Resist by Tracy Lawson

Author:Tracy Lawson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bublish, Inc.
Published: 2015-10-05T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

7:40 AM

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Quadrant OP-439

There were less than two full days left until the transitional CSD would be distributed, and the Resistance was pushing their anti-OCSD message hard. Wes understood the reasons for broadcasting Careen and Trina’s videos, but he was the only Resistance member who could see the videos’ effect firsthand. People were paying attention to the entreaties to raise hell—that was evident. Their rebellious fervor had translated into a lack of respect for law, order, and the property of others. He’d been one of many marshals assigned to an extra overnight patrol to try and quell the unrest in the normally quiet, upper-middle class OP-439. One of the other marshals told Wes he’d been happier when everyone was barfing all over the place.

Still, the Resistance’s presence was evident, and maybe their influence would do some good. They’d managed to hijack the corner news tickers, and he’d pulled over and stopped the car to watch the entire message cycle through: “Betrayed by our protectors. Controlled by fear and lies. Take a stand against tyranny. Join the Resistance!”

He wished he could be more enthusiastic about the media blitz, but what he really needed was a nap.

Out of habit, he drove past Careen’s apartment, and even though he knew she wasn’t there he stopped, intending to use his debit card to jimmy the flimsy lock. But the door was broken and splintered from being kicked in. The QM had likely been there, searching for clues to her whereabouts, and her place, usually so orderly, was a tangle of overturned furniture, clothes and personal items. The television was still bolted to the wall, and he’d turned it on and caught a re-broadcast of her message, which he rewound and watched over and over, memorizing every detail—the way she tilted her head when she talked, how her chin trembled as she struggled not to cry, and the way she’d rallied and tossed her bangs out of her eyes. Watching her on the screen only increased his longing for her.

He’d spent three weeks tailing Careen, hoping she’d lead him to Tom Bailey. He’d never had a real conversation with her, but he’d been bewitched by the combination of sensuality and vulnerability she exuded when she was on her dose, and felt drawn to protect her in a way that went far beyond his duties as a quadrant marshal. He’d taken every opportunity to check up on her, and his surveillance grew to include regular forays to watch her as she slept, which had left him dreaming of a day when he’d be part of her life. Instead, he’d unwittingly pushed her into Tommy’s path and ruined his own chances with her.

Now she was living down the hall from him, under his family’s roof, and even though she held him at arm’s length, he was more intrigued than ever. She was intimidatingly intelligent, and brave enough to take part in a rescue mission and risk her life for people she’d never met. Her impromptu speech at the OCSD press conference had made her an instant celebrity.

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