The Great Awakening

Chapter 17

            There wouldn’t be much to pack for the voyage. Just some couple of changes of clothing, some food and some water. Jayden would leave tonight, and hopefully make it there before tomorrow morning, traveling on foot for half the distance. He had his own conventionally stealth ways of sneaking into the camp and assimilating. All he had to do was be quiet and unnoticeable if he wanted in, but that wasn’t all that was going to happen. He would have to gain the trust of another psychopathic leader, and that didn’t sit to well with him, but he had to play by both of their rules if he wanted Melissa and Joanna to live. What a dangerous game it was.

            What if Troy wasn’t the only one sending insurgents? What if there were insurgents already here, sent in from AngelCity or from the Panthers? Not likely AngelCity. They would destroy first before anything. The Panther’s are a different story. They might send spies over to gather information. Possible threat assessment. There was a chance that the coup has been found by them and they were already sending spies in. No one could be trusted.

            Anger coursed through his body because of what Troy had done to him, to Olivia, and to Joanna. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to tell his mother. Breaking her spirit wasn’t on his to do list. She was in love with him. She was in love with a psychopath. Would she even believe him anyway?

            Then there was Joanna. She hadn’t woken up yet, but what about when she does? She would be alone. Perhaps it would be better to say goodbye to her first, since he is leaving in an hour. Would she hear it

            The thought of running away with the only people who mattered to him crossed his min, but they would die on their own without any help, so they had to stay somewhere. No matter which side he supported, he wouldn’t like the result. Troy had been a liar from the beginning, and siding with Siris wouldn’t have been any different. Both of them were essentially the same person anyway; the only difference being that one was quieter. Those were the ones you have to watch out for.

            He lugged his bag around his shoulder as he walked over to the Joanna’s room, where his mother was sitting down on the sofa. His heart became heavy again with dread. Insurgent jobs were much more dangerous than running; they would have to be careful not to get captured or they may suffer a slow and painful death. At least you’d die after giving them the information they wanted. Nonetheless, this would most likely be the last time he would see them again.

            His mother jumped from her couch and ran up to him, embracing him when she was closer. Troy must have told her. He returned her embrace and leaned his chin lightly against her shoulder. His shoulder dampened as a result of her sobbing.

            “I remember when you were still a young boy…” she whispered. “When did you grow up so fast?”

            “We have to grow up fast in this world,” he said softly, trying to lighten the mood.

            It worked for a brief moment, because Melissa chuckled. Then she pulled away and her face was in full view of him. Her cheeks were still stained with tears. “Jayden…”

            “Mom, I already know…” he replied quickly, not wanting to hear her plea. “Im doing this. It’s decided and I’m not backing out.”

            She gave a warm smile and held his cheek. “I know you are. Who am I to stop you. But promise me one thing before you go…”

            “I’ll try.”

            “Promise me that you’ll come back…”

            A promise he was unsure if he was able to keep. Even the look on Melissa’s face was also unsure. The odds were stacked against Jayden, and even if he lived, an insurgent’s work is usually a long haul. Once you’re in, you’re in for life. The best insurgents are the ones with nothing to lose and Jayden… he had plenty, but if he didn’t play is cards right, he’d lose them all. One measly life wasn’t worth keeping for their beautiful ones. “I can’t…”