June and Hannah
Seven weeks since they returned from Canada. The war still waged throughout the country; safe havens raided then reborn, Colonies instated before uprisings topple them, Handmaids freed before they are replaced by younger females. A cycle that never ends.
June remains Carrie's right-hand woman in their ongoing battle, in spite of her fatigue, she refuses to sit, refuses to sleep. Her daughter is approaching her twelfth birthday soon. She should have flowered by now, and that's what terrifies her more than anything. Once Hannah bleeds, she'll be married off to get raped. That fear causes her to fight harder and harder. She can't stop until she has her baby girl back in her arms.
"June, Carrie wants to see you." Alma informed her as they were replenishing their weapon supplies.
June immediately moved through the main headquarters, passing by soldiers who greeted her in kind until she arrived in the conference room where they had their council meetings. Shock colored her features when she saw the Wrath of God sitting on the table with Carrie pacing in front of her anxiously.
Carrie stopped when she saw June, "You're here, good." She said with relief as June closed the door behind her.
"Been a long time June." Rachel greeted with a lazy smile.
June joined them beside the table, "What is this about?"
Carrie and Rachel glanced at each other before the elder sister spoke, "We found Hannah."
Those three words she waited to hear for years, three words that bring both hope and fear to every mother.
June's legs gave out in her shock, luckily Rachel summoned a chair to catch her before she could hit the floor. After several second of breathing exercises, she looked up at the sisters.
"How is she?" June shakingly asked after a moment.
"She's alive, and healthy...for the most part." Rachel added with some hesitance.
This raised some alarm bells in June. "What do you mean?"
Carrie swallowed, "There was an... incident at the dentist she was visiting. The doctor who attended her, he attempted to molest her." At June's shocked and fearful look, she added, "Attempted. He didn't succeed."
This brought June some immediate relief before she asked, "What happened?"
Rachel and Carrie shared another look, worry and conflict upon their faces.
Rachel sighed through her nose, "There was a tremor that surrounded the building. Only the building. This was not a natural phenomenon. We have reason to believe that this event was tied to Hannah."
June glanced between the two telekinetic in confusion, "I don't understand. Why would my daughter-" At the guilty look on Carrie's face, June knew something was wrong, "Carrie...What exactly happened."
Carrie bowed her head and shook her head, "Several weeks ago while we were in Canada, Mr. Tuello informed me of...recent phenomena that were similar to that of my childhood. Warning signs, you could say. Stones fell from the sky and hit only my house. The same thing happened at those schools those little girls were sent to and the homes they live in." She swallowed and sighed, "The stones from the sky also fell upon the Mackenzie home."
June's eyes went wide as she listened to her leader, "'Warning signs?'"
Rachel took the reigns, "For our telekinetic powers. Raining stones are the signs of deep emotional distress from someone with emerging gifts like ours."
June's mouth fell open, "You mean...Hannah is also..."
Carrie nodded, "Yes. She is one of the first of a new generation of telekinetic children. It was her power that caused that tremor. It saved her from getting attacked." She pursed her lips for a moment, "She may not be aware of her gifts, at least not yet. But if another event happens like this again, if she's in another situation where she is in distress, we fear the Commanders will make the connection. And that's not the scenario we want to see happen."
"Where is she then?" June asked, desperate to save her baby now more than ever.
Rachel reached into her jacket and pulled out a surveillance pictures of Hannah's home and family. "She's at Colorado Springs. They enrolled her in a Wife School a couple months ago. She's a good student apparently."
As June flipped through the pictures of her baby girl all grown up as she tends the garden with three Marthas, smiling and laughing, she noticed something off in the photos.
"Rachel, where's Mrs. Mackenzie?" June asked as she showed her the pictures depicting the Commander in the company of a blonde woman she doesn't recognize.
Rachel pointed at the woman, "That's Mrs. Mackenzie."
June's eyes widened then shook her head, "No, it can't be, the woman I met, Hannah's adopted mother, she looks nothing like her." She stated as she scrutinized the woman in the picture, noting how whenever she looked at Hannah, there was a cold and hateful look in her eyes.
Rachel frowned, "That woman in the photo is Commander Mackenzie's second Wife. Her name's Paula, she was the widow of Commander Saunders. Reports of his death specify that it was their Handmaid who killed him. The woman you met previously, her name was Tabitha, she died of an illness five months ago." She glanced at her sister, "Though honestly, I believe there was foul play involved in their deaths."
Carrie frowned but agreed with her sister, "That's what I suspect as well."
June's heart broke for her daughter. Though she did not like how Tabitha tried to keep Hannah away from her, she saw how deeply she loved and cared about her baby. That maternal love gave her peace knowing Hannah is protected to a certain degree in Gilead. To have that protective mother-figure stolen from her, to be left at the mercy of these monsters filled her with terror.
"Paula...she doesn't love Hannah." June stated as she looked at the cold woman in the picture.
"No, she does not." Rachel confirmed, "Turns out the bitch is planning to marry her off very soon."
"We plan on getting her out in two days' time at midnight. The Marthas in the Mackenzie Household are on our side. They tell us how unhappy she is with her new mother. But the Commander...it will be difficult to separate given the paternal fondness he shares with her." Carrie said as doubt filled her face. How these men stole children from their families and brainwashed them into accepting their new lives sickens her. But what pains her is knowing how those children accept and love their new parents in spite of what happened.
"Leave that little bit to me." Rachel assured them, "I'll be coming along since I'm free this weekend."
June held the pictures to her chest where her heart thumped erratically, "Thank you."
"Best prepare for the journey, it's a fifteen-hour drive from Chicago. We have work to do." Carrie told June, a fire in both of their eyes.
