Rebel Princess - Book 2 (The Hope Saga) (20 page)

My aunt pampered me, and my cousins were always trying to cheer me up.

Brett and I grew even closer, and Rachel was as great a friend to me as she’d always been. None of us could believe Mr. Tams had been so evil, but everyone was glad the case of the Asha strangler had been put to rest—literally.

Over a year passed, and life went on in our little underwater world.       

***

Brett was at home, spending time with his parents, so Rachel and I hung out in my room.

“Wow! Look at that,” my bestie said. 

“It’s beautiful,” I said. I smiled as a school of jellyfish floated by, propelling themselves through the water outside our towering glass wall. A parrot fish in brilliant shades of green, blue, and yellow also swam past us, and off to the left, we saw a yellow, orange, and electric blue angelfish. I did get sick of looking out at sea creatures now and then, but I was thankful that so many living things had survived the asteroid collision.

“With all these amazing creatures for neighbors, it’s a wonder we even want to return to the surface.”

I laughed. “Yeah, it’s kinda dreamy living in a tropical aquarium. Still, I’d kill for a view of other buildings, trees, cars, fields, and rabbits and deer.”

“Yeah, I know. I still can’t stop thinking about the sun and sky.”

I thought back on the moment that would be etched in my mind forever. “I wish we’d had longer to look around.” I picked up a book from my bookshelf, eager to leaf through it and look at the pictures of what civilization used to be like.

Rachel stared at the pages, her eyes glued to every photograph of the world that no longer existed. “I can’t wait to turn eighteen,” she said. “I wanna go see all this wonderful stuff we can only read about down here.”

“So you’re not gonna have a baby and stay down here, submerged forever.” 

“No way!” she said, giggling. “Can you even imagine me changing diapers? I might break a nail.”

Women who got pregnant or had children to take care of had to stay behind, in Asha, because it was feared that the atmosphere up top would wreak havoc on children’s young bodies. Marriage was legal at age fifteen, but as much as I loved Brett, that was really the last thing on my mind. I had my heart set on traveling and helping to rebuild the world above. I considered it a privilege that I’d have the opportunity to work as one of the original builders of Vita, and I knew we’d all go down in the history books. Humankind had been dealt a horrible blow by that asteroid, but we’d triumphed anyway.

I also wanted to prove to Brett’s parents that I was worthy of their son, and I was willing to do whatever it took to earn their approval. Yes, I had rebelled a lot in the past, but I loved Brett with all my heart, and I wanted his family to love me too. One day, I planned to marry him and to have children with him, and I wanted us to all be on good terms—a big, happy family. I clung to that hope with all my heart and promised Brett I’d behave. Even though rebellious thoughts poured into my head every moment, I knew I had to start keeping my opinions to myself. I couldn’t stand feeling controlled and trapped, manipulated by our government. We were oppressed, and with every fiber of my being, I wanted to rebel against the injustice, to claim our independence. I wanted freedom from the glass city I’d been forced to live in for my entire life. I wanted to break free from the chains that were holding me down, but I knew I had to keep it to myself.

Rachel gripped my arm. “Just six more months, and we’ll be outta here,” she said.

I laughed. “That’s funny. You seem so…excited. You never wanted out so bad until you got a peek at the sky.” 

“I know, but it was awesome. I still dream about it.”

“I wish we could sneak up there again. It was so cool to go swimming in the ocean instead of just looking at it.”

“I know, right?”

For some reason, as I thought about the surface, thoughts of my mom worked their way into my mind. She had always told me stories about how beautiful the surface was, what it was like to breathe real, fresh air instead of stale air from ventilators and electric pumps. I missed her so much, but I knew it was no time for a breakdown, so I closed my eyes for a minute as the thoughts trickled by. 

