Decrease

Tuesday - September 14

Georgia Ambrose-Parks is an authentic Georgia peach. She was born and bred in Atlanta and her great-great-great-great grandfather, Cecil Ambrose, was a powerful political figure in his time. He successfully set up banks, stores, and schools after the Civil War ended. The Ambrose name use to carry some weight back in the day, even up to seven years ago when she and Claire's father, Victor Parks, were still well-known. Today, the name Ambrose is only in the history books and images displayed in museums.

Claire waits patiently for an answer, but her mother looks at her father, who instead replies, "Everything that happened before had to be in order for this day to occur." Claire's father takes her hand and lifts it to his heart. "You, my baby girl, have been prepared to make the way for a new beginning for all humanity. Claire, this baby..." he continues to say as he lays his other hand onto her belly, "your baby, will be the start of a new chapter for humanity."

With tears still cascading from her eyes, Claire says, "I don't understand, Daddy. Why is my baby so important? How can my baby start a new chapter? I'm assuming you both know this baby is illegal. If the Population Control Administration finds out, they will abort it. Daddy, why did you and Mom fake your deaths like Gerald and Raymond?"

A man that's standing among the circle steps forward and directly speaks to Claire. "We all had to fake our deaths, Claire. It was the only way to ensure the continuous existence of humanity."

Looking intently at the man, Claire says, "I know you. You're Daniel. Or is it Neptune?"

Daniel looks at Georgia and Victor and earnestly says, "You were right, Victor. She is bright."

Overwhelmed, Claire begins to shiver. Victor removes his overcoat and places it over her shoulders. Georgia clings onto Claire's arm to help keep her steady.

Daniel looks at the other members of the circle, nodding his head to them. Each one of them falls to form a single line like deer, and then walks away into the dark void of the infinite room. As Claire watches the group disappear one by one, she's still in disbelief that her parents are standing before her.

Waiting to see what happens now, she asks, "So, where do we go from here, Dad?"

Victor looks at Daniel and gives Claire's hand a gentle touch, and replies, "Claire, you will go back to your life and continue to live just as normal as usual. You can never mention that you were here. And you can never, and I mean never, Claire, tell anyone that you saw us. Any of us! If you do, then the consequences will be unpleasant. I'm not threatening you, dear. I'm protecting you and your baby. Please, Claire, do not mention anything about today to anyone. Not even to John. All of our lives will be in grave danger if others find out what we're doing. Do you understand?"

Claire looks at her father, her mother, and then Daniel. Bewildered about what's happening, she looks into her father's eyes, and inquires, "And what are we doing, Dad?"

With a huge smile on his face, he answers her with only one word, "Decrease."

Not understanding what her father means by "decrease", Claire directs a question to Daniel. "Daniel, did you leave a key on my doorstep?"

Daniel looks at her and replies, "Not I. But the key is important, Claire. You must find what it unlocks. The future begins with you and your baby."

Feeling completely overwrought, Claire says, "Where do you suggest I begin?"

Claire's mother holds on to her daughter's arm as she whispers into Claire's ear. Listening intently to what she hears, Claire's heart begins to beat faster. After her mother is through, Claire looks at her parents, Daniel, and Gerald, and in a low voice says, "Twenty-eight." Where upon Victor nods his head and remains silent.