Meet the President (The Chosen, Act 2, Part 7) by suesa

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· @suesa ·
$16.43
Meet the President (The Chosen, Act 2, Part 7)
<center>![Picture](https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/03/15/14/13/south-america-2146333_960_720.jpg)</center>*<sub>By saylowe on pixabay.com</sub>*

---
Act 1:
[Part 1]( https://steemit.com/fiction/@suesa/joel-the-chosen-part-1), [Part 2]( https://steemit.com/fiction/@suesa/the-capital-the-chosen-act-1-part-2), [Part 3]( https://steemit.com/fiction/@suesa/secrets-the-chosen-act-1-part-3), [Part 4](https://steemit.com/fiction/@suesa/mia-the-chosen-act-1-part-4), [Part 5]( https://steemit.com/fiction/@suesa/promises-the-chosen-act-1-part-5), [Part 6]( https://steemit.com/fiction/@suesa/fixing-things-the-chosen-act-1-part-6), [Part 7]( https://steemit.com/fiction/@suesa/the-funeral-the-chosen-act-1-part-7)

Act 2:
[Part 1]( https://steemit.com/fiction/@suesa/a-new-beginning-the-chosen-act-2-part-1), [Part 2]( https://steempeak.com/fiction/@suesa/teaching-the-chosen-act-2-part-2), [Part 3]( https://steempeak.com/fiction/@suesa/invaders-the-chosen-act-2-part-3), [Part 4]( https://steempeak.com/fiction/@suesa/survivors-the-chosen-act-2-part-4), [Part 5]( https://steempeak.com/fiction/@suesa/monster-the-chosen-act-2-part-5), [Part 6]( https://steempeak.com/fiction/@suesa/growing-up-the-chosen-act-2-part-6)
---
*January 22nd, 2180*

---
It had been over a week, and Tif had neither died nor woken up. For the whole time, Lily had barricaded herself and ultimately refused to speak to anyone, even Joel. The council was getting worried.

The crew from Tif’s ship had been told that Tif had slipped on the ice and had then hit her head badly on the stony ground. And although not everyone had seemed entirely convinced by this explanation, there had been no further questions, especially not after it had been made evident, that Tif was receiving the best care possible. Or at least that’s what the soldiers thought.

Reality looked different.

The moment Finja had dropped Tif off at the hospital, she had informed the doctors of what had transpired. She had made it very clear, that if Tif was to ever wake up, she was not allowed to remember anything. If that wasn’t possible, she couldn’t wake up - but she could also not die. Her death would have the potential to start a war with the new allies, and that’s the last thing the society of the enlightened needed.

But time had passed, and the soldiers became restless. They wanted to return home, bring Tif to their own doctors. Drag her out of the coma. Cure her. <sub><sub><sub><sub><sub><sub><sub><sub><sub><sub>@suesa</sub></sub></sub></sub></sub></sub></sub></sub></sub></sub>

Find out what happened.

There was no way the council could keep them any longer, and they had decided to send Tif back, together with a delegation from trusted members of the society, to serve as messengers and tell the lie to protect them all. To his surprise, Joel was told that he had been chosen for this task.

*”Why me?”* He asked Finja, his eyes wide with disbelief. *”Aren’t I supposed to keep an eye on Lily?”*

*”I think they blame you for what happened”*, Finja said, her gaze lowered to the floor as if she felt ashamed for even telling Joel this. *”I overheard Jeremiah say that he thinks you should have stopped her. Or better, ensured she hadn’t left her room.”*

*”But we weren’t on lockdown! I didn’t know Tif would suddenly pop up! Am I supposed to keep Lily inside all the time? Never let her leave her room?”*

*”It seems like that’s the new rule now, yes.”*

*”What?!”* Joel took a step forward, and Finja flinched, startled by both his loud voice and sudden movement. He froze, then withdrew again, giving her some space. *”Sorry. I’m sorry. You’re not the one who made this decision, I know that. I shouldn’t be angry at you.”*

Finja let out a deep breath, then reached out and put her right hand on his shoulder.

*”It’s okay.”*

*”I guess they assigned you to take care of Lily?”*

*”Most of the others are too scared. They heard that Lily has now finally developed her telepathic abilities, and are worried about what could happen if she reads their thoughts.”*

*”I guess I don’t want to know what their thoughts are, if they are so worried”*, Joel said, showing a sad half-grin.

