The Freedom Gang: The Rising

By Cassie Meno

After a second civil war divides the country in half, taking away all rights of minors on the West, Jeremy Williams is forced to move from New York to Washington after getting into one too many fights. Getting sick of the words, Jeremy starts a rebellion group called The Freedom Gang. Little does he know, the Western government is willing to do anything to keep order in society.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9781597054324

Book preview

Dedication

To Mrs. Janet Bremer, who got me started on writing my first book.

Prologue

2076

The fight lasted a total of five minutes before the hall monitors managed to pull Jeremy Williams off of Charley Bunker. Jeremy wasn’t even sure how it had started; he had just been walking down the hall towards his third hour class, minding his own business, when Bunker came charging out of his class, a crumpled up paper clenched tightly in his left hand.

This kind of situation was not uncommon for Jeremy. He was what the upperclassmen liked to call the ‘Triple S’: short, skinny and scrawny. To top it all off, he was a freshman; seniors like Bunker just loved to take their bad grades or other problems out on him.

And now, because of it, they both sat at opposite sides of the dean’s office, their chairs facing the wall, which was painted an ugly shade of green that reminded Jeremy of baby vomit.

As it would appear, Bunker was the only one who had suffered any real damage. A trail of dried blood ran down from his nose, the right side of his top lip was swollen and Jeremy was almost positive that he would suffer a black eye.

Comparatively, Jeremy looked virtually unharmed. His blonde hair, which dropped to just above shoulder length, was slightly disheveled, and he had a small scratch on his forehead climbing down over his left eyelid, which was almost swollen shut over his green eyes.

On any normal circumstances, he would have a smug smirk, proud of himself for winning the fight. But instead, his face was filled with solemnity and even a bit of fear. Because this was not an ordinary circumstance: this had been his last chance and Bunker had gone and screwed it all up for him. Would Dean Ross really expel him?

He would soon find out. He could hear her footsteps briskly approaching, and a moment later, she appeared at the end of the hall, her arms crossed sternly over her chest, her toe tapping impatiently against the grey speckled carpet.

Well, Mr. Williams, I’m ready for you, she said.

Dean Ross was strict, but reasonable enough if one could provide her with a fair explanation. The problem was, Jeremy always had the same explanation, and even though it was always the truth, he knew everyone was getting tired of hearing it. And Bunker had already talked to her, told her his side of the story.

He was doomed.

He followed Dean Ross down the hallway, toward what he saw as the end of his life: her office.

It was so familiar to Jeremy that he could have found his way to the appropriate chair while blindfolded. The office was one of biased perception. If a visitor was to enter — perhaps a new student, or a parent — it would probably give off an aura of welcoming comfort, but to Jeremy or any other ‘troublemaker,’ it was the most intimidating room in the entire school.

An oak, L–shaped desk sat in the corner with a computer against the wall. A comfortable looking black leather office chair sat behind it. Jeremy sat on the other side in one of two plastic chairs matching the ones in the lobby.

Jeremy, Jeremy, Jeremy, she said, shaking her head as she sat down in front of the computer and pulled up his file. What have you gotten yourself into this time? She turned back to face him; All right, so let me guess. It wasn’t your fault.

Jeremy sighed; this was going worse than he could have ever predicted. "But you don’t understand, Dean Ross! It wasn’t my fault!"

Dean Ross nodded skeptically; Bunker said that you provoked him by calling him a— she looked down at a paper on the desk — worthless idiot

Jeremy’s mouth dropped open in anger; "He what? I didn’t provoke him! I didn’t even say anything to him! He must have gotten another failing grade and decided to pound on me to make up for it."

Little did the majority of the school know, although he looked like a Triple S, he was much stronger than he appeared. This was something that he thought Bunker wasn’t soon to forget if a similar situation ever came up again.

Jeremy...

It wasn’t my fault! Jeremy repeated through gritted teeth.

It’s never your fault, Jeremy, she said, shaking her head. This has happened three times this year. Twelve since this time last year. We’re not even into the second semester yet.

Jeremy didn’t answer; he knew what was coming next.

I was going to expel you. A spark of hope rose in the pit of his stomach. Maybe there was still a chance. That thought was crushed a second later when Dean Ross added, But that seems a bit redundant considering what your father has in store for you. He swallowed hard. What could make expulsion seem redundant? You’ll be moving to Washington in about a week. Hopefully a new environment will help you straighten up your act.

