I crouched down behind the rubble of what had once been a house. I didn't know who lived there or why the Cabal soldier had burned it to the ground, only that it must have been in retaliation. The remains were black and charred. I coughed from the fumes. Even though it wasn't smoldering, it reeked of smoke.
From a crouching position, I could see headlights directed straight for town moving through the open gate. It had been knocked down sometime during the chaos of the past few hours. Without much warning or hesitation, shots ripped through the vehicles on their approach.
My eyes widened in terror, recognizing that it wasn't a military truck. “Stop!” I screamed, running out from my position. “Stop! They're rebels!” I shrieked at the top of my lungs, “They're with us!” I knew they were coming but it had taken longer than I'd anticipated. It took a few moments for the firing to cease and the air to still as the first vehicle rolling in slammed into a house and caught fire. “Shit,” I muttered, rushing towards the scene. I didn't know who was in the car and didn't care: they were one of us and we could have killed them. “You idiots!” I couldn't believe the mess they'd made. Did they not know the difference between a military vehicle and any other mode of transportation? Of course they didn't, they'd never seen anything outside of Genesis. I was furious and fuming as I approached the vehicle.
I could hear footsteps behind me, whispers and chatter. I couldn't make out any words, my focus was on whoever was trapped inside. My eyes widened in terror as I caught a glimpse of brown hair, a head hanging forward, trapped by the seatbelt and unconscious. “Joshua!” I screamed, eyes wide in fear as the vehicle began to catch ablaze. “Nooooo!” I shrieked and felt the ground vibrate from my scream. As quickly as the flames rose, they diminished. Smoke filled the area and I reached for the door handle, not caring that it burned my hand as I pulled it open. “Josh, come on, Josh, wake up.” I didn't wait for anyone else to help. My fingers went to the seatbelt, unlatching it as his body fell forward into my arms. “It's okay, I've got you.” I wasn't sure that it was okay but I kept telling myself he'd be fine.
As I pulled his body from the car and down onto the ground, the car barely shielded us from prying eyes. “You can't die on me.” My voice caught in my throat, only now seeing the blood seeping through his shirt. His stomach bled profusely. “Damn it!” I screamed, my voice echoing against the stone wall.
“What can we do?” I heard Jordan's voice but refused to look up. Tears filled my eyes, and my hands shook as I leant down over Josh's body.
“Just go away,” I mumbled, sobbing into his chest. “Go away!” I screamed even louder, hearing his retreating steps. I lowered my lips to Joshua's. His skin was pale, ashen, his breathing labored, barely visible, but he hadn't died, not yet. “You will not give up, do you hear me?” I gave him a kiss, hard and filled with passion. I poured energy to him, gasping as I pulled back, tears covering his cheeks as much as my own from my pain. “I love you, Josh.” I covered the injury on his chest with my hands, letting my energy and will to live pass through him. I didn't know if it would work. I'd done it once with Drezden: I had to be able to heal Joshua. “Come on.” I closed my eyes, feeling a warmth spread through my fingers, burning my hands, the nerves tingling as if they were on fire. My hands trembled from exhaustion before finally stilling. “Josh?” His shirt was still covered in blood. I refused to look up, to know if anyone witnessed what I'd done. It could get us both killed.
He groaned, the color returning to his cheeks. “What happened?” His voice was raspy, his throat raw. “Where am I?” He was disoriented.
“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.