Vanished
In the sleepy town of Brooksville, nestled among rolling hills and whispering forests, Jack and his wife, Marianne, owned a quaint vacation home. It was their escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, a place where time seemed to stand still.
The house, with its charming wooden facade and lush garden, was perfect in every way but one: the neglected backyard pool.
Jack hadn’t even visited the vacation home since his daughter, Ellie, had vanished without a trace a year ago, leaving their family in perpetual agony.
No Leads
The police had no leads, and the case eventually went cold. Jack and Marianne’s marriage had barely survived the strain of their grief.
With his absence, the pool was never cleaned. Marianne, on the other hand, still went there on her own. But he had no idea what she was hiding there from him.
Marianne had always been against the idea of draining the pool, insisting it held sentimental value. But as the years passed, it became a murky eyesore. Finally, with summer approaching, Jack decided it was time to restore the pool to its former glory.
Getting To Work
Armed with determination and a submersible pump, Jack set to work. As the water level dropped, he noticed something unusual at the bottom of the pool.
He saw a maintenance hatch he’d never seen before. Curiosity piqued; Jack couldn’t shake the feeling that Marianne had intentionally kept this secret from him.
With the pool finally drained, Jack approached the hatch. His hands trembled as he thought about what secrets it might hold. Nothing could have prepared him for what he found inside. As the hatch creaked open, Jack’s heart sank.
Jack Reed
Jack Reed’s childhood was a tapestry of solitary moments and fleeting memories with his parents. Jack was born into a family where ambition was the cornerstone.
Jack often found himself in the company of various babysitters rather than his mother and father. His parents, deeply engrossed in their careers, were always too busy.
They felt that success and financial stability were the ultimate gifts they could bestow upon their son. However, in their relentless pursuit, they inadvertently cast a shadow over something—or rather someone—priceless: their own child.
Silent Home
The living room of Jack’s childhood home was often silent, save for the tick-tock of the grand clock and the occasional laughter from the television, which served more as a companion than any electronic device should.
Birthdays were celebrated with grandeur, compensating for absence with expense, but the one thing Jack yearned for, presence, was always conspicuously lacking.
As Jack grew, his understanding of the world and relationships deepened. He realized that the emotional void left by his parents could not be filled with material possessions or fleeting moments of attention.
A Promise
It was during these formative years, amidst the solitude and longing, that Jack made himself a solemn vow.
He promised that when the time came for him to take on the mantle of parenthood, he would be the parent his mother and father couldn’t be.
He envisioned a future where his children would never doubt their importance in his life, a stark contrast to his own experiences.
Meeting Marianne
Time, as it invariably does, marched on, and Jack’s life unfolded in unexpected yet beautiful ways. He pursued a career that, while successful, always remained second to his true priority: family.
When he met Marianne, a woman whose warmth and understanding mirrored his own values, Jack knew he had found not just a partner in life but a fellow architect of the future he envisioned.
In the enchanting embrace of the moonlight, Jack and Marianne’s love story unfolded like the petals of a blooming rose, delicate yet destined.
Undeniable Chemistry
Their initial encounters were marked by laughter that danced through the air and conversations that delved deep into the night, revealing the layers of their souls.
As days melted into weeks, the magnetic pull between them grew undeniable, an unspoken bond that whispered of something more.
It was on a crisp evening, a month into this whirlwind of emotions, that they found themselves under a canopy of stars, the world around them fading into a blur.
Proposing
It was then that they confessed their feelings, a moment suspended in time where vulnerability met acceptance. Their love, now acknowledged, blossomed with the promise of tomorrow.
The year that followed was a testament to their bond, a series of shared dreams and intertwined lives. Jack, ever the romantic, planned the perfect proposal.
He invited Marianne for a moonlit walk, the path illuminated by the soft glow of the night. The air was filled with anticipation as they meandered through the tranquil beauty of the evening.
Wedding Plans
Then, under the watchful gaze of the stars, Jack knelt, his heart laid bare and presented Marianne with a ring. Her tears of joy mingled with the night, a symbol of their love sealed in the moonlight.
The months that followed were a flurry of excitement and stress, as wedding plans often are. Yet, amidst the chaos, their love remained the unwavering constant, a beacon guiding them to the altar.
