Windigo Soul (24 page)
“We found out something very interesting this morning that they’re not so eager to share on their news reports.” He pointed to the back of the building where the group’s modest communication equipment was stored. Thanks to stolen military-grade encryption hacks, they were able to tap into satellite feeds for everything from basic web browsing to secure communication with other cells sharing their cause.
“Our videos are having a greater impact than they would like us to believe. Retiree no-shows on retirement day are up as much as thirty percent in some cities. The police haven’t had to arrest this many to drag them to the processing centers since the law passed in the first place!”
The room broke out in applause. Somebody shouted out, “Go get ‘em, James!” resulting in healthy laughter from the crowd. Grayson held up his hands.
“A riot has been raging in Chicago for six days now and shows no signs of slowing down. They already burned one of the processing centers to the ground and overwhelmed the local police. And not a peep outside of the city. Nobody knows. According to the rest of the world, it’s business as usual. Why? Because they’re scared. They want to keep us all in the dark. Keep us under control. Keep us down!”
Another roar of applause, twice as loud as before.
“And so we’re going to keep fighting,” Grayson continued. “As I look around this room, into the eyes of my brothers and sisters, I can see you’re tired. Hungry. Scared. I understand.” He paused and surveyed the room. Nobody made a sound. “But I also see the strength, resolve, courage, and heart. We destroyed Windigo and one month from now we’re assaulting Brakenridge with help from our allies to the West. And with each plant we destroy we will get stronger. They’ll get weaker. This land will be free and they will pay for what they’ve done!”
The rickety old building practically shook as the room exploded with such a roar it was almost deafening. Even Hank found himself screaming with enthusiasm. Now that he had his family back, he thought his fight was over. But he realized it was just the beginning. He didn’t want his grandchild to grow up in the same world he did.
Grayson wrapped up his speech and eventually the festive atmosphere died down as people retired to their tents and campers to prepare simple dinners and dream of a time when they could live normal lives in society again.
Hank, Peg, Sara, and John stepped into the night. “Brakenridge, huh?” Hank asked John.
“I heard some rumors. I guess it’s true now.”
“Ever been to that one?”
“Nope, that one wasn’t in our jurisdiction. Hopefully Grayson’s buddies in the West have solid intel.”
“Hey, look!” Sara pointed to the sky. The clouds parted directly overhead to reveal a perfectly clear patch of night sky.
“Wow,” Hank muttered. “Look at all those stars. Beautiful.”
“It’s been years,” Peg said. “It’s so easy to forget there’s something above that blanket of smog over our heads. A whole universe out there.”
The small patch of sky dissolved as quickly as it came, as the thick clouds moved lazily overhead and the stars disappeared.
“Ah, well,” Hank said. “Nice while it lasted. Maybe it’s a sign.”
“Well, I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” John said. Home for him was a four man tent on the edge of the woods. Hank, Peg, and Sara shared a three room tent on the other side of the field.
“What are you doing now?” Sara asked.
“Uh, just getting something to eat. Maybe do a little reading. I’ve been holding onto a can of stew I thought I’d break out.”
“I traded for a few potatoes this afternoon. Care for some company?”
Hank and Peg stood behind their daughter, holding hands and smiling.
“Sure,” John said. “That sounds really nice.”
Sara nodded at her parents. “I could use a break from these two anyway. It’s sickening the way they’re always pawing at each other.”
Hank and Peg giggled like teens and headed off for their tent, arm-in-arm.
This time Sara took John’s hand as they walked in the opposite direction. “I was thinking,” she said. “Now, I’m positive it’s a girl, but in the very slight chance I’m wrong, I thought John might make a good boy’s name.”
“John, huh? Not bad. But I was thinking Henry might be a better fit. Strong name. A classic.”
Sara looked at her husband and smiled. “And people would call him Hank as a nickname.”
“Sure. I was never quite sure how that worked but it’s no stranger than calling a Richard, Dick.”
They stopped outside of John’s tent. “But all that doesn’t matter, because you’re sure it’s a girl,” he said.
“Right.”
“So what about her name?”
Sara looked up at him. “You’re going to think it’s stupid.”
“Try me.”
“Well, it’s a strange name, but I can’t get it out of my head. It just…fits.”
“Aaand? The suspense is killing me,” John said.
“I was thinking about…Liberty.”
“Liberty,” John repeated. He smiled. “I think it’s perfect.”
“Me too.” Sara put her arms around John’s shoulders and pulled him close. They kissed deeply as he fumbled for the zipper door on his tent. They finally tumbled inside, the stew and potatoes forgotten.
Special thanks to my great beta readers. Without them, this book would be a typo-filled, incoherent mess! Listed in no particular order:
Jim Apol, Rhonda Smith, Heidi Richards, Colby Zoeller, Bigi Stotzka, Shawna Newton, Brian Benison, Yvonne Usher-Benwell, Evan and Patricia Breyn, Deb Robbins
Please feel free to reach out and say hello! I love to hear from readers almost as much as I love getting reviews (hint,hint)!
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Desolate – The Complete Trilogy
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