Page 66 of Rebel Rising: A Dystopian Romance

I peered through the glass at the thick layer of metal and sighed. It looked like I still wouldn't have a room with a view. There was no way for me to tell the time, but it felt late after my prolonged shower and I didn't want to wake anyone.

My throat itched with thirst so I slipped down the stairs towards the room I’d guessed was the kitchen, but as I headed past the living room, I heard soft voices talking.

"It wasn't planned, it was like I was pulled to do it by something outside of myself." I recognised Coal's voice.

"Well if something outside of yourself told you to do it, that makes sense then,” Alicia replied sarcastically. "I don't get why they went along with you."

“Most people would choose escape over death," he countered.

"Precisely, they were saving their own skins not interested in helping us."

“With what, our cause? Are you sure we're even interested in it? I don't remember getting much choice." There was a pause before Alicia answered.

"Of course we have a choice, you know that. Besides, what else is there?" she said finally.

"Who knows, maybe there's more to life than fighting." Coal sounded exhausted and he released a sigh.

Alicia snorted. "You love a good fight."

"I do. But that doesn't mean that's all there is."

"You've been talking like that a lot recently. Sometimes I’m almost tempted to take you seriously,” she replied.

“Like I said, I’m tired. I feel like I haven’t sat still in years. Just ignore me.”

“I can’t help worrying about you,” she murmured.

“I know. But honestly, I’m fine. I just dunno where my heads at, I’ve been making some odd choices recently,” he joked but Alicia didn’t laugh.

“It this about her? I saw the way you looked at her," she said suddenly.

"Well if you're so observant you will have also noted her boyfriend," Coal said dismissively.

"Not particularly, he wasn't exactly friendly."

Coal laughed at that. "I don't suppose he was."

I peeked around the corner and saw the two of them sitting on a lumpy couch with their backs to me.

“Are you sure about these people? Can we trust them?" Alicia asked, turning her head so that I had to duck back out of sight again quickly.

“As much as we can trust anyone I suppose," he replied.

“Well, seeing as you don't trust anyone, that doesn't mean much." I heard a noise that sounded like she might have thrown a cushion at him.

“I trust you," Coal said seriously.

“I don't count."

“I trust Hunter," he responded.

“Wow. Two people, don't go overboard."

Another long pause before he continued. "You know why that is. And I'm not really a people person, I don't need any more friends."

“Well, I like making friends."

“Girls never like you," he pointed out.