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  With twelve hours left, the six of us split up. James, Rhen, Alex, and Dallas go to Pod A. Berk and I remain in the Scientists’ quarters. Though we have much to do, Berk stops me before we get to the elevator, taking my hand and pulling me through a door leading to the stairwell.

  “I need to say something.” Berk draws me close to him and his hands cradle my face, his green eyes searching mine. “Just in case this doesn’t work.”

  “It will work.” I try to step back, but he refuses to let me.

  “There are no guarantees.” His voice is whisper soft against my cheek. He leans his forehead against mine and closes his eyes. “And if it doesn’t, I want you to know it’s all right.”

  I wrench myself from his grasp. “Don’t even talk like that.”

  “We need to be realistic, Thalli.” Berk does not move closer to me, but the look in his eyes creates an intimacy that feels like arms wrapped around me. “I have learned much from you and from John. I know there is more than this life. And I am prepared. If my life ends today or tomorrow, I am ready. Alex is not. If you have to choose, choose him.”

  Tears sting my eyes, and I blink them back. “I am not going to choose. I’d die before I saw either of you killed.”

  Berk comes forward now, and I do not fight as his arms pull me in. His lips touch mine in a movement so tender, so perfect, that every other thought flies out of my brain. It is just Berk and me and no one else. We kiss longer than we should, but neither of us can pull away, neither of us wants to end this moment, knowing, as reality slowly begins to bring me back to this building, that we may never get a moment like this again.

  I lower my head, catch my breath, and close my eyes to capture this feeling. I swallow hard, then look back up into Berk’s eyes, seeing the feelings I have—the feelings I have always had—mirrored there.

  “I love you, Thalli.” His eyes are moist, making the green in them even brighter, the gold flecks seeming to float, suspended like stars. “I want you to know that. No matter what happens.”

  CHAPTER 47

  We are back in the cremation chamber. James has brought all of Pod A here—a feat only he, as one of The Ten, could accomplish. My stomach feels heavy, my mind racing with all the potential ways this plan could fall apart.

  With only six hours left before Loudin is finished with his “procedure,” we do not have time for any mistakes, any changes to the plan.

  “The pharmaceutical is working well.” Rhen’s gaze scans the row of people, standing still, eyes slightly glazed.

  Though I hated to do it, we needed to drug them. We could not take the risk that anyone in Pod A would question us or fight or—worse—alert one of the Scientists. It was difficult enough removing each of them from their assigned tasks to bring them here. But they are here, and we have very little time to place each one of them in the cremation chamber.

  As the shelf to hold the body slides out, I remember Kristie lying there peacefully, almost like she was asleep. I recall the smell that escaped as she was pulled in, her body consumed. Gone. I swallow hard and pray this is the right choice.

  One by one, the first generation of people born into the State are laid on the shelf and pulled into the white cremation cylinder. They blink, confused but submissive, and close their eyes when they are told to do so. The shelf goes in and the panel lights up. After several minutes, the next person is laid on the shelf and the process starts again and again.

  I examine each face to see which one is my brother. I cannot be sure. My sister in Pod B looks very much like me. But there are several in this group who could be him. Does he have Loudin’s lighter complexion and eyes or Kristie’s darker skin and brown eyes? I cannot tell if any of them have dimples like me because none of them smiles. And why would they? They are being led to their deaths. I am placing my brother, whoever he is, in the cremation chamber. I cannot even tell who he is, cannot discuss our shared heritage. I can only keep moving the line forward.

  It is difficult with just James, Rhen, and me. But the younger men were needed for the other part of our plan. So we do our best, sweat pouring down our faces as the room gets hotter and hotter. My eyes sting as sweat drips into my eyes, but I am bringing the next person—we only have seven remaining. Almost there. But I do not feel joy at that. I do not even feel relief. Fear is gripping me. So much could go wrong. We have no way of knowing if the plan is actually working. And when Loudin discovers what we have done, he could annihilate us all.

  James looks as if he will fall over. Bright-red spots on his face and neck reveal just how overheated he is.

  “Maybe we should stop, just for a moment. You need water.”

  “We’re almost there.” Even his voice sounds parched. “We can’t stop yet.”

  Rhen is as pale as James is red, and I am sure I look no better. We are spent. But there are only five remaining. We must carry on.

  “If Loudin felt that Pod A was defective”—Rhen pulls her hair back into a ponytail—“why did he not annihilate them instead of Pod C when the oxygen levels were low?”

  James wipes his forehead with his hand before speaking. “Because he wanted Thalli to suffer. He wanted her to hate him so she’d be more motivated to escape.”

  This man and his “plans”—I want to crush him and his plans, destroy him the way he destroyed so many others. He sent me to the annihilation chamber knowing I’d be rescued, and he killed my pod just to make sure I’d continue with that escape?

  I need to move, to work. “Let’s finish this.” I go to grab the next person in line and see there are four now, not five. I am so tired, so emotional, that I lost count. I rub my temples. Just focus, breathe.

  James leans his palms against the chamber as the shelf slides in. He is panting.

