Chapter 2: Rosabelle
Contains spoilersOverview
Rosabelle is ambushed by Soledad, the island’s head of security, for an impromptu interrogation that becomes a work assignment: executing captured spies. Their exchange reveals the community’s surveillance culture, Rosabelle’s unique disconnection from the Nexus, and the enduring sanctions on her and Clara because of their father. Under pressure and bargaining for medicine, food, and firewood for Clara, Rosabelle agrees to kill four prisoners at once.
Summary
On a snowy morning in the pit, Rosabelle encounters Soledad, formerly a lieutenant under her father and now head of island security. He trails her and initiates an unannounced interrogation in public, probing her missed meeting and testing her reactions. Rosabelle notes his aging body, prosthetic arm, and the faint blue glow of his Nexus interface, which contrasts with her own unconnected state.
Rosabelle adjusts her plans, avoiding a hidden, illegal locked shed that she alone can access. She recalls how privacy and surveillance were core tenets of The Reestablishment, words once echoed by her father. Soledad grips her chin, remarking on the difficulty of reading her thoughts because she lacks a network connection, a result of failed and traumatic experiments after her mother’s death.
When asked why she missed the meeting, Rosabelle cites Clara’s illness, explaining that Clara vomited blood. Soledad mocks their hunger, and a grim interlude follows: gunshots fell two crows, and Soledad crushes them underfoot, a gesture laden with resentment toward the New Republic era. The neighborhood watches from windows, fearful of Soledad’s presence.
The scene turns when Soledad reveals he has “real work” for Rosabelle. As he speaks, he violently disciplines Zadie’s twin sons, Jonah and Micah, using his Nexus to paralyze Micah and docking their rations, then threatens Zadie with extended sanctions. Rosabelle remains impassive to survive the moment, remembering their former life of privilege before sanctions after her father surrendered to the rebels.
Rosabelle asks how many executions are required to lift sanctions, but Soledad refuses to commit, saying her father still feeds secrets to the enemy and that her unreadable mind will always make her suspect. He then offers a deal: Rosabelle can kill four captured spies—three already processed and one new detainee who is screaming—and afterward he will “see about” medicine for Clara, as well as food and firewood.
Weighing Clara’s need, Rosabelle negotiates to execute all four at once and to do it immediately. She reflects that more humane methods exist but that the spectacle is intentional. As a helicopter’s hum announces the operation—something Clara will recognize—Soledad grants her latitude in the method, praising her “creativity,” and Rosabelle commits to the task.
Who Appears
- Rosabelle
protagonist; sanctioned resident of the pit, uniquely disconnected from the Nexus; negotiates with Soledad and agrees to execute four spies in exchange for aid for Clara.
- Soledad
head of island security; former lieutenant under Rosabelle’s father; prosthetic arm and Nexus-linked; initiates an interrogation, punishes locals, and tasks Rosabelle with executions.
- Clara
Rosabelle’s younger sister; ill and starving; referenced as vomiting blood and likely witnessing the helicopter from home.
- Zadie
neighbor in the pit; mother of the twins; threatened with extended sanctions by Soledad.
- Micah
Zadie’s twin son; paralyzed via Soledad’s Nexus and has rations revoked.
- Jonah
Zadie’s twin son; scolded and implicated in the incident leading to ration loss.
- Four captured spies
new; prisoners slated for execution by Rosabelle, including one new arrival who reacts badly to a sedative and screams.