Chapter 13: 11 Neo-Genesis
It was clear. The sky in summer was always like this, a crystal blue background decorated with small little clouds. It seemed like a year that she had not seen the real sky but the plain ceiling. The sun shone brightly but thanked the breezy wind, the golden light just warmed the day and not baked the town when the wind already cooled the city.
“Head homeward, little bird,
Fly up high. Thou art free.
Misery is no more.
Time means not to thee.”
“Why am I hearing people singing? Does the school choir come too?”
“No. It’s Mr. and Mrs. Romuller. They request the church choir to sing the song for their dead girl. They said it will help guide her soul to the right place.”
“I’ve never heard of that.”
Bryce lifted her shoulders. “What can they do for dead people? We don’t know how to talk with the spirit…if there is any. It lifts their soul.”
“Sonya.”
“What?”
“Her name,” Alexis told Bryce.
“Oh.”
This is why everyone wore black. She looked outside. Many familiar faces appeared. They were waiting for them, waiting for their loved ones to leave for the undisclosed journey. It was good to hear the song when her departure could be comparable to Sonya’s departure.
“When is the funeral?”
“Tomorrow…why are you smiling?”
Alexis shook her head, “Nothing.”
Bryce threw her sister’s backpack on the table carelessly. She was fed up. “Think it’s for you? It’s a song for dead people. You’re not going to die. The sister I know is stronger than the depressed one in front of me.”
It pains me every time I move my arms. I’m not strong. I’m weak. “How it’s different?”
“Don’t say that.”
The girl saw the clear water in her sister’s eyes and it made her feel guilty.
“I’m sorry.” Alexis moved from the window. “I’m sorry. Okay?”
Bryce sighed, and the anger faded away. She changed the topic by picking up the photo album. “Here it is. I selected every photo that you look good.”
“You must give me tons of them.”
The big sister could smile now. “And your favorite jackets, I put them all inside this.”
Alexis checked her belonging. Bryce prepared all her favorite stuff, including the CD portable player, a few CD albums of her favorite bands, and some books. “You’re always thoughtful.” The girl picked up the device. Bryce smiled a little but her red eyes fixed on the younger one.
“Ma’am, where are they?
“Who? Speak quickly girl,” urged Helga.
“Mrs. Dobies and her sister.”
“They’re sentenced to death. Both of them have been taken to the capital for the execution.”
Alexis shook the previous conversation out of her mind. She gave rolls of papers to Bryce. The papers and a pencil she asked from Helga. The policewoman acted friendlier after the incident. Alexis had the chance to kill her time in the cell by creating many drawings for Charlie.
“My drawings of the elephant and others, Monkey wants to learn. Give him when he asks for it. I wish he won’t forget me.”
Alexis picked up the pocket of her cosmetics. The girl offered her precious collection to her sister. “I don’t need this anymore.”
“It’s your precious treasure.”
“No, not anymore. You should take care of yourself. You’re beautiful. You should know that.”
“I’m already beautiful, right? And why do I need these things?” She jerked her brow up.
“Because you need a little help to make you shine.”
Bryce did not respond. Alexis counted the perfume bottles her sister packed them inside and selected only the best ones she could not miss. The girl just realized how spendthrift she was. She still loved these things and wanted to see herself walking on the prominent catwalk someday. Ridiculous. To dress pretty and walk alongside Elodie on a summer day was no more.
The cop van was waiting outside, including her family. It was the day of departure. The authority announced the date just the previous day. The mother fainted twice during yesterday's visit. The first time she fainted because of seeing Alexis’ horrible look and the second time when she heard the departure date.
The tears flew down Bryce’s cheekbones. It was too fast. After a week of terror, a week of undesirable changes, the Davis was going to lose one member. No tears from Alexis, she cried enough.
Alexis wore the jacket. “I know it’s summer but I need to wear it.” This time, her sister did not tease the little sis because Alexis wanted to hide all the bruises on her arms. The bruises were still evident. The girl hated to see the ugly spots on her body, especially when the makers were the hideous rapists.
“Girls always take a long time.” Jesse’s voice was behind their back. He just entered the room. “All of your friends are talking with their families and you prefer to have the private girl’s talk now? That’s a shame.”
