Road to Clover (The Breanna Raven Series) (6 page)

I guess w
hat he’s saying makes sense, and honestly, I’m not sure how to react to it. But what I don’t get is what would be the purpose of keeping track of everyone?

Agni states,
“I bet they’re not going to bomb the island. Since they’re going to all that trouble of putting those scanners up.”

“Well, that’s good news I suppose. At least, we’ll have a home to come back to if everything works out.”

We hear the sounds of boots running behind us. There are more soldiers running further down Sun Drop Highway, and they are in groups of twos and carrying the same equipment. Two of them run up the sidewalk towards us, but they stop in between two stores. One brings out a power drill, and he starts drilling holes in the brick masonry between the instrument store and the shoe store. They are mounting a cylinder to the wall. Now, I’m convinced that Agni is right. The Enlightened plans on watching whoever is left over on this island.

Now my interest is peaked
, too. What is this organization about? I guess in an hour, I’m going to find out.

It’s not very long before
people start coming into town. There are a few arriving on bicycles, but most are driving, which is the only cleared road we’ve seen so far. People are parking everywhere and anywhere there is a free space around the small town. Most of the helicopters have taken off, but three remained. They were flown to the fairgrounds to clear the highway.

I think it’s
actually really good to see people again. This little town isn’t meant to be empty and silent. There’s supposed to be creativity and shopping, and people simply having a great time. I wonder if we’ll ever go back to those times.

A loud
squelch startles me. It’s a bullhorn. Someone is making an announcement from the steps of the Allium Cultural Hall, but I can’t really understand what’s being said. We’re too far away, but Agni and I start going towards the noise. It looks like the meeting is going to be outside from what I can tell, and that’s good for us. We won’t be separated.

When we get close enough, I see there are
four long bright yellow banners hanging from the top of the overhang between the pillars. The word ‘ENLIGHTENED’ is centered and written vertically all the way down the length of the banners. There is a shorter banner in front of the podium at the top of the steps. I can’t see whoever is speaking into the bullhorn, but I can hear what he’s saying loud and clear.

“Everyone, gather around. The meeting will start shortly.”

We try to remain near the back because of the dogs. King is sitting beside Agni, and I have Miss Kiki in my arms. We’re watching people as they meander in. Some look scared. Others appear to be angry. There are low murmurings, but most of all there is a cloud of distress hanging over the crowd. My heart is just racing. I wish they’d get on with this meeting so it can be over with quickly.

After a few minutes, seven
people start ascending the steps, and they have pistols holstered to their patent leather belts. They’re lined up one behind the other, and they are wearing black uniforms. They look sharp with their patent leather knee high boots. The clicking sound as their boots hit the marble speaks of a practiced cadence. Once at the top of the platform, they turn to face the crowd, and they’re wearing serious expressions on their faces. Instantly, I don’t like them. They have an aura of superiority, like they are better than us.

A woman with
black hair pulled tight into a bun in the back of her head goes to the podium. She has thin eye brows and dark angry eyes. She’s pale with thick full unpainted lips. She is standing like a statue at the podium with her hands behind her body. She’s waiting patiently for everyone to turn their attention towards her.

The other six people that are on the platform are standing beside her, three on each side. They have taken the same stance
in what I consider their show of intimidation.

The woman starts speaking with an unemotional
, but undeniable serious tone of voice. “Citizens, I am here to report to you that your nation is no longer recognized. The United States of America does not exist.”

Murmuring begins to rise. The crowd is clearly in shock of this news,
but honestly, how can anyone be surprised? From what Agni and I have seen and heard, there is no doubt that her statement is true. And I’m sure they’ve heard the bombings on the mainland, as well.

“
We are the Enlightened, one people of one nation in one world.” She announces with pride, the first emotion I’ve seen thus far from her. She starts eyeing the crowd from the left to right before she continues, “Some of you may be asking what does the Enlightened mean? It is a worldwide consortium of unique achievers, accomplished thinkers, and boundless dreamers whose only goal is achieve the perfect society. We have made a huge step towards that goal in the past twenty four hours, and we are here to offer all of you an opportunity to join us in this brand new society.”

