Leaving The Way: Book Two (The Way Trilogy), стр. 24
“The way the story goes is the church had already completely built most of their compounds in North America at that point, including the one in north Texas. With the government of the Republic controlling all the food and supplies available to ensure all of their citizens had equal access, well I guess the church didn’t like that. They lobbied for more, and they were turned down, told they weren’t any better than anyone outside their walls. Supposedly the church started attacking the supply runs, stealing everything they could and killing anyone who got in their way. Eventually, people were starving and they rebelled causing the Republic to collapse. The founding members who survived became more of a society, and now they watch over a large area in south Texas.”
Wow, that’s a lot to process. Everything I’ve been taught for more than a decade has been a complete lie. If not for the church, the Republic of Texas might have survived. They might have been able to maintain order, and we might be living in a thriving state.
“I want to destroy them, Luke, like they did the Republic. I want them to suffer.”
Luke squeezes me tight, placing a kiss on the top of my head before he responds. “Me too, Little Minx. Me too.”
***
ANNA
It’s been two days since my first hangover and I still feel like shit. I know it’s not the alcohol, it’s the stress over the council meeting, my worry for Ash, and everything else I have learned in the last few weeks. I feel weak and insignificant. As if nothing is in my control. The only thing I have to look forward to is that our training starts today.
Luke and I had agreed I needed to be trained how to fight. When we go after Ash and try to take down the church, it most likely won’t happen with pretty words and a handshake. I need to be able to defend myself and my friends.
And that’s how I found myself bouncing on my toes, waiting for fight club to begin while Luke sits on a bucket a few feet away. Daniel, Chase, and Cody stand with me, and I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited. I had assumed it would be Luke or possibly Mateo teaching us how to fight, but instead Luke said there was no one on the planet better to teach us than the General.
The General is an allusive being. While he lives at The Castle, I have yet to meet him, even though we’ve been here for over a week. Luke said Rob McNeal is a former Green Barret, which apparently use to be a special operations group for the US Military, and according to him, the General is terrifying, albeit good at what he does. So while I couldn’t be more excited to learn how to kick ass, I’m also shaking with nerves. What if this guy doesn’t appreciate sarcasm? I am so screwed.
“I’m freaking out. I wish he would just get here already.”
No sooner than the words leave my mouth than the man in question appears around the side of The Castle.
He approaches with his arms crossed tight across his chest and circles our group, eyeing each one of us with the exception of Daniel. After he’s finished with his perusal, he takes up a wide stance about eight feet in front of us, and that’s when I see Brea and Olivia bounce out of the house, practically skipping over to where Luke is sitting. Both of the girls carry a bowl of popcorn, while Brea has an ice chest filled with bottles of lemonade.
I would bet that’s hard lemonade.
After the two get situated, she looks to me and responds to my raised brow. “What? There was no way I was gonna miss this. This’ll be the most entertaining thing I’ve seen all year.” And then with a hand flourish, she says, “Proceed.”
Daniel and Luke both let out a laugh, but I am so not amused.
The general clears his throat, and then with a deep raspy voice he barks his first orders, “Drop and give me twenty!”
I’m pretty sure I just peed a little.
***
DAVID
The last few days have been hectic as we worked to rebuild our north wall and repair the damages to the main building. So much so that I haven’t even gotten to spend any quality time with Ash Booker. I let her eat for the first time last night when I shoved a slice of bread down her throat, but she’s going to have to be moved. That girl smells like shit.
I plan to move her tomorrow morning to a cell in the bunker, after I have a little fun with her tonight that is. Today though, I’m dealing with my other prisoners, Tom and Melanie Cress, Anna’s parents. They’ve been in a joint cell since the day after the attack, although they’ve had much better treatment given appearances need to be kept up for the council.
As I make my way down the three flights of stairs into the underground bunker where the original elders built a line of thirteen cells, I go over my line of questioning. The Vater wants to know if they knew, and if they may have aided Anna in the attack as well as her escape. I want to know where she is, and I know damn good and well they know.
I make my way across the stadium sized concrete room to the far end and through the metal door. Inside are the thirteen cells, seven on one side, six on the other. The latter side also houses an interrogation room. I’ll be using that today.
Eight of the cells are occupied right now. One with the Cress’s, and the other seven with prisoners from the attack on the compound. They claim to be with the Titan gang, and have no clue who Anna Cress is, but I know that’s a lie. I’ll get it out of them eventually. I don’t mind