Farewell
Ebony was watching Ram how he looked at the numerous screens a devilish smile on his lips. On the screens she could see how the people chased Jay. It was reality — but the children of the city couldn't distinguish anymore between the real world and virtual reality. Thanks to Ram and the Technos nearly all people in the city were slaves of technology.
When she couldn't bear it any longer she quickly left the room trying to hold back the tears. In her room she let herself fall on the bed with the soft white cover she loved so much. The thought that the city kids could kill her beloved Jay mad her sob. With the tears sleep overcame her and with the sleep dreams of all the wonderful hours she had spend with the man she loved. But not only the good memories had stayed in her mind but, also the bad ones — like her sister Java who craved for Jay.
Waking up she made a momentous decision — she would leave Ram, the hotel, and the city together with Jay. She had to save him. She needed him. If she compared her feelings for Jay with the one's she had had for Bray then Bray had meant nothing to her. However, before she could leave the city she needed to say her goodbyes to all the places in the city she loves, and also to some people. Some who may not even know that she would miss them.
As quick as possible she left the hotel through the rear exit. She wandered through the streets not caring if Ram could see her — there were simply too many cameras to hide from them.
Her first stop led her to Spike's grave. He was always loyal to her while she was the queen of the Locos. This had been a completely different time— harder but still also nicer. Zoot had loved her although he had also tormented her. She knelt down beside the grave putting the wild flowers she had picked on the way on it. Spike had been a real friend, a brother she never had. He was one of the few people in her life she trusted. Thinking about the time they had spent together while being members of the Locos she noticed she missed him. His jokes. His protective side. And so many other things. After a while she said goodbye and left the grave.
Then she went to the beach. Here she had spent so many hours; most of them before the virus. She came her to think. But then everything changed and she hated to come here. Her first boyfriend told her exactly where she was now that it was over, that he had someone else, and that he had never really loved her. She had needed a long time to get over him and to forget him. When she finally managed it she used to come to the beach again to think. And then the virus struck.
Her next stop led her again to a grave or rather two graves. She went to the cemetery, which was located in the city's district where she used to live with her family. The moment she spotted the graves of her parents tears were welling up in her eyes. She couldn't stop them. She didn't want to stop them. Her heart hurt — caused by the strong feeling of missing them. It hurt like hell. So much that she sank to her knees sobbing. There were questions on her mind for which she would never get an answer. Why did they have to die? Why did this virus kill have to all adults? Why did she have to see them dying? Why were they gone? She needed them so much. After all she was still not more than a teenager.
Wiping the tears away she went to the mall. There she had lived with the Mall Rats for a while. Although she would never admit it she had enjoyed this time. Not always but mostly. It had been so peaceful, something like a family substitute. She still knew how to get inside the mall without being noticed. Where no alarm system told them her presence. She sneaked along the corridors to a place where she could watch them without being seen.
At first no one was to be seen. Then she could spot Pride. She had always thought that he was a handsome young man. Now he was together with Salene. She was happy for the young red-haired woman although they never got on well. The only other people she could see were Siva and Lex. Her sister Siva; she missed talking to her but was also afraid that it was too late already. They were so close when they were little. But then boys entered their lives and everything changed. While looking at her she noticed that Siva seemed to be sad. She wanted to help her but there was no way she could leave her position. Lex was the last person she saw in the mall. He wasn't only handsome but much morethan that. Sexual attraction seemed to stream out of every pore of his body. Once she had the chance to touch him and had loved it. Stupidly she was still in love with Bray then. Otherwise she would have tried to come together with him. Now he had a blonde woman on his side.
Her heart heavy with sadness she went back to the hotel where she dais goodbye to all the former Loco guards who were still with her. She hugged each of them; something she had never done before. Slowly as if nothing was wrong she went through the corridors of the hotel. Looking into a room from time to time she first spotted her sister Java, who was absorbed in her work, and then Ram, her so-called husband. He was shouting at Ved. Quickly she looked away and went away briskly.
She couldn't bear it any longer. She had to go, had to find Jay. After leaving the hotel she ran through the streets looking for the man she loved. And then she had found him. The only thing she wanted to do was kissing him. She was well aware of the camera, which pointed at them, and she used it to show Ram whom she loved.
With one last glance around she took Jay's hand sighing. As quick as possible they left the city always trying to hide from the people who were still chasing Jay. They both knew that they were strong together and that there was no turning back. Their future lay far away from this town, her friend and family, from all the things well known to her.
Standing on a hill looking at the city she only whispered, "Goodbye home."
