"Did you like it?" Abigail asks Aminu.

They have just come out of the latest exhibition of one of his favorite artists. She hands him a bag with a present and tells him to open it later. It's the latest hoodie from the artist's collection. She got one of the first pre-orders and it's autographed. He'll love it, she's sure.

They sit on the museum's gardens discussing the exhibition and Abigail looks around her. The peacefulness of the breeze passing through the branches of the trees. The sun touching their faces. Aminu's eyes glowing while talking.

She realizes how she took for granted these moments before. How she failed to appreciate her people too. Not understanding that the value of her life wasn't in major accomplishments but on the smaller moments of joy that she had on each day. The moments she created herself with the right people on her side.

General Lewis was right. Happiness isn't found.

"Can I hug you?" she asks when she stops the car in front of the dormitory.

"Why?"

"Just to... I don't know, celebrate this perfect day we had."

"That's silly o. We'll have a lot of other perfect days, you know."

"You're right. As always. See you on Monday." I love you.

Aminu opens the bag as soon as he enters his room and loves the present. It's the most special gift anyone as ever given him. He decides not to text Abigail thanking her, he'll say it in person how much he loved it.

***

"Lovely Saturday morning, my fellow citizens!" Rachel smiles in a broadcast, "my birthday is in a few days, and this year, my army really outdid itself. Bring the girls!"

Diego and Megan bring Emily and Rachel, with their hands tied, mouth taped. Both have a newspaper showing the date.

"Emily Roberts, and Abigail Parker, earned our enmity. Deviants who forsake their own kind in exchange of some commodities. Worry not, we'll take proper care of our vacationers here. Now, what do we want? Not much, just the Institute's dissolution... and new elections on our country. Perfectly feasible."

On the living room, they all clap. A job well done. Abigail chats with Ánh, and Emily looks around, analyzing every bit of the old house.

What have I done to my life?

Rachel asks them all to meet at the basement.

"Except Joshua Roberts, all the other who were there on that night are dead. Some in a mug gone wrong, others suicide, others in a fire, the list goes on and on," Ánh says.

"The police aren't connecting them?" Diego looks around in disbelief.

"There're no records of them interacting with each other."

"We'll keep following Joshua Roberts around," Rachel orders.

***

Meanwhile, on a four-star hotel downtown, the Council and their advisors gather. All but Thomas Roberts.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"This is a disaster," the president says.

"Truly!" Laurence Pierce shakes his head.

"This is the best thing that could've happened to us. Good things come to those who wait!" Edward closes his fists and smiles.

"I don't think that any of us are following you, sir," Saif says.

"They abducted the princess of the nation, and the Parker's daughter. Humans who had the misfortune of having a deviant child. They are extremely relatable. People will get scared. If they got to the most powerful deviant in the world, and one of the richest families, they can go after anyone. Now we just have to show the world, and especially our people, how violent they truly are."

"How?" Jessica Miller asks.

"We'll torture them, and if needed, we'll kill them."

"We don't have them with us," the president's tone sharpens.

"We don't need to," Laurence intervenes, "we just need the people to think that they are being tortured. Even if the group shows some proof later, no one will believe them. They are the terrorists. Sir, can we talk about the plan, now? Or is it inappropriate?"

"Go ahead, Laurence," Edward smiles.

"Our department has run several scenarios to hunt down the terrorist movement. We'll need an amplifier. From what we gathered, the most powerful one around us works at the Institute."

Padma's pupils dilate.

"Under you, Saif. His name is..." Laurence asks his advisor for the papers.

"Aminu Ikubor," Saif says.

"Exactly."

"Sir... Ikubor is special... he's autistic," Saif explains.

"That's great. He's mentally challenged, that will make it easier," Edward says.

"Neurodivergent," Marianne says.

"You people and your modern shenanigans..."

"Hardly modern."

"We are losing focus here. Laurence, how many other amplifiers are there available?" Edward scratches his eyebrows.

"Just the one. Amplifiers aren't particularly common, sir, and when compared with the few that exist on the black market, his levels are far superior."

"That settles it. Saif, find a way to bring him abroad. Also, I'd appreciate if you contacted our dear friend Thomas and expressed your concern for his daughter's life," Edward says trying to end the meeting.

She's probably safer with the terrorists. Like you are, Megan. Marianne gathers her papers.

"Sir, if I may. Me and Marianne will start improving the bracelet. Right now, it has too many side effects. We'll work to eliminate them," Saif looks around.

"No. We can't spend any more resources on that. The bracelet works perfectly. Leave it be. We have more important issues here," Edward ends the meeting.

They all leave, but Saif, Marianne, and Padma.

"I'll help you with the bracelet. Whenever I have some free time, I'll work on it," Marianne smiles.

"Thank you... Padma, you have a close relationship with Ikubor. I trust you can help me convince him."

"I understand we need an amplifier, but I don't feel comfortable tricking him. You know him, he won't come willingly knowing what we do."

Saif's entire body stiffens, he's about to open his mouth when Marianne interrupts him.

"Saif, can I take it from here?"

"Sure. We'll talk tomorrow, Padma." He leaves.

As soon as the door closes, Marianne faces her.

"What are you doing?"

"Marianne, you don't understand. You don't know him. He has such a kind soul. The work we do... it's not something he can deal with."

"Oh... I see..." Marianne smiles, "I understand, Padma. I understand that you have feelings for this boy. So, take my advice, I'm only thinking about your sake here."

Marianne comes closer and lowers even more her voice.

"Bury those feelings, it's not fair for you... and being quite blunt now, neither it is for him. Your priority is your work. Saif is your boss. Saying no to him isn't an option. And the fact that you tried to..." she scratches her forehead, "shows me that you still don't get how dangerous they are. How dangerous he is. He handed you the task to convince the boy. You'll find a way to do it."

"But..."

"Padma, you listen to me closely now. Pay proper attention. Laurence said it himself and Edward heard him... that boy apparently is the most powerful amplifier that they have. They will..." she pauses and crosses her arms, "they will have him. No matter how. Nicely or not it's up to you now."

***

On that night, the group took a break from Joshua, the secret lab, socials, the abducted deviants, and all their enemies.

Ánh and Diego took charge of making dinner, and they both chose the best dishes of Vietnam and Puerto Rico. They all made jokes, laughed, shared drinks with one another. All but Megan and Emily.

At the table, sit the seven members of the movement. Rachel Moore, Megan Grant, Alexander Williams, Diego Álvarez, Ánh Nguyễn, Abigail Parker, and Emily Roberts.

"How did we get to this point?" Megan looks around the table and whispers to Rachel, who smiles back.