Moirai (23 page)

“You're in Genesis.” I smiled, staring down at him.

“You're alive,” Dylan gasped. I turned around to see his
father standing behind me as he walked around to give Joshua a hug. “I missed
you, son.”

“I missed you too.” Joshua returned the hug before we
both helped him to his feet. “I'm okay,” he insisted, lifting the hem of his
shirt. There was a slight scar and dried blood but the injury had healed.

Dylan raised an inquisitive eye as he glanced at me.
“What the hell are you, child?”

“Just an ordinary girl.” I laughed nervously, hoping I
wasn't in more danger from what I'd just done.

“I'm not sure I'd call you that.” Dylan wrapped an arm
around Joshua's waist. “Let me get you home.”

“Dad,” Joshua resisted.

“No. Listen, son. Everyone thinks you're dead. If you
show up in Town Square perfectly fine and healthy, it'll look suspicious.”

“I am healthy and fine,” Joshua reminded his father.

Dylan shot me a look. “Tell him you agree with me.”

I didn't want to agree with Dylan. “Your father's right.”
I had to do what was best for Joshua and for myself.

Dylan let out a sigh of relief. “Good. I can get him home
unnoticed. There's a meeting going on right now, Olivia. You should be a part
of it.”

“Me?” I was shocked. “Why?”

“Just go,” he insisted, patting me on the back to move
along.

My stomach somersaulted, uncertain if I should leave
Joshua alone with his father. I didn't think Dylan would hurt his son, but
after what he'd witnessed, I wasn't sure. “Okay, I'll be back.” I stared at
Joshua, letting him tell me if he wasn't okay.
You got this?
I mentally
asked, knowing he'd tell me if he didn't.

I'll be fine; you should see what my father is talking
about. I'll catch up with you later, for a proper reunion
. I leaned in,
dropping a quick kiss to his cheek before heading towards the commotion in
town.

From atop the stage, the same platform where the marriage
ceremony and ‘The Day of the Chosen’ took place, Jordan rallied the people.

“We can't stand by and watch our children be taken from
us. We're slaves to the government. They oppress us, show us only what they
want us to see. Tell us only what they want us to know!” His voice echoed among
the crowd. “We shall rise up together, as a new nation.” Jordan's eyes locked
on mine. “There are losses among us, great ones we will remember and recognize.
Joshua Warren—”

I cut him off, walking through the crowd. “Joshua isn't
dead.” A murmur erupted through the town. Jordan gave me a puzzled look,
certain he'd witnessed his death. “He's healing,” I offered. “By morning we
hope he'll be well enough to be on his feet.” I didn't need to tell them he was
already walking around just fine.

“How can that be?” A voice erupted in the audience. I
turned, trying to find who asked the question, but couldn't see the person.

“A miracle.” It was all I could offer. I spotted Elsa and
Chloe, giving them a faint nod. “Tell us what you're proposing we do, as a
community.” I let him lead. After all, that was his job. At the same time, I
wasn't going to let him destroy this new world we had worked to build if he had
any ill intentions.

Jordan gave me a quizzical look before continuing his
speech. “Governors rose from power given to them, not awarded on a fair system.
We will vote for those we want to see in office. We will give true equality to
the men and women of this nation. We will grant them freedom and, yes, we'll
have to develop a proper system to have children, but no baby should be taken
from his or her home. An election will follow and we will choose our leaders to
represent the people.” He glanced at me, seeing if I was in approval of his
message. I didn't want to tell him the system would be in shambles for a while,
and that the people needed stability and assurances that their needs would be
considered. “Would you like to come up here?” Jordan offered, waving me up. He
knew the people respected me and many had wondered what had happened after I'd
disappeared.

