He’s right.

I break the rules without guilt and feed bits of my sandwich to a purring Margaret as I circle the sites I think will have the most people in attendance tonight. Then I call Rose to give her an update. She listens to my ideas, and I can hear the hope in her voice as she helps me winnow down the list of locations even further. Gloss magazine dispatches photographers and reporters to events around the city all the time, and Rose is a well of information as to what types of events are the best draws and even has an idea for how we can use a different location to create an extra distraction—one that will hopefully give us more time to get the truth out to the city.

My phone cuts in and out as Rose gives me a quick update on what is happening aboveground. Her father claims to be in negotiations with the gang he’s blaming for Isaac’s kidnapping but says the police don’t have any leads as to where Isaac is being held. Despite the terrible connection, her anger comes through loud and clear, and she is glad to play her own part in our plan. By the time Atlas returns to tell me it’s time to go, I have settled on six specific areas in the city that will be the main focus of tonight’s rebellion. I just hope I’ve chosen well, because time is ticking and there is no telling how long we have before Isaac and Atticus are either killed or shipped out of the city to who knows where.

“Dewey and Spine are waiting for us in the tunnels,” Atlas says as I fold up Dewey’s map and shove it and the list I’ve created into my bag. “Are you ready?” he asks, holding out a hand.

Margaret barely looks up from her nap as I pull my hat down low over my forehead, put my hand in Atlas’s, and say, “Let’s go.”

The Lyceum is humming with low conversations and hurried activities as the time remaining until the lockdown dwindles. I spot two Stewards hugging each other before one hurries toward an exit. It must not only be Spine and her Stokers who aren’t interested in giving up their freedom for safety.

Spine and Dewey are just inside the tunnel when we duck through the exit.

“Are all the Stokers out?” Atlas asks as Spine turns and we fall in step behind her.

“All but four,” Dewey answers.

And Spine explains, “They wanted the chance to convince a few of their friends to join us. They promised to be at the exit station in thirty minutes for their assignments. We could use the extra help.”

We turn the corner and slow as we come face-to-face with Scarlett and two Stewards I’ve never seen before.

Scarlett slows. “Spine, just the person I’ve been looking for. I’m concerned with reports that a number of Stokers have yet to return from their final runs. I assured Holden they would be back before the doors are locked at midnight, but he is worried . . .” Her voice trails off and her eyes narrow as she spots me standing in the shadows behind Spine. “What is Folio’s daughter doing here? I thought I made it clear we didn’t need any distractions right now.”