Beginning of the End

XLVI

I woke up and stared at my ceiling for what seemed like hours, until a knock on my door brought my attention back. I got out of bed, making my way to the door. I opened it and saw Lamar standing there.

"Morning, Ziggles. Did I wake you?" He asked.

"No, I've been up for awhile." I stood aside to let him in. He walked in and sat on my couch.

"There's a run today..." He started, "Just wanted to let you know. We're going to try and hit Charlottesville now." I breathed in heavily.

"Why?" I finally choked out.

"Because as much as it sucks, you know he wanted us to go..." He stood up and walked over to me, "You know he wanted to go, so we're going. For him." Lamar embraced me.

"Okay..." I held back my tears, "I know, I know. We have to go on as a group, he would want that," I chuckled, "He would think it's so stupid that I mourned him for so long." Lamar stood there, then scratched his face.

"Can I ask a question?" I nodded at him, and he cleared his throat, "I don't mean any disrespect for this, but, what about all the shitty things he did to you? All the lies and threats?" I stood for a moment in silence.

"It's as if none of it ever happened..." I whispered as a tear fell down my face. Lamar hugged me once more.

"Well, we're about to head out if you wanna come say anything to anyone." He let go, looking into my eyes. I nodded and followed him out. Over by the front gate stood Khalil, Nick, and Cymon. I sighed and walked over.

"Hey guys." I smiled.

"Hey Jade." They all said in unison.

"I want you all to be alert and safe out there," I turned to Cymon, "How are you holding up?" I asked, covering my eyes from the sun.

"I, uh, I'm okay..." He cleared his throat, "I just, I'm letting it all sink in..." I nodded to him.

"I understand. Thank you for sticking by our side during this, I can only imagine how hard it is."

"He's the one that turned on us. All of us, including me and Elyas. Not you." Cymon lowered his head and kicked a rock in front of him. I looked at everyone.

"Alright, I won't hold you up anymore. Get going. Be safe. Any sign of trouble, turn back." I nodded and walked off towards Elyas' trailer. I knocked on the door as I reached it.

"Just a minute!" I heard from the other side of the door. I stood, patiently. Then, the door opened, "Oh, hey Jade. Everything okay?" He stepped aside and let me in. I turned and looked at him.

"I just, uh, wanted to say thanks. I mean, you stood by us in a time we needed the people who cared, and you stuck around." I weakly smiled.

"Jade, what my brother did was his own doing. Not mine. And it kills me that I didn't even know. I wish I could have prevented it."

"I understand... But we all appreciate it. You helping out, Cymon helping. It all means a lot."

"Thank you." He smiled.

"Do you wanna go shooting with me today?" I asked randomly.

"Excuse me?" He chuckled.

"Come on, man. You can't stay locked up in this trailer forever. I was going to go anyway, but Lamar isn't here and if he knew I went alone while he wasn't close, he'd kill everyone." I smiled.

"Sure, when?" He shrugged.

"Not sure. I'm gonna go make a round and I'll come back," I looked down and noticed I was still in pajamas, "I also have to change." I chuckled. I made my way outside and walked towards the cafeteria. Once inside, I saw my dad standing next to a table, talking to William and Tanner. Once they heard my footsteps, they all turned.

"Jade..." My dad walked up to me, and embraced me, squeezing me against him, "How are you, honey?" He pulled away.

"I'm better. I'll be okay," I looked at Tanner and William, who both smiled at me.

"Good to see you, Jade." Tanner winked. I nodded.

"That means we can talk business now," William stood up, bringing pieces of paper with him, "The runners today, I asked them to keep an eye out for solar panels. I think we can make this place better than what it is. We have oil lamps, fires, what not. But, solar power would help a lot. We could have lights. We could have stoves. We could have everything." William was all smiles.

"Well, how does it work?" I asked, confused, but interested.

"Simply put, a solar panel works by allowing photons, or particles of light, to knock electrons free from atoms, generating a flow of electricity. Solar panels convert that sunlight into energy, using complex ass science." Tanner interjected, all smiles as well.

"I'll leave that up to you guys. Because you lost me at photons and atoms." I chuckled, then turned to my dad.

"Honey, you look... awful." My dad cringed at the sight of me.

"I know, I know," I pushed a piece of hair behind my ear, "I gotta eat more and put some muscle back on. I can barely lift Edge."

"Well, I'm glad you're trying." My dad pinched my cheek slightly and turned back to Tanner and William.

"Alright, so. We hook them up here, here, here, and here," William led, pointing at the papers, "We only truly need it in everything but storage and CMC. Unless it's winter."

"Even then, I think the medical center and housing should go first." My dad piped up. I smiled and went on my way.