To Be Continued

New chapters of THE CHOSEN will return at a later date. Until then, feel free to catch up on the first 18 stories in the archives.

PART I
1: Brock: Morning After
2: Levitt: Withdrawal
3: Weathers: Family
4: Brock: Debrief
5: Lang: Company
6: Cole: Invisible
7: LaRoe: Brothers
8: Washington: A Good Deed
9: Weathers: Returns, Part I
10: Weathers: Returns, Part II
11: Brock: History
12: Hale: One Print
13: Lang: Details
14: Levitt: Caught
15: Cole: Classroom
16: LaRoe: Verdict
17: Brock: Come Together
18: Washington: Survivor

By the way, if you're so inclined, you can leave your email address in a comment and I will let you know when new chapters will be posted.

Washington: Survivor

Chapter 18

Robin Washington had started to doze off in front of the TV set. Her living room recliner was comfortable. Since Sal’s death she’d spent many nights in that chair. Sometimes the bed was too painful.

She used to go out with friends in the afternoon. But the few she had by now had died. She was afraid she’d be the next to end up with cancer. Ever since her husband died it had become difficult for her to make new friends. Her life became very public when the media got a hold of the information about how Sal died. There was a public outcry to have her imprisoned or at least placed in a psychiatric facility.

Only the police, lawyers and doctors close to the case knew that it was a simple accident, and there was no way they could prosecute her in good conscious. But a part of Robin wanted a trial. She wanted to know if people really did believe she was a killer. The district attorney never filed charges and eventually the media hype died down, but all of it left Robin very socially awkward and insecure.

She had had the news on but one shooting after another in Miami had made watching it almost repugnant. But she didn’t want to miss her lottery numbers.

“…We now go to Edgar Lopez in central Miami for breaking news,” Robin heard on the television. “Breaking news” came one rung above a shooting. But she opened her eyes and stared at it nonetheless.

“Thanks Ana,” the man on TV said. “Residents of this neighborhood are rocked on their heels at this hour. Earlier this evening, the nearby Central Miami High School went up in flames after multiple bombs exploded, nearly leveling the entire building…”

Robin took notice and sat up in her chair slowly. Her heart sank and she felt herself unable to move. She could only watch helplessly. “My God…”

“…Officials are telling us that there were less than a hundred people inside, students in night classes, and that no survivors have been found. With no warning and the building in this condition, they would be surprised if anyone made it out alive. Beyond that, needless to say, students won’t be in class tomorrow morning. We’re still getting more information and we’ll bring it to you as we get it. Ana, back to you.”

Robin forced herself to put on a coat. As warm as Miami usually was, the winter time kept it especially cool. She made it out the door and to her car. She drove the high school as quickly as she could. She could not fathom Tina being dead. Robin took her in mere months ago but felt like Tina was her own daughter.

It was Tina’s first night of classes. Robin had pushed her into it so she would eventually be able to get a decent job — maybe even go to college first if she got good grades. Tina resisted at first only because of the extra effort, but ultimately knew it was the right thing to do.

Robin got to the school. Firefighters were still trying to put out the fire that consumed the remains of the school building. Police lights flashed from every direction like strobe lights, practically blinding the old woman.

Robin stumbled out of her car and toward the crowds of officials. It was very noisy and there were people from the nearby neighborhoods all around. She saw the news crew and the man she recognized from TV.

She was caught off guard when she heard a firefighter shouting from the wreckage. She could not make out what he was shouting. But he kept repeating it.

“Some fire!” she thought. No.

“Sure rider!” No.

She followed the voice.

“Survivor!” he shouted. “We found a survivor!”

Robin was filled with hope. She ran toward the firefighter as he lifted Tina out of the rubble.

Brock: Come Together

Chapter 17

Adrian Brock laid in bed staring at the wall. His wife Laura was in the bathroom brushing her teeth. She had dark hair and blue eyes. She was beautiful. Her parents tried to push her into modeling in high school, but she had more interest in books. She graduated from Stanford with a law degree and was now a partner in a small practice in Seattle.

“It’s not that I think either of us should quit our jobs,” she said. “All I’m saying is starting a family is a big deal. And we’re both in our thirties. Time’s wasting.”

“That’s helpful,” Adrian chuckled.

“We both love what we do. I mean, I’m not wrong here, am I? You’ve never said anything.”

“No, hey, it was just something I thought I’d mention. Looking at our friends and all…”

“No, it’s good. We should talk about it. But it sounds like you’re into some serious stuff at the agency since — you can’t talk about it. And I’m right in the middle of a case that could make or break my career.”

”Yeah, it was just something I wanted to bring up.”

“Yeah.”

Adrian paused and looked at her as she walked into the bedroom.

“You know I’d tell you if I could,” he said. “The case I’m working on.”

“I know,” she gave him an understanding gaze.

Adrian walked into the conference room at the DSR. At the other end of the room sat Grace Weathers and Porter Levitt. Adrian wanted to interview them together since they had never before met.

“Do either of you know why you’re here?”

Levitt scoffed and looked away.

“I asked for answers, Mr. Brock,” Weathers said, annoyed. “And you said you’d give them to me. I don’t even know why I’m here. And before I tell you anything else, I want— I need you tell me something.”

Adrian spoke softly. “I sincerely apologize, Ms. Weathers. And Mr. Levitt. I want to explain everything to both of you as soon as possible. But I have to wait until everyone is together.”

A man in a uniform escorted Jonah LaRoe into the room.

“Seven of you have been chosen,” Adrian made a slight emphasis on the word. He looked at Weathers, Levitt and LaRoe trying to come up with the right things to say. These were people who were important to the future of the world in ways they could not possibly understand at this point.

“We have three of you together now,” Adrian continued. “I’m sure you’ll find your stay here more than luxurious. Cable television, gourmet meals, fitness center. We hope to have the other four here within the week. At that point I’ll be able to explain everything, hopefully to your satisfaction.”

DSR Seattle had been recently completed. There were now living quarters that were created to house The Seven while the research was done. It was more than comfortable. For them, the only thing it was missing was family and friends. However, as they were about to find out, there were not whole lot of people interested in being friends with any of them.