“What if we say no?” A man yells from the crowd.

“Consider your choice carefully. The alternative is permanent.” She remarks as she looks in the direction of the man.

“
It sounds like we have no choice!” A woman screams, but her comment is swallowed by others shouting their opinions, as well.

The woman at the podium lifts both of her hands, and she waits for
everyone to settle down before she continues her speech. “The Enlightened will make all of you a vital part of the new world. Your skills and knowledge will be put to use not only for the betterment of society but for you, as well. Aren’t you tired of the way your government has treated you? Don’t you want something new, something better? We will offer you and your families a life of success and extraordinary privileges. You will reap the rewards of being a citizen of the world, of the Enlightened!”

Someone shouts over her,
“We don’t believe in your enlightenment!”

The voices in the crowd
come up in unison as a thunderous noise. I can’t make out what anyone is saying, but it is apparent no one wants what she’s offering. The bullhorn squelches, and it works in quieting the crowd.

The woman steps closer to the podium and says, “In
the next 24 hours, registration stations will be set up here in Allium Center, in King Potrea, Penny Valley, and Perennial Lock. You will have up to three weeks to register. After such time, anyone that is not will face dire consequences. Don’t think for a moment you will be able to continue to live the same old American way. If you’re not a part of the Enlightened, you will suffer and ultimately, you will die. The only choice is to join the world.”

Her
words settle on the crowd. No one is speaking against her now. I wonder if everyone will go with her offer. My question is soon answered.

A man screams out “U.S.A.” and a pop echoes throughout the crowd. Someone
has shot the woman behind the podium, and she’s flat on the platform. Chaos has broken out, and people have started running anywhere they can. Agni and I take off down the sidewalk, as well. Out of nowhere, the helicopters are back, and they’re shooting into the dispersing crowd. People are falling down around us, and their blood is flying as the bullets rip through their bodies. I am hanging on to Agni for dear life as we turn the corner into an alley. The dogs are with us. We can see a street at the end, and we’re hauling tail right for it. We make it through the alley, across Kangaroo Paw, and we run directly into the woods. We can still hear screaming and shooting. Agni and I do not look back for anything in the world. Our goal is to get as far away as fast as possible.

By the time we stop running, I can’t breathe or talk. I’m so exhausted that I fall to the ground. Agni
is bent over trying to catch his breath. A few people run right by. They don’t stop, and they don’t look back at us.

One guy is walking a few feet away. Actually, he’s limping pretty badly, and he’s in real pain. I make eye contact with him, and then I realize I know him. That guy stays in the cove.

“Isaac,” I manage to say. My voice is coarse, and it hurts to talk.

He narrows his eyes at me.
Isaac isn’t wearing his glasses.

“
That’s Isaac.” I say again, but I can’t say anything more because my lungs feel like they are about to burst.

Agni
runs right over to him to see if he’s okay. He gets down on one knee in front of Isaac, and he’s looking down at his foot. They’re talking, but I can’t hear what they’re saying. Agni grabs his arm and assists him back over to where I’m still sitting. They sit down next to me, and we’re all quiet trying to catch our breath.

Isaac Morgan is a junior in our high school. I don’t know a whole lot about him, but he seems to be a nice guy.
We always speak whenever we see one another, but that’s about it.

Isaac is a black guy with a mohawk haircut, light brown eyes, and a baby face.
Honestly, I think he’s pretty cool looking. He always wears loud color shirts and tight fitting jeans. He’s not as tall as Agni, but he’s a little bit more built. He isn’t muscular or anything like that, but he’s an average size boy.

King plops down behind Agni. I guess he’s tired,
too. Miss Kiki is trying to get into my lap, but I’m not sitting straight for that to happen. I adjust how I sit so she can get comfortable.

“That was crazy. We’re never going to another one of those meetings again.” Agni remarks.

“You got that right.” I quickly add.

