Under Ground by Alice Rachel

Author:Alice Rachel
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: teen fiction, young adult, dystopian, ya, romance, forbidden love

Chapter 23

The houses here are made of concrete. They are all falling apart with cracks showing through the walls. I’ve never been to this part of the metropolis before, but I've seen places like this during my train rides. Everyone in this neighborhood is probably sleeping after a long day spent at work tending to the rich. Guilt seizes me as I look around. I didn’t choose where I was born or what class I came from, but I still feel responsible for the way these people are living. Crushed by the wealthy and persecuted like parasites, the poor’s access to water and resources has been reduced to the bare minimum needed to survive. These houses they live in belong to the authorities; they are just rented to the poor. Any rebellion can lead to the poor losing lodging and access to food. I clench my teeth and follow Chi through the streets.

When he finds the house we've been looking for, he follows the instructions and code he was given by the Underground. He knocks a few times using the required pattern. An older gentleman opens the door almost immediately, as if he were waiting for us. He's excessively skinny and a bit disheveled. His skin is ivory white and wrinkled. He glances into the street behind us before letting us in.

The house is decrepit, and the furniture is old and worn-out. But the place feels cozy and welcoming, like an old antique shop. The kitchen opens to the living room and dining room area. Oliver leads us to some wooden chairs and invites us to sit down.

Chi explains the precariousness of our situation. “We need a place to stay tonight, Oliver. I’m sorry for dragging you into all this.”

“Well, that’s why I’m here, aren't I? You guys can stay here for a few days. We’ll contact Taylor in the morning and see what he advises us to do.”

Oliver looks at me and takes my hands in both of his, holding them tightly in a gesture of comfort. “It’s a pleasure having you among us, Thia. Recruits are always welcome and it was courageous of you to run away. Chi told us all about you. We knew it'd only be a matter of time before this happened.”

His welcoming warmth dissipates my original fear of being blamed for all this trouble.

“You can stay in the guest room. There are two cots there. They're not comfortable, but it’s better than sleeping on the streets.”

Chi and Oliver talk for a while longer. It sounds like they haven’t seen each other for quite some time.

“Taylor said things are on the move and the attack’s going to happen soon. We’re still working on getting more man power and weapons.”

I'm not sure what attack he's talking about, and Chi doesn't fill me in. Oliver stands up and we follow him to a small bedroom. It's not luxurious, but it has a quaint, homey feel to it. I couldn't care less about opulence right now. I am free for the first time in my life; it's exhilarating.

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