Chereads / The Starved Rock Series / Chapter 26 - The Greater Ottawa Electoral Debate and Election; Part Two

Chapter 26 - The Greater Ottawa Electoral Debate and Election; Part Two

As the debate went on, Walsh continued to slam the Ghost over the various decisions made in his time within office. The involvement within the Confederation of the Texan Republic being a key one. Every attack was met by fewer and fewer claps from the audience who was present. However, things got to a point where Walsh was no longer answering questions, just attacking the Ghost personally. Brittany kept trying to get the Ghost to look at her, hoping that'd help him stay calm. 

"Ghost, these people would be far safer, happier, and better off with me in-charge. We need to embrace the New World Order, and give the Ghost to them."

The room erupted in boos and cries for him to get off the stage. However, a loud shriek rang out as a woman in the crowd pointed at the Ghost. His breathing labored and his eyes locked onto Walsh. In his rage, he'd broke off a large piece of the mahogany wood podium 

"SAFER? IN WHAT WORLD!?" The Ghost took a deep breath bringing his body off of the rage high. "Dr. Dietrich Von Schneider is a refugee from Germany. He came here with his father and colleagues after the New World Order... LEVELED BERLIN. So tell me, what's the horse crap about Walsh? Is it that you actually believe the citizens here would be safer under the rule of a tyrant, a literal dictator or is it that I, a member of the family you and the other three elite families shafted at Ottawa's original founding, decided to have a spine and stand up to... a rich elite just like yourself."

The Ghost's glare hadn't dwindled, nor stopped. He gripped the podium as hard as he could. 

"You and that stupid elitist cult of yours piss me off to no end. You should be ashamed of what you've done and what you said."

"Me? Really? Face it you fucking moron. I am a married man, got a hot wife, a baby son, and what do you have?"

The Ghost instincts were screaming to pummel this man. He knew what was coming, for Walsh was going to insult Brittany. In the past, the Ghost lost his temper everytime one of his friends was insulted, when his family was threatened....

"I mean look at you. You look like absolute shit! I'm sorry, but to stand arm-in-arm with him says a lot about..."

"If you so much as finish that sentence, I promise you, someone else is going to raise your kid."

Walsh looked at the Ghost who hadn't taken his eyes off of him. "That stupid, Senecan Hick, waste of resources, drain on the Ottawan Economy, you bring home every night, is trash for picking some waste of talent, time, medicine, first aid and space like you." 

The Ghost's injured right hand began to tremble as he crushed it into a fist. The crowd was ready to rip Walsh's head off, but the Ghost fought that rage back. 

"You came here, running for the Leader's seat in Greater Ottawa, then talk shit about Greater Ottawa, talk shit about my beautiful partner sitting there. WHO IN THE FUCK ARE YOU TO LOOK DOWN UPON THEM! You can talk shit about me all day long, because there isn't anything you can say that's worse than what I've said in the mirror to myself in a mirror. You just had to talk shit about her, about them. Sir, you are lucky the people in the crowd listened to me and didn't come up here and rip your head off. I will not rob your son and your wife of seeing what a miserable fucking coward you, you piece of shit. Get the fuck off of this stage since you think so lowly of the citizens of this city. You know what no... Day one of my second term, I'm tossing you and that elitist cult of yours out of this city. All of your mansions take up the space of potential houses I will plant atop the flattened rubble of your mansion. I will ensure row after row after row of houses for the CITIZENS trample every red cent in that mansion. That's not a threat, that's a goddamn promise."

The citizens cheered as Walsh and his family left the stage and then the building. Leaving the Ghost alone on stage. 

"Holy fucking shit." Said President Keith from the back of the room. "Remind me never to piss him off." 

The debate ended after that. He didn't stay after to speak to people nor did he talk policy. Rather, he and Brittany returned to the Reddick Mansion and went to bed. Except, the Ghost couldn't sleep. He slipped out of bed and went downstairs. In a fit of rage he shattered an old mirror with his fist. As he leaned against the wall, Brittany crept down the stairs. 