The crowd quieted as I stepped onto the platform. My eyes
moved over the crowd and I offered a reassuring smile. “First, I want to thank
everyone for coming out here tonight. I know it's past curfew and the world
seems to be changing but I promise you, we are not alone in this change. Right
now the other towns are in the middle of an uprising, a full-blown revolution,”
I explained. “Many of the soldiers who patrolled this town and the outer walls
are citizens of the outside cities. They've never told you this. It was
forbidden. There is much to be discussed and much to learn. I'm in agreement
with Jordan's proposal of an election and we, as a community, need to develop a
new set of laws. I've been to Torv, a town hours from here by vehicle, but one
full of hope and promise. With electricity and modern technology they are not
much different than us,” I elaborated. “I'd like to recommend we elect three
leaders who will represent our town and come to Torv for an election as we
rebuild a democracy.”

“We want you, Olivia!” I heard a shout in the crowd and
couldn't see quite where it came from in the darkness.

“I am not looking to be your leader,” I answered. “Your
leader should be someone from Genesis. Someone who will represent what is best
for the people. Someone who will put others first and be honest and fair.”

A murmur erupted through the crowd as they discussed this
new information. “I will remain on the council as long as I can,” I offered and
the commotion slowly simmered down. I couldn't explain that this no longer felt
like home. I didn't know where I fit in this new world. I only knew I didn't
want to be tied down, responsible for knowing what was best for everyone.

“The good news: with all of your hard work and sacrifice,
the government's military has disbanded,” I announced. A loud cheer erupted
from the crowd.

“Any word on the other cities?” Another voice echoed in
the crowd.

Elsa moved forward towards the platform with an eager nod
as I helped her step up and approach the crowd. “We have members of the rebel
alliance in all the cities of Cabal. The rebels in Provisions locked themselves
in protecting their food source. Eventually they'll come out. The citizens of
Livery were already in a full revolt against the government when rebels from
Fora arrived. Fora citizens were able to squash the small military force that
was in Livery. I haven't heard anything from the towns of Edifice, the other
Genesis towns, or Maven.”

“There are other Genesis towns?” Curiosity spread as
voices rose, asking more questions.

Jordan held up his hand and gestured for everyone to be
quiet so that Elsa could elaborate.

“Yes, there are other Genesis cities, just like yours.
They were used for breeding, to ensure a mixed and healthy population.” Elsa
explained. Another voice, older and gruffer, answered me. “How will we decide
who to elect?”

I nodded. “I've learned much about history and our past.
An election will be cast where everyone may vote for the candidates they wish
to see in office.” I tried to remember the lessons in Haven I'd read and the
books back home I'd studied. “We will hold a debate and let the candidates tell
you what they stand for. What they believe in and the laws they wish to enact.
From that debate the people of Genesis will choose who they wish to represent
the community. Two weeks from today shall be the election.” I stepped off the
stage with Elsa following behind me. The crowd made room for me as I moved
swiftly back towards Joshua's childhood home. I wanted to be with him.

“Back so soon?” he teased as I opened the front door and
saw him sitting on the sofa.

“For now.” I smiled, scooting next to him, resting my
head on his shoulder. “Where's your father?” I asked, running my hand along his
thigh.

“He's in the kitchen, trying to prepare me a good meal
before we go home.”

“Home?” I repeated, letting out a heavy sigh. Even with
the changes that would come, Genesis couldn't be home, not with what Joshua and
I had become.

“I thought you'd want to go back to Shadow because
Adelaide is there.”

“She is one of the reasons I want to go back.” At one
point, she was the only reason I cared about staying in Shadow. For months, I'd
wanted to leave, to escape. Now that I had the chance, I wasn't sure where else
to go. Joshua and I, we didn't fit into any city in this world. Not with the
things we were capable of doing. To imagine a life without using my abilities
wouldn't have seemed so trivial if it wasn't for nearly losing the one person I
loved, Joshua. I couldn't take a risk that I'd be forbidden from using them
elsewhere. Shadow would have to be home.

“One of the reasons?” he repeated. “There are others?” He
softly brushed his lips against mine. “Things may begin to change,” he
breathed, staring at me, “once an election takes place and the representatives
meet at Torv. It's likely families who had children taken will want them back.”

“I know, things are going to become a mess.” I didn't
want any part of figuring out how to resolve it. Adelaide had already been
through so much. “Have I screwed up?” I asked, closing my eyes and wishing it
all away. “I don't want to pull her away from the only family she knows.” I
felt terrible.

