Love Among The Ruins-Chapter 123

NADINE’S P.O.V

Joshua gave her the instructions, and she left with Camden. They had a walkie talkie, while we had the other in case they were to get into trouble.

The four of us that remained helped Joshua as best as we could. I tried not to think about Trent and what I’d just done, but it was virtually impossible. Even if I didn’t deliver the killing blow myself, I’d contributed to his death.

"We’re done!" Joshua announced.

I wasn’t sure what he’d done or what buttons he’d pressed on the laptop in his hands, but he seemed proud of himself.

"What exactly did you do?" Rowan asked, voicing the thoughts in my mind. "How does this work?"

"Once I push the button, anything we say will be broadcasted to every bunker."

"How many are there?"

He hesitated. "I don’t know. I was never told. All I know is that they use the same wireless network to pass information across to each other."

"So whatever we say will only go to the people in charge?"

He shook his head. "I tweaked a little. Anything you say will be broadcasted on anything with a speaker in any bunker. It will heard from the alarm system. Everyone will hear. Just say the word and we’ll go."

I looked up at the sky. It was getting dark.

It would be dangerous to do this now because we wouldn’t be able to get everyone out before nightfall, but then again, there was no guarantee that Trent wouldn’t blow up the bunker by tonight. Jen and Camden were already gone, we couldn’t risk holding off.

I turned to Rowan. "I can’t make another decision. Don’t make me, please."

He didn’t fight with me, he just nodded and held my hand in his.

He turned to Joshua. "Will he be able to find us once we start?"

"Yes, but it’ll take some time."

"It depends on how good his people are. Anywhere from five minutes to thirty minutes."

"Do it."

"Are you sure?"

"We just need to be quick." He turned to me. "You have to speak."

"But-"

"They know you. They trust you."

Joshua nodded and pushed a button.

Nothing changed, but he held a thumbs up, letting us know that he was ready.

He handed me a small portable mic and I took it with shaky fingers.

"Hi, I don’t know if you can hear me, but my name is Nadine Tyler."

Joshua nodded, encouraging me to go on.

"My father works closely with the general. I used to stay in the bunkers too until recently. I’m going to be quick because I don’t have much time, but you’re all in danger. They’re planning on blowing the bunkers up with everyone in."

"Shit," Joshua cursed from next to me. "They’re already trying to kick us out. Hurry up."

I swallowed deeply, pushing away my fear.

"Trent isn’t the good guy that you think he is. He created the monsters. He had a lab and he experimented on people. We have pictures. He ran tests on them. He controls them. The monsters don’t find us by smell or sound, he tracks us with the birth control implants. He sends the monsters to kills anyone who opposes him. He did it to me.

He has a small lab in the bunker. I found it and in retaliation, he tied me to a tree outside and sent his monsters to kill me. I was pregnant. I lost my child because of him. I know it’s hard to believe because he seems so good, but you have to trust me. I have no reason to lie. We want to help you, we have a safe space for you. All you have to do is leave. Take only what you can carry and leave the bunker."

Tears had gathered at my eyes and I tried to wipe them away.

I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn’t.

Joshua took the microphone from me.

"My name is Joshua Pickett. You may have known my father. He was the head of the tech team. My father supported Trent till the very end. I don’t know if he knew the truth or not, but I do, and General Trent is a monster. Run while you still can."

The walkie talkie buzzed in Camden’s hands.

"We can hear you guys," Jen whispered. "People are beginning to panic. Keep talking."

There was nothing else to say. We’d said everything we could.

We couldn’t tell them about Solomon and the others, not now at least.

Rowan held out his hand to Joshua. "Give me the mic."

"Are you sure?"

He nodded. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Joshua slowly handed it over to him, and I watched as Rowan squared his shoulders and breathed deeply.

"The soldiers will know me." He began, not even bothering to introduce himself. "I was at the old bunker, and I was here too. My name is Rowan Caine, and I’m General Trent’s son. I’m his by blood only, he has never been a father to me. You may not trust the word of Nadine and Joshua, but you can trust me.

I have fought these monsters, I have killed them, and I can tell you for free that Trent is a bigger one than all of them combined-"

"Beautiful speech," a voice cut through our speakers and we all fell silent. "I have to admit, I’m a bit hurt by the betrayal."

Trent didn’t sound hurt. In fact, he just sounded amused.

"What’s happening?" I asked Joshua who was furiously tapping at the screen. "How can we hear him?"

"They hacked into our system," he whispered. "But keep him talking. Everyone can hear him too."

"It’s over Trent," I said slowly. "You can’t blow them up. They know. They won’t let you leave. You’re going to die with them."

"Did you think I didn’t know about your little plan? Do you think I don’t know that two of your friends are inside the bunker right now? I haven’t been in the bunker in days. You will learn, Nadine, that I know everything. But seeing as I am so benevolent, I will give you a little gift."

He paused for dramatic effect,

"You have ten minutes until the bunker blows, and the blast will be so strong, it will wipe up anyone close enough. You also have twenty minutes until my creatures come to find you."

"You wouldn’t."

As if on cue, a buzzing sound came through the walkie talkie.

"Guys, something’s wrong."

"Oh darling," Trent laughed. "I already have. Good luck."