5 Chapter V

Ekon slowly opens his eyes and soon notice that he was inside a room.

He then got up and went to the door just a few meters away from his bed.

As he opens the door, he could see that he was in a facility. He could see walls and watchtowers. He could see guards dressed in white pacing back and forth, looking at the residence from the towers.

He then began to explore the place and see that he was in some mining site. "Hey, you!" Ekon heard someone calling him, but he couldn't figure out where. He then saw a man waving at him as if he was signaling him to come.

Ekon then walks towards the man. The man looks like he was in his 50s, had a Round face, and was bald.

"You new guy?" The man asked Ekon

"Yeah"

"Well, get suit up. You would be working on the mines." The man said as he throws a Black Miner's Apron and a mining helmet. "Find the guy called. Luke, he would tell you what to do." Ekon sighed, knowing that this would be his new life, but after all he been through, especially with Anna, he knows that he got nothing left to lose anyway.

Ekon then went to The mining area, and once there, he saw a person standing near the mine entrance and was directing some miners.

"Err..are you like?" Ekon asked.

"Yeah, that's me. You must be Ekon, right?" Luke asked.

"Yeah," Luke then grabbed a pickaxe behind him and passed it to Ekon. "Follow me." Luke then turned around as he began to walk inside the mine with Ekon soon following him shortly afterward.

"So how did you end up here?" Luke asked, not looking at Ekon

Ekon stayed silent, not wanting to remember. The things he has been through that led him to be stuck here, his new home and life.

"Aight then, keep it to yourself," Luke said as he turns his head a bit.

"So what do you guys mine here? and uh, where are we exactly?" Ekon asked

"Well, we refer to this mining site as Sector 2B, here we mine copper," Luke answered.

"I mean, where are we exactly," Ekon asked.

"Michigan"

Ekon stopped for a bit, confused, knowing where he was before he shooked his head, and continues to follow Luke deeper into the mines.

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It's been a year since Ekon started his new life in the mines. By then, he had grown more muscular and more rough looking. He has a large scar below his right eye, apparent wounds on his shoulder because of the fights he'd been having throughout his time stuck in there.

"Hey E," A voice called out to him. Ekon looked in the direction where it was coming from to see his friend Francis Hansen walking towards him. Ekon met Francis a few months ago. Francis sees Ekon as his brother since Ekon kept Francis out of trouble and defended him during fights.

"Hey Fran," Ekon smiled.

"Boss wants us to go to the mines later on." Says Francis

"Aight"

Francis was about to turn around to walk away before he stopped and looked back at Ekon. "Hey E, I wanna ask you something."

Ekon looked at Francis and raised an eyebrow. "What?".

"You never told me how you end up here." Ekon sighed, hearing his question. Ekon never wanted to tell anyone about his "Past," but because Ekon sees Francis as a brother, he trusted him the most "fine, but don' tell anyone about this, understand?" Francis Nodded

"Sit down," Ekon ordered. Francis then sat down on the chair beside him.

"A two years ago, before the attack, I was just an average dude having an everyday life until a friend of mine, Jaycent, told me about Bluelight. He told me there were rumors about them developing something known as Project Blackout. Fast forward a few days later, I went to check on Jaycent due to him not being able to be contacted for days."

"What happens next?" Francis Interrupted.

"Just listen up, aight." Says Ekon as he glared at Francis.

"I was preparing to go to see Jaycent when there was this one guy. who he called himself as Jacob told me that his "Boss" wants to see me. Now, being a retarded prick I was, I accepted his invitation and went with him" Francis chuckled, hearing his statement of him being a "Retarted prick."

He then continues after stopping for a while." I was walking to the elevator with him when suddenly, BAM, everything went black for me. The next thing I know, I was tied up in the chair somewhere I don't even bother wanting to know." Ekon said as he looked away from Francis

"I was beaten up pretty badly, all because they thought I know something about their plans before even knowing what they are planning.

What hurts me the most and still haunts me to this day is what happens after the beatings. Kyle, the guy who beat me up, make me listen to the voice of my mother, panicking, fearing for her life all because of me" Ekon then looked down, and Francis could see a drop of tear coming from his eyes.

"I told him to leave her alone but, I was deemed "Useless," and he shot me. When I woke up, I found myself on the outskirts of town. I ran home, but the injuries I had just made it impossible for me to push forward. So eventually, I collapse near this dumpster on the alleyway, and before I could pass out, I heard a voice, so familiar and so so calming, but before I could see where it comes from, I passed out," Ekon Said as he let out a smile.

"The next thing I know. I woke up in a room, and that is went I saw. the person that I never thought I would see in a thousand years, Anna." Says Ekon.

"Who's Anna?" Francis asked as he let out a confused look on Ekon.

Ekon Sighed before answering, "Well, she was the love of my life, or so what I thought she would be"

"What happen?" Francis Asked

Ekon then looked at Francis with a sad, troubled looked before looking away again." A year after the attack, I met my long lost and assume dead friend Jaycent. It turns out he joined a Resistance known as the Silver Aegis or SA for short." He giggled a little.

