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

  “I don’t know how to…” He hesitates, searching my face. “Be in love.” The last part is no more than a whisper. I can’t tear my eyes away from Drew’s but I manage to stumble backwards until my back is against a tree. There is nowhere left to go. My heart is beating so fast it feels like it’ll jump right up out of my chest as Drew closes the gap one last time. I am gulping air, trying to breathe.

  “Drew.” I manage to put one hand flat on his chest to keep him from coming any closer. “Don’t you do something you’ll regret tomorrow.”

  “Never,” he breathes. He pins my hand to his chest and draws me in and then he kisses me. It is gentle at first, his lips guiding mine. Our kiss deepens and fire erupts in my veins. I am as hungry for him as he is for me.

  Our kiss is cut short when a stick snaps nearby. I reluctantly pull away to catch my breath. Drew is still staring down at me when Gabby comes into view.

  “Hey you two! We were wondering where you prats got off to. I was worried.” Gabby has that all knowing grin on her face. She knew perfectly well what we were doing out here. Drew takes a step back to allow me enough room to catch up with my sister.

  “Hey,” is all I say. She is not going to get all the juicy details out of me. Drew sheepishly follows close behind us as we walk back to the others.

  “So?” Gabby is leaning towards me so as not to be overheard.

  “So what?” I shrug, trying my hardest to act nonchalant when my whole body wants to be doing some sort of happy dance.

  “Dawn. Come on! I know you. Something happened.” Gabby is wearing her smuggest grin as if to say that she was right all along. I give her my sweetest smile and wiggle my eyebrows. She gives up her prying ways but not before she lets out a little squeal and hugs me tightly. SISTERS!

  Chapter 63

  Gabby

  I know something happened between Dawn and Drew. She was in such a bad mood all day until she went off with him. When she came back, she was way more smiley than the Dawn I know.

  The funny thing is, they think they’re hiding it. The group is sitting around the fire telling tall tales and amongst all of that, Dawn and Drew can’t keep their eyes off each other. I have never seen either of them like this and I kind of like it. It’s fun to watch them glance at each other and then look away, hoping no one notices. I interrupted them earlier tonight for my sister’s own good. If there is anything I am good at, it’s boys. I made sure she left him wanting more. What would she do without me?

  When we wake in the morning, there is still some meat from the night before. We eat it all, making a plan to hunt again later. We’ve been on the road for so long now that I would never be able to guess if we were getting close or not. I’m relying on Lee and Sam for that. I rely on them for a lot of things. After our grand adventure, I can’t imagine a day without each and every person in our group in it.

  Soon after we finish eating, it is time to be on the move again. We clean up our site so that we can’t be tracked. Sam makes it look like we went off in another direction and we make sure our coals are ice cold. As soon as we are back to walking again, I weave through the group until I am next to Drew, who is walking alone. He looks at me with a guilty expression that says ‘I’ve been macking on your little sister’. Even though I am happy for them, I don’t appease his guilt. Instead, I mold my face into a grimace and say,

  “You hurt her, I hurt you. Got it?”

  “Gabby, I couldn’t…” I cut him off.

  “Got it?” I ask once again.

  “Yeah,” he responds with a smirk.

  “Good boy.” I smile as I start whistling and speed up to walk with Jeremy.

  Chapter 64

  Gabby

  About midday we begin hearing what sounds like rushing water. We all hurry to see what lies ahead. What we find could ruin everything. There is a wide river with no bridge. The water is rushing by us at an alarming speed, boiling over the rocks in swells and whirlpools.

  “Shite.” I am the only one to break the silence. Running my hands through my hair, I turn to the others for answers.

  “What now?” Dawn asks.

  Lee looks uncertain as he says, “We swim?”

  Dawn looks as scared as I feel. The water is dark and could be deep.

  “Think the current will be much of a problem?” Drew asks. Of course he can swim. He did grow up rich and all. I can’t take this anymore.

