One Color At A Time

Chapter 24

Jonathan doesn't eat much as he is anxious to talk with Madison again. His stomach is tying itself in knots just thinking about truly having her back again and telling her about how his sights have developed because of her.

He dumps the rest of his food and races back to the room. Once back in the room, he sees that Travis has fallen asleep with a chair pulled up next to Sally's bed, who also fell asleep. Tyler is up on the cot but looks to have just woken up. Lacey and Clarabell are seated on the floor just quietly talking to one another. Madison is sitting up and looked at the door once Jonathan walks in and gives him the biggest smile.

"Madi," Jonathan breaths out and walks over.

Madison's eyes well up with tears and she holds out her arms inviting him in for a much-needed hug. Carefully, he wraps his arms around her and holds her so close to him as part of him is afraid that if he were to let go she would vanish all over again.

"I was so scared I wasn't going to see any of you ever again," Madison says as they pull away.

"Trust me, we were working so hard to get you back."

"They told me how hard you worked Jonathan but you put yourself at risk of hurting yourself." Her voice was so soft but held a scolding power behind it.

"I know but I had to. Madison, I have something to tell you."

"What?"

"After you and I started talking about the colors and how each one looked and felt like then my sight started to develop."

Madison looks up at Jonathan with a quizzical look. She reaches up, her arm so much thinner than when she was taken. Jonathan takes her hand in his and just finds himself so comforted from the pressure and slight weight of holding onto her. 

"What do you mean?" 

"It started happening before but after you were taken additional sights started to develop. First yellow started to peek through then green, blue came next and it just continued."

"I-I taught you how to see the other colors?" 

Madison's face holds a sense of surprise, her eyes are wide which looks almost comical with how thin her face has gotten. Her lips part slightly as she looks at the others. Lacey and Clarabell who's heads lift up just nod at her. Madison looks back over at Jonathan and a smile grows. She sits up and wraps her arms around Jonathan pulling him into a hug with surprising strength.

"I just need a little help for purple to fully breakthrough."

"Of course but can it wait? I'm tired and the nurse said I should try to get some more rest."

"Go ahead. We will all be right here."

Jonathan drags the other chair over to sit next to Madison. One hand is placed in her's and the other is gently running his fingers through her hair. No words are exchanged between them just gently looks. Her eyelids begin drooping, so Jonathan leans over and kisses her forehead. He whispers something in her ear, she nods before closing her eyes and sleeps soundly. Jonathan rests his head on his arm and his own eyes close with sleep following soon behind.

~~~

Director Euwell was in her office completing all the necessary paperwork for all branches to release all the information they gathered over the course of six months investigation of rescuing of the All...of Madison Beckle. 

"Director Euwell, have you signed everything." Director Parish's voice breaks through her screen.

"Oh yes. I just sent the signature over. That gives your branch and all other branches full permission to now release everything. We have to make sure the people know of what the government was doing to that poor girl. As much as everyone wants multiple sights, no one condones human experiments on unwilling individuals."

"Thank you Director Euwell. We have everything in order. Let's show the people who these people really are."

All the directors across The Division released everything single piece of information they have on what they did to Madison and other plans they had that would have broken so many laws and regulations. 

The news stations were having a hay day with everything and no matter how much they tried, the scientists and other officials couldn't do anything about it. Many of them went on trial. 

"Madison Beckle, can you confirm that these men right here were the ones who were testing on you." The attorney asks.

"Yes. Dr. Cole Carter is the main one but the other two worked alongside him."

The trials were pretty short but took a long time because it was almost the entire government. However, Madison and The Division won. They won against all odds because the people finally saw the true nature of the government that they had placed over them.

"HEADLINE: DR. Cole Carter charged and sentenced. Many others to follow!"

While all of this is happening, the group finishes their year at college. Sally returned to the reservation for the summer while Tyler and Travis just want a town over to help at their family's shop. Lacey and Clarabell are placed in a Division owned apartment since they were being promoted within the group and were needed close.

"Will you be going back to Sweden?" Jonathan asks Madi as she is helping him pack up his dorm.

"Chris is but I'm not. We had a long talk after everything and decided that it was best if I stayed here and he went back." She says sitting down on the edge of his bed.

"I'm sorry." 

"Don't be. Like I said, once I was discharged from the medical center he and I had a very long talk. He never wanted to come to this country anyways. I decided to stay. I'm much happier here and maybe I can help in The Division and start teaching people to see the other colors."

"Well, if you ever need a place to crash, just know you can always come to me."

"Where will you be staying?"

"My mom got back in touch with me. She and my dad want to try to have a relationship with me again. I'm willing to give it a try so until I have enough money saved up, I'll be back home." He says setting closing up the last box.

"How far away is that?"

"In the same town that Tyler and Travis are in. So, no more than a 45-minute drive. What about you?" He walks over and sits next to her.

"Director Euwell offered to house me for a little bit. Same as you, until I have a job and save enough money."

"Well, we'll have to visit." He smiles at her while gently placing his hand over her's.

"Often." Madison smiles back and leans her head on his shoulder.

In just a year, this group went through more than most people. It brought out some of the worst in a few of them but also brought out the best. It allowed Madison to learn to be comfortable with who she is and allowed the others to see more than just the one sight they were born with.

It also allowed Jonathan to finally after helping in the resuing of her, ask her own on a date but that's another story.

"Madison Beckle, you may have taught me how to see more than just one color. But you are the only sight I ever need." 

Madison lets out a laugh before holding Jonathan tight.

"You are something else Jonathan Carter."