Refuge Angel

By Angela Stanfield

Refuge Angel is book 2 in the Promise or Perish series. The tale continues at the Refuge, a hidden underground hospital facility, where Addie has gone into premature labor of a baby only twenty-three-weeks old.

As the story continues, Addie must learn to survive as a jacker, no longer able to depend on credits or food allotments from the Global United Regions to survive. She and her friends must hide from the GUR and from those who can benefit from turning them into the police or use them for trade.

Addie and Rian's relationship is tested as they must live in different worlds; she as a jacker and fugitive, and he as the son of Andrea Gearheart, a prominent GUR representative and face of Rage as One, the popular band always in the limelight of the media.

Addie and Lucia must seek refuge from the GUR, hunger, human predators, and fear. Will Rian and his faithful friends be able to lead Addie and Lucia to the only true refuge there is? Jesus Christ.

Welcome to the new world of Addie Mitchell and Lucia Gilley. Welcome to the lives of jackers and to the reality of those who dare to rebel against the Global United Regions.

Reckless Hope is the final book in the series and will be coming out soon! Addie's life is on the line as she is forced to participate on the television show, Promise or Perish, with her childhood best friend, Gracie Mack, as host. Will Addie make it through the challenges to the end? And if she does, will she choose to live a new life of promise by giving allegiance to the GUR, or will she choose to perish by rejecting the GUR and staying loyal only to Christ?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685260323

Book preview

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Refuge Angel

Angela Stanfield

ISBN 978-1-68526-031-6 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68526-032-3 (Digital)

Copyright © 2022 Angela Stanfield

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Prologue

The entire population of the world was under the power and oppression of the Global United Regions. People lived based on a GUR-assigned essential level, which was determined by testing during their youth. Level 10 was the highest, most elite group of people, and level 1 was the lowest, also known as the vile level. People were assigned housing, jobs, food allotments, and credits based on their essential level rating. Laws were harsh and often brought the penalty of death should a citizen rebel against the GUR.

Crime was as common as breathing air. Pollution and radiation from past wars tainted Earth's natural resources. Solar flares were increasing in frequency and strength; earthquakes were becoming fierce, damaging the earth's structure; and natural disasters and disease had wiped out thousands of people at a time.

Addie Mitchell and Lucia Gilley, both level 5, were in trouble. Addie, called Mocha by most, lived with her long-time lover, Tyler Travois, for nearly ten years. Tyler, a level 4, was propositioned by Davita, a celebrity and an elite level 10. Tyler agreed to father Davita's first child. If successful, Davita would be the first-ever male to female transitioned person to conceive, carry, and birth a baby. And Tyler would level up to an 8, increasing his prominence and lifestyle.

What Tyler didn't know was that Addie was already pregnant. Addie, a Global United Regions Corrections Department case manager, had already given up two previous unborn fetuses to the Fetal Extraction Center, the FEC, as ordered by the GUR. This time Addie was determined to keep her baby at all costs.

Her friend, Lucia Gilley, a level 5, also had a secret. He had been suffering from HIV for years and taking medications that were successful in suppressing it. However, the GUR decided their overburdened socialized healthcare costs had to be reduced. They made the decision to cut funding for the medications for HIV to levels 6 and below. Lucia's illness quickly returned after his medications were stripped from him by the government. Anyone testing positive for HIV would be scheduled for exit, in other words, forced euthanasia.

Addie had nowhere to turn. Her mother, Nina, was no help. Nina did not believe Addie was ready for a child nor was she wanting to be a grandmother. Gracie Mack—Addie's best friend since childhood, a prominent host of the game show Promise or Perish and a level 8—supported Tyler's quest to be with Davita. She thought Addie was foolish to not jump on this opportunity with Tyler and reap the benefits from it herself. Addie's father was not in her life, and her friend Joe—a father-figure to her, an older veterinarian—was scheduled for euthanasia due to his age of sixty-one. No one lived past sixty-two per the government's laws. While Joe wanted to help her, there was nothing he could do. He was close to dying himself.

Addie had one other close friend, Kelly. But Kelly was already at risk. Kelly had secretly converted to an outlawed religion, biblical Christianity. And Kelly and her husband Thomas had just received approval from the GUR to be licensed to have a child of their own. Kelly was pregnant, near the same number of weeks as Addie herself.

Addie kept her pregnancy hidden from most to protect those she loved as well as herself and her child. She and Lucia continued to work at the GURCD, the Global United Regions Corrections Department as case managers, stressing about what to do.

