Aberrant: The Long March - Chapter 7: Joani - Ignorance is Bliss

[Joani]

Ignorance is bliss.

She kept looking at the picture not knowing whether to cry or to smile. Happiness was something she had to learn. There were so many things she could do but living her own life proved to be the most challenging of all her tasks put together.

She remembered the countless hours they spent together – talking, walking at the beach or just pondering in silence. Ulric was a wise man and he deserved his retirement. She had learned so much from him, about duty, responsibility and freedom and she was never sure if she could give him enough in return. He never gave her reason to doubt, though. He always had a way of putting things in context always keeping the larger picture in sight… unlike her. Her focus always remained on the present.

She clutched the picture to her chest, trying to calm down. Her thoughts speaking with his voice “The S-Shield you’re wearing stands for sacrifice, you are aware of that? Our sacrifice to make this earth a better place. I’m soo proud of you for all you’ve done.”

Ever since she had her own family her life changed even more dramatically and what she thought to be a thing of past times constantly returned to her. Who was she? Where did she come from? The urge to go back to Lorean and access the files was only suppressed by her fear what those files could reveal about herself. Even if her parents still lived, she didn’t know how to make contact with them. Each time Kara or Gabriel asked her about their grandparents she didn’t know what to answer. Ulric was so sweet and told them, that their mother was an angel and didn’t have parents…

“Mustn’t cry, Joani. No one should see you like this.” she said to herself and placed the picture carefully on the table. It showed Ulric, Kara and Gabriel with her on the beach – She never felt more happy in her life when the picture was taken. Wiping a tear away she left the house and took off to meet with the Paragons. A new day awaited her and she needed to be strong.