The day they exchanged vows was a celebration of love, a culmination of their journey, and the beginning of a new chapter.
Standing Together
As they stood together, hand in hand, Jack and Marianne promised to navigate the waters of life together, come what may.
But as they embarked on this new journey as husband and wife, Jack was oblivious to the secrets that Marianne harbored.
Marianne, with her radiant smile and compassionate heart, had always been an enigma. Her past was never brought up. Before meeting Jack, Marianne’s life was a series of challenges, each one shaping her into the woman she is today.
A Secret
She had fought battles that left scars hidden beneath the surface, secrets she held close, fearing they might tarnish the purity of their love.
Marianne’s secret was a burden she bore alone, a chapter of her life she feared would change the way Jack saw her.
Before their paths had crossed, Marianne was entangled in a relationship that was the antithesis of what she shared with Jack. It was a dark period for her.
A Troubled Time
Her childhood was marked by manipulation and fear, a time when Marianne lost sight of who she was. She had a similar upbringing to Jack. It might have been why they got along so well.
She emerged from that chapter a changed woman, resilient and determined yet haunted by the shadows of her past.
But Jack didn’t know that she’d have one final secret in the years that followed.
As their marriage flourished, Marianne wrestled with her secret, the weight of her past threatening to breach the surface.
An Anxiety-Fueled Day
Fast forward to an anxiety fueled day. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the city as Jack rushed home from work, his heart pounding with anticipation.
He needed to make sure that his wife was okay. The news he got was unsettling to say the least.
But he had no idea what Marianne had meant, but he knew that it couldn’t have been good. He sped home, disregarding his own safety.
A Cryptic Message
He had received a cryptic message from Marianne earlier in the day, hinting at a surprise that awaited him. Little did he know, the surprise would change their lives forever.
As he opened the door, the aroma of his favorite meal filled the air, but it was Marianne’s radiant smile that truly warmed his heart.
She led him to the dining room, where a candlelit dinner was set for two, but it was the small, wrapped box beside his plate that caught his eye.
Pregnant
Marianne’s eyes sparkled with excitement as Jack unwrapped the box to find a tiny pair of baby shoes inside.
His eyes widened in disbelief, and as he looked up at Marianne, her joyful announcement filled the room, “We’re going to be parents, Jack!”
The news ignited a flurry of emotions within Jack: joy, wonder, and a profound sense of gratitude. The couple embraced, their hearts beating as one, celebrating the conception of their unborn child.
Preparations
The months that followed were a blend of eager preparation and tender moments as they transformed their home and lives for the arrival of their new family member.
Finally, after nine challenging yet heartwarming months, the day arrived. With bags packed and emotions running high, Jack and Marianne headed to the hospital, ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives.
The labor was long and arduous, a true testament to Marianne’s strength and resilience. Jack remained by her side throughout.
Ellie Was Born
His support was unwavering, his admiration for his wife deepening with each passing moment. They were ready to take on parenting, but they had no idea what the future would hold.
Then, in the early hours of the morning, amidst the sounds of a new day dawning, Ellie was born. The moment the nurse placed Ellie into Jack’s arms, time seemed to stand still.
Here was this tiny, perfect being, a blend of him and Marianne, a symbol of their love and a promise of the future. It was the happiest moment of Jack’s life, but if only he knew what would happen nineteen years later.
Tears Of Joy
Tears of joy streamed down Jack’s face as he looked down at his daughter, overwhelmed with love so profound it was almost tangible.
Marianne, exhausted yet elated, watched as Jack cradled their daughter, the bond between them instantaneous and unbreakable.
The couple shared a look, a silent acknowledgment of the journey they had embarked on together, a journey that had led them to this moment, the happiest day of their lives.
Leaving The Hospital
As they left the hospital, with Ellie safely nestled in her car seat, Jack and Marianne knew that their lives had changed forever. The world seemed brighter, filled with infinite possibilities and new adventures waiting just around the corner.
The years that followed were a beautiful blur of first steps, laughter-filled birthdays, and quiet moments that held the weight of the world.
Jack and Marianne watched in wonder as Ellie grew, her personality a delightful mix of her parents, her laughter a melody that filled their home with joy.
