Regress: the Alliance Chronicles, Book One

Chapter 3

"Our leaders have the right to enact any law which does not impede the New Order's established religion or doctrine. No state of the Republic may create religion, doctrine, or form of speech contrary to the government."

—Bill of Trust, the American Republic, 2020

"What the hell?" My butt hit the cement floor hard. I felt around me and put my hand in something cold and wet. Man, I hoped it was just icy water.

A husky male voice penetrated the darkness. "Sorry. You were, uh, almost caught." He spoke as if English wasn't his first language.

The intense odor of decaying animals and stale urine assaulted my nose. I swallowed a mouthful of bile and scrambled off the ground.

"Where am I?"

"Shhh. Wait a minute," he warned.

Time inched along while we waited in the dark. Small feet scurried by us with intermittent chewing sounds, making me twitch. That noise did not come from me chomping my gum. It was better not to consider what else might be in the room with us. My skin crawled as the wind whistled through the cracks in the building. After what felt like hours, the drone police continued its patrol.

A lightness spread through my chest. "Okay. Who are you, and where am I?"

"How about a thank you?"

"Thank you." No one ever claimed I had great manners. Besides, who said anything about being kind to a stranger? "Now if you—"

Squeaky footsteps crossed the cement floor. Click. A bright light shone in my direction allowing me a glimpse at my rescuer—a tall Asian guy dressed in dark jeans and a black leather jacket. He seemed familiar somehow, but I couldn't put my finger on it. He kind of reminded me of one of the characters I'd drawn. Thinking about my drawings made me laugh.

"What's so funny? Y'know I did save your ass."

"Sorry." The scene, hot guy rescuing damsel in distress, came straight out of my books. "Who should I thank for saving my ass?"

"The name's Z. Yours?"

"Tru." Wait a second. I once knew a guy whose name began with a Z. No. He couldn't be the same one.

"Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously," I replied.

He laughed.

I didn't appreciate his laughter. At least my name consisted of more than a letter. "Thanks again. I'm out of here." I turned and strutted back toward the exit.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Home." I glanced over my shoulder. Z stood there with his flashlight aimed at the ground.

"Do you have a death wish? The drones will catch someone like you."

"And what does that mean?"

"Have you looked in a mirror?"

"Have you?"

Z pointed at me. "You look like a party girl. Not a fighter."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever."

"I guess we're stuck with each other. Come on. Watch your step." Z aimed the light on the floor and ambled away from me.