To add to Addie's situation, she had been assisting her clients to rebel against the punishments put on them by the GURCD. Kyle Harris was one of these clients. Kyle had been convicted of a multitude of crimes stripping him from a previous level 3 and bringing him to a level 1, marking him as a vile. Kyle had been ordered to live his life as a female, being forced to undergo breast implants. He was prescribed feminization drugs and ordered to wear female clothing. Kyle refused the orders and underground physicians had helped Kyle by removing the implants. Addie hid Kyle's rebellion from her supervisors and concocted false reports of his progress, signing off on them to save Kyle from execution. Addie secretly assisted other clients in the same way, not having the heart to see people face the death penalty often for minor offenses.

Addie lived in a world where a woman's worth was often based on her sexual desirability. Addie and her friends frequented a business, Encounter, which provided sexual encounters with others, as well as live music, drugs, and dancing. Addie was picked up by Alex Lee at Encounter. Alex Lee was more than a somebody. He was a level 9 up and coming music star, lead singer of the band, Rage as One. His best friend, Rian Gearheart, was not only the lead guitarist for the band but also the son of Andrea Gearheart, a prominent and high-powered representative of the GUR itself.

After having a few chance meetings with Rian, Addie did not particularly like him. And then as the danger for herself and Lucia became more of a reality, Rian showed up at her apartment with Kyle Harris, offering help. He confessed to her and Lucia that he was a born-again Christian, a convert to this outlawed form of worship. Rian Gearheart was telling the truth about his sincerity to help them, though Addie and Lucia did not know what to think or who to trust.

Addie and Lucia had been protected by Valerie, a nurse at their work who was using equipment that hid their medical conditions so they would not be found out by GURCD authorities. Valerie was caught and arrested for providing false medical reports on employees at the GURCD. A new nurse and a new supervisor for Addie and Lucia planned to require a full medical exam for several employees, including them.

Addie and Lucia were out of time and had to make a run for it. Rian helped them to get to Joe's house in secret. While there, Addie found out that Thomas was caught by the GUR conducting a Bible study, his third offense, which brought the penalty of death. Kelly was charged with accessory. Rian promised to help them escape. He had the lives of six people in his hands and two unborn children, all in danger of the death penalty—Joe, scheduled for age-related euthanasia; Lucia, at risk of euthanasia due to his illness; Addie who would be forced to abort her six-month unborn child and be in danger of the death penalty due to her involvement in helping criminals outwit the GURCD; Kyle Harris, whom the GURCD had issued orders to be executed onsite for a multitude of concocted crimes; and Kelly and Thomas who would receive death for treason against the GUR for teaching from an outlawed source of religion, the Holy Bible.

Rian was surrounded by a slew of friends from a secret church he attended—Beau, Lisa, Rayne, Khalid, Luis, and Rachel. Rian and his group of friends had helped many in the past escape from the clutches of the GUR. This included Dr. Hobbs, the physician who assisted Kyle in removing his implants, and Nurse Tracey, who provided medical assistance to many damaged by the GURCD's cruel punishments.

Rian and fellow believers plotted a plan of escape using Rage as One's equipment and jet to remove Addie and her friends from where they were in Region 7, Grid 147 to across the region, to grid 4, where he could hide them temporarily.

As they flew toward safety, a massive solar flare caused the plane to lose power. The pilots made an emergency landing that was devastating to the stow away passengers in the belly of the plane who had no way to protect themselves. Addie was severely injured, causing premature labor. The baby was too young, and Addie was bleeding dangerously.

Rian made a daring escape from the jet in his SUV, taking with him all of his secret passengers and his friends in on the plot. To their surprise, they were in a district they were familiar with, and it was the same district Rian had brought Tracey and Dr. Hobbs when he rescued them. The plane had made an emergency landing in Region 6, near Grid 89.

Rian sped to the Refuge, an underground hospital in Grid 89, hidden from the watchful eyes of the GUR. Addie was whisked off for surgery by Dr. Hobbs upon arriving as Rian waited in a panicked state.

As Addie began to regain consciousness on the operating table, she saw a woman she knew, standing over her—Marcella Bottoms. But how could that be? Marcella had been a client of the GURCD months before, referred for an age-out exit. Addie had been her case manager and had coordinated the euthanasia procedure herself. Addie had received confirmation that Marcella had been euthanized successfully.

Yet there she was, Marcella Bottoms—red hair, Irish features—comforting the case manager who had scheduled her death.

