Arthur slowly opens his eyes looking up at that ceiling again. The comfort of home and hearing the noises knowing his mom is up and about. He sticks his hand out reminiscing about everything he has done so far..
Buzz Buzz
He receives a notification on his phone and sees it's just another article written about Freya seeing that the timeline is correct. He didn't forget the words that were said to him, turning on the voicemail Sophie left for him.
Sophie: I just wanted to thank you again. You saved my life he can hear her getting teary as she talks. I can finally live a life I can be proud off. I sent you a picture just to say thank you. she pauses for a moment and says. It doesn't matter what anyone says. You're my saviour! Yes grandma, I'll be there. I have to go now.
Bye.
He opens his messages and sees he received one from Sophie. A picture of them both smiling with a simple thank you message below it.
He smiles looking at it seeing that the fruits of his labour has borne a plentiful result. He places his phone on his chest constantly replaying the voicemail with his eyes closed.
His mother stands next to the door and hears the sobbing, but just stands and listens. A couple of hours later, he comes out his room and there is food on the table and his mother sitting across from him. They eats with no words being exchanged. He starts to scarf down his food.
A soft voice says "It's okay honey. Take your time Art". He slows down gradually until he just stops.
A brief silence fills the room with anticipation and he looks up to see his mother's face, eager and willing to hear him out. He says "I don't know what's next.." he says before looking up. "I feel like I've accomplished everything I've wanted to do and...".
He gets cut off.
Arthur with his head down in despair and droplets of rain start hitting against the window.
"Have you really?" she asks as he looks at her while thinking.
SCREECH
The sound of the chair moving backwards and she stands up.
A little chuckle is heard from her before saying "Remember how you use to watch the tv with your father and you would always do that one pose".
She turns around imitating him putting her arms on her hips saying "I'm here to save the day". He cringes at the site of what she is doing telling her to stop.
She goes towards the sink and just stands there. "Art". He looks up for a moment and he sees her face looking towards him with a soft smile. "Do whatever you want sweetheart" "Me and your father will always be here to support you."
"Like we always have".
Arthur feels it again. A tickle within him that awakens an emotion that has been long forgotten. "Thank you Mom" he says as tears roll down his face in anguish. While crying in silence, the news on the TV that was quiet the whole time gets louder and it shows a Press conference from Evolved.
The headline reads 'A New Chapter'. Freya gives a speech "I have come here to tell you all that everything within Evolved will change. We will no longer turn away from the suffering and those in anguish. I will change it with force if I must because I have been silent for too long. If you have any complaints about anyone within Evolved come in and say your piece because if no one will listen then I will. Nobody can force you to read the next chapter but I hope you will give it a chance".
Freya stops speaking with cameras flashing and journalists screaming to ask questions, She steps away from the podium placing her hand on her heart and gently bowing her head and holds it for a second.
Right after that press conference, the media erupted with talks and questions being asked about Evolved and then more came out from Evolved. Several days later, more than 20 EVO's were arrested including the President. The trust that was once broken into pieces, was being put back together piece by piece. People with complaints came in and other made it online, but all complaints were taken seriously.
Employees who had 3 or more complaints made about them, were terminated upon review. A department was created with hand picked individuals by Freya herself and that department will later be known as Hunters.
After the arrest of the President, Freya appointed herself as the president and EVO's started to fall in line with few showing dissent. Freya gets a call and she answers, but doesn't speak first.
"You are have reached the base, now it's time for you to ascend to new heights". A brief silence and it hits her, reality is truly a design of your will. "Well done Freya. I'll keep watching you from afar, but i'll always be hear to answer your call Goddess".
beep
The call hangs up and she leans backwards in the chair placing her head on the phone that's in her hands in front of her. All sorts of thoughts and emotions run through her mind, but "Well done" keeps running through her mind. She learnt that to deliver justice she needs to be harsh and resilient so that she will never feel helpless again.
After hanging up the call, Arthur continues with his walk, trying to find meaning in what he wants to do. When your stuck, just go out and see the world to find your own purpose.
He was walking mindlessly and came upon Bush hill park and saw the rift containment with the entrance visible. It's located at the centre of the park, so the paths are accessible, but a perimeter is set so that civilians and unauthorised EVO are not allowed near.
People are used to rifts at this point and just walk past like it's apart of their daily lives. Arthur stands at the edge of the perimeter looking at the rift and pondering.
"Is this the life I want?" "Will I find what i'm searching for..". A loud speaker from the rift containment unit says "DO NOT PASS THE PERIMETER FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY". Arthur is in his own world and just stands there. A guard walks up to him saying "Hey..".
BUM BUM
A pulse is heard from the rift and 2 people walk out with in that looks to be in critical condition. "HELP" he calls out as his covered in blood. The first response medic team arrive quickly and attend to them. As his partner is getting worked on, the EVO looks down at his hands covered in blood and in shock, grabs the medics arm shouting at them saying "WE NEED TO SAVE THEM". "BREATHE" says the medic as other security members listen. "Matthew he goes as Bruiser. He is injured and stuck in there with Sophie Kent our healer. They killed Louis."
The shock and horror from his words brought onlookers to the rift and made them stay as phones were brought out to record. The rift containment guards call in EVO's and informed EVOLVED as well. A rescue team was being put together. Arthur walks away thinking "The life of an EVO". The name Sophie is bugging him because his seen that full name somewhere before. As his walking, it hits him. Like a piercing arrow that shatters hearts.
THUMP
He remembers the files in the congress' room and vividly remembers her name and face.
He stops and places his hands on his head. The voicemail, the pictures and her voice constantly spiralling in his mind.
[Calm Mind Activated]
Arthur walks towards the rift, with the bystanders all looking at him as he gets closer to the perimeter. "STOP" "This is a restricted area". He gets closer.
"Stay" He whispers in an eerie voice and it makes both guards tremble and drop to the floor. Arthur appears on top of the survivor and asks "Where is she?". He looks inside the medic bag for a brief moment with a faint feeling passing him by.
Inside the rift...
"STAY WITH ME" she shouts as she drags his lifeless corpse. She doesn't have the heart to let go as she tries to get to safety.