  “James, you need a drink.” I will not allow him to refuse. “Rhen and I can handle this. Go. We’ll be fine while you’re gone.”

  I can see that while he wants to argue, he does not have the strength to do anything but nod. He knows I am right. Besides, we need him for the cleanup. We’re not finished when the final member of Pod A enters the cremation chamber. We still have the final portion of our plan to complete.

  The next member of Pod A seems to be more alert than the others. Her eyes are wary and she is hesitant. I fear the drugs are wearing off. I look to Rhen, who speaks with a calming voice.

  “We are here at Dr. Loudin’s request, as Dr. Turner’s Assistants.” Rhen takes the woman’s hand and pulls her toward the cremation chamber. “You will not feel any pain, I assure you, and in moments you will experience freedom like you have never known.”

  The woman remains stiff, pulling away from Rhen as she pulls the woman toward her.

  “Should I give her more medication?” I check the bin we used to transport the drug from the pharmacology laboratory. “Ten doses remain.”

  Without taking her gaze off the woman, Rhen says, “That would be a good idea.”

  I snap the vial into the syringe and hand that to Rhen. My hand is not steady enough to administer the shot.

  Rhen slides the needle into the woman’s arm so quickly I barely notice it has happened. The woman jerks away, but within seconds, she is calm again and willingly lies on the shelf.

  This is how King Jason got people to do what he wanted. It is what Loudin does. Now me. Us. We are becoming like those men to beat them? I shove away the guilt. There was no other way. Every other solution created more problems. This solution solves problems. If we had more time . . . maybe.

  Rhen holds her hand out to me, and I have nothing to give her. The vial and the syringe. The next person. I get back to work.

  The man on the shelf closes his eyes, and Rhen presses the button.

  Nothing happens.

  I check the chamber, and it has stopped humming. The room feels slightly cooler. Something has gone wrong. Maybe it has reached its capacity. None of us knew how many people could be placed in the chamber in one day. That was a concern James voiced. But with the ch
amber not working, we have no way to complete the task, and no way to communicate with Berk, Dallas, and Alex.

  Rhen’s hand goes to her mouth. I follow her gaze and see the last member of Pod A holding the door open. There were five left. I was right. She must have left the floor. And if she left, there is only one place she would have gone, one person she would have found.

  And there he is, storming through the door.

  Loudin.

  CHAPTER 48

  What have you done?” Loudin sways, apparently not fully recovered from the sedation. The woman from Pod A woke him before his full twenty-four hours were complete.

  “As you stated.” I try to remain as calm as possible. “Pod A is unnecessary. So I have sent them to the cremation chamber.”

  Loudin’s gaze darts from me to Rhen to the chamber. I am thankful James is not here. I pray he hears the commotion and returns to his laboratory before Loudin discovers he was part of this.

  “Where are Berk and Alex?”

  “They, along with Dallas”—Rhen speaks slowly—“have left the State.”

  “What?” Loudin seems to shake off the remnants of the sedation. “Impossible.”

  “It would be pretty hard to kill them if they aren’t here.” I shrug.

  “Fool,” Loudin shouts. “I have nuclear bombs aimed at every surviving village. You have already condemned them to death.”

  “You haven’t completed the work on those bombs.” I say this with far more confidence than I feel. “We have time.”

  Loudin’s face reddens. “You think you can do anything?”

  “I think we already have.”

  “You’ve annihilated a worthless generation.” Loudin motions to the chamber. “And you’ve sent off young men who will die anyway.”

  “But they were sent off alive.” I fold my arms to prevent Loudin from seeing my hands shake. “And you have not been in their brains. You’ve lost what they know. And if you set off the bombs, that information will be lost forever. Then what? You admit Berk is important, his training is important. Alex, too, though he isn’t State born. You said yourself you want to know what he knows.”

  Loudin laughs so long and so hard that I want to go over and shake him, make him stop. I expected anger, outrage, even a threat on our lives. But not laughter.

  “Did you really think that would hinder my plans?” Loudin wipes tears from his eyes. “Oh, Thalli. I truly expected more from you. I give you twenty-four hours, complete freedom, and this is your solution?”

  His voice betrays him. I hear the change in tone, the slightest tremor in his speech. He is bothered by this. He just refuses to acknowledge it. He wants me to believe he is not surprised by what we have done.

  Taking a step closer to the cremation chamber, Loudin frowns. “I thought you were opposed to mass annihilation.”

  “I am. But you’re not, and you argued quite convincingly for its necessity.”

  “And you have come to agree with my conclusion?” He cocks his head and arches one eyebrow.

  “This was my idea.” I motion to the chamber.

  Loudin says nothing, but he steps to the rear of the chamber, then presses a panel that sounds a long tone. Part of the chamber slides open, revealing the interior.

  “Interesting.” Loudin looks inside. “No remains are in here.”

  I turn to Rhen, whose eyes are wide.

  I swallow hard and point to the wide tube that extends from the top of the chamber. “It is designed to bring all the ashes to the surface, is it not?”