With renewed determination, June left to get ready for the mission. Her daughter is so close now, she will be with her baby again.
Colorado Springs truly lived up to its name in natural beauty; the Rocky Mountains, the Garden of Gods, everything was a marvel. If this had been any other day, June would have taken the time to actually enjoy it.
Their team was camped out in a bunker below the basement of a trusted Commander and his Wife, both are gender traitors who found love with a Guardian and Martha respectively. There was tech, guns, poisons, and medicine, stashed away. The fact that the Commander's uncle was a paranoid survivalist was definitely a win for the resistance.
"Luckily Rosa was kind enough to put hidden surveillance cameras around the Mackenzie home." The Martha, Deborah said as she typed away at the computer to pull up the surveillance feed of the interior and exterior of the house Hannah was currently in.
June stood behind her anxiously with Carrie and Rachel beside her. The Liberation squad consisted of six while the Retribution team's five members prepared for distraction, sabotage and homicide.
"Found her." Deborah announced as she went full screen in the garden. June gasped when she saw her daughter sitting on the bench embroidering with a look of deep concentration.
Deborah kindly stood up and offered her the seat before June sat down and had a closer look at Hannah. Tears of joy and sadness filled her eyes and her shaking hands touched the frame of the screen as though to pull her daughter out of the picture and embrace her.
"Hannah...my little banana." June's voice broke the longer she stared at the screen.
Hannah paused and looked up, though she didn't realize she was looking directly at the camera.
June's finger touched the screen where Hannah's innocent face was as though to caress it. "I'm here baby." She said with smile filled with hope and love for her child, who is so close yet is beyond her reach.
Carrie and Rachel moved away from June to let her have some space before they found a corner to whisper to each other.
"I'm not sure bringing her along was such a good idea." Rachel said as she glanced at June practically glued to the screen.
Carrie's face became grim, "She is Hannah's mother, she has a right to rescue her daughter."
"I understand that. But from what I learned, their last encounter wasn't...warm." Rachel finished with a look of discomfort, "Carrie, her daughter didn't recognize her last time. I'm worried she will shatter if Hannah fails to remember her mother's face."
Carrie sighed through her nose and nodded, "I'm worried too. But June needs this. She has fought through hell to find her daughter. I pray that somewhere withing that girl, Hannah is still in there, that she knows who her mother truly is."
Rachel swallowed and breathed out a small breath, "I hope for their sake, they can have a happy ending." She said while massaging her chest in discomfort.
"Rachel, are you feeling okay?" Carrie asked when she noticed how pale and thin her sister has gotten.
"Don't worry. Let's just focus on Hannah." Rachel assured her before calling forth the rebels of both factions.
June willed herself to leave the screen then joined the meeting to discuss strategy.
The time finally came for June to rescue her daughter. She barely slept, hardly looked away from the screen showing Hannah's life. Her daughter's interactions with the Marthas are warm and familial, bonds built on mutual care and trust. But during dinner where the Mackenzie family gathered for their sustenance, Hannah is quiet and demure, not looking Paula in the eye even when the woman directs a question at her. June wants nothing more than to strangle that cold bitch for her mistreatment towards her baby. With the Commander, the 'paternal love' he holds for Hannah feels more like possession and controlling affection. Even when Hannah gives him a kind smile, the look on his face resembles that of an owner regarding their obedient pet.
After seeing the few hours of her daughter's life through the screen, June's resolve strengthened to see her baby free from Gilead.
June stayed in the van that reminded her too much of the transport the Red Center used. Carrie was in the passenger's seat watching for incoming Guardians as Rachel's team created a distraction on the other side of town by setting fire to the Wife Prep School that was currently empty. The plan was pretty simple, the Marthas drug the Mackenzies before they extract Hannah who will be driven to a safehouse outside of Colorado Springs.
She looked up just in time when she sees three Marthas guide a young Hannah towards their vehicle. Seeing her baby run towards her, gradually getting closer was almost too much for June. She wanted to wrench the door open and leap out to hug her daughter, but Carrie's gentle voice stopped her, "Not yet June. Not yet."
June willed herself not to give in to the desire as she sat very still before the back doors opened and Hannah was ushered inside. Her baby, already twelve years old, almost a grown up, looks up at the woman she vaguely remembers before she was instructed to sit behind the passenger seat across from June. The three Marthas, Rosa, Zilla and Vera, piled in before the van moved.
Everything was silent throughout the ride. June tried very hard to keep her gaze off her daughter, but every now and then, she would sneak glances at Hannah. She only averts her gaze after a few seconds.
After what felt like forever, they made it to the safehouse, which was basically a seemingly abandoned cabin with an underground bunker stocked with food and survival gear. Where and how this was discovered can only be left to the imagination.
As everyone settled into the bunker, Hannah looked around, marveled at the new change in environment. Her curly hair was free, and she wore the plum-colored nightgown with a cloak to keep her from the cold.
"We'll stay here until morning. Daniel will take first watch." Carrie instructed as one of them sat at one of the monitors with hidden security cameras showing them the perimeter outside the cabin and the path leading up to them.
"What about Rachel?" June asked as she watched her daughter from the corner of her eye. Her back was to her as she took in her new surroundings.
"If I know Rachel, which I unfortunately do, she's gonna wreak havoc as usual." Carrie said to her right-hand woman then glanced at Hannah who was quietly speaking to Zillah. "Let's go talk to her. But remember, we need to ease her into this. Her abilities are still in its infancy." Carrie reminded June considering how emotional turmoil and distress may set off Hannah's powers.
Carrie and June approached, making the young girl turn to them. Hannah looked up at the woman dressed in white, her gentle blue-green eyes watched her with fondness. June's eyes were full of hope, longing, and fear.
