Chance smiles at the news.
“And me?” I ask, not liking the idea of staying here in the ecocity while chance is at the ward.
“You’re coming with me. So is Ethan,” Chance answers. “There’s no way I’m leaving you here.”
A grin spreads over my face.
“Once a month, everyone will meet in the city so we can discuss problems and make sure everything is running smoothly.”
“What about the rebels,” Kenzo asks. “Are we just going to leave them to live in the metropolis area or clear them out?”
Quinlan shakes his head. “I’ll talk to Zane. I want to send men out to explore. We need to know if it’s just us who survived the wars or whether there are other groups of people out there.”
“Explorers,” I whisper. I read about them once in history class.
“Yes,” Quinlan agrees. “Explorers.” He looks at everyone again. “We have a lot of work. Some people might take longer than others to adapt to the new way, so use patience with them.”
“And those who refuse? What if a new faction emerges to challenge us?” Idris asks.
“We’ll deal with it when it happens,” Quinlan murmurs. “Clearing his throat, he continues, “I’ll address the people today.” He looks at me. “Your father will take down the seven virtues, and I’ll be able to address the people via the billboards?”
I nod. “Yes, my dad’s working on it right now.”
When Quinlan rises to his feet, we all do the same. He takes a moment to look at each of us again. “Let’s build a great city where the people can prosper and live in peace and harmony. It will take months, if not years, but together we can do this.”
We all agree.
I know it will take a lot of hard work, but we’ve already taken giant steps in the right direction.
Chapter 24
Jai
Quinlan’s address to the people was received with shock and confusion.
It’s understandable, though. Everything they ever knew was thrown out of the window. Their lives changed irrevocably in a matter of a day. They all need time to adjust. Especially after learning that most of the crusaders sent out over the past decades have been killed or turned into insensates by the emissaries.
Where possible, we’ve reunited the crusaders, who survived and reached the wards, with their families, so there were something to celebrate.
Still, grief hangs thick in the air and most are fearful now that the deviants are living among them.
Idris is talking to the enforcers or what’s left of them after the battle, asking them to join him in creating an army for the people.
Mom is coming to the ward with me to set up an army base for training. Of course, Kenzo’s right behind her. Dawn will be staying in the city with Idris. Even though she’s just been through some pretty traumatic stuff, she seems happy.
Honestly, I think Idris has the most challenging job of us all. He needs to create an army that will be able to keep the people from spiraling out of control while protecting them.
Dad will continue to be a scientist, but this time it will be for good. He’ll help build the farmlands so that they can sustain the entire population.
Me? I’m on my way to the ward with Chance, Ethan, and Raze.
We’re still on the lookout for trackers who might not have gotten the message that they’re no longer employed. But we’re armed and ready for any surprise attacks, so we stick to the streets of the broken-down metropolis and don’t have to jump across rooftops.
Yeah, there won’t be an instant change, no matter how badly I want it for the people. Like Quinlan said, it might take years, but at least we’re moving in the right direction. We’re building a new future.
The thought makes me smile, and it catches Chance’s attention. “What’s the smile for?”
I shrug. “I’m just happy.”
“Yeah,” he grins as he throws his arm around my shoulders. “You really didn’t want to stay in the city and help Quinlan run things?”
I shake my head. “I’ve done my part.” My eyes scan the endless grass fields stretching on either side of the road. “Now it’s my turn to live.”
I glance up at Chance, finding a soft expression on his face, as he asks, “Do you want to farm a piece of land with me? We can build a house of our own.”
My lips curve up at the idea of sharing a home with Chance. “I’d love that.” Scrunching my nose, I admit, “I have no idea how to build a house, though.”
He lets out a burst of laughter. “Leave that to Ethan and me.”
“What about me?” Raze asks.
I grab her hand and tug her closer. “You and I can figure out how to make furniture. I had a woodwork class once. It didn’t go well, though.”
She shakes her head at me but agrees, “Together, we can figure it out.”