AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Joanne,” the anchor said, “we’re going to interrupt your broadcast as we are receiving word a recording has surfaced from a radical group claiming responsibility for this tragedy.”
Both screens went away, and a masked man appeared. He wore a plain, white plastic mask. “To all American citizens. When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate, and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
“Oh, my goodness. He’s quoting the Declaration of Independence,” Angela said.
The masked man continued. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator.” He paused. “Listen to what I’m telling you. There are monsters among us, and there are people who would like to give these monsters the same rights and freedoms as we have. But they are not men, created by God, our creator. They were created from the depths of hell.”
Tristan walked out of the room. Giselle stood next to Angela and Penny. Doyle moved behind them to watch over their shoulders.
“Just like our forefathers fought for their independence, now is the time for us to fight for ours. We cannot count on our government. In fact, our very own President was seen in a very compromising position with one of these monsters. I don’t blame her as she is part of the weaker sex, but, My Brothers, if they can weasel their way into the White House, you can bet they are coming for your women.”
Angela felt bile rise in the back of her throat. She wanted to vomit. She handed the tablet to Penny and got a glass of water.
Tristan walked back in and ended a phone call.
“What do we know?” Angela asked.
“The group taking responsibility is a homegrown terrorist organization that makes David Koresh look like a child,” he said.
“Again, how is it that I don’t know about this stuff?” Angela said.
“With all due respect, Madam President, we cannot tell you everything that happens. Too much is happening, and sometimes it’s better if you don’t know.”
“And why would it be better if I don’t know.”
Doyle answered before Tristan could. “Plausible deniability.”
And that’s when Angela realized it didn’t matter if she was technically in charge. She was being manipulated.
She calmly walked to Tristan and said, “Get me to Arkansas right the fuck now.”
Chapter Sixteen
Blake
Blake wanted to open his eyes, but nothing in his body worked. He couldn’t move his arms or legs, his stomach burned, and the steady pounding in his head kept pace with his heart. This was the worst hangover he’d ever have. He couldn’t even remember what he drank, how much he drank, and who drank with him.
Then, his memory slammed into his head like a truck. It hadn’t been a party. He’d be shot with elephant tranquilizers. And he hadn’t been alone.
Nikki and Reagan. He didn’t know where they were or if they were even alive.
He summoned as much energy as possible and moved one finger and then another. He moved his hand, one arm, and then the other. After what felt like an eternity, he managed to sit up and feel the concrete floor under him. It was a barely lit cell with cement blocks on three walls and bars on the fourth. He could hear water dripping not too far away and hushed voices just outside the bars.
“Shift, damn you.”
He got up and stumbled to the bars. “Nikki, is that you?”
“Blake?”
“Yeah. What’s going on?”
“We were at the fair, and those idiots tranqed us. I can’t wake up Reagan enough to shift; her breathing is so slow. I’m not sure she’s going to make it.”
“Do you know where your cell is compared to mine?”
“I think we’re next to each other.”
“Okay, good. What else do you know?”