"I made the same mistake I did with my mother. Some fucking leader I turned out to be."

She came in and wrapped her arms around him. 

"Thank you."

"What for? I didn't..."

"You defended my honor, the city's honor. The people heard you.... I heard you. I want you to know, I have been faithful to you."

The Ghost placed his hand over hers. "I never questioned your faithfulness. That prick, he brought out a side of me I wanted to leave for dead, bury it and never see again."

Brittany nodded her head, then took a look at the Ghost's hand. "Let's get you cleaned up and bandaged." Her voice was soft and gentle as she kissed him and took him back upstairs. 

As she bandaged his hand, she would occasionally glance up into his eyes. She always admired the way the stars would seem to pool in them. Once she had finished applying the bandage, she tried leading him to bed when a knock at the door stopped both of them. As they answered the door, they were both knocked out with chloroform.

Hours later, they woke up tied up, amidst the Elite and Rich families of Ottawa. 

"Look who's awake." Said one as another grabbed a golf club and whacked his ribcage with it. 

"You're gonna concede the race. When you do, your woman here will go free. Fail to do so, and I swear I'll execute her." The man saw the look in his eyes and beat him so badly the club snapped into pieces.

Once they left the room, Brittany made a call to someone and told them the situation. As the door clicked open again, she let the phone pick up the entire conversation. 

"You were really something up there. Now it's time to face reality. Either Walsh becomes the next leader of this hicktown, or I'll kill her. Oh and little miss, I am aware you called the police. Who do you think paid off everyone but the Chief?"

Brittany spits on him and laughs. "I didn't call the police."

"Then who did...."

The door crashes to the ground as the Greater Ottawan Army barges in. However, since this wasn't the Reddick Mansion, rather this was one of their mansions, General Daniel orders his men to treat this as a live hostage situation. Rounds were fired off into the various people inside. 

"What the fuck is that?" The elites head up stairs to become a new wallpaper color. 

"Ghost, Miss, Call out if you can hear me!" shouted Daniel

"IN THE BASEMENT!" Shouted Brittany as she held the Ghost. Daniel and his men rushed downstairs, securing the Ghost and Brittany. 

"I-Is she okay?" Asked the Ghost as Daniel helped him to his feet. 

"I'm fine, I promise. Please, let Daniel help you."

"General Daniel, wait for me at the top of the steps."

"Sorry ma'am, orders are orders." The soldiers wait at the top of the steps as the Ghost hugs Brittany. "This is my fault, I'm so sorry."

She looked at him, "You idiot. You took the decent clubbing for me. This isn't your fault, come on, let's go home."

The Ghost has Brittany leave first, then he follows behind her, saluting the troops who came to rescue him. By the time they got back to the Reddick Mansion, the polls had closed. The two quickly showered and got ready as the story was broken to the city of what had happened that night. As the Ghost and Brittany arrived at the Committee Council Building, the Ghost got out, and went to open her door. She held his left hand as the crowd cheered them inside. 

"What's everyone cheering for?" Asked the Ghost as he got inside. 

"Take a listen."

"Coming at you live from Election Day HQ, it's Mike Brisson!"..... "Folks, this election should be recorded as the election that made history. The Ghost of Ottawa has absolutely destroyed Walsh in a landslide victory! He will retain his seat, and after everything, we learned this afternoon, the Ghost and his partner had been kidnapped by Walsh and that group. I am proud to say they will no longer bother anyone anymore." 

The Ghost kissed Brittany as the news of his win broke. As he took the stage to make his speech, Brittany stood by his side. 

"I wanted to thank you, the citizens of Greater Ottawa. You made this win happen. I admit, I'm hurting a bit after taking a few good hits from a golf club, but Brittany... Brittany hasn't a bruise on her. Just as I taught to, I'll take on the pain, so you too can all look as gorgeous as she does!"

With cheers from the crowd, the election was over, the Ghost still in power and looking out for his people.