"Hello, I hear your name is Agnes." Carrie greeted as the three of them sat at the dinner table.
Hannah nodded her head, "Yes ma'am." She responded as she was conditioned to do, more so since the Commander remarried.
"Do you know who I am?" Carrie asked as she smiled gently while maintaining eye contact with the girl.
Hannah swallowed, "Yes, Daddy and Paula said you were a terrible person, that you are trying to destroy God's work."
Carrie's smile didn't faulter, "To Gilead, that is what I am. But this country, is not God's work. The world you lived in moments ago, one where little girls are not allowed to read or write, that was created by evil men. God sent me to correct that mistake, to give the daughters of this land the freedom that was stolen from them." She spoke gently and wisely, never raising her voice to the young girl.
Hannah stared at Carrie with relief and wonder, the stories she heard from the Marthas and from the girls at school tell her how this woman is actually an angel sent to protect little girls from the wicked. To meet her face-to-face is a dream come true for her.
Hannah glances at June who still carries that look of sadness and hope in her eyes. "Agnes, do you remember your real mother is?" Carrie asked as she held June's trembling hand.
Hannah was silent for a moment, "I don't know. All they told me was that she was dangerous, and she hurt people."
June's face broke as tears shimmered in her eyes. She clenched them shut and bowed her head, willing herself not to cry in front of her daughter.
Carrie's hand stroked June's back in comfort.
"That's not true Agnes, Gilead lied to you, they lie to everyone." Carrie frowned as she tried to soothe June, "Did they tell you about where you came from?"
Hannah bit her lip, "They said they rescued me from people who were unfit parents. Was that a lie too?"
Carrie nodded with a grim look, "Yes. Gilead stole so many children from their families that were deemed an 'offence' to God. Your parents were trying to leave the country to keep you safe, so that you'd never be separated from each other. But the Guardians caught you and tore you away from your real family." Carrie sighed through her nose in sadness, "While your father managed to escape across the border, your mother was taken and tortured to become a Handmaid. Agnes is not your real name."
Hannah looked confused, "It's not?"
"No, your real name is Hannah Bankole." Carrie told her in a strong and even tone.
"'Hannah.'" The young girl whispered to herself, vaguely remembering her name. There was familiarity, and a touch of warmth and love when spoke it out oud.
June stood up from the table, "I'm going to get her some food. The journey was so sudden for her." She said as she struggled to keep her voice from cracking.
Carrie watched her friend leave, she knew how hard it's been for her to remain strong in the face of her daughter who can't remember her.
"She's in pain." Hannah said as she watched the woman leave, she felt something within her clench at the sight of that sad woman look broken.
"She...was separated from her daughter when Gilead came for them. Her baby would be around your age." Carrie told her, unable to divulge the truth until June and Hannah were ready.
Carrie leaned forward, "Agnes, I heard you had...an incident when you visited the dentist."
Hannah looked down and swallowed, "My mom always stayed with me whenever we came to him. That was the first time I... was alone with him." She said in discomfort at the memory of that visit.
Carrie frowned, "Do you remember what you were feeling during that time? When he did something you did not like?"
Hannah breathes in deeply as she closes her eyes, "He...put his hands on my thighs. He said he wanted to...check something down there. I didn't understand." Hannah shivered at the unpleasant memory, "When I tried to move away, he grabbed my hand very tightly. It really hurt. I tried to scream, but he covered my mouth and pinned me to the chair." Tears wanted to come out of her eyes, but she willed them back, "I was so scared, I wanted someone to come save me. Anybody. But then the room started to shake, everything fell to the ground. The man...he went flying out the window. We were on the second floor and he...he died when he hit the ground." Hannah shook her head as she recounted every moment that happened that day.
The light bulbs flickered for a moment before calming down.
Carie reached over and gently grasped Hannah's clammy hands in hers. "What that man tried to do was despicable." She paused as Hannah stayed silent, "Did you tell your father and stepmother about this?"
Hannah shook her head, "No, I was afraid to."
Carrie frowned in sympathy, knowing how hard it is to trust an adult, especially a parent who is supposed to love and protect you with a traumatic event like this.
"Do you know why that man flew out the window?"
Hannah shook her head again, "No."
Carrie stroked her knuckles comfortingly, "Agnes...there are things you need to understand about yourself, the changes you are going through, physically, mentally and emotionally. I'm not just talking about growing into adolescence then adulthood."
Hannah maintained eye contact as she listened to Carrie who began to explain, "That day when the room shook, when the whole building quaked, when your attacker tried to hurt you. That was your power coming forth to protect you."
Hannah's eyes widened, "My power?"
Carrie nodded, "Yes. When you got scared, you wanted him to stop touching you. Your power reacted by sending him out the window."
"So I did kill him." Hannah whispered to herself in disbelief.
"You were protecting yourself. You didn't mean to kill him. But that may not have been the first time he tried to hurt a little girl in such a way." Carrie told her, trying to reassure the girl that this was not her fault.
"She's right." June said as she arrived with a bowl of fruit in her hands, "You're not to blame for what happened. As far as anyone here is concerned, you saved other girls from him." She added as she placed the bowl in front of her daughter.
Hannah didn't touch her bowl as she stared off into space. "I killed someone...I never meant to...I just..." Hannah struggled to speak as she covered her mouth to stifle her cries as she registered what had done.
June knelt beside her daughter and held the back of her chair, "Sweetie, listen to me." Hannah turned, her frame shaking as she looked at June. "Not everything is within our control, whether by our abilities or circumstances. We can't change what happened any more than we can change the color of the ocean. What you did was in self-defense. Your power has only recently awakened, but you can learn how to control it like Saint White here." She comfortingly said to her daughter, feeling more composed than before.
