Upheaval – Book Tour and Giveaway

Kiera stops just outside the elaborate structure and pauses. When she spins to face us, the street noise seems to mute to a whisper. This woman commands attention, even from inanimate objects.

“This is it! This is the most important building in the whole Territory! I assume each and every one of you is ready to fully immerse yourself in this experience.” She purses her lips, poised to continue. But before she can, an outburst yanks everyone’s attention to the delegate standing closest to her.

“Yes!” Without hesitation, Hayes punches a fist into the air. A few delegates chuckle but fall silent when they notice Kiera’s glare. With a blink, she recovers, instantly shifting from annoyance to amusement. A fresh smile softens her features, and she nods to Hayes.

“I appreciate that enthusiasm. I hope to see it from all of you in the coming days.”

Somehow her words feel more like a command than a statement.

As if on cue, Kiera’s assistants – Lisum and Wynter – plunge ahead, triggering the automatic glass doors to swoosh open. Kiera nods and they spring through the threshold, positioning themselves on either side to herd us to our next stop. A moment later, Kiera breezes through the open entryway, Hayes maintaining his role as her shadow.

Those of us at the back of the line linger, waiting for the bodies in front to shuffle inside. Just as I’m about to step forward, a frantic voice yanks my attention to the row of tall bushes flanking the entrance.

“Hey!” The single syllable whisper-shout is both a warning and a demand. A wiry old man emerges from the foliage. Loose, tattered clothing hangs from his tanned, wrinkly arms and legs. 

“I know why yer all here and yeh better be careful.” He jerks his head toward the open doors. “They don’t care ’bout no one. Ain’t what they say they er.”

Desperate to look away from the man, I glance to the delegate standing behind me. It’s the other boy from Eastates, the night dweller. A spark of comfort blooms inside me. Just seeing the familiar blue clothing reminds me that I’m not here alone. His eyes narrow on the stranger and he responds.

“Thanks for the warning, but we’ll form our own opinions based on facts.” The boy motions for me to move along, to the safety of the building.

“Yeh sure will.” The man smiles as we pass, revealing two rows of crooked, rotting teeth. An empty gap marks a space that once held a tooth.

How could someone like that even exist here? Everyone in our Territory gets rations that include food, clothing and hygiene products.

Just as stealthily as he appeared, the old man slips away. I focus on the entranceway before me, eager to pass through it.

“Hey, don’t let that guy get to you. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” the boy says, shrugging off the encounter. “And he should probably start worrying about himself, not us.”

“I can’t argue with that.” I search his dark eyes, sensing honesty with a hint of concern. “Thanks for stepping in though. I wasn’t really sure what to say.”

“No problem.” He thrusts a hand toward me. “I’m Vanen.”

“Everly.” We shake, exchanging brief smiles. He’s slightly taller than me, with a strong grip. Josli would be disappointed. Nothing about him stands out as a night dweller. He could pass for anyone at school back home.

Okay, that wasn’t so bad. I’ve officially met one delegate. Counting him and Hayes, there’s only nine more to go.