The Light in the Dark

Chapter 42

A week after the final battle, everyone emerged from hiding. People were released from the prisons the Government held them in. Everyone they ever confined was now free. The people like Chloe living in the remaining cities slowly made their way to Rochester. Some seemed happy with the downfall of the Government while others seemed lost and wary.

Most people who were living in Rochester the past year stayed longer than most. We were still deciding what to do and helping with the adjustments. One day Carson and I were walking down the sidewalk of the broken streets when I heard a little girl call my name.

I turned around and there was Nicole with Timmy and Stacy right behind her.

"Nicole!" I yelled as she jumped into my arms.

She grew since I last saw her almost a year ago. Her face looked a little older, and I saw that she lost a couple of teeth. Timmy changed too. He's at least four inches taller and had a mischievous look in his eyes. Stacy smiled warmly at Carson and I.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked.

"Everyone was told to come here from the bases as they try to settle everything," Stacy told us. "They mentioned something about the future of the country."

I nodded. President Davison decided to gather everyone in Rochester so that he could explain everything to the rest of the country. He also wanted to hold a quick election to see if the people would accept him as their president.

Stacy, Nicole, and Timmy moved into the tents the Resistance set up everywhere to accommodate everyone coming in. People continued to trickle in. Everything was going smoothly.

It took another week for everyone to arrive from various cities, but soon Rochester was bustling with life. I haven't seen so many people in over a year. The streets were full of people walking side by side and talking. Every house in the suburbs was filled. The sight filled me with hope. We could come back from this.

When everyone arrived, they were gathered in the streets where a stage was set up at the head. Colonel went up to the stage first. I remember watching from amid the crowd as he looked down at everyone with a solemn expression.

"I thought we'd never be able to come together like this again in my lifetime," he started of as he smiled. "I can't even fathom how much was lost, how much was risked and sacrificed, just to win our freedom back, but we did it. Almost everyone has lost something, but you stayed strong. You were resilient."

His first few words were followed by a series of clapping and loud cheering from the crowd. Colonel obliged them patiently as he watched from the stage. When the noise began to die down he continued.

"I want to personally thank all of the agents and soldiers who risked their lives for the cause. The Resistance has existed underground for over ten years. It was started by a man well into his years who knew the cruelties of the Government but was also old enough to remember freedom. He wanted to bring that freedom back and was wiling to do anything to get it back. That man was me."

I remember how my mouth fell open in shock, and I looked to Carson to see the same expression mirrored on his own face. We knew Colonel for over a year, and we never knew he was the mastermind of the Resistance. I looked at Mom and Dad who knew him half their lives. Even they looked surprised.

"As that man, I feel honored to have led and fought with all of these amazing, selfless agents and soldiers. They are the reason that far fetched goal was finally accomplished. We mourn for the ones lost, but their sacrifice will never be forgotten. For the ones still with us, can you please stand up?"

I stood reluctantly with Carson. Connor and Joey stood with us. Brian smiled down at me as he nudged me lightly. All three of our dads stood proudly behind us. After everything we managed to come back together.