Would you believe that as soon as my stepfather got out of the hospital, my mother went in? And then there have been job searches, and possible moves, and the start of school, and...ACK! So I am very, very sorry for the delay. Here is the next post, and I still have hope of finishing this before tonight's deadline.

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2107

Forgive us, children. We tried...

It had not been enough. Their efforts had been the last gasps of a dying race...the race of free people. Just a few years after that, Chase knew, it had all fallen apart with a subtle, terrible swiftness.

They were called The Founders, because they wanted to found a new reality. It must have seemed like such a blessing when they first stepped into the public arena. All of them wealthy, with powerful social and political connections, they had banded together from almost every country to cure the world's ills. With just a few spoken words, they had accumulated staggering amounts of money. Poverty disappeared virtually overnight. Universal health care became an accepted fact within a matter of days. Crime ceased to exist. It was birthdays and flowers and every good and joyful thing that had ever happened, all wrapped up as a benevolent gift.

When The Founders suggested removing national borders and uniting the world in one large federation, it was hailed as a brilliant idea. What need was there for countries, when it had just been proven how powerful a thing unity can be? And when voices began to call upon The Founders for leadership, the group had demured and deflected and finally agreed...if that was what the people truly wanted.

And when The Founders called for the abolishment of cultures and religions...well, why not? Didn't everyone agree that this kind of separatist thinking had been the source for most of the world's conflicts throughout history? Wouldn't we all be better off without our differences, and wouldn't the world be a happier, kinder place if we all formed a newer, more reformed society?

It probably hadn't been that easy. There had to have been people who questioned, who argued for caution, who utilized wisdom that their compatriots chose not to exercise or simply did not possess. In the end, however, money and power had won, and the voices were silenced. By the time the majority had realized the horror of the situation, it had been far, far too late. They had bartered their freedom for peace, and they had lost both.

Chase's parents had been members of the small but determined resistance; it was why they had been killed. He could still remember how his father had tried to block the guards' entry into their small home and the anguished look in his mother's eyes as she died...the sorrowed whisper of her words...My baby...

He had been just a baby, not more than a few years old. Despite the tragedy of their world, his parents had done their best to provide him with a happy childhood. He remembered the park. They'd tried to shield him from the reality of the situation, but his father had told him once that he would need to be strong as he grew, so that he could stand up for himself. He'd tried to remember his parents, but he'd been so young when he was brought here, and he had seen so many terrible things. It overwhelmed him, and he was frightened.

Fear is not an excuse to be silent...

And yet that was exactly what he had done...he had been silent. He'd been quiet and faithful and subservient, doing his best to go unnoticed. He had survived...but that's all it had been. It was existing, not living. Emma had tried to tell him, and now he had read the truth in his ancestor's words. He thought of his strong, courageous father and his beautiful, determined mother, and he was ashamed. "Forgive me," he said, as tears rolled down his face. From somewhere deep inside, a healing whisper touched his heart and carried away the loneliest part of his grief. It was enough, he realized, that he was willing to try now.

Courage is the price...

Hastily he rose to his feet. As he tucked the journal securely beneath his shirt, his fingers brushed against the Bible and he thought, Maybe someday. Then he touched the journal one more time and whispered, "Thank you." Moving quickly now, he left the room and headed towards the caves. He hoped he wasn't too late.

She's back. She's back! And even though your life has been crazy, I sure appreciate that you are going to finish this.

This just sent chills through me, because I can actually seeing it happening.

How many of us cruise through life this way? Wake up call!!!Thank goodness he has come to this conclusion.

kav

Yay!!! Ami, I'm so happy to see that you're continuing with this!!!!

As with every other post of this story, it packed a powerful punch---your description of what happened in the past to make Chase's present what it is was terrifyingly realistic. Knowing what happened to his parents made me teary. This line gives me hope:

Can't wait for more!

Ami I'm so glad to see you (and read you for that matter)! I would quote something but I have to go work in the garden before the bugs show up.

You have touched such a cord with all of this - especially in the world we read about and live in lately!

Are you moving? Hope your mom is feeling better and that your stepfather was supportive!

The group was already on its way, but Chase had spent his life in these caves. There were only so many places to look. After two false starts he was beginning to worry that he wouldn't find the right path in time, but then his heart leapt at the sound of murmured voices. Eagerly he rushed forward, only to stop with chagrin when he was greeted by several formidable people carrying guns...courtesy of Peters' friend the guard, he supposed.

He held up his hands, wondering what good he hoped to do against bullets and asking himself why on earth he hadn't just left with Emma in the first place. "It's okay," he stammered, and then he saw her. She was so beautiful, and she remained his hope in the midst of a fledgling new life. "Emma," he called. She turned, her golden hair flowing around her like the warmth of the sun.

