Page 107 of Heart of the Sun

“There are so many weaknesses here,” Leon went on. “And no weapons. If not my people, this place would have been taken over in a few weeks. Sacked by a violent horde who wouldn’t treat anyone with the dignity I will. How the fuck are you going to have a future with a community who will die off in a few short years? Then what, Merrick? All of you are such damn do-gooders. But a plan for the future is important too. Young people, strong people. Do you know how fucked the world is? No one needs to waste food on a bunch of senior citizens who can barely walk, much less defend the community. They do nothing for a world like this except use up resources. They’ll be dust in the ground soon enough and we need those resources now.”

Merrick took a few steps and sank down on a chair, his shoulders rolling forward.

“You’re not such a spring chicken yourself, Leon,” Merrick said, his voice weak.

“I’m a leader, however,” Leon said. “I get shit done. I make the hard calls that no one else is willing to make.”

My head was buzzing, lips quivering. My God, what Merrick had said was true—Leon was asnake.I’d hitched my wagon to a viper. He’d arranged with the guards at the front to let people he’d gathered come inside to take over these homes? Who were they? Desperate people he knew from the show business world who’d been offered a spot in exchange forthis? Told they could die outside these gates or take this community over? Given maps and numbers and…Oh my God.

“You said they wouldn’t harm anyone—”

“They won’t,” Leon said. “Not if it’s not necessary. These aren’t bloodthirsty killers. They’re going to gather everyone and those considered…non-essential will be walked out the front gate.”

Merrick’s shoulders sagged further. “It’s as good as killing them, Leon. You know that. And there’s no such thing as a nonessential human being.”

“Unfortunately, Merrick, that’s simply no longer true.”

The front door burst open, the sounds of a group of men entering the home and I startled, letting out a small squeak. My heart pressed against the wall of my chest as my stomach dropped. “Watch him,” Leon said to whomever had entered the house.Oh God.I turned to run, but Leon had heard me and before I could make it to the staircase, he was on my heels. “Stop, Emily.”

I skidded to a stop, looking slowly over my shoulder to see Leon standing there with the gun pointed in my direction. “I do not want to shoot you, but I will if I have to.”

I turned toward him, my mouth dry, heart pounding. “You’re not who I thought you were.”

“I’m exactly who you thought I was,” he said. “It’s why you wanted me on your team.”

I stood there, my mind filled with static, fear and disappointment cascading through my limbs. But maybe he was right. Maybe I’d liked the fact that he was a cutthroat businessman. I’d valued him for his dog-eat-dog attitude and ability to be callous. It’d meant he always got what he wanted and when he was working on my behalf, it meant I did too.

And evidently, he wasn’t afraid to up the level of “cutthroat” depending on the circumstances.

He gestured with his gun. “You’re valuable here, Emily. Don’t worry, you can stay as long as you cooperate. Go on up to your room. I’ll walk you there.”

I glanced up the stairs toward my room. What else could I do? There was nowhere to run, and he had a gun on me. And I didn’t think attempting to fight him was a good gamble. So, on shaky legs, I turned and ascended the stairs, Leon trailing behind. I suddenly wanted nothing more than to put a door between us and when Leon’s hand stopped me, I sucked in a fearful gasp.

“The world is burning, Emily,” Leon said. I glanced over his shoulder where a young man with a chiseled jaw wearing camo was turning down the hallway. “And this is a utopia. If I’d have told you every detail of what I planned beforehand, you might not have come. And that would have been a mistake because you’d have died out there.”

He allowed me to shut the door and I leaned back on it, letting out a shuddery breath.

Outside, there was an exchange between Leon and the young man. I didn’t hear every word, but it was clear that he’d directed him to guard my door. I flipped the lock, knowing that the flimsy thing wouldn’t help me much if a muscled dude decided to kick it down. But it was better than nothing.

I heard sounds that told me the men with guns were beginning to gather residents from their rooms. Then, I supposed, it would be determined who could stay and who could go. I was relatively safe up here, already guaranteed I’d be one of the chosen ones who could stay.But how could I remain locked in this room without at least attempting to warn the others?

I unlatched the window and looked down at the dark yard below. It was too far to jump. I turned, surveying my room for a moment, weighing my options before I moved quickly to my bed. I ripped my sheets off and expediently tied them together, giving a yank to ensure the knot was tight, my eyes darting to the door handle that I kept expecting to jiggle.

My heart pounded as I opened the window as wide as it would go and then threw the knotted sheet down. It was a significant drop but even if the sheet didn’t hold, I was hopeful it would slow my descent enough that I wouldn’t break my leg.

I heard another scream and then a few cries and more sounds of alarm as people were led out of their rooms. I only took a moment to slip on the clean jeans and sweatshirt I’d been given and a pair of canvas sneakers.

With trembling fingers, I tied the end of the sheet to the leg of a massive wardrobe next to the window, my heart rapping against my breastbone. I sat down on the ledge, took a deep breath, and then swung my legs over. Then I turned onto my stomach, the ledge digging into my ribs as I grabbed hold of the sheet and lowered my body. For a moment I simply dangled over empty air, gritting my teeth so I wouldn’t scream.Please hold, please hold.I went lower, my arms burning as I slowly descended.

And then the sheet gave, coming off the wardrobe above as I bit my tongue and went plummeting the rest of the way to the ground.

I hit hard, landing in a crouch with a staggered breath, and then doing a quick assessment of my limbs.Nothing broken. You’re okay.I got up and then I ran around the side of the house and plastered myself against the brick. I exhaled in relief. I was okay. I was free.

From the room at least.

And I only had limited time to warn others—to let them know what was going on so they could…what? Escape? There was no escape. The only choices were to hide…or fight back.

I turned, running through the backyard, toward the property next door, where Layne and Freddie were. I ducked among the trees and headed toward my friends to warn them that our castle on the hill was being stormed.

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