Chapter One

Rian paced, his shoes squeaking on the shiny, sanitized white tile floor of the small waiting room inside the Refuge, the underground hospital of Region 6, Grid 89. The walls were painted white to help with brightness, since the space, being underground, had no natural light. A medicinal aroma fused with a putrid, underlying odor of human bodily fluids saturating the air. A few unmatching chairs were pushed together in a corner of the space, across from the triage rooms. Rian paced, agitated. He was nearly overwhelmed with the unpleasant smell. He could hear the soft footsteps of the medical staff coming and going, along with their whispered voices. They spoke to each other in hushed, urgent tones, causing Rian's uneasiness to rise. His body ached from the impact of the plane crash. A piercing pain stabbed his abdomen as he moved, but he kept this to himself. His hands were slightly trembling as he walked along the tile floor in the same pattern, over and over, obsessing about Addie's condition in his mind. Thoughts of every possible outcome battered his overtired brain.

Joe sat in one of the chairs, his left hand and wrist encased in a thin, lightweight blue splint and bone stimulator, meant to keep his joint from moving and providing therapeutic electrical impulses, enabling the fracture to heal. Joe could feel the pulse of the electricity, just barely, but his wrist was the least of his worries. His head was bent in silent prayer as he begged God to save his friend Addie and her baby. He could hear the squeaking sound of Rian's shoes as he prayed. Joe's elderly body throbbed with pain from his injuries in the crash, but he ignored this as he concentrated on talking with the Lord.

Kyle was in the chair next to Joe, leaning back with his head against the wall. The back of the chair pushed into his spine uncomfortably. Kyle had been knocked unconscious as his body was thrown inside the speaker box when the plane had brutally landed at high speed. Now, he was no longer vying for consciousness, but his head was throbbing, prompting him to keep his eyes closed.

Lucia stood, leaning against the wall, near Kyle. Nearly half of his face was bruised, and his left eye was swollen shut. He, too, wore a splint, exactly like Joe's, on his left lower arm up to the elbow. Lucia had cried for hours, despairing for his closest friend, Addie. As he leaned against the wall, refusing to sit, he listened to Rian's pacing; his face red and dry. It seemed he had run out of tears for the moment as though his brain had decided no more could be made. He looked ragged and sickly, more so than anyone else.

Kelly and Thomas had been cleared by medical staff and were now working feverishly to assist patients since both were skilled nurses. Kelly's specialty was obstetrics. She paired with Dr. Joseph Hobbs and Dr. Mia Patel, assisting with Addie. Upon arrival, Kelly had received an ultrasound and exam by Nurse Tracey, who, relieved, had informed Kelly and Thomas that everything seemed fine with their unborn baby. Kelly was bruised and hurting but refused to follow Tracey's advice to get off her feet and rest. Thomas, worried, had tried to convince Kelly to lie in a bed in a triage room while he assisted Dr. Hobbs, but she flat refused, raising her voice with a manner of authority unusual for her. Thomas had relented, saying nothing more. Thomas, his pale eyes tired behind his glasses, worried about Kyle, who had sustained a hard knock on the head and a concussion. Kyle had refused to stay in the triage room.

Rayne and Khalid rested near Kyle, sharing one seat. Both were lightly bruised and sore from the harsh landing of the plane. They held hands, quiet. Rayne watched Rian pace, worry showing on her face.

Luis had been pulled away from the group by Nurse Tracey to take a look at a generator that had been glitching, hoping he might be able to repair it. And Rachel had been whisked off to assist with an unruly patient whose bed was in a deeper level of the Refuge. Rachel was a calming person, logical, but would put up with no kind of nonsense. She helped out at the Refuge whenever she was in the area for missions.

To Rian it felt like they had been in that waiting room for eons yet knew nothing of Addie's condition. He paced for a while, then decided to sit on the floor, writing with a pen onto paper, provided to him by a young nursing assistant. She might have given Rian her entire right arm if he'd asked. Or even her head, based on the starstruck admiration she exuded as she gazed at his face. Rian was completely unaware. His agitation and fear could be felt by others in the room.

Rayne and Khalid had watched him as he wrote feverishly, aggressively marking things out he'd written, obviously frustrated, as he tried to get onto paper what was in his mind. They assumed he had an idea for a song. This did not disturb them, nor did they find it disrespectful, considering the circumstances. As song writers themselves, they knew that, in the middle of extreme circumstances, lyrics came without effort. They would write their ideas on napkins, brochures, menus, and toilet paper. It was not uncommon for Rayne to be seen with lyrics written all over her forearms. It was a joke among her friends as paper and pen was considered archaic and wasteful of earth's resources. But Rayne's mind thought better with a real pen in her hand to write with. Rian was the same, and both believed there was just something about writing with real pen and ink that allowed the mind to flow freely. Rayne also guessed that, like herself, Rian used writing as a coping mechanism. A way to deal with the extreme stress of the situation at hand, to keep from losing it all together mentally. She knew him well enough to also know that if he'd had his guitar in that moment, he'd be playing it, a melody that he knew by heart, just to keep his hands busy and his emotions under control.

