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as well.
    â€œSir,” Grant said, “I think it is in the country’s best interest that Amelia be killed. What if she makes a public appearance elsewhere?”
    â€œYou think one little girl is going to make any difference?” the grand commander said. “Most likely she died trying to land that contraption you built. It would be a waste of our resources. Get her out of your mind. She beat you; move on.”
    Nobody beats Grant Marsden. He scowled at the comment.
    â€œThere was some media attention drawn to her abduction. You will play the role of the grieving widower. Talk about how you loved her and what a sad end she met. Young girls will swoon over you and they will take heed of Amelia’s story. You’re a public hero now. Congratulations.”
    This did not sit well with Grant. Grieve? Over a woman? Never.
    â€œOnce a sufficient amount of time has passed you will announce your engagement to one of my daughters,” the grand commander said.
    Grant’s mouth hung open. All the men seated in this room were married to the spawn of the grand commander. It was an honor and meant the groom was slated for big things.
    â€œThat is all for today,” the grand commander said. He rose and the rest of the panel followed him toward a door at the back of the room. He ushered them out, leaving Grant speechless.
    â€œSomeone will be in contact with you shortly,” the grand commander said. “Your first appearance is scheduled for tomorrow. Close your mouth.”
    Grant snapped his jaw shut. The door slammed closed and a side door opened. He walked back out into the waiting room, giddy with what the future had in store for him. His happiness was facing a small obstacle though. She beat you. The words stung. The game wasn’t over yet, and Grant knew just what he needed to ensure victory.

Chapter 5
    At any given time multiple countries face civil war. The great nation of America has never been divided.
    â€” American Gazette
    The walk continued. Andrew was happy to have his vision back, but it didn’t give him much relief. He and Carter were led into a large building made of clay bricks, which apparently kept the inside cool. A door was pushed open, and Andrew and Carter were thrown against a wall. Their handcuffs were undone.
    â€œStrip,” a voice said.
    Neither Andrew nor Carter moved.
    â€œFine, have it your way.”
    Then a blast of icy water came at them. It was powerful and almost knocked Andrew over. He turned around, trying to make his back take most of the force. The temperature started to change and it didn’t feel so bad anymore. Then the spray was shut off. Two of the men who had escorted them had buckets now. They flung the contents onto Andrew and Carter. Andrew tried to wipe his eyes; it was soap.
    Without the handcuffs Andrew looked for the door. Before he could take a step the blast of the hose came back home, washing away the soapy residue. Andrew had to gasp for breath as the water fired toward his face.
    â€œWe’re giving you some trust here,” the man with the hose yelled. “If you break it the cuffs go back on.”
    The water was shut off again. A towel was thrown at Andrew. He took off his soaking-wet shirt and sweatpants and patted himself dry. Once he was dry enough a new outfit was tossed toward him. He pulled on the white scrubs. He hadn’t seen anyone in these since his days in the orphanage.
    Andrew had been getting close to thirteen, about to get tossed out into the real world. All the boys in his group were taken to a clinic where men dressed in these outfits gave them their last round of vaccines. The shots were supposed to keep them free of transmittable illness until it was enlistment time. They’d worked too. Andrew wondered now if the doses were no longer effective and he was susceptible to illness again, having missed his enlistment date and the boosters.
    â€œFace the wall,” the man