Dawn of Rebellion (Dawn of Rebellion Series Book 1) Read online

  Dawn of Rebellion

  By

  Michelle Lynn

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2013 by Michelle Lynn

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

  may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Printed in the United States of America

  Praise for the series:

  Dawn of Rebellion

  Day of Reckoning

  Eve of Tomorrow

  “If you're looking for a good read to get your teeth into, something original and thought provoking, this novel might just be for you.”

  -M.J. Webb, author of the Jake West trilogy.

  “I love how their characters develop and how it shows the realistic and sometimes messy side of relationships. But in the end “Family comes first, forever and always.”

  -Lilly Wilson, author of Firestar Released.

  “Lynn uses her characters to make sharp observations about loyalty, blind faith in leaders who may not deserve it, the value of friendship, and the enduring bonds of family and love.”

  -Mike Billington, author of Jacks or Better.

  “This is far more high-brow than your typical futuristic dystopian thriller, yet more action packed than your average literary fiction tale. Which are big positives in my opinion”

  -Richard A. Peters, author of Power Games.

  For my sisters

  Acknowledgments

  I would like to thank all those who helped me in the process of writing this book. To everyone who listened to me talk endlessly about my ideas and let me shape them out loud.

  This book would not have been possible without the love and support of my parents, Neil and Malinda MacQueen. Thank you mom for having a welcoming ear. Thank you dad for spending countless hours talking about the storyline and pouring over the text word by word. I couldn’t have done it without you.

  Before publishing was even on my mind, Bri Lally read the very first draft. Without your encouragement I may have stopped there. Every author needs needs to feel like their work means something in order to move forward. You gave me that.

  Life is not always easy. We are tested time and time again. I am grateful that God has given me the people in my life to help me get through anything. That includes every single person who reads this story. This story is about family; both the ones we are given and the ones we make ourselves. You are all a part of my family and I thank you for that.

  Chapter 1

  Dawn

  I hate history class. Mr. Giles has a nasty habit of wittering on about subjects that I could care less about. Today is different, though. Today we start our unit on the colonies. A cautionary tale, that’s what they’re calling it these days. An example of what can happen when you bite off more than you can chew, as my father used to say. Year eleven is our first chance to study the colonies. The powers that be, our government, decided that this is the age when we are finally old enough to learn the truth about the stories we’ve heard since we were kids.

  “The Colonies,” begins Mr. Giles, “represent the worst that can happen to a modern society. It is proof that in the midst of disaster, the strong countries will survive and the weak will perish. An entire nation was destroyed. Let us never forget the mistakes that led to their demise.”

  I am listening so intently that the bell signaling the end of the day makes me jump out of my chair. “Your homework for tonight is to choose one of the many reasons the colonies were destroyed and write a one page paper. Use your textbooks. You are dismissed. We’ll pick this up on Monday.”

  I look around in a daze and barely notice my classmates packing their books. Everyone is chatting and smiling as they leave the room, no doubt excited for the weekend. I slowly move around my desk, grab my rucksack, and head for the door. Everything I pass is a blur as I make my way to the exit. Lockers slam, students hurry by, and in the distance I hear my name. This snaps me out of my stupor and I almost trip on my own two feet as someone taps me on the shoulder.

  “Dawn!” It’s my older sister Gabby, annoyed as usual. “I’ve been calling you from the other end of the hall. Why were you ignoring me?”

  “Sorry, I'm just really tired,” I mumble, suddenly very aware that anyone passing by would never even guess we’re sisters. Gabby is tall and fit, with long strawberry blonde hair that falls over her shoulders in waves. Her eyes are bright green and they complement her tanned skin nicely. Gabby has the kind of smile that gets what she wants and she knows how to use it. I, on the other hand, am built differently, short and thin. My hair is dishwater brown and cropped short, because why bother? My appearance suits me. It lets me go unnoticed and I’m okay with that, really.

  “Dawn! Dawn!” Gabby is snapping her fingers in front of my face. I hate when she does that. “What is wrong with you today? You're acting like a proper nutter. It’s like you’re here, but you’re not.”

  “Yeah, cuz that makes a lot of sense sis.” She scowls at me. “Sorry, s’been a long day. Let’s just go home, OK?”

  “That’s what I came to tell you Dawn. Drew is taking me for a ride in his new car. I’ll find a way home later.”

  “Can’t he just drive you home?” Before I even finish that sentence, I know the answer.

  “No way, do you want me to blow it? I need to go find him.” I can see Gabby’s mood turning sour so I just say goodbye and continue on my way. I think about turning back to remind her not to miss curfew but she knows when that is so I keep moving. Since I was a kid there has been a strict curfew enforced by the government. No one is supposed to leave their houses after nine at night. Gabby doesn’t always make it back in time but she hasn’t been caught, yet.

