There have been happy moments in these dark times. I recall when My sister got engaged. It was in the second year after the bombs were dropped. Her and her boyfriend had been together since middle school. I remember being so happy for them. I also remember that they kept coming to me for advice on it even though I had no romantic skills since I had never been in a proper relationship and believed I was never going to be in one now.

I remember My sister being nervous. I kept telling her that they were a perfect couple and they were meant to be. My words did calm her. She was excited. Even in these dark times, she managed to have a smile on her face and that made me happy.

I also remember John, her Boyfriend of 13 years, coming to me asking me how he should propose to her. I kept telling him that My sister loved him, no matter how he did it. I told him to be himself. She would accept him either way.

Their wedding was happy even in these dark times. Everyone helped us clear away the rubble in parts of the casino to hold a wedding. Everyone was excited to get their mind of the tragic events that happened. They all wanted to have a good time. Everyone showed up, At least everyone that was in the HQ area.

I sewed a dress for my sister from fabric I could find lying around. She had loved it. I also made a suit for John though he remarked it was itchy. I just laughed and told him he would only have to deal with it for one day.

One of the survivors had made them rings from bits of metal they had found. They told me they used to be a jewelry maker. I thanked them. My sister and John loved them. They wear them everyday.

One of the other survivors also used to officiate weddings so he volunteered to marry my sister and John. It was such a happy day. Everyone had smiles on their faces and forgot the reality that was going on. I too forgot what I had lost and I was glad I did for that day. It was a special day for my sister. I had never seen her more happy than when she was by his side.

They have only been married for 2 years as of this year, 2023. I still call them newly weds however because it brings back a smile to my sister's face when I do. I care about her being happy in this dystopian world we live in now. I care about everyone being happy. Even the children.

The children that survived are so important to me. Some of them lost their parents. So I took them in and care for them. They are my children. I love them all equally. Even the children I haven't adopted come to me and think of me as their Mother or second mother. This is only because they lost one parent in the destruction.

The children all like me. I have taught many of them to read and write. I have also taught some of them to sew and to repair things that need it. Even though I will never have my dream of being a real teacher in a class room, I am happy with helping these children learn and teaching them what I know. It makes me feel like there is hope in this dystopian world we live in now.

There is one child who lost all of her family in the bombing. She was the only to survive. She was only 6 years old when the bombs hit. One of my search parties found her living in the ruins of her house. I happened to be on that trip so I recused her and brought her to "We the people". Her name is Hope. I adopted her as my daughter. I taught her to fight and defend herself, I taught her to read, write, sew and cook and I taught her everything else I know. She is now 10 years and I am so proud of her. She is mature for her age but in this world, all kids have to be. They lost their chance at a normal childhood when that Demon took their normal lives away.

All the children do get along. They all help each other out. They also try to help out the adults. They volunteer to clean things and take care of the sick and injured. This is a happy memory for me. The children and my daughter. And My sister's wedding. Happy memories like this is rare in this world now. So I cherish them with all that I am. They are another reminder for why I fight to gain the freedoms we lost. The future looks bleak but with Hope in my heart and also by my side with my sister and everyone in "We the people" behind me, I will not back down. This is my family and I will protect them.

Our Freedoms will be returned to us no matter what.

For "We the people", for my sister, and for My daughter, I will not give up.

~End of part 4

Note from the Author: "I just wanted to let everyone know that I am glad you are enjoying my "Death of Freedom" Story! I have worked hard on it so I thank you all for reading it!"