"It's true. Though my power manifested later in my teen years. I never had anyone to teach me. I had to research and teach myself. Once I got the hang of it, it's as simple as breathing." Carrie told her as she remembered from her experience, how she had to research her ability carefully then began to experiment with it until she grasped her powers better.
"How do I do that?" Hannah asked, intrigued as she wanted to see how she can use her power without hurting someone.
Carrie gave Hannah a small smile, "We'll do small exercises first." She glanced at June who had a spoon in her hand. She gestured for the utensil before she placed it in the middle of the table. "Try sliding it towards yourself without touching it."
Hannah stared at the spoon, furrowing her brows in deep concentration. Soon that stare turned into a glare as frustration welled up in her. Just when she was about to give up, the spoon inched towards her on its own. She gasped, breaking her concentration as she looked up at the two women.
"Did you see?" Hannah smiled, not one of those fake porcelain smiles like she was forced to, but an actual and genuine smile.
June grinned, "It's a start, but it's proof that you have it. Well done." That glow of motherly pride filled her as she saw her baby's smile.
Carrie calmly raised her hand and levitated the spoon towards Hannah. "I'm glad to see your tenacity. Though I fear we must save that enthusiasm for another day. Once you're finished eating, follow Ms. Osborne, she will show you where you will sleep." She instructed, being gentle and kind as ever before she left the table to talk to the members of her team.
June sat in the vacant chair she once occupied as Hannah took a shy bite of her fruit.
"Not to your liking?" June asked as she propped her chin under her hand.
"No, it's good. Peaches are my favorite." Hannah said as she scooped up more fruit into her mouth.
June smiled with relief, "That's good. I could never stomach them. My mom on the other hand...she was addicted to them. Always tried to sneak them into my food." She said with a reminiscent look which then turned sad as she thought of her mother.
"Is she okay?" Hannah asked when she saw her smile wane.
"I don't know. I haven't seen her since the time before Gilead." A sad smile came upon her lips, "She was taken to the Colonies, I saw a picture of her there when I was brought to the Red Center."
"What was she like?" Hannah asked after finishing a bite of her fruit.
"Argumentative, strong, brave, takes no lip from anyone. She was quite the fighter." June sighed through her nose, "And I know she fought like hell in those Colonies." Her throat closed up as she thought of her mother, how her heart broke when she saw a picture of her during a presentation at the Red Center, how tired and in pain she looked as she carried that sack of toxic waste.
Hannah reached over and held her hand, "It's okay, I know. I lost my mom too."
June sniffled as she held Hannah's hand, stroking her baby soft knuckles with her thumb. "What was your mom like?" June asked, knowing that the mother her baby lost was not her.
Hannah smiled slightly, "She was very nice. She took me fishing one time, and we caught a lot of fish. I liked it when we cook together, it was always fun, she said I was very good at it." Her smile faded, "Dad didn't want me to spend time with her when she got sick, didn't want me to catch anything. No one told me she was dying until it was too late."
June frowned, "I'm sure they wanted to spare you the pain. I know she loved you as her own, and wanted to you to remember as she was, not by how she died. Trust me, I speak from experience."
Hannah sniffed as she struggled not to cry, "I miss her."
June nodded, "I know. It's okay to cry."
Hannah's face scrunched up as she placed a hand to her mouth to stop any sound from coming out as tears streamed down her soft cheeks.
Unable to fight those maternal instincts any longer, June came forward and wrapped her arms around her daughter, coaxing her to lean into her. "It's okay baby. You don't have to hold it in anymore. It's okay." She soothed her daughter who wept into her biological mother's arms.
"They didn't let me say goodbye." Hannah gasped through her tears, "I wasn't allowed to cry. Dad and Paula, they wouldn't let me." She confessed, after being forced to literally bite her lips to keep from crying for months after losing the warmth of her mother.
June held her closer and rocked her back and forth, "Well you're not with them anymore, they can't force you how to feel or when you should cry." She swallowed a lump in her throat, "I can promise you this sweetheart, your real parents have cried over you every single day since you were separated."
Hannah sniffed as she slowly pulled away to wipe her eyes, "What are they like?"
June smiled through her own tears, "Your dad, his name is Luke, you have his smile, and he has this calming way about him, how he'd laugh and bring brightness to the room. Even if you can't fully remember him, I know that when you meet him, all the feelings you've had from before Gilead will return."
"And my real mom?"
June's throat closed up for a second. She wanted to tell her right at that moment who she was, that Hannah is her baby. But she didn't want to scare her off when they are so close.
"Your mom...she fought like hell to escape Gilead's grasp. She didn't leave the country because she wants to get you out of here first back to your father. She's with the rebellion right now. She's been in Chicago saving people like her, the Marthas, and children like you so you can have a better life. So they don't get hurt by evil men anymore." June said, not lying, but unable to tell the truth either.
Hannah looked sad when she heard that, "What if she doesn't like me when she sees me?"
June's heart broke at the doubt within her daughter's voice. "Hey, she can never hate you. You'll always be her baby. Remember that. Do not let Gilead tell you otherwise. Because they are always wrong, and they always lie. Don't ever doubt for a moment, everything your mother has done has always been for you." June fought like hell to keep her emotions from spilling forth even as her voice cracks here and there.
Hannah swallowed as she heard about all the brave and heroic things her mother did. She sounds incredible, and unreal.
June tucks Hannah's hair behind her ear, "Once we are in Chicago, you two will have much to catch up on."
Hannah felt comforted by the warm gesture, "What do I say to her?"
"'Hello' is always a good start. Tell her what you like, favorite food, flowers, colors, anything. She'll just be happy hearing your voice again after so long." June said with honesty in her heart.
