Crossed Worlds

Chapter 15: The First Protest

James: I can't believe you're actually going through with this. Are you sure you'll be okay? And safe?

Jade had been informing James of her and her friends' plans over text message, since she'd been extremely busy and unable to go and visit him at the Cut-Off Point over the weekend.

Jade: Well, the meeting is in an hour, so believe it! We'll be fine, James. Seriously don't worry at all.

James: Good luck. But you know I will be.

She locked her phone with a smile. Momentarily, a warm wave of electricity replaced the nerves in her stomach. Then the clock ticked. And the nerves came back.

The gang met early in order to begin the plan. Lily was going to head in after they saw Janelle open up the hall to go and distract her.

"Good luck," Zoe squeezed her hand. Jade grinned at this small act of affection between the two, before they all watched her disappear into the double doors. "How long do I wait before I go in and put the slide on the stick?"

Luke walked over to a small window and peered in. He kept bobbing his head up and down until he put his thumb up.

"Lily's got her sat down faced away from her laptop. Genius! Go for it, Zoe."

So off she went, into the hall after the two other women. Everyone else that remained gathered around the small window, taking turns to sneak a look in. They watched Zoe edge around the chairs and creep towards the memory stick with bated breath.

She crouched at the laptop and clicked at great speed, flicking her long ombre hair over her shoulder every few minutes to ensure she hadn't been spotted. It was only one little slide, so it took around three minutes, and then she was done. She edged back around and ran for the door, to which Janelle turned her head, but Zoe was already gone.

"Great work!" Anna laughed as Zoe returned to the group with blushing cheeks and exhilaration in her eyes.

They then all went to join the other teenagers huddled by the entrance, and for now would attempt to blend in, looking bored like usual.

Janelle finally opened the doors, and Lily was sat on the other side with a nervous smile on her face.

"I'm bricking it," Jack admitted as they all took their seats.

"Me too, mate. Me too," Hunter did, actually, look the most terrified that Jade had ever seen him.

It was Lily, though, that looked so afraid she stunned everyone into silence.

"Lil? Everything okay?" Jade placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

She nodded with a sheepish smile that didn't meet her eyes.

"You all got your placards ready?" Luke whispered and everyone nodded. It didn't feel real, that in a few moments they'd be marching around the small hall in their small group protesting the meeting they were at.

Janelle hushed the group and it began. Jade felt like spikes were prodding at her insides and her palms were so sweaty she was constantly rubbing them against her jeans. She tried to calm herself down by remembering the hatred these meetings harboured and promoted, how these poor teenagers were being indoctrinated weekly. That made the fear subside. That allowed her mind to win.

"Welcome back, guys!" Janelle smiled her friendly smile. "Today, we will discuss just how damaged our future could be if Wild Ones were to live amongst us again."

Every week it felt like the same topic was being recycled and dressed in different, uglier ways. Jade's fear had shrunk again. Anger was winning. Passion for change was winning.