Advance: (Advance Industries) (Book 1)
Page 19
I kiss the top of her head and pull her into me as close as I can get her.
“Plus your eyes they get me every time,” She says against my chest.
I pull back from her. “My eyes, huh? Good to know, I’ll use them to my advantage more often.”
She laughs again before turning serious and stroking my face once more. “I’m sorry, Kye, about Don ...”
“Don’t, Faith. You’ve got nothing to apologise for. It’s irrelevant, Sweetheart. We’re okay, better than okay!”
“Uh, Kye?” She asks as I set her down. “Where are we?”
“Good question, Sweetheart. The answer is... I don’t know.”
Epilogue
Advance Industries
Press conference
I step out on the stage running my eyes over every member in the crowded room. My lab jacket and clothes have been swapped for a more fitting outfit choice. I’m wearing a charcoal grey suit and an electric blue shirt. My shoes have been shined to within an inch of their life; my black walking cane matches them perfectly. This is my moment. It’s my time to initiate my version of the perfect city.
This is a momentous day.
As I take centre stage the audience erupts into a chorus of clapping and whistling. I smile broadly and wink secretly at a few females. The press coverage I’ve received has apparently turned me into a heartthrob even with my limp. It’s been a long time coming but I’m finally receiving the recognition I deserve. I’m finally fulfilling my rightful role. I wait for the adoration to die down before beginning my speech.
“Advance Industries as you know it, is no longer. The heinous acts of crime that Johnson Franks allowed to be committed whilst he was in charge have forever changed the lives of those involved. I had my suspicions for a long time which was the catalyst for my disappearance and eventually that is what led to my investigation. You have heard many different accounts of the atrocities witnessed here so let me be clear; those responsible have been dealt with. They were held accountable as will any wrong doers from here on in. Never again will the good people of this city be subjected to testing, willingly or otherwise.
As your new president I will be implementing changes that benefit you all, not just those in power or those that are wealthy. Our city needs to be based on honesty and trust. I realise you may have doubts about the genuineness I speak of so I have welcomed ‘City Living’ magazine to have free exploration of the labs. They will see the work we do and document their findings to present to you – the people.
You will not regret your decision to put me in power. My motto is to be an open book. This is not my city, it is ours! Secrecy involving the work carried out at Advance Industries is a thing of the past, and in the past it shall remain. From this day forward, you, the people of this city will never have to live in fear, poverty or distress. This is my promise to you!”
I receive a standing ovation from everyone in the crowd and I exit the stage to catcalls and ear splitting applause. That went well. Everything has come together perfectly. They lapped up the not-so-true speech I just fed them.
Franny aided my escape that day in the lab and my colleague sent me a continuous feed from the control room of the other men’s movements. They might have freed the detainees but they never found the girls and no-one will. Johnson, God bless his soul suffered tremendously and Donovan was never found. Once the men left I concocted the story about what happened that day, portraying myself as the hero and letting the city put me on a pedestal for being the whistle blower in the most shocking series of events ever uncovered. The tests that went on were met with fierce opposition so I laid the blame firmly at Johnson’s decrepit feet.
Of course those tests are still carried out but now in a separate location with a handful of scientists. I paid big money to ensure they stay quiet about what really happened. Celia heads the research team while I play this new role... for the time being. This city is now in my hands, under my direction and with my dedication great things will happen.
Faith may have evaded me but my lab teams energy is completely focused on further research into travelling. If others have Advanced forwards and backwards, then I see no reason why I can’t. Either way she’ll be back. Once she realises I have her friends, her sisters, she won’t be able to resist.
And I’ll be waiting!
This story will continue soon.
Acknowledgments
Firstly, I have to say a massive thank you to my parents. I’m sure they’re sick of me talking about what I’m writing but they cheer me on regardless. They give me advice on everything from the cover design to weeding out the flaws in my stories.
Thank you to my dad especially, for the numerous drafts I’ve forced you to read, the paragraphs I’ve sent to check the dialogue sounds right and for sharing my work on social media. Love you guys. What you all read as eleview was originally elevated and my dad was the first to point out how confusing it was. He suggested eleview instead and though I hate proving him right, it does work better. Thank you dad.
Secondly I’ve had some lovely friends beta read for me and their advice has been invaluable. Yvonne for the feedback on the prologue and chapter one, thank you hun I really appreciate it.
Beth Hale, a fellow author who provided me with an honest critique and feedback. I can’t thank you enough for
taking the time to read for me.
Lils, Lilly Barrett another author friend I’ve had the pleasure of making. Thanks for boosting my confidence when it was at its lowest by telling me how much you were enjoying the read through.
And Lynette for formatting and creating me some lovely promo pics. Without you this book wouldn’t be as polished as it is. Thank you so much!
You guys rock!
Throughout this process I’ve also been lucky enough to make some great blogger friends. There are far too many to name but please know how grateful I am for all the support you provide. You don’t receive money for the promotion you do, the reviews and constant sharing of our work, you do it for the love of books and helping authors. You deserve a medal. Thank you.
Phew and lastly, to you, the reader.
It is because of you that I can keep doing what I love. Thank you so much for keeping my dream alive. Without you this just wouldn’t be possible!
I hope you enjoyed reading Advance (Advance Industries #1).
Book 2 Advancing (Advance Industries #2) releases June 27th 2016.
Lots of love Kelly x
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