  “Are you guys daft?” That must have sounded harsher than I meant it because of the glares I’m getting from all three boys. To my surprise, Dawn is the next one to speak.

  “We don’t know how to swim.” I have not heard her sound so small and scared since we were back in London. The boys are gaping at her. Sam goes to her and wraps his arm around her as he says,

  “We’ll get you across.”

  “Of course we will,” Jeremy says this directly to me.

  Dawn looks to me with fearful eyes. “We have no other choice,” she says. I nod in agreement as I follow Jeremy to the edge. The ground we are standing on is elevated and therefore we have to climb down to the level of the water. I reach down and skim my hand across the surface and it is ice cold. The others have reached the water’s edge as well and are preparing to swim across. It is agreed that Drew and Sam will get Dawn across while Jeremy and Lee take care of me. We are to go first. Lee steps into the water and is immediately forced into a fight against the current. We must go quickly. I submerge myself and Jeremy follows.

  The current tugs at me, trying to pull me downstream. I have seen people swim before so I try to imitate what I’ve seen. I kick my legs back and forth, not really sure if that is helping.

  The water is deep and the far side of the river doesn’t seem like it’s getting any closer. Lee has a hold of one hand and Jeremy has an arm around my waist. We are trying to move quickly and we are almost there.

  I may be imagining it, but the current seems to be getting stronger, making it harder to keep hold of Lee’s hand. In an instant, we are pulled apart. Lee is pushed on ahead and Jeremy and I are pushed further downstream. A rock appears, almost out of nowhere. I reach out, desperate for something to hold on to. Instead of grabbing it, I am slammed into the rock and Jeremy’s hold on me is lost. I have too much adrenaline pumping through me to feel any pain as I hang on for my life. I can’t see where Jeremy is but Lee has reached the other side and is watching me in horror. I can’t keep my head above the water as my hands slip.

  Every few seconds I come up, just long enough to gasp for air. The current pushes me to another rock and I pull myself up just as Lee jumps in after me. He swims as fast as he can and I am amazed at his strength. He reaches me and begins yelling.

  “Put your arm around my neck and don’t let go.” As soon as I do, he takes off towards land. Lee sets me on the bank and I choke out the water that has filled my lungs.

  Jeremy comes running down the bank and kneels beside me. I have never been happier to be throwing up.

  “Gabs I’m so sorry. I got taken downstream,” he says, running his fingers down my cheek.

  “It’s okay.” I turn to Lee. “Thanks.” He doesn’t respond because he is already watching for Drew, Dawn, and Sam.

  Chapter 65

  Dawn

  I can breathe now. I thought we had lost her. Lee’s strength amazes me but I don’t have time to revel in the fact that they made it across because now it’s my turn. Learning from their mistakes, I climb onto Drew’s back, put my arms around his neck, and lock my hands together.

  “There is no way I’m letting go of you,” I say.

  “Never,” he responds before plunging into the water.

  Sam follows us, keeping a close eye on me. As soon as Drew’s feet can no longer touch the bottom, I feel us drop. I scream in fear and my mouth fills with water. Drew’s feet are kicking furiously as he struggles to keep our heads above water. The current is trying to tear me from his back but I hold on tighter. “There is no way I’m letting go,” I repeat.

&n
bsp; Drew tries his hardest to stay away from the rocks but the water has other plans. I hit first. My back slams into the rock and my head snaps back. There is pain. The next thing I know, I am waking up on dry land.

  “Dawn.” Someone is blowing air into my mouth and pressing on my chest. I’m choking and then I pass out. When I finally open my eyes, everyone is standing around me with worried looks on their faces. Drew is kneeling beside me.

  “You didn’t let go,” he smiles.

  “I promised,” I say. “You look like a bunch of drowned rats.” I can’t stop the laugh that bubbles out of my chest bringing the last bits of water with it. Drew helps me sit up slowly but I can’t stop laughing. It feels good.

  For a few moments, everyone stares at me as if I've gone nuts, bewildered, until, one by one, they break into laughter as well.

