Rise: Populations Crumble, Book 2 Page 11

  ✽✽✽

  We decide to sleep in the next morning, since it’s only the two of us hiking today and it’s been a long week. Despite the fact that we tracked no activity during fertile week, they still dropped off a pack of urine sample cups, and I’m supposed to use them every day until my period arrives. Knowing it’s pointless, I’ve been doing it anyways. Better not to rock the boat over every single thing. By the time we’re ready to go it’s lunch time, so we head over for a leisurely lunch in the guest house dining room and to drop off my pee cup.

  We enjoy a lovely lunch of salads with grilled chicken, fresh croissants, and whipped carrot butter. Several of the staff are watching the daily news behind the counter, but at least today they’ve got the volume down so we don’t have to listen to it. However, I notice Patrick glancing over to it several times as we eat.

  “What’s got you so distracted today?” I prod him, snapping his attention from the screen for the fourth time in ten minutes. My salad is nearly gone, and I’ve polished off two croissants while he’s barely touched his chicken.

  “I’m sorry, it looks like they’ve moved the monarchy bill up to a vote sooner than expected. I know there’s nothing I can do, but I can’t stop watching regardless. It could be any day that the vote will be over.” The strain in his voice breaks my heart.

  I reach over and grab his hand. “We just need to get your mind off of it. Do you still want to hike today, or do you want to go back to the cottage and take a day off? I can kick your butt at Scrabble again, if that would help,” I say, giving him a cheeky grin.

  “Okay, Mrs. Smarty Pants. You didn’t kick my butt; you beat me by a few points. But no, we should hike still. We’ll have a Scrabble rematch later.” He smiles, and it’s nice to see him distracted from the political storm that’s brewing.

  He finally eats, and we head out for the day. The nip in the air is more pronounced with each week that passes; before long these hikes won’t be comfortable in a light jacket. Hopefully we find Josephine before it snows.

  We’ve been walking for nearly an hour when something hits me. “Patrick, Atlas’s drone was shot out of the air by a guard. What are we going to do when we run into those guards? Play dumb? There’s no reason for us to be so far off the beaten path, and they’ll be suspicious.”

  “Yeah, we need to not run into the guards if at all possible. That’s also part of the reason we’re hiking every trail. That way, if we are caught when we start to stray, we can say we were out looking for new areas to hike. I’m also hoping that there will be enough traffic near the area that we might be able to spot a small trail to follow. If there are guards, there is traffic in and out of the area daily.”

  He makes a good point. Those guards have to eat, and do shift changes, and go home like everyone else. Thinking of the logistics, the nagging worry of what will happen to the four of us if we’re caught rears its ugly head, again. I force it down for the hundredth time. The urge to run away and find safety is strong, but I won’t give up on Josephine.

  “Don’t worry, we’re nowhere near the area today. We’re saving the hikes closest to those coordinates for the end of the week when Atlas and Nell can join us again. So, these hikes are just for fun.” He grins at me, and I appreciate his lightheartedness despite all that’s going on. No matter what’s been thrown at us, Patrick stays positive. And he supports me. He really is a great guy.

  “Thank you for helping me look for Josephine. I know you didn’t really know her, but I can’t let it go. I need to know she’s okay, one way or another.”

  He stops in the middle of the trail, and turns to face me. “Sadie, you don’t have to thank me for doing the right thing. I agree with you, something weird is going on here. It would be irresponsible for us to not try to find out. I might have to lead this whole country one day, and how can I claim to have people’s best interest at heart if I let women vanish out of a government-sponsored program?”

  “There are tons of people in office right now who aren’t here in the woods with us hunting down a single woman. You’re going above and beyond, whether you think so or not.” Not to mention, someone higher up had to approve of whatever is going on here.

  He runs an agitated hand through his hair. It’s gotten longer since we met, and he’s starting to get a floppy, boyish look about him. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? I’d do anything for you. Go anywhere, be anything you need. You’ve got my heart in your hands. I love you, Sadie. I know I haven’t told you yet, but I’m trying to show you, one day at a time. I meant it when I said I would regain your trust. I will work until the day I die to be the best man I can for you.” His gaze is piercing, and my breath catches in my throat.

