I return home quickly, wanting to get there before morning.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ59BwwOe1
Even though it is far past midnight, I run all the way home, not stopping to rest. I expertly dodge overgrown sticks that protrude from the trees, sharp enough to poke my eyes out, and I quickly jump over misplaced logs and fallen trees, squeezing through boulders and avoiding wild animals that could easily overwhelm me. My arms swinging violently at my side, I try my best to control my breath and make sure that its steady, by inhaling and then exhale deeply. 464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbURITgOcXv
Feeling the same angst that I felt going down the mountain in fear of being caught by the Imperium, I suddenly realize we were free. We will not be held back by the government's restraints any longer. When I arrived at my home, I look down the mountain and gaze at the city, The City Square, and its luxurious houses below me. And then I smile. Even though nothing much has changed, I am overwhelmed with a feeling of security and relief. Because we are free. We are going to be happy and will not have to worry about The Imperium’s control or family members and friends going to prison. 464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EAzfe1mUs
I look down and think, this is how we should be. This is what Hawthorne would have wanted.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0qeVXrNlu
Tiptoeing into my house, I find my mom, dad, and two younger siblings sleeping soundly, unaware, as if nothing had happened.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0HGhCTDzk
I lay my head down to sleep, careful not to wake up my family. I watch them for a moment, suddenly realizing how lucky I am to have them. I smile.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3W5RaA2vI
I’ll tell them tomorrow.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosgRPLUoJQ
I am standing on the Imperium’s doorstep, looking into the sea of tens of thousands of eyes. It is nerve-wracking, but I speak and explain. I tell everything, not really thinking. Just talking and explaining as best as I can. 464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qcnRd188m
As I talk, I recall the events of this morning and how I told my parents. 464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRZojWQuB8
When I was trying t explain the best that I could to them, surprisingly, once I finished, my mom had looked at me and then clapped her hands, saying, “Well. Let’s get the town together.”464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3vXFC8z49
My dad and I stared at her as she went to the phone to make phone calls to her friends. I looked at my dad and laughed as he shook his head in disbelief. 464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLmLDGT0AG
When my mom finished making the phone calls, she roused up my siblings and told all of us to get dressed in a few minutes so that we could go to the city to explain everything. She added, looking at me, “I mean, not us. We won’t, but you will.”464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc0RqO3wlw
In less than ten minutes, we were out of the house and at the city gate. With the guards gone, we entered in easily. I was shocked at how many people were there to hear me speak. As far as I could see, there were people everywhere. They were packed in the city square, and since there was no more room, many were sitting on their or their friends roofs. Some kids were also climbing on the lampposts or sitting in the trees that were dispersed around the city’s square.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1MEM6YYHg
I thought, no pressure or anything. You just have to speak to, basically, the whole world. 464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMY2jnK2an
As I stepped onto the Imperium steps and made my way to the center, I watched through the corner of my eyes as all eyes focused on me. In that moment, it was just about me and what I had to say. Nothing else.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlzZ8PthTw
When I realize that I’m almost done speaking, I sigh inwardly and tell myself to focus. The last part is the most important part.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31deNKlMd4
As I near the end of my speech, I conclude by saying, “Well…we’re going to need a leader. We will have a -”464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mPLyPsSoy
“Hey! What about you, girl? Who else agrees with me that the girl can lead?” 464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkjWmZpMWG
I stand, frozen, trying to find who said that. Then, an explosion of cheers and whistles erupt below me. I am shocked and I know that I must have looked like a fool. But the message is clear.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLoBwxgJTc
They want me. It is me that they wanted to inspire and organize them. They want me as their leader.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYM6XuNqMw
I nod.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHCMCA7gZC
I breathe deeply and exhale. With a sudden surge of confidence and adrenaline, I say, “Okay,” My eyes sweep over the crowd. “Okay. Well, we have work to do. Let’s do it.”464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBynmUQ7ruM
I look back into the staring eyes of the people that are now surrendering themselves to me. I survey the crowd, trying to find the person I trust to give me assurance and confirm that my decision is the right one. But instead of trying to find my mom or dad, I find myself trying to find someone else. My eye catches the eyes of the old man. The man who made me so lucky and who I owe an unpayable debt. I smile, and he smiles back. And in his eyes is the spark that I know started my courage.
After all the excitement, I find my family in the crowd. Sheepishly, I say, “Hi. I know you guys didn’t really tell me what you think of all this….”464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR6D3VWkzv
They are quiet. After a few seconds, I ask, “Are you guys mad? I mean, you’ll be a lot busy with all-” I wave my hand over the crowd “-this now that I’m the new leader.”464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPV9YzSxTZ
My mom laughs and I step back, clearly surprised. She replies, “Mad? You just saved the world!” She looked at my dad, exclaiming, “Look at that! Our daughter saved the world!”464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qmzwQjx13
My younger sister points to my hand. “What’s that?”464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG69ZUFsTuz
I look down and smile because I realize I’m holding the gem. I guess I took it out of my pocket when I was walking toward them. “It’s a gem.”464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxSg95cyPg
My younger brother asks, “From where? Where did you get it?”464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUtKLKJ6KV
“It’s a long story. Maybe I’ll tell it later, but not now.”464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmxALjOIc6
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51blstTUb1
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