  “It is warm in here. But not quite warm enough.” Loudin leans his head inside the opening. “No flames. Just enough heat to make people sweat. Why would you need them to sweat, Thalli?”

  I bite my lip.

  Loudin looks up and sees what I saw when I came here hours ago—a tube that goes straight to the surface. A tube wide enough to pull people through—if they are slightly wet. And if there are people above with a rope to help pull them through.

  “Where. Is. Pod A?”

  Rhen steps around the chamber to stand beside Loudin. “They are on their way to New Hope.”

  “With Dallas and Berk and Alex.” I wipe sweat from my forehead.

  His lips twitch. “You lied to me.”

  “No.” I draw out the word. “Not exactly.”

  “You told me you cremated Pod A.”

  “I told you I placed them in the cremation chamber.” I tilt my head to the side. “And I did.”

  “So you used the time I gave to allow your young men and Pod A to escape?”

  There was no other option. “You were going to kill them.”

  “I will still kill them.” Loudin’s voice reverberates around the room. “You have delayed their deaths. You have not saved them.”

  “Not yet. But I will.”

  Loudin laughs. “Ah, my dear, your time is up. You will get no second chance. And you most certainly will not win.”

  I stand as tall as I can and meet Loudin’s fierce gaze with one of my own. “Watch me.”

  CHAPTER 49

  I push past Loudin, past the Monitors, and run into the hallway. Loudin is shouting behind me, but I caught him unprepared. And though I don’t know where I am going or how long before I will get caught, I run, praying that Rhen is able to get away too, that Berk, Dallas, and Alex got away and aren’t still above, waiting. I pray their communications pads worked and that they saw Loudin come in, that James was able to repair the aircraft and it is miles away, headed to New Hope. I pray they can gather an army from there and return, as planned, to the State and defeat Loudin.

  I rush down the stairs, almost tripping in my haste to put as much distance as possible between Loudin and me.

  As I reach Level C, the lights that line the stairwell flicker out and go black. I can see nothing. Reaching my hands in front of me, I inch forward, feeling along the wall until I find the door. I press it open—the hallway is as dark as the stairwell.

  James.

  He must have seen what happened and cut off the electricity. I turn back around in the stairwell and feel my way back to the stairs. I need to find James, plan the next step.

  It will be days before Berk, Alex, and Dallas are back. They have to convince the people to come with them, and then they’ll have to take several trips to bring them all back. We need an army of people—enough to overpower The Ten and Pod B, who will be working with The Ten.

  I bang my hand against the wall. I want to move faster, but it is so dark, and I don’t want to fall. So I feel for every step with my heel, keep a hand against the smooth wall.

  The darkness around me seems to sink into my heart, my mind. What if we fail? What if the people of New Hope and Athens refuse to come? What if they still blame Alex for Nicole’s death? What if something happens to them on the way there? What if Loudin completes the nuclear bombs before they return?

  I have to stop, my breath is coming too fast, my heart feels like it will jump out of my chest. The plan sounded good when all of us were together, when Berk was at my side and the people I loved were nearby. But I am alone now, and if they are hurt—or killed—because of this plan, my plan, I do not think I can live with myself.

  I sink to a stair and lean my head down, trying to catch my breath. John said God always keeps a remnant. He will never allow his name to be forgotten, no matter what man tries to do. What if I am that remnant? What if I become John—the only believer in the State after the second Nuclear War, relegated to a room in the depths, only allowed to speak to those scheduled for annihilation? Tears sting my eyes. Is that the purpose God has called me to? Is he going to allow Loudin to keep doing what he wants, to keep destroying what is good and living as if he were God?

  I don’t want to believe that, don’t want to think of myself isolated from everyone, living on memories of Berk, but growing old without him. I don’t think I have the strength to be like John. Fresh grief and renewed respect for this man engulf me. I wish he were here. I wish I knew wha
t to do. I close my eyes and take another shaky breath.

  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

  The words come into my mind like a projection on a wall screen. I see them, large and bright, and the words bring light back into my soul, fill my heart with music. A loud, pulsating major chord.

  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

  I sit up. I cannot do this alone. I cannot face the possibilities alone. I don’t have the strength. But in Christ—the Designer, the Savior—I can do all things. I can have his strength. I am not alone.

  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

  “I will fear no evil:

  “For you are with me;

  “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

  The words that John gave me replay in my mind. I know I can trust the Designer. I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death before, and he has brought me out. Even when I have not felt him near me, he has been here. He is always here. No matter what happens, he will never leave me.

  Confidence in him pushes out all fear, all doubts. I do not know what will happen. I do not know if my plan will work. But I know his plans are perfect, and I will trust him. I may be weak and scared, but I can be strong in him.

  I stand back up, my heart rate back to normal, repeating with every step: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

  CHAPTER 50

  I feel a door, but I have lost count. Is this Level D? F? I need to find James. I push open the door when I hear footsteps on the stairs above me. I pull away from the door, look up, and see a slight glow in the distance. It gets brighter as the footsteps get closer. I am so relieved to see something that I freeze, my eyes on the light, willing it to get brighter so I am not plunged back into the darkness again.