She saw he was hiding his clenching fists, trying to be strong, trying to be the annoying brother, but all the Davis brothers and sisters were the same, not the good pretenders. Heartache was on his face, she saw it clearly. Jesse thought he studied laws with the purpose to help the unfortunate people. The skill that would help the victim from unjustness; ironically, did not benefit him to rescue his sister. His hand reached her neck to touch her bruises. Alexis confirmed that everything was fine.
“Don’t judge the look by its cover.”
“This cover is totally in the bad condition like you were crushed by a truck.”
“They’re just bruises.”
“The wounds are in your eyes, my little sis.” He placed his hand on her head. “Remember the day I told you about being enlightened?’
“Certainly.”
“Try to be that, always. I’m not with you anymore. I can’t protect you. You must take care of yourself. Protect yourself. Promise me, you’ll be fine. Promise me that you won’t let yourself be the victim again. You can’t rely on the others. You can’t expect a hero to come to save you. Promise me, little sister, until we meet again.” Jesse paused for a while. “I’ll put all my effort to save you, to bring you back.”
Alexis looked at him and Bryce. Then she nodded. “Father taught us not to tell lies, not to give the promise we’re incapable of holding. But I make the promise because I don’t want to be in that situation the second time. And I want to meet my family again.”
“That’s my sister!”
“I’ve got everything. Let’s get outside.”
The brother hugged her close to him. Jesse was secretly crying.
“Nah, don’t cry. I’m trying so hard not to!” The wave of tears rose again. She thought her body ran out of tears. Perhaps, if she cried again, it would be her blood for sure.
Jesse’s chest was warm and protective. Like Bryce, Alexis saw him as the second father, a hot-headed dad, and a very good brother.
“We need you. Our family needs you, my little Alex.” Then he released the girl. “Damn my eyes! If you tell anyone I shed tears, I’ll kill you both.”
Alexis wiped the tears from his face. They were laughing without knowing why. It was hard to control the dam in the eyes. The girl did not want to see anyone, especially her mother bursting into tears again. My little Alex, the name Jesse had called her before Charlie became their youngest. Three siblings embraced each other for the last time. The need for their embrace had never been run out.
Alexis kissed both of them and they went outside.
She saw the cop van first even though it was parked far from her position. It might be because she saw the Romuller family next to it. When Sonya’s parents saw Alexis, they nodded a little, a symbol presenting their greeting before they were gone.
Two days after the harassment, Bruce and Cameron were sent to the administrative court in Futuristic Metropolis, the same place where Ms. Stephen and Mrs. Dobies would be executed. Alexis heard that her husband took his children to the capital too, for the last farewell.
Poor him, poor children, they’re too young to lose their mother.
Poor me too, too young to lose everything like this.
She had never forgotten Sonya’s dead face. Her skin burnt and it caused the eversion of skin parts revealing the fresh red meat beneath. All two eyes were burnt too. No matter how much she wanted to forget it, Alexis knew that it would never leave her memory, only if she was the dead girl too.
“You need anything?” Her father asked when seeing his children. He was waiting with her mother and Little Charlie. Her father inserted both hands inside his casual pants’ pockets and maintained the calmness as he always was. Her mother, on the contrary, wailed out loud. The girl hurried to her adoptive mother and gave a comforting hug.
“It’s gonna be alright, mommy. You tell me to have faith in myself. I have, mom. I have.”
“Look at you, my baby.” She raised the girl’s chin and surveyed all the bruises on her daughter’s body. “How can I stop thinking that they won’t hurt you? Can we take her home? Can we? Oh, Caleb, please tell me I’m dreaming!”
Her father wrapped his arms around her mother’s shoulders gently. “Our daughter is strong. Are you?”
Alexis nodded like a little brave child. She squeezed Charlie’s golden lock. “Be a good boy, monkey.”
“I am!” Then his smile faded. “You must come back. I’m going to miss you.” The boy wrapped his arms tightly around her legs.
The girl laughed tearfully. A few meters away, the cops uncovered the door at the rear passenger seats. It was the time to stop hoping for the alarm clock. Nothing could wake her up from this nightmare.
This shit is real.
Her eyes wandered around to remember the town, the people. Alexis had never left the town for a long time. And this might mean permanence. Since she became Alexis Davis, San Bosa was her home. She had never imagined the departure without the certainty of no return.
