Jakob's POV
She won't tell me what she saw in her vision but it has her feeling kind of jumpy. The woman insists that we don't stop until we find Kyrhen. She keeps flying ahead of me trying to to spot her brother and has been absolutely relentless.
Whatever she saw caused so much fear that she has been pushing herself beyond the point of exhaustion to find her twin. I am exhausted as well, and even Onyx is getting grouchy. We simply do not know why she is so frantic in her pursuit. We knew we needed to catch him, but now it seems like if we don't the consequences will be even more dire than before.
We've driven up into Missouri towards the city of Independence. True to its name the people here still function without Violet City's influence, but their failure to comply with Jasin's demands has caused major ruin for them. A barrel chested man named, Adrian is the head of a local resistance here. He and his right hand man have been hit hard by Saline. It caused them massive losses. Convincing him to help us won't be easy, but I have a feeling we will need them. Especially if Kyrhen gets to the city before us. We have been hit in his heels and his tracks lead us here.
Kalysta is in the air, and right now my main focus is creating an alliance with these rebels. I feel leary while approaching Adrian, it's because right now as he is swinging an axe to chop some wood. The man is huge. He has to be well over sick and a half feet tall. His arms are bigger around than my head, and he has no problem slicing through the wood.
The closer I get to him the louder that axe hits.
*CHOP*
*CHOP*
*CHOP*
"Eh, Uhm" I clear my throat and ask, "Are you Adrian?" I already know the answer, I was pointed in his direction by a villager here, but the big man is intimidating and I'm trying not to be axe murdered by presenting with too much knowledge. "Who wants to know," he asks?
"I'm here to find help with a cause of mine. Several people pointed me in your direction. They say Adrian is who I need to talk to." I paused, "You him or not?"
While Kalysta has been aerial I've been doing the ground work. Asking questions, and outsourcing for information. Everyone here hates Violet City so pumping people for intel was incredibly easy.
"I'm Adrian, but I'm not a lot of help to a lot of folks. Especially folks I don't know." He eyed me suspiciously. He is already not a very friendly guy. The idea of being axe murdered stuck in my brain, and for a second I almost forgot I could shift if he tried anything. Regardless, I can't give up easily.
"I'm looking for my wife's twin brother. We have information saying he is on his way into Violet City from Independence and may give up our home community's location. Seeing as how close you are to the City I can see how devastating being on their radar is. I'm asking for help to collect my brother and then put an end to the CEO."
After rambling I asked, "You willing to assist or have you been beaten down too badly?"
He set that heavy axe down with a thud. "Resisting is futile." He started to walk away from me but what I said next stopped him dead in his tracks.
"I am the CEO's only child. I'll be able to infiltrate the inner city, get close to the man, and kill him. Once dead I'll dismantle his Elite and shut down the factories. Mine is a cause worth joining. I won't fail."
He turned around and eyeballed me, "The poor people in the City need jobs to afford food. Killing Saline won't do shit, a shutting down factories won't help anyone."
"That's why I need more help. I need to recruit a team to work with me to make sure no one within those walls becomes collateral damage. I need help to reform the City, and protect its citizens."
Adrian grunted, "I couldn't even protect the 186 people who live here. Now we are down to 83! I can't guide my people back towards slaughter. The CEO already struck us down when we tried to fight before. Down is where we stay safe. Rising against him is not going to work out well."
"It will this time." I was convinced we could do it. I need to gather recruits to this cause though. From what I was told Adrian gathered a militia and rushed the City. They were overwhelmingly out numbered and out gunned. It was ballsy but failed. I need people who have the guts to stand up against my father. I want him to work with us. "This time we will cut off the head of the snake and the body will crumple," I said with conviction.
"Let me go speak with my friend. Last time his wife was killed. If he decides to help, I will too. First, just tell me how you plan to get in." He spoke quietly, and with caution.
"I'm his son. He has been looking for me. If you were looking for someone and they found you instead would you push them away?"
"Good point. Meet me here in an hour or so. I'll tell you what we decide then." Then Adrian walked away from me and into his old home.
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Tiny's POV
Adrian came to knock on my door. I appreciated the company. Ever since my wife passed on I've come to hate being alone.
"You're not alone jerk!" Oleander sounded in my head. I could feel the mouse rustling in my shirt pocket as he burrowed in deeper. "I hate your inner monologue Tiny. I wish you'd be happy again. You're constant sadness is starting to really make me mad."
"Oh will ya shut up already Olly!"
Another knock on the door pulled me out of my head. My link and I have been arguing quite a bit. "C'mon Adrian, door is open." The big man slowly opened the door causing the hinges to squeak. The sound irritated Olly and quite frankly anything that bothered my link was welcome in my mind.
My friend seemed nervous. "I met a man today who wants us to start up a resistance again." Adrian looked down as he spoke. The last time we tried to fight back against the CEO King's tyranny my beloved wife died. Adrian still felt the guilt of her death heavy on his shoulders. I don't blame him though. She wanted to join the cause. The CEO killed her, not Adrian.
"This man said his name is Jakob."
"Is this the Jakob that the King has been looking for? I've heard stories and rumors that he is searching for a long lost heir." My curiousity peaked. If this is indeed the same Jakob that could be a good way to infiltrate the city.
"We are mice idiot. We can infiltrate anything we want bc we are small," Oleander mouthed off. I meant to reply through our link but found myself shouting out loud, "Oh will ya shut up Olly? I wish ya would learn how to be quiet as a mouse ya mouthy brat."
The next thing I knew small teeth were sinking into my chest through the fabric of my shirt pocket. "Owwww!"
Looking up at my big friend I exclaimed, "The little fuck bit my chest! How'd I end up with literally the worst link ever? What did I do to deserve such a mean mouse?"
"You two fight like an old married couple," Adrian replied. "This man I mentioned did say he is the son of our enemy. He still hates the man and wants to put an end to Saline. I think I believe him. He wants us to join up with he and his wife and to recruit more people to the cause. After taking down Jasin he wants help to reform Violet City so that innocent people living in this slums do not end up worse off."
A bit of moisture entered my eyes thinking about those slums. "You know my wife was raised there. Her parents forced her to work in the factory's. Once she was older they forced her to entertain the Elite with her body to bring in more money. She used to tell me about how exploited those children all are. She only followed us because she wanted to make a difference for them. If he really is the CEOs son, and the chances fall heavily in our favor I'll join. I'll do it for her."
"Good, maybe you'll stop moping around each day now that you've got something to do."
"Dammit Olly, shut up!"
Adrian looked at me whimsically and said, "You two crack me up. I wish I could hear what Oleander is always saying to you that gets you so worked up all the time."
"Nothing polite I'll tell ya! He is a pain in the ass most days." My response warranted another bite from Olly. My flinch caused Adrian to laugh out loud. Once he was done chuckling he said he'd go meet with the Jakob guy and tell him we are in.
I wanted to come with him but I guess not bathing or shaving for a few days had me not looking the best. I've been a wreck since my Marly died. I've neglected our home, and myself for months now. I can't blame Olly too much for his frustrations with me. He shows he cares by giving me tough love.
My depression has effected him so much. No wonder he is riding my ass about getting up out of here and doing more with my life.
I'm gonna do something alright! I'm going to carry out Mary's final wishes!