Hannah's smile became bigger as she nodded, "I can't wait to see her."
June returned her smile, "Best you finish your food, we have a big start come morning."
Hannah obliged her request and resumed eating her peaches.
Carrie watched them with a hopeful smile.
That night June watched her daughter sleep from across the room in her cot surrounded by her Marthas. She longed to hold her baby, just to feel that closeness and be assured that Hannah is still here with her. After a while, she allowed her eyes to close as sleep claimed her.
The sun broke out over the trees, bathing the world in a gentle light as everyone in the safehouse began to rouse from a restful slumber.
June was awake hours earlier when she relieved Marty of surveillance duty. Luckily, she's able to occupy with occasional glances at her daughter and reading. She looked up at the monitor and did a double take when she caught several people coming up the path.
"Carrie?" June beckoned her closer before she came to her side.
Carrie squinted at the screen and recognized her sister along with Purgatory soldiers dragging a Commander and his Wife, both of them with bags over their head.
"Oh, God." Carrie whispered as she made a bee line towards the ladder, "Everyone, stay inside."
The Wife whimpered pathetically as she was shoved through the forest.
Carrie marched out of the cabin, her face filled with displeasure, "This is not what we agreed to Rachel."
Rachel's face carried that familiar rage, "Believe me, I would not have dragged their pious asses here if not for the situation." Rahcel said as she kicked the Commander onto his knees.
"Mackenzie?" Carrie guessed as she glanced between them and her sister.
"Yes, where's the girl?" Rachel asked, her eyes frantic for the child.
"She's inside with June and the others."
Rachel came forward, "I looked into their minds. It is as we feared." At Carrie's wide eyes, Rachel added, "She needs to know the truth. It's the only way she can break free of Agnes Mackenzie."
Carrie looked conflicted then went back inside.
Commander Mackenzie made muffled sounds before he was struck in the shoulder by Rachel's riding crop. "You will not speak unless I tell you to. Understand?"
Carrie returned with Hannah and June who stood close to her daughter. The leader stood in front of her sister and captives while holding her arm to the side to shield the mother and child. Carrie nodded at Rachel before she violently ripped the hoods off the Commander and his Wife.
Hannah gasped at the sight of her father and stepmother. Both were in their nightwear and were bruised up and bloodied. Kyle's eyesight adjusted until he caught sight of his adopted daughter. He tried to speak to her, but the gag around his mouth made it difficult.
Hannah didn't know what to do, part of her wanted to go to her father, to hug him and let him know that she is okay, but the other side of her screamed at her to not go anywhere near him as he is her fake father.
June held her daughter close while rubbed her shoulders. "What is going on?"
Rachel turned to glare at the Commander and bent at the waist to lock eyes with him, "Do you want to tell her? Or should I?" She spoke in a low and threatening voice, tapping her riding crop lightly on her thigh.
"Tell me what?" Hannah asked as she watched the frightening woman stand up straight then roughly pulled the gag off his mouth.
Kyle Mackenzie flexed his jaw and faced his daughter, "Agnes, whatever these people told you, it's not true, you know that." He desperately said as he leaned forward, wanting to get close to the girl.
Rachel touched the riding crop under his jugular in warning. "I'm giving you the chance to come clean before you stand in front of God. I've seen your memories. Yours," Her eyes turn towards Paula, "and Paula's. Every disgusting and immoral detail. You pissed in your pants when you were nine at your cousin's birthday party."
Paula went red and tensed up, making sounds of protests and pleas towards the Saint who gave them a look of disappointment.
"What does she mean Daddy?" Hannah asked her adoptive father, watching the way his eyes darted between his second wife, the Wrath, then his daughter. Yet could not meet anyone's gaze.
At his silence, Rachel scoffed, "How pathetic. I'll make this easy for you." She turned to Hannah, "Your fake father was having an affair with Paula whilst his first wife, your adoptive mother, was still alive."
Hannah's eyes widened as she stared at the man in shock, "You committed adultery?" To be involved with someone outside of marriage is considered an offence to God and is punishable by amputation of the arm.
Kyle opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, "Agnes, that is not true, I loved your mother. You know that I do." His voice hitched as he is unable to meet her gaze as sweat broke out over his face.
Hannah was taught at a young age never to speak when spoken to, never voice your desires, never talk back, always be obedient, and never stray from God's path. But among those lessons, she learned to read body language, what makes them nervous, happy, relaxed, etc. She even learned how to tell when someone is trying to deceive her.
"You're lying to me." Hannah said, her voice hollow as she gave him a hard stare.
Just as Kyle was about to voice his contradiction, Rachel cut him off, "That's not all unfortunately." She turns to glare at the Commander, "Tell this child exactly how her mother died."
Kyle was silent as he fearfully glanced between the Wrath of God then at Hannah.
It took Hannah a moment to piece it all together. The affair, her mother's passing, then the marriage. "Mommy wasn't sick at all." She whispered, though everyone heard her. "You never let me near her for even a second because she knew something was wrong." Her voice shook as tears shimmered in her eyes. The trees around them moved and creaked ominously as her developing powers leaked out of her.
Kyle and Paula looked around them fearfully at the sudden changes around them then glanced at the Wrath then the Saint. They shook their heads as Rachel whispered, "It's not us."
Their eyes widened as they watched the little girl's tearful glare become dark. "You killed her."
Kyle gulped as he looked upon his daughter in fear for the very first time since she was brought into his home. He then began to plead with the child who now exhibits the same monstrous power as Wrath and Saint. "Agnes, you have to understand. I cared about your mother, but the love we had faded over the years. We couldn't get divorced by Gilead's law. We would both lose you if mine and Paula's love came to light. Was it not merciful to send her to God then let her be trapped in a loveless marriage?"
