Phoenix Read Online Free PDF Page B

will be checked for health, age, strength and skills. Those deemed suitable for work
     will be sent to Primus-Two, to work in the factories.”
    The screen pans in on Primus-Two. It comprises dozens of large industrial buildings.
    “What are they producing in those factories?” Roach asks.
    “I didn’t have time to access that information before Freya turned up with half the
     Sentry guard after her,” Garrick replies.
    “What happens to the people who aren’t suitable to work in the factories?” Logan says.
    Garrick moves the map to the final city, on the east side of the mountain. “They’ll
     be sent to Primus-III.”
    He zooms in on a series of white buildings, each with a green cross painted on the
     roof, just like the ones they paint on medical laboratories. Dread starts to set in.
    “He’s going to experiment on us?” I exclaim. “Why?”
    “I’m not sure,” Garrick replies. “But those concrete buildings next to the labs are
     crematoriums, so whatever they’re planning, they don’t expect the test subjects to
     survive.”
    I think I’m going to be sick.
    “It’s just like the concentration camp they had in the Barren Lands,” Logan says.
    “Except on a much bigger scale,” Garrick replies. “The Tenth can easily handle twenty,
     maybe thirty, million prisoners at any one time.”
    “We must not let Rose’s Law pass tomorrow,” Sigur says.
    There are nods of agreement from around the room.
    “But won’t Purian Rose still attempt to send us to the ghetto, even if he loses the
     vote?” Logan says.
    “I’d like to see him try!” Roach says. “There would be civil bloody war if he sends
     the so-called Impurities to the Tenth when over half the country has voted
against
segregation.”
    I consider the fact that Purian Rose came all the way to Black City to threaten me
     into supporting his law and suspect she’s right. He doesn’t want this to break out
     into a civil war if he can avoid it.
    “Then let’s not give that bastard any chance to do it!” Roach hollers. “We’re gonna
     win this vote tomorrow, right?”
    “Right!” the rebels all chant.
    The room erupts into chaos as people discuss this new turn of events, but I’m too
     numb to hear them. I glance at the map again. This is so much bigger than trying to
     free my people from the ghettos; the very survival of our species and many others
     is at risk. So what am I going to do tomorrow? It comes down to this: Whose life is
     worth more? Natalie’s or theirs?
    I honestly don’t know how to answer that question.

5.
    NATALIE
    “CLOSE YOUR EYES,” Day says as we approach the canal.
    The sun has just started to set over Black City, casting a muted peach glow over the
     buildings. With me are Polly, Day, and her little brother, MJ, plus their parents,
     Michael and Sumrina. Michael is holding MJ’s hand, helping him walk. It’s funny seeing
     them side by side, as MJ’s the spitting image of his father; both have the same dark
     skin, soulful brown eyes and easy smiles, although MJ has a curved back because of
     his kyphosis. I’m really touched that my sister has come out with us; I know she hates
     being outside ever since she was tortured and disfigured by Purian Rose.
    I wonder if he would’ve been so cruel had he known that she’s his daughter. I search
     Polly’s face for any resemblance. They share the same startling, metallic gray eyes,
     but otherwise she looks nothing like him. Polly gives me a small smile. She’s still
     breathtakingly beautiful, despite the zigzag of scars across her cheeks. It’s wonderful
     seeing my sister happy. The past two months with Day’s family have been good for the
     both of us. It’s been tough without Mother around, but Sumrina and Michael have made
     us feel like we’re part of the family.
    “Where
can
we be going?” I say teasingly as we head along a familiar part of the canal, near
     to where I first met Ash. My heart stumbles, thinking about that encounter