It took only a second for her to see him, and her smile reached straight to his heart. Their future was in that smile. "Chase Jackson Hudson," she said as she made her way to his side. Taking his hands in hers, she peered into his eyes. "What did she say to you?"

He brushed the tops of her hands with his thumbs, and his lips curved in a gentle smile. "She said 'Courage is the price that Life exacts for granting peace'."

Emma understood, and she laughed, and she cried. They laughed and cried together, and then Chase cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. He'd waited his whole life just to live this moment. They whispered their love when the kiss ended, and Emma wrapped her arms around him and snuggled against his chest. Chase noticed Ryan watching them regretfully and felt a quiet satisfaction. Peters might be a lot of things, but he wasn't Emma's. But I am, he thought, and he smiled.

Grateful...that was the only word for it. He was grateful for an ancestor who had led the way, grateful for parents who had set an example, and grateful for a woman who had loved him so much that he couldn't help but be a hero. Chase studied the people around him, knowing that they would not all live to see the end of the fight. Many of them would suffer and die, but he suddenly knew with absolute certainty that they would someday prevail. And the journey...however long it took or wherever it might lead...would be worth every step.

"Glad you could join us, Chase," Ryan's voice reached him over the crowd. Ever the leader, Peters had shrugged off his disappointment and was gathering his followers once again. "We need to move on; it's not much farther now." The pronouncement caused an excited buzz to race through the crowd.

"We're almost there!"

"Freedom."

"I haven't been above ground in so long..."

And then someone's voice, rising above the others. "We should mark this day. Does anyone know what day it is?"

Fifteen years, five months, eighteen days...

"I do," Chase said gruffly as he stepped forward, Emma's hand clasped firmly in his. He faced the crowd as a man who had chosen his course, and his words held the joy of freedom. "It's July 4th. It's Independence Day."

~~finis~~


Thank you all so much for reading and responding.

That ending gave me goosebumps, Ami! I don't quite feel ready to say goodbye to Chase and Emma yet---I want to share the rest of the journey with them, but that just means that you've created wonderful characters who pulled me into the story! Even though parts of this story were very dark, there was much hope woven through it as well. Superb job, my friend.

Oh I got goosebumps too. That was amazing! I'm sad to see it end, but you've left us with so much hope both for Chase and Emma and for the future of the world. This was a tremendous read!

kav

I was wondering what creative way you would come up with to tie in the title. Chase makes me think of that quote I heard once "God gives us courage - not fear". What a story Ami. Hope you will find time to write another one soon.

Ami, I'm so glad that you came back to finish this thought-provoking story...challenge timeline or not! This was a wonderful story and I was very eager to see what was going to happen. Although you left us wondering what exactly is going to happen with Chase and Emma, you also left us with their hope and determination. Bravo, Ami!

i liked that bit.

excellent wonderful and amazing

What a touching and inspiring story. Thank you for writing it.

I look forward to another story from you!

What an ending Ami! I SO totally didnt see that coming, but yet it was SOOO perfect for an ending. I'd quote more, but it'd end up being the rest of the story, so let's just leave it at the fact that you have (once again) blown me away with your writing.

See, that right there, that thing you did where you wrote the words and they just hit me right here and....sniffle. That is why I couldn't bear to start your story until I knew you were almost done and then devoured the lot in one marathon sitting. I feel like I have been through the wringer (in the very best way) and now I can't believe it's over.

That was simply magnificent!!!!!

This is incredible, Rerio!! The last sentence reduced me to tears - tears of joy and hope!!!

There is so much I could quote, but it would take up way too much room!! Every word held a meaning and touched my heart!!

Thanks so much for sharing!!

I hope your mother is doing better and I wish you the best in all your endeavors!!!

Joy

Rerio, this story was truly amazing. I found myself thinking of it often when I wasn't even on the board. It showed how much we take for granted and how we could so easily be on a few generations from losing it.

Your created characters we wanted to cheer for and we desparately wanted to survive.

Excellent work!!!!

Hi

Great story - had me on the edge of my seat many times, I also cried when Emma left Chase behind (it seemed so much like it could have been something that could have happened between Sue and Jack - with Sue having the courage to believe in god (just like Emma seemed to) and helping Jack (or Chase) to have the courage to continue).

Could there be a sequel following Chase and Emma as the continue their journey and possible leading to the discovery that Emma is decended from Bobby and Tara???????

Pleased that you and you co-worker werent badly hurt in the accident and I hope everything works out for your co-worker.

Wow!

That is all I can say.

Christine

Ami --

Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart through Chase and Emma. What a powerful story and what an amazing reminder about lessons on fear and courage and what's important.