Oslo was drowning among his family's blessings and all the members had red hair. Those caramel eyes met her. He revealed a sad smile. They shared the same feeling—yearning for the life they would be deprived of. Next to the Jessens were the Millers and the Carters. Mrs. Miller wept heavily like Bianna while Belinda was crying on her boyfriend’s shoulder. Her close friends were comforting her.
June.
You don’t really come.
Not too many people came. The authority allowed only family and close friends. Therefore, Elodie and Davy carried large bags of gifts from the others (Wade’s and Oslo’s best friends did the same). Alexis had hoped June would come. It was a stupid hope.
“Thanks for the delivery,” Alexis told them, eyes surveying what was inside the bags and she saw many chocolate packages. “You guys aim at ruining my teeth!” Alexis cried.
“When you go, who I can talk with?” Elodie asked. Alexis looked at the sky to resist the tears before answering her.
“You have many friends.”
“But they’re not my best friends. Not the best like you…”
“You can find the bestest friend.” Her thought wandered to June. “And I’m not that good.”
Eventually, Alexis embraced her little friend. “Don’t cry. You don’t have a good relationship with mascara though it has the best waterproof,” she told Elodie.
“You…”
“It’s time. Get in the van!” Helga called through the megaphone.
As soon as the cop walked straight to her, Davy pushed Elodie away (“Hey!” the girl cried.) He wrapped his strong arms around her neck. Warm as always, she could smell his cologne—the light scent of soft lavender and orange blossom. It was suited for the summer day.
My gift to him.
And the embrace she longed for and dreamed of…even he was not hers anymore. Alexis remembered their prom night well. His scent was the same but the girl had no fresh flower on her head and a blue velvet dress. Alexis wondered if she was not accused, how their relationship would turn to? Of course, she was the one who insisted on the split-up. But even though he had cheated on her, why Alexis still acted like an obedient girl in his arms?
“If I could fix it…if I could turn back time, I wouldn’t do it. I’m sorry. I will miss you like crazy. I love you, Alex.”
I love you too…more than you do. I’m fucking crazy about you.
Alexis mesmerized every detail on his face. Those eyes that melted her, the eyes she surrendered to. The intimacy they shared during the prom night was always vivid and it would be her forever awkward experience and a good memory.
“Thanks, Davy,” replied she. It was unplanned. Alexis hugged him back automatically and tightly. His betrayal, June’s betrayal, she forgot it all.
If I could turn back time…if this is not the last sign of his affection for me…if Junes just says sorry…
His face came closer and closer. It was like they were about to kiss.
“Alex,” Jesse narrowed his eyes at them like a warning. They were not in a private place and her parents were watching.
“It’s the last time,” she spoke through her teeth. Jesse squeezed her hair and pushed her to their mother. The heat boiled on her two cheeks. Davy always made her forget everything and if Jesse did not interfere, at least, she would have the last kiss.
Father and Mother laughed and it was the first laugh since she was arrested.
“I don’t have to do my job when I have Jesse,” her father said.
It was her mother who gave the last kiss on her front head. “I’m alright, mom. Don’t worry. I love you. Take care of yourself” She hugged her close. She was paler and thinner. “Mom, you have to eat more!”
“Come back to me. Promise me, my baby.” Bianna demanded.
Her eyes met Jesse and Bryce and they were smiling. “Yes, mom, I promise. I try my best.” Then she wiped the tears from Bianna’s eyes. She was beautiful although she was going to break down. “I love you, mom.”
Alexis moved to her father, her lighthouse. “I love you, dad. Thanks for bringing me to your family. I…shit.” The wave of tears poured out finally. Why am I so weak?
Caleb put his hand on the girl’s head. He raised the girl by himself for fifteen years. She was not an adoptive child in his eyes but his real daughter. And she was loved so much.
“We love you.” As soon as his soft hand shed the tears on her face, the naughty tears kept pouring down.
“I’m sorry. I try not to cry.”
“My love, you don’t’ have to. Being strong doesn’t mean you don’t have the heart.”
It was just a second, two seconds, three seconds that she felt alive in their arms until the cops called the second call, waking her to face the reality.
“Could you give us more time?” Bianna screamed, reaching for her daughter. Caleb must hold her close to him. Joseph had one of his arms pull her out of the family’s embrace and another pulled Oslo from his and then dragged them to the van. Alexis hurriedly grabbed all her belongings and let him do what he wanted. What was the point of resistance? Alexis preferred to save her energy.