Hannah's anger spilled over as she raised her hand and lifted him and Paula a foot off the ground. Her stepmother screams before they were both slammed against the tree and held there. The little girl marches up to them, her face set in anger as she begins to curl her fingers inward, "You killed my mother." She slowly said as she put pressure on their necks, strangling them in midair.
Carrie raised her hand to let them down, but Rachel gripped her wrist and shook her head the gestured towards June who bolted towards her daughter.
June rushed to Hannah's side and touched her shoulder. "Hannah, don't do this?"
Hannah didn't look at her biological mother. "Why? All they do is lie, kill, and hurt people. My mother always accompanied me whenever I visited the dentist. That man would not have touched me if she had lived. If she had not been killed by them." Tears streamed down her cheeks as she glared up at her captors, "She was the only parent who truly loved and protected me in that house. You took her from me." She said to her fake father who struggled to speak as the pressure around his neck tightened.
June watched her daughter in shock and fear. The sweet innocence that had once been her baby is turning into someone wicked, a person born of Gilead's corruptions and anguish. She takes a deep breath before she gently touches Hannah shoulder.
"You're right that is exactly what they do. But you are not like them. If you kill them now, then that's that. They won't suffer, they won't answer for their crimes." She got in her daughter's view and knelt before her, meeting her pained glare with a sad and understanding expression, "Don't give in to your darkness as they have. Your mother would never want that for you. Not ever."
"Which one?" Hannah's voice cracked as her arm began to tremble.
"Both." June's hand gently encircled her daughter's trembling wrist, "Don't be like them baby. You're better than them. Better than me." She sniffed, "It's time to let go Banana."
Hannah's eyes widened when she heard that name as memories of snow and a pregnant woman in red hugging her sprang forth. The same tears, the pained voice, the kind motherly smile...just like June's. She gasped as her concentration began to falter as she gazed at her mother in that same position as in the snow, as in that glass prison.
"Mom?"
June's face broke in a smile as tears sprang forth. "You remember?" She hiccupped as hope and fear swirled in her stomach.
Hannah's arm fell, causing the Mackenzies to drop onto the floor with loud thuds. She ignored them as she fell into her mother's arms and cried into her chest.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Hannah shook as she apologized repeatedly. The guilt she feels over how she treated her in the past, how she blamed her for not saving her earlier, for not remembering her when she was in that glass cage and last night. The pain her mother endured from their forced separation and for nearly forgetting her completely.
June wept as she held her daughter tightly, "It's okay baby." She said as she held her daughter close, running her hand through her curls.
Carrie smiled through her tears as relief washed over her.
Rachel smirked and whispered to her sister, "Consider the Esther debt repaid."
Hannah pulled away before her mother wiped her tears away with the pads of her thumbs. "I'm sorry for not telling you last night. I didn't want to scare you." June apologized, the pain in her heart receding as her daughter held onto her.
"It's okay. I get it." Hannah sniffed and smiled, "What you do in Chicago is really cool."
June breathed out a laugh as she pulled her daughter in for another hug, one Hannah reciprocated.
The sound of a man coughing and groaning made the mother and daughter turn to the Commander who struggled to sit up with his arms bound tight behind his back. Paula on the other hand passed out from lack of oxygen and shock at her stepdaughter's power.
Rachel stepped forward, "Purgatory will take them from here. If there's any last words you wish to say to your fake-father, say it now."
Kyle raised his head as men roughly dragged him onto his knees to where Hannah and June stood. Staring upon his daughter of so many years, at her hard distrustful gaze, he made one final plea to her, "Agnes, please don't let them do this. I'm your father and I love you. Deep down you know that." He said, begging the child to save him from the horrific fate he heard from the other Commanders.
Hannah stepped forward and glared at him with eyes inherited from June, "You've never been my father. Not once, not ever. My name is Hannah Bankole. You will remember that until your dying day." She said with spite as she looked him deep in the eyes, seeing him for the miserable coward he is.
"Oh, and one last thing." She slapped him so hard it echoed throughout the forest.
"Ooohh." Everyone said as Kyle's head was turned by the force of that slap.
"That was for all the times you hit me every time I told you my real name." Hannah said as she recalled the painful moments in her life as Agnes when she told her new parents her birth name. They always punished her every time for that as it was considered disobedient and blasphemes to remember her name.
June had a look of pride on her face, "That's my girl." She said as her daughter returned to her side, shaking off the burning sensation of that slap from her hands.
Kyle tried to protest, but he was gagged again before his head was covered by a sack. He was soon dragged off screaming.
"Tell Commander Waterford I said 'hi' when you see him!" June could not help but yell as he and his Wife were dragged further away from them.
Rachel's hands were in her pockets as she turned to her sister, "Well, that's done. I'll see you again sometime."
"Thank you for your help." Carrie said as she glanced at June and Hannah, her heart swelled with joy and relief for them.
"Trust me, I get enough thrills kicking Gilead in the balls." Rachel said, wincing slightly in pain as she struggled to hide her discomfort.
"Is everything okay Rachel?" Carrie asked when she noticed her sister's change in demeanor.
"I'm alright. I'll catch up with you later. War's not gonna win itself." Rachel said as she walked away towards her vehicle with two new additions to her collection.
Carrie watched her sister leave, feeling something was amiss with her before she turned her attention to June and Hannah.
The second they returned to Chicago, Hannah was introduced to her mother's friends who greeted her warmly. But her surprise came in the form of Francis who was delighted and relieved to see the girl she had cared for when she was a Martha. Once she was showered and dressed into non-Gilead clothes, they all got caught up with each other. Hannah laughed as she listened to their stories, how they expressed themselves without reservations. It was never like this at the school she attended. All the girls her age never voiced their thoughts, always 'Yes Aunt,' or 'Thank you Aunt.' All in unison like robots.
