When We Suffer

Chapter Five

Dangerous- The xx

Andrey had gathered more information and done more exploring. Later that evening everyone in the rebel camp was gathered outside where they held a large bonfire. It was a large celebration for the success of the 're-kidnapping' as Andrey thought of it as. They mourned the losses for a few of the members of the rebels and the hostages who hadn't survived the rescue. A man in a military suit surrounded by other fighters and gunmen was up on a stage talking through a mic that blasted his message all around the cracking fire for everyone to hear.

Andrey maneuvered slowly through the large crowd searching for Dennis. He bumped into people and accidentally pushed them around not bothering to apologize though none of them cared as they watched the man in military uniform speak.

Andrey soon found the kid hiding under his hoodie with his hands stuffed in his pockets. He nudged him in the side with his elbow and Dennis startled before breaking into a grin. Andrey's lips curled into the tiniest of smiles at the boy.

"You find anything interesting?" Dennis asked quietly.

"Everyone gets registered and then is arranged with sleeping quarters and given food for free. They give everyone metal wristbands that have their names, ages, and a serial number on them. Each of these are equipped with tracking devices." Andrey replied.

"They have sponsors for their military," Dennis said after nodding at Andrey's info. "Rich people who are unhappy with the way the government is being run, they double as spies for the rebellion. They only have some odds and ends in terms of military though, nothing large enough to pose as a real threat."

"They also are stuck up fighting against the other rebellion group," Andrey added.

Dennis looked up at him with confusion.

"Supposedly, the other group is unorganized but still taking time and energy away from fighting the government since the two groups always fight each other," Andrey added.

"That's stupid why do they fight each other when-" Dennis protested looking up to Andrey with confusion.

Andrey raised his eyebrows and shrugged but cut Dennis off. "I don't know, It's stupid and that's why we have to get out of here," He turned to watch the leader-like man in the military suit who was still talking over the cracking bonfire.

"Dearest friends, we will win this war!" the man said as what seemed to be the end of a speech of some sort. Andrey frowned a bit at this. To the rest of the world there was no big war; only crumbling societies and governments.

"That said, I encourage you all to enroll in our military program." the man said in a strong voice. He was a large strong man and he had deep set eyes and tanned skin. He sounded like he had the remains of a spanish accent but andrey couldn't quite tell. He had dark black hair that was in a slicked back undercut.

Andrey couldn't care less for the man's speech and he stared around the bonfire taking in each face lighted by the orange glow. Mazarine was standing by the platform the man was on and she was surrounded by other fighters that had been at the rescue mission. She stared into the fire thoughtfully, her dark skin and mohawk of fluffy curls lighted gold in its blaze. Across from Mazarine Amber stared into the fire with a small smile. Andrey looked back to Dennis who was looking down, hidden in his hoodie.

Andrey tuned out the surrounding noise only listening when something of possible importance came up in the man's speech. Nothing came up and the rest of the bonfire meeting passed uneventfully.

There was a party held after the meeting. Many people left at this time but about half of the crowd stayed as loud music was put on and beverages were handed out. Most of the rebels grouped to their cliques of friends. Laughter and talking could be heard all around. A rather large crowd began dancing on the opposite side of the bonfire as Andrey. He had backed away from the partygoers and he sat on one of the crates that had been fashioned around the fire in a ring for seating. Dennis hovered by him glancing up at him expectantly.