The Monitors

Chapter 17 - The Ceremony

Damon awoke to the jolt of the wheels screeching against the ground. They had touched down in Minneapolis. Damon was glad he was able to get a little nap in. Even if it was just two hours. Damon looked out of the window. He was so relieved to see the snow was gone. The plane slowed and wheeled itself into the hanger. The engine powered down as the side door opened. "Welcome back Overseer Rowen!" said a Monitor as both Rowen and Damon walked down the stairs. "A car will be waiting for you this way." a Monitor said while motioning to the side door of the hanger.

The two left the hanger and were led to a car. They both entered the car. As the doors closed, the driver shifted into drive and started driving. "Where are we going?" Damon asked. "You, are going back to your apartment." Rowen answered. "The ceremony is at six. Don't be late." Rowen said. Damon looked back at Rowen. "Could you spot me a few dollars? I need to get a new phone and hopefully something to eat." Damon asked. Rowen dug in his pocket and pulled out a money clip. He tossed it to Damon. Damon unclipped it and counted out five hundred dollars. "Thank you Rowen." Damon said gratefully.

"Don't mention it." Rowen asnwered. The rest of the ride was quiet. Damon looked out the window at the town at one point he wanted so desperately to get away from. The car pulled up to his apartment. "Meet me at the factory facility no later than twenty to." Rowen said. Damon nodded and opened the car door. Damon stepped out and closed the door. The car drove away and Damon stared at his apartment complex. It had been four long months. He was no where near the same person he once was. He had changed in every way. Damon walked into the complex and up the building. He passed two drunk college kids who laughed at his outfit as he walked past. Damon ignored them. He walked to his door and pulled back the door mat to reveal a key. Damon put the key in the lock and turned. He closed his eyes. "I'm home." he said as he turned the door knob. He opened the door and walked in.

He shut the door behind him and locked it. The whole place was dusty. Sun light glimmered through the living room blinds. He walked into his room. Everything was exactly how he left it. He fell back on his bed with his arms sprawled outwards. He took a big inhale and exhale. He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. Contemplating his life. "I need to talk to my mom." Damon said out loud. He sat forward. He got off the bed and reached under it. He pulled out the box with his father's Monitor necklace in it. He stared at it. "I hope you'd be proud of me dad. I'm going to be just like you." Damon said with a smile. He put the necklace back in the box and tucked it under the bed.

"Hey!" Damon heard from behind him. Instinctively he did a back sweep with his leg. When he turned around Milena was on her back. Struggling to breathe because she had the wind knocked out of her said "I was going to ask you if you were going to try to kill me this time but I think I got my answer". Damon sighed as Milena sat up. "Milena words can't describe how sorry I am. I hurt you and many others. I didn't mean to. You have to believe me." Damon pleaded. Milena put her hand up to stop him. "I read the reports from Rowen. I know about your condition. Everything you told him was relayed to us up here. We get it. At least some of us do. Many people understandably still hate you for what you did. However, I do not." Milena said. This made Damon smile. Damon leaned in and gave her a hug. "I'm sorry." he said. Milena's face turned red. Damon had never given her a hug before. She didn't think he was capable of compassion like this. She cleared her throat. "Rowen asked me to make sure you make it back to the facility on time. She pulled out her phone. You have about two hours until you have to be there.".

Damon nodded. "Can you take me to get a phone? I need to call my mom". Milena nodded and smiled. "C'mon" she motioned. "Oh, and you might want to change out of those if you're going out in public." Milena said as she pointed at Damon's Monitor recruit clothes. Damon nodded "Right". Milena waited in the living room as Damon changed into his signature black jeans with a black V-neck. They both walked down the stairs and outside. Milena had brought her black SUV. Damon got into the passenger side and Milena the driver side. She started the SUV and shifted into drive. They started driving. Milena turned on the radio. "So?! How was it?" Milena exclaimed excitedly. "About as good as you imagine." Damon replied while looking out of the window.