"Ms. Diaz," Warren began, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I just came to talk. I know that you're assigning work. I came to tell you mine," Aria said.
"What?" Warren asked, confused by the change in her attitude.
"I've been teaching here. I'd like to keep that position. When the children arrive, I’d like to be their teacher. Is that okay with you?"
She noticed Hunt eyeing her suspiciously. She wasn't sure if he was someone they could trust. She hadn't asked her mother yet, but he stood up for Lex. That had to mean something.
"Well, yeah. That sounds reasonable to me. We need good teachers," Warren said, nodding in agreement. "I've got to admit I'm a little surprised. After your little outburst last night, I wasn't sure if you'd be with us."
"I understand," Aria said, "But you were right. You are my people. We don't fit in here. Truthfully, we never did. If there's anything you need from me, intel, just ask. I learned a lot about this place, being the queen and all."
Warren nodded, looking pleased.
You fucking idiot, she thought.
"Thank you, Aria. I appreciate that. Please come by a little later. I do have a few questions."
"Alright," Aria said. "I'll stop by after dinner."
What's that saying? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?
After meeting with Warren, Aria sought her mother out. She found her in the library, along with Jackson, a boy she’d known her entire life.
Katy closed the door behind Aria once she entered.
"I've asked around," Katy began.
Aria didn't bother asking about Jackson, about if he knew what was going on. About which side he was on. Aria had spent enough time with him to know that he was a good person. She was sure that he'd help.
"Warren has a lot more support. But there are enough of us to at least stand a chance. Hunt and I will oversee our groups."
"Hunt," Aria said. “Can we trust him?”
"Yeah," Katy said, "You can trust him."
Jackson nodded in agreement.
Aria remembered how much her mother had hated Hunt back home. Whatever had happened up here must have changed him. There was no way he was still the same person if her mother was willing to work with him, to trust him.
"Is there any sort of plan?" Jackson asked.
"Not yet," Aria said, "First, we need to figure out who's on our side. But we must pretend to agree with Warren. We have to convince him that we're on the same side; we're taking turns going to him, asking for work. I just spoke to him, and I'm sure I have him convinced that I'm with him. I told him I'd give him intel on the people in this place.”
She looked away. Although she knew she was just pretending that she'd never actually give him anything useful, it made her feel like a traitor.
"Good," Katy said, "I've told my group the same thing. And we have to be careful about our meetings. We can't get together in large groups or out in the open. We have to figure out how to communicate without them finding out."
Aria nodded in agreement.
"Hunt has convinced Warren to let Lex live. I don't know what he plans to do with him. I don't think he'll let him go like the others. Warren is too worried about him getting help from his people. So he'll keep him here, for now. Probably to keep his people from starting a riot. Probably to get some information out of him. But for right now, he's safe," Katy said, lacing her fingers through Aria's and giving her hand a little squeeze.
Aria looked at her mother. It was what she needed to hear. She pulled her mother in for a hug.
"Thank you," Aria said. She wasn't sure if her mother understood how much she actually cared for Lex. But she knew enough to make sure that he'd be safe, to tell Hunt about it. It was more than she could hope for. She pulled away.
"You can trust Brent, Martinez, Peter, Mara, and Isla. Adrian, too. They're all in on the plan. I'll tell them to report to you and Hunt. See if Hunt can get them jobs that will give them access to some of the guns. We're gonna need them when we decide to take Warren down, '' Aria said.
Her mother nodded. But she had a strange look in her eyes.
"What is it?" Aria asked.
"Nothing. Just that-that I'm really proud of you, Aria. I can see why they chose you as their leader," Katy said, smiling. "I'm sorry this is happening. I'm sorry about all of it. What happened here. Sending you here. You should-you should be living your life. Enjoying it. All of you. You're kids. You shouldn't have to live like this."
"We stopped being kids the day we were sent up here."
She went to the dungeon again after talking to her mother.
"Back so soon," the guard said.
"I won't have time to check on him later. I have a meeting with Warren," Aria said, raising an eyebrow.
"Well then, I guess you better get going," the guard said, stepping aside to let her through.
She realized that she had to keep her voice down, no matter what she said to Lex. She was sure that the guard would try to listen. She could only hope that he hadn't overheard their first conversation.
She made her way down the stairs. He was still in the same position she'd left him in, but he was asleep.
It felt a little cruel to wake him. He must have been tired. And she was sure that he was uncomfortable. But she knew they didn't have much time.
"Lex," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder, gently shaking him awake. "Lex, wake up."
"Hey," he said, a little lazily.
"I'm sorry to wake you, but I need to check your wound. And we don't have much time."
"Okay,"
