Separate

Chapter 16 - Restoration Day

~Julia~

I decided not to tell my mom about what happened to Danny. I felt that it would be too much for her to handle. She had just gotten me back, and the thought that her son was still out there after all this time would have destroyed her. I decided to keep the burden on myself.

By now death was an everyday part of my life, and Danny's was no different. During my time in Westside, I had gotten to know many different kinds of people only for them to be whisked away for execution. The longer I was there the more I knew what it really meant to be a First. I was an elite. A privileged girl who had all the commodities I could ever think of. The others had nothing compared to what I had. I finally understood Ashley's strange attraction to them.

I will always remember what Danny told me. It wasn't her fault. She was just another pawn in the game. I spent my entire life hating her for something that she had no control over. I should've been a better friend.

I thought I'd never see Ashley again after we parted and returned to our own lives. She had her obligations and I had mine. Micheal, my bond, would become the next high council member and I would be his supporter under his name. My father's line would be erased; a line that I have learned really believed in a better future for all divisions. I wish I had known sooner that I had been on the wrong side. Ashley would become Thompson's supporter and we would be parted from each other for the rest of our lives. We would be tied to our family sectors and if we were lucky we might've caught glimpses of each other after council meetings. I realized this reality, but then something different happened.

The intercom went off just before I met again with my bond. It was Sagura, and she was oddly happy.

"It is a joyous day here in Cedar Station. We command the people of all districts to report to the Grand Auditorium promptly. Thank you for your time." She cheered, nearly squealing with delight. I had never heard her so happy. My mom and I followed the other Firsts until we reached the auditorium and sat in our section of the room. At the front of the stage was a young couple, probably around the age of fifteen. They were overjoyed with all the attention they were getting, and Madam Sagura stood proudly beside them. It took nearly ten minutes for everyone to file in, and the massive glass double doors were closed behind the final group to enter.

"There has been a confirmed report from WOS sector," Madam started, taking a pause to glance at all the faces who had their eyes fixed on her. "The ozone layer has repaired itself fully, and the first signs of light have pierced through the veil."

With this information the crowd cheered in excitement, some giving a standing ovation. It was miraculous. We could finally go back outside. Restoration Day was finally here.

"I'd like to pronounce to you the Restorators of Cedar Station!" she inspired, lifting the hands up of the couple that stood before us. I could see them mouthing "thank you" to the crowd repeatedly as they were praised in front of the entire station. I felt happy for them. I looked over to where Ashley would have been seated beside Thompson and saw her missing. It got me worried, but I knew I couldn't go looking for her. Maybe she had something important to do for the ceremonies.

"Please present to us the seed of life!" Madam continued, holding out her palm to the boy. He smiled and reached down into his pocket. He felt around a bit and then reached for his other pocket. Nothing.

There is this little part in the prophecy where the Restorators will provide the first seed to be planted on the ground. Some people thought it was more metaphorical, but clearly Madam was on the side that it was a literal seed. It was supposed to appear to the man, but it wasn't. He frantically searched every part of his body for any sign of a seed, but he came out with nothing. Meanwhile I heard a commotion from the high council in front of us. They were just as confused as he was. Abruptly, a loud noise originated from the back of the room. Everyone turned in unison in their seats to investigate the noise. It was Ashley, and she was with Matthew.

They stepped forward into the room slowly, hand in hand. There was blood dripping from them onto the floor as they walked, leaving a trail as they went. Their faces marked with streaks of red as if they had slapped each other repeatedly. No one said a word as they made their way past the Fifths and Fourths into the center of the room. It was at this point that President Maxwell stood up and yelled for the guards to arrest them.

I watched as they rushed towards them. They're calm and relaxed manner quickly turned to franticness as they were torn apart and Matthew was thrown to the floor. One of the guards returned to his feet holding a small object which he then raised for everyone to see. It was an acorn seed, something my dad would tell me stories about. He had told me that he had gone outside and visited an old oak tree in a small valley. He said he saw hope in that tree, that it would be something special one day.

Maxwell approached the guard and took the seed in his hand. He looked at it closely then returned to the front of the stage.

"Kill the boy. Right here. Remind these people what happens when you break our rules. Remind Ashley. She seems to have forgotten." He ordered at the snap of his fingers. He handed the seed back to Madam for her to present to the Restorators. They continued to beat Matthew until he was nearly dead. Ashley was screaming, piercing the entire room with her horror. Madam tried to continue her speech, but the entire room was fixed on what was happening to the bloodied couple instead. I watched as they put the collar around Matthew's neck. I knew what it meant. They put them on the people in Westside when they were going to die. They would lead them away to a small room where they would deliver the shock that stopped their heart. I saw the fire go out in Ashley, and it was put in me. Before I knew what I was doing I stood up from my seat and screamed at the top of my lungs for them to stop. It worked, as if all the guards had waited for my queue to stop everything they were doing. Suddenly, all the attention was on me. I had my opportunity and I took it.

"They're lying to you all!" I screamed, my voice nearly breaking over the shear volume I was using. "The seed was given to them for a reason. Don't you see that? The prophecy states that it will be given to a man and a woman with high honor. I can't think of anyone truer to this than these two."

I took a long pause to catch my breath. No one was moving. They were all still listening to what I had to say.

"Ashley is the bravest woman I have ever met. She saw through the lies of the high council and saw a real person inside a Fifth. She broke the rules so she could give them a chance. They are real people, and the high council makes sure we can't see that. And Matthew...he pursued a relationship that he knew would get him killed. He wanted things to be different for his people, for himself. He loved someone that he knew he could never love. No matter which path he took, he would die. My father, and my brother were also killed trying to make things different. They saw the truth too and they were murdered to keep it hidden from us. I hope you all can see through it too. We can't stand divided any longer." I finished, remaining where I stood.

"Guards! Arrest her!" Maxwell shouted, fury in his voice. I closed my eyes and waited for the collar to be placed around my neck. I waited to be dragged away to my death. It never came. I watched Maxwell look around in disbelief, waiting desperately for someone, anyone, to act. The guards rose from their seats and stood in protest. I watched as other members of the crowd got up from their seats and stood before Maxwell. All divisions stood together as one. As more and more people rose the smaller he became. He was powerless.

"I was wrong." A weak and raspy voice interjected as people continued to stand. It was Ashley's father, who struggled to rise from his seat. "She believed in something that I could never accept. I destroyed her for it and I will never forgive myself. She saw the injustice and she fought against it with everything she had. Just like her mother. I believe her now. We can no longer stand divided. We are one nation, and that's the only way we will survive through this. Together."

The collar was removed from Matthew's neck and the two were guided to the front of the stage where Madam was holding the acorn seed. She smiled graciously as they were brought to the stage and stood before the crowd.

"I'd like to pronounce to you the true Restorators of Cedar Station." She remarked humbly, handing them the seed.