“We will be the first ones that return!” The girl shouted. Yes, it was the promise. Alexis felt like she had to speak something to assure them, to ease their pain.
“Get on!” Joseph still wore those masks. But this time she did not a good obedient girl. Her eyes searched for them, her family and friends.
“Get on,” He repeated but his voice softer. Suddenly, she remembered what she wanted to tell him because at that time she forgot to do it.
“Thank you…for saving my life.”
The officer stared at her for a few seconds before leaving them to help Helga who was mingled with Wade. Both helped each other to let him get in the van. It was a very difficult job because the boy was taller than both of them and he resisted hard.
“Give me more times, fuck off!”
But Wade was defeated finally. He went inside and fell near Alexis and Oslo.
Belinda was the last passenger. She got in the van by herself. The girl was calmer than the day she had been judged as the convict. She was the only one who made the elegant leave.
The door gradually closed and the kids still searched for their family. As the door closed completely, they still heard their families calling them. However, they could not see them. The non-transparent window blinded them completely.
“I thought I was dreaming this past week.” The tallest boy confessed, “I thought…it was some mistaken…”
“I need a big slap. I’m not good at waking up. My mom always slaps me on my back,” Oslo added, laughing dryly.
“Do you want me to wake you up as your mom did?” Wade volunteered, lifting his hand.
“I didn’t say anything like that.”
Alexis did not join their conservation. She quietly arranged her things. The engine started. The vehicle moved. They were caged inside the rear passenger seats, listening to the mechanic moving. They were heading somewhere, perhaps excessively far away from home.
No turning back, they were forced to move forward without the goal in their lives.
“Alex, there’s a note behind your back,” Oslo kindly told her. The paper note was in one of the jeans’ pockets.
I’m sorry, it wrote.
She thought of the one who brought it. Davy inserted June’s note when they embraced each other. Alexis knew it was June’s handwriting. The girl did neither smile nor cry; she felt relieved.
Apology accepted.
Alexis looked around. Her friends sat in silence, perhaps thinking of their families. All shut themselves from the others for a while, obsessing with their thought. Two of them still had tears but on her face, all were dry.
No time for tears, Alexis had the promise to keep.
**********
All he could do was watch the way she waved and smiled to assure them that everything would be fine. And she gave them the promise.
Every night, he prayed to God and asked him to save everyone but God missed saving this girl.
The door closed. He could not see his Alexis anymore. As the van moved, Bianna could not balance herself. The loss was too much, she fainted. And she fainted several times these days.
“Bianna, my love?” He held his unconscious wife inside his arm. Bianna was not the only one who was heartbroken. Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Jessens also got blackouts. Only Mrs. Carter who was still unmoved watched the van disappear. She was such a strong lady even though he had a bad impression of her from the first day of his daughter’s arrest to this day. But he still respected her self-possession like a queen.
Elodie and Davy kindly rushed to help their mother’s friend. They were good kids as same as his daughter. Davy sent him a bottle of cooling water. Caleb thanked him and as his hand received the bottle, he found that Davy’s hands were shaking.
“I’m sorry, doctor…for your loss,” he said.
“We’re so sorry.” The others kindly expressed their condolences as if their friends had passed away. Yes, he meant all teenagers who came to send that four unfortunates. Well, it might be the same. He thanked all of them. Elodie was still reluctant to go so he said it was alright.
“Take your mother to our car,” he asked Jesse.
The son nodded.
“Both of you can go…and thanks for coming,” Jesse told Elodie and Davy.
“I’ll help,” His daughter’s sweetheart offered Jesse his hand.
His son shook his head and carried his mother by himself. Jesse walked to their car tailed by Bryce, Charlie, Elodie, and Davy. Everything went silent when people began to leave the station. No one spoke. No one transmitted a sound. They were heading home after losing a family member…friend…lover, forever.
Caleb was still standing at the same place. The emptiness inside his chest and head, the big hole that all air went through, was what they called heartbreaking.
“We will be the first ones that return!”
He smiled at the emptiness. I told you not to make the promise you can’t keep.
“My dear, don’t fail me. Don’t fail us,” he spoke to the wind, hoping it would send his message to his daughter. A few seconds later, as he thought his emotion was steady, Caleb return to the family’s van.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone