DISCLAIMER in the first chapter...

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know the story is taking a while to unfold, but I love writting about the characters. Simply stating the events just doesn't cut for me. I am ashamed to admit, but I do have a flare for the dramatic, so if I go too far, please let me know!

Crazyrussianangal and leochick: thank you for reviewing, here is the next one...

Jar-Par Fan: sorry for omiting Jarod thus far, but MP needed apush to brake away from the vicious circle. Don't worry, J isn't going anywhere... yet.

Gemini-M: thank you for reviewing and welcome to this adventure. I am glad you liked the character hoe I portraited them. Keep in mind that life is a bumpy road and enjoy!

I won't post for at least another week for I will be on vacation and away from my computer, but I will be back. Have faith!

Chapter 7: START ANEW

It was hard...

To up and leave...

Forget what was...

And star anew...

But...

It had to happen someday...

The busy streets of New York City, normally filled with yellow cars cruising through and crowds of people everywhere, were now practically barren. The darkness had loomed sometime before, covering the buildings and houses with shadows, frightening most people away. Some still lurked, either by necessity or will. Lonely souls sleeping on park benches and on cold pavement floors. Sleepless hearts seeking the perfect beat, or the perfect drink. The silence was far from quiet, far from empty. It carried the sound of the city and those, who chose to make this piece of land their home.

Jarod was a man of many faces, masks if you will. He carried within himself the knowledge of the world and the innocence that same world lost along the way. However, he did not possess the one thing he always truly longed to have. Something to call his own. After living thirty years in captivity, locked within halls of pure concrete, being constantly watched by red, all-seeing eyes, he braved into the outside world. He discovered things that could not be taught through books, through someone else's words. All the while searching for a family he could not remember having.

This man, now sitting on his leather couch, in his own apartment in NY, had searched high and low for the truth about everything. And though he found his father, his brother and his sister, his family remained incomplete. He knew there had been something missing. For awhile he thought that to be his mother, the woman with flaming hair. But after locating her in California, hugging her for the longest time and then finally reuniting them all, a hollow inside his heart ached still.

After assuring their safety and informing his beloved family of the plans for the future, including constant visitations, he packed up the few belonging he accumulated over the six years of freedom and left in pursuit of a life of his own. Upon arriving in New York, he camped for a couple of days under the shelter of an abandoned warehouse. When walking down aimlessly the sidewalks of the city, a TV screen caught his eyes. The pile up had victimized many and the sight of the wreck brought tears to his eyes.

And, among the charred carcasses of what still remained, an idea was born. A realization struck. In order for him to create a new life, his old one had to perish. A phoenix could only rise from aches. Filled with renewed hope for the future, Jarod planned his own demise. Finding a body that matched his description was a piece of cake. Planting said corpse, a man with no name and no kin, required some creative course of action. Still, it got done. Parting with the DSA's, however, presented some trouble. They were the recordings of a lifetime. Memories of things he didn't really forget, but took comfort in having near. He felt sentimental about them. But, in order to make it this charade believable, they were a requirement.

So, with his heart on his sleeve, he set the silver case on fire and watched in fascination as his past was consumed by the flames. With the exception of few, all DSA's were destroyed. Those he chose to keep were of memories he cherished. Moments among the darkness, when light prevailed. Next, he planted the case, now a complete mess, near the body. He waited for the Center to bait, called his family warning them and prepared his new life.

With Center funds he created a new identity, chose a new name for himself and a new profession, one he intended to keep. He couldn't quite understand, but he chose to be a physician specialized in children. He didn't know quite why, but he chose an apartment instead of a house. And even though he was aware that Jarod was not a common name, he chose to keep it. His parents had given it to him after all.

Jarod Wilks...

Doctor Wilks had accepted a position on a public hospital and set for himself a trust fund, courtesy of the Center. He started work on a Tuesday and now, on Saturday night, he soaked in his new life, while wondering about...

Well, he just wondered...

For now...

He thought about what was to come, never allowing himself to think about those who stayed behind. He convinced himself instead that it was time for Sydney to move on and enjoy the few years he still had. That Broots, once his death was announced, would be let back to the common tech room and fade among the faces, where it was safe. And that... She'd be okay. He had offered her a turning point, but she had refused. He's continuing presence brought her only pain and danger. Miss Parker would be better of.

It wasn't convincing.

But he had to allow himself to believe it.

It was his turn to be happy...

Was reuniting Margaret with her clan without fanfare too out of character? I think she is important to Jarod, but let's face it, they hardly know each other. If you guys feel like I should extend on the matter, let me know, otherwise I will take it foward (where it is supposed to go)

REVIEW, I BEG YOU!!!!!!!!!!!