Free The Collection by Shannon Stoker Page A

some clues.”
    Riley let the air rush between her lips and they flapped against each other.
    â€œFor the last two hundred years or so, I don’t know, maybe since the beginning of time even, women have been fighting for equality,” Riley said. “All over the world, for the most part, they were seen as the weaker sex. Then about a century ago, maybe more, it started happening everywhere. Women were equals to men, including in America. Then there was a war.”
    â€œThe Great War,” Mia said.
    â€œThe Great War, World War III, the Great Conflict,” Riley said. “Lots of different names for it.”
    â€œWhat was it about?” Mia asked.
    â€œDoes it matter?” Riley said. “America was important; they were late to join the fight and sided with the good guys. If America hadn’t joined I can’t imagine what kind of suffering would be in Ireland today. They were our saviors.”
    â€œSo we were the good guys?”
    â€œOnce the war was done the world was in ruins,” Riley said. “It wasn’t fought on this continent. It was overseas, near my home, and in other places around the globe. We were too busy cleaning up, and then a few years later the Registry existed. America closed its borders but kept a huge armed force. They made it clear to the rest of the world they’d offer help in times of grave danger, and they still do.”
    â€œThat doesn’t explain anything,” Mia said. “What caused the Registry to come into existence? How could everything change just like that?”
    Riley looked away.
    â€œTell me,” Mia said.
    â€œThey don’t teach American history in Irish schools.”
    â€œYou’re an intelligence officer,” Mia said. “You know. Tell me.”
    â€œDisease struck your homeland,” Riley said. “When the soldiers returned home there wasn’t much of a home to come back to. People were sick and dying.”
    â€œDidn’t they get their shots?” Mia asked.
    â€œSome,” Riley said. “Not like we have today.”
    â€œNo other country came and helped us?”
    â€œThey were all torn apart by the war,” Riley said.
    â€œSo America steps in to help your country and you turn your backs?” Mia asked. “You didn’t mind when all women became slaves?”
    â€œI hadn’t been born,” Riley said.
    â€œWhy not step in and help now?” Mia asked. “You have a position of power; you can do something.”
    â€œInternational politics are a tricky thing,” Riley said.
    â€œThere’s nothing tricky about it,” Mia said. “People are suffering and you choose not to help. Your country focuses on its own problems instead.”
    â€œI’m helping you, aren’t I?” Riley asked.
    â€œBecause it furthers your own agenda,” Mia said.
    â€œThat’s cruel and untrue,” Riley said. “Before the war there were one hundred ninety-six sovereign countries. Do you know how many exist today?”
    Mia shook her head, but she wasn’t ready to back down.
    â€œToday there are ninety-three countries; tomorrow there might be ninety-two or ninety-four, because countries keep merging and revolting. Before the war Ireland was a small island; now it’s a group of small islands and some large ones too. The whole world was rearranged!”
    Riley’s voice was deepening. Mia felt a pang of guilt. Over half the world was lost in a war.
    â€œMe and you are starting our plan, and I don’t even know if my husband is there. I may be putting his life in danger to get your boys out.”
    â€œJust because we were spotted last night and your timeline was pushed up,” Mia said.
    â€œWhatever the reason, I am helping you,” Riley said. “Have you ever come across someone who gave you assistance without benefiting themselves at all?”
    Yes, Mia thought. Andrew.
    Right now she needed this