*”I know, right?”* Finja sighed. *”Actually, I’m glad none of them wants to be near her. Who knows what nasty things the poor girl might pick up, she already thinks she’s a monster.”*

For a moment, they were both silently staring holes in the air, their thoughts hopelessly wandering. Then Joel remembered, that he was supposed to report to the head of council.

*Take care of Lily”*, he said to Finja, his voice breaking up.

*”Don’t you want to tell her goodbye?”*

*”I can’t. I just … I can’t.”*

Finja nodded. 

*”I will tell her that you love her.”*

*”I hope she already knows that.”*

---
Only a few hours later, Joel was on one of the legion’s ships, dashing through the sky. The flight was a lot smoother and faster than the transport capsule he had used over a decade ago to reach England and ultimately find Lily. The difference in technology was astonishing, and he couldn’t help but wonder what other improvements he might encounter upon his arrival in South America.

The trip was short, shorter than Joel would have liked. The thought of meeting with the leaders of the Venezuelan Democracy made him queasy. He wasn’t a diplomat, and his spy training had been put on hold during the time he had been caring for Lily. Joel was less than convinced that he could handle this situation, even with councilwoman Giselle by his side. If he was honest to himself, she even made matters worse, as he’d be forced to protect her in the case of a fight. When Jeremiah had said there’d be a delegation, Joel had hoped for at least some additional protective personnel. But it was just him and the woman.

Gracefully, the ship landed on the ground, and the ramp was let down. As he walked outside, he was hit by burning heat that seemed to immediately melt the skin off his bones and set the air in his lungs on fire. He gasped for breath, immediately regretting it.

*”Welcome!”* Joel could make out a middle-aged man, standing in front of the ship, although keeping his eyes opened seemed to turn them into dust. *”I’m the president of the Venezuelan Democracy, we’re happy to receive you here as our guests. Please, follow me so we can go inside, I know the heat out here must be unbearable for someone who’s used to the arctic cold.”*

*”Much appreciated”*, Joel was able to press out. He started to walk towards the president, squinting his eyes to see at least something.

*”Oh, have you brought another guest?”* The president suddenly asked. *”What is that, a child?”* Joel’s heart seemed to stop. Slowly, he turned around, just to see exactly who he had expected to see.

*”Lily”*, he whispered.

*You left me behind*, the girl answered in his mind. *Why did you leave me?*

*”Who is this girl?”* The president asked again, his voice turning agitated. *”And what is wrong with her face?”*

*”Mister president”*, a female voice chimed in. *”I think I can answer this question.”*

*”You can?”* The president asked the woman, who Joel couldn’t see that well because his eyes were still burning up. But her voice … her voice seemed oddly familiar.

*”That child”*, the woman said, *”appears to be the daughter I’ve been looking for. Because this man before you is clearly the one who abducted her, over 13 years ago.”*

Of course, Joel recognized the voice.

It was Mia.
 
---
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vote details (135)
@apsu ·
$0.16
Ooooh.

<b>Oooooooooooh!</b>

<h2>OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!</h2>

I have a hunch this might get good.
👍  
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@suesa ·
$0.02
Might? :P
👍  , ,
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vote details (3)
@apsu ·
$0.03
If it wouldn't ruin the continuity of my post series right now, I could write different fanfic alternatives what could happen and it wouldn't be good.

Including but not limited to:
1. Joel, Lily and Mia form a happy family, living in peace as the aliens decide to leave earth alone.
2. Joel and Mia fight in court for years over the custody of Mia. In the end they agree, that Mia gets to meet Lily every second weekend while supervised.
👍  
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@juanmanuellopez1 ·
$0.04
<div class="text-justify">
<p>At every moment things get more complicated for Joel. Now, how can Joel get out of this problem? We have to keep watching this series that becomes more interesting.</p></div>
👍  
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@juliamulcahy ·
$0.03
Thanks for the chat today @suesa. I thought I'd pop over to see what sort of things you posted. Now I have, I've got a whole lot of reading to catch up on.  Glad you've included the links in this post. It will make life much easier. :)
👍  
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@suesa ·
Haha, enjoy! :D
And just so you know, I always enjoy comments, even on posts that are super old :P
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@juliamulcahy ·
$0.04
I get that.  And I'll be sure to leave you comments!
👍  
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@bitjunky ·
Hmmm, so I am late this time, but you succeeded in including some twists as always. **Good one!**
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