Revolution (Collide, #4)(75)

"I'm the key," she said softly. "Mrs. Trudy told me. I have to go out there and be with Daddy."

"No," I said and shook my head. "No, Lily."

"Mommy-"

"You're not going out there!" I huffed. "I stayed behind to keep you safe, so why would I-"

She touched my cheek with her little hand and there she was. Mrs. Trudy was there and she was smiling the smile I remembered. I felt a tear escape me. All those dreams…all those visions… "It was real?" I asked.

"Honey child, I can't leave the kitchen until the casserole's done." She smirked. "This casserole is almost cooked."

"You mean-"

"This is going to work? I sure do. But you have to have some faith. Faith that's the hardest kind to have."

"And what's that?" I asked, but knew.

"The kind where you take your little girl up topside and let her finish her task."

"No," I told her, just like I told Lily. "No."

"It's time for the Specials to do what they were made to do."

My lips parted, but no words came. I couldn't…could I?

"She's only four," I argued.

"And you were only four the first time you saved Danny's life, remember?"

I thought back to what she was talking about. "He fell in the pool and I grabbed a hold of his diaper. Not the same thing."

"It is exactly the same thing," she said haughtily back. "You were where you were supposed to be when you were supposed to be. So is Lily. So is Calvin. So is Danny."

I thought about Calvin and Danny outside right now. It didn't seem right, but…it also did. I was torn again and it was beginning to hurt in my chest from all the ripping. "But…"

She hugged me hard. It was her and she was real. She smelled the same, that scent carrying me to a better time and place. "It's time, mamma. It's time you let her finish this thing for us. What we've done and who we've lost," she gave me a pointed look at she leaned back, "won't be in vain." I felt my lips purse to hold in my scream. I wanted to scream for everything that had been done to me and mine. And now they were taking my little girl from me?

She wiped my tear away and smiled through her own. "Sometimes, we have to let go when that's the last thing we want to do."

Then she was gone and I was left looking at my little girl and knowing I was about to take her up the elevator. Merrick would never forgive me for what I was about to do.

I took her fingers in mine and I walked toward the elevator. She hummed as I pressed the button. It was something soft, something sweet. It didn't fit and the eerie feeling I had from before came back tenfold.

I was taking my daughter to the Lighters because my dead friend had told me to. I shook my head. Not only would Merrick never forgive me, but neither would Danny nor Miguel nor Calvin. But I had to.

I had to trust my gut as I always had. Because that whole time that Mrs. Trudy and Lily had been trying to convince me, I hadn't heard one lie come out of their mouths.

Crashing



Chapter 30


Merrick



When we emerged from the elevator, we knew we were in for a big fight. All the Specials and gifted ones had come along with all the Keepers and all the guys who could hold a stake.

We ascended to the roof and looked out. My breaths accelerated into overdrive. I knew they'd come for us eventually. The Lighters weren't known for their mercy or forgiveness, but this was swift punishment. As we looked out at the line of evil coming our way, I knew we'd never make it. Markers lined the sky, Lighters blurred, and Graphters…there were at least five of them.

Miguel hissed and grabbed his scarred leg as he glared up at the Markers so close.

I took a deep breath and started the descent of the ladder. I led with my head high. We had to do this. At least my girls were safe inside and hopefully, the Lighters wouldn't go poking around for more once they were through with us.

The Graphters steps were shaking the building as we made our way down. I looked down the line of my people and then the other way. Everyone was solemn. It must have hit them like it hit me. This was the end, but we were going out swinging as Cain always would say. Too bad my friend wasn't here to see this; all of our family so brave and ready for whatever came their way.

All that was missing was war paint.

Danny stood beside me. He bumped my shoulder with his. I looked at him and he smiled tightly and nodded. "Thanks, man."

"What for, Special?"

"For coming and making my sister so happy, Keeper." He gripped my shoulder. "You're a good man." He emphasized the man and I got a little choked up. I gripped his shoulder, too.

"Danny…you're a good man, too. I've always thought so."

He nodded. "Let's do this."

I glanced down the line again. Miguel and Rylee were gripping each other's hand. Celeste and Danny were doing the same thing. Marissa was crying soundlessly and Jeff was worried about the baby as he pulled her close and kissed her temple. When I thought I'd given everybody enough time to say their goodbyes, I started toward the fray.

They were just past the trees and were just as ready for us and we were for them. I could take it no longer. I looked over at Miguel, my partner in butt-kicking. He shrugged and said, "I've been waiting to have another blue with these buggers. Look," he pointed to his pants, "I've even got on my fighting daks."