Mom had died of a broken heart when I was fifteen. The official diagnosis was that she’d succumbed to a heart attack, but I knew better. She’d never gotten over losing my father, when he’d been called to go to the surface. When his name was called, she had to stay behind to take care of me. I was only five years old when my father left, but I could still remember his sweet, kind face and his soft, gentle voice. I often dreamt of his face, with those hazel eyes and his shaggy, blond hair. I’d always assumed my mother had found it hard to look at me, because I was the spitting image of my daddy.

My dad always wore overalls, because he worked in the farm area of the city. He always sang me a lullaby, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” and after he gave me a kiss on the cheek, he always said, “See ya later, alligator.” I could still remember the feeling of his stubble brushing across my face. “Shave, Daddy,” I used to tell him, and it would always make him laugh. I would never forget his chuckle or the way he liked to hold me and my brother and sister upside down and tickle us, till the whole family was bursting out in laughter. My father was a kind soul, but he was also very strong. He would often carry me on his shoulders, and we would look out the glass wall for hours, watching the colorful fish and other sea creatures swim lazily by. He was smart and knew the name of every species. I still remember him placing a tiara on my head and telling me he was going to the surface to build me a “castle fit for a princess.” Those were the last words he’d said to me before he’d left.

I’d had a big, happy family at one time, and it was those precious memories that got me through the rough times in Asha. Even though my mother was gone, I’d received no bad news about my dad, and Walter had told me often that he was doing well on the surface. I couldn’t wait to see him when I turned eighteen, in just three months.

To avoid getting depressed and consumed by my thoughts, I stood up and blasted the music, then started to move my body to the rhythm.

Rachel laughed. “You can’t dance. You move like a crippled seahorse.”

“I know, but it’s fun anyway, and it burns off calories and helps me take my mind off things I don’t feel like talking about.” I gestured to her with my finger. “C’mon, Rach. Don’t be a party-pooper.”

We really didn’t have a lot of activities to keep us occupied in Asha, and our options for fun were limited by the fact that we were enclosed in a big, glass bubble. My favorite was making out with my boyfriend, as he was an amazing kisser, but I also loved to read and watch DVDs. I enjoyed growing plants and playing pool, and I’d written so many journals and diaries that I barely had room to hide and store them. I also loved running on the track that circled the city, and when all that was said and done, a good night’s sleep was always nice.

“Fine,” Rachel said, getting up. “Let me show you all the right moves.”

Just as we were really starting to have fun and cut loose, my aunt knocked on the door. “Sky, turn that music down,” she said.

With a groan, Rachel went flopped down on the bed and went back to reading.

“Sorry, Aunt Sarah,” I said, rolling my eyes as I turned the volume down.

“Thank you.” She then closed the door softly and walked away.

Rachel turned the page and ran her fingers over a picture of a winter scene. “What do you think snow is like?”

I pretended to shiver. “Brr. Cold.”

Her brown eyes twinkled. “I wanna taste a snowflake and build the biggest snowman ever.”

I grinned. “I want to kiss Brett with snow falling all around us…or maybe kiss him in a summer rainstorm…or kiss him in the fog, where we can barely see each other…or share a long, passionate kiss under the hot, blazing sun on the beach and—”

“Okay! I get it,” Rachel said. “I know you think it sucks that the climate is controlled down here, but I’m okay with it. I don’t want to shiver or sweat, but I would like to see snow someday. I wonder what thunder and lightning are like.”

I smirked. “It’s just that everything down here is so…predictable. I need a little variety in life.”

“You’re bored. I know.”

“I want so much more than what this glass city has to offer. I wanna go up there and make a difference with my life.”

“But why? You hate our great leader, so why would you want to support his efforts?” she said.

“I highly doubt that I’ll be able to stand living under his rules up there either, but I’m willing to give it a try. I promised my aunt and Brett’s parents that I would. I’ll just stay away from Dante. There are plenty of jobs I can do that aren’t anywhere near him.”

“You plan to hide in the greenhouse all day?”

