PROJECT DAWN : THE AFTERMATH

Home

Days past since they settled here and begin to rebuild their new home. Lena was just done with the laundry and folding the boys clothes. She went to his father's room and slide the cabinet open for her to store his clothes. Then, she saw her mother dresses are still there. She grabs one of it and smell it.

Lena : I miss you, mom....

Then she's arranging all the clothes inside. She went downstair and found no one downstair except for Renee and Jake who were cuddling on a couch.

Lena : Guys, have you seen dad?
Jake : Yeah, he said that he went to the backyard to look for something in the storage room.
Lena : Alright. And Renee, could you help me with the kitchen here, I need someone to prepare it before I cook.
Renee : Sure.

She went to the backyard and she can heard that John really is looking for someone as she can hear things been moved all over the store. 

John : Found it!

He get out from the store with something on his hands.

John : Oh, Lena. 
Lena : What is it, dad?
John : Come.

They went back into the house and John start to set things up at the living room. 

Lena : A video-player?
John : Yes.

He grabs a disc from the drawer and insert it into the player. Then, the image projected through the television and they watched it.

John : It's our collection of memories. Both your mother and I. I kept every tracks of us and record it with a camcorder we had back then. 

Jake : Hey, look at that! Quiet a good-looking guy.
John : Oh, that's me.
Lena : And there's mom! Oh my god, she's so beautiful.
John : Yeah....she is....Anyway, this is our first date together during high-school year. Our senior year.
[From the TV] : John, come over here. Look what I got in here. Flowers!
John : She used to like flowers so much.
[From the TV]: I knew that you love flowers so much so I made these.
[From the TV] John take out a crown of flowers and put it on Diana's head and he kiss her.

Then the videos end and come another one.

Lena : A lot of people in our house.
Jake : This, is Jake's first birthday. We invited the neighbors and friends to celebrate our first son's birthday. 
[From the TV] : Anyone seen John? No? Maybe he's up-stair. [call] Honey, are you there? John...?
John : I'd never forget this day.
[From the TV] : Is everything okay, dear?
[From the TV] : I'm good. Just let me wipe these tears.
[From the TV]: Here, let me. 
John : We were high-school couple. Soon after we left, I had no jobs and only have enough money for us to live with. I tried to look for jobs but they turned me down since I have no degrees or any work experience. But she never gave up hope on me. That day, Jake's first birthday, I cried the whole day. I kept asking myself whether am I ready to be a father. All those presents and foods were given by the neighbors and for that, I'm forever grateful.
Lena : Well dad, you raised us well.

The video ended and another one is coming up.

[From the TV] : Look's who on the computer, Jake. It's daddy!
[From the TV] : Here there, little guy. How's everything, sweetheart?
[From the TV] : We're doing great. Jake, I believe you got something to say to daddy.
[From the TV] : I have a new friend! And his name is Colin and we're in the same class!
[From the TV] : Yeah? That's great, Jake. Let me talk to your mommy. 
[From the TV] : Isn't that great?
[From the TV] : Yeah. I miss you two....
[From the TV] : [teary] We miss you too, John. 
[From the TV] : I'll be back in five months. And uh, I've gotta go. Duty's calling.
[From the TV] : Be careful, John. I love you.
[From the TV] : I love you too.

The video ended.

John : I was in the army when you're just four.
Jake : I remembered Colin. We used to hang around a lot, even before the day that changed our life. I wonder if he's still alive....

Lena hug her dad's arm and leaning on his shoulder.

John : Well, that's our story and I got another one. This story is about a little boy. He's like the other boy in eighth grade, so he's usually sitting at the back of the class. Until one morning, a new student came in, and she's a girl. The teacher, Ms. Brown we called her, introduce her to the class. "Alright, class. We have a new friend to join us today. Why don't you introduce yourself, young girl." With full confidence, she introduce her to the class. "My name is Diana Wills, We're just moved fron Minnesota and I like flowers."
Lena : Mommy and daddy love stories....! [excited]
John : So, she sat on the front row and uh, this little boy laid his eyes upon her and fell in love the first he saw her. He's whispered to himself, "Damn she is beautiful." And he want to hit on her.
Lena : That's cute! [laugh]
John : The recess is up and the little boy approach that girl. He said to her, "Would you go out with me?" and you know what the girl said?
Lena : Yes I will, handsome! 
John : Nope, she said "You got to try harder, horsey!"
Jake : She called dad a horse! Oh my! [laugh]
Renee : You're lucky, Jake! Or else!
Jake : I'm a good-looking person. Even you can't defy it.
John : Alright, where were we...? Oh! The girl called him horsey and ever since then, everyone started to call him horsey. But, that doesn't stop him from trying. One day, he joined a band with the cool kids. He played drums. There's a gig coming up and they joined it. Just before they started, the little boy saw his crush among the audience and he smiled. He grabs a mic, "Diana Wills, this one is for you." They played a song by Bon Jovi. Bed of Roses. As he rolled the drums, he can see her smiling down on him. When their performance ended, he tried to look for her but couldn't find her. He asked around, "Did you see Diana? Anyone?". Then, on his way back from school, he saw her on a public park. She's playing with flowers and without realizing the boys is approaching her from behind. Then, he made a crown of flowers and put it on her head. She smiled and ever since that day, the little boy and the little girl lived happily ever after.
Lena : She loved flowers so much!
Jake : But still, she called dad a horse! Can you believe that?! Oh! [laugh]

Then, Doc knock on their door and Lena open it for him.

Doc : Your dad here?
Lena : Yeah, he's here. Dad!
John : What is it Doc?
Doc : We got a job. Meet me at the garage and tell Jake too.

Then, at the garage, the group meet up with Karl, Lars, Ray and Jake.

Doc : Everyone's here? Good. Lars, tell them.
Lars : [stand] Alright, me and Karl scout the area for the past few days and there are no sign of government, wanderers, or mutants. But...
Karl : A few chopper scouting the city and they went south. 
John : Then?
Lars : We'll strike them hard this time. We've gotta to.
John : Why should we?
Lars : I believe one of your friend is still alive. The one who wore a mask with skeleton on it.
John : Ghost?!

END OF PART 9