Chapter 147: The meeting on the awakened....1
The drive to the first wall was accompanied by the sound of Tommy’s sobs. His father could say nothing in that moment to comfort his son. His aunt was tense because she did not know what kind of welcome they would get in the first wall.
Would their neighbors act like those in the third wall had done? Every rooftop, every corner seemed to hold a pair of watching eyes.
They were all lost in different thoughts and brooding when the cars slowed down in front of a modest stone bungalow which was two times bigger than the house where they had been living.
For all of them, it was their first time seeing the residences in the first wall and just as it was rumored, they were beautiful and bigger. It seemed like construction had been going all this while because the areas was still being expanded and showed signs of construction.
Two soldiers opened the doors of the cars and the family of three emerged. They were escorted into the house where they found two figures waiting inside. Sunshine and Nimo.
Sunshine approached them. Her eyes softened as they fell on Tommy. She also took in the weariness, the fear, the red eyes and the way Clive clutched on his son’s arm protectively.
"Welcome to the first wall, don’t worry. You are safe here." She spoke gently. "This house will be yours now.
"Thank you, madam president." Clive clasped Sunshine’s hand tightly. "I have a request that I hope you will fulfill. Please tell everyone that my son is not a danger to them. I am afraid of what they will do to him. If he is attacked, I expect him to defend himself. But I am afraid that there will be permanent casualties."
Sunshine nodded. "I have already heard about the trouble you faced. I plan to address this issue tonight, I called for a meeting of all residents at the information center, make sure that you are present."
The family was left to settle in and a guide from the information center remained back to show them around and provide any assistance.
*****
That night, the information center in the second wall was crowded. Inside and outside, residents had turned up to attend the compulsory meeting. Only those on patrol duty were exempted but they were supposed to listen in on walkies-talkies or watch the meeting from tv screens.
Chairs scraped the floor, children squirmed on laps, and anxious voices filled the air. It was not rare for residents to be summoned together but the tension in this meeting was heavy. The residents had a clue as to why it had been called, and they were whispering.
In the third row sat sister Anna, her fingers knotted tightly in her lap. Her brother Carson was beside her, his shoulders hunched, eyes down cast. Sister Anna kept stealing glances at him hating the fact that he chose to come out today of all days.
Both of them had a reason to avoid this meeting and they were trying to act as casual as possible.
"We will be fine." Carson said, reading the uneasiness on his sister’s face.
Frank Gadriel meanwhile moved with purpose, handing out small fliers about the apocalypse. The papers had handwritten captions like: Do not trust the awakened. He whispered as he passed them around. "They will turn on us. You’ll see. You’ll see."
Those that stood with him were chanting the same words, encouraging others to stand with them.
The tension was unbearable, and many were relieved when the door to the lounge was opened. A hush swept through the residents as Sunshine entered, flanked by Hades, Nimo, Major Elio, Hadrian and a pair of soldiers.
"Please settle down." Nimo raised her voice over the noise. The crowd slowly shifted, though murmurs continued, a restless undercurrent.
No sooner had the silence taken hold than the first voices rose.
"What are you going to do about the awakened? It is dangerous to have superhumans here." Shouted a man from the back. "Send him away from the base."
A woman stood up, clutching her child tightly around her chest. "And why are our children here? Such talk will scare them."
Others joined in, words spilling over one another in competition. Suggestions, accusations, fear masquerading as reason.
Hades lifted his hand, his gaze sweeping the hall. His voice, when it came, was calm but carried the weight of iron. "No body asked for your opinions on the matter." He spoke loudly. "If anyone feels like they cannot live with superhumans among us, then you are free to leave the base as soon as the acid rain stops. But they will not be cast out."
The statement dropped like a stone into still water. The crowd shifted uncomfortably, mutters rippling again. Frank Gadriel clutched his flyers tighter, his eyes narrowing with contempt.
Sunshine leaned forward and said into a microphone. "We asked all of you to come here tonight to announce this. It concerns children too because awakening is not limited to adults. At any time, any one of us could awaken. Even babies can awaken.
You need to understand some facts before letting fear cloud your judgement. Awakening is not a myth, and it is not a curse. It is nature’s way of helping the human body evolve in order to deal with the challenges we are facing.
If we were not protecting you behind these walls or with the bubble, some of you here would be groveling at the feet of the awakened, hoping they will protect you."
Her eyes dwelled on Molly and Frank Galadriel especially. They were the loudest noise makers and yet they were cowards.
Sunshine’s voice warmed, gaining strength. "The ability is not evil as some are claiming. A bad workman blames his tools. An evil person is evil, human or superhuman.
Of course, we shall not tolerate evil on this base whether it comes from a human or a superhuman. We will also not tolerate bullying, harassment and the spreading of malicious gossip. Those who engage in these activities will be kicked out without a warning. Am I making myself clear?"
The crowd grew quieter, some faces softened, others remained hard, arms crossed.
Sunshine continued. "Many of you have heard the rumors about Tommy so I will be honest. Yes, it is true that Tommy Kirkland awakened. His power is unstable, and he has a lot to learn. He is being guided just like someone learning a driving skill, he is not a threat to you. He is just a boy, one of our own. His father helped to build many of the houses that are sheltering you.
As far as I know they have never harmed anyone here. Quite frankly, I am very disappointed in majority of you for the way you surrounded their home and called for their expulsion.
If that is the way you want things done, then tell me this. When you or your children awaken, should we treat you the same way?"
She looked around the room and also at the camera. "Raise your hands if you think that this should be the rule. I want to see how bold and stupid you are."