The One vs. Konrad Raab

[TheOne]

EXODUS: Chapter Four

That moment was something I had come to dream about for years.  The moment where I could look my mentor in her eyes and see her standing there, and not only see the grim picture of her laying lifeless after fighting the, then, One.  I had hoped that the pictures was made to make her look dead, and one day I'd find out the truth... But I never believed it was actually the case.  I always believed it was just me trying to be positive.

But yet here she was... Alive...

My body, mind, and soul was enveloped by emotions that I could never express, no matter how many adjectives I knew in my vocabulary.  It was overwhelming, and I could see in her eyes she shared the flood of emotions.  Neither of us could believe we crossed paths again.  I couldn't believe she was alive.  She couldn't believe I was The One.  But we were together.  We were looking one another in the eyes for the first time in years.  And it was at this moment we both had a sense of confusion.

Where do we go from here?

What do we do from here?

Do we say our goodbyes and move on?

Do we become besties and go have a girl's night, and just forget whatever else is going on?

While the emotions of seeing the ONE PERSON, in my entire life, I considered a true friend and mentor being alive and in my presence, I had to start processing the reality of the situation at large.  I had to re-ground myself in the reality I was living, and realize that this twist and turn could not lead me away from what, ultimately, WE, had set forth on all of those years ago.  I had to figure out where my heart and my loyalties combined and also were separated.  I had to remind myself that I was still The One, still the protector of The Oracle, and still on a mission to bring those who abused The Oracle to justice.

Both women stand there, breathing heavy, still having said very little to one another.  And it is The One who takes the initiative to figure out what is going on, and try and bring some awareness to the situation for them both.

The One: I... I seriously thought you were dead!

Mentor: Why?

The One: You challenged The One, and you disappeared.  When he came back, my heart sank.  He just bullied his way through everyone to get to me and pulled his phone out.  He took a picture of your body, lifeless, dead, beaten, everything I had feared, he showed me right then and there.  Then, next thing you know, he's taking our equipment away, and doing everything he can to make MY LIFE a living hell, knowing that I was part of everything, but having no way to prove it...

The One's mentor sighs.

Mentor: That night was horrible... I don't know what happened with you, but I was surrounded in this pit of humanity, and The Prophets were talking incessantly.  I told them to can it and let me beat the fucker's ass, and next thing you know, I'm waking up on the ground where I was told I was sucker punched by some woman in the crowd with brass knux on her hand...

The One's eyes roll.

The One: His protective mother, I would bet...

The mentor shrugs.

Mentor: I don't know... I just know I obviously went down, and he jumped on and kept punching.  They apparently stopped him when he was going to use a brick to my head, and after that, I'm waking up with only my parents looking over me.  They were disgusted with me, briefly told me what happened, and had a ride to take me out of the town and county, and I was told to not come back.  I was told not to talk to anyone, or you would be tortured next... They knew my weakness, as I'm guessing The One knew yours...

The One nods.

Mentor: Speaking of all of that, why are you this far out?  Why aren't you at The Compound?

The One: The mission had to be carried on... You were dead, as far as I knew, and I wasn't going to let our goal be ended by that asshole.  And then I found out about who and what The Oracle actually was, and I knew my job protecting her was far more important.  The Oracle is in my protection, right now.  It's why I thought you were one of those spies they have trying to hunt her down.  It's why I thought you were someone else.  I had to treat you like you were one of them.  For that, I'm sorry...

Mentor: Don't apologize... You carried our banner... You did what I would have done... For what it's worth, it makes me proud...

The One feels a sense of pride hearing that from her mentor.

The One: So... You're alive... Our banner is still flying... You willing to join the fight, again, and finish what YOU started?

The mentor smirks.

Mentor: ... Thought you'd never ask!

The two begin the walk back toward the motel, with both carrying groceries.  As they approach the treeline splitting the parking lot of the store from the back of the hotel, The One freezes.

The One: Wait...

She notices a car she recognizes that is one of the "runners," whose job it is to go and get supplies, grocery orders, et cetera, for The Compound.  This car is facing the hotel and the sound of her bags hitting the ground alerts her mentor.  She quickly sees The One disappear into the shadows nearing the car.  As The One verifies that nobody is sitting in the vehicle, she emerges and motions for her mentor to join her, which the girl quickly grabs all of the sacks, and does.

The One: This isn't good... The Oracle and her brother are inside, and I don't know where this "runner" is.  He could be anywhere.  He could be near their room.  I'm hoping that's not the case because I haven't gotten an alert on my phone...

It's at this point there is a rustling in the treeline, near the car.  The two go quiet and see a rotund man emerge with his flashlight being clicked off.  It's obvious he was looking around the motel, possibly looking in windows, trying to find the missing people.  As the man opens his car door, The One sprints toward him, and as he is between the car door and the car, The One collides, smashing him in between the door and the car.  He is in immediate pain from the impact, and he looks up, still wincing, and sees The One staring at him, with a killer instinct look in her eye.  He then becomes even more scared as he sees her mentor slowly appear out of the shadows over her shoulder.  The One, sensing the presence, slowly looks back and verifies it's someone she trusts, and then back at the man.

The One: I KNOW why you're here.  WE know why you're here!  In fact, we've been waiting for one of you to actually step onto our turf and cross the line with us.  But face it... The Oracle is safer than she's EVER BEEN in her ENTIRE life.  You hear me?

The man, still wincing, musters the energy to nod.  The One pushes the car door even harder, causing the man to let our a whimper of pain.

The One: And as far as The Prophets go, your new job is to relay this message to them from US... You tell those two fuckers that the band is back together, and STRONGER than ever... I can tell you recognize her.  I can tell you know her face.  I know you know her story in relation to mine.  And yeah... She's back... And she and I are protecting The Oracle at ALL TIMES!  The days of your "Prophets" abusing their OWN FUCKING CHILDREN are over...

The man remains terrified, and in pain.

The One: ... Didn't realize The Oracle was their daughter they were drugging, did you?  Yeah, you mindless fuck, that's what they've been doing.  So take that message to them, and as for YOU, remember this... If you EVER think about showing your face around here, or ANY of your counterparts, which I have also seen, even think about showing up around here, they'll be taken out one by one.  This is not "Compound Territory" anymore.  This is The One's territory.  This is where WE run the show.  Understand?

The man, still shaking, musters the energy to nod.  And with that nod, The One shoves him in his car, and slams the door behind him.

The One: ... Now you leave this place, no lights, until you get to the road, and you go the opposite way.  After that, you do not come back again!

The One's mentor approaches, and leans in to offer her two cents.

Mentor: You sure you understood all of that, asshole?

This makes The One smirk, but the mad just nod in a very speedy manner, and quickly reach for the ignition of his vehicle.  He turns it on, puts it in gear, and screeches his way out without turning on his lights, as instructed, and heading in the opposite direction.  The One's mentor turns toward her, and sighs.

Mentor: I'm... I'm sorry I got involved.  I know this isn't my show.  You're The One.  You're running things... I just... I just couldn't help myself...

The One puts her hand on her mentor's shoulder.

The One: We're family.  We've always been family.  Now we don't have to hide it.  So don't apologize for anything...

It's at this moment the hard exteriors begin to momentarily deteriorate.  The two stare at one another, and without hesitation, embrace as true friends for the first time ever.  Both are overcome with emotion with the reuniting and the standing together as one united front, that their caring for one another finally shines through.  The One, however, realizes that there is still work to be done, and snaps out of the friendly moment, releasing her hug and stepping back.

The One: ... The fact is, still, things are serious.  If he was here, they're closer than ever to The Oracle.  That's the oath I hold the most honor towards, and she needs to be safe and secure...

Hearing this makes her mentor feel like this moment may have been a one-off, as she sees The One go to pick up all of her groceries.

Mentor: Does that mean I need to stay behind?  If so I understand.  You've come so far from the girl looking for a way... Now you're The One with the vision... So if I need to stay behind I...

The One cuts her off.

The One: You're not staying anywhere, but by my side.  You're part of this team, now.  And honestly, I, personally, need someone by my side I know I can trust without thinking twice...

The One's mentor smiles at the realization that she is truly someone who, both made an impact on this person's life, but is also still regarded as one of the most trustworthy individuals they know.

