Republic of Omisha

Chapter 27: Clay

  Morning comes and everyone gets dressed and heads to breakfast, just like every other day. Only Eliza, Valerie, and Clay know that this will not be like every other day.

It's Clay's to get the headmaster out of his office long enough for Eliza to sneak in and make the announcement to the school.

He goes to the principal and claims that he has an "urgent matter" that only he can attend to. He leads him to the music wing which is on the opposite side of the school from his office. When they get to the wing, he nods to Valerie signaling for her to run to Eliza and tell her that it's clear. Valerie will them keep look out for Eliza.

"So why am I in the music wing?" Headmaster Nelson impatiently asks.

"Um... because... because we're having problems with the speakers." Clay wasn't good at lying under pressure.

"The electrician couldn't have taken care if this, why?"

But before Clay even had the chance to answer Eliza's voice came overhead. "May I have your attention. You have been deceived."

Mr. Nelson becomes cross. Clay tries to stand between him and the door, but he pushes pat with ease. As he charges down the hall, he ignores all of Clay's attempts to distract him.

Clay is powerless. Eliza continues her message. Clay already knows what she's saying so he doesn't listen closely.

He gives up as the headmaster rounds the corner to his office. Eliza already got the message out and Clay decides that he will go around campus and see where everyone stands. Those who are with them will follow him and those who aren't, he'll make sure won't stand in their way as they leave.

He goes in the pod, where allt of the teachers and students are this period. His runner friends, Brooke and Brindle are quick to join him. His best friend Steven makes a surprising choice. He stays.

"Why?" Clay asks him feeling hurt.

Steven shakes his head. "The rest of the world is doomed, but we were chosen to continue on, to keep the human race going, alive. I'm not gonna throw that away."

His words cut deep.

Valerie's friends, Sandra and Asher are eager to be on his side. The teachers just stay in their classrooms. He turns to leave with them, but Ekon speaks up. "Take me with you."

Clay turns around and doubts what he just heard. "What?"

"I said take me with you."

Clay ponders his answer. He stares him down for a minute before softening his gaze and confidently replying, "alright." With that they head to the main office to join Eliza and Valerie. He is pleased that most of the students have sided with them.