Page 137 of Us Defiant Few

“We have unconfirmed reports of a nuclear launch somewhere in the Baltic Sea—”

“All banks are closed until further notice—”

“Breaking news. The country has unleashed its full nuclear arsenal in response to an unprecedented attack on the capital. We will stay on the air as long as we can. Godspeed and good luck—”

The panicked voices switched at rapid speed, like her mind was shuffling through a static radio. But then, she felt her body jerk as a vision appeared in front of her.

Thousands of people ran through a city, clutching bags to their chests, eyes filled with dread as they fumbled with keys to get inside their cars or packed long buses to the brim.

But everyone stopped.

And looked to the sky.

The camera tilted upward as hundreds of missiles flew overhead. Some as high as the moon. Others looked like shooting stars, traveling clear across the globe.

But one turned its course and aimed straight for them.

The world went still before it burned.

Khalani screamed awake.

She lifted her hands, trying to cover her eyes, but they wouldn’t budge. She was tied to a chair.

Her eyes were still blurry as she looked around, taking in the bright grand office with several guards in black riot gear posted at the walls.

Takeshi was nowhere to be found.

Her head spun, on the verge of passing out again, but she blinked quickly, fighting to stay awake. She realized the others were also tied to chairs.

Winnie, Adan, and Derek were all unconscious. Serene was groaning, her eyelids starting to flutter. Brock’s back was pin-straight, fully awake.

But he wasn’t looking at her.

He was staring at the man facing away from them, hands laced behind his back, wearing a crisp white suit. The man casually looked out the sunny windows covering the entire office wall.

Khalani narrowed her gaze, focusing past him, trying to figure out where they were and how they could escape.

“Brock,” she whispered. “Where are we?”

“You’re right where you’re supposed to be,” the strange figure said. “In Genesis.”

Genesis? The domed city above Apollo?

Khalani had so many questions, but the man slowly turned, revealing ashy brown hair, a perfectly handsome face, and blue eyes that haunted her nightmares every day.

The Governor stood in front of them.

Khalani froze, the air halting in her lungs.

The last time she’d seen Alexander Huxley in real life, his detached head rolled through the sand.

But he stood before them, very much alive.

“Y-you…how—”

“How does this moment feel? Historic,” the Governor interrupted, taking slow steps around his desk toward her. His cruel smile widened as he crouched in front of her, only a few inches away.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” he whispered.