Republic of Omisha

Chapter 45: Eliza

  Hours have past. Night has fallen. Eliza sits with her legs drawn to her chest in a fetal position as she sits on the top of a table. She waiting to hear of her fate.

Sebastian enters the room and Eliza stand up immediately in attention. Her heart pounds in her chest, rendering unable to speak.

Sebastian's expression is hard, but his eyes are full of regret. "They're calling you a traitor, but," he is quick to add. "They are willing to hear you out."

Eliza rolls her eyes and follows Sebastian out of the room. She crosses her arms and tenses her shoulders because of her nerves. She takes a shuddering breath as she faces the rally of rebels. She clenches her jaw and focus's her eyes.

A shout rises from the crowd. "Traitor!"

An anger bubbles inside Eliza, but she has to remember that she is on trial. She can't afford to lose her cool. Not now, so she pretends not to hear the comment.

A black man in his forties steps forward. "You need to prove to us that we can trust you. Whose side are you on?"

Eliza finds his stare unnerving. It makes her waver. "I am on humanity's side. The side of life. I have lost family to the rebellion and I have family ties with the leader of Omisha. I am no longer concerning myself with stupid labels and associating myself with a 'side.' That is small minded and you need to look beyond that, and see the bigger picture. Everyone has a common goal. Survival."

A crafty grin grows on her face. "I have a proposal for you."

"Yes?" Inquired the man.

"I have a plan to take down my uncle. It will all conclude in the saving of humanity. I need your help, but I have a condition."

"Let's hear it." He replies in a condescending tone.

"I call the shots. I need to use my uncle's influence to get the resources I need to save everyone."

He nods, pausing deep in thought. He clears his throat and says, "we will discuss your fate and let you know our verdict." He signals to Sebastian.

He escorts Eliza back to her holding room. He close the door to talk to her.

"Why aren't you still in charge? Did I get you in trouble?" Eliza asks.

He shakes his head. "They thought I was too close to the situation in order to use wise judgement in these circumstances. I am 'temporarily' demoted."

There is so much Eliza wants to say, so much that Eliza wants to talk about with Sebastian, but she must refrain when a voice calls to him. Beckoning him elsewhere.

It's the middle of the night when Sebastian comes back to her. She is sleeping soundly and he shakes her shoulder to wake her.

"What?" She asks in a hoarse sleepy whisper.

"We have to go now." Sebastian sounds urgent.

She sts up rubbing her eyes. "Why? What's going on?"

"Don't you set it? They're planning to execute you in the morning!"

"What?" Eliza's voice rises from a whisper.

Sebastian shushes her. "Lance is to blame for that. Now get up! We gotta go."

Eliza does what he says. They leave the room and Sebastian gives Eliza a baggy hoodie to wear. It covers her face. They sneak past the guards in the compound.

Once they are well into neighboring woods, she asks, "Where are we going?"

When Sebastian answers he doesn't even turn to face her. He just keeps his steady pace that is just slightly too fast for Eliza. "To ally with the original rebels again and execute your plan."