Chapter 166

Since we didn’t know who we could fully trust, Caleb and I only told a few people that we were going on a trip to clear our heads. Even then, the only people who knew exactly what we are up to are Bethany and one of Caleb’s advisors, who was adamantly against it but knew he couldn’t stop Caleb once his mind was set.

“For better or worse, I will return in two weeks,” Caleb told that advisor, leaving him more or less in charge.

The advisor, who was I charge of the scouts, helped us secure fake IDs helped arrange a meeting with the last two scouts who had contact with Tristan before he went dark.

“Tristan was close,” the advisor said. “He might have even found the leader on his own, before the end. At the very least, he was closer than anyone. If you want to find the rebel leader, you should follow in Tristan’s tracks.”

Armed with fake IDs, rucksacks filled with spare common clothes and snacks, and a destination, Caleb and I went through a security checkpoint and took a bus out of town.

Now, after exiting the bus, we walk the streets of a small town, looking for the diner where we are to meet our contacts.

Despite my best efforts to try to make Caleb appear less stunning, he still manages to draw attention of nearly every women, and some men, that we happen across. Fortunately, it seems to be his ridiculously good looks and fit physique that draw this attention. I have yet to see any recognition in anyone’s eyes. Instead, they simply seem curious. And interested.

We find the diner in the center of the small town. It’s the first floor of a three story apartment building, one of the tallest in town. Out front is a small park, with the town hall across from it. There’s a banner hanging for a parade, but it’s frayed at the edges, like someone simply forgot to take it down.

The town is quiet right now – at least of parades. There are a few people walking around.

The inside of the diner is busy, however. Around lunchtime, this seems to be a happening spot.

“How will we know who they are?” I ask Caleb softly as we stand at the hostess station.

“I already see them,” Caleb replies and dips his head toward a nearby table. There a pair of men sip their coffee. They seem entirely innocuous, fitting in as anyone would in this diner. Looking closer, I recognize the scout as the one who spoke in front of the Council recently.

At first, I didn’t even realize it was him.

“Come on,” Caleb says and we walk over. The pair of scouts see us and immediately stand. They cheer, “There you are,” and welcome us like old friends.

“Sit, sit,” the men say. They pile into one booth, offering Caleb and me the other. Caleb makes certain I slide in first, then takes the end of the seat himself.

“Always look happy,” the scout I know says. “No matter what I actually say. This is a positive conversation between reunited friends.”

Caleb’s smile comes easy. I know it is only put on, but it’s still so blindingly handsome that I’m distracted for a full minute.

“Harper,” the scout says. “You, too.”

“Sorry,” I say, and smile.

“You know why we are here,” Caleb says.

“Yes,” the scout I don’t know replies. “We can help you. Tristan told us where he was heading before he disappeared. We’d hoped he might have infiltrated, but it’s been too long. He would have found a way to send out a message by now.”

“He is truly gone then,” Caleb says.

I startle, not realizing that he might not be. I suppose we should take nothing Samuel says at face value. He could have been just trying to get under our skin.

“Or captured,” the scout I know says.

Caleb immediately dismisses that. “He’d rather be dead.”

“It’s a two day drive to the edge of the forest where Tristan was headed,” says the scout I don’t know, pulling the conversation back on track. “We have a car and can take you there.”

“We want to see for ourselves where this trail leads,” says the scout I know. “You can address me as Scott while we’re together.”

“And I’m Wade,” says the other scout.

These have to be fake names, part of the cover they’ve made for themselves here, but for now they work.

The waitress comes to the table then and looks us all over. “Welcome everyone. I’ve already got these two boys set up, but can I get anything for you all?”

“Coffee,” Caleb says.

“Water,” I add.

“That all?” she asks, glancing at us with some concern.

“They’re trying to save money,” Wade says quickly. “Get them both two of the lunch specials, but put it on my tab.”

“Ah, alright.” This pleases the waitress and she writes it down. “Times are tough for everyone, you two. Hang in there. Before long, our fortunes should turn around.” With that, she walks away.

“I have money,” Caleb says.

“Save it,” Scott tells him. “You might need it for bribes.”

“We’re taking up this waitress’s table,” Wade adds. “You can’t just order coffee, or she’ll take notice.”

Caleb considers this. I do too.

“The things she said…” I start to ask.

Wade looks grim for a moment. “The rebels have their roots in deep here.”

“They’ve been brainwashed,” Caleb says.

Wade and Scott glance at each other.

Caleb notices. “What is it?”

“Forgive me,” Scott says, “but some of… the King’s policies have never been particularly popular here. Life is tough in towns like these. They feel as if the King has forgotten about them. The rebels moved in easily.”

Caleb and I glance over the other people in the diner. They all seem kind of tired and worn, wearing old clothing, some with obvious holes. At first glance, it seems as if they are just getting by.

When the waitress returns, she places Caleb’s coffee down in front of him and my water in front of me.

In addition, she lowers a basket of onion rings for the entire table.

“On the house,” she says.

“We couldn’t possibly accept this,” Scott says at once. Wade takes out his wallet.

But the waitress is insistent. “We have to watch out for one another. That’s the only way we will survive. Gods know the King isn’t going to look out for us.”

At the loud mention of the King, several other diner patrons groan. Caleb clearly is unpopular here.

As she walks away, Caleb’s false smile starts to fade. “Are things really so tough here?”

“I’m afraid so,” Scott replies. “A recent storm has knocked out some of the power grid as well as closed the local mines, putting half the town out of work. Assistance has been requested from the capital, but never delivered.”

“These are hard-working people who, with a bad turn of luck, can’t seem to pull themselves up out of the hole life has made for them,” Wade adds.

“I have not heard of this…” Caleb says.

“It’s a small town,” Scott says. “There have been other duties to attend to…”

Caleb lowers his head. Under the table, I watch his hands curl into fists.

He’s furious, then. But with who?

I feel like I already know the answer.

The only person he could be angry at here is himself.