  As I’m walking towards the end of the hall, I hear something coming from a classroom on my left. Normally, I mind my own business and keep to myself but, today, I find myself stopping and turning towards the doorway. I can now make out the sound I heard. It’s giggling.

  I recognize the girl from my sisters track team but the boy is a mystery to me. He is the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. He must be a senior; I’ve never seen him before. Gabby probably knows him. They stop talking and move closer to one another. Their lips meet and I am suddenly embarrassed to be standing here. I feel a blush creep up my neck but I can’t look away. I have never been kissed before. I’ve never even come close. Gabby is always telling me that it is the best feeling in the world and that if I was less uptight, someone might want to kiss me. She’s kissed lots of boys and now she’s totally into this latest boyfriend of hers that I’ve never met. Sometimes I find myself getting jealous of her easy way with people and the fact that everyone likes her. It’s not that I really want to make friends, I like being alone, but I sometimes I wish I had someone to talk to when my sister isn’t around.

  I break away from the scene unfolding before me and head for the bus that will take me home. I run outside and just as my bus is pulling away. “Shite.” I look around considering my options. Most people have already left the school grounds. We’re not allowed to hang around once school lets out. As soon as the bell rings, rankers start showing up. The military uses the area for training. Actually, they use pretty much all of London for training. I need to get out of here so I guess I’ll have to take the tube. I sigh as I set off towards the station.

  I walk slowly, in no hurry to get home. People go
around me as they rush on their seemingly important tasks.

  The streets are teeming with squaddies carrying large guns as if they would ever have to use them here. This part of London is where the rich people live. Their streets are lined with department stores that most people could never hope to shop in. I don’t belong here. Men and women in suits cast suspicious glances my way as they push past me.

  I have only had to take the tube home from school twice before. I rarely miss my bus. I wouldn’t even have to come into the city for school if they hadn’t shut down the east end academy. I don’t know why they closed it but now I have no other choice.

  It takes me the better part of an hour to reach the tube station. I take the escalator down to the platform and swipe my card. I don’t know how Gabs managed to nick these tube cards for us but I learned to stop asking questions a long time ago.

  I’m always amazed at how beautiful this platform is. There is a large mural painted in bright colors on one wall and adverts everywhere. I don’t think there is a cleaner platform in all of London.

  People are busy heading home from work in the city. I always wonder what other people’s lives are like. There are three kinds of people in England; The upper class, middleclass, and the rest of us. The government decides where you belong. During your senior year of high school, you get a placement. If you are really smart or really rich, you go to university and eventually end up assigned to a great job making a lot of money. If you have an ounce of athletic ability, you'll be a ranker. Gabby already has her military assignment. The military makes up pretty much all of the middle class. The third possibility is for people with no brains and limited skill. They work for little pay in public service jobs. I am hoping to be sent to uni but I still have a few years.

  I squeeze through the crowd to get to the front. The tube pulls up, I board the nearest car. It’s packed with people so I stand and hold on to one of the railings along the walls. It is about ten stops before we reach the east end of London and by the time we do, there are only a few people left. Not many people live out here in the dodgy parts of London; well, not many people that can afford to take the tube.

  I exit the car and the contrast to this station would be shocking if I wasn’t used to it already. The paint on the walls is peeling and trash litters the ground from the upended dustbins. The only art present here is graffiti. I barely notice the state of things in the east end anymore.

  And, of course, the escalator is broken. Once I climb the stairs from the platform- did I mention Gabby is the athlete in the family?- I’ve got about 10 streets to go until I reach my flat. As I walk, my mind drifts and I’m back in history class. The mythical colonies. Before my father died, he would tell us stories that were meant to scare us into being good. Today, the colonies are home to England’s prisons. Criminals are sent off and never come back. Our government is saved the cost of courts and our society gets rid of its troublemakers. I always wanted to know more, but never had the courage to ask. I want to learn about the people that lived there before the prisons were built, but some things are forbidden.

  There are so many things I could choose to write my paper about. We haven’t gone over much in class yet but I’ve read my course book cover to cover. I think I’ll choose the disease. It was the final nail in the coffin that wiped out much of the population. I’m sure most of my mates will write on the war but that was only a result of everything else so I don’t think it’s as important.

  “Out of my way.” I am stunned as someone pushes me aside as he legs it down the street. My shoulder slams into a building and I start to regain my footing on the sidewalk when five, no six, soldiers rush past. They don’t give me a second glance as they chase the gaffer down and tackle him to the ground. I don’t dare move as a squaddie pulls out his gun and shoots the man in the head. He collapses and is left there, in the middle of the road. As soon as the soldiers are out of sight I start walking again, not looking at the dead man as I go by. Things like this happen around here all the time. The rest of us just have to keep our heads down and our mouths shut.

