Rise: Populations Crumble, Book 2 by Gandy, A. (read book .txt) 📕

“Who were they trying to get?” Emmett asks, looking unsettled.

Patrick’s gaze crashes into mine, before he looks back at Emmett and answers, “The women, most likely. There was a kidnapping attempt while we were at the NLC back in Georada. There are still extremist groups out there who think the world is better off without a large human population. When I was active in the guard, we got reports of cells they busted up, and experiments they were doing, trying to finish what the Sterilization Vector started so many years ago.”

Carolina’s grip tightens on Emmett’s sleeve. “My word, are we safe anywhere?” she looks troubled.

“Anywhere is better than here, at this point,” Emmett says darkly. “You should come with us.”

Patrick and I exchange a glance. “I’m not going anywhere without Nell,” I declare.

“Aww, I knew you liked me,” Nell says as she saunters through the dining room door.

I snort, but don’t disagree. Atlas speaks up. “Who’s leaving?”

“We are. It’s clearly not safe here anymore,” Emmett answers.

Atlas nods. “It’s probably for the best.”

Breakfast is passed with minimal conversation, all centered around which parts of the NAA seem least likely to be the target of further kidnapping attempts. Anywhere we aren’t. If the kidnappers are out to finish sterilizing humanity, my polymorph genes would be a huge prize.

As we finish up breakfast, another staff member brings a letter and hands it to Patrick. The handwriting matches his mother’s. He opens it and scans the short missive with a tense expression before handing it to me.

Patrick,

Your security detail will arrive tomorrow. There’s been another leak.

Stay Safe,

Deb

Frustration boils in my chest at the lack of detail. What kind of leak? Was that the kidnapping attempt, or is something else going to happen? My angry gaze lands on Patrick, who doesn't look any happier. Before anyone can question us, however, cha-cha music starts blaring from Patrick’s pocket.

I groan as my wrist starts buzzing like an angry beehive is attached to it. The green band is lit up with two pink hearts. Fertile week again. After the alerts stop, Emmett and Carolina stand to leave.

“We probably won’t see you again before we leave, since you’ll be busy. But as soon as you’re able, you should get out of here. Even if you don’t join us in Playa Reino, get away from this place.” Emmett shakes both of our hands, and Carolina hugs us.

“I guess we’d better head up,” Patrick says, before handing the letter from his mother to Atlas. “Be on the lookout, please. We don’t know what’s coming.”

Atlas scans it quickly, expression grim. “I think we’ll see about getting a room down the hall.”

I give them one last wave before we head up the stairs to our room.

✽✽✽

Fertile week passes in a blur of old movies and room service meals. My favorite one is about a couple from the city who buy an old farm and become chicken farmers. We discovered that the TV works again after we track “activity” for the day. Controlling jerks. Something about the old, black-and-white simplicity lulls me to sleep at night. Patrick’s warm arms and comforting masculine scent don’t hurt, either.

After five days, though, we’re both ready to get out of our room. Thankfully, the week was uneventful, and we didn’t have any repercussions from our break-in at the medical facility, or the leak Deb warned us about. Whatever security detail they sent, they also didn’t disturb us. We saw a black-clad man walking the beach a few times from our balcony, but other than that there’s been no sign of security. However, now that we’re allowed out of our room again, I’m sure we’ll be meeting them. Patrick and I both have our tennis shoes on, and hope to get out on the walking trails with Atlas and Nell this morning to plan for our next steps. We’ve hashed out as many things as we can with the two of us, but we both agree we need Atlas’s expertise on how to expose the evil that’s going on here.  One thing is for sure, we can’t stay quiet and do nothing.

Fingers entwined, we walk down the stairs to the first floor of the guest house. At the bottom, a man with a broad back in a skin-tight camouflage t-shirt blocks our way. His chestnut hair is thick and shiny in the morning light streaming in from the many ocean-front windows. Our footsteps on the stairs must alert him to our descent because he turns, and my heart almost bursts out of my chest when I see his face.

“PETER!” I scream so loudly that Patrick jumps next to me, and I race down the last few stairs and fling myself right into my brother’s waiting arms.

He hugs me tightly, lifting my feet right off the bottom stair step. “Hey, squirt, I hear you’ve been getting into trouble, as usual.”

“I haven’t done a thing,” I scoff at his playful accusation. “I am a delight twenty-four-seven.”

He laughs, loud and rambunctious. “I’ve missed you, Sadie. How are you? Is your new husband treating you well?” His annoyed emphasis on the word has me guiltily looking back to Patrick, who I’d abandoned without a second thought.

“I’m good, and yes. Peter, this is Patrick. Patrick, my middle brother Peter.” I gesture between the two of them, and Patrick sticks his hand out to shake. Peter accepts, and a minor staring contest ensues. I wave both hands in front of them, breaking their focus on each other. “That’s enough of that. Now, answer my question; why are you here? I thought you were on assignment on the west coast somewhere?” I link my arm through his on my left, and Patrick’s on my right, and we walk to the dining room.

“I was, until I got Teddy’s call. It took a lot of arm twisting, but I got reassigned. I’m part of your personal guard detail now.” He levels me with a serious look. “So no more running off alone. If you’re not