The One: ... One more thing... There is no "hierarchy" here.  I am not "in charge."  I may be "The One" in your eyes and in the eyes of others, but my sole purpose is to protect The Oracle and her brother.  That is OUR mission, now.  Once they are secured and safe, we take down The Compound.  But I don't "run the show."  I'm not here to be the boss of anyone.  I'm here to do what is right...

Hearing the "resolution" of The One makes her mentor feel as if she truly was able to make her point when she was focused on their training.  It was never about "power."  It was always about the end game, and the result of the mission.  The One has learned that concept, and held it true to her.  While she may be the "mentor," she knows her role and nods in accordance, and the two gather up everything and head back to toward the motel.  As they get close, they begin to be extra careful in case there may be others, like the one they encountered, casing the facility.  As they feel comfortable in knowing they are safe, they make their way toward the room that houses The Oracle and her brother.  The One gives the coded "knock" they had agreed upon to signal to the two inside that it is her.  The brother looks out of the peep hole and sees The One, and slowly opens the door enough for her to come in with the groceries.

As The One enters, she doesn't close the door immediately behind her, which is something very uncommon for her.  The brother steps back, and The Oracle stands up, showing a look of concern on her face.  The One looks past the brother, and directly to her protectorate.

The One: We have a little more help now...

In walks her mentor, which immediately startles The Oracle's brother.  He jumps into the face of The One, and begins to chide her.

Brother: The FUCK?!  Who the hell is she?!  And more importantly why is she here, and why should we trust YOU or HER now?!  This... This is...

The One slowly lifts her hand up, trying to calm the brother down, and begins to try and explain.

The One: I get it... I do... She is someone new, but she is also the the one who created this idea of freeing you, and bringing down your parents for what they're doing for others.  She tried to become "The One" before I did.  She is the one who truly laid the foundation for all of this.  I was just the one who happened to be able to see it to this phase, and now she is back with us to see it to the end...

The Oracle approaches The One's mentor, and gently touches her cheek, and looks into her eyes.  This creates a sense of confusion amongst everyone, including the brother, The One, and even the mentor.  But The Oracle's words change the entire dynamic.

The Oracle: Hailey... I trust you...

The mentor's eyes widen and The One looks on even more confused.

Hailey: How... How did you know?

The Oracle: I remember your heroism and bravery.  I wasn't supposed to see it, that night, but I did.  And I remember it vividly.  I made a point to learn and remember your name...

The One looks over, realizing she has just learned her mentor's name for the first time.

The One: Hailey?

Hailey nods, and in this moment The One smiles, realizing that after all of these years of being told, and telling others that names don't matter, she has learned the name of the one person who has had the most influence in her life.  And, most importantly to The One, it was The Oracle who gave her this knowledge on her own fruition, and not because of being drugged or compromised in any way, shape, or form.

Her name, all along, was Hailey.  Something I never knew.  Something I always wondered.  Her story, more of what I want to know.  What drove her to deciding she wanting to overtake The Compound, long before I was in the picture?  Where did her spirit and her willingness to come back from being told to never set foot in the area again, diminish, and her return become inevitable?

Most importantly... What led to our reuniting?

An "Exodus" for one and yet an "Exodus" for two others has led me to wonder what my role is in this chapter of my life.  My friend and the one I was sworn to protect converging in one moment... Nothing what I expected.  But the fact that now I had The Oracle and her brother safe, and honestly I had a woman I looked up to and cherished in Hailey, by my side, I began to feel the winds of change surrounding me.  No longer was there paranoia.  No longer did I feel like I was looking over my shoulder because I had her, I had Hailey, back by my side.  This young, adolescent, maturing, girl, who was taken under the wing by an older and much more forward thinking woman, had said woman to be alongside her once again.  It was a moment in my life I would never forget.  And seeing The Oracle look at Hailey, know Hailey as I did, and see the heroine that I saw, made it that much greater.

But I knew the fight was now just beginning.  I had won round one, becoming The One.  I had cheated round two, by duping The Prophets.  Now the war began as those who sought to truly bring The Compound and The Prophets to their knees had finally aligned, and their first messenger was going back with something The Prophets never intended...

"The band is back together!"