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.
CHAPTER 26
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.