Dying for Rain (The Rain Trilog - BB Easton Page 0,57
for a minute, vodka sloshing out of her bottle as Flip pulls up onto the curb next to Plaza Park. “I read a study a few years ago about social media that said that people are addicted to outrage. It said that news stories about major events got way fewer likes and shares and comments than posts from people reacting to those events with outrage. We’re drawn to that kind of fiery passion. It makes us feel alive, powerful … connected. No successful movement was ever started without outrage, so I say, you get up there and get pissed off.”
“I’m not trying to start a movement. I just want these people to help me save Wes.”
“What do you think they want?” she asks, opening the passenger door to the sounds of chaos and anger. To a sea of people with locked elbows and fists in the air.
I sigh as I yank the comb through my tangled hair. “A revolution.”
“You built this bomb, girl. Time to go set it off.” Flip winks at me in the rearview mirror before opening his door and climbing out too.
I turn to Lamar. “How do I look?”
He furrows his eyebrows at me, the right one still scarred from the bulldozer accident. “Like a reporter.”
“You don’t like it?”
“I liked Post-Apocalyptic Barbie better.” Lamar shrugs. “Maybe take the hoodie … just in case.”
I give him a sad smile as I reach for my sweatshirt. Anything to make him happy. “You doin’ okay?” I ask, tying the sleeves around my waist.
He shakes his head and drops his eyes. His chin begins to wobble, but he grits his teeth and squashes it.
“Me too, buddy.” I pat his knee. “Me too.”
“Guys …” Flip calls out, slapping the side of the van to get our attention. “Looks like we might be too late.”
Lamar and I scramble outside and notice that everyone’s heads are craned back and tilted to the right as a helicopter descends onto a small, oval-shaped patch of grass next to the capitol building.
Michelle turns to me with an apologetic look on her face. “Shit! I have to get into position. He’s gonna go inside the capitol for a minute and then make a big entrance by coming down the capitol steps. I usually meet him at the end of the main walkway and introduce him. Then, we walk over to the park together.”
“Introduce him!” I shout, my eyes going wide. “How much time do we have?”
“Before he comes out? Maybe twenty minutes? Thirty, tops.”
“Perfect! I’ll be right back!” I tighten the sleeves around my waist and take off running.
“Rain! Where are you going?”
“Call me Stella!” I yell over my shoulder.
“Did I ever tell you you’re my heeee-rooooo?” Elliott sings to me as we jog down the block, take a right, pass the now-maskless dead Bony, take a left, and sprint past the crowd in Plaza Park.
“Ooh! Look at that! My fans await!” Elliott cups his hand and waves at them like the Queen of England as I pull him to a stop next to the news van.
“Michelle,” I huff, trying to catch my breath. “Officer Elliott here would like to introduce the governor on today’s broadcast.”
Michelle narrows her eyes in confusion. Then, she pops them open again once she connects the dots. “Of course! We’d love for you to do the honors, Officer Elliott. Thank you for coming on such short notice. The governor surprised us by moving the execution up, unannounced.”
“Tell me about it, honey. We’re runnin’ around like chickens with our heads cut off over at the station. Got my boy Wes all suited up and ready to go though. He’s gon’ break some hearts, that one.” Elliott shakes his head, and I can tell that one of the hearts is going to be his.
I know the feeling.
“We don’t have much time, so I’ll cut right to the chase. In a few minutes, the governor is going to walk down those steps, and we need you to—”
“Don’t worry ’bout me, honey. I got this!” Officer Elliott interrupts, flicking his fingers at Flip. “Gimme a mic! Where do I stand? How’s my hair?” He runs a hand over his perfectly bald head and cackles.
Flip grabs his camera bag out of the van and leads Officer Elliott toward the capitol building as he continues to ramble. Then, glancing behind him at Michelle, he jerks his head in the direction of Plaza Park.
Go. Now, he mouths.
Michelle doesn’t hesitate. She leans into the van and grabs a large, padded black