“Maybe, if that will help me make a difference. I really don’t get why they didn’t let me go up early. Not to brag or anything, but I have so much to offer. I can garden better than anybody else. I know every trick there is, and I’ve read every book I could get my hands on.”

“You’ll be going soon enough.”

“Yeah,” I said, dreaming again about the blue sky, the fluffy clouds, and the ocean horizon. I was so excited that I’d soon be up there again, and this time, I wouldn’t have to leave.

“What’s Brett gonna do?” Rachel asked. “Is he gonna go on up, or is he aiming to be a diamond?” Rachel asked.

Brett had already reached his eighteenth birthday. In Asha, men were either sent to the surface at eighteen or deemed a diamond, an honorable title for men who chose to stay below for an additional five to ten years because they were needed in the community. Dante had the final say of who went and when. And if an eighteen year old male refused, well, that pretty much never happened. Nobody wanted to face Dante’s inferno. But the few that did defy him were taken to the surface and give prison time, never to be seen again.

“He wants to go to Vita, and I hope he does. I’ll miss him, but I’ll only be three months behind him.”

“And three months after that, I’ll be right behind you,” she said, beaming.

I gripped her hands in excitement. “I can’t wait for all of us to meet at the surface. This place will just be a distant memory.”

“Yeah, it’ll be nice to have a fresh start,” she said. “We’ve waited so long for this. Sometimes I can’t even sleep because I’m so excited for the chance to live on the surface of Earth.”

“I know. My heart pounds a million times a minute whenever I think about it. I’m dying to see my father, Sherry, and Ben.”

“I bet they’re all counting down the days. They’ll probably throw you a huge welcome party and throw confetti all over you.”

“Think my dad will even recognize me after all these years?” I asked.

“Why wouldn’t he? You’re a spitting image of him, at least from the Polaroids I saw. I’m sure he’ll pull you right into a hug, and he’ll probably cry. Having his three kids together again is going to be nothing short of amazing.”

“I hope so. I can’t wait to see him,” I said. “I’m going to take a picture of Mom with me. I know he misses her as much as I do.”

She pushed a strand of brown hair behind her ear. “That’s sweet, but you’re not allowed to take any souvenirs, remember? Just the clothes on your back.”

“So I’ll smuggle it,” I said, “like contraband.” 

“You’re such a rebel,” she retorted, laughing. “You’re definitely our ‘Rebel Princess’.”

“I miss my mom so much. I wish she was still alive and could join in on the reunion. All she ever talked about was how great it would be to see Dad again.”

“She’ll be there. All you’ve gotta do is look up. When you see the brightest star in the sky, you’ll know that she’s watching from above.”

The words were sweet, and I knew Rachel was just trying to cheer me up, but it really cut deep into my heart. I’d be with my father, brother, sister, and even Brett, but I would never see my beautiful mother again. I tried not to cry, but a tear slipped down my face anyway.

Rachel embraced me tightly, there for me like she always was. “It’s gonna be okay.” After a long hug, she let me go and changed the subject. “Are you working in the greenhouse tomorrow?”

“No. I took the day off so I can tell Brett goodbye,” I said, my lip trembling as my composure began to crumble even further. “Listen, it’s getting late, and I’ve kinda got a big day tomorrow. I’m gonna go ahead and hit the sack.”

“Let me know how it goes. I wish they’d let me see him off, too, but he’s only allowed his family and girlfriend.”

“I know. Even Sarah isn’t allowed,” I said. “I know you’ll be there in spirit though,” I said.

She smiled. “Definitely.”

“’Night, Rachel.”

“Goodnight, Sky. Sweet dreams.”

“Thanks.”

Chapter 31

I walked into the living room and smiled at my aunt. She’d let her brown hair down, out of the confines of its braid, and it was now cascading down her head in beautiful waves, making her green eyes pop. As I looked at her, I couldn’t help but notice just how much she resembled her sister, my mother.

