Redeemer (27 page)

“They won't be.” His eyes tell me differently, though. He steps around me and heads back to work, and I make my way forlornly down the stairs.

This isn't the way things were supposed to go. But none of this was.

Fischer meets me outside the dome, his eyes questioning as he catches the direction I came from.

“I talked to Keegan,” I say.

Uncertainty dances across his face, but he keeps quiet.

“I told him I was going away. With you.”

Relief replaces the uncertainty, and he smiles and takes my hand. “Everything is ready for us to leave in a few days' time.”

I put my hands on his chest and look straight into his eyes. “And I've been thinking of something else. I was hoping you would help me with it.”

He takes my face in his hands and kisses me softly on the lips. “I'll do whatever you ask.”

 

 

 

 

Epilogue

 

We open a chapel. At first, it's small, but word spreads fast. Soon we are meeting in the dome, and Fischer works with others to haul the concert equipment from Greater City to be used in our services of spreading the message of Jesus Christ. People sing and worship. They cry in sorrow and awe. And together we vow we will never forget our God again.

It is one year after the attack on Middle City 1. One year since I have seen Keegan. It is the day we will hold a special service to mourn for all those who were lost. The dome is packed to capacity, and we have set up HELP Comps around the streets so everyone can hear the service.

Several people lead the music, and others stand and give memorial. At the end, I read from the Bible Guard Nev brought me. We have other Bibles now. Using the machines available in Greater City, we have printed thousands of Bibles to distribute. Miriam took many of them with her when she left for the villages.

I step to the front of the stage and take in the thousands of people surrounding me. Nerves flutter in my throat, but I ignore them as I speak. “We are free.”

The people cheer.

“There are so many who led us to this place. People who we will never know their names or their stories, or how they helped us reach this point.” My mind is on Mr. Elders, and I am sure there are others. “Today we should honor them. Remember them. And give thanks.”

When the service ends, I step down. Fischer takes my hand and whisks me away. He stops me outside the door to my office. It's a prayer room I share with him.

He leans in and kisses me softly on the lips. “There is someone here to speak with you.”

This happens regularly. I smile and nod. “OK.”

He opens the door and I step inside. My smile vanishes. “Dad.”

The man who steps forward looks nothing like my father. His face is haggard, his eyes lifeless. His body is no longer strong and healthy. “Hana. I'm so glad to see you alive.”

I swallow and nod. “Yes, I've worried about you, too.”

“I heard you speak today. Your message is powerful and persuasive.”

I nod again, unsure what he expects of me. Worries have plagued me since the attacks. No one could find him, and I never knew if he lived or died.

He steps forward and reaches out to me. Slowly, I take his hand. “I want you to know I believe. I have for months, but I didn't come sooner because I wasn't sure if I'd be welcome.”

My voice shakes. “I'm glad to hear that, and I'm glad you came.”

Tears fill his eyes immediately, and I can't hold my own back. “Your mom would be so proud. She always questioned the Greaters, and when you started I just didn't know where that left me. I'm so sorry. I have no greater regret in life.”

His words are sincere. They ring true. “Thank you.”

We stand awkwardly in my prayer room, neither of us sure where to go next. Finally, he shifts. “Can I stay here in the city? I mean, can we stay in touch?”

Relief washes over me, and I nod quickly. I can give him this. “I would love nothing more.”

Dad wraps me in a hug and joy bursts through my heart. “I love you, Dad.”

He sobs against me. “I love you, too.”

After Dad leaves, Fischer takes my hand. He leads me to a set of stairs and we walk to a large track around the top of the dome. From the top, we look out at everything that is our city.

“This is the rest of our lives,” Fischer says. “We can move on now.”

I nod, basking in the warmth of the sun and of his hand in mine. “You don't think we're where we're supposed to be?”

“I do,” he says quickly. “But there are those in the cities further west. Those who haven't travelled this way. I've been thinking about them lately.”

I spin toward him. It's unbelievable how our minds work so closely together. “I've been thinking about them, too. There's a girl I saw in a window there once. I've never forgotten her.”

Fischer smiles at me and my insides warm. So we're going out west together. West to share God's message. Nerves flutter in my stomach, but I push them aside and offer a prayer of thanks to God.

Fischer kisses me one last time before leaving me to go to my room, and I begin mentally preparing for our trip. It will be hard, but I can handle that. As long as I'm with Fischer, and God, I'll be exactly where I am meant to be.

 

Don't miss the rest of the ENSLAVED series

 

How do You Find Freedom When all Hope is Lost?

 

VANQUISHED,

Book One

 

When Hana's mom is diagnosed with the mutation, she confesses to Hana she doesn't know what will happen if she dies. Fischer, a medic at the hospital, implies there is Someone who can help–but religion's been outlawed.

 

Hana embarks on a dangerous journey, seeking the answers Fischer insists are available. But when the truth is uncovered, will Hana stick to what she's been taught? Or will she join the rebellion and take a stand against an oppressive society?

The Blinders are off. The Choice has been Made.

 

DELIVERANCE,

Book Two

 

Hana is Greater. It's a future she never envisioned for herself, but she's not about to ignore the opportunity she's been given--the opportunity to find answers about her Mom, Jamie, and Fischer. This could be an opportunity to tell others the truth about God and uncover the secrets the Great Supreme has been keeping from their small, struggling nation.

 

When Hana's search brings her to the mysterious prison she's only heard of in rumors, the desire to get inside drives her to dig deeper for answers, but what she uncovers may be bigger than them all.

 

Can she save herself and the others before the Great Supreme realizes what she's doing, or will she give up everyone she loves in her quest for the truth?

Thank you for purchasing this Watershed Books title. For other inspirational stories, please visit our on-line bookstore at
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May God's glory shine through

this inspirational work of fiction.

 

AMDG