Rian wrote for a little while, then he folded the paper and pushed it into the front pocket of his jeans, which were saturated with Addie's drying blood. The coppery, pungent smell lingered in his nostrils, reminding him constantly of her injuries. His shirt was painted a dark, brown red, to match the upper portion of his jeans. He felt the dampness of her life's liquid as it dried and stiffened the fabric of his clothes against him. As he thought on this, he rose easily from sitting on the floor, in one deft movement, and the nervous pacing began again. He pushed his gelled black hair back from his forehead dozens of times making it stick up around his head even more. It would have been a comical hairstyle in other circumstances.

The seconds didn't tick by for Rian; as he waited for news from Addie's doctor, they labored by, time dragging its feet as though in quicksand. Sometimes he'd place his hands in his front jeans' pockets, or he'd push his hair back with his hands, yet again. Joe watched from his seat as Rian's stress rose, his older face seeming more aged and wrinkled than it had been just a few hours before. Joe studied Addie's blood on Rian's clothes, evidence of the seriousness of the situation, weary and with deep lament.

Joe finally spoke out loud, his voice rough and gravelly. It's time for us to pray together. If they won't let us go in and lay hands on her and the baby, we can do it from out here. The Lord is powerful either way.

Rayne and Khalid responded first, relieved to do something, getting out of their seat, obeying Joe's gentle command, respecting him as their elder. Joe stood up, stiff and aching, taking more time to straighten, wincing as he did so. He, Rayne and Khalid, walked over to Rian, offering warmth and friendship as Joe reached out his arthritic, stiff hand. Thoughts of worst-case scenarios roared in Rian's head, drowning out all other thoughts and desires. Including the desire to pray. But he reached out and took Joe's offered hand, out of respect.

Lucia's attention settled onto his friends his face ravaged with worry. He was quiet, studying the small group of believers in some man named Jesus, as they clasped each other's hands and then knelt on the floor together, in a circle, their heads bent. The sight of this brought rolling emotion to Lucia, slamming him hard, and he began to cry again. If some God cared about them, he thought to himself, where was he? Was it not enough that Addie had tried to help rescue him and Joe? Was it not enough that their home grid had been rocked by a serious earthquake as they were trying to get away from the GUR? Then a plane crash, and Addie suffering serious injury on top of it all? Lucia's sobs became louder as he thought on all of this.

Rian held Joe's left hand, being gentle, trying not to press down, reminding himself that this was the wrist that had been broken and just recently set. Joe began the prayer, sounding old and tired, but airing his feelings without shame, and soon the others' voices could be heard as well. They did not pray one prayer in unison. They each prayed their own words to the Lord, their own plea, but at the same time.

Lord, Joe's voice called out, you are the Mighty One. The great Healer. Show mercy to our Addie and that tiny baby. Protect them, Lord. Amen and Yes, Lord from some of the others accompanied Joe's words.

Rayne's feminine but smooth words could be heard by Lucia as he listened, crying, fearful and desperate. Her pretty elfish face was streaked with tears, and her light-brown hair was coming undone out of the long braid she had styled it in earlier that morning before boarding the plane. Dear Lord Jesus, the loving Savior of us all. Your love is unfailing. Your mercy is infinite. Please, I bring to you Addie and her baby. I lift them up to you, dear Lord. Into your loving arms. Rayne's face was lifted upward, her eyes closed. She had loosed her hands from the others and lifted them, in honor of God above. Her face revealed a hope and peace Lucia did not understand. He envied Rayne.

Khalid's voice was a deeper tone than all the others. His black hair was cut short on the sides and was a bit longer on top. A thinly trimmed beard and mustache accented his handsome, strong, brown-skinned features. His eyes were closed and his head was bent. El Shaddai. Mighty God. Creator of the universe, the earth, and mankind. Bring your mighty protection and grace to Addie and her child. All things to be done within your will.

As they knelt, Nurse Tracey approached them, her shoes squeaking loudly on the floor. She wore green scrubs, her black, graying coarse hair was pulled back and hidden under a protective cap. Brown, care-worn eyes stared out from her dark-skinned face. She was tall and stood strong. Lucia watched her, noting that she carried a confidence about her, as though everything was under control. She pulled her mask down from her face and knelt, just behind Joe and Rian, placing her hand on Rian's shoulder, whom she could see was in great distress. My Lord. My God. Yahweh. Guide Dr. Hobbs and Dr. Patel with your mighty wisdom and knowledge of the human body. Bless this young woman, Addie, and her baby with your mighty, wondrous works. Show Addie Mitchell what the Lord can do so she and this child can be brought into the fold. Into the sheep pen with the mighty Jesus as their guiding shepherd.

