A week had passed and yet the pain of loss festered in the Los Elementos residence. Anika was still dead and that would never change. So all they could do was remind themselves of her influence and keep moving forward.
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Hope looked in the mirror, a black dress dawned her body. Her flawless black skin had absorbed so many tears within that week. Losing a girlfriend was one of the biggest pains you could ever face but she hid her tears and acted like nothing was wrong.
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Been a mother means that strength for her son was the main priority. For a boy who has once again lost a parent.
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It was a struggle looking after Hashim since Anika passed because he was angry. Another little, innocent child who turned into a being of rage due to Frost's actions. However, last night a glint of faith seemed to make its way onto the horizon of how he was progressing.
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Hope had sat him down and talked about everything on his mind. No dismissing or belittling what he thought. Just listening and learning. Talking about how to progress from now on. Both agreed to have pictures of the woman scattered around the home to know she was always there. That as well as having a diary each to write to her every day. If it got too much, they promised to talk.
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Hope just wished she could form every single thought in her mind into words.
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It was suffocating each time a word relating to the death came from her mouth.
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"You ready?"
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Tanya appeared behind the elder, just looking at each other in the mirror.
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"No."
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"It was a stupid question anyway. You will never be ready for something like this." Tanya softly spoke.
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The younger moved closer to Hope and wrapped her small pale arms around the elder, leaning her chin onto the latter's shoulder.
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"But sometimes we have to face things, even when we aren't ready because it's how we grow."
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Hope turned around and reciprocated how warm and comforting the hug was. Finally sobbing each word that couldn't previously be said. Somehow with Tanya, she could say anything.
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She felt safe when vulnerable with the younger because even in the face of succumbing to ignorance, Tanya always trusted Hope. So in the face of death, Hope would trust Tanya too.
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Minutes later, Tanya unhooked herself from the hug and linked arms with Hope. They were going to face this together. All of them were.
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When they left the room, the two found Hashim and Deshi playing a small game of rock, paper, scissors. Normally it would have turned into a tickle fight by now but neither had the energy. Who could blame them when someone they loved was being buried.
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Walking out of the house and into the streets, they followed the casket which was being carried. Dave, who was dressed in the finest black silk around, was accompanied by five other males, all of which held the casket.
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Silence emitted throughout the landscape. As everyone took their seat, every ear listened to the priest who held the service. At the front stood the casket, a small photo of Anika on top. She was smiling. Never would the earth see such a pretty smile again. Hope's memories were filled with nothing but and always will be.
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When the final hymn was sung, everybody had their turn saying goodbye to their leader. Small thankyous, sobs of gratefulness and chuckles from distant memories came from each person. It was the last goodbye each would have to do since all the other members who had passed were given a beautiful service and buried in the new memorial area.
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Hope finally walked up to the casket with Hashim, both holding hands.
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"We will never forget you, my love." Hope's empty hand touched the cold wood and glided over it calmly.
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"I love you, mommy." Hashim cried and wrapped his arm around the casket giving her one last final hug.
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Both then walked away to the party. They didn't want to call it a wake because that focused on Anika's death. So instead they called it a party to celebrate every beautiful year she had graced the earth.
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After the two had left completely, Deshi and Tanya rose to walk up to the box. When they arrived, it felt unreal. Like everything was a dream. From their first meeting up until Frost's death. Yet in this story you can't just wake up, the pain will always follow.
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"Thank you for being my reason to fight." Deshi placed the flower from his jacket on top of the casket and walked away after squeezing Tanya's hand.
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The girl was lost for words. So, she let her heart speak for her.
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"I killed him." She started with this simple sentence.
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"It didn't feel good to take another person's life but I had too. Especially when he had taken many more and wouldn't bat an eyelid."
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She took a deep breath.
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"You were the best person.
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Leader,
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Mother,
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Girlfriend."
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Small memories flashed with each word of how Anika influenced every single soul she met because of how infectious her personality and mindset was. A truly breathtaking being.
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"I promise everything you built will be for something."
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She rested a small hand against the box.
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"My presidency will always have a bit of you influencing it. You were my leader so now I will take your teachings and lead with my head, heart, and gut."
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She walked away after quietly smiling at the priest.
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--------
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Hours passed and conversations flowed. Everyone had a story to share. Every person had a bit of joy to spread through the group. Anika would have been proud.
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Night had fallen and the monitor came on. A video of people chanting outside the gates of the residency demanding answers for what was happening.
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"Tanya you need to do it now," Deshi said.
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"It's Anika's day, it can wait."
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"Well, Anika wanted you to lead those lost people so get your arse into gear and go tell them what will be happening from now on." Hope demanded. She wouldn't let her girlfriend's last wish be for nothing.
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Tanya nodded compliantly and got to her feet. All of the trio went to the gate and opened it up with fear. Anything could happen. What if no one accepted them? What if they were killed? They would never know until it happened. So as they stepped out, each held hands showing the unity of the group.
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The youngest stepped forward and rested her arms on the podium.
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It was time to shine.
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"Many of you have lived in fear your whole life. It astounds me that out of every human being to grace this earth, many have never known the true meaning of happiness. "
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She paused to stabilize herself.
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"That will never sit right with me. So from now on, I will be working towards a happier future for every person on this earth. We will strive for the resurrection of our home's natural beauty and equality for every gracious human who abides here."
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A smile appeared on the two elder's face. They were so proud.
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"Equality can not be achieved without putting our minorities voices first. So from now on, I want to hear from these communities. How we can help you feel safe again. No matter how different we are in skin colour, ability, sexuality, gender, or any other factor you can think of, we should love each other."
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Tanya looked up to see Ellie standing behind all of the camera crews.
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"You see that being behind you. Her name is Elementa or Ellie for short. She has been fighting to help get our world back to how powerful it was before. She was villainized, called a monster because she wanted to help us."
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Tanya had some tears in her eyes.
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"But the real villain walked amongst us all along. Blending in because he had a human body. He was no human. That thing was a predator. We were the prey."
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"What happened to Frost?" A short woman reporting the whole speech shouted.
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"I killed him." An audible gasp came from every mouth around the world. No one could believe he was dead. That someone even had the guts to go up against him. Yet an easiness seeped into the skin of each member of the population.
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"He won't hurt you no more. So, I propose to you an offer."
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Anticipation ran through the population.
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"If you let me be president, I will aid you all back to glory. Not a fake one where only the wealthy will benefit but one where you will be proud to be alive."
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Looks were exchanged all over the world.
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"Deal?"