  By the time I reach my flat, it is already getting dark and I am zonked. I don’t like nights when Gabby is out late. Our neighborhood can be rough at times and I worry. I enter my building and climb the stairs, careful not to touch any railings or walls. This place can be pretty grotty. I pass many other flats with holes where their doors used to stand. As I walk by, people wave to me or just smile. We all know each other here and look after one another. There’s Elsie with her new baby Penny. Old lady Gracie, whose hip gave out last week and hasn’t been able to move since. Gracie’s grandson Edie, who takes care of her. And of course, little Kyle. His parents abandoned him about a year ago, and we all kind of take care of him now. Our building is abandoned, so we are all just squatting here, but we do have rooms all to ourselves, even if the only privacy comes from the ratty blanket hanging in the doorway.

  As soon as I get to my room, I pull out the tattered course book Mr. Giles has given me and start on my homework, waiting for Gabby to get home

  Chapter 2

  Gabby

  “Drew, baby this is brilliant”. This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I’m riding top down in Drew’s brand new convertible, my hair blowing behind me and my sunglasses on. I have never felt more exhilarated and sexy. The air has a biting chill but it’s not enough to make us stop.

  “I’m glad you like it!” Drew smiles as he ramps up the speed.

  “Now you’re just showing off!” I have to shout to be heard over the wind.

  “Yep! I can stop if you want. ”

  “Well, you should pull over, but that doesn’t mean it’s not working for me.” I reach over and start running my hands through his hair the way I know he likes it. I smile when a small groan escapes him. He slows down the car and pulls to the side of the road.

  As soon as we’re stopped, Drew reaches over and pulls me towards him. His mouth is hungry for mine. No matter how many times we’ve kissed like this, Drew always wants more. Before things get too far, I reluctantly pull away. “It’s getting dark, I need to get home.”

  “But things are just getting started here,” Drew says in his low sexy voice, trying to draw me back in. Any normal day that may have worked, but not today.

  “I have to go find a present for my little sister’s birthday tomorrow. Then my parents want me home early.” I cringe as I mention my parents. It’s a lie that hurts every time I speak it, but he can’t know the truth. I watch his face and see how easy it is for him to accept. Proper teenagers do have rules and parents that enforce them. I was ten when my father was killed and my mother couldn’t handle it so she abandoned us. Most people will never have to live with that kind of pain.

  “Well, where do you want to go? I’ll take you.”

  “I’m just going over to Fenwick’s. I can get there myself.” My defenses start to come up. I don’t need anyone’s help. I can take care of myself. I’ve sure been doing it long enough. “Just take me to the tube station.” He shrugs and starts the car.

  I got lucky with this one. He’s so sexy, with his black hair and blue eyes. He has a footballers build. So what if he’s the district commander’s son, and so what if he’s a player. I think I can hold on to him; as long as he never learns that my life is rubbish.

  I look up and notice we’re nowhere near the station. This git just doesn’t listen. As we pull up outside the department store, my anger is seething. “What do you think you’re doing? I told you I don’t need anyone’s help. I wish you’d just listen to me.” I get out of the car and slam the door without giving Drew a chance to respond.

  Entering Fenwick’s reminds me of everything I could never afford; Designer clothing, purses, jewelry, and accessories of incredible colors and styles. I’m usually able to get by on what I can lift but I’ve never tried that here. It’s a dangerous hobby and most people would think I’m a right nutter for even trying. It carries the same sentence as any other crime. Y
ou’re shipped off to the colonies and I don’t even know what happens there. I don’t worry about the consequences though. I know I’m good. I have to believe it’ll work. Nerves are usually what get people caught.

  I pass by a heavily armed guard near the doorway. That is something the usual east end stores do not have. But, then again, they don’t have much merchandise either. I can still do this.

  Dawn deserves something special for her birthday. She hates it when I pick out her clothes, so that’s out. A purse is only practical if you have money or are borrowing things from stores like I do. Dawn would never do anything she considers “wrong”. Incredibly annoying how good she is. I go to the jewelry counter. This is the perfect gift. It’ll be much harder to take but it’s for my sister. Sitting directly on the counter, as if they are calling out to me, are the most beautiful charms I have ever seen. Dawn would love these. I pick up a silver bracelet and slip it discretely into my purse. Then I pick out a charm for sister.

  “Can I help you with something?” I don’t know how long the saleslady has been hovering but I’m sure that if she’s seen me pinching the bracelet, the guard would already have me in cuffs.

  “I’m alright, thank you.” She doesn’t take the cue to leave. Instead, she continues to watch me as I head for the door and slowly make my way out of the store. As I pass the guard he reaches out and grabs my arm.

  “Ma’am, I need you to empty your purse,” he says. I rip my arm free of his grasp and sprint out the door before he can catch up. Once outside, I look around frantically for the easiest escape and am relieved and surprised to see Drew sitting there in his car, waiting for me. I run forward and scramble into the passenger’s seat. “Drive! Now!”

  It takes him a moment to comprehend what I’m saying. “Gabs? What’s going on?”