Page 14 of Longing for Liberty
Those who gave in to their emotions were killed, along with anyone who’d associated closely with them. I’d long ago extinguished the flame of that phoenix to protect Jeremy.
All four of our phones suddenly blared, causing me to jump and yank my foot back from Rebecca. After a second, I realized it was just a government alert, and my heart started to calm.
“Time for some news,” I said, hoping my voice didn’t sound as annoyed as I felt. The other three looked just as thrilled.
We all picked up our phones and clicked the alerts.
President Roan’s baby face filled the screen, his perfect head of straight, dark blond hair combed to the side. I gritted my teeth, hating the sight of that fake boy-next-door grin, which had fooled us all for far too long.
“Hello, dear Statizens!” And his happy voice, ugh. “I come to you this evening with the very best of news. We are officially one year crime-free in the worker neighborhoods of Community One! That’s right. Gone are the days of needing to lock your doors for fear that vagrants will steal your hard-earned possessions or hurt your beautiful wives. You, our people, together with this Tri-government and the strongest military in the world, have finally achieved what had once been impossible. The State continues to be the strongest entity in the world! Keep up the good work. Rest well, my people. And God bless.”
“God bless,” the rest of us whispered, shutting off our phones.
We sat there, all staring at different places, but not looking at one another. Stanley finally broke the tension.
“I just got really tired all of a sudden.” He stretched his long arms up high, and we all stood. I slipped my shoes back on.
“Thank you for coming over, brother,” Jeremy said, holding out his hand for a shake.
I patted Rebecca’s shoulder, earning myself a nod from her, and we saw them to the door.
Before Jeremy opened it, he said, “Oh. I almost forgot to tell you. Libby’s been given a new position. A major promotion.” My stomach sank as I thought about it, and the other two raised their eyebrows as Jeremy went on. “She’ll be serving our great Secretary Amos Fitzhugh.”
Their eyebrows both stayed up high as they froze, almost comically, before giving each other a look, and then blinking out of their shock.
“Wow! That’s wonderful, Libby,” Rebecca said stiffly. “Your hard work will be put to good use.”
“Oh, yes, definitely,” I said, flashing her a quick smile.
“Truly,” Stanley said in a soft voice. “What an honor.”
I caught Rebecca sharing a heavily laden glance with Jeremy that I couldn’t decipher.
“Yes, well. Good night, then,” Jeremy said, opening the door. I watched them leave, and I wondered what that look was all about. Were they just worried about me? I considered asking Jeremy to go back out to the garden, but that might appear suspicious, and it was already dusk. Exhaustion hit me anyway, and all I wanted was to black out and not think for another second about what the future held.
SIX
STATE NEWS: NATIONAL PRAYER REQUEST: BLIGHT IN WESTERN FIELDS WILL AFFECT AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK!
“Libby Carson,”Kathy called out, looking me over as I approached her in the maid office. “Stop the frowning.”
She was one to talk. I softened my face, trying to relax.
“I see you put on makeup, but you still look like you didn’t sleep.”
She had me there. Again.
“Sorry,” I said, just like yesterday, though it wasn’t like I was up late partying.
She handed me the basket. “Do you still have the codes memorized?”
I recited them in my head. “Yes, ma’am.”
She lowered her voice. “And how did it go yesterday?” My stomach wobbled.
“It went fine, ma’am. Thank you.”
She eyed me like she was trying to spot a lie. “Alright then. I saw you when you walked past at the end of your shift, and you looked like you’d been dragged by the hair.”Geez. Someone behind me snickered, but I kept my attention on Kathy. “You represent the Secretary now, so keep up appearances. Understand?”
