The QuaranTeens by Keith B. Darrell

Author:Keith B. Darrell [Darrell, Keith B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Fiction General, Young Adult, Speculative Fiction
Publisher: Amber Book Company

Chapter Sixteen

Arlo waited in Blaine’s room for nearly half an hour before he saw the door push open. He stayed hidden behind the door as Blaine entered and pulled off his shirt over his head. Blaine tossed the shirt onto the bed and took a clean one from the trundle drawer beneath the bed and slipped it on. Arlo shut the door, causing Blaine to jump in surprise and turn around. “What are you doing in my room?” Blaine gulped as Arlo took a step toward him.

“Waiting for you.”

“What do you want, Arlo?”

“Not me. Varian. He wants you to deliver a message.”

“Tell him I’m not his errand boy anymore.”

Arlo looked surprised. He pulled back Blaine’s shirt collar and peered down his back. “I don’t believe it. You’ve developed a spine. A real backbone.” He released his finger from Blaine’s collar. “But you don’t want to make me tell Varian you refused a simple thing like delivering a message. That’d make me look bad to Varian. Do you want to get Varian mad at me? That wouldn’t be a nice thing to do to a friend like me. We are friends, aren’t we?” He placed his firm, intimidating grip on Blaine’s shoulder.

Blaine gulped. “Sure. Friends.”

Arlo smiled. “Varian feels bad about what happened at the furnace this morning with Tristan. He doesn’t want any more hard feelings with Tristan. He wants to apologize and beg for his forgiveness. But you know how proud Varian is. He doesn’t want anyone to see him grovel. All you have to do is tell Tristan that Varian will be waiting by the furnace in an hour.”

“It’ll take more than an apology to make up for the loss of his best friend.”

“Of course. But it’s a good start. From there, Tristan could set any terms he wishes and Varian feels guilty enough to agree so he can cleanse his conscience and ease his guilt. But Tristan can’t let anyone know… at least, not yet. This meeting will be humiliating enough for a proud guy like Varian. Who knows? After this meeting, he might even get Varian to confess his sins publicly and step down as leader.”

“You think Varian would really do that?”

“Guilt weighing on your conscience can be a powerful force. Just tell Tristan and let him decide.” Arlo walked to the door. “I’ll let myself out.” He stepped into the hall and headed to join Nico at the furnace.

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