“Change takes time,” Joshua remarked. “Perhaps we can
arrange a system that will allow for children wishing to know their birth
parents the opportunity to see their families again.”

I shook my head in dismay. “They're still stolen
children,” I remarked. “This is a disaster.” My mind raced. “What are we going
to do?”

“We?” Joshua asked. He hadn't moved. “The way I see it,
you get to ask the tough questions when you handle the debate. The candidates
will have to figure out what laws to propose.”

“You heard about the debate?” I asked, surprised.

“I may have snuck out of the house,” Joshua smiled. “I
promise though, no one saw me. At least not for who I am.”

“You didn't?” My mouth dropped. “Glamour?”

“You're not the only special one,” he smiled, leaning in
and stealing a brief kiss from my lips. “I figured it out too.”

I laughed gently resting my hand against his chest. “In
all seriousness.” I stared at him. “You and me. What are we going to do?”

His thumb stroked my cheek. “We go home, we don't worry about
it. It's not our job to change the world, well, any more than we already have,”
he laughed.

As we packed the car, I knew there was one person I
needed to say goodbye to before we left. I never had the chance the last time.

Joshua accompanied me as we walked up the front lawn
towards the door. I gave a brief knock, knowing she was home but wondering if
she'd answer. After everything that happened, I hadn't seen her much during the
uprising in Genesis.

She pulled open the door and embraced me in a tight hug.
“I wish I could convince you to stay.”

I sighed, feeling the heat of her stare. “I don't belong
here.”

“I wish I could tell you that weren't true. That you do
belong here.” My mother paused, considering her words. She looked distraught. Heavy
bags lined her eyes and her skin was glistening and pale.

“What's wrong?” I swallowed the nerves, pressing forward.

She gestured us inside, shutting the door behind us.
“There are rumors about the two of you, they don't make sense, witchcraft,
magic.” She laughed at how absurd it sounded. “Some people think you helped
Joshua rise from the dead.”

“That's insane,” Joshua answered, keeping a straight
face. “I hit my head in the vehicle, Olivia pulled me out, and the rest, they
imagined.”

Samantha nodded. “Maybe they did, maybe they didn't. It's
not for me to decide. Like I said, it sounds preposterous, but I also saw the
fire, felt the quake when you screamed.”

My face turned ghastly.

“Yes.” My mother stared at me. “I know you've got a
secret, one I can't quite explain and I'm not sure I'd want you to. Just do
yourself a favor and don't come back here. It's not safe for you both. People
are growing afraid of you and it scares me what they might do.”

The butterflies that had been anxiously fluttering in my
stomach were now violent as I wiped my hands on my dirty clothes. “Goodbye,
Mom.” I gave her one last hug and a kiss to her cheek before opening the door
and heading down to the street.

I climbed into the backseat of a military vehicle while
Jordan sat up front with Joshua. Josh drove us outside of Genesis, past the
walls and out of view of the towers. It wasn't a far drive, twenty or thirty
minutes on dirt and grass. We approached the drones and Joshua stopped the
vehicle, turned it off, and got out. I did the same, staring up at the huge
drones as I came face to face with them. They were massive, and I was
frightened to know this is what had destroyed Haven.

“You came in this?” I asked Joshua, already knowing the
answer as I stared up at the gray planes. They were twice my size and height.
The wingspan was unbelievable. I walked up, my fingers unable to stop
themselves from touching the metal. I was transfixed.

“Do you need me for anything else?” I heard Jordan's
voice and spun around on my heels. He was waiting to take the car back to
Genesis.

“We'll see you around.” I shook Jordan's hand, as did
Joshua, saying goodbye.

“Maybe I'll see you both in Torv in two weeks.” He was
hopeful he'd get elected from Genesis. “Stay safe,” Jordan called out before he
climbed into the driver's seat and took off back in the direction we had come
from, Genesis.

“How does this work?” I asked as I stared up at one of
five drones in a field of grass. My stomach somersaulted.

“You can cram in and fly with me or have your own drone
to fly back in,” Joshua offered.

“I don't know how to fly a drone!” Was he kidding?