Hannah stayed close to her mother for most of her duration while in Chicago. But when June had to attend to her duties as the Saint's right-hand woman, Hannah stays with Frances.
On the third day since Hannah's arrival, June was summoned by Carrie on the rooftop of their base. They overlooked the city, the beauty and destruction it endured.
"Hannah's doing quite well." Carrie noted, not looking at June who stood beside her.
"Yes. She wants to learn self-defense; I taught her a few moves. She picks up on it nicely." June said, remembering how enthralled her daughter looked when she saw her mother take part in teaching the class.
"Her literacy?"
"Turns out she's been writing her name in secret. Her real name. Frances and I are teaching her how to read. Slow progress, but she'll learn." June said, happy to help her daughter have the education she was robbed of so early on in her childhood.
"That's good. It's a start." Carrie said with a calm smile as she cradled a small notebook in her hands.
"Was there something you needed?" June asked, knowing that how Carrie seemed more tense than usual, nervous to be exact.
Carrie swallowed and sighed, "I... have been interviewing potential replacements for your position. Thus far, Alma and Daisy have come close."
June bowed her head, not surprised as she knew what that meant, "This is basically me being fired." She joked, but she felt something sting within her at the thought of leaving.
"More like transferred." Carrie turned to her friend, "I'm not doing this because I don't need you. Everything you have done for our cause, for God and country, is beyond words. But your daughter needs you more. The battlefield is no place to raise a child." She said, knowing that the time June has spent in the Rebellion must come to an end.
June nodded as a lump in her throat appeared, "I've waited for this day for so long. To save my daughter from Gilead's grasp. I don't know what will happen next after everything." She sniffed as the reality of the next chapter in her life is coming close, "I'm a little scared."
"So am I." Carrie admitted, "When the fighting is over, how we heal from the trauma, how we move forward, beyond the pain, takes a lot of strength, love and courage. You've carried that with you in this war. It will stay with you long after." She said with a wise and gentle look in her eyes.
Carrie looked down at the small book in her hand and presented it to June, "This is for Hannah."
June took the book and flipped through the pages, recognizing Carrie's handwriting.
"When Mr. Tuello informed me of the possibility of children developing powers like my own, I knew that they would need wisdom and guidance to help them learn how to control their abilities." Carrie explained, "Everything I wrote in there is all based on my personal experience. My emotions, my actions, how they tie in with my powers; I believe they will help your daughter master her ability even if I can't be there to teach her."
June closed the book and held it to her chest, she knew it will be her lifeline to help anchor her daughter's control.
"Thank you." June swallowed, "You've done so much for me and my family. Are you sure you don't need me anymore?"
Carrie placed a hand on the older woman's shoulder, "You've fought like hell for your daughter, she's back in your arms. Go be with her."
June wrapped her arms around Carrie, tears streamed down her face as she held the angel who saved her and everyone she loved from Gilead.
The day of June and Hannah's departure came as they made it to the borders controlled by the rebels. After many tears and goodbyes to her sisters and comrades, June and Hannah departed from Chicago with Carrie accompanying them for the last time.
"I already informed your husband about your impending arrival. He will meet you just beyond the border." Carrie informed them as she sat in the backseat with them.
Hannah was nervous as she sat between her mother and rebel leader. "Do I look nice?" She could not help but ask as first impressions are everything.
June smiled as she held her daughter's hand, "You look beautiful as ever."
Hannah tried to smile, but that ache in her stomach festered.
"Hey, it's okay. I was nervous when I saw your dad again after so many years. But when he hugged me, all that fear went away." June assured her as she remembered reuniting with her husband after years apart.
"And my little sister, Nicole?" Hannah asked with an uneasy smile on her face. She secretly wanted a sibling as it felt lonely at the Mackenzies. June told her all about her baby sister and what she had to do to get her across the border and out of Gilead's reach. To know how her biological father has been raising her in safety and love made her feel a little envious of Nicole.
"She's gonna love you. Your father told her so many things about you. He hopes you two will be close to each other and share many adventures." June said, feeling just as nervous about the sisters' first meeting.
Hannah nodded after a moment as they arrived at the border which was heavily guarded by rebel soldiers.
"Here we are. The last leg of our journey." Carrie announced as she stepped out of the car followed by June and Hannah. They picked their bags from the trunk and walked hand-in-hand with Carrie bringing up the rear. As they got closer to the line, they saw Mark Tuello along with man looking anxious when he saw his wife and daughter.
Hannah squinted at the man's hopeful and tearful expression. "Is that..?"
June smiled as they got closer. "That's right. It's your daddy." He was so near, yet so far away. Each step felt heavier as they inched towards the borderline.
Mother and daughter stopped just in front of the line. "Together. 1...2...3." June said before they literally hopped over the line and into Canada. Hannah laughed as she looked up at the man who resembled her, who watched her with love and pain.
"Um, hi Daddy." Hannah greeted awkwardly.
Those two words were enough to break Luke as he jogged towards her and wrapped her in his arms. Though Hannah was surprised by the sudden embrace, memories of a life before Gilead sprang forth, and aquarium, a park, being picked up from school; they all involved being held in the safety of this man's arms. Hannah wrapped her arms tightly around her father and cried the second time.
"Daddy!" Hannah cried into his shoulder as he stood up, picking her off the ground as he kissed the top of her curly hair.
All who witnessed this reunion had tears in their eyes as parent and child finally found each other after so many years.
Luke pulled away to get a better look at his daughter who aged so quickly before his eyes, "You look so beautiful."
