The Price of Freedom
As the truck rolled into Sodom, Edwin saw bright lights, bustling movement, and the same hollow joy he remembered from the Perfect City. A false show of happiness. Manufactured peace.
Sophie leaned in. "Edwin, remember we can't be seen. We're still wanted."
He nodded silently and ducked down.
The truck stopped.
"I think we're here," Edwin said, and they hopped out of the bed. Ice was already thanking the driver. Edwin and Sophie echoed the gratitude with quiet waves as the truck driver pulled away.
"We're here," Ice said.
Edwin looked around, confused. Before them stood a run-down building abandoned, decaying.
Ice turned to them. "We don't judge by the outside. We see the heart."
Neither Edwin nor Sophie replied. They followed Ice inside.
Ten steps in, everything changed.
Guns. Everywhere. Drawn from the shadows. The building wasn't abandoned, it was fortified.
Ice raised his hands and said calmly, "Non sum tuus."
Just as quickly, the weapons lowered.
From the back room, a voice called out, "Welcome back, brother Ice. I see you were successful."
A young man stepped forward eye patch, scar, military posture. He looked no older than nineteen, but carried himself like someone who'd seen a hundred wars.
"Hello, Edwin. Sophie. Nice to meet you."
He extended his hand.
"My name's Blaze. Named after my love to the cause. Like a fire that don't die out. My mentors gave it to me. So I became Blaze"
Edwin shook his hand, still stunned. This boy, this soldier was clearly the leader. Everyone deferred to him.
"Come," Blaze said with a smile. "You must be hungry."
They entered a large hall, filled with militia members forty, maybe more. Scarred, amputated, hardened. As Edwin ate, he looked around. These people had bled for their cause. He thought of Thomas. He'd love these people, Edwin thought.
He turned to Blaze. "What's your ultimate goal?"
Blaze paused, set down his fork, and pushed his plate aside.
"What's yours?" he asked.
Edwin hesitated. "To survive."
Blaze nodded. "Reasonable. Mine? To make sure every demon and sympathizer gets what they deserve nothing less but torture and death. They stole our freedom. We'll take theirs."
Edwin sat in silence. He believed him. Blaze reminded him of Thomas driven, unyielding.
"How many have fallen in your cause?" Edwin asked.
The room went silent. Appetite vanished.
Blaze scanned the room. His voice dropped.
"Too many."
Edwin's heart sank. "I'm sorry."
Sophie couldn't meet Blaze's eyes.
Then THUD.
Blaze slammed his fist on the table.
"Don't you dare feel sorry for us. Those men and women gave their lives for freedom. And if they could, they would do it again. A million times over."
He stood, voice rising.
"Everyone here has lost something. But not one of us regrets it. We risk our lives for what truly matters, not excuses, not comfort. Truth."
He turned to Edwin and Sophie.
"So what's your choice? Will you give up everything? Will you pay the ultimate price for freedom?"
Silence.
Edwin and Sophie locked eyes. No words just understanding.
Then, together, they shouted:
"YES!" The room erupted.
"Hoora! Hoora!"