Death Valley (Desert Children Series #2)

Screaming for Revolution

"The Fabulous Four. Responsible for innocent deaths and riots. I should just take Rocket's life right now. I can show you how it feels to suffer loss like I have." Neon Pop said.

The shadows on his face seemed to darken. Rocket was shaking from fear. She looked into the camera with wide eyes. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead. He seized her by her hair and she made sounds of protest, squeezing her eyes shut. I could tell she was sobbing. I tried not to cry too.

"I could take her life. I could. Or you could pay for your faults. We could make a deal." He pulled the gun away from her head and let go of her hair. "I'm in the basement at the warehouse in Zone 4. You know where to go. 24 hours."

The tape cut out there. We were silent until Kobra jumped up and grabbed the girl's shoulders in anger.

"Where is she?!" He screamed at them. "You know something!"

It took several of us to pry him from them.

"I can't believe he would do something like that." Electric Heart said. "He never talked about being mad before."

I didn't know what to say. What did Neon want?

"If he wants money, I'll give him all of the money we have." Kobra muttered.

"We have to think!" Poison quieted us. "Obviously if we bring back up, he will kill her."

"I don't think it matters what we do. I think he's going to kill her anyway." Jet said.

I buried my face in my hands. Ghoul put his arms around me in an attempt to comfort me. It felt like once things were getting better, they got significantly worse. I knew sitting around crying wasn't going to bring Rocket back. I had to take a stand and go help them get her back. She was one of my best friends. I knew I was the same for her.

The others were arguing about a plan. They had no idea what he wanted to trade. What could possibly be so important to him? Did he want money? But what would money have to do with the riots? We had 24 hours to get to Neon and save Rocket.

I fought with Kobra about going with them. He didn't want me to join their search and rescue mission. I screamed at him with tears in my eyes. The twins had backed out on the mission.

"She's my best friend!"

"You always almost get yourself killed!" Kobra yelled back.

Ghoul frowned. "Phoenix... I don't want you to get hurt."

"Stop agreeing with him, Buttface!" I yelled.

"I am not a buttface!" Ghoul yelled back.

Poison looked like he wanted to strangle us. "Stop acting like damn children. We are leaving in five minutes with or without Phoenix. Considering she is her own person, she gets to choose whether she goes or not."