Fulfilled His Dream
Jack often thought back to that day, the day Ellie was born, with a heart full of gratitude. He had made a promise to himself long ago to be the parent his own had never been.
As he watched Ellie chase butterflies in the garden, her laughter mingling with the summer breeze, he knew he had fulfilled that promise.
The journey wasn’t always easy, but it was theirs, filled with love, laughter, and the unwavering bond of family. And for Jack, that was everything. But things couldn’t stay so bright forever.
A Hands-On Father
From the very beginning, Jack was a hands-on father, and his presence was a constant in Ellie’s life. He was there for the first steps, the first words, and all the firsts that followed, each moment etched into his heart.
Jack and Marianne’s approach to parenting was grounded in the belief that presence was the foundation of love.
Their home was filled with laughter, candid conversations, and an abundance of time spent together.
A Teenager
Jack often reflected on his childhood, not with bitterness but with a sense of purpose. It served as a reminder of the promise he made to himself, a beacon guiding his actions.
In the heart of Jack Reed’s life was his daughter, Ellie, now a vibrant teenager who had blossomed under the unwavering commitment of her father.
Jack, having promised himself to be the parent his own were not, had filled Ellie’s childhood with presence, love, and undivided attention. The bond between them was palpable, a testament to Jack’s dedication to his vow.
Things Changed
However, as Ellie navigated through the tumultuous journey of adolescence, the dynamics of their relationship began to shift.
Ellie, fiercely independent and spirited, began to view her father’s involvement through a different lens.
The admiration that once sparkled in her eyes gradually dimmed, replaced by a sense of suffocation. Jack had no idea what he was doing.
A Boiling Point
She felt stifled, her every decision seemingly under the scrutiny of her well-meaning father. Things were about to explode in a fiery confrontation.
The situation reached a boiling point one evening when, in a moment of frustration, Ellie accused Jack of smothering her and of not allowing her to make her own mistakes and learn from them.
She claimed his constant presence was a barrier to her growth, a chain she yearned to break free from.
Lashing Out
Jack, taken aback by his daughter’s words, reacted not with understanding, but with anger. Words were exchanged—harsh, cutting words that neither had meant but both felt deeply.
In the heat of the moment, Ellie announced she was leaving, needing space away from the oppressive love of her father.
She fled to the one place she believed she could breathe freely—their quaint vacation home on the outskirts of Brooksville. Things were about to completely change for the family.
Frustrated
Ellie’s feelings of frustration toward her father had been building for years. She felt like a bird with clipped wings, confined by Jack’s well-intentioned but overbearing presence.
Every decision she made, every step she took, seemed to be scrutinized by him, and it felt like he was always watching, always judging.
While Jack believed he was protecting her, Ellie felt trapped, longing for the independence that seemed perpetually out of reach.
A Sanctuary
Her time at the vacation home had always been a sanctuary, a place where she could escape the intense atmosphere at home.
As a child, she cherished the freedom it offered, running through the woods and exploring the creek nearby. But as she grew older, the place started to feel less like a refuge and more like another cage.
Jack’s constant presence there, even in spirit, made her feel even more confined. She yearned for a life where she could make her own choices without feeling his shadow looming over her.
An Individual
Ellie’s frustration was further compounded by her father’s inability to see her as an individual. She often felt that Jack’s actions were more about fulfilling his own need to rectify his past than truly understanding what she needed.
Every attempt she made to assert her independence was met with resistance, and the more he held on, the more she felt the need to break free.
The weight of his expectations was a burden she could no longer bear, and it only added fuel to the fire of her growing resentment.
Wanting Him To Understand
During their arguments, Ellie would often lash out, expressing her feelings in a torrent of anger and tears. She wanted Jack to understand that his suffocating love was holding her back, that she needed room to grow and make her own mistakes.
But every confrontation ended the same way, with Jack retreating into a shell of hurt and confusion, unable to grasp why his daughter was pushing him away.
Their once close relationship had deteriorated into a series of misunderstandings and unspoken grievances, leaving both of them feeling isolated and unheard.
Guilt
As she stood in the empty living room of the vacation home, the silence was deafening. Memories of happier times flooded her mind, but they were overshadowed by the present turmoil.
