Light

A New Beginning

It's been three years since Michael and Liam has passed away. Benjamin Brown gave out a speech in a conference, in sorrow and grief as he speaks in front of the camera knowing no one could be in front of him, asking questions.

Along with sorrow and grief was guilt and regret, wishing he was a better leader, a better father to his son and with his son gone, he feels he has lost everything.

As a result, he will relinquish his title to the person who joined Michael and Liam in their search to bring Mary back home.

He leaves till Abigail takes over. Having now been the new leader of Benjamin Brown's company. Through her leadership she decided to makes lots of changes to the entire world.

Thanks to her, vaccines to combat the variant were now created, allowing people to come out of their homes, to be with their families, partners, spouses and loved ones once again. The corruption has been combated too. Some of the soldiers and patrollers have been arrested, some who have treated others kindly retain their jobs while the quarantine zones have been shut down, destroyed. Now no one has to live in these conditions anymore.

With that, the entire world has returned to normal. Also thanks to her, the search for Mary has been a success after Mary has been missing for weeks.

She found Mary in good condition, having brought her back using a chopper that allowed them to get out of these woods. For Michael however, it was too late. Abigail found Michael dead with a huge stab wound in his chest.

"John honey are you ready?" He's watching the news on the tv, looking at the history over what has happened during that year.

"Yeah Leah." Not entirely ready. Still needing to do his neck tie.

Leah comes down, still seeing him unprepared, laughing over that fact. John and Leah have been in a relationship for three years since the covid lockdown has ended. They were able to go on multiple dates, get to know each other and now they're able to live together, having got themselves their own house.

"Why do I even need to wear a neck tie?"

"Because it's her graduation and I want you to look good in front of her." He laughs.

"Oh you know her, I don't think she would have mind about it." Before making the neck tie even more tighter. "Ow!"

"Here that would soften you up a bit."

"That hurts."

With everything ready, they drive off to the ICC. They park in the city centre parking, even if it would take them a few minutes for them to get there. Along the way, they see Joseph's parents, along with John's other friends from before, including Abigail who is so excited to be there. All together.

"From this moment, I would like to shout my praises to the students who have done an exceptional job in this university." Everyone in attendance, sitting down together.

All the student's names have been called. "And now I would like to present students who have achieved firsts studying film and arts. Howard, Neve and Mary." John and everyone else in attendance cheer for Mary. Screaming for her.

She comes out of her chair as she goes in front. Having her certificate, she talks in the microphone with everyone watching and listening to her.

"Thank you everyone, it feels great to be here. For coming out of this course to achieve a first. Actually this is the first time I've ever done that." Everyone in attendance laughs.

"But you know what allowed me to push harder during my time here, it's the people who are close to me. The friends, the family, even the strangers I met along the way. Those people are the ones that got me here to where I am. And if it weren't for these people, I wouldn't have become the person I am today. So in this building, I would like to say my thanks to the people who are already here, cheering and watching me, as well as my parents and my friend Joseph. I wish they were here but what makes me happy and safe are that even if they're gone, they will always be watching me and that they are proud of me. For all students!" They all scream, cheering before they throw their hats in the air.

Everyone cheering and clapping, along with the people who are close with Mary who are all proud of her.

The ceremony is done, she comes out, seeing John, Leah, Abigail, Joseph's parents and her other friends all together. She hugs them all, happy to see them.

"Woah Mary, that is an amazing speech."

"I'm so proud of you Mary." Said Abigail as she hugs her friend. She couldn't believe that her best friend has now finished graduating from uni and is ready to begin her future.

Seeing Joseph's parents, she hugs them all. "Aww Mary, you made us proud. Joseph would have been very proud of you." She smiles.

"Yeah he is."

"Gosh, you're making me cry. I don't know why, I just want to cry." They all laugh.

"Well now that's done, let's go eat in Ming Moon, I'm so craving those scrambled mushroom eggs they made." John said.

"You always want to eat those things." Said Leah in an annoyed manner but in a funny way. All together, just as they pass the Joseph Chamberlain statue which is now in perfect shape ever since the covid lockdown has finally ended. "You guys can go ahead."

Abigail looks at her with some confusion. "Everything ok?"

"Yeah everything's fine. Just need to do something. Don't worry guys, I'll catch up. I'll see you there." Nothing they could do about it, they all go ahead, let Mary do what she needs to do. With no one around her, she goes to the steps, sitting down there, keeping her graduation robe on.

Looking at the statue, Mary always go to the statue with Joseph. He loved staring at it, talking about it, saying it's a place where couples go.

"Oh so you finally made it." Hearing him call her again, she looks at him.

The graduation robe, no longer on her, back to the past, another memory of him. A good one as this one, he doesn't talk about the Light.

"Of course, I know you always loved going there." He laughs.

"Ahh that's very true." Sitting next to her.

"You know, I did imagine you graduating and the first thing we do is instead of celebrating, we both sit here, with your graduation robe, just talking."

"Well we're talking now, except I'm not graduating yet." They both laugh.

Staring the statue, before they both look at the other people around them. "It feels great isn't it. The people, the smiles, families and friends being together. All those things. You know, one day, you'll appreciate this world, your time with your friends and most importantly your life." She smiles, in that time, unsure if he was right.

But now back alone, Joseph no longer there, seeing people who have graduated with her with their friends and family, being happy, saying nice things to each other, some of them admitting they're really proud, feels great to see it.

Looking back at her life, despite all the struggles, the loss and the things she had to go through, it's all good for her.

From there, her eyes looks up, in the sky, the sun going down as it finishes its turn. She doesn't turn away. She can feel her loved ones from the Light there as she sees the sun.

The sun is her Light as she can feel them watching and guiding her. As the sun goes down, they go to sleep.

This is a moment she would feel for the whole three years. Thanks to everyone from the living and the dead, Mary is no longer alone anymore. Filled with peace and happiness for the rest of her life.