I’d been thinking about my mom a lot lately. When she passed away, I’d suffered the worst pain I’d ever felt in my life. Not only was she my mother and my biggest supporter, but she’d also been my friend. I often felt like a train wreck on the inside when I thought about living my life without her, but I tried to hide it. Most of the time, I functioned on autopilot, trying to hide my inner turmoil from all those around me.
Will this pain ever go away?
I wondered.
I miss her. I miss her so damn bad.

Suddenly, a specific memory flashed through my mind. I’d spent the last two hours of my mom’s life talking, singing, and reading to her, and even in the midst of her pain, she’d just smiled at me. I would never forget that precious smile. She left me, though, like a boat sailing off into the distance, on the morning breeze.

It never gets easier. I still can’t fathom that she’s gone.

My mom always said I was her “miracle baby.” After Ben and Sherry were born, she’d suffered a terrible miscarriage. As a result, one of her fallopian tubes had to be tied off completely, and the other was badly mangled. The doctor had told her she’d never be able to bear another child, and my parents had wept over that grim prognosis for years. Then, thirteen years later, I came along and proved him wrong. I believed I’d been made for a special reason, but I had no idea what that was. Brett always told me I was special, but I just thought I was a survivor, like everyone else, albeit a bit of a stubborn, tenacious rebel at times.

I knew my mom would have wanted me to be happy, so I tried my best to do just that. Still, I felt lost without her. Brett, my rock, tried his best to help me through the grieving process, and I did my best to stay positive. My mother always told me that I could do and be anything I wanted in life. Even if Earth had been compromised, a world blown to smithereens by that asteroid, I could still go up there and make a difference in the new one. I wanted to do that, because I knew it would make Brett and my mother proud.

My mom had this contagious laugh that made everyone laugh right along with her. She was always smiling, and no matter how sad I was, I knew she could always make everything better. She always told me how much she loved me, and I loved her too. I missed her every day, far more than words could ever express.
Why did she have to die? Why did this have to happen to me?
I wondered, and I hated constantly being plagued with those thoughts.

“I’m going to go to bed,” I said.

“You seem upset, honey. If you wanna talk, I’m here,” Aunt Sarah said.

“I think I’m okay. We’ll only be apart for three months. Besides, absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?”

She laughed. “That’s what they say, but I’m not sure it’s possible for Brett to grow any fonder of you, dear.”

The thought made me smile. “By the time I get up there, he’ll have everything ready for us. Then he can show me the ropes.”

“It’s so exciting, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. I can’t wait to start our new lives.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. “You’re all grown up now and have blossomed into a beautiful young woman. Your mama would have been so proud.” She walked over to me and pulled me into a hug.

As I embraced my aunt, the one who’d taken care of me for so long, I tried to say something, but the words wouldn’t come out. 

“In time, we’ll all join you up there,” she said. “Make sure to save us a spot on your street!”

“I can’t wait, Aunt Sarah.” I gripped her hands, and a tear slid down my face. “When Mom died, you stepped in and invited me into your family. You’ve done so much for me, and I love you so much.”

She wiped my tear with her thumb. “I love you too. You’re like a daughter to me, honey.”

“I can’t wait until we’re all out of here and on the surface.”

“I know. There’s so much I want to do,” she said.

My face beamed. “Me too.”

“I can’t wait to drive a car on the freeway with the windows down and the DVD blasting,” she said, grinning.

I smirked. “If you can find gas.”

“What are you most looking forward to, besides marrying Brett and making little Brett Juniors,” she asked with a coy grin. 

I laughed. “Well, I have a big to-do list, that’s for sure. I really want to do something Mom and I always used to talk about.”

“What?”

“I want to run along the beach and fly a big, colorful kite on a windy day.”

“That sounds nice,” she said, closing her eyes to imagine it. “I wonder what sand feels like, squishing between your toes.”

“I don’t know,” I said, “but I plan to find out.”

“What else?”

“Surfing.”