Hannah smiled, "Thank you. I love your smile."
Luke laughed tearfully as his wife came over before the little family fell into a hug.
Carrie watched with relief, happiness, and envy. This was something she never got to experience as a child. While she considers the rebellion her family, she prays to one day, after Gilead is destroyed, to have one of her own to nurture and shower with love and affection. She sniffled and turned to Mark, "Take care of them."
Mark nodded, "I will."
June pulled away from Luke to face Carrie for the last time, "Carrie, thank you for everything."
Carrie smiled with sadness and love at their parting. "And thank you June Osborn."
Hannah pulled away from her family and stood just behind the line, "Carrie, will I ever see you again?"
Carrie knelt down to her level, "You will someday. I wish I can teach you personally on how to harness your abilities. Luckily, I gave your mom the book on how you can get started." She glanced at the woman who nodded in affirmation as she stood with her husband. "From this day forth, you must be responsible with your power. Remember not to give in to your bad thoughts, and don't let your emotions control your actions. If ever you feel distressed or overwhelmed, do those breathing exercises I taught you. You remember?"
Hannah nodded, "Yes ma'am." She then brought her voice down to a whisper, "You think my little sister will be like us?"
Carrie breathed out a small laugh, "Who knows, maybe. We just have to wait and see when she grows up." Her smile became melancholy, "One day, after the wars are over, when Gilead no longer haunts our footsteps, I hope you and I can work together to heal our broken homeland. Show the world our powers aren't just used for war but for reparation and recreation." She reached over the line and held Hannah's smaller hand, "When that time comes, life will begin anew for all of us."
Hannah liked the sound of that, picturing herself standing beside the Saint as one of her apostles like in the Bible. Together along with many like them using their combined powers to fix their broken land and guiding the next generation on how to master their abilities to help others.
"I promise to work very hard." Hannah vowed as she felt something new and exciting for the first time in her young life; ambition. In her heart, she wants to become like the Saint in front of her.
Carrie smiled at the determination Hannah inherited from June. "I know you will. I will see you again Hannah Bankole." She promised as she stood up, letting go of Hannah's hand before the younger girl returned to her parents.
June and Luke each made eye contact with the Holy Soldier. "Best of luck to you." Carrie said before turning on her heel to return to her vehicle. Once she got in the passenger seat, they pulled away from the border, leaving the Bankoles' sight.
Carrie took a deep breath and sighed, a weight leaving her chest as she finally fulfilled her promise to June Osborne. She's not sure when she'll see them again, but she prayed they can heal together and move forward.
Hannah enters her father's home in the neighborhood called Little America as it was mainly comprised of American refugees. She looked around at the almost immaculate space with baby toys strewn about before her parents joined her.
"Hannah?"
She looked and saw a woman with dark skin like hers holding onto a baby who resembled June. The woman smiled with tears in her eyes, "Hi, my name is Moira. You probably don't remember, but I'm also your Godmother. Do you know what that is?" She asked with a hopeful expression as she bounced baby Nicole on her hip.
"Um, it's like a second mother?" Hannah guessed as June came to rub her shoulders.
"That's right baby." June responded as she beheld her younger daughter once again after what felt like years. She came over to her best friend, hugging her fiercely while being careful with the baby. With practiced ease and gentleness, she picked Nicole up in her arms, smiling and talking to her lovingly. Nicole babbled along as she was bounced in her mother's arms.
June came back to Hannah and introduced the girls to each other. "Hannah, this is Nicole. Nicole, this is your big sister, her name's Hannah. Can you say 'Hannah?'"
"AuuaA." Nicole spoke incoherently as she stared at Hannah who marveled at the smaller girl. Even though it was only for a few minutes, she was already charmed by the baby.
"Hi Nicki." Hannah smiled at her little sister before glancing at the grownups, "Can I hold her?"
Luke grinned, "Yeah baby girl, let's move over to the couch."
Once Hannah sat down, June carefully placed Nicole in her arms while instructing, "Hold her like this, but not too tight. There you go." June praised as Hannah held her baby sister for the very first time. She could not stop smiling at her sister who watched her with curiosity and wonder. Her pudgy hands held onto her shirt very tightly.
Hannah's grin resembled Luke's, "She likes me."
Everyone laughed at her reaction, a warm familial glow enveloped the room.
"I knew she would." Luke stated with a prideful expression as his baby girls marveled at each other.
Nicole's waving arm lost its grip on the plush bunny as it fell to the ground.
Hannah's eyes zeroed in on the falling toy before it stopped just a foot from the carpet. Without a word, she levitated it in front of Nicole who grasped in in her arms again.
June nodded in approval while Luke and Moira's faces were colored in shock.
"Did you just see that?" Moira exclaimed, surprised beyond words as the only other time she witnessed this kind of power was at the Saint's hands in Chicago.
Luke nodded, "Yeah, I saw it." He wasn't scared, far from it, he had a look of pride of love in his eyes at how special his baby is.
June sat with her daughters, "Hannah is one of the first among a new generation of gifts like the Saint."
Hannah nodded, "I'm going to master my power, so one day when we all go back to our country, I can help the Saint heal and protect our land."
Luke felt his heart warm at his daughter's words. While he's not sure about ever returning to the country that was destroyed by fanatics, seeing this power gave him something to believe in. With tensions rising with Anti-American Immigration protests, he fears things will get worse before they get better. He prays to God above for Gilead to end soon, so that when the time comes and they are kicked out of Canada, their people can come home to a safe place and rebuild their lives from the ground up.
Voila! June and Hannah reunite at long last! We are reaching the end of the story very soon. The epic conclusion approaches and a new world dawns. Thank you to all you have followed me thus far on this journey.