  He loves me? Warmth floods my heart at his admission. I stare back into his deep blue eyes, and in that instant something inside me clicks into place. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Anything.”

  “You said—” I pause, suddenly nervous to ask the question that’s eating at me.

  “Please don’t be afraid. You can ask me anything, tell me anything. I meant what I said. So, let it out, whatever it is.” He takes my hands in his, and a crisp breeze plays with the ends of my braid.

  “You said until the day you die. Did you mean that? You want this marriage to be long term, not just the three-year requirement? I’m not a political wife, Patrick. If you don’t get made a prince this time, there’s a good chance you will next time. I’m not cut out to be a queen. But, I’m having a hard time going all in if this is only going to be temporary. I need to know . . .” I swallow hard. “I need to know if I have to protect my heart, or if I can trust you. Forever.” My voice is barely a whisper at the end, and I drop my eyes to his chest.

  He’s quiet for a moment, and my racing heart skips a beat when he drops my hand.

  Oh, no, please don’t tell me you want to divorce at the end—

  His hand is gentle as it cups my cheek. “Sadie, please look at me.”

  I force my eyes up to his, and I’m sure he can read my fear and uncertainty plain as day.

  “I am in this with you for the long haul. One hundred percent, every day, every hour, every minute of the time I have left—I want it to be with you. You have turned my whole world on its end, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. When I wake up next to you in the morning, I feel like the luckiest man on this earth, and when I fall asleep next to you, it’s with a smile on my face. I don’t want to pull you into a political life you don’t want. But I want you, and I’ll do anything it takes to keep you by my side.” His voice rings with sincerity.

  Tears brim over, and I can’t stop them. I suck in a gasping breath, so overwhelmed by his words that I don’t even know how to respond.

  “Hey, hey, please don’t cry. I don’t ever want to make you cry, my love.” He swipes at the tears trailing down with his thumbs, and then plants a kiss on my cheekbone. “It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way, this is still new between us.”

  My heart wrenches at that, and I finally find my tongue. “That’s not it. I—” The tears are coming faster now, but I fight through it to tell him what’s in my heart. “I want to be all in, too. I want you, too. I—I love you, too.”

  The biggest smile I’ve ever seen crosses his face, and his joy shines so brightly that he eclipses the sunshine on this cloudless day.

  “You love me, too?” He kisses my forehead and wraps both arms around me, pulling me against his chest so tightly I can barely breathe.

  That gets a laugh out of me. “Patrick, I need some air, please.”

  He chuckles and loosens his grip but doesn’t let me go. I go up on my tiptoes and press a kiss firmly to his lips. I can tell he’s surprised, probably since I was crying. The tears have dried now, though, and I’ve got something else on my mind. I wrap my hands around his lower back, and pull him in tightly this time.

  He kisses me back with matching fire, and I feel a rush of tingles from my head to my toes. One of his hands wanders up and
threads into my hair, and I turn my head to deepen the kiss. We stay locked together like that for a long moment before he pulls back, a regretful look on his face.

  My chest is heaving, heart pounding like a drum. “What’s wrong?”

  “I know we need to stop; I don’t want to push you. I am so, so grateful you’ve given me a chance.” He gives my arm a light squeeze.

  I step forward again, invading his personal space, and put both hands on his warm chest. “I don’t want to stop. I want you to kiss me again.”

  His eyebrows shoot up. “Are you sure? We’re in the middle of nowhere, and we can take our time. There’s no rush.”

  I pull his face down to mine, and kiss him again, letting my actions speak. He threads one hand back into my hair, and shrugs the pack off of his shoulder before gripping my waist tightly with his other hand. A few more heated moments pass in a blissful blur before he pulls away with a groan.

  “Sadie, I need to stop. If we don’t stop, I’m going to want to take things further—and our first time shouldn’t be out here in the woods with nothing but a picnic blanket.” He gestures to the beautifully colored trees lining the quiet path.

