The following days at the school were marked by a tension that seemed to seep into the walls themselves. Moxie felt it with every glance from the guards, every whispered conversation between the girls. Something was changing, and it was growing bigger than any of them could comprehend.
Moxie kept her promise to Riley and stayed quiet about their discovery of Elise's group. She watched carefully, noting who among the girls seemed to be part of the secret circle and who appeared to remain oblivious. Meanwhile, Riley began sharing more of what he knew, though he remained frustratingly vague at times.
"There are things you're better off not knowing," he would say when she pressed too hard for details. But Moxie knew that every piece of information he shared brought her one step closer to understanding the full scope of what they were up against.
Late one night, as the moon cast long shadows across the courtyard, Moxie lay awake in her bunk, thoughts racing. Lily, in the bunk beside her, shifted restlessly.
"Can't sleep either?" Moxie whispered.
Lily sighed, turning to face her. "How could I? Things are changing around here. I can feel it. And I don't like it."
Moxie hesitated, debating how much to say. "There's more going on than we realize, Lily. Some of the girls… they're planning something."
Lily's eyes widened. "Planning what? To run away?"
Moxie shook her head. "No, something bigger. I'm not sure yet, but I think it's about fighting back against the emperor."
Lily's face turned pale. "Fighting back? That's… that's madness. They'll get caught, Moxie. And then what?"
"That's why we have to be careful," Moxie replied, her voice firm. "But maybe, just maybe, they have a chance. And if they do, then we need to know about it. We can't keep living like this."
Lily stared at her for a long moment, uncertainty and fear etched on her features. Then, slowly, she nodded. "Alright. But promise me you won't do anything reckless."
"I promise," Moxie said, though a knot of doubt twisted in her stomach. The path ahead was full of risk, but she couldn't ignore the feeling that this was their only chance.
The next day, Moxie decided it was time to confront Elise. She needed answers, and she needed to know where the others stood. As the girls went about their morning routines, she spotted Elise near the dining hall, talking quietly with a few others. Moxie steeled herself and approached, heart pounding in her chest.
"Elise," she called out, trying to keep her voice steady. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Elise turned, her gaze sharp as it locked onto Moxie. The other girls around her glanced at each other nervously, then slowly dispersed, leaving the two alone.
"What is it?" Elise asked, her tone guarded.
Moxie took a deep breath. "I know about your group, and I want to help. But I need to understand what you're planning. What are you trying to achieve?"
For a moment, Elise studied Moxie, her expression unreadable. Then, she nodded toward a secluded corner of the courtyard. "Walk with me."
Moxie followed, her nerves on edge. Once they were out of earshot, Elise spoke, her voice low and serious.
"You're brave to approach me like this," she began. "Most girls here are too scared to ask questions. But bravery can get you killed, Moxie. You need to know that."
"I'm aware," Moxie replied, meeting Elise's gaze steadily. "But I'm tired of being scared. If you're planning something that could change things, I want to be a part of it."
Elise sighed, crossing her arms. "Very well. Here's the truth. We believe the emperor is preparing for a major campaign, one that will tighten his grip on every corner of the empire. If that happens, there will be no escape, not for us or anyone else."
Moxie felt a chill run through her. "So what do you intend to do?"
"There are whispers of a resistance forming beyond these walls," Elise continued. "A network of people who want to see the emperor's rule come to an end. Our plan is to make contact with them, to gather information that could expose the emperor's secrets—his weaknesses."
Moxie's mind raced. "You mean the rumors about his… powers?"
Elise nodded. "Yes. The emperor's dark powers are the key to his control. If we can find a way to neutralize them, we might have a chance. It's a long shot, and it's dangerous, but it's all we've got."
Moxie considered Elise's words, the enormity of what they were up against settling like a weight on her shoulders. "And how do you plan to make contact with this resistance?"
"There's a supply convoy arriving in two weeks," Elise said. "It's our best chance. One of the drivers is sympathetic to our cause. We're planning to smuggle a message out with him."
Moxie nodded slowly. "I want to help. Tell me what I can do."
Elise gave her a long, hard look. "Alright. But understand this: once you're in, there's no turning back. If the warden or the emperor's agents find out… they won't hesitate to make an example out of you."
"I understand," Moxie replied, a flicker of fear tempered by determination. "I'm ready."
For the first time, Elise allowed a small, grim smile. "Good. Then let's get to work. We don't have much time."
As they walked back toward the main building, Moxie felt a sense of resolve settle over her. The path ahead was uncertain and fraught with danger, but for the first time, she felt like she was taking control of her own fate. She glanced back at Elise, a question forming in her mind.
"Why do you trust me?" Moxie asked quietly.
Elise paused, her eyes flickering with a hint of sadness. "Because once, a long time ago, I was like you. I wanted to fight back, to change things. And I learned the hard way that we can't do it alone. We need people we can trust, people who are willing to take risks for something greater than themselves."
Moxie nodded, a sense of kinship forming between them. They were both trapped in a world that sought to break them, but together, they might just find a way to defy it.
As they re-entered the building, Moxie caught sight of Riley in the hallway, his eyes narrowing as he spotted her with Elise. She gave him a reassuring nod, silently conveying that she was okay. He sighed, crossing his arms as he watched them approach.
"Looks like you've been busy," Riley remarked, his tone edged with concern. "Care to fill me in?"
Moxie exchanged a glance with Elise, then turned to Riley. "We've got a lot to talk about. But for now, let's just say things are about to get a lot more interesting around here."