"So I went back to Anna's along with Jaycent since, by this point, I assume she would be worried about being out for so long. Once I got back, I saw her house ransacked, the same way Jaycent's place was when I went to his unit after my "Incident." which yeah, I forgot to tell you about that, but that doesn't matter now, does it?" Says Ekon as he looked at Francis.

"Turns out Bluelight themselves took her, and they left me a note saying that they want to meet me in two days, and so Jaycent. offered me to try to ask The Resistance for help which I waste no time and went on a 6 hours drive from NYC to Virginia. All I could think of during our little journey of ours is her and only her. I do not want her to end up just like my mom" Ekon sighed.

"Eventually, we arrived at the Appalachians and began our hike to the Resistance base, and once we reach their base, we talked to their leader err...John was his name, I recall, but they refer to him as Chief." Ekon then grabbed the water bottle beside him to take a drink before continuing.

"So they agree to help, and we planned everything out bla bla bla we went to Central Park to get her back. Honestly, I was happy that I could finally get her back, or at least get her safe, knowing that it might be the last time I saw her, and indeed, it would turn out to be the last time I will ever see her." Francis raises an eyebrow, confused by his statement. He thought that they would kill him but seeing that he is still alive, he had a feeling it was something else.

"When I got there, It wasn't Anna that I was going to see. It was a man, and he told me to follow him to his car where he would take me to the place I can finally see her again, but instead, just like what happened last time during my first encounter With Bluelight, I blackout, but luckily instead of a blow to the head, they inject me with something. When I woke up, guess what happened next," Ekon said as he glared at Francis.

"You uh...woke up tied into a chair?" Francis Answered

"Yup, altho by this time I wish I were dead cause what happens next would be the reason why I had trust issue as well as the reason I never wanted to talk about this in the first place" Ekon then let out a furious glare as he turned his head away from Francis.

"I saw her in front of me sitting there. Now at first, I was filled with relief and joy knowing she was alive, but then I started to notice something odd about her, I didn't see it at first, but then that's when I realize the marking that she had on her clothes, Bluelight." Ekon sighed as he looked down

" "Sorry, Ekon"...that was the last thing she said to me before she got up right after the man. I assume that the one behind my mother's death walks in and, of course, starts our "Activities." " Says Ekon.

"By then, all I can fear was hatred, anger, and pain. The person whom I loved more than Anything in this godforsaken world just gone, like that," Ekon said as he snapped his finger.

"By then, I wish I was dead" Francis looked at Ekon we a pitty look. He never knew his life would end up filled with tragedy, which made him regret asking him about it.

"I'm sorry" That was the only word Francis could say to the person he called "Brother."

"It's okay, it's in the past anyway, but even so, I just...I wish this all could be just a fuckin nightmare that I could wake up from." Says Ekon.

Francis then put his hand on his friend shoulder before saying, "Look, I know this won't change a thing, but you are my brother, well, a brother from another mother at least, but just know that I would be with you all the way if that helps" Ekon looked at Francis before he let out a smile and nodded.

Francis then got up and wore his mining helmet. before looking at Ekon." Now, let's get to work, shall we" Francis Helped Ekon up and grabbing Ekon's Mining Helmet from the Plastic chair beside him and passing it to Ekon before eventually, the two made their way to the mines.

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It's been two weeks since Ekon's and Francis's had their conversation.

Nothing had changed much in the mines besides having more newcomers, well at least, that what they thought.

Ekon awoke from the knocking he heard coming from outside his door.

"Ekon you there?" Francis called out from the other side.

"Yeah, what is it?" Ekon yelled

"You got to come to see this! meet me at the Meeting House !" Francis Replied before Ekon could hear him sprinting away from the door.

Ekon sighed before he got up from his bed and wore his clothes to meet up with Francis.

Ekon went to the door to open it to see everyone running towards the meeting house.

Ekon then went to the meeting house to see Francis and other miners looking at the Television.

"What's going on?" Ekon asked as he patted Francis's shoulder. "Watch," Francis replied.

Ekon then watches the TV to see what's going on.

"𝑂𝑢𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑛 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑡 6𝐴𝑀 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑐𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑢𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑢𝑠ℎ 𝑖𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐴𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑃𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠. 𝑀𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑛"

The miners began to shout out of dissatisfaction as they wonder if this would be the end of the nation they once called home.

"I guess this is it. We are all a goner," Francis said.

"Maybe," Ekon replied as he began to turn around and head back to his place.

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"Hey Jay," Lucy called out to Jaycent, sitting on the bench outside their Appalachian Cottage. A lot of things happen since Ekon went missing. Jaycent was never the same due to the loss of his friend. He had been blaming himself for what happened to Ekon. Besides that, He and Lucy had been a couple for over a year now. Still, Ekon's disappearances haunt him to this day.

