The Encroacher's Trilogy: Dystopia (COMPLETED)

Epilogue

A/N Thanks for the advice Kyyu3099 ! This has been taken from my sequel.

The air was humid and wrapped with paranoia. There we were, all 45 of us sitting on a hover train to the city of the war officials. We were scared we wouldn't make it; scared they'd discover our true identies; scared they'd learn what we had done... scared.

My left leg couldn't stop shaking and my mind had decided it was the perfect time for adrenaline to kick in. I was a nervous talker... generally murmuring.

"Flora, easy." A warm voice and cool hand gently pressed my leg to the floor and slipped into the palm of my right hand.

"Thank you," I attempted to smile at Noah.

"You need to stop tormenting yourself," he watched me and knew that I was recollecting the images of the war. No matter how hard I tried to put on a fake face, he could see right through me.

"What if the plan doesn't work? We could get killed." I couldn't stop thinking of the inevitability of failure. How could all 45 of us possibly sneak onto a ship? Sure, mother said that she'd tell them she evacuated an orphanage... but they were professionals. This wasn't the 21st century anymore, regulations and protocols were 10 times stricter.

"Such the optimist aren't you? Don't let the 40 escapees hear you say that." A husky face called over the seat from behind me. Of course Avery would speak his mind and find himself hilarious. I scowled at him but Noah leant over the chair and warned Avery not to push it.

"Listen, Noah. You may be the leader in your mind, but the last time I checked it was Valerie, Flora's mother." Noah grunted and returned to his seat,
"And she's much more threatening too..."

He was right. Ever since mother had told us about rolling the grenade into the building, a strange confidence had grown in her and that nervous, nimble woman who allowed herself to be taunted by the bald man had grown in to a powerful leader.

I got up and confronted the multitasking leader and mother to see if she had worked out a plan.

"We get to Liverpool, speak to the war officials and board the boat to America. If not... we stow on the boat anyway."
Her eyes wandered to the empty seat in front of her to pronounce she was lost in thought.

"How are we meant to get through with 40 children? Surely the trick before won't work again?"
"We'll see..." She pursed her lips as if thinking of the same dilemma.

After around 2 hours, the train churned and slowed to a halt. By that time I had returned to my seat next to Noah. Like everyone else, I awaited with bated breath for the doors to open.

"Ladies and gentlemen we have arrived at Liverpool. We hope you enjoy your stay." The train driver announced over the speakers as the ticket master sidled up the ailse to open the door behind us.

"Come children, this way. Flora and Noah next to me, Avery watch the Wall group, Ailis the Snug group." Mother acted as a teacher and led everyone on to the platform. What the other passengers must've thought of 'Wall' and 'Snug' amused me. For once, I had something to smile about.

The war officials were in direct line of sight waiting for us with an air of professionally and strictness. Mother's steps faltered but it seemed only I noticed this. We all put on a brave face and mutually looked at each other to say 'act the part'.

"Come on children," mother said in a loud and confident voice; and then, ever so quietly,

"It's time."