INKWORLD

CHAPTER THREE

June 3, 2091

It was difficult explaining our sudden decision to go back to earth to Inkwell's council. I didn't want to tell anyone about the phone because that would bring forth a lot of questions I wasn't ready to answer. But not telling them the truth seemed to bring forth questions too. They weren't buying into our sudden decision to check up on what had happened to earth.

Wunmi tried to back me up, telling them it was time for us to see what had happened on earth, but even Wunmi's support didn't ease their fears.

"I know you have been talking of earth these past months but I didn't think you would actually think of going back there," one of my council members said.

"We went through a lot on earth. If not for Angela, we would all have been puddles of ink by now. How can you think of going back there?"

I knew what it looked like. I couldn't forget that Angela had done a lot to help us and she was the reason mankind still existed, but I couldn't ignore Tobi's call or what it meant for us.

Another person turned to me and fixed a glare at me. "We watched our families die there. We had to leave everything we loved behind. We only escaped by a thin thread and yet you want us to sacrifice ourselves and go back there, and for what? To satisfy your curiosity?"

It wasn't just to satisfy my curiosity, I argued silently. Tobi said they were in danger, we couldn't just stand by and do nothing. But even as I thought of that, I knew my wanting to go back was majorly fueled by curiosity.

"But think of it," Wunmi interrupted. While I seemed overwhelmed by all the comments and accusations, Wunmi took it calmly. "What if there are survivors on earth? What if we can go back to earth? Inkwell is amazing but we can all agree that we miss earth. Earth was a home no other place can replace."

"Earth is the home that killed all we loved," someone shouted and the others cried in agreement.

It was hard to talk above the council members. The whole room was filled with about 50 council members and they all seemed to be talking over each other.

It was a circular room. The ambassadors of each continent sat on the semicircle high table-at one end of the room-with me, while the governors of each country sat on chairs facing the table. It was nothing too elaborate but it wasn't shabby either. The table had been made from one of the best wood found on inkwell. It was a solid brown table with a shiny varnish finishing.

Talking in front of these people hadn't always been easy but with my hand on the table, I always felt like I was solid-just like the table. But that didn't seem to be the case now. I was gripping the table with everything I had but that didn't change a thing. I was still nervous.

"It's like a suicide mission, a death sentence. None of the people sent there will be allowed back here. Even if it's you."

The words sank into me. Whoever we were sending to earth could get infected if earth was still full of ink. There was no guarantee that they would go and return safely. If they got infected and the result was quick, they could die on the journey home or even while still on earth. And if I got infected...

A governor turned to look at me. "Are you planning to go with them?" His eyes were as round as saucers, as if he couldn't believe I would even think of that. "You can't! You're the president."

I wanted to tell him I was very much aware of that fact but I knew it wouldn't help matters. I was going to go to earth, even if I was the only one. There was no way I was going to send people to go and come back and report. I knew I couldn't do that. I wanted to see earth for myself and what it had turned to. I wanted to see if the land I had grown up in was completely destroyed or not. And I wasn't going to sacrifice people and seat back at home, waiting.

The whispers from the governors grew louder. I knew that not all of them seemed outraged by my decision, some were quite pleased. Since the cure for the infection had been found, eyes had returned to the presidency seat. People were clamoring for it. They didn't think a young girl like me with no experience should be leading what was left of mankind.

It didn't matter that I had experienced people-like former presidents and even the Queen of England, while we were on earth-supporting me, some still grumbled about me being president. They tried to find a way to fault my leadership but I hadn't given them anything to use. Not until now.

"Why did you bring it to us now? I've heard whispers of your desire to find out what is on earth but why did you bring it up now?" Mrs. Olaniyi, an elderly woman asked. She was the ambassador of Africa and she had this wise look in her eyes, like she knew something had happened.

My eyes darted to Wunmi but the question seemed to have caught her off guard too. I knew I couldn't continue keeping quiet. It was time to speak up.

"I agree that we lost a lot of people to the infection. I also lost my parents and friends. We left earth several years ago, and going back now after all that has happened seems scary but don't we all wonder what has happened on earth? We left a lot of people behind. Some were healthy but we had to leave them behind. We are free here in Inkwell so it's easy for us to not care about them, but what if we were the ones left on earth?" The noise died down as they seemed to ruminate on that. I sat forward.

"Have we sat to wonder what might have happened on earth? Whether those we left behind are still alive. I know, it might seem impossible," I quickly said as I noticed them about to complain. "But what if it is real. Imagine if your parents, child, friend or whoever you left behind is still alive. Maybe they aren't alive, maybe they got infected just like you have led yourself to believe, but don't we have a right to know what is happening on earth right now?

"It's been years since we left, how long will it take for us to get over our fear and find out what happened on earth. Will we continue hiding behind our fear and find excuses for why we can't go back to earth?" I could see people shifting uncomfortably. I knew likening them to cowards would make them want to prove that they were not.

"While we were on earth, we journeyed to other planets because we wanted to know what was happening there. We knew there might be risks to be taken, dangers ahead but still we did it because we know that knowledge is power. But now, we are afraid to go back to our own home to find out what has happened. I know this is risky, and we would try our best to curb those risks but we have to acknowledge that we can't continue shutting our eyes to what is happening on earth. If we think turning a blind eye is going to save us, then I can tell you that we might regret it.

"I just want to ask you, which is better. To sit in ignorance and wait for something to happen or to be armed with knowledge to deal with whatever happens? This is your choice."

"What could possibly happen?" someone asked.

"Who knows?" Wunmi said in a grave voice. I felt it sink into the council members.

I hoped that my words would sink with them and they would agree. For four hours, we deliberated until we finally came to a decision. Some people still opposed the decision but the majority vote stood:

We were going to earth.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Is Ivy making the right decision to go back to earth or will this lead to a terrible consequence?

Do you think the council should have refused her?

Share your thoughts in the comments section and don't forget to vote.

©Jesutofunmi Fekoya