Transform Me (A "Shatter Me" Trilogy Fanfiction)

EIGHT: UNCALCULATED RISK

 8: Uncalculated Risk

          Juliette, Warner and Kishimoto are stunned into silence.  The tension is so thick, it’s like a concrete wall.

             Then Juliette breaks it first.  “We have to go back.  We have to go back and help them!”

             There’s a crazed look in her eyes and she’s struggling in Warner’s arms.

             “Warner, let me go!”

             “How on earth do you suppose you’ll help them, love?”  Warner’s voice is firm and unrelenting.  “We’re thousands of miles away.  We can’t just hop on the next jet back home.”

             “But we have to do something to help!”

             “I know, love.  I know.”  She begins sobbing into his chest.  Warner strokes her back.  “But the fear is overpowering your sense of reason right now.”

             “Warner’s right, J.”  Kishimoto agrees.  “We can’t just waltz in without a plan.  There’s only three of us and thousands of them.  We need a solid, foolproof plan.”

             She shoots us a desperate look.  “Devin can help us.  There are plenty of you here at The Genesis Movement.  You can help us save them!”

             “I’m afraid it can’t work that way, darling.”  Devin’s eyes are full of compassion and sadness.

             “But you said you wanted to rid the world of the Reestablishment!  You said you would restore peace and balance at all costs!”

             “Aye, and we have every intention of doing so.”  Devin replies evenly.  “Mr. Kishimoto is right.  You need a plan—a foolproof one at that—and we have one.  And right now, marching right into the claws of the Reestablishment isn’t part of that plan.”

             It takes a few minutes for Juliette to gather her bearings, and when she does, Devin tries to explain our plan as best as she can, although she refrains from divulging everything.  I don’t question her reason to withhold information from them, but she must read something in their thoughts that justifies this decision.

             Regardless, Juliette finally acquiesces.  After this, I share the contents of the briefcase with them and fill them in on the current events going on aboveground.  This takes nearly two hours, and by the time we’re over, Juliette asks to be excused to have some time to think.  Warner and Kishimoto go with her and she doesn’t object.

             I let out a heavy sigh and massage my temples.

             My body is screaming for a shower and food and sleep, and my thoughts are in such a garbled, disorganized heap right now that I don’t know which one to prioritize.  However, my conscience keeps telling me to go to room B.  Caitlan sees me looking and gives me a small, encouraging nod.

             I take in a breath before going in.

             Gupta is inside, talking in hushed tones with Kim, who looks marginally better than he did the first time I saw him.  When Kim sees me standing by the doorway, surprise flickers over his face, and Gupta stops talking to look at me over his shoulder.  They exchange a look, then Gupta pats Kim’s shoulder and stands up.  He gives me a nod as he passes by me, which I return.  Even after Gupta has left the room, I remain standing by the doorway, unsure of what to do next.  I really hadn’t thought about this.  But it was now or never.