Chapter 6: Out from the Ashes

The line for voting was endlessly long and she was impatient to get hers in. She had no question who she was voting for, no doubt that it wasn't the right decision because his speech had been so captivating, so trustworthy. She got to the curve of the line-up and oh there he was, looking out into the crowd as he had at the election speeches, the same entrancing stare and quirk of the lips. His deep sapphires locked onto her and she fluttered. She was suddenly overcome with the need to put in her vote that very second, but everyone else seemed to have the same idea. The once organized line had now become a mass of chaos all heading towards the tables.

The voting had gone exactly how he planned, most of the population had voted for him. He couldn't reach the people who only watched from screens, or voted over comm, but the majority had been present at least once. Now that he was completely alone he let go of his hold on the bio-electricity and gave out a sigh. He was back to a worthless, skinny now 16-year-old, but it was exhausting keeping up his appearance for so long. The only thing he could do now was wait for the official announcement and that wasn't for another three hours, he would then have to attend the after party which he was sincerely not looking forward to. Because 1) He would have to keep up the 20-year-old appearance up, 2) He would have to project his thoughts on everyone that they still wanted him as president and 3) No one could recognize his name and had to make them all, forget. All this in front hundreds of people, this alone made him wanted to curl up and neglect every bit of it, but he didn't.

He went to the boring party and gave countless fake smiles and numerous handshakes to the insignificant people all dressed up to impress and show status. The food came out and he had to admit that it was delicious, the meat so tender, it fell right of the bone and the sauce so rich, the taste lingered long after he had swallowed it. All the desserts were light and creamy and looked delicate placed on top of the cake tiers. Sitting at the head of the lengthy oak table, he could hear all the chatter and the gentle tap of cutlery on plates. It subsided when there was and ring of a fork on a glass getting everyone's attention. A short, bearded man stood upon the podium.

"We are here tonight to welcome a young man to the responsibilities and authority of running a country." He paused,

"The votes came in highly favourable to this one candidate and there is no doubt that he will do excellent things for the Republic. Please stand for President Cyprus Blackburn."

He bowed and left the podium as everyone stood up. Cyprus walked towards the stage as his people nodded in respect.

"Thank you." Another fake smile, "I have great plans for the development of this still young country." Another wave of bioelectricity sent out before he was back in his seat.

All his belongings from his home were moved to the parliament buildings the next day including his parents four post bed-nothing sentimental, he just liked it. His new home was by far more elaborate than his previous, the large bedroom and living quarters joined the offices where he had no intention to do his work, he preferred his own living quarters for working. He called up his appearance when he heard a soft knock at the door.

"Come in." It was his advisor, Ruben.

"Sir, the some of Earthen countries are calling up a press conference, they would like to attend in 10 minutes. Will you accept?" Cyprus sighed.

"Yes okay." Ruben turned to leave, "Make sure there are no output cameras on either end of the call." He added, Ruben gave him a confused look but nodded and left anyway.

Seated at a table with several netscreens surrounding him, five faces stared back at him some wrinkled while others shone with youth. The five representatives looked highly uncomfortable until finally one of them spoke- The Chinese president; President Guozhi Ruan.

"I can't see you, President Blackburn, is there something wrong with your camera?"

"Unfortunately, the signal is weak from some recent radiation storms. It won't be a problem will it?"

"Of course not," Ruan gave a tentative smile.

"Right. Good. Well, what was it you wanted to discuss with me in this busy time?"

Queen Victoria III of the United Kingdom was the next to speak, "If the change of leader, changes the Earth-Luna relations," she stated bluntly.

He chuckled, "I have been the President for less than twenty-four hours, I have not had the chance to fully go over them."

The Queen looked displeased but kept her poise.

"I would, however, be willing to discuss these matters in person if you would allow it."

The American president; President Alister Koret was next, "Where do you propose to do this?"

"Where ever, I'm not picky."

Koret's lips twitched with obvious unease, as did others on the call. The manipulation seemed so easy even without the bioelectricity waves that it was almost laughable.

"My daughter's wedding is in about three weeks, I had planned to inform you all through an official invitation, but it will be an opportunity to discuss the relations while you're there too," The Queen interjected.

"What a generous offer, Your Highness, I'm sure if you send over the dates, we can get something arranged."

She just press conference went on and Cyprus was asked countless questions on his plans for the country, and how he was going to manage the number of new citizens who were relocating to the moon. He answered each one monosyllabic and robotic until finally it came to an end. As soon as it had been clicked off he turned to Ruben,

"Start the preparations for going to Earth if anything comes up, let me know."

"Of course, Sir."

The next week was filled with meetings and Cyprus was growing insanely bored with each passing minute, he wanted to get his plan rolling faster, but his patience kept intact for the main part. He couldn't rush things too much and risk being suspected. When he finally did get a moment to himself it was a huge relief as he let go of his appearance, all of the interference and tamperings were draining him and as he sat on the bed alone in the cavernous room it was then he first felt the empty hole deep in his chest, it was the first time he had felt anxious in over a year and he tap-tap-tapped his fingers rhythmically on his quivering leg. A splitting headache pounded like a door knocker and he curled into a ball in the centre of his king-size bed in pain, the lush and freshly laundered bedding crinkled beneath him.

The hot tears that streaked his face were like boiling water and he felt scars forming with every drop. He tried feverishly to swipe them away but the now scorching heat was almost unbearable, he hugged his knees tighter, blisters were now forming on his arms and face as each tear dripped, the skin sizzled and steam rose, he scratched at them as they swelled. He tried so hard not to cry out because inevitably someone would run in if he did so instead he tried to steady his breathing, but the blisters were starting to peel away at a rapid pace revealing red raw skin. He flinched at the sight, feeling paper-thin and fragile like he could shatter into shards of glass. That's all he was; a mirror giving the impression of strength but easy to splinter and about to crack. He had no one to turn to, no one to pull him out of his unknown insanity, he squeezed his eyes shut and although tired, he called up his 20-year-old appearance, only then did the scars and blisters subside and relief set in, although he already felt his control on the bioelectricity wavering. He leaned against the headrest of the bed and stared distantly, his artificial vibrant blue eyes vacant as they absently scanned the room.

After that night, the scars appeared every time he showed his true self. The pain never dulled, and never eased even so between the burns and the splitting headache that travelled through his spine when he overused his bioelectricity, the burns were no comparison. Caught between mental and physical pain, real and imagined, never at rest. It would be his downfall.