Solstice by Jane Redd Page A

Carriers knew what they were up against. They’d started a plan to take over the Legislature, then to stop the rain. Even if it had been accomplished in Rose’s lifetime, it would take generations for the earth to restore itself to even half of what it once was. The earlier generations would need to make all of the sacrifices for the benefit of the later generations.
    I thought about what else Rose had said—there were more Carriers than just herself. Who had started the movement? And how many Carriers were left?
    I was caught trying to cut out my Harmony implant. Carriers everywhere have been executed for one reason or another as they refuse to conform. If the Legislature knew these rebels were carriers, there would be an all-out war. I await my own trial now. And although I know there is no hope, I’ll walk proudly to the judges’ council. I may die because I believe in the power of love and the power of choice. No matter what they say, I still believe that people are good and can make right decisions. I believe the world can find redemption if given a chance. I refuse to tell them where I put the Carrier key. And I refuse to name the father of my baby—the Council will discover I’m pregnant soon enough when my belly grows in prison. My mother has promised to put in a petition to raise the child as her own in case I am not released. If I am sentenced to execution, I’ll tell my mother where this journal is. I’ll tell her about the key and where I’ve hidden it.
    The writing ended, and I leafed through the remaining blank pages, wondering how long she lived after that. If Rose had only followed the rules, she would have had many more pages of her life to write about. But where would that leave me? Naomi wouldn’t have been born, and I wouldn’t be here, either. Maybe none of the keys would have been passed down, and I wouldn’t be a Carrier.
    My own grandmother had turned her back on the Legislature. She’d ignored the rules that were for her benefit. And my mother was a product of that. A shiver passed through me like a warning. So am I.
    As if to match my mood, the rain came in thick torrents, slamming against our single window. The lamppost light cut through the darkness, but did nothing to dispel the feeling of gloom.
    I looked up at Chalice. Her mouth was pulled into a tight line, and she gave me a single nod. “I saw you reading the book last night when you thought I was asleep. So I waited until you fell asleep and then I read it, too,” she said in a low voice. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t my business.”
    Surprisingly, I didn’t feel mad, or betrayed—only worried. “You shouldn’t have. Now we can both get into trouble.”
    Chalice lifted a shoulder. “Not more than I did wearing this.” She held up her hand, displaying the metal ring.
    “Why are you still wearing that?” Apparently Chalice hadn’t learned her lesson in Detention. Or . . . I studied her. She was courageous. Fearless.
    She was silent for a moment before she spoke. “It’s not why you think. I’m not ready to go over the edge and get myself Demoted. This ring brings me comfort, that’s all.”
    “It’s just a piece of metal; how can that be comforting?” After reading about Rose’s stubbornness, I couldn’t bear to see Chalice act the same way, to take the same risks.
    Chalice’s expression was blank, impossible to read. How could she believe in any of the ancient religions when they had corrupted so many people?
    As the silence filled with the driving rain outside, I closed my eyes, thinking of Rose’s final words.
    If I am sentenced to execution, I’ll tell my mother where this journal is. I’ll tell her about the key and where I’ve hidden it.
    Rose didn’t have to die so soon. Even now, thirty-seven years after her death, no Carrier had activated the generators. And the Harmony implants had protected the city from rebellions, saving many lives. Was that so wrong?
    Naomi’s voice popped into my mind. You