I stare at the weird device, at the tiny rectangle Molly holds in our direction. Cody stands to my left with his head held high, and Eva to my right with a rigid spine. Avery and Aubrey are planted beside Eva, both with a sense of confidence in their gazes. I gulp, clenching my fists as I try to shake away my nerves. Then, I stare at the translucent square and notice Molly counting down with her fingers.

5.

My friends begin fidgeting. 

4.

I take a deep breath and force my face into a calm mask. I can do this. We can do this.

3.

The public deserves to know, deserves the right to fight. 

2.

I'm ready. I'm ready for this fight to really begin.

1.

This is it. No turning back now.

Molly gives a thumbs-up, and I stare straight at the rectangle. It's now broadcasting us all across the city. We currently stand in Molly's living room, our backs pressed against a gray wall. Immediately, my fear is pushed to the back of my mind. Immediately, my brain forces out the words I know I need to say.

"Hello, everyone," I start, exhaling a breath. "My name is Autumn Morales. I have no idea if you remember me as the girl wanted by the government a while ago, or the girl that got rid of Chips." I let out a nervous laugh as memories rush back to me. "You all have been living in ignorance as a fight happens all around you, a fight for your freedom. For all of your freedom. I'm not the government. My friends, allies, and I aren't the government. We're just like all of you. Citizens of this world. If you want, we'd love you to help us in a  battle that will take place in two days. This battle will be extremely important."

 I go on to explain Chips, to explain Leane, to explain everything from the beginning. There is no holding back, no withholding information. Everything is now out in the open, and I don't care what the government has to say about it. They had a chance to help, but they put everyone in jeopardy. It's time for people to know what's really going on, because it's not right to keep them in the dark. Now, it's not just my fight. It's everyone's.

At one point, I stop talking. Cody starts, and I tune into his soothing voice. However, my brain won't allow me to focus on the words spoken, won't allow me to form them into coherent sentences in my mind. Eva speaks, then Aubrey, and Avery. I know they all share how they got involved in this, in me. 

"If Autumn can't get through this, no one can," I hear Aubrey state. I turn to see she has a smile spread across her features. She turns to me, and her smile holds. "She's an amazing friend, and she never gave up on me, not even with my problems."

"It's not just me," I speak up, shaking my head. "It's not just my fight anymore. I'm not some leader here to tell everyone what to do."

Avery laughs. "She knows that, girl. But someone needs to be the face of this, and you're that face."

Turning to the camera, I see Molly grimacing behind it as she furiously taps. "I'm losing control! Wrap it up!" She whispers, her voice barely carrying over to me.

I nod, running a hand down my face. I can't panic. I can't let my emotions overtake me. No, that's what I've been letting them do the past few days. If my friends have faith in me, then I need to have faith in myself. So, I stare straight into the square as Molly curses out loud.

"Leane, Derek, Jeremy, Herold. If any of you are watching this, it's on. You haven't broken me yet, and now you have to face the repercussions of your actions. To anyone who wants to help, go to the cemetery in two days at midnight."

"And- the government took back control," Molly sighs, lowering the square.

I smile widely. "So? We got our message across, and that's all that matters. Let them have their stupid tvs while we gain the support of the population."

Molly turns to put away her square, and I turn to my friends. They're all smiling, although a bit tersely. 

Avery walks over to me and pats my shoulder. "I'm proud of you."

I smile at her. "Thanks, Avery. "

Aubrey walks up beside her, grinning widely. She loops an arm through Avery's, and they both grin at each other. My heart warms knowing that they have each other, even in a time like this.

"So, are you guys officially together now?" I can't help but ask.

They surprise me by eagerly nodding.

"I'm so happy!" I exclaim , pulling them both into a hug. "I knew you guys were meant to be!" As I pull away from them, I catch sight of Eva. She tries to smile, but I can see the pain in her eyes. She's still thinking about Jared and his betrayal.

As I open my mouth to speak to her, she walks over and places a hand on my arm. "Don't worry about me, Autumn. Healing just takes a bit of time."

I nod, but I can't help feeling worried about her.

Cody walks over to me with a soft smile. "Well, now we just wait. Hopefully we'll win this thing."

Something twists in my gut, and I can't help but think of what happens if we don't win. Before I can respond to him, Molly walks back into the room with a grin on her face.

"I'm ready to begin installing Chips. I've called all the others without Chips. Eva, Cody, Avery, come with me."

They follow her out of the living room, and I can't help but feel a bit relieved. At least they'll have Chips and ways to defend themselves. At least we'll have more of a fighting chance.

"Avery is the best," Aubrey gushes beside me. "I never things would get better for me after my first girlfriend died and then- Rachel."

I smile at her. "Well, they did. You deserve the world. Don't you ever forget that."

"I'm going to catch up with Avery so I can be there for her procedure. See you later, Autumn!" Aubrey exclaims, rushing out of the room.

I beam after her, but my lips settle into a frown as someone else walks into the room. I walk over to the beaten couch and sit down, waiting for the lecture that is sure to come.

"Hey, Hailee," I sigh. I'm not really in the mood for her to yell at me. Not only that, but staring at her face causes my gut to twist. She's not her twin, I have to remind myself. Monica is-dead, and she died to help me. I still can't believe she died to help me. Does Hailee even know she's dead?

Hailee lets out a breath, then plops down next to me. "Stop looking so terrified. I'm not here to yell at you, Autumn."

My eyes widen. "You told me not to go to Leane's base, but I did anyways. Monica is dead," my voice catches, "and you can blame me. Go ahead."

She shakes her head, and blinks away the tears forming in her eyes. "She died because she wanted to, because she finally did the right thing. And, if you hadn't snuck out, where would we be? We wouldn't have Chips, and we'd be stuck with a traitor."

I grimace. "I guess you're right. Where is everyone staying, anyways?"

Hailee smiles slightly. "Molly's basement."

My eyes widen even more. "Basement?"

"Yeah. I guess she didn't tell you about it?" Hailee laughs. "You don't need to worry. You've done more than your part, and you've stressed enough. Just relax. You're going to need a clear head in two days."

I lean back against the couch, squeezing my eyes shut. Anxiety rises within me. "I can't just relax while so much is going on!"

I feel Hailee place a hand on my knee. "Whatever is going to happen will just- happen. Stressing out won't make us any more likely to succeed at our goal, okay?"

Letting out a breath, I nod. She's right, but it doesn't make it any easier to not worry.

I hear Hailee get up and leave. "Where's the basement?"

"Do you want me to show you?"

I nod, then hop up and follow her out of the room. She walks past the kitchen and into the hallway we enter in. Then, she places a hand on the right wall. I gasp as her hand is illuminated in blue and the wall parts. Hailee looks back at me and smirks, then walks into the darkness. I follow without hesitation, descending the stairs that have illuminated themselves in a blueish glow. I hear the wall shut behind me, and try to keep pace with Hailee. It doesn't take long to reach the bottom, and I immediately spot the two hundred people who decided to fight with us. They all fit comfortably in the large concrete space. I think most of Leane's base could fit in this basement!

Everyone is lined up in front of Molly at the front side of the room. A few people are off to the side, practicing with their newly-installed Chips. 

Hailee spins around to grin at me. "Here it is."

After I thank her, I walk over to the few people practicing. Might as well help them.