Synopsis

The five Rothsy girls were in big trouble. They had tried to escape the horrible living conditions in the Rothsy Girls Home, and they had been caught. Supreme Commander Reginald Botta was incensed and decided to use them to set an example. He was going to stage a spectacular spectacle and hang the girls from a gallows in the public square outside his headquarters in Metro Metropolis. To further prove his point, he is also going to include the director of the girl’s home as well as all five boys from the Rothsy Boys Home. “No one will every forget Hanging Day,” Botta promised.

The newly formed Pierpoint rebel force will have none of it. With the help of Sendal from Creekside Meadows, they decide to attempt a daring rescue and try to save the prisoners.

But they are up against the full force of the Supreme Commander and his army. The rebels are only a few dedicated citizens. However, they are committed to doing their best. The lives of innocent people are at stake. But will their efforts be enough?

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Excerpt

Charlie looked at Antimony. Her face was drawn and her hair seemed greyer than before. It was plain to see that the disappearing magic was taking a lot out of her. “How’s it going?” he asked the stalwart lady.

“I’m feeling good,” she said. “Only a little weak, but not too bad.” She looked at him. “The magic’s holding.”

Charlie appreciated her positive attitude. They needed it. “Good!” he said.

Dora spoke up. She and Iona were keeping track of the Rothsy girls, Zelda, Cora, Marni, Lannie, and Bea. “The girls are doing good,” she said. “Right, Iona?”

Iona nodded. “Right.” She was still carrying the bundle, the infant baby, just in case they were stopped. “They’re good kids.”

Brok spoke up. Me and Sendal are sticking with the boys. All is going well with them.”

“Great,” Charlie said.

“And Karen Kittleton is helping us, too,” Sendal added.

“Wonderful,” Charlie said. It was good to see the former director of the Girls’ home stepping up. She was definitely earning points among the members of the rebel squad.

The streets were packed with people. The rebels made their way through them as quickly as they could, all the while keeping close tabs on the kids.

Finally, Charlie, who seemed to have eyes that saw everything, looked ahead. “All right!” He pumped his fist in a rare sign of emotion. “We’re coming to the station.” He turned to Antimony and was about to say, “That’s good news, right?” But he never got the chance. The expression on her face said it all. “What is it?” he asked.
Antimony grimaced. “It’s not good,” she said. “I’m losing my magic. I can feel it fading.”

“Damn!” Charlie swore. “What’s that mean?”

Antimony pointed to the girls, the closest group to them. “Look.”

“Oh, no!” Charlie exclaimed.

So did Dora, Iona, Brok, Sendal, and Jagen.

“Dang!”

As Antimony said, it was not good. The kids and Karen Kittleton were starting to become visible.

Brok spoke up. “Good grief! What’ll we do?”

Charle looked around and made a quick decision. “We skip the train.”

“And do what?” Iona asked.

Charlie pointed. “We skip the train and we head for the tunnel.”

“You mean…?” Asked Brok.

“Yeah. We’ll hide in the tunnel. The tunnel that the D-Rail runs in.” He looked at the rebel force. “If we have to, we’ll follow it all the way to Pierpoint.”

“That’s fifty miles,” Brok gasped. Just imagining such a long trek made him tired.

Charlie nodded. “Right. Fifty miles.”

Iona spoke up. “Well, whatever. We have to do what we have to do.” She pointed to the kids who were now clearly visible. “And we’ve got to do it now, before someone spots the escapees. Hurry! We need to get going.”

So they did. They ran into the station, all the way through it and to the back where the trains loaded and unloaded. They kept their eyes peeled, and, when no one was looking, they snuck into the tunnel. As they did so, it became apparent that, with the kids now visible, they’d have to stay hidden and out of sight. They’d not be riding the D-Rail. It was too dangerous. Someone would be sure to put two and two together and figure out that the kids were really the escaped prisoners. They’d have to stay out of sight. And they had to get away. They had to get back to their stronghold in Pierpoint.

But they wouldn’t be taking the train. Instead, they’d be in the tunnel walking next to the tracks. It was going to be dangerous, but they had no choice. None at all. They’d have to do it. And they’d have to be careful. They’d have to be very careful

About the Author

Jim is an award-winning author who lives in a small town in Minnesota. He loves to write! His stories and poems have appeared in over five hundred online and print publications. He has also authored 27 books, including poetry, flash fiction, and short story collections, novellas, and novels, all of which are available through traditional outlets and on his website.

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