Ellie felt a pang of guilt for hurting her father, but it was drowned out by the overwhelming need to reclaim her independence. She wanted to carve out her own path, free from the constraints of her father’s overprotective love.
Yet, deep down, she knew that her departure was as much a cry for help as it was a bid for freedom. She needed Jack to understand, to let her go so that she could find her own way back to him on her own terms. However, something was about to happen that would change all of their lives.
Regret
Jack, after a night tormented by regret and sorrow, resolved to give Ellie the space she sought. Days turned into a week with no word from Ellie.
Concern gnawed at Jack’s heart, but he clung to the hope that time would heal the rift between them. It was with this hope that he decided to drive down to the vacation home a week before Ellie’s nineteenth birthday.
Jack wasn’t coming empty-handed. He was armed with an apology and a birthday present, yearning for reconciliation.
Nowhere To Be Found
Upon arrival, however, Jack was met with silence. The house, usually a sanctuary of laughter and warmth, felt cold and abandoned.
Ellie was nowhere to be found. Panic set in as Jack searched the house, calling out her name, but only echoes greeted him. The realization that Ellie had vanished without a trace was a blow from which Jack never fully recovered.
A Year passed, and the mystery of Ellie’s disappearance remained unsolved. Marianne seemed oddly at peace with their daughter’s absence.
Going To Make Amends
Jack decided to drive to the vacation house a week before Ellie’s nineteenth birthday. He carried with him a gift and a heartfelt apology, hoping to mend the rift that had grown between them.
As he navigated the winding roads leading to the house, memories of Ellie’s childhood and her laughter in this very place filled his mind.
The quaint house stood silent as he arrived, its charm overshadowed by an eerie stillness. Jack called out for Ellie as he entered, but only the echoes of his own voice greeted him.
Empty
Inside the house, the sense of abandonment was palpable. Jack searched every room, calling Ellie’s name, his voice tinged with desperation.
The kitchen, once bustling with the smell of home-cooked meals, was now cold and untouched. Her bedroom, which he hoped would be a sanctuary for her, was empty, with no sign of recent occupancy.
Jack’s heart sank as he realized that Ellie was nowhere to be found. He rushed outside, the panic rising within him, and began searching the surrounding area, hoping she might be nearby.
Searching The Woods
Jack ventured into the woods behind the house, the place where Ellie had loved to explore as a child. He combed through the dense foliage, calling her name, his anxiety mounting with every unanswered call.
He checked the creek, their favorite spot for picnics, but it, too, was deserted. Exhausted and defeated, Jack made his way back to the house, his mind racing with worry.
He knew he needed help and decided to reach out to the small community of Brooksville, hoping someone might have seen Ellie.
Asking Around Town
Driving into town, Jack stopped at the local diner, a place where everyone knew each other. He approached the counter, and the waitress, recognizing him, gave him a concerned look.
Jack explained that Ellie was missing and asked if anyone had seen her. The waitress shook her head but promised to spread the word.
Jack moved on to the general store, repeating his plea to the store owner and the customers. Each encounter was met with sympathy but no useful information. No one had seen Ellie recently.
Reporting It
Desperate, Jack visited the local sheriff’s office. The sheriff, a kind but pragmatic man, listened to Jack’s story with a furrowed brow.
He promised to keep an eye out and suggested Jack check the nearby motels and gas stations. Jack spent the rest of the day driving from place to place, showing Ellie’s photo to anyone who would look.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the town, Jack returned to the vacation house, his hope dwindling. He sat on the porch, the weight of his fear and regret pressing down on him, as the realization that Ellie was truly missing began to take hold.
Something Was Wrong
She assured Jack that she had simply run away to start anew. But Jack couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss.
Marianne’s demeanor, once loving and concerned, now held a shadow of relief, as if Ellie’s disappearance had lifted a burden from her shoulders.
This shift in Marianne’s behavior planted seeds of doubt in Jack’s mind. Had Ellie truly run away, or was there a more sinister explanation for her disappearance? The questions haunted Jack, a constant torment in the absence of answers.
Unsettling Calm
In the months that followed, Jack couldn’t help but notice how calm Marianne remained, even as he spiraled into despair.
It wasn’t just her demeanor—it was the small things, the way she continued with her daily routines, the way she never seemed to worry.