Jeremy was horrified. Would his dad really do that to him? Make him leave New York, where he had grown up, where all of his friends were? "Dean Ross, you have to believe me! This wasn’t my fault!"

I’ve heard it before, Jeremy. And I’m sorry to say that I’ll never have to hear it again. There was something in her tone that suggested she didn’t think his punishment was at all fair. Something in her tone suggested that there was something else, some additional detail that she wasn’t telling him. Now, your father is on his way. You may go and wait for him in the lobby.

He immediately knew that this was a dismissal; there was nothing else he could add to his case that would help him at this point. He nodded, stood up and slumped out of the office.

Back in the lobby, Jeremy glared at Bunker as he passed.

So how long did you get suspended for? Bunker asked, sneering.

Jeremy seriously considered attacking him. After all, how much more trouble could he get into at this point? But he restrained himself, hoping that maybe there was a chance that his dad would change his mind about the move. So, he made his way back to his seat and then turned to look at him. I’m not. Bunker’s mouth twisted into a stupid frown of confusion. I’m expelled. Thanks to you, my dad is making me move to Washington. He was careful to keep his voice low so that Dean Ross wouldn’t hear and come out to yell at them for talking.

Bunker’s frown turned into a sneer of delight. You won’t last two days in Washington, Williams. Not with all of the trouble you get into.

Jeremy turned away, rolling his eyes. What do you know?

Too bad you haven’t taken U.S. History yet.

Jeremy’s interest piqued and his curiosity got the better of him. He turned back to Bunker and frowned. What do you mean? What does that have to do with anything?

Bunker laughed quietly and shook his head. The rules are different on the West, Williams. But I guess you’ll find out for yourself pretty soon. Unfortunately, he didn’t bother to keep his voice down and a few seconds later, Dean Ross appeared.

Is there a problem here, gentlemen? she asked. Neither of them answered. Williams, face front.

But there was no need, because at that particular moment, the office door opened and Officer Corey Williams appeared. Mr. Williams glared at Jeremy for a moment as he walked into the lobby, and then his gaze shifted to Dean Ross and a forced, completely fake smile flashed across his face.

Good morning, Dean Ross.

Dean Ross walked over to shake Mr. Williams’ hand. Good morning. I’m sorry about all of this.

No worries. You don’t have to worry about him anymore.

Jeremy’s stomach dropped and Bunker snickered quietly.

Come on, Jeremy. Let’s get you home.

Have fun in Washington, Williams.

That was it; Jeremy snapped. He dove across the room, pushing aside the chairs that stood in his way. But before he could reach his terrified target, Mr. Williams had tackled him to the ground. A second later, his hands were being held behind his back.

"You just had to be a cop, didn’t you?" Jeremy asked angrily.

Mr. Williams pulled him to his feet, got a tight hold on his shoulders and steered him out of the office.

One

Relocation

I want all of those chores done before I get home, do you understand me? Mr. Williams said the next day on his way out to work. Since you don’t have school, you should have no problem. And I want you to start packing as well, he added. There are some boxes in the garage.

Jeremy nodded, although all he really wanted to do was go back to bed. His dad had yelled at him practically all day and Jeremy had been up all night talking to his girlfriend, Livvie, trying to explain to her why he had to move all the way across the country.

It wasn’t my fault, he told her quietly. Bunker attacked me.

This is...this is h-h-horrible! she sobbed.

I know, he replied. I’m really sorry! If I had a choice, I definitely wouldn’t go! You know that!

But...but I-I-I love you!

I know, I love you, too. And I’ll never forget you!

Will I get to s-see you before you l-leave?

Definitely, Jeremy had assured her. I’ll sneak out whenever you want and we can meet at our spot.

Livvie had been Jeremy’s third girlfriend, but his first true love. He could actually see himself spending the rest of his life with her and had half expected to.

She was beautiful, with deep, hazel eyes and straight brown hair that fell just below her shoulders, like a dark curtain of silk.

Their spot was an old baseball field which was nearly forgotten by most people. It was surrounded by tall hills, so it was completely hidden from passersby. Lush grass covered the entire field and even some of the old bases. The old lights were all either burnt out or busted, so at night it was pitch black except for the light shining from the moon and stars above. Livvie and Jeremy would sit on one of the old wooden benches, back to back, while they talked.

