Glancing at my mom over my breakfast, I study her. I study her impassive face, hiding all the worry and misery I know she is feeling; hiding the guilt I know she still feels. She feels like this is her fault for creating Chips. I know she does, even if my father is the one who ruined her invention. Even if society has been similar to this even before Chips.

My mom suddenly wrinkles her nose, letting a burnt piece of bacon fall to her expensive plate. "Sometimes I regret firing the cooks," she mutters. 

I simply shrug. Her food might not be the best, but it keeps us alive. Plus, I can get food from Jared's house or school. Food might keep me alive, but it's not my main concern. My main concern is taking down my father and making sure Autumn completes her mission safely. I know Autumn is strong, but I hope she's okay. I hope that all of us get out of this okay.

Mom grabs her plate and dumps the overly running eggs and burnt bacon into the trash can beside the dishwasher. I watch the eggs slide down the porcelain, finally dropping into the trash bag while leaving slimy residue in it's wake. Then, Mom places the plate in the sink, barely grumbling a farewell to me before walking towards to door. I feel bad for her. She has to deal with what's left of our government everyday. She has to worry about her scumbag of a husband coming back to haunt us all. My mom might be a strong woman, but this is all wearing her out as much as it is me and the others.

With a sigh, I follow suit; I scrape my food into the trash can with my fork and put the plate and fork into the sink. Then, I grab my bag from the floor next to my chair and sling it over my shoulder. I begin my walk to school. Just me, the gentle breeze, and the faux greenery. I inhale the faint scent of rain lingering from last night's rainshower. I hop over a puddle, popping in my wireless earbuds and humming along to a random song I play from my watch.

I start as my watch begins ringing.  Then, I curse my cousin under my breath and accept the call.

"I won't be coming to school today." His holographic face floats above my watch, icy eyes boring into my own.

"Good morning to you, too," I mutter, rubbing away the lingering evidence of sleep from my eyes. Then, his words click and my eyes widen. "What? Why? Are you insane?"

"Aren't we all a little insane?" He casually responds.

I shake my head at him, glad he can see the annoyance in my holographic gaze. "Seriously. You can't miss school unless you physically can't drag your-"

"Oh, shut up," he laughs, causing me to become even more annoyed with him. He has a death wish. "The reason I'm staying home is because my mom needs me. She's pretty worried and upset about what my dad did. We still haven't heard from him, by the way. Anyways, we're all going to meet at the new base as soon as schools ends."

I raise an eyebrow. "Since when are you in charge?"

He smirks. "Someone scared he'll lose his authority?"

I scoff. I'm not a leader- but I guess I'm trying to be. I mean, I did start all of this with Autumn. Maybe a part of me wants to be in control. But, I trust my cousin. I trust everyone in our group, so it doesn't matter who's calling meetings. "No. I'll be there."

Jared simply nods, then the call ends. I let out a breath, the school now looming in front of me. So, I pull out my earbuds and pocket them. Another day of dealing with my peers, of meaningless classwork. With our impending meeting in mind, I force my feet to carry my towards to building, weaving my way through the people heading in the same direction as me. Soon, enough, I'm shoving open one of the double doors, and the cool air conditioning greets me. I allow it to cool my sweaty skin as I head towards my locker, unlocking it and gathering what I'll need for my first class. My fingers graze Autumn's journal at the bottom of my bag and something churns within my stomach. I ignore it, focusing on getting through the day.

Shaking my head to clear it of lingering thoughts, I had towards homeroom. Eva joins me, not speaking, but staring straight ahead with her lips set into a firm line. I hold open the door for her, wondering what has set her in such a sour mood. Is it because Jared isn't here? I wordlessly walk to the back of the classroom, watching Eva sit down a few seats in front of me. She seems to slump into the seat, and a part of me wants to ask my friend what's wrong. So, I prepare to get up and ask. But, I gruff voice halts me from doing so.

"Cody Simon."

I lean back in my seat and raise an eyebrow at the random guy next to me. He's pretty muscular, his skin as dark as his eyes and hair. I raise an eyebrow in silent question, but then voice what I yearn to ask the stranger. "How do you know me and what do you want?" 

"A lot of people know of you. And Eva. And Jared. And the now deceased Autumn, who got rid of Chips. It's really not a secret."

He's right, I realize. It's not really a secret. What Autumn did. How we're all involved. Well, save Teresa, or what's going on right this moment. People might not approach us much, but the first few days back, their gazes were everywhere. They knew. They know. That thought makes me stomach twist a bit. If only they knew the whole truth.