Kyle was silent, not watching the group, keeping his eyes closed. But he was unable to keep from hearing the words. Tears leaked from Lucia's eyes as he listened and studied the tops of his dress shoes. Rian's agony, expressed in the ragged, pleading tone of his voice, caused Lucia to lift his head a moment to study the young, rich celebrity who was risking his own life to help Lucia's greatest and closest friend, Addie. Lucia understood, as he absorbed Rian's reaction, that Rian loved Addie. And more than as a friend. As a man loved a woman. He also believed Rian carried a deeper love for her. Something Lucia couldn't quite grasp but was awakening to. Lucia longed to be loved by someone in that way. This longing added to Lucia's pain.

Rian, petrified Addie and the baby would die, cried out to the Lord in his anguish. He knelt, no longer holding hands with anyone, but clasping them together so tightly they had begun to tingle, in his lap. His knees hurt as they pressed into the hard floor, but he ignored this. Tears dripped down his handsome face. His blue eyes were closed, making his dark lashes stand out against his pale skin. I don't have the right words, Lord. I just beg you to help her. Please don't let her die. Please. Take my life. Take mine for hers and the little one. Addie doesn't know you yet. It's not her fault. It's mine. You put her in front of me, months ago. Placed her in my life. But like the coward I am, I did nothing. I could have been talking to her, witnessing to her, all this time. But I've only done it one time. One. And then I did you no justice. I am a poor witness. Don't let her die without you. Give her another chance. Show mercy for her, please. Like you did for me. Give her child a chance to come to know you. Please, Lord. Send someone else who is better than me to tell her about you. I know there's someone out there who can reach her. Whoever it is, send them. Don't let her die without having you in her life. Haven't we've seen enough trouble? Will there ever be enough before it finally ends? Rian sobbed, feeling guilt for what he believed was his part in Addie's injuries and lost soul.

Joan Wang, the small woman who had let them inside the basement when they had arrived, her straight black hair cut into a bowl shape around her head, walked into the room and pushed her way among the group, placing one hand on Rian's shoulder and one arm up into the air. She kept her eyes open as she spoke out loud with a voice that was heavily accented and came across as though she did not know English well. My mighty God, one I serve, hear all prayers. God hear prayer before they said. He knows our need, no need us to say out loud. We say out loud, to give glory to only God. Thank you, Lord Jesus, bringing this young woman, Addie, to Joan and Nurse Tracey and Dr. Hobbs. And Dr. Represso. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for tiny, miracle, Avacyn. Such a Precious. Joan have another baby! Bring stubborn Addie to Lord Jesus. Joan know Addie stubborn as mule. Break her chain. Give Addie new birth of new Spirit. Amen and amen.

Lucia's eyes sharpened as he listened to Joan's prayer. His attention focused on her, this very petite woman. Joan was the size of a preadolescent girl. Rian stopped praying and looked up at Joan's smiling, confident face, his eyes asking her questions, confused, and afraid to hope. Joan answered without Rian speaking. Baby born. Addie good. Baby alive. Girl.

Lucia left his spot against the wall and rushed over to where the small prayer group was now breaking up. They were standing up from kneeling, some of them thanking God and praising his name. Rayne's face was joyful as tears of relief slid down her cheeks, and she and Khalid hugged tightly.

Joan was much shorter than any of the people in the group. Lucia, who stood over six feet tall, towered over her. His face was so distressed Joan could not help but laugh and feel sorry for him because of his obvious lack of faith. Lucia did not understand the laughter, but he asked, in desperation, Can I see her now? As a matter of fact, Girlfriend, I am not taking no for an answer! His uninjured green eye flamed with fire and attitude. I am going right now to see Mocha. She needs me.

Who this ginger head? Joan commented, staring toward Lucia, her eyes showing their intelligence, which was more than all of those combined in the group.

Nurse Tracey gave Joan a roll of her eyes, moving her head. Apparently thinks he can override the authority around here. She then gave Lucia a stare, challenging him. Lucia held that stare, finally putting one hand on his hip and lifting his chin in defiance. Nurse Tracey rolled her eyes again and, after a moment, sighed, glancing toward her friend Joan. Suit him up. Ginger head can be the first visitor.

Rian couldn't believe what he was hearing. Visitor? You mean she's okay? She pulled through? And the baby? His voice was husky, emotional.

Nurse Tracey and Joan laughed, Joan clapping her hands. Nurse Tracey patted Joan on the shoulder, glancing toward Rian. Got us an Einstein right here. A bit slow on the uptake.

Joan laughed, her upturned eyes squinting nearly closed. Lover Boy go too. With ginger head. Go see your woman, Lover Boy. Your baby. Joan know this rich, famous boy long time. Now Joan know who holds key to rich boy's heart.

