Vigo's Lament: A Dystopian Thriller (Age of End Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

to take. What if you’re wrong?”
    “Then I’m wrong, but at least we put up a fight. Sitting around won’t get us anywhere. If we wait too long, his troops will bleed over from the Eastern district and make their way over here. Once that happens, we don’t stand a chance.”
    “It sounds risky,” Dana said, “but it’s the only shot we have. We can’t continue to live in fear. You said it yourself. Simon is on a mission to wipe out anyone connected to the Spire. If we don’t do something soon, we’re as good as dead.”
    Trish peered out the window once more. She watched the people sitting on the streets without a home. Warren was right. If they did not do something, they would all die.
    “Okay,” she said. “I’ll do my best. When I’m done with my speech, they’ll be lining up to fight.”
    Warren smiled. “Good. Now who wants dessert?”

SIX
    RUPERT WOKE UP to blinding sunlight peeking through the cabin window. He had fallen asleep on the floor beside the bed. Ella and Alan lay next to him. Charlotte and Izzy shared the bed, snuggling close together. Fred was perched at the head of the bed frame. The smell of the wood panels filled his nostrils. The scent was comforting after their long absence. Outside he heard the sound of metal, wedging into loose dirt. He pressed his hands to his face and rubbed his eyes. Despite the hardwood floor, he had gotten a surprisingly refreshing night of sleep. It was nice to sleep in a place away from the Spire.
    He got to his feet, making sure not to wake the others, and tiptoed to the window. He glanced outside to see Vince digging a shovel into the ground. Dozens of holes were lined up along the side of the road. The bodies were no longer scattered about, but instead, were each carefully placed beside a hole. Rupert smiled. He stepped outside and quietly shut the door behind him. The brisk air hit his skin. It would take some time to adjust from the warm climate of the City. He pulled his coat around himself and stepped into the road.
    “This is good,” he called out. “They will like this.”
    Vince looked up and continued digging. “We should respect the dead.”
    Rupert walked up to one of the holes and glanced inside. “Indeed. These are deep. You must have been at this all night. Take a rest. I’ll dig for a bit.”
    Vince sunk the shovel down. “I’m not tired. But if you really want to help, grab an extra shovel.” He pointed to a pile to his right.
    Rupert walked over and picked up a shovel. “Is right here good?”
    “Move a little further down. They can’t be too close. The walls will cave in.”
    Rupert took a few steps over and pushed his shovel into the ground. “How are you holding up?”
    “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”
    “Saul was your oldest friend. It’s okay to be shaken up. We all are.”
    Vince threw a shovelful of dirt over his shoulder. “I’m not. He was going to die anyway, even if Simon hadn’t shot him. The bullet in his lung would have killed him.”
    “That doesn’t mean you can’t be upset about it. You knew him your whole life.”
    “And for most of that time, I thought he was a psychotic killer.”
    “But you were wrong. He wasn’t. He was a good guy. A decent human being. And he was your friend. You say to respect the dead, but what about Saul?”
    Vince stopped digging. “You think I don’t respect Saul? Of course I respect him, but that doesn’t mean I’m torn up about it. I’ve watched so many people die in my lifetime. He just adds to the count.”
    Rupert pointed to the cabin. “Those guys in there, they’re a wreck.” His voice wavered. “I’m a wreck. We’ve lost friends. Family. We are not okay. That’s why Ella hit you. She knows you had a difficult choice. She doesn’t blame you for this. She just has emotions running through her veins. She needed to let them out, so she hit you. That’s normal. This,” he gestured to Vince, “whatever you’re doing, is not normal.”
    Vince