Year Zero (Revolution's Children Book 1) by David Dean Lugo

Author:David Dean Lugo [Lugo, David Dean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Spinning Monkey Press
Published: 2022-05-23T16:00:00+00:00

Twenty-One

If you take what they give you, you’ll find they’ll expect you to be happy with less next time.

—Jane Doe

It’s taken about half an hour, but I think Cameron is settled. At least as much as I can expect. I make her promise to call if she needs anything before Septimus and I leave. She says she will.

As we drive back home, Septimus is slumped in the passenger seat, staring out the window. I want to ask him if he thinks Mr. Black and Cameron will be okay, but I think I know the answer already. Besides, he doesn’t look like he wants to talk.

The drive isn’t getting any less weird as we get closer to home. Music plays, and moving shadows flicker in the night. At first, I notice one or two. Then more.

It’s people.

People moving in the night.

They are outside like curfew was revoked or something. Most are playing it smart. As long as you don’t leave the boundaries of your yard, you’re not technically breaking curfew.

The Nightwatch Sons we pass look baffled. They know they can’t do anything about it, except wrangle an emboldened citizen who is dumb enough to wander off their property here or there.

Most people are out in their winter coats. They’re barbecuing whatever they have, sharing it among themselves. The kids all have sparklers. Festive music blares. Occasionally, it’s punctuated by the sound of firecrackers. It’s like one big precinct-wide block party.

I look at Septimus. He shrugs.

I pull into my driveway. Julia and Ms. Witting are sitting on the porch. Ms. Salazar is in the yard, doing a shuffling dance. Winnie runs in circles around her.

As we get out of the car, the neighbors point at us and cheer. Others further away take it up, and it rolls into the distance.

Julia leaps into my arms, kisses my cheek, and waves to Septimus over my shoulder. “Thank you,” she says.

“You’re welcome,” he replies, laughing. A second later, his laugh cuts off, and in a grim voice, he says, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Joey.”

I turn to reply, but he’s already gone. I follow his path. A man stands on his front walkway. It’s difficult to make him out. Loud booms echo as someone shoots off some fireworks. In the multicolored light, I can see him. Angry scars crisscross his face, making it hard to judge his age. Even at this distance, I’m drawn to his eyes. There’s something cold and angry about them.

As Septimus gets closer, he leans over and picks up a briefcase. The fading light glints off something small and black under his jacket. Something that looks like a gun.

I don’t want to worry anyone, so I just plaster a not-too-fake grin on my face and join the party. I keep an eye on Septimus and the man though. Their gestures are restrained, but I know an argument when I see one.

“Whatcha’ lookin at?” Julia asks.

I smile. “Nothing.”

When I turn back, they are both gone.

I’ll worry about that later. It’s been too long since I’ve had this much fun with Julia, and Winnie.

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