Revolution (Collide, #4)(73)

I let my fingers tangle in her hair. "And you make me happy." I pulled on her arm. "Come here."

She came willingly and settled her chin on my chest as she looked up at me. I rubbed her arms and began slowly and with the deep breath that I needed, "When the war comes, and it will, I won't stop you from being a part of it if that's what you want."

Her jaw dropped as much as it could with her chin resting on me. "What? Why?"

"You want me to change my mind?"

"No…" she shook her head, "I'm just confused."

"You've shown me over and over that you're capable. You're amazing and as much as it pains me to say, and frankly, pisses me off, I know that you're here with us for a reason other than to just be with me." Her smile was tentative. "So…if it comes down to it and we have to fight, I'll stand by your side the whole way."

She reached up and caressed my cheek and the stubble on my chin. "I love you, Merrick. And I appreciate that."

I gulped and nodded. "I love you, baby."

"I know," she said and hoisted herself to sit on my stomach. "Whatever happens, Merrick, it was worth it. All of this was worth it."

I sat up to meet her. Even with her straddling me on my lap, her head was still lower than mine. I lifted her chin with my fingers and waited. Her face as she waited for me to devour her in the dark was priceless. I leaned forward and nipped her chin. She gasped the smallest amount, but it was still adorable.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and I knew what was coming. I kissed her with intent. We had all night and if this was truly our last night on Earth, I was about to make it count.

The Day The World Ended



Chapter 29


Sherry



We all gathered around. It was time. Morning had come and we'd all sogged through breakfast and paced and waited. Miguel clicked on the TV as we all stood or sat in huddles. Everyone was present and eager.

This was it. It was almost the time we marked for the broadcast. We would see if everything was for nothing.

Lillian sat beside me and told me she was going to look for Cain, but when I told her what had happened and what we were waiting for, she sat down just as eager to watch our little nine inch TV.

Right then was the normal broadcast that they played on a loop. They mentioned the reward, the rebels, the Keepers as they always did. The time we set came and Miguel pointed at the clock to tell everyone to wait. The minute ticked by slowly, a watched pot that refused to boil, and then it passed. I felt so deflated, I could barely breathe. Lily was in my lap and I was in Merrick's, and if it hadn't been for his presence pressing behind me, I'd have fallen over with disappointment.

I felt his arms encircled us both and he whispered, "It's ok," but before he could finish the picture changed and there I was, clearing my throat and beginning with, "You don't know me…"

The silence of the room was everywhere, as loud as a roar, as everyone waited. When the tape kept playing, Miguel let out a "Whoop!" and that started the cheers. No one even heard what the rest of the tape said, but it didn't matter. The point was that they heard it. All those people glued to the TV at every opportunity so the Lighters could keep poisoning them with their compulsion. Merrick squeezed me and kissed my hair and neck. Lily jumped up and down, though she didn't really understand what it was for. But hey, it was a party, right?

Miguel came and stole me from Merrick's lap and hugged me with my feet in the air. "You brilliant girl!"

"They made me do it," I defended.

"No one could have done it but you." He let me down and looked me in the eye. "You deserved to be the one set these people free. They'll thank you one day."

"Aahhh," I groaned. "They do all know what I look like now, don't they?" I hadn't thought of that. I peeked back at Merrick who was coming to the same conclusion I was.

I was now a target.

Then the last sentence played, "We are the revolution. Join us and take back what was yours in-"

They cut me off. So they finally found it and stopped it, but it was way too late. The news had gotten out, the word received, the message out to the masses. I could have kissed someone! So I did.

Merrick's warm arm held me captive and I relished it. I knew he now had a new thing to worry about, but this was our small victory, our rebellion, and we needed to take them as they came. Jeff soon joined our hug and the whooping and hollering continued for a long while.

Calvin and Frank stopped their victory jig long enough to talk to me. Calvin said, "Sherry, you were great! How does it feel to be a celebrity?"

"I'm not a-"

"Shyeah, you are!" Frank cut in. "Everyone is going to know about that hot chick who stopped the Lighters!"

"Dude!" Calvin hissed.

"What? She's hot. What?" he yelled when Calvin punched his shoulder.

"Don't talk about her like that!" I wanted to giggle. Even Calvin was in for the Sherry Protection Detail. I smiled at them both.

"It's all right. Thanks, Frank…I think. And thanks, Calvin." I slung my arms over their shoulders. "What do you say you help me make some lunch?"

"That's chick's work," Frank complained.