A huge grin spread across her face. “You on a surfboard? I can’t imagine it.”

I chuckled. “Why not? Chicks can surf just as well as guys. I’d like to swim in the ocean too. It might even be cool to see a shark up close.”

“A shark! Well, aren’t you the little thrill-seeker. You remind me so much of your mother,” she said. “She was such an adventurous soul, a real daredevil.”

I smiled, thinking about my secret mission to the surface. It had been one heck of a risk. If Rachel and I had been caught up there, we would have been in a world of trouble. “Mostly, I’m just looking forward to building a future with Brett. We’re gonna go out there and change the world.”

“It’s about time we got our world back again.”

“Yeah, it’s been…interesting living down here in this science fiction, modern-day Atlantis, but I plan to make this glass dome obsolete sooner or later,” I said.

“I can’t wait. Maybe we’ll go down in the history books as survivors of the apocalypse. You should take your diary with you so people hundreds of years can remember this.”

“They’d probably put it in a museum, but I won’t be allowed to take it. Dante says no souvenirs or personal effects.”

“Hmm. Well, you’re the best writer I know. When you get up there, you should write about what it’s been like to grow up down here. You’re an important part of history, and it will make for an exciting story for generations to come.”

I grinned. “When you get to the top, I’ll show you and your kids around. And maybe I will write an autobiography or something.”

“I think it will be important, a piece of history. We’re the first colonists to survive in an underwater habitat.”

I hugged my aunt goodnight, then went off to bed.

***

As I peered out my towering glass walls, I saw a large school of blue and green fish rushing by, darting into the coral reef as if they were frightened by some kind of predator. Living in Asha truly was like living in an aquarium. Luckily, the force-field protected our dwellings from being rammed by a whale or shark or giant squid. I watched the shadows from the sea bounce off the walls. I lived in a towering cathedral of glass that spanned the ocean floor. It was amazing and so beautiful, but I’d grown weary of it and was beyond ready to live beneath the sun and clouds. I placed my hand on the cold, smooth surface of the window and stared at the underwater nightlights that lined the perimeter of the city, and then I climbed into my bed and snuggled under the covers, thinking of Brett and wondering what he’d think of his first glimpse of the upper world.

I loved the people of Asha, and there was a great sense of community and camaraderie, all of us working together to create a functioning society and take care of one another. Even still, I couldn’t wait to head to the surface for good. Eventually, we would all leave that glass city, and we’d live on the surface, as we were truly meant to live. We’d farm the land and build more greenhouses, and I was really excited about that. I’d learned so much in Asha, and I knew that farming and gardening were essential for our survival. I had so many ideas booming in my head. I knew we could make it up there, as long as we all worked hard and never, ever gave up.  

Chapter 32

The next morning, I jumped out of bed and put on my black pants and a brown shirt. Everyone else in the house was still asleep, so I crept quietly out the door and followed the cobblestone path through the garden, to the nearby temple. I thought about Brett and already missed his hugs and kisses so much that tears began to well up in my eyes. I knew I’d see him in only a few months, but it was still heartbreaking to know I’d be apart from him, and I knew it would rip me in two to have to kiss him goodbye. I’d never been apart from him for more than a day, so I was sure the next few months would feel like an eternity.

I glanced around the crowd, looking for the love of my life, but he was nowhere in sight. I went to the side entrance and was ushered to a room where I could give him my goodbyes. As my ears took in the music and laughter of those who were there, my eyes caught sight of Brett standing over in the corner. I wouldn’t see him again for three long months, twelve agonizing weeks. I tried not to think about it, but I couldn’t help it. Being without him would break my heart, just as it had broken my mother’s heart to be separated from my father.

Our eyes locked, and we were instantly lost in one another’s gaze, oblivious to everyone and everything around us. My heart spiked. When he looked at me with that sexy smile on his face, I’d never felt so desirable, so wanted, and I wanted to jump into his strong embrace forever.