  “You’re wrong.” My voice is quiet but firm. “This is better. It’s just you and I; no politics, no pressure, no blinking resort lights or cha-cha alarms. You and me, as we are right now.”

  His eyes darken as I tell him what I’m thinking. He grips my hip again, and a thrill shoots through me at the possessive touch. “Are you one hundred percent sure? This is what you want, right here, right now?”

  I step back into his chest, and slip my hands under the hem of his t-shirt. He sucks in a breath, but doesn’t move. He’s going to make me say it.

  “I’m sure.”

  The fire in his eyes makes me forget the cold, forget everything but him in this all-consuming moment.

  Friends in Low Places

  Three days later I’m settled in the chaise lounge in our room, a throw blanket in my lap and a cup of fresh cocoa from Patrick in my hands to ward off the chill as night falls. Life with Patrick is beyond anything I expected coming into this program. I was afraid I’d get matched with someone who was my opposite, who I clashed with, who I couldn’t come to love and respect. Patrick is my opposite in many ways, sure. But, I have already developed so much appreciation for his kindness, determination, and the fact that he’s down to earth. If I didn’t know better, I would still believe he was Patrick the NLC guard, nice guy on an average path.

  At first, I thought who his family is detracted from his ability to be a good fit for me as a husband; but as time goes on, I see how well we fit. It is even more amazing to me that he is so real, so him, despite the pressure and attention he’s fought off for years with his father’s job. Hopefully Teddy will see it that way too. Eventually.

  A rock settles in my gut. The way things unfolded with Teddy is something I regret deeply. I’ve started and crumpled at least ten letters to him, since they left for home. I am going to write it tonight. Whatever comes out, I’m sending it, no matter what. I let my own embarrassment get in the way of honesty, and that’s not something that’s ever happened to me before.

  I set the blue-patterned mug down, and pick up my pen again.

  Teddy,

  I am so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner about Patrick. The truth is, I was ashamed. When I left home, everyone was so supportive and so sure I’d come home with the perfect husband to fit right back into life at home. And, I thought I did just that. But when he first told me, I felt foolish. A little girl playing at grown-up things. And I was too embarrassed to tell you.

  I’m so sorry that I didn’t give you the same time I took to get to know Patrick, and see that he is the same person I thought he was . . . more, actually. Because it’s true, Teddy. He is so much more. I know that you’re angry with both of us, but I hope that in time you will give him another chance. Because, the truth is, I love him. I’ve forgiven him, and I hope one day you will be able to forgive him, too. And me.

  I hope you, Faith, and the baby are doing well—it’s not the same here without you.

  Miss you,

  Sadie

  It’s not perfect, but it’s sincere. I fold the letter and stuff it into a stationery envelope along with the one to Mom and Dad, and the other one for the rest of my brothers. I haven’t gotten any return mail, but I’m not surprised given the seclusion they’re so adamant about enforcing here.

  Patrick walks in with a dish towel over one shoulder. “How’s it going in here? Need a refill?” He points to my cup, which is still half full.

  “No, thank you. It is delicious though. Are you ever going to tell me the secret ingredient?” I take a long sip, but the flavor eludes me.

  He grins. “Sorry, I only have so many things I can make better than you; I have to keep that one to myself.”

  A fervent knock on the front door interrupts our domestic moment. A frown takes over my face. “Are we expecting Atlas and Nell tonight?”

  Patrick shakes his head. “Stay here, I’ll go see who it is.” He reaches to the waistband of his pants, and I’m surprised to see he’s got his pistol already tucked there.

  He shuts the bedroom door, and I hear his footsteps down the hall, and the sliding of the lock on the front door. It’s quiet for a beat.

  “Sadie, come out! We’ve got a visitor.” His voice is excited, so hopefully it’s a good visitor. Not an angry-Melissa visitor.

  I quickly drop the blanket and shuffle on my cold toes into the hallway, to see Glitch standing right inside the front door. “Glitch! What are you doing here?” I cross the distance between us and give him a brief hug.

