Chapter 48: King

"This is your real home?" Marinah asks.

"Yes."

We walk up the path to the steel front door. I reach around her and open it.

"Unlocked?" she questions.

"Unlocked."

The entry is large, tiled, and cool compared to the temperature outside. I hit a switch by the door and turn on the generator. We use wind and solar power on the island. When I'm away for a long time, I disconnect the batteries to allow them to totally drain so they last longer. I walk over and open the large bay window that leads to a balcony overlooking the water.

"You live here?" Her eyes are huge as she takes in the view. She then stares at me perplexed. "It's like... normal."

I smile. "As normal as things can be right now."

"Then what is the Federation doing to take the U.S. back to 'normal'," she says with air quotes, her sudden anger prevalent.

"They're not. They use fear to keep the people in line. It's been a tactic used for years." Several emotions slide over her face-disbelief is the most prevalent. She ha