It started out yesterday when I overheard two woman speaking in hushed tones down the hall from my office. The only thing I made out before they saw me and quieted, was that three gangs had banded together and planned to attack the compound. I’d had one of my men bring them in for questioning yesterday afternoon, but it had turned into a wild goose chase. They’d heard it from so and so, who’d heard it from a kitchen employee, who’d heard it from their mom, and so on. Once we got thirty people deep, we realized we didn’t have time to investigate every single one, and by that time, another rumor was already making the rounds.
The second rumor was by far worse than the first, considering it was the one thing I needed everyone not to find out. One of my men had been told that I had killed the Vater and the Mutter, and he’d reported it directly to Brian, who of course brought the information straight to me. What’s funny is the Mutter is still alive, but it’s not like I can just reveal that to everyone to dispel these rumors. With everything that’s been going on, I haven’t had time to kill the old bitty yet, even though I told everyone she had died in the same attack as her husband.
Those two rumors combined have me convinced someone specific inside these walls is spreading them, and they most definitely have a purpose. If I were to guess, they’ve sided with the gangs, with Anna Cress, and they’re trying to sow dissent, so that when they attack the people won’t fight back. I gotta give them credit, it’s not a bad plan. Knowing that, the only way to stop this before it gets out of hand is to figure out who the traitor is.
Even before the rumors the people were restless, acting out. My estimate is that the compound is evenly divided between those who don’t have a problem with me being the new Vater and those that do. Tara wanted me to start arresting those who would speak out against me, but it’s not that easy. One, we don’t have enough cells for that many people. Two, if that many people start going missing it will only serve to make everyone more paranoid, and three, I’d be looking at getting rid of half the compound. I can’t do that, if for no other reason than we need those people to hunt, clean, cook, and any number of other things to keep the compound running smoothly. We could be looking at a total collapse if we lose half our population.
No, I have to find another way, but first, to find the traitor.
chapter 21 - Truth Or Dare
ANNA
“You’re putting my cousin’s life on the line with this bullshit.”
“Don’t you think I know that Chase? I know that, trust me I do. But if we go in before we’re ready it could cost everyone their lives. Yours, mine, Andy’s, everyone.”
Mateo and Chase have been arguing this point for over an hour. Honestly, they’re both right. Every day we drag this out is another day we risk David finding out Andy is the mole. And yet, I see Mateo’s point too.
Chase wants to attack the compound tomorrow while Mateo wants to give it another week on the off chance the Republic shows up. It’s been two weeks though since Mateo sent another plea to them asking for their assistance. Two weeks, and not even a reply. They aren’t coming. We need to recognize that fact and plan accordingly.
“Mateo,” I say, waiting for his attention. “You’re both right, but the Republic aren’t coming. Waiting for the Republic is a catch twenty-two. Sure them showing up would significantly increase our numbers, but every day we wait on them is another day David has to prepare.”
“She’s right.” Lord Paul has been arguing that point for the last week, so I’m not sure why Mateo would listen to me when he hasn’t listened to him up to this point.
And with that the arguing starts up again. I really can’t take much more of this. Once again I realize six months from now we could still be sitting around this room trying to decide when to attack, but there’s nothing I can say that I haven’t already said a dozen times.
Suddenly the room quiets as Mateo roughly takes his seat, scrubbing his hands down his face and letting out a long breath. “You’re right. Anna, Paul, I know you’re right. I just don’t want everyone to die because of a decision I made. I just wish there was another way.”
With his words, I’m reminded of what I said to Andy the night Chase and I met with him outside the north wall of the compound. I told him we wanted a peaceful resolution, and at the time Vater Henry had come to mind, although I hadn’t voiced it at the time.
“I have an idea.” Mateo turns in my direction, his eyes filled with hope as I lay it all out. “We want a peaceful resolution if possible. We want as few deaths as possible. Right?” Looking around the room there isn’t a single person who seems to disagree with my thoughts. “Alright, so we have Vater Henry. Right? We have him, and no one other than Andy inside the compound knows that. What if we use that to our advantage? Not for the aftermath like we had originally talked about, but for the actual attack.”
“I’m listening.” Mateo scoots his chair to allow him a better view of me, encouraging me to go on,
I take a deep breath. “We tell Andy exactly when we plan to attack, and he uses his diversion to make sure as many people as possible are outside near the gates. I don’t know, maybe a fire alarm. Anyway, how bad would David shit if
