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"We have to be smart," Helena spoke, addressing the crowd that had gathered together in the church. "And not like children, not angry, not impetuous, not gullible. We have to mistrust easy sales pitches that life will be magically better. We can't allow ourselves to be moved by voices that speak only to our anger and frustration. Allie's not a perfect leader. No one is. But for the past five months, we've survived because she kept us together–"
The double doors burst open, the sound of the commotion interrupting Helena's speech. Luke trailed in with Harry and Lexie either side of him, Rosa following behind the three of them, firm looks etched over their faces, nobody daring to break character even for a second.
Helena's eyes darted between the four of them, her unsure gaze lingering on Rosa for a few moments before landing solely on Luke. "What's going on?"
"It's all right," Luke reassured as they continued heading down the church aisle, their forceful presence demanding everybody's attention.
"Luke, what's happening?" Helena pressed.
"Trust me," he replied.
Rosa began to slow to a stop as they reached the front of the church, each of them turning to address the crowd.
"I'm in the middle of–"
"It's all right," Luke repeated.
"What are you doing with Lexie?" Helena questioned, lowering her voice as she faced him. "Luke, why are they here?" She looked past him. "Rosa? What's going on?"
Luke stepped up beside her, turning his head to whisper quietly in her ear. "It's all right. Trust me."
Rosa avoided Helena's stare, not wanting to break the facade she'd been upholding. She stood closely beside Harry, watching as Lexie took a step forwards to speak.
"I'm sorry to do it this this way," Lexie began, hushing the confused whisperings. "But there isn't going to be an election."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, questions filling the air from everybody, including Helena, who looked back and forth between them all incredulously. "What?"
"Allie and Will have been arrested by the Guard," Lexie informed. "They're under house arrest right now for trying to steal the election."
"I don't believe that," Helena interrupted, her resistance briefly quelling the shocked gasps and whispers breaking out around the church. "Luke–"
"I heard them talking about it when they didn't realize I was in the room," Luke clarified. Rosa tightened her jaw, focusing her attention on the wall at the back of the room. She hated this. "But they control the ballots. They weren't gonna lose."