Rian blushed red. Nurse Tracey instructed Lucia and Rian to follow her. Joe and the others in the prayer group were now smiling and praising God for his intervention. Kyle was quiet, watching all of this in silence. He didn't feel the hope they did. A newscast projected to the side of him, in midair, near the nurse's station, across from where he sat. He kept his eyes on the anchors, reporting about the complete devastation of Grid 147 in Region 7, his home.

The vile district, level 1, had been near wiped out from what he could glean from the news. He stared at the video images of what had once been his home, which now lay in ruin. He wondered where their God had been in all this. Kyle figured most of his true friends were dead. Kyle didn't have many friends, but he was more than loyal to those who had earned this title from him. His family, too, he guessed, all crushed by the harsh impact of the earthquake. The video focused on level 1, the vile district, for a brief few seconds before switching to the damage in other levels.

His own mother and father, both fifty years old, still lived in the level 3 four-plex unit he had grown up in. The images next shown by the news broadcast, spanned levels 2 through 4 for just enough time for Kyle to know hope was minimal that many survived in the lower levels. He wondered if his parents had made it out. What he saw hardened his heart with bitterness even more than it had been before. Bridges had collapsed and buildings had toppled as though they were built of cards, not steel and brick. He didn't recognize most of the areas being shown, though he knew the streets of his home grid better than his own body. Levels 7 through 10 were focused on the most and which prominent people were feared dead. Emergency crews were shown working feverishly to help those trapped or injured in the upper levels.

Resentment filled his heart as the anchors changed the topic from the earthquake of Grid 147 to the mystery of two planes disappearing from radar, suggesting tragedy. This made news because the planes belonged to none other than the beloved band Rage as One. They aired images of Rian, Alex, Seth, Kurtis, and Ivan over and over. Rian Gearheart's smiling face and antics on stage during performances filled the space in front of Kyle's hard eyes.

Rage as One's passenger jet, sleek and painted in a brilliant blue, was shown over and over. News reporters discussed the incredible technology that allowed the aircraft to glide and land without power. They hailed the pilot and copilot of the passenger jet as true geniuses of aviation, hoping their skill would save all those on board. Photo images of the pilots were shown along with a career résumé of each one of them.

Kyle noticed that the news reporters mentioned the flight crew of Rage as One's cargo plane only briefly. This plane had been following the band's passenger jet and was carrying equipment and the band members' personal vehicles. It too was unaccounted for and had disappeared from radar. The news anchors primarily discussed the need of a miracle and prayers for the survival of Alex Lee, Rian Gearheart, and the other band members.

Kyle's anger grew as the anchors switched coverage back to Grid 147, focusing on the death count there. He noted that the only people the media seemed to mourn were prominent citizens who had died. The mayor, some celebrities, and GUR officials. Kyle guessed thousands must be dead in the vile district where he lived. Thousands. Yet they would be treated in death just as they'd been in life by the mainstream media and the GUR. As nothing. As though their existence had never been important in any way. As though, perhaps, they had never existed at all. Kyle's heart solidified as hard as a stone, along with his eyes, hating the GUR and most people in general.

*****

Adelaie Jenet Mitchell, otherwise known as Addie, lay in an older-model hospital bed in a room with concrete block walls and no windows. The walls were painted white but were dingy. She was surrounded by computer devices that beeped and dinged and swished with sounds that were getting on her ever-last nerve. Tubing hung near her and was filled with solutions being fed into her bloodstream with a needle. Her head was throbbing and pounding to the point it was causing her vision to blur in unison with each beat of her heart. She was numb from her midback to her feet, though she was beginning to feel tingling in her toes and legs as she lay there.

If Dr. Hobbs came in one more time to touch her or do some type of body scan, she might just knock him out, she thought. He had explained to her that she had been in a plane crash and had suffered a concussion, severe bruising, and had gone into premature labor. She had just endured an emergency cesarean section to deliver her baby. The baby was under the care of a neonatal specialist Dr. Mia Patel. He had stressed to her that he was more than concerned about the hard knock to her head and wanted to ensure there were no internal injuries he might have missed. She mentally blocked out all of his medical advice as he talked. She wanted to see her baby. She had already made demands to Nurse Tracey and that tiny, irritating speck of a woman, Joan Nano Nut Wang, to take her to her child, right that minute. Both had given her attitude, Joan, with actual laughter and clapping her hands!

Marcella Bottoms had come into her room a few times to offer words of encouragement and tried to explain to Addie that she couldn't be moved yet to see her baby. It was too soon following the emergency C-section. Marcella attempted to instill some comfort to Addie by telling her Dr. Patel was the best neonatal specialist in their area and how blessed they were to have her as volunteer staff. She promised that Dr. Patel was the best medical hope Avacyn Sahari Mitchell could ever have.

