“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.
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