“Breanna,
if those soldiers are anything like that in Titan City, we might be in big trouble.”

“You two are trying to get off the island? Are you crazy?” Isaac says with disbelief.

“We’re going to look for our families.” I explain.

“
Those Enlightened people are destroying Titan City, Breanna.” Isaac reveals.

“
Have you been over there?” I ask him curiously.

“
No, but last night, I went out to where Olympus Bridge used to be. You can see clear across Nereus Pass. Most of the tall buildings are gone, and there are fires everywhere.”

“
Maybe they haven’t attacked other parts of the city,” I say as I try not to choke up.

“
I seriously doubt it. I saw like a bunch of buildings collapsing last night, falling in on themselves. Then there were these flashes of red beams or something. I’m not sure what they were, but take my word for it, that place is being destroyed.”

I know it’s bad on the mainland, but Isaac will not make me change my mind.
He looks over at Agni who is picking at the leaves underneath him.

“Don’t you guys understand that if your
families are in Titan City, then more than likely they’re dead?”

“I refuse to believe that. What about you, Agni?” I ask him hoping he’ll be on my side.

“I don’t know what to believe anymore.”

Agni is so torn. He wants
to go back to the cove so badly. He can go, but I can’t do it. I don’t care what we just learned and what has happened, I am not going to stick around. There is no garauntee that my parents will return, and I can’t sit idly by and hope that Chloe is okay.

“I’m going. I have to.” I remark as the tears finally escapes down my cheeks. “
Chloe needs me.”

“And what will you do if you find
her dead?” Isaac asks.

“
I don’t know. Maybe, I’ll die, too.” I candidly admit.

Agni
is still looking down at the ground. I stand up. I’m not going to sit in the woods and continue to hide. We have to get to Penny Valley, and its many hours away on foot.

“Isaac, we’re heading south. Do you want to come with us?”
I ask.

“No,
my grandmother and brother are at home, and they’re waiting for me.”

Wait a minute! Isaac does have a brother. He’s only a year
older than Chloe, but they go to the same school and ride the same bus. But it’s not possible for his brother to be home and not my sister. Oh my God, I hate to think I missed her!

“Isaac, did your brother ride the bus home yesterday?”

“He didn’t go to school at all yesterday. He has the flu. One of the reasons why I came to Allium. I was looking for medicine. We ran out this morning.”

“Oh,” I say in relief.
Okay, so I’m kind of glad he stayed home because that meant I didn’t miss my sister, but I’m also not very happy because I still don’t know where she is.

“
Will you be okay getting back home?” Agni asks him.

“I can’t walk it. So, I’m going to try and go back to town and get my bike. Hopefully, those soldiers are long gone.”

“We’ll go with you.” I say.

Agni helps Isaac back to his feet. We all start
out slowly to Allium Center. I’m not looking forward to going back, but Agni and I have to help Isaac.

When we return, the
town is ten times different from what it was before. I think I appreciate the emptiness better than I do the dead bodies. We’re moving through the alley that Agni and I took to get out of town beforehand, and we can see people on the ground. None of them are moving, and there are pools of blood everywhere.

What kind of consortium is this that calls itself trying to make a perfect society
and killing people at the same time? They’re insane. I’m so tired of seeing dead bodies. I just want everything to be like it used to be. It’s so annoying to want something so much and to have it a million miles out of reach. I decide to stay in the alley with my back to the main road. I don’t want to see anymore death.

“I’ll be right back, Breanna. Hold on to King.”
Agni hands me the leash and goes with Isaac to help him find his bike.

I go
back to the middle of the alley. King is looking up at me, and he can tell I’m just so miserable and scared. Miss Kiki is whining and standing on her hind legs. I pick her up and hug her.

Agni
and Isaac soon come back from another alley that connects with the one I’m in, and they have two bicycles with sidecars with them. The price tags are still hanging from the handlebars. Under normal conditions, I’d be mad at Agni for stealing something that doesn’t belong to him but these are nowhere near normal conditions. I am so grateful to have wheels. No more walking for us and the dogs.