Page 54 of Born Savage

“As I said, I knew your father, which meant I knew his family. I became his confidant during a time when he trusted few, and sadly, some of the wrong people. You were so young when the war happened, inundated with so many horrors. There is no way for you to remember me from that long ago, but there was another time that will likely create a memory.”

“Star. The child I rescued. You were there when I rescued her.”

“I was told your memory wouldn’t be erased but placed in dormancy for your protection. As with Star and given the destiny you both face, your memories are returning. Theodore Jeffers was a great leader, someone the American people trusted. He was also a good friend, someone I met in college. We had the same ideals, the same desires to improve democracy.” He studied my face. I don’t know what he expected; emotion? I wasn’t so inclined to allow anyone to decipher what I was thinking.

I finished the lemon, including the peel. Nothing could be wasted.

“You are a vital part of her recovery. We have you to thank for finding her. I will admit that we were worried we hadn’t gotten to her in time.”

“To what end?”

By his reaction, I sensed he wasn’t in a position to share every detail.

“I was made aware you were coming.” He moved to a set of binders he had on a shelf, flipping through them. “You must be weary from your travels. Eden is quite a distance. Yes?”

He knew much more than almost anyone. However, it was my job to protect the haven with whatever means I deemed necessary. “Eden is a fable.”

“Inside this room, we can be frank with one another. There are legitimate reasons for keeping Eden’s location and details surrounding the topside haven as nothing but a dream of hope during uncertain times.”

“There is no hope.”

“Come on. You’re here. You were rescued because of your importance. Of course there’s hope. For many, that’s all they have, along with grit and determination.”

While I wasn’t certain he bought his own bullshit, I sensed he was searching for if I felt the same. I didn’t. “How many are here?”

“Over one hundred. Every member fought their way through devastation, starvation, and ungodly tragedies. We are a family. We’ve taken care of each other and will continue to do so after you’re gone.”

“You have many dangers around you.”

His smile was knowing. “Yes, you’re right. You’ve come for Star because her presence in the land of Eden will be the final piece of the puzzle needed for the Resistance to rise from the very depths of hell. Together, you can overthrow the Freedom Society. Hope will be fully restored.”

I laughed bitterly, which as of late was the only way I’d felt anything. Once the anger had subsided, an emptiness had prevented me from doing my job as programmed. Only anger had been instilled deep inside, fury for the loss of what had once been while denying there could ever be any thought of safety or prosperity again.

“I’m here because I was tasked to bring Star to a secure location. She is privy to information we need. I am nothing more than a soldier required to do my duty.” A favor for saving my life, but he didn’t need to know that.

“Your mission is far more important that you’ve been told and unfortunately, I’m not allowed to provide every detail. The fertile land bordered by Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Huron supply environmental hope as well. The only waters untainted by toxins. Did you know the long harsh winters with heavy snowfall act as a barrier to enemies? Centuries before the Great War, the area was coined as being the perfect haven in times of battle. The timber there has begun to recover, the lush greenery allowing for the resurgence of wildlife and even fish.”

“If it’s so fertile, then why haven’t you brought your group to the area?”

“Because she had to be protected until the time was right. Until she was of age. If discovered alive before the time of uprising, the Hunters would stop at nothing to end her life. You are likely aware her existence, once considered a myth, has become a vendetta stuck in the mind of the king. He will stop at nothing to ensure he isn’t attacked again. The prophecy was very clear.”

He’d heard about my foolish effort to assassinate the king months before.

The prophecy. I’d heard such garbage from the day I’d been brought to the healing campus. I’d only known I’d been allowed to heal. Only after I’d been strong enough had John provided a few details of my mission, including stories about Eden. While he was correct in how protected the area was, how beautiful in a world where every other location was nothing but barren rubble, I was still questioning what the fuck I was doing here.

Peter lifted something from the file, slowly bringing it to me. “This picture was taken on the day you turned seven. Just before the collapse. Your father had already been made aware of the drone strikes hitting several military bases throughout the world.” As he handed me the photograph, I recoiled at first.

“The past is gone. My father is dead. So are my mother and sister.”

“Yes, I know. Take the picture, Phoenix. It will ground you and remind the boy inside why this fight is so important. Your father never intended for this to happen. He was betrayed more than once, but by the time he realized his true enemy, it was too late.”

I glared at the smiling faces, feeling nothing but contempt and anger. Yet there was something in the eyes of my father that lent itself to remembering all that he’d taught me. Kindness above all and that democracy was a gift not to be taken lightly.

“Tell me about Star.”

Peter laughed. “A strong-willed woman with great potential. However, she will need the right person by her side. That person is you.”

With the picture still in my hand, Peter was right in that certain memories came to the surface, most of which were too painful to experience ever again.