Republic of Omisha

Chapter 49: Eliza

  She wakes again with her headache gone. The tubes and machines that were once attached to her are gone.

She sits up half expecting Valerie to be watching over her. Then it hits her that she'll never see Valerie again.

Eliza has to choke back tears. Truly everyone who becomes close to her ends up getting hurt. Her mother, sister and two best friends are dead. She also did hurt Clay and seems to be the only one that was able to walk away.

Maybe Eliza should push him away to protect him. No, stupid idea. That would just hurt him worse. Not unless it saves his life. Keeping him out of the way would work better.

Besides she has more pressing matters that her personal problems. She should be thinking about that instead. How will she figure out whatever her Mother was planning now?

All of her connections to the rebels, and rioters for that matter are deceased. Think Eliza. Then it hits her. She has the answer, but she dreads it.

Her Father. He must have at least had a clue what she was up to all those years. Right? He'd better because that's the only lead she has to go on.

Her mind is made up. Eliza will leave first thing in the morning. She will head to his house, which is just off campus.

Should I inform anyone of my plan? Eliza asks herself. No. She concludes. I don't want anyone else to get hurt. I have to protect Clay. From now on, I work alone.

Eliza feels worn down and broken. Her heart has been ripped apart. Now she is closing herself off to her feelings, emotions. Now she is nothing but cold and calculated. How will this play out?

She just wants this whole thing to be over. When will that be? Will anything actually get better? All of the citizens are in a panic. As far as they know, the world is ending. It might, if Eliza fails. Another reason to stay focused and keeps her emotions out of this.

As she falls asleep, she feels a huge weight on her shoulders. Tomorrow everything will change. For better or worse, things will be different.

Eliza just hopes that she doesn't fail because if she does there will be a huge price to pay. She has already lost so much to the cause. Will it all be worth it? Lydia Spero believed so.

Spero. Part of her family motto. Dum spiro spero. That's what clings to Eliza's mind as she drifts off to sleep. It's the last thing that her mother left her. Hope. While I breathe, I hope.

Eliza wakes to the warmth of sunshine on her face. The sun has fully risen. It is later than Eliza wanted to wake up, but she can't change that now.

She hurries to pack a backpack full of the supplies she thinks she'll need. She isn't going far, but she doesn't know how long she'll be gone or what to expect. She's not even sure if she will be returning.

She sneaks out the window. She jumps down from the windowsill. A few scattered trees stand ahead of her. She runs her eyes along the outer wall of the building. No one has spotted her. Her eyes hover on the window to Clay's room. She doesn't see him, but she still finds herself longing for him.

Maybe she should have some back up or at least let him in on her plan. It would be smart. Something could go wrong and Clay would gladly swoop in to save her.

She shakes her head, pushing the train of thought from her mind. She already has a plan. It's too late to go back on it now. Well, it isn't but Eliza just wants to look out for Clay.

He's been looking out for her ever since they met. She never got a chance to repay him, not that she feels like she owes him. She does feel guilty that her Mother, and Kalea, and Sebastian, and Valerie have all given their live for this cause, for Eliza and she never really did anything to have their back.