Divided (The United Trilogy Book 2) Read Free Page B

these people to have another mouth to feed.” He smiles at me again.
    “Your heart is too good, you know that, Roz? I’ll tell him everything you said. I’m going to keep my distance so that the Council doesn’t get suspicious, but I’m going to send Green out for your protection. If I don’t do that, it will raise suspicions as well. For now, you take care of yourself and if Natasha does kill me, it has been a pleasure getting to know you!”
    “Oh stop. You know she’s harmless, plus if she gets mad at you for leaving me here, just remind her that she’s the one who put me in the position in the first place.” He gives me a pointed look. “Yea, never mind. I know that will not go so well.”
    “Malik is making his way over now so if you have their approval, I will get going. But first I need you to check in with the guys at the gate every 2 hours until nightfall, and then I want you to at least meet with Trev and Mike. Do you understand?”
    Malik is almost to us now so I nod and smile at him in welcome. He smiles back at me and looks between Masters and I. “It is good to see that you two have made up. Now everyone is very happy to have you, and most are excited to meet you. You are welcome to stay here as long as you see fit.” I nod at Masters who shakes Malik’s hand and then leaves.
    “Thank you so much for having me, Malik. I can’t wait to meet everyone. A friend of mine will be stopping by tomorrow to bring me some things. I hope that won’t be a problem?”
    “Not with us.” He means it might be a problem with the Council, but I will cross that bridge if and when we come to it. 
    “Shall we go meet everyone then?” I ask him instead to change the subject. He agrees and starts to lead me to the common area.
    As soon as Masters has left, I instantly want to call him back. I suddenly feel alone and terrified, but I tell myself to suck it up and to be as strong as I made Masters think I am. At least in the prisons, I had Masters and the guys with me. Here, I am completely alone with only the promise of safety from a stranger. I try to push back the feelings of unease. I want these people to accept me and see that I am telling the truth, hoping that they don’t realize how uncomfortable I am because it may send them the wrong message.
    Malik brings me to the middle of their common area. They have used several dozen tree stumps as stools to sit on. They are all arranged in a circle. I notice that there are so many men, women and children, probably close to 150. I have never imagined that there would be so many of them. The children all look so carefree and happy; they are running around, chasing each other and playing games. The parents, on the other hand, are all at ease, not yelling after them or making them stay by their side. This is very unusual to me. Children in the Zones are very well-behaved. If there is ever a gathering, the children are right beside their parents at all times on their best behavior. It is quite refreshing to see children playing and laughing at liberty.
    Actually, that is the first thing I notice about this place: how free its people are. The women wear loose, flowing dresses. Some men are in very simple shirt and work pants, while others have no shirt at all. All of their clothes are simple and handmade. As we walk to the center of the common area, I can feel everyone’s eyes on me. Curiosity is pouring from everyone there but, oddly enough, so is acceptance. I’ve never walked into a room of this many people before and felt accepted without having to earn it in some way. It is so weird being here and having people accept me with open arms before they even know anything about me. It is such a very humbling experience. Malik steps forward and raises his hand for silence; even the children stop playing long enough to listen.
    “Everyone, this very special young lady is the one that I want to introduce to you. She is President Rosaline Thatcher from the Ministry.”
    I