She didn’t join him in his frantic searches or his sleepless nights by the phone, waiting for a call that never came. Instead, Marianne appeared almost serene, her sense of normalcy starkly contrasting Jack’s growing unease.
Hidden Agendas
Marianne’s insistence on keeping the pool untouched struck Jack as odd. He had always assumed it was for sentimental reasons, but now he wasn’t so sure.
The way she avoided discussing Ellie or the investigation gnawed at him. Jack’s mind raced with possibilities, each more disturbing than the last.
Was Marianne hiding something about Ellie’s disappearance? The thought was almost too much to bear, but the signs were there, nagging at the edges of his consciousness.
The Sleepless Nights
Jack’s nights were filled with restless dreams, fragmented and haunting. He often woke up in a cold sweat, images of Ellie flashing before his eyes, mixed with Marianne’s unsettling calmness.
During the day, he found himself watching Marianne closely, searching for any cracks in her façade.
She carried on as if nothing had changed, as if their daughter hadn’t vanished without a trace. Jack’s suspicions grew, turning his grief into a relentless quest for the truth.
We Need To Talk
One evening, Jack came home to find Marianne sitting in the living room, staring at an old family photo. Her face was a mask of contentment, but something about the scene felt off.
It was as if she was trying to convince herself of a lie. Jack approached her, his heart pounding. “Marianne, we need to talk,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
She looked up, her eyes meeting his with a strange detachment. “About what, Jack?” she replied, her tone calm and measured.
What Are You Implying?
The tension in the room was palpable. Jack took a deep breath, his suspicions boiling over. “About Ellie. About why you’re so calm, why you seem relieved that she’s gone,” he said, his voice trembling with a mixture of anger and fear.
Marianne’s expression remained unchanged, but her eyes flickered for a moment, betraying a hint of something—fear, guilt, Jack couldn’t be sure.
“What are you implying, Jack?” she asked, her voice steady, but Jack could sense the underlying tension. “I don’t know,” he replied, “but I intend to find out.”
A Year Later
Even though only 12 months had passed since Ellie’s disappearance, Jack looked like a completely different man.
All of his friends could see the torment inside of him that was tearing him apart. He stopped going out and neglected himself.
Marianne seemed distant, but he never actually saw her grieve over their daughter’s disappearance. It was as if a deep chasm had opened up between them, swallowing all the warmth and love they once shared.
A Void In His Heart
Jack’s days began to blur together, each one indistinguishable from the last, marked only by the perpetual search for answers that never came. The police had no leads, and the case of Ellie’s disappearance remained cold, a constant, aching void in Jack’s heart.
Marianne, on the other hand, coped in her own way, throwing herself into work and volunteering, anything to keep her mind occupied.
But at night, when the world quieted down, her facade crumbled. Alone in the darkness, she allowed the tears to flow, silent sobs that she muffled with her pillow, afraid of burdening Jack further.
Looking In Her Room
She had seen the despair in his eyes and felt powerless to ease his pain. The once vibrant home they shared now felt like a mausoleum, a shrine to their lost daughter.
Pictures of Ellie, with her bright smile and curious eyes, adorned every wall, a constant reminder of what they had lost.
One evening, as autumn leaves danced in the wind outside, Jack sat alone in Ellie’s room. Surrounded by her belongings, he allowed himself to feel the full weight of his grief.
A Journal
It was then he noticed a small, leather-bound journal tucked away on her bookshelf, a diary he had never seen before.
With trembling hands, he opened it, half afraid of what he might find. The pages were filled with Ellie’s thoughts and dreams, her fears and hopes.
As he read, Jack realized how much of his daughter’s inner life he had been unaware of. But it was the last entry, dated just a few days before her disappearance, that caught his breath.
The Secret Was Out
One of the last entries read, “I heard Mom crying again last night. It hurts to see her and Dad so distant from each other. I wish I could make things better.”
The next entry, and the last, revealed something that Jack had never known, “Dad and I had an argument, and I need to clear my head. I’m headed to the summer home. Mom said she’ll meet me there.”
Marianne had planned to meet up with their daughter at the summer home. Why had she never told him?
Remembering The Day
He remembered Marianne leaving one evening during the week when Ellie was clearing her head and only coming home late. Then, another detail came to