START A RIOT

Chapter 2

I opened my eyes slightly too see that it was not dark out and we were still driving. I shut my eyes again, not wanting to endure an awkward conversation with the stranger next to me. I tried to silence my thoughts, focusing on the gentle rocking of the car.

A voice startled me from my trance. "You're finally awake."

I furrowed my brows in confusion. "How'd u know?"

"Your breathing quickened, became unsteady." He stated. I nodded even though he couldn't see me because his eyes were trained on the road.

"How far are we? Also, who are you?"

He chuckled when I asked the last question. "You slept for like four hours but we've still got another three. And I'm Marcus"

I offered to drive because I was sure he was just as exhausted as I was and he gladly accepted. He didn't sleep though. He kept his eyes open and stayed quiet, glancing at me every so often. We drove in silence for roughly a half hour. I looked at him to make sure he was fine and caught him staring with his dark brown eyes that held a story that I was yet to know of. I felt my cheeks heat up but he only smirked, then outright laughed. I kept my countenance neutral, which was tough because his laughter and smile was contagious.

We talked for the next two hours, mostly him explaining to me how the rebellion camp system functioned. Anyone who's identity had been compromised or was of enough importance that they couldn't risk themselves being doxed, were sent to camps stationed hours away from any major cities. These camps were where specialist rebels were trained to do specific jobs that were beneficial to the cause. Skills taught included combat, self-defence, computer programming, war tactics etc. People who chose not to be trained this way either moved into leadership, or were sent to towns far away from their old homes where they could live a normal life without being recognized or targeted. "So you live in one?" I questioned. Marcus only nodded, his face showing an emotion that I couldn't recognize. I saw his whole body tense as the sky lightened, signalling it was morning. Police officers would do their morning patrols soon and we'd both be dead if they found us. He drove for a few more minutes before pulling into a driveway and signalling for me to stay quiet and wait. I nodded but only seconds later I heard him say, "Okay c'mon it's all clear."

I stepped out of the car, wincing at the blinding light. Marcus and I jumped the side gate and entered through the back of the house. "The rebellion has safe houses everywhere. They're well hidden and only a select few know the locations." Marcus explained. When we walked in, all that was to be seen was an empty kitchen, and next to it a double bed. There was nothing else in the house except for dust and an empty bedside table. Marcus immediately lied down on one side, sighing. He noticed my confusion and shook his head jokingly. "Chill, we're both exhausted and need some sleep and we won't be able to move until it's dark anyways. I swear I won't try anything unless you want me to." He winked. I made a fake gagging sound and went to lay down on the other side, immediately feeling relief. I let my eyes close and was almost asleep when I felt an arm lay across my midriff, but I didn't fight it. I just let myself relax until I could finally let my brain go blank. I didn't dream that night. When I woke up it was like I never slept. My muscles sore and my eyes still tired as if I had only blinked though the pink sunset outside reminded me that I had in fact slept for a relatively long time.

I looked to my left to see that Marcus wasn't next to me anymore but sitting on the ground, jaw clenched staring intensely at his phone. I cleared my throat in an attempt to indicate to him that I was awake. It seemed that he hadn't heard me but a few moments later he looked up at me and smiled softly. "I see someone's awake. How'd you sleep?"

"Fine. When can we leave?" I asked coldly.

His expression shifted, obviously confused at my dry response. In truth, I wasn't actually sure why I was acting like this but I can't go back now, so I'm just gonna stick with it. It's not like a little confusions going to kill him. "Not for a while, we have to wait until I'm sure we're not at risk. There's food and water in the cupboard." He looked around at every little part of the room. It's something I've noticed him constantly doing. Assessing the space for threats, studying his surroundings, looking for ways out. It was like he was trained to do so like some sort of bodyguard.

"Is my dad okay? Is he at the place we're going to?" I questioned.

"I'm not sure," My heart dropped as he said this as his eyes searched mine for a hint to how I'd react as he elaborated, "He's okay but I haven't been told where he is and there's a great chance that he'll be at a different camp to you. If that's the case, you'll be able to communicate via SAT phones." I nodded, pushing away the worry, making my mind blank of any thoughts. Like I was a robot, a case over my heart both holding it together and blocking out everything but allowing me to act normal but unbothered. I was good at doing this, having done so since I was little but my nonchalant demeanor only added to Marcus' confusion. I laid on my back, staring at the ceiling focusing all my frustration on it. Pretending there was a laser from my eyes burning a gaping hole through the roof exposing the pink and orange sky.

"You okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine. So tell me about you then."

He scoffed. "Okay well I mean I guess we haven't got anything better to do."

We talked for the next hour, neither of us moving from where we were. I learnt a bit about Marcus so I now knew that he was 20, bi and didn't have any family other than a younger sister. He lived in the camp where I'd be going to and he was of importance to the rebellion but to the public he was someone else. A faceless pseudonym and even the people at the camp didn't know who he was known as in the movement. Many people disguised themselves when protesting and fighting so he could have been anyone. He grew up in Philly and owned an Australian shepherd named Blue. He never got to graduate high school because of the political unrest and he had been with the rebellion since its early days in 2020. I remember how brutal the cops were during these protests. They gassed citizens and shot peoples faces directly with rubber bullets that were meant to be shot from 50ft away at the ground. I struggled to keep my emotions suppressed remembering before any of this started when we could speak freely without being taken and never seen again or lynched and being deemed suicidal. But I had to remind myself that this unrest and tragedy will allow the next generation to live freely regardless of their skin color, race, religious beliefs, nationality etc.

Authors Note:

Sorry this chapters kinda short and it took me a while to update. Thanks to the one person that voted lmao but fr it gave me motivation to write and get this out there. Thank you so much for reading, it's so cool to see the views yk. As always, please vote, comment, share, add to lists and library's etc. Thanks for the support I love all 10 of my views lmaooo. Also, if you comment, please tell me what you'd like to see, I'm open to almost anything and will incorporate your suggestions into coming chapters. I know people are struggling with everything happening and I know it can be confronting but stay strong.