Chapter 24 - The Second Summit of the End of the World - I

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  Rachel cleared her throat. "There are two reasons I've called this summit. We need to decide what we're going to do about Omega, and what we're going to do about the world."

  "Isn't one of them more urgent? I'd think the world can wait," Julian asked.

  Rachel shook her head. "The riot last night was caught on video, with our town's name right in the title. It didn't have many viewers, but I'd guess we only have a few days at most before someone comes to investigate. Not to mention that we still haven't reported the murders yet. Jackie can't stall forever, not with two out-of-town kids in the morgue."

  "I didn't even know we had a morgue," Josh muttered.

  "Just enough for two bodies," Jackie replied grimly. "One of them's in an icebox now."

  "Ugh. Stop, please."

  "Why isn't the mayor here?" Neffie put in. "Wouldn't this be his specialty if we're going to be dealing with higher ups in the government?"

  "Rowan is going around with Preston trying to calm people down after last night," Rachel answered. "I spoke to him this morning. He won't be here."

  Gordon snorted. "Good riddance."

  "Hey—" Mason started, but Gordon ignored him.

  "Better you than that snake, Rachel."

  "Rowan Rhistler is the elected official for the township," Kendra pointed out. "Any official response will be looking to him first."

  "Like anyone comin' into this shitshow is gonna look for someone official," Jackie muttered. "They'll look for who's in charge, and that ain't Rowan."

  Gordon nodded emphatically. "Everyone in town knows what you've been doing by now. You stopped a riot just by showing up. Rowan wasn't even there. Half the town hates him anyway. There wouldn't be a single voice of dissent if you represented us."

  "Is this a coup?" Mason asked angrily.

  "It's not," Rachel said sharply. "I have no intention of replacing your uncle. Working with him, yes, but I'm still only the elected leader of the awakened. Nothing more."

  "If you're even that," Julian said. "Plenty ain't happy with you."

  "I'm guessing you sit near the top of that list, so why did you come today?" Rachel asked.

  Julian scratched his head abashedly. "You saved my bacon last night. Well, you and Hector. I owe you this much. Besides, it's kinda my fault you had to go through with the town hall anyway." He threw a crooked smile.

  "The rest of the Council?"

  "Oh, everyone's split for the hills. They're hunkered down in their homes since anyone tryin' to run winds up monster meat," Julian replied. "After you sold them out to save your friend and declared yourself in charge, no one really wants to stick their neck out for you. Jus' sayin'."

  "What about Mabel?" Rachel asked, turning to Josh.

  He shrugged. "I called her, but she didn't answer. Neither did her grandson. Could be anywhere."

  Rachel sighed. "It was never an agreement to fight, I guess. I can't blame them." She looked around at the room. "Thank you all, again, for being here today."

  "We all know what happens if we try to run for it," Ryan put in. "We get fucking snapped in half. Might as well try to fight our way out."

  "Do we have to?" came a timid voice from the corner. Heads turned to Hector, who shrank back against the wall.

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