Ask Why

Chapter IV: Myfanwy

The end of class bell rung and I gave a silent sigh of relief. Another Leadership Skills lesson in which I had managed to escape without having to demonstrate saying anything. I managed to do well in this subject only because of my nearly perfect theory marks- public speaking terrified me and this was always apparent in my oral work.

Free at last! ‘Not quite so fast, where do you think you’re going?’ demanded the sneaky voice in my head, and reluctantly I made my way up front to ask a few questions about a test we had got back that day.

Five minutes later, having taken leave of Mrs Redfern, our teacher, I slipped out of the hall. Dusk was just setting and the air was nippy. I was the last person outside, or so I thought.

I paused for a moment, mulling over this evening’s lesson. It was slightly out of the ordinary, I had to admit.

The fact that Mrs Redfern had given Rorke such a controversial speech topic. And let him say his whole speech without stopping him. It was almost as if she gave him a chance on purpo- ‘No, don’t be silly,’ I told myself, ‘she is one of Them. The Authority. We can’t trust them, any of them. It is Them and Us, the age old battle between the ruler and the people. And the people must win. ’

Still, Rorke’s speech was fantastic. It gave me goosebumps and made it sound like we has a chance. And if anyone was listening properly, they would know that what he was doing wasn’t just carrying out the orders he was given, he was encouraging the future leaders of the country to join him in an uprising, in the Resistance. To break free and make a difference.

The fact that the pupils had reacted the way they did also have me hope. Surely they weren’t just applauding a perfect example in impromptu speeches, but also the idea? Judging by the muttering of the crowd, some of the had been convinced that we were right, or at least  convinced that the Authority might not be.

I woke from my reverie with a start and started to set off along the walkway towards DSG, happy despite our predicament, enjoying the freshness. I swung my notebook lightly from my fingertips, and was just about to laugh in delight when I heard muffled shouting from across the street.

I hurried passed the robots and saw the two figures near the steps going up towards Armstrong and Espin. The tall one leaned threatening over a small fragile person. A few steps closer, I identified them as Luke (a member of the Board) and, of all people, Caity. Luke muttered something and Caity protested loudly, “But Luke, I’m not sure if I can do this! They have trusted-”

“You can and you will!” Luke said, both cajoling and angry.

“Yes, but Dillan-”

Unfortunately, Luke heard me, and with a final warning glare at the small girl in front of him, the pair jumped apart quickly and stared at me. Caity’s expression was anguished, torn and guilty, but Luke’s brooding and menacing.  

“Hey Myfanwy, I was just walking Caity back to school” he said firmly. “I’m sure she can walk with you now…”

“Ya course” I faltered.

“Great! Talk to you soon Caity” there was something meaningful hidden in Luke’s words, and Caity shrunk from it, scared.

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On the walk back to school I kept looking at Caity expectantly, but she was not forthcoming about what had happened. It was definitely odd, but I reflected, not actually any of my business. However, as it may have had something to do with the Board, I decided to try and find something out.