Addie had stared at Marcella each time the frizzy, red-head came into her room as though she'd seen a ghost. Addie took in all of Marcella's features, not believing it was her. But she remembered Marcella quite well. The freckles on her face and along her arms, the green eyes, and the helmet haircut were all the same. The only difference now and when Addie had seen her last was that Marcella was thinner. Her face wasn't as pudgy and round. Marcella had not given Addie any clue yet as to how she was there and quite alive and well, though Addie had confirmed with Luke's Peace Center several months ago that Marcella was dead. She'd been humanely euthanized, or Exited, because of reaching the age allowed, sixty-two. Addie stared at Marcella, her mind unbelieving what her eyes were seeing.

Kelly had assisted with the emergency delivery of Avacyn, fretting for her friend and the baby, but professional. After, she came in and out, checking Addie's condition and trying to keep her calm. Addie tried to be gentle with Kelly who was bruised on her face, neck and arms, her own stomach still bulging with child. Addie feared for Kelly's condition and the baby she carried, but even so, she kept demanding to see Avacyn, fear driving her to near insanity.

Addie had decided, as she lay alone for a moment, with no invasive medical staff around her, that she was going to get herself out of the bed and to her child. Even if it meant she'd drag herself there. She was filled with overwhelming panic and desperation and no way to cope with it. She just knew Avacyn would die, and she would not be there, with her, when it happened. She feared the staff wouldn't try and save the baby. That soon they'd be coming in to tell her the baby had died, getting rid of the remains without letting Addie hold her.

Addie didn't know where these fears came from, but they were strong within her, urging her to do something about being with her own child. She sat up in the bed, pushing the dingy, off-white, scratchy sheet off of her. Weak and struggling, she managed to turn her body and swing her long legs off the bed. Her feet landed on the cold floor. Her feet felt heavy and dead, and the tingling was uncomfortable as the nerves came back to life. She was trying to balance herself as she sat up, feeling nauseous and dizzy, figuring out how to get to her daughter's room, when she heard a shriek she knew quite well.

She looked up to see Lucia standing there, his mouth open and one green eye blazing. The other eye was swollen and closed shut. He looked horrible and Addie inhaled sharply. One side of his face was black and gray. It was an ugly contrast to his white skin. His left arm was encased in a cast and held in a sling up against his thin body. Cuts and bruises were evident wherever skin was showing.

What do you think you're doing, he demanded, moving from the doorway and within three strides of his long legs, despite being injured, he was standing directly in front of her.

Addie noticed Rian Gearheart had come in behind him, looking pale and worried. Her eyes moved over him, noting he wasn't as severely bruised as Lucia. Rian's face was paler than usual, and she saw that his clothes were crusted with blood. She feared perhaps he'd been cut or injured underneath his clothes, and he did seem to move stiffly. But even though these two men were hurt, Addie could only think of one person in that moment.

Addie addressed Lucia, trying to give him attitude, determined to have her way. I am going to see my baby girl, Avy. Right this minute. No Nurse Tracey or Nano Nut Joan, whatever her name is, is going to tell me I can't see my own child! She needs me. Dr. Patel didn't even let me see her when she was born! Addie's voice shook, and her eyes teared, but her chin jutted out along with her bottom lip with pure defiance.

Lucia stood, wearing the clothes he'd left Joe's devastated apartment in. Soft, cream-colored feminine pants were now splattered with blood from his own injuries. A pink long-sleeved V-neck sweater was plush and soft against his skin but just as dirty. It was torn and picked thanks to the trek through the debris in Joe's home. The splintered wood from the speaker box he'd been hidden in on the plane had cut into his clothes, finishing Lucia's ensemble for good, ruining it. Addie noted a large cut above Lucia's left eye that had been sutured.

You look like you just had fifteen rounds with a seven-foot-tall, three-hundred-pound Diva with six-inch nails, she smarted off.

Lucia gave her attitude right back. Addie looked like she'd been beaten by that same Diva herself. Her pretty face was bruised, especially on the left side, with cuts on her cheek and chin. Her normally sultry lips were swollen, making them larger. Her delicate arms were black and grayish blue, and cuts were on her thin legs and knees.

And you look like you were stomped by the same woman before she came after me! Get back in that bed. Right now. He then proceeded to try and lift Addie's legs, using only his right arm back to the bed as she hit him with her fists and hands. Because of their entanglement, Addie nearly fell out of the bed. Rian was there in a flash to catch her. He lifted her easily in his arms, despite the pain and soreness he struggled with. Addie felt the warmth and strength of his grasp. She looked up and into his face and blue eyes, surprised and self-conscious. He laid her down in the bed gently, placing her so she would be secure. He lifted the bed rail, locking it into place.

