Rebel Heart

"Refugee?" one of those who had emerged from the town asked.

"Yes." Her word came out a croak after two weeks without speaking. Lana cleared her throat.

"Follow Kelli in."

A short brunette waved her over. Lana followed, unable to take her eyes off the soldiers.

"Where you coming from?" the brunette asked.

"Eastern Tennessee. The rebels are bringing supplies?" Lana asked.

"Rebels and regular military. They're all there is now. I heard everything is fine out west, though."

"Why don't you just cross the river?"

"The bridges were all destroyed, and the old barriers from the war are back up."

Lana sighed, her mind quickly turning to her alternatives.

"The government pretty much abandoned us," Kelli said, tone hardening. "We found their emergency back-up supplies here. It's all that's kept the people alive."

Lana's second plan was foiled. As they walked into the town, they were greeted by people calling out to Kelli. The brunette waved in return and led her through the small town to a boardwalk lining the wide, slow-moving Mississippi River. The size of the river made Lana tick off one of her alternatives. There was no way she could swim it. Even if she did, the feds had thrown up walls on the other side that looked like they could withstand a nuclear blast.

Kelli led her into a building. "We keep a record of everyone who comes through. Just need your thumbprint."

Lana gazed at the micro on a table, hesitating. "Could I possibly use the restroom first? I've been walking for a while."

"Down the hall." Kelli said and pointed.

Lana went, trailed by Jack. She ducked into the bathroom and pulled out her micro. Tim had said not to mess with anything, but she'd heard the anger in Kelli's tone when she mentioned the feds. Lana hacked into the federal system, changing her own profile. She tucked the micro away and returned to the foyer.

Kelli waited by the door, gazing out at the river. She and the others appeared healthy, which surprised Lana. Lana pressed her thumb to the screen, relieved when the new info she'd entered popped up.

"Nice to meet you, Lana," Kelli said, looking over her shoulder. "From Asheville. That's a long walk."

"It was," Lana agreed.

"You look it, too. But you'll be fine here. We divided up the buildings into small apartments. Everyone stays in the city or under it. It's safer here, and the supplies are dropped off every day about this time," Kelli explained. "Follow me."