The Amplified Trilogy by Lauren M. Flauding

Author:Lauren M. Flauding [Lauren M. Flauding]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: na
Publisher: Lauren M. Flauding
Published: 2018-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

"Well, this is awkward," Daniel observes, even though he actually looks thrilled about the situation. My mom reaches out and pulls me into her embrace.

"Honey, I'm sorry you had to find out this way," she says gently. "It was just too dangerous with you having been Amplified and the special attention you were receiving from the Governor."

I am speechless. How could I not have known? Was I really so preoccupied with Amplification and my own problems that I failed to notice that my mom and brother were part of a dangerous, anti-Community group being hunted by the Governor and the Restrainers? This is so surreal. I'm trying to process everything that this new revelation entails, but my head is reeling. All I can manage to get out is: "How long?"

“Well, mom and dad were with the Dissenters before any of us were born," Daniel pipes up, "but I only joined a couple years ago."

This new piece of information grounds me, but something else is off. It's the way my brother's acting. Or rather, speaking.

"Daniel, your stutter..."

"Oh, that," he answers with a sly grin. "I fake a speech impediment so that I'm less likely to be suspected in the Community."

"What?" I exclaim louder than I mean to, making my voice echo off the walls of the cavern. I look back and forth between the two of them, who both smile at me innocently. I feel betrayed. I can't believe Daniel has been deceiving me all this time with a fake stutter. And my own mother, who I should be able to trust implicitly, has been leading a double life with the Dissenters. I mean, they're my family, and I love them, but I kind of want to punch them both in the face right now.

"How about you three head over to the library," interrupts the old woman who tried to hide me. "It appears you have a lot to talk about."

"Thank you, Roxy," my mom responds as she gently takes hold of me and Daniel and starts walking forward. I look around and see that the other Dissenters are staring at us. I guess this Roxy lady doesn't want us discussing our family issues in front of everyone. Miles raises his eyebrows at me as we pass, but I don't have the capacity to worry about him right now, I'm too absorbed with my deceitful family.

I’ve calmed down a little by the time we reach the library, but I'm still pretty irritated about the situation.

"Why did you keep this from me?" I ask, turning to face my mother.

"It was for your protection," my mom states, "and quite frankly, for ours as well. You were so enamored with the Amplifiers for so long, I didn't know if it'd be safe to let you know about our affiliation."

"What, you thought I'd turn you in?"

"Of course I hoped you wouldn't, Mari, but people change. You must see that with your older brother. Plus, I wanted you to come to your own decision about the Amplifiers.

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