He then stepped back, relieved beyond comprehension, to see her talking and animated. Compassion filled him as she made demands to see her baby. Let me go speak with Nurse Tracey, he offered, his demeanor calming her, Or somebody that might help, Mocha. Let me see what I can do. But promise me you won't try and get up again until I come back.

Addie's tired eyes still blazed with fire. Five minutes. Then, I am seeing my baby girl. And ain't nobody stopping me! Especially you, String Bean.

Rian, couldn't help but smile. He nodded and caught Lucia's eyes, the two of them passing a message between them. Rian left the small, depressing room and ran down the narrow, sterile, hall and to the nurse's station. Kelly and Thomas were there speaking with Nurse Tracey. They were both bruised and cut on their faces and arms. Rian eyed Kelly, who appeared tired and strained. His eyes moved to her protruding womb. As he jogged up to them, he planned the words of his appeal.

Nurse Tracey eyed him with a stern look. And what does Lover Boy want, she huffed.

Rian decided to appeal to Kelly, so he moved his blue eyes to her, using his skills to plead with her with his expression. She returned his gaze, her eyes reflecting distress and worry. Kelly, please. Addie has to see the baby. There must be a way. It's unfair to keep her in the dark about the child after all she's been through. She's not going to take no for an answer. If Lucia and I hadn't come into her room when we did, she'd be on the floor right now, most likely with a broken arm or hip. She's going to find a way to get to the baby, one way or another.

Thomas, appearing fatigued with bruising becoming more prominent on his face, spoke to the older head nurse, reasoning in the way he was known for, his voice soft but sure. We can transfer her to the NICU room. There are no other babies in there at the moment, so her bed will fit. We're all aware of the situation, Tracey. It's not fair to Addie. We need to give her the opportunity to see and possibly hold the baby before it's too late.

Rian frowned, and fear tightened his stomach as he digested Thomas's words.

Tracey's eyes lit with indignation for a moment. That girl just went through an emergency Caesarean procedure! And she has sustained a serious concussion. She should not be moved right away!

Rian shook his head, frustrated. He peered directly at his friend, Tracey. She is moving. She's sitting on the side of the bed trying to get up and walk.

Kelly chimed in gently, Rian is right. She will get to her baby, even if she has to drag herself across the entire hospital floor to do it. Once her mind is set on something, she will do it or die trying. If you want your patient to be safe, I'd recommend moving her. Put yourself in her shoes, Tracey. Please.

Nurse Tracey pursed her lips but was wise enough to listen to those who knew Addie Mitchell better than she. A young man, who acted as an orderly, stood near the desk. Nurse Tracey looked at him and spoke in a voice that meant business, Go to Stubborn Mule's room and transfer her to the NICU. I'll notify Dr. Patel what we're doing and make sure it's okay with her. The young man nodded and ran off. Thomas followed, so he could help with the transfer.

Chapter Two

Fifteen minutes later, Addie Mitchell's bed had been moved to the neonatal intensive care unit, NICU, beside the artificial womb incubator that now held Avacyn Sahari Mitchell. Addie was finally able to lay her eyes on the child who had been enclosed inside her womb for the past five and a half months. Addie was enthralled. More so, she was in love. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. In front of her very eyes, inside a machine that mimicked the mother's womb as best as a man-made contraption could do, lay the tiniest little girl that could be imagined. The micropreemie baby could have fit comfortably in Addie's open hand.

Avy was naked, revealing she had been born with her mother's skin color. Her face was beautiful, and Addie couldn't take her eyes off it. The baby's perfectly formed lips quivered, making Addie want to cry, sensing the baby was in distress. Avy's eyes were closed, and her little nose was flaring as she scrunched her face, anxiously, unhappy. Black, curly hair crowned the child's tiny head. Addie realized, uneasily, she could crush her without much effort. Avy moved her arms and legs, stretching and shaking with poor coordination.

The baby was currently attached to breathing tubes, miniscule in diameter, through her nose and mouth, and the sound of air was constant in the room as the Vita-Womb machine helped the baby breath efficiently. Her arms and legs were fragile as they moved, and Addie's eyes moved to the folds of skin that covered her bones. The child had no fat, it seemed, and worry filled Addie as she took note of this. Avy's hands were smaller than a coin. Addie longed to touch them with her own finger and let the child know she was there, beside her, and loved her.

The baby's heartbeat and vitals were being monitored constantly from sensors within the artificial womb and did not require painful attachments from electrodes and patches to do