Tomorrow? Livvie had asked hopefully. I want to see you tomorrow night.

Jeremy nodded, partially forgetting that Livvie couldn’t see him, and smiled. All right, tomorrow at eleven.

They had said their goodbyes and Jeremy had laid back on his bed, thinking about her, unable to fall asleep until well past four in the morning.

Now, as he listened to his dad’s car fade in the distance, he stared miserably at the long list of chores that he was expected to complete.

Dishes

Take out garbage

Clean room

Vacuum ENTIRE house

Sweep back patio

Sweep front patio

Clean garage

Mow lawn

Clean BOTH bathrooms

And on and on it went. At the very end of the list, his father had written him a small note saying that he was grounded: no computer, no phone, no TV, no leaving the house.

But Jeremy didn’t care; he had more important things to do. He went into his dad’s room and turned on the computer which automatically signed him into his email and messenger. His best friend, Aaron, was signed on his cell phone so he messaged him: hey whats ^ Ive got somethin important 2 tell u. write back.

He sent the message and sighed, leaning back in his dad’s office chair. So far, the only people who knew that he was moving were Dean Ross, Charley Bunker and Livvie, but he thought that Aaron deserved to know next.

While he waited for a reply, Jeremy pulled up Google and typed in ‘Western laws.’ Over a million results pulled up, some merely being offers for plane tickets to California or Arizona. He chose an article that had been written over fifty years ago.

A LASTING EFFECT

By John Revole

August 27, 2026

As a result of the second Civil War, the country has been divided inevitably. The new president of the western side of the country, David Trimela, claims that, The new laws are for the best and will drastically lower crime levels in the long run. Although the change has caused many Western residents to move over to the East, some people, such as Mayor Diana Girla of San Francisco, California, agrees with Trimela that diminishing the rights of minors will have a lasting and positive effect. Although it will take time, announced Girla at a press conference two weeks ago, This is for all of our best interests. If we stop the criminals before they become adults, then we will be well on our way to a crime-free world.

Jeremy closed the window without finishing the article and pulled up another, which was written a few years after the previous one.

Adult accused in the Western US

By John Revole

December 2, 2031

An adult, who prefers to remain unnamed, was recently convicted of housing a wanted minor for over three months before the minor turned himself in. The adult admits to knowing that the minor, a sixteen-year-old rebel who was attempting to overturn the Minor Authorities, was a wanted felon and has been scheduled for a trial next month.

Officials say that the minor was taken into custody and will be transferred from the Minor Prison to the adult penitentiary in approximately two years when he turns eighteen.

Jeremy had read enough. He closed the browser and saw that Aaron had written back.

heard u got expelled. cant talk now; takin a test. call me 2night.

Cant Im grounded. But I’m sneaking out to c Livvie after my dad goes to bed. Im moving to Washington and the laws take away the rights of all minors...not good

Jeremy sent the reply and leaned back in his chair again. He didn’t really know what else to say to Aaron; there wasn’t really anything he could say.

JEREMY AND LIVVIE SAT back to back on the benches of the old baseball field. Livvie was silently crying, and if it wasn’t for the tremble of her shoulders, Jeremy probably wouldn’t have noticed. He turned around and leaned over to face her.

It’s not all that bad, you know.

How can you say that? Livvie whimpered, wiping the glimmering tears off her cheeks with the back of her hand.

He was silent; he didn’t have an answer for this. He hadn’t told Livvie about the different laws in Washington, and he didn’t plan on it; that would just make her worry even more.

I’m going to miss you so much! she sobbed as more tears slipped down her face.

Jeremy leaned back and kissed her lightly on the lips; I’m going to miss you too, Livs. He reached into his pocket to grab the necklace that he had bought for her, but with a surge of disappointment, he realized that he had left it at home, so he said nothing about it. Instead, he turned around on the bench and grabbed lightly onto her shoulders and tipped her back so that she was lying down. He pointed up at the sky. Look at the stars.

What about them?

You see how there are so many?

She nodded.

Pick one out and look closely at it.

A few seconds later, once. Now find a different one.

But why would I do that? she asked quietly.

Because some stars burn out and disappear. You always need a backup.

She sat up so fast that Jeremy thought she may have given herself whiplash. I know what you’re trying to do, she exclaimed and he frowned. "You’re trying to get me to think that I can find someone as wonderful as you once you go! I