  He freezes, and then recovers and pats me on the back.

  “Sadie, nice to see you again. You keeping this one in line?” He pokes his thumb at Patrick.

  Chuckling, I say, “Yep, it’s a hard job, but somebody has to do it.”

  “Ha-ha. I’m right here, and we’re fine. But really curious what made you fly all the way up here from Georada. Is everything okay?” Patrick’s tone drops as he gets straight to business.

  Glitch’s mouth pulls to one side in uncertainty. “I’m not sure. This whole situation has really been getting under my skin. I hate a mystery that I can’t solve, you know? Oh! Hold on, before we chat.” He fumbles in his pocket for a moment, and pulls out a round silver device no bigger than a coin with a single blue button on top. He presses the button, and continues, “Just a little signal jammer, in case there are any would-be eavesdroppers,” he says, looking with a raised eyebrow at the ever-present band on my wrist. “But, anyways. I had a thought—Josephine is just one loud-mouthed woman.”

  I scowl at his classification of her, and he stammers.

  “Sorry, Sadie, not in a bad way. Go with me for a minute?”

  Patrick puts a comforting hand on my shoulder, and Glitch continues.

  “Okay, so, Josephine is one woman, right? She can't be the only one who’s been upset enough about a match—or about the rules of the program—to speak up, right?”

  We both nod, unsure where he’s going with this line of thought.

  “Well, that made me think, maybe she’s not the only woman who’s disappeared, either. Most NLC groups each quarter are small, one or two women at a time. Occasionally three. So, there are way less witnesses to the kind of thing that happened to Josephine, usually, and no one to follow up. So, I started digging around looking for other pregnancy records not in the main system. It was a dead end at first, because there are still women who, until the latest emergency mandate, were out there, you know, living lives with their hubsters and having the occasional baby in the wild, so to speak. Did you know that the NLC still tracks all of those? I don’t think they’re supposed to have that data.”

  “Glitch, my man, get to the point, please,” Patrick interjects.

  “Sorry! Right! Anyways, that was a dead end, because those women are living their normal lives. Then I narrowed it down to pregnancies in
the right age range to be in the Compulsory Marriage Program, but NOT associated with a marriage record. And I hit paydirt.” He starts digging in his backpack, and pulls out a thin tablet. He taps a few times, and then flips it around so we can see a spreadsheet, full of names.

  “What is this list?” I ask, dreading what he’s about to say.

  “This list is eleven more women, all with pregnancy records, all listed in Mairmont, with no associated marriage record. That’s just the beginning,” he says, as my stomach drops to my feet. “Once I figured out what search criteria to run the queries on, I found women listed all over the NAA that match it. There is a group of women in almost every single tri-state. And because I’m sure you’ll ask, I checked, and these are not registered detention facilities. There’s only one of those, over in Colkanska. And most of those women get discharged without getting married or pregnant.”

  “That’s . . . That’s a lot of women. How are all these women pregnant but not married?” I ask the first thing that jumps out at me. “Wait, and you said there are eleven more here, in Mairmont?”

  He nods. “Yep, there are. The groups vary in size from tri-state to tri-state, but the one in York has over twenty. The smallest one I found is only three, up in Saskerta. Their population is struggling more than most, though, so it’s not surprising.”

  Patrick’s face is angry when he finally speaks. “What in the devil is going on, Glitch? We’re both pretty familiar with the NLC guidelines, and I can’t think of a single law that would allow all these women to be pregnant outside of marriage. And why have them all at secondary locations? There definitely aren’t twelve rooms full of pregnant women in the main guest house, and on my morning runs I’ve only seen six couples’ cabins total.”

  “I don’t know, Rick-Raff. I think we’ve stumbled onto something here, and I don’t think it’s good. That’s why I came in person; I think this goes beyond Josephine getting into hot water, and I didn’t think it would be wise to discuss it over the phone.” His voice grows serious, for the first time since I’ve known him.