Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
I’m so stunned, I don’t even bother answering back. Hattie thought I would marry her? That I would, what? View her betrayal as… altruistic? As if she was saving me from myself?
I saved you.
In my head, these words come out in two voices. One is Clover’s. One is mine.
And the irony is not lost.
“Hattie has always been delusional.”
“Yes.” The general laughs. “She has loved you since you were children. Always sticking up for you, and covering for you, and believing in you.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. “Well, with friends like that, who needs enemies.”
“As I was saying. There was a point there, during your reeducation test, where everyone was betting on you to win. And for a moment there, I was sure she had me. But you never disappoint, Riggs. You came from my seed. I know you better than anyone. And now Hattie knows the real you as well. You hate me, you hate her, you hate the Colonies. You hate everything we hold dear. You’re like a sick animal. Something that needs to be put down.”
This is when I glance at my arm and notice the IV.
“Yes,” the general says, noticing my noticing. “There are a lot of drugs in your future, Riggs. But don’t worry. That’s not how you’ll die. Drug overdose? That’s way too cliché. You need a more fitting exit from this world. So…” He shrugs with his hands as a smile creeps up his face. And for the first time I think I really see my father for what he is. Evil. “Hattie came up with something very creative for you.”
“I bet she did.” The words are just a whisper, not even meant for him, just me. And that feeling in my gut is back. That feeling that I missed something very obvious here. And that whatever happens next, it was put in motion long before now.
“Hattie discovered a lot of things about you today, Riggs. A lot of things about that woman you brought down here as well.”
“Leave Clover out of this. She had nothing to do with it. She didn’t even want to come.”
“Well, that’s funny. Very funny. Because she was offered a way out and she said no.”
“What?”
“That’s right. Hattie offered her a deal. All she had to do was forget she ever met you. If she did that—and kept her word, of course—she would be returned to her quaint little town and Collin Creed would be none the wiser about any of this.”
“What? There must be a catch. Why the hell would she say no to that?”
The general laughs out these words. “Well… loyalty, of course. Isn’t that hilarious? You kidnap her in her own house, threaten to kill her five, six different ways, bring her down here where her discovery would mean certain death, and still, she refuses to leave you behind.”
“Let me talk to her.” I try not to sound desperate, but I don’t entirely succeed. “Let me talk to her and I’ll tell her to take the deal. I can—”
“It’s too late.” He waves a hand in the air like he’s erasing my words.
“No. It’s not. She’ll take the deal. Let her go and she’ll never say a word.”
“Oh, I’m sure. She’s weak and rather stupid. But she’s got a rebellious streak in her. Hattie was being compassionate and nice and Clover insisted on insulting her. So.” He shrugs with his evil smile this time. “She withdrew the deal.”
“But Hattie’s not in charge here. You are. You’re the fucking general. All you have to do is make it so.”
“True.” My father stares at me, his eyes poison personified. Not even bothering to hide his malice. Not even trying to dress it all up in a pretty frosted bottle with a shiny satin ribbon. “But her replacement plan for Clover Bradley was even more fitting.”
“Why do you hate me?”
The scoff he responds with is filled with disgust. “Why are you such a disappointment? Hmm? You were born into the highest level of privilege, Riggs. You were given the best education, placed in the company of the best children, raised up as a warrior for all that is just and right in the world and you threw it all away for what? Life up there?” His eyes drift up to the ceiling of the room and stay there for a few moments before returning to me. “It’s filth. It’s sin. It’s corruption—”
“And down here isn’t?”
“You tell me. Blackberry Hill is the poorest Colony in the entire world and it’s clean, and filled with polite people who are happy to do their part and live their lives to the fullest extent possible. They do not waste their days doing nothing. They all have purpose. Can you say the same for the poorest cities up there? No. They are filth. They are crime-ridden cesspools overflowing with people with the impetus of insects.”