  “Look who’s talking,” Gabby says in between fits of laughter.

  We are soaking wet, a little battered and bruised, but we are alive. There is a gash on the back of my head but it’s nothing serious. Drew cleans it with water from the river and lifts me to my feet. We can’t stay out in the open like this.

  Walking in soggy shoes and sopping clothes is not fun but it must be done. We are glad to find tree cover once more. Exhausted, we stop for the night as soon as the sun begins to set. The air is warm but we start a fire, hoping it will dry us out. We are all tired but we are also starving so Lee and Gabby take the rifles and walk off. Jeremy decides to go as well.

  Chapter 66

  Dawn

  I am collapsed near the fire when Drew sits down next to me.

  “Thank you for saving my life,” I say.

  Drew reaches for my hand and sighs. “Quite a day,” he says.

  “Yeah.” Just then, Sam walks up.

  “So, what’s this here?” Sam points to our interlocked hands and raises his eyebrows while a smirk spreads across his face.

  I reach over with my free hand and punch Sam in the arm. “Shut it,” I say. He feigns hurt and rubs his arm.

  “You better watch that one Drew. She’ll beat you up.” His smile broadens and is still plastered on his face when it happens. A shot rings out in the dark and Sam falls over sideways.

  “Sam? Sam!” I lunge for him but Drew tackles me to the ground.

  “Stay down!” he yells. Another shot rings out.

  “Dawn!” he yells. “Get up and go.” We start running. I don’t look back; I can’t.

  Chapter 67

  Gabby

  The first noise I hear is in the distance. It sounds like a gunshot but I can’t be sure. By the time the second shot comes, we’ve already broken into a full run back to camp.

  Lee is the first to take cover as we approach the campfire. Jeremy and I arrive a moment later, out of breath and crouching behind him in the firelight. Lee and Jeremy raise their rifles and take aim. We cannot see our attackers but the boys fire anyway. Suddenly, the forest around us erupts in gunfire. I yelp as a bullet cracks into the nearest tree. The boys are firing furiously but we can still hear the sounds of the soldiers and dogs.

  “I’m out,” Jeremy yells over the din.

  “Me to,” Lee responds.

  “Time to go,” he says as he pulls me into a run. Lee follows close behind. I release Jeremy’s hand so I can use my arms to run faster. This isn’t the first time I’ve run for my life.

  I soon realize that I’m not with Jeremy or Lee anymore and I feel a panic in my chest at the thought. I am alone except for my pursuers. The bastards.

  I dodge from tree to tree imagining they provide me with some extra protection. The tree bark cracks beside me from the impact of bullets. Either I’m too fast or their aim is shite. I feel a slight rush of air by my ear and see a bullet explode into the trunk in front of me.

  For a split second I worry about Dawn and Jeremy but I have to believe everyone is fine and push on harder through the dark forest. My lungs are burning and I realize I’ve been holding my breath as I run; not a good combination.

  Ego is a person’s worst enemy. The adrenaline is pumping through me and I’m feeling invincible when suddenly a British soldier comes out of nowhere and tackles me to the ground, knocking the wind out of me. I kick and claw at him. He grabs my throat and I kick him in the groin. He doubles over just long enough for me to stand. As I start to run, another soldier grabs me from behind, knocking me to the ground.

  Standing over me, he pulls out his revolver and points it in my face. The first soldier scrambles to his feet.

  “Wait! Do we have to kill her?” he asks. He looks to be about my age. I glance at his face. He’s just a boy.

  “Of course we do Cam. It’s our orders. Plus, it’s a whole lot of fun!” The second soldier grins, showing a full set of yellowing teeth. He is staring at me menacingly as if hoping to see fear in my eyes when he kills me. I will not give him that satisfaction.

  The soldier’s finger moves on the trigger but before he can pull it, gunfire and a hole appears between his eyes. He’s been shot. He falls to the ground with a thud. The boy turns to me, fear in his eyes and I say, “Run,” but as he steps, he is dropped in his tracks. They look like soldiers as well but are dressed differently than British. One of them rushes up to me,

  “Are you okay young lady? Are you hurt?”

