The Species of Power [Draft 1]

Chapter 10

The fear of being questioned was what kept Ruth from the outside world. Ruth had been living in the home of the rebellion for nearly three days, specifically in Margaret's bedroom. She kept to herself, for the most part. The only interaction she had was with Margaret who came in out at unpredictable times. She shared a few conversations with Caton and Garret, but those were few and far between.

Ruth knew that Marsh was waiting for an answer. She had no idea what to choose; the rebellion, or the Elders. As selfish as it was, Ruth couldn't think of it as right or wrong, good or bad, black or white, or night and day. All she could do was make the choice for her.

The idea of breaking out of the routine she had known for so long was terrifying. If she was to choose the rebellion, she would lose almost everything. Ruth pushed aside any concerns she had for material needs, and only focused on her emotions. She thought of Joseph, and all that they had been through for the several months they spent together. The bond they had was something very unique, but Ruth didn't know how she felt about it yet.

She finally accepted how Joseph saw them and his plans for their future. Her life was chosen for her, it was all set. If she were to choose the Elders; she would choose Joseph, she would choose to let Mark die. She would choose to give up Marsh and Margaret, and ultimately her freedom. Freedom, another thing Ruth didn't understand before the rebellion, she had gotten a taste of it by being in their home. Even though she had hidden herself inside their walls, she had made the choice to do that; she could come and go as she pleased.

Choice, another thing the rebellion offered her; freedom and choice. Not only that, but the freedom to make her choice. Her answer came to her quickly after she realised what she had at the rebellion. It wasn't about right or wrong anymore, that was non-existent. Both causes could be justified as both right and wrong. It wasn't just about Mark or Joseph, because with one life, all she could have was Joseph, but with the other, she didn't have to have either of them.

"So you've made your choice," said Marsh. Ruth sat across from him in his study. She called the meeting with him to discuss her desicion.

"Yes," Ruth said. "I've chosen to make my own choices."

"Good choice kid," said Marsh. "Now, we get to work."

"What's the plan?"

"The Elders gave you two weeks to get Mark, right?"

"Yes."

"Then we have two weeks to get Mark out of here," he said. "So here's what you are going to do..."

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Forty five minutes out of the city stood an abandoned barn house, known to be one of the many homes which belonged to a gang of wild Shape Shifters. They were a specific gang of wild Shape Shifters who were famous for holding people for ransom to make their living. They are called the Savages. The Children of Rage stayed away from their territory, so long as they did not take any of their own. Until they break the trust of the Children of Rage, they were not be questioned or suspected of any crimes. That agreement was made fifty years ago. A lot happened in fifty years. The rebellion formed a secret alliance with the Savages, and now they were going to use them to their advantage.

Ruth now sat on a creaking wooden chair in the center of the barn. A faint glow from the moon slipped through the cracks of the roof, providing her with the only light she had. Caton stood close by her, wearing a mask that completely covered his face. Two other rebellion Shape Shifters, Garret and Sky, stood near the entrance. Ruth knew nothing more about the plan then what Marsh instructed her to do. She could understand how Garret and Sky could help; seeing as Garret could morph into a bear, and Sky could transform into a chameleon. Although with Caton, she wasn't sure.