Living in the Lie

Chapter 3

AN The charcter you meet later (I'll give you a hint, his name is Dean) is the picture. In case you don't know the actor is Andrew Garfield.
***
The next few days were swamped, I had to keep up with my normal schooling, Warren tried to pack as much time in as he could before he left, and Madie was dropping in practically every night asking questions for hours. Joy kept disappearing too and I couldn't help but worry about her, her group was becoming more and more high risk and she always wanted to be in the action. Let's just say when I received the invitation to my first official meeting as a member I wasn't as excited as I should have been. All I really wanted was to sleep, but I couldn't miss my first official meeting.

I grabbed the wig and was set to sneak out my window when there was a knock on my bedroom door. I swear I jumped high enough to touch the ceiling, "Who is it?" I threw my wig under my bed and shed my coat and shoes.

"It's me," my sister's voice rang out followed by a chuckle. "Can I come in? Or are you up to something? "

"You can come in, just shut the door behind you."

She walked in with a smile, "It'll only take a second, you should be fine. I just had to warn you about a rumor that's been floating through the resistance groups. I've heard that a new person has come into play and they could make the difference between us taking back the government or not."

"I'm guessing you think they're talking about me? I haven't heard any of that and it's not like I am equipped to do much for a while."

"I know that," Joy walked over to my window, "Who's that?"

I glanced out the window, "The sign I need to go, see you later." I collected my stuff.

Joy grabbed my wrist, "Stay safe." She thrust a knife into my hand, "Only use this if you need to, I'll see you later."

She walked out of my room and I crawled out through the window. I booked it out towards the forest where Madie was waiting for me. "You're late," she said.

"Sorry, I tucked my hair into my wig, "my sister dropped by as I was about to leave."

"You didn't tell your sister anything, did you?" she pinned me up against a tree.

"Of course not, she was just saying goodnight. Why did you come get me? I can find my own way."

She scoffed, " We're not having a meeting tonight. Or training for that matter. Some of the leaders are getting together to work on a plan that will hopefully free us from the rule of our OH SO MAGNIFICENT LEADER ( note the sarcasm ). And your presence is requested."

"What do you mean?" A thought struck me, "Wait, do they know about me?"

"No girl, that's tbe plan for tonight. You are the key to something much bigger."

***

After what seemed like an eternity Madie stopped in front of a tree. She began to pull on branches. "What-"

"Sh!," she continued on what she was doing. One of the branches she grabbed must have opened a passageway because there was now a hole in the base of the tree. "Keep quiet and follow me."

I slipped in after her and she led the way through a very dark, very windy passageway. After a few minutes of walking down the stairs she turned to me, "Wait here. I'll come get you when it's time."

"Why can't I just to in now?" It was creepy down here and I didn't want to spend more time in this passageway than necessary.

"There are things we, as the follow leaders and I, need to discuss. You might be helpful, but you don't get to know all our secrets." With that Madie turned on her heel and walked down an adjoining hallway.

"Just great," I mumbled and slid down the wall. First meeting as an official member turns out to be a hoax. Of course this is my luck.
***
It seemed like an eternity, I had started to doze off when I heard footsteps coming down the hallway. I jumped to my feet not wanting Madie to see me sleeping and think that I'm not good enough.

"Who's there?" A masculine voice came with the footsteps.

"Ann, who are you?" I was impressed with myself, normally I'd freeze in that kind of situation.

"Dean," with that he stepped into the light. He was handsome, his hair was a dark brown that was short on the sides but had some more on top that was swooped up. His eyes were huge! They were brown and had hints of green. He was probably six feet with a slender build, but you could definitely tell that he was strong. His voice broke my thoughts, "What are you doing?"

"What?" I felt my cheeks flush.

"You were giving me a weird look."

"I was um.... I was trying to figure out the best way to take you down." Was that really the best lie I could come up with?

"And?"

"Well as it appears you have no weapons," I hope my brain could do better this time. "So, I would go for the groin. Simple effective and it would then get you short enough to break your nose."

"Not a bad plan, could use some work though." He gave me a cheeky smile, "So, why are you here?"

Before I could answer a Madie's voice came from down the hall, "Hate to break this up, but Ann you're needed now. Dean, you're late.... again."

I walked over to her with Dean hot on my heels. Madie turned and walked down the hall. We walked for a bit before she opened a door and we shuffled in. The room was small, barely enough room for a table and eight chairs. Six of those chairs were occupied, my eyes swept over them. "Joy," I gasped.

Joy smiled back at me, "Hey sis."