INKWORLD

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

June 27, 2091—June 29, 2091

I bit my lips anxiously as we got closer to Inkwell. After rescuing those that had been trapped by Erik Coal and putting other affairs in order, we took as many people as we could into the spaceship. It took several trips with the hovership to get everyone to where the spaceship was. With Erik Coal dead, those we had rescued were safe but they were still afraid of his men catching them so they hurried.

The others that had come with me from Inkwell were excited to get back to Inkwell. I was sure they couldn't wait to get back to their friends and family and also tell everyone what had happened.

Wunmi came to stand beside me and I smiled. From the way she was fidgeting, I could tell she was anxious too. Even though it had looked as if she didn't want to leave earth, I knew she missed her family. My heart had skipped a bit when we had gotten everyone on the spaceship, but I couldn't find her. I had rushed out ready to search high and low for her, but there was no need. She was outside the spaceship scooping ink into containers. According to her, it was for research purposes.

"I'm sure your family would be happy to see you. Alive," I said to her, smiling.

She smiled back. "I'm looking forward to seeing them too, but I'm also looking forward to the shocked faces we'll see on Inkwell when we get back with other people. They didn't even believe that we would come back alive, they would be more shocked that we brought back survivors."

I grinned. I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to hide the smug smile that was already appearing on my face. I had proved everyone wrong, especially the opposition and those who had been trying to prove I was too young and incompetent to act as President of Inkwell. If everything went well, they would have a hard time turning the people against me in the future. "When we left, I hoped there would be survivors, I imagined it but I never really knew how much it would turn to reality. We have abour 30 survivors on board, I don't know how many other survivors are left on earth, but finding out I was able to help, I can't get over that feeling."

I understood how the survivors must have felt when we had left them on earth. Even if they didn't know us personally, I was sure they felt hurt, angry and betrayed. Angela had done what she thought was right, saved the few she could instead of letting us all perish but those left behind wouldn't have understood. Who would understand that they had to be left behind to die?

I was happy that I had given them hope, that despite my doubts I had gone to earth to help. I hoped Angela would be proud of me.

"How are the others?" I asked, referring to the volunteers who had gone with me to earth.

"They can't wait to get back to Inkwell and get the ink off their body."

I smiled, I too couldn't wait to be clean again. I turned to go to the room I had seen them in and Wunmi followed me. Just as we got to the door of the room the others were staying in, I heard Wunmi curse under her breath. When I looked up and saw the lady coming towards us, I knew why.

"I can't deal with this," she said before storming into the room.

I felt like doing the same but I stayed and waited as Sharon approached me. Sharon was the elder sister of Precious, one of my friends when we were on earth. The day her fiancee had turned to a puddle of ink on their wedding day was the day she changed completely. She had died inside and had to depend on Precious who had set aside her own life to take card of her sister.

When we were to enter the spaceship with Angela, Sharon had been declared infected. Precious refused to go with us because of that even though we all begged her to. Sharon remained silent though it was clear that her sister was throwing away her life for her. I never understood how someone could do that to her own blood. It was clear Wunmi hadn't forgiven her for it too.