Rebellion

Chapter 8

By the end of the week, Ace seemed to think I was ready, and maybe I was. But I had doubts. I was afraid. I wanted more than anything to save Landon. It had been too long already, but I was scared to go back to the Society. I didn't want to kill people.

Maybe I won't have to kill, I thought. Maybe... but I knew I would. I had to help fight. The Society wouldn't give up Landon easily, especially to rebels. This was war. And people always die in war.

"Are you ready, Xandia? You don't have to come if you don't feel ready," Phoenix said, looking down at me. "This will not be easy, as I'm sure you know."

"Yes. I'm ready. I have to help. It's my fault he got captured. It's my responsibility to save him."

"I understand. That's very noble of you. We will all do our best to keep you safe in the Society. They want you just as badly as they want Landon."

I looked over at the group around me and adjusted my vest. Bree stood beside me and lightly touched my hand. "It'll be okay," she whispered. "I got your back."

I smiled at her and whispered back. "Thank you."

Phoenix stood at the front of the group and looked at each one of us before speaking in his thunderous voice. "The time has come, brothers and sisters! Tonight we leave for the Society! The time we fight has come! We are on a mission to save one of our own! We shall not burn the Society yet, but if they do not give in, they will fall to us! We shall not give in! We shall never back down! We shall never surrender!"

The group shouted with excited approval, sounding like battle-cries. Phoenix waited for them to quiet down. He spoke more solemnly now. "Many of us may die by the hands of the Society. We must all be prepared for that. But we cannot let it discourage us. If we die, it is for the greater good. We fight for a better world. And every important war has great loss of life. I want you all to know that if you fall, you will be greatly missed, and mourned. We will hold a ceremony in your honor."

Many embraced each other and touched hands. Bree squeezed mine gently. "You ready?"

I nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be."

The two guys from Bree's group -- Caleb, the pale one, and Dominic, the tan one – walked over to us.

"Phoenix wants us to be your bodyguards," Caleb said with a teasing grin.

Bree punched his arm. "We don't need bodyguards. We're a group. We all look out for each other. Xandia could just as easily save your ass as you could save hers." She turned and smiled at me before quietly whispering the words "sexist much?" I stifled a laugh.

Phoenix spoke up again. "If everyone is ready, then let's go to the helicopters. Stay with your groups. May luck be on your side. I'll see you in the City."

Ace held a thumbs-up out at me before turning to leave with Phoenix. We all followed in clustered groups.

Less than half a mile away there was a large clearing with enough helicopters for each group to have their own, as well as one for Phoenix and Ace.

It was mid-afternoon when we left. Bree, Caleb, Dominic, and I all got into our helicopter, which was piloted by a woman a little younger than Phoenix. I had never seen her before.

It was about a 2 hour flight back to the Society. My heart was racing and I felt ill. Bree looked at me in concern. "You okay, Xan?"

I nodded. The time had come. I didn't feel ready but it was too late to turn back now. I didn't have a choice. This was life or death. And Landon had to live.

We landed the helicopters a little over a mile from the Society. It was risky to be so close, but we needed to be within walking distance. I hoped that we wouldn't be found before we were ready to fight.