Reforming Society •• OneRepublic {2}

Giving Hell

Ryan's P.O.V.

Another long week of the same thing passed, the amount of time all five of the guys stayed at the studio taking a toll on them. Most of the time, they didn't actually work. That is, until just the previous day.

They'd started on their own secret track Ryan wrote and planned on producing what he could of it in the studio when they weren't under supervision and the rest in his home with any free time he was given.

As Ryan sat at the soundboard finishing up what he'd done over yesterday, Drew spoke to the others about something he'd seen. It couldn't help but catch Ryan's notice as well, so he listened.

"So I overheard something weird while I was getting coffee this morning. I was waiting for them to bring my coffee at the counter when these two guys sitting at a table nearby were talking about some organization."

"What kind of organization?" Zach asked. Ryan heard a pause but couldn't see any expressions, his back to them.

"They didn't really explicitly say anything, but...it was weird. They were clearly trying to keep it quiet, but what I got from it was that this guy created this organization around September or October last year and it's got something to do with the government."

Immediately, Eddie scoffed, "Well, then I don't care."

"No, listen!" Drew told him in a low hiss. Then he continued, clearly speaking more to Eddie than any of them, "Something to do with being against the government."

Ryan discerned a certain movement and could only picture Eddie, or one of the guys, leaning forward in sudden interest.

"What do you mean?" Eddie asked.

"I don't know. I don't. It was secret. But they did say they were recruiting people and planned to, and I quote, 'do something about the terror.' That was the only thing they said that makes me think it's anti-government."

"I don't know," Brent pitched in, "That sounds sketchy."

"Hey, I never said you had to join the thing." Drew, in defense, told them. At this, Ryan had to spin around in his chair. He set his eyes on Drew as fiercely as he could.

"What, you don't mean to say you are?!"

Drew shrugged, "What's it to you?"

"Drew, don't even think about it."

"Why are you so concerned, Ryan?" Zach asked.

Ryan couldn't help but laugh at him, "Says the one nagging me about talking about the government. Yet you don't bat an eye when Drew talks about joining a rebellion."

Zach shook his head and almost spoke again, but Ryan stopped him before he could, returning to the point he was going to make.

"And to answer your question, Zach, I'm concerned because the government is going to find that rebellion and shut them down. They already handle the revolts so well."

Ryan said the last bit with a bit of sarcastic vigor. Zach, on the other hand, was still shaking his head, looking at Ryan sternly. Drew spoke next, "You don't know that the government is going to find them. They might succeed."

"I doubt it. Even if they do, you also don't know that. I don't want you taking those risks because if they were to find out you were a part of it, they'd kill you as soon as they laid eyes on you."

"If they laid eyes on me." Drew replied.

"What, you're going to become a fugitive? Drew, listen to yourself," Eddie cut in, "Not only do we need you, but you're like a brother to me. To all of us. We just don't want anything happening to you."