  Stunned, I manage “I’m fine.”

  “Go that way.” He points and hurries off towards the sound of more gunfire. I stand there for a moment, looking down at the boy. He could have been a classmate.

  Without another glance, I start running again. When it feels safe, I take a moment to catch my breath. I hear distant gunfire but nothing nearby. From what I can tell in the darkness, I have come out into a large field. The grass is dry and crunchy underneath my feet so I stop to listen for any signs of Dawn or the others but there are none. Then I hear something behind me and do a quick 180.

  There is a line of soldiers coming out of the woods and heading straight for me. There is nowhere to run and nothing to hide behind. This is it.

  “Stop right there!” A soldier steps out from the rest and makes his way towards my now frozen figure. I guess I have more of a chance of staying alive if I do as they say. The soldier walking in my direction comes close and lifts his night visor. “Picked a fine night for a walk ma’am,” he says. “Who the hell are you?”

  My muscles tense and my mouth dries up. He comes closer and shines his flashlight onto my face. “Oh my gawd boys, we got ourselves a battlefield beauty queen!” The field erupts in laughter with shouts and whistles coming from the dark.

  “My name is Gabby.” Another soldier steps forward and speaks up.

  “Jesus H. Christ. She’s just a girl!”

  “You will only speak with my permission, soldier,” the commander barks at the other man. “This young lady had an entire unit of British soldiers after her.” He looks to me. “I need to know why they want you so bad that they would risk crossing our border.”

  A radio crackles. “Yellow rose, we’re clear of the drop zone. Let ‘er rip!” There’s a roar of engines overhead and the commander barks,

  “Time to hit the deck boys. This battle is about to be over.”

  Everyone flattens themselves to the ground as the forest behind us explodes.

  “Dawn!” and the soldier on the ground next to me says,

  “Welcome to the republic of Texas ma’am.”

  Chapter 68

  Dawn

  We keep moving, even as our legs and our lungs burn. We are being chased, not only by soldiers, but by bullets as well. I have flipped a switch on my emotions for the time being. If we make it, there will be a time and place to mourn for Sam, but now we just need to stay alive.

  Suddenly, in the sky, we hear the thunderous roar of engines and several explosions followed by a silver rain.

  “Cluster bombs!” shouts Drew as he throws me to the ground behind a log, shielding my body with his as the tree canopy bursts into flames. The ground around us begins to shak
e with a thousand smaller explosions.

  “Dawn, I love you,” he says, holding me tight and just then, the ground erupts nearby and his body goes limp on top of mine. I want to move but I’m frozen in pain and my ears are ringing.

  “Drew! Drew!”

  Moments pass and I am finally able to move my hand to check his pulse. He’s alive but just barely. I gently roll him on his side and sit up next to him. His leg is a bloody mess and the right side of his beautiful face is burnt. All around us, the forest is on fire and the smoke and cinders are swirling down. We are trapped and going to die here.

  I lay my head on his chest as I whisper, “I love you too,” and my entire world fades to black.

  Thank you for reading Dawn of Rebellion! Anxious to hear what happens to our favorite sisters? Check out their continued story in Day of Reckoning and Eve of Tomorrow.

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  Day of Reckoning

  Chapter 1

  Gabby

  So, this is Texas. Vicksburg to be exact. The capitol.

  I am with my sister Dawn holding her hand and talking to her like nothing has changed when, in truth, everything has changed. They tell me that she’ll wake up when she’s ready and I anxiously wait for that day. I want her back. I also dread that day. When she comes around, I’m going to have to be the one to tell her that Drew is gone.

  They found Drew in the woods with Dawn but there was nothing they could do for him. They also found another body with a bullet in his head. I had to identify him. It was Sam. My mind drifts back to that night. Tears well up in my eyes. I blink them away and try to force those images out of my mind. Dawn, how will I be able to tell you that he’s gone?