“What do you want to know? I’m an open book.” Joshua offered with a smile. He leaned forward clasping his hands together. “I’m Adam and this is Jacqueline. We’ve already explained that to you. But if you’re confused, we can start at the beginning again.”
Chancellor Collins face turned red aggravated. “Enough!” He shouted. The walls vibrated as if there had been a slight earthquake from the sound. He let out a heavy breath. “We found a journal from the late Parker’s.” He explained.
I already told him I found it in the bag when we escaped, after Haven was destroyed. Olivia must have left it in there from when we met her. If The Chancellor read our minds, it seemed innocent enough.
Joshua sighed. “Yes, Jacqueline found it in the bag. I haven’t read it or looked at it so I can’t really say much as to the legitimacy of it.” It was the truth. He’d given it to me to take to Haven, and I’d read it alone.
The Chancellor sighed, realizing he was making no headway. “Here’s the thing,” he stared at us both. “There are two of you. Two of you I really don’t need and, seeing as how you’re both lying, I find it easiest to send you both to your deaths. Unless that is, one of you will speak up?” Neither of us said a word. I was certain he was bluffing. They wouldn’t kill us. They had no proof we were lying. So what that we had a journal from my father, it didn’t prove we weren’t Jacqueline and Adam. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” He pulled two capsules from his pocket. Jet black in color, I reached out, taking one in my hands and Joshua taking the other.
I don’t like this. Joshua stared at me. We’re worth more to them alive. At least you are. Tell them the truth or I’ll take the pill. He didn’t want to watch me die.
My eyes widened as Joshua brought the pill up to his lips in horror. “Wait!” I exclaimed reaching out but the pill slipped between his lips and he swallowed it faster than I could react. “No!” I screamed my face reddened and I could feel the tears coming.
The Chancellor grabbed Joshua’s arm and pulled him out of the room. A moment later Collins returned with a smug smile. “You have two minutes to save his life, dear. Two minutes and I can still reverse the effects before it’s too late.”
“I’ll tell you whatever you want. Just save his life.” I nodded through wide tear-filled eyes. “Please, you have to save Josh’s life.” I knew the truth had slipped out, but I hadn’t cared. Chancellor Collins smile only seemed to grow with the satisfaction of his answer. “Do something!” I screamed at him. Time was ticking away and he hadn’t budged.
“Talk,” he demanded. “Then I’ll save him. You have 90 seconds.”
“I’m Olivia Parker,” I admitted, telling him what he already suspected. “The journal was my father’s, Gavin Parker. He’s dead.” I wiped the tears as fast they fell. “Joshua helped me escape from prison and we left Genesis for Haven. The rebel alliance wanted me to have a baby, be their savior. I was actually relieved when the government destroyed their town,” I answered bitterly. “We had no home. Nowhere else to go. Joshua had the map and we took a chance, we came here.” It was everything that had happened, everything important. “Now save him, damn it!” I stood up and stomped my foot, growing angrier by the second.
Collins nodded stepping out of the room and a moment later brought Joshua back in. He looked a little flushed but otherwise fine.
“Josh?” My hands went to his cheeks, staring into his eyes. “Are you okay?” My heart pounded as I looked him over. I wasn’t a doctor, but he looked all right.
“Other than a bitter taste in my mouth. I’m okay,” Joshua answered.
Chancellor Collins smiled proudly. “That was easier than I thought. He’ll be fine. Just a simple truth pill he swallowed, now stay here,” he told us. “Do not move,” he insisted, heading out the door we came in, shutting it behind him forcefully.
“I don’t like this,” I breathed looking around the room. I stood up, heading quietly for the door, finding it locked. Why was I not surprised?
Joshua sighed. “At least there’s an upside to it.”
“And what’s that?” I couldn’t possibly think of anything good coming of this.
“We can go back to calling each other Olivia and Joshua.” He smirked. I wondered briefly if the truth pill had worked on him. Was there anything I wanted to know that Joshua hadn’t told me? No. I wouldn’t ask him when he was drugged. That was wrong.
“Cute,” I muttered, trying the handle again. Nothing. I walked to the opposite wall, peering out the blinds through the window. We were too high up to jump. It wouldn’t be a smart idea. My hands roamed the walls, desperately hoping to find a way out or at least a weapon to protect us.
Jaxon opened the door, stepping into the room with Margo behind him.
“What are you doing here?” I asked staring at them, confused. Were they here to help us escape?
“Come with us,” they both answered, not giving any explanation. I glanced back at Joshua. He merely gave a slight nod to go ahead. We followed them down the stairs to the third floor and into a large room with an old wooden table and chairs.
Inside the room, Chancellor Collins sat at the head of the table. To his right was Maya and next to her was Elsa. Across from Elsa, Jaxon took a seat and Margo sat beside him. My mouth dropped further, if at all possible, seeing Cate and Mason beside Margo and on the other side of the table Hazel, and to my surprise, Aidan. He was still alive!
“Have a seat,” the Chancellor instructed, gesturing at the two empty seats at the table.
I didn’t know what else to say or do, but sit down. “Was this all some kind of trick?” I was more than slightly confused.
I was grateful Joshua wasn’t trying to communicate with me telepathically. I didn’t trust these people and the last thing I wanted was for them to listen in on a private conversation.
“Everything isn’t as it seems. I’m sorry for the smoke and mirrors, but you must understand we had to test your capacity to fit in. We don’t just let people come into our town. Most, in fact, never see it. We’re on no maps, and those who drive through keep going. I’m not sure how you found us. No one’s ever stopped. At least not accidentally.” Collins smiled awkwardly.
Joshua spoke up, the pill having some effect on him. “That’s not true. Olivia and I snuck out one night and saw you speak with someone who drove in and out of town the same night.”
I nudged Joshua to shut up, but it didn’t matter. The truth was out.
Collins nodded slowly. “You saw that?” He didn’t seem upset by the news only mildly surprised. “That was someone who could authenticate Gavin Parker’s journal.”
“Who?” I asked incredulously.
The Chancellor sighed. “He comes from one of the five cities. The second born Parker and younger brother to Gavin. His name is Hunter. Apparently, though they’d never met they have nearly identical handwriting. Genetics,” he laughed. “They play an amusing role in our world.”
“He’s my uncle?” I tried to make sense of the Chancellor’s words.
The Chancellor nodded slightly. “I suppose he is. We don’t really use such terms anymore, Olivia.” It was odd, hearing my name again after so long while I pretended to be Jacqueline.
Joshua nodded slowly in understanding. “Why are we here?” Neither of us understood what was going on.
Maya spoke up, “We are at the verge of war with the government. What we have told you is in part the truth. There are five great cities of the rebellion that have clung together west of the sun mountain. The recruits you met are all from those towns, and they had the honor of joining our elite city over the past few years. Some are older than eighteen, have lived here for five or more years, but we have ways of making them appear younger. They had all passed – at one time or another – the tests.”