POWER: A Tale of Greatness

CHAPTER 37

After twenty-six years of silence, darkness, fear, and hatred, with a single night, Parasolla has been freed from its bjnding shackles. The inequality, the discrimination, and the chaos that Agustus Mercaderro brought and inspired to the people will be difficult to remove from them. The trauma will remain even if he is already gone. However, one thing is for sure, he can no longer fuel up the burning rage of the people to women, the harassment to the tourists, and at last justice will prevail. The fire can be put out, slowly, carefully. Immediately replaced by a new, brighter light. One person at a time, the City of Parasolla, started making their move, turning the city that was once known for its generosity, welcoming culture, and passionate people. After twenty-six years, the Umbrella City of Parasolla stood proudly once more.

***

It was the sixth day since the incident, and Jessica woke up after a tiring night evening. She slept on Thor's side, resting her head on the bed. She gazed at him after her eyes opened, his body who was covered with bandages and stitches.
Behind her was Bulls, covered with bandages, waking up might not be possible for either of them soon.

"Coma?" Jessica asked the doctor who supervised Bulls.

"He is lucky. The internal bleeding has stopped, and the wounds that caused it have already been healing rapidly." He said to her. "And with your other friend, his wounds might take longer to heal."

"Uhm, what can I do at this moment?"

"I advice you to keep talking to them. That's all you can do."

Jessica unfurls the curtains, letting the morning sun enter the room, "I never imagined someone... some people would stand for me." She whispers as she looks over her shoulder, the tired souls and wounded flesh of those who aided him remains immobile for days, guilt and pain clenches in her chest.

"At that moment, I felt releaved when the both of you showed up to protect me from Archie. Though he was there, your presence was enough to make me feel secure."

"And after you left, I thought I would never see you again." She took Thor's hand and worriedly gazed at his face. "After the incident, I looked for you, every tent in the townsquare, every room at the medical center, I searched until I found you..."

"...Thor."

While cleaning the table, the telephone rang.

"The line has been restored?" She answers it. "Hello?"

"Hija? Is that you?" A woman tearfully spoke from the other line. Jessica's eyes widened, and worry filled her expression. She gulps before continuing. "I'm coming." She left immediately after she dropped the call.

The city is on its way to recovery. Vibrant and livelier than ever. As the people rebuild the structures in the city, she can see with their eyes the relief and warmth. Even Jessica finds this surprising.

Old people are dancing, musicians are playing lyres, flutes, clarinets, artists have their canvasses standing by the street, painting with joy and smile on their faces, some people are even seen locked on another's embrace.

Not long after her walk, she arrived at the town precinct.

"Mama Francesca, what happened?"

"Hija." The woman reached for Jessica. Her sobs filled their embrace before she unclasped and spoke. "Last night, your Papa Juanito-"

"Mrs. Reyes." An officer called their attention and took them to Papa Juanito.

"I did it." He initially spoke with sorrow in his voice, his knees gave in, and he slumped on the floor. "I was young, running and playing with my friends... Atlantian friends by the river, with our darts and there, I accidentally hit a child. Then he came running towards the kid, Agustus." He covers his face as tears fall down.