them to have a meeting. This is your chance to find out where they are. The little show we mentioned earlier will happen then. Just make certain that you are near George tonight when it happens."

"But-"

"Don't screw it up," warned Colonel Fernau, his face close to Dana's so she smelled the bourbon on his breath.

"Yes, sir."

Colonel Fernau left the locker room. "This will be your one and only chance. Once in, it is up to you to gain their trust. Your parents' lives depend on it."

The colonel left. Dana stared after him. She leaned against a locker, the cold metal reminding her of her dire situation.

As was agreed, Dana snuck out of the plant and down to Shackville immediately after supper. Smoke spilled from the smoke stacks behind her. No guards patrolled the area she moved in. Undoubtedly, she thought, that was all arranged for my benefit. Dana didn't care. She had one thought on her mind, to wait for George to leave his hut and follow him.

The sun settled low on the horizon, setting earlier and earlier each day. Dana found a spot where she could easily see George's front door and not be noticed. She rubbed her cold hands together; her fingers had gone stiff. Blowing on them, Dana wished George would hurry up.

A creak grabbed her attention. George had opened his door. He poked his head out, glanced around, then slipped out and ran off down the hill. Dana jumped to her feet. Pins and needles filled her cramped legs as the circulation returned. Ignoring her stiffness, she took off after the man.