State of Rebellion (Collapse Series) by Lane Summer

Author:Lane, Summer [Lane, Summer]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: WB Publishing
Published: 2014-01-19T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Today is my birthday.

I sit on the edge of my bunk, staring at the wall. I am twenty years old. The barracks are empty. I’m the only one here.

I pull my backpack out from under my bed. I rummage through the contents. I pull out my knife, a gift from Jeff, Chris’s brother. The one with my name engraved on the handle. I haven’t used it for a while, afraid of losing it in combat. I strap it onto my belt and take a deep breath.

Happy birthday to me, I think.

I head out into the hall. The long corridor is made of concrete, glowing with dull lighting. At the end of the hall I turn left, ducking into an open room. The Chow Hall. It looks like a high school cafeteria, minus the linoleum and plastic chairs. This room is full of metal benches, hard flooring and a counter with soldiers dishing out food. It smells like a barbecue and it’s loud with voices and clatter.

Sophia is sitting with Alexander on the far side of the cafeteria. Derek and Max are there, as well. Chris is talking with Jeff at the entrance, and I practically walk right into Chris’s chest as I enter the room.

“Hey,” Chris says. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, Commander” I reply with a smile.

“You’re wearing the lucky knife,” Jeff comments.

“Yeah. Today’s special, I guess.”

“What’s so special about today?” Chris asks.

His hair is slicked back into a tight ponytail, his face no longer scruffy with stubble. The beard is shaved close to the skin, setting off his luminous green eyes. He looks more handsome than ever, and I’m reminded how different we all look when we’re clean.

“It’s just a special day,” I shrug.

It’s just my birthday.

Chris and Jeff follow me to the food line. We grab trays, utensils and plates. The breakfast is comprised of eggs and potatoes. Rich in calories, protein and starch. Enough to keep an army going.

And lots of coffee.

We join Sophia and the others at the table.

Today is my birthday, and it’s a good day. A great day. I’m safe and sound. I’m sitting next to my friends and the man I love. I have food and water. I’m fighting for a good cause.

Even in the middle of the end of the world, I can have a good day.

We finish our meals and head out of the Chow Hall, towards the training center. This is our routine. Breakfast, then drilling the militiamen and women. Everyone has to be kept on their toes.

But our routine is interrupted by Angela. She’s walking towards us, flanked by Vera. “The Colonel has called an emergency meeting,” she says. Her graying hair is pulled into a bun that matches Vera’s. “Something’s wrong.”

“What’s going on?” Chris asks. All of us change direction, heading back to the briefing room further underground. “Angela?”

“I don’t know,” she sighs. “But it’s not good.”

Alexander accompanies us, since he and I are both officers. Lieutenants, to be exact.

“Come on, Sophia,” I say.

“I’m not an officer,” she mumbles.

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