Redeemer Read Online Free Page A

Lesser City 3, and Hana, you won’t believe it, but I think I met that Fischer guy’s parents.”
    I laugh and nod. “You probably did. They live there. I met his dad at the hospital.”
    “Yes! I had to go there when I got really sick with the pregnancy. He told me about God.” She pauses. “Do you believe in Him, Hana? Because I do.”
    Happiness bubbles to the surface of our dark and dingy surroundings. “Yes, I do. I’m so glad to hear it, Jamie.”
    She smiles and nods, but she shifts on the couch and takes a deep breath. “Now it’s your turn. How did this happen, Hana? Why are you here?”
    Where to begin?
    I take a deep breath and tell Jamie my story. I don’t leave anything out. Not Mr. Elder’s death, not my raging feelings for Fischer and Keegan, and not how I manage to bring danger to every person who is unfortunate enough to get close to me. I consider asking for advice about Fischer and Keegan, but I ignore the thoughts and barrel on—there’s no point getting advice when I’ll probably never see them again.
    By the time we finish catching up, the sun has set and darkness has fallen across the apartment. Baby Easton woke up, ate, cooed, then went back to sleep, and now Jamie moves through the apartment lighting candles.
    “Don’t we get any electricity at all?” I ask. Thoughts of long winter nights in the dark haunt me.
    “I don’t really know,” she says. “I’ve only been here during spring and summer. Winter will be here in a couple of months, and I’ve heard we’ll get some heating allowances.”
    Moving to the window, I gaze out on the dark city. Dim light shines through a few other buildings, but mostly everything is black.
    “Are there curfews?” I ask.
    Jamie shrugs. “Not really. If you happen to be caught out after dark, you might get into trouble, but probably you won’t even be caught in the first place.”
    Going back to my apartment is the last thing I want to do. “Do you mind if I stay here?”
    Her eyes light up and a huge smile spreads across her face. “I would love for you to stay here.” She rushes toward me and wraps me in a hug. “I don’t have much food, though.”
    “That’s OK. Isabel let me eat something at her apartment earlier, and she gave me some water. We’re going to get in line for allowances tomorrow.”
    I stop and frown, remembering the man named Benji’s words about Jamie staying inside all day. “Jamie, did you get your allowances?”
    She sighs and nods. “A neighbor stayed with Easton while I stood in line. I was lucky enough to get in quickly.”
    “I won’t be a bother. I promise.”
    She hugs me again. “You could never be a bother.”
    I snuggle onto her old, dilapidated couch and smile. For it being my second night in Lesser City 4, I’m not doing so badly. Things could definitely be worse.
     
     
     
     

5
     
    Early morning light has just begun to shine through the windows of Jamie’s apartment. Jamie hugs me and I squeeze her back. “Come right back when you’re done.”
    I nod and move toward the door. “I will, as soon as I get my allowances.”
    Being outside disorients me and I scan the area, trying to figure out which way to Isabel’s apartment. I finally find my way and see Isabel waiting for me on the street. We hurry to get to the arena early.
    The line is already long, filled with people who missed it yesterday, but it’s not as bad by far.
    “Did you get all caught up?” Isabel asks.
    “Yes,” I say. “Thank you for helping me. You could have kept the information to yourself. You don’t know me at all.”
    “Now why would I do that?” she asks. “You’d have to be pretty coldhearted for something like that.”
    She’s right, but it’s exactly what would have happened in Greater City, and probably even the Middle Cities. “Can I ask you a question?”
    “You just did, honey.”
    I smile and glance around to make sure no one is watching us. “Yesterday you told me it was my blessed day. Why