Back in the library, Sam and George were relaxing and reading books after their success at freeing at least some people from the government's grasp.
"Will Elena be okay?" George asked.
"I'm pretty sure she will be fine," Sam replied confidently.
George sighed. "Well… since we succeeded, the government might start paying attention to us. Sooner or later they'll take action. Leaving Elena alone might not have been the right decision."
Sam closed his book and looked at George calmly.
"Your concern makes sense," he said. "But if the government launches an investigation, it will take time. Besides, we worked anonymously and removed our tracks. It won't be easy for them to hunt us down no matter what"
He smiled confidently.
"And if Elena gets into trouble, she will contact us through the robotic birds. So don't worry, George. Our plan is working… and soon we will bring down the government."
George looked at Sam's confident smile and couldn't help but smile back.
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I was scared to death. I couldn't see the person standing in front of me. Who is it? What do they want from me? Are they after me? Oh God… I began to shake with fear.
"Don't be afraid, child. I am not here to harm you."
I flinched as he began to speak. His voice was deep and a little shaky. It sent chills down my spine. From the sound of it, I could tell the person in front of me was a man. Even though he told me not to be afraid, I couldn't help it. It isn't normal to be in a dark place at night with a stranger.
He coughed, drawing my attention back to him.
"If anything, I am on your side, girl."
On our side? What is he talking about?
He took a step forward from the shadows. Slowly, his body emerged into view. He was an old man, leaning on a walking stick like the ones elderly people usually carry. I nervously looked up at his face. He looked extremely old, with white hair and a long beard. I would guess he was in his seventies.
But strangely, he stood and moved like a normal person. I had always thought old people were weak because most of the ones I had seen struggled to walk. Yet this man didn't seem to have lost his strength.
"On our side, you say? What does that mean?" I asked, my voice nervous and shaky.
"Oh, you don't understand?" he said. "I am on your side. I will help you and your friends. Isn't that simple?"
He held up a book.
"This book… you recognize it, don't you? Your friend gave it to me." He looked at me with curiosity. "What are you all planning? Trying to rebel against the government? For what? Just to give up your lives and die without meaning?"
He laughed cruelly.
Suddenly, he stopped laughing and stared directly into my eyes, as if he could see into my soul. I was genuinely terrified of this old man.
"But… I said I will help you, didn't I?" he continued. "That I will do. But the real question is this: will that help mean anything? Will anything truly come from it? Will all the work you've done have meaning? That is what I wish to know."
He smiled, and there was a hint of mockery in it. Then he leaned back slightly, putting some distance between us.
"We… we are not doing this just to die…" I began weakly, my voice shaking.
"We are doing this for the future—to save people from the government's grasp and set them free. We are doing this for freedom. And even if we die… the people of the future will carry on our plan. As long as our ideas survive, the fight will continue. Our work is not meaningless. It has meaning, and I won't let our ideas die—not yet!"
When I finished speaking, I was gasping for air.
The old man looked amazed, but he didn't immediately reply.
Still on my guard, I asked, "Who are you?"
He smiled at me.
"Forgive my rudeness for appearing like this," he said. "I won't keep you waiting any longer. Allow me to introduce myself properly."
He chuckled softly.
"I am Roger… the Unknowable Warrior."
"Unknowable warrior?" I said, still frightened. "What kind of strange name is that?"
"Shesh…" he sighed with a small smile. "I will explain everything to you, young lady. Everything."
He stepped back and gestured for me to follow him.
"Come with me, child," he said calmly. "I will tell you… and lead you to 'the truth'."