4.3
Jelani had worked the radio once before, so he knew where to find the microphone and which frequency to broadcast on.
It was nighttime, he remembered, so making contact would be more difficult than during the day.
But it was still possible, and he tuned the radio to the night band and flipped a switch on the table.
"Hello?" he spoke into the microphone. "I want a response from Bone Creek, nobody else. I'm in Hoodsdale, and this is urgent."
– – – – –
100 miles away, Skye sprinted into a radio shack with Jelani's group following behind her.
"Skye!" Pete exclaimed when she burst in the door. "Someone's made contact from Hoodsdale! 'Is voice is fuzzy, but he says he wants to speak to us!"
"Let me talk to them," Skye commanded urgently, shooing Pete out of his seat and leaning over the microphone.
"Who are you?" she asked without hesitation.
"...wh- re you?"
The voice on the other side was muffled and static, but Skye understood what it was trying to ask.
"Skye," she spoke in as clear a voice as possible, "from Bone Creek."
"Per-ect" the voice fizzed back. "Are you responsible for what's happening in Hoodsdale?" it asked a little more clearly.
"What do you mean?" Skye asked quickly. "What's happening?"
"...Is Echo with you?" was the voice's response.
Skye spun around and motioned for Echo to join her at the mic.
"Go ahead," she said, stepping aside.
Echo hesitated, wondering who might be listening to their exchange and what she would be giving away.
"This is Echo."
"Don't trust Skye," the voice on the other side said. "She might be an enemy"
With that, the incoming broadcast ended and Jelani's voice was replaced with static.
Echo slowly turned her head towards Skye.
"What did he mean by that?"
Skye met Echo's eyes in shocked surprise.
"I-I don't know."
"I mean, you are Blake's brother, right?" Yumi chimed in from the doorway. "Maybe you guys are working together?"
"HUH?"
Echo stood up straight and stepped up to Skye's face.
She and Skye were the same height, but Echo seemed to tower over Bone Creek's leader as she pierced her with contempt.
"Is Yumi right?" she growled.
Skye took a faltering step backwards. "H-he is my brother, but we aren't working together! I haven't spoken to him since we were kids!"
"Ahh, if only that Nikki chick was here to tell us if you're lying," Echo sighed. "I don't know what to think, Skye. After your whole speech about the importance of trust, you seem pretty shady."
"I swear!" Skye exclaimed. "I have no idea what's happening in Hoodsdale, and I haven't lied to you once!"
"Yeah, we'll see," Echo grumbled.
She turned around. "I guess we're all sharing a room tonight, guys. Have to make sure we don't get murdered in our sleep."
"Echo!" Skye grabbed Echo's shirt just as she was stepping out the doorway. "I'm not your enemy! I'll happily prove it to you, so please believe me!"
Echo turned her head, pink eyes glowing in the dark.
"I trust Jelani more than I trust you."
– – – – –
As Skye had requested, the rising of the sun was greeted by nine tenths of Bone Creek's strength, all armed and ready for battle.
Would battle even be necessary? And what exactly had happened in Hoodsdale?
Skye didn't know the answer until she woke up that morning, dark bags under her eyes and a stagger to her step as she stumbled out the door.
"Skye."
Odin had been waiting for her.
Skye rubbed her eyes. "Eh?"
"We received another broadcast from Hoodsdale. We recorded it, if you'd like to go hear it now."
Skye froze, slowly letting her hand drop to her side. "What did it say?"
"It was a request for help," Odin replied grimly. "They said that an unknown intruder forcefully took control of the city. Several officials were killed when they attempted to mobilize the military against the visitor. One large group of soldiers did, however, successfully surround the target… but they too were killed."
"Was there a response?" Skye asked, suddenly as wide awake as she'd ever been.
"Yes," Odin answered. "They had a brief back and forth with Great Heights around thirty minutes ago. But when they revealed that there was only a single target, the speaker from Great Heights promptly refused to send anyone."
Skye narrowed her eyes. "Did they ever mention us?"
"Us?" Odin repeated.
Skye shook her head. "Never mind. Let's go."
With the rising sun on their left, Odin and Skye navigated the dusty dirt streets of Bone Creek.
At the southwest gate, they stopped.
Gathered there were hundreds of the city's most powerful warriors. They were dressed in a wide variety of clothing, some in traditional tactical gear, some with protective plates, and others wearing oddly casual outfits.
Echo's rebel group was there too, staying close together and on the outskirts of the Bone Creek army. After Jelani's radio broadcast, they suddenly felt vulnerable and exposed amidst the hidden city's overwhelming strength.
These were not the kind of people they wanted as enemies.
After taking their places at the lead of the army, Skye turned to Odin.
"Is Leon here?" she asked.
"I spoke with him last night," Odin replied. "He'll join us."
Skye nodded and stepped forward, placing her hand on the gate.
The doors swung open, and Odin turned around to address his army.
"For those unaware," he announced, "we have five full days of travel ahead of us. We are going to Hoodsdale, because big things are stirring in the world! What happens next will determine humanity's future, and we are going to have our say! Everyone, be strong!"
He turned, and five hundred pairs of feet followed him.
With the warriors' families at the front, the city's civilians waved teary goodbyes, shouting words of encouragement and love.
"YOU GUYS ARE UNBEATABLE!!" Jackson yelled from the middle of the crowd.
"WE BELIEVE IN YOU!" Claire called out with her arms wrapped around his waist.
She wiped her eyes and sniffled as they watched the final few warriors cross the city's border, flashing reassuring smiles back at their passionate supporters.
"They're gonna be ok, right?" Claire sniffled.
"Yes," Jackson declared, his face set with confidence. "As citizens of Bone Creek, we should know. Our warriors are the strongest there are. They have each other's backs, and they will never give up!"
He clenched his jaw and puffed out his chest, staring at the warriors' backs as if in salute.
"They're gonna be ok."