"I just wanted to know- is it over?"

No, it's not. But I can't tell this stranger that. "Chips are gone." My voice sounds foreign. "What else is there for me to say?"

His eyes bore into mine. Challenging. Pleading for answers as he leans in even closer. "I have a feeling it isn't over."

I nonchalantly shrug. "Well, if it isn't, I have no idea. Why must you know?"

It's his turn to shrug. "Curiosity."

I let out a breath, then get to my feet at the same time the teacher begins taking role. "If we're done here, I need to talk to my friend."

He offers me a lazy smile, leaning back in his seat. Something about that guy sets me on edge. It feels like he knows something, like he's testing me. Sure, people have questioned us before, but never like him. Actually, people haven't even bothered with us recently, not even caring. Autumn is the hero, after all. But, they think she's dead.

 I tap Eva on the shoulder, plopping into the empty seat next to her and finally allowing my bag to drop from my shoulder. "What's wrong, Eva?"

She lets out a breath. "Just worried about Jared."

"Did he tell you-"

"Yeah, he called me this morning. But, his dad," she lowers her voice, leaning in as people loudly converse all around us. "his dad helping yours, and his mom being a wreck, I think it's getting to him. And, to me as well. I'm tired of this. I hate seeing Jar like this, and I hate the fear I have for Autumn, for all of us."

I glance around, making sure no one is listening in. "This isn't the place to discuss this," I sigh. I know how she feels. The fear for those around me. The worry for Jared, even for my uncle working with my father. I'm also a bit tired of this, but I won't stop until it's over. When I first met Autumn, I didn't think it would happen like this. I didn't think that their were greater forces at play. But, that doesn't mean that I won't fight until the end, until this is all finally over.

Eva shakes her head at me, and I can see all of her emotions swimming in her brown eyes. She hides behind her hair, blocking out me and the world. I let her be, my own mind beginning to spin again. I won't let it. I start thinking of plans again. I start thinking of Autumn, of meeting with her again. Then, I finally think of the satisfaction I'll feel once my father is taken down. I think of what he could be planning, of what's ahead. 

Jared looks tired. His usually icy eyes look simmered down. Eva sits down beside him on the livingroom couch, placing a comforting hand on his knee. She squeezes slightly, and my cousin smiles at her ever so slightly. Teresa watches them from the doorway to the kitchen, sipping on a mug of tea. I watch all of this leaning against the door, having just entered the house that is now our base.

"So," Teresa speaks first, breaking the silence. "Any news, you guys?"

We all shake our heads.

"My dad called today." Jared says it so quietly I barely hear him. But, I do, and I subconsciously lean towards him in anticipation.

I think Eva knew. She must have. That's why Jared called this meeting.

"It wasn't good news, was it?" Teresa asks, crossing her arms across her chest. She keeps her face impassive, but I can tell she's nervous to hear the news.

"Cody," Eva mutters, lifting her eyes to mine. "He's going to strike. Soon."

My eyes go wide. "Strike? What do you mean? What's his plan?"

"To terminate us," Jared sighs. "To terminate us for helping Autumn defeat him. But, it gets worse."

"Oh joy," I mutter sarcastically.

"Remember Leane?"

"Yeah, the rebel leader that Autumn is taking care of, right?"

"She's the one that saved your father's life, and he's sided with her. Whatever she's planning with her rebels, he's going to be a part of it."

My face pales. My blood runs cold. Shit. "Are you sure your dad isn't lying?"

Jared glares at me. "I'm pretty sure."

"How? Leane was trying to get rid of his Chips for crying out loud!" Teresa exclaims, horror evident on her face.

"Well, now they have a common goal; your dad to gain back power and Leane to gain it. He couldn't by himself, so he allied with Leane. That's all my dad told me. He also said he probably can't risk communication again," Jared tells us all.

"Why would Leane save him?" Teresa whispers. 

This is worse than I thought. So much worse. Sure, having two distinct threats was one things, but from what Autumn told me- those new Chips. The training. "Because she needed him to help him create that new Chip. And if we don't do something soon, everyone will have a Chip again, and we'll have two crazy leaders trying to get revenge on us."

We all gulp.

_____

HAPPY FORTH OF JULY! I'm going to see the fireworks! Please go rate Removed on Goodreads! Refer to the update on Removed for more information. What do you guys think of the twist? Of the book so far?

-Sarah