"Thinking about Ekon again," Lucy asked. Jaycent nodded, and for a second, all his worries seem to fade as he gazes. at Lucy's bright blue eyes. "Sometimes I wonder if I could just be there with him," Jaycent said before looking down with a troubled expression.

Anna then sat down beside him before saying, "Look at me." Lucy said. Jaycent looks at her. "It was and would never be your fault. You didn't know what would happen during that meeting, okay? Ekon made his choice, and so he goes on with it" Jaycent then sighed in defeat, knowing what she said is true. "Sometimes I wonder if he is alive somewhere, maybe with Anna." Jaycent Chuckled.

Lucy then pulled him into a hug and kissed him before saying, "C'mon, John wants to talk to you."

Jaycent frowned at her before asking, "Why?"

"I don't know, but he wants to see you" She then got up and headed towards the Chief's cottage.

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Ekon could hear a Knock on the door before the door handle began to turn to reveal Francis. standing there with the door half-open "Can I come in?" Francis asked. Ekon nodded, and Francis went in to sit on the chair beside his Table.

Francis looked around and sighed before looking at Ekon. "Do you ever have that thought to escape or hoping to get out from here anytime soon?" Francis Asked.

"Nope," Ekon Answered

"Besides, I got nothing to lose anyway, and I don't even have any thoughts on getting out from here. I belong here."

Francis gave Ekon a confused glare Before opening his mouth to speak, "So you prefer to stay in this hell hole rather than having to enjoy freedom?" Francis asked.

"Yep, besides, I have nothing out there. No home, no family, nothing. Heck, I bet my pals think I'm dead," Ekon said

"Why, you ask?" Ekon asked, raising an eyebrow at Francis.

"Notin, it's just...Nvm, see you later, E." Francis then got up from the chair and went to the door before he went outside shortly afterward.

Ekon still had a confused look on his face before just forgetting about it and continued doing his stuff.

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Two days have passed since Ekon had his conversation with Francis. Strange enough, Ekon hadn't seen him for the past two days and started to wonder where he been.

"Ekon, come out! You got to see this!" A Man's voice calling out from the other side of the door. "What is it?" Ekon asked

"It's Francis!"

Ekon's eyes widened, and he sprinted to the door and slammed it open to see Luke standing outside before saying, "Where is he?" Luke then began to run to where Francis was, and Ekon followed him.

Luke then led him to the field outside the meeting house, where four men were tied up and four armed soldiers standing behind them.

Ekon eyes then widened once more when he notices Francis standing there amongst the men.

Ekon was about to walk forward. Before Francis noticed him and stared at him, shooking his head as if he was telling Ekon not to move.

"I do not tolerate disobedience towards the rules as these four men have shown during their attempt to escape!" A Bluelight officer said as he walks up in front of them, "Now, the only punishment for disobedience around here is Death!" the four-armed guards began to aim their Assault Rifles at the four. Tears began to stream down his eyes as he waited for the inevitable.

Francis then let out a smile at Ekon. "Steady," The Officer ordered. Francis then closes his eyes, and Ekon could notice a tear dropped from his eyes 'Fire!" and just like that, Francis was gone. Ekon felt everything around him crumbled, and memories began flooding his mind.

Anger, Rage, and Pain soon replaced every emotion he once had. He fell to his knees with tears still falling down his cheek as he looked at Francis's lifeless body lying on the ground. "I promise you. They will pay for this. All of them will," Ekon vowed.

If he does get a chance to one day get out from hell he was in, no longer would he show mercy. His old life has ultimately been replaced with one and only one goal. To kill everyone responsible for this and nothing would prevent him from doing so. Death is the only thing that will come towards his enemies, and Ekon will make sure of that.

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It's been a week since Francis's execution. A lot of things have changed within the facility. The facility is now under heavy surveillance, and Russian soldiers were to guard the facility as well. As for Ekon, he had gone for the worst. He began to distance himself from others and was always silent. He would have nightmares about Francis's death.

"Hey E," a man called out to Ekon, who was sitting down outside of his room. Ekon turned his eyes a bit to the voice's direction to see Luke standing there with a concerned look on his face breaking eye contact, and continued staring into nothing.

Luke sighed as he proceeds to sit down beside him. "Look, I know that Francis was like a brother to you, but you hurting yourself won't bring him back," Luke said. Ekon gave no response and kept staring into nothing.

Luke sighed before saying, "Suit yourself." he proceeds to get up, and as he began to walk away, Ekon breaks the silence, "I could have saved him." Luke looks back at him before sitting down beside him. "What made you not do it?" Luke asked.

"Him, I saw him shook his head at me as I was about to do something. I could have taken it for him, but"Tears then began to fill his eyes as if he was about to burst out. "I just wish I could be there with him."

Luke then let a slight sighed before answering, "I know, but there was nothing you can do. He made his choice, and you get killed just to save him would make it a lot worst for him, doesn't it?" Ekon slightly smiled at Luke's answer. He was right. There was nothing he could do about it.

"If you are feeling better, come see me" Ekon nodded as Luke began to got up and walk away.

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