in Terene. Ever since the war against Mediterra, our citizens have turned on each other, and many in the Gov have encouraged it. It benefits them. Don’t you see? The workers outnumber the Gov and the heads of corporations, but rather than banding together and demanding a better life, they fight for the slim pickings they’re given. This allows the Elite to keep all the money and power. It doesn’t have to be like this, and it wasn’t always so.”
“Are you sure about that?” He sounded like Mom and Dad. “Are you sure it’s not just wishful thinking?”
“I know it’s not. I’ve seen…”
I wasn’t done. “After all, there really aren’t many jobs available, and most people barely have enough to get by. Even if the Elite were to share what they have, would there really be enough for everyone?”
“Keira, you said yourself, you see good things happening to bad people and bad things happening to good people. It doesn’t have to be that way. It shouldn’t be that way. You can help to change society for the better and make a living in the process.”
“I’m already making a living, and I’m helping society get rid of some of the troublemakers. Our methods aren’t even that different.”
“Yes they are. You’re only helping yourself, when you could be helping so many. You can change that.”
“I can’t change my outlook on the world just like that! Do you really think a person can just wake up one day and think, it’s all going to be different from this moment forward?”
“I did, and Scott had a lot to do with that.”
“Did he recommend that you join the military too?” I asked sarcastically.
“No,” he replied seriously. “He wasn’t even certain that it was his best option.”
“Really? I thought that was always his plan.”
“Maybe you don’t know your brother as well as you think.”
Does Richard know Scott better than I do? Does Scott share more with him than he does with me and April? I looked at Richard carefully and asked, “What has Scott told you?”
“I’m not certain I understand what you’re asking.”
“What has Scott told you about me?”
“He said I can trust you.”
“And?”
“And that you’re independent, but I’d already guessed that.”
I smiled, then asked, “Do you expect that good things will happen to you because you do good for others?”
“No, but I do believe the only way to heal our realm is to serve others. It doesn’t really matter if ‘good things’ come my way or not, but yes, it has worked out well for me.”
I knew it.
Richard continued quietly. “You have an opportunity. What would your parents want you to do?”
I looked at him coldly. “What do you know about my parents? Just because Scott…”
He interrupted. “I’m sorry. Scott never talked about your parents. I only know that they’re no longer with you.”
“Oh.” If Scott hadn’t told him about that, then he couldn’t possibly know Scott better than I did.
Both of our parents had died because of greed, and nobody had stepped in to help them. Where would I be now, what would I be like today, if people had been looking out for each other back then? Maybe Scott, April and I would have grown up happy.
As suddenly as it had come, my anger drained away. Only sadness remained. I was a product of my environment, doing to others what had been done to me. I was living a life of revenge. Could I change that? Did I even want to?
“I need some time to think.” I stood. “Thank you for telling me what happened to Rose.”
“Please, let Eberhardt drive you home.”
“No thanks. I’ll walk.”
“Then let him walk you home.”
Then they would know where I lived, and they’d know where to reach me. I guessed that would be all right. I nodded and looked at Eberhardt. He’d been so quiet I’d almost forgotten he was there.
We walked a few blocks in silence. Every once in a while a car drove by.
Eberhardt interrupted my thoughts. “Did Scott ever talk with you about the Resistance?”
“No, why would he?”
“He seems like a good candidate, doesn’t he?”
I smiled, and then shook my head. “He’s military. That’s about as close as you can get without actually being the Gov! Do you know Scott too?”
“No, I’ve never met him. There are many reasons to join the Resistance, you know.”
“Why did you join?” I asked.
“I’m not as noble as Guy, but I do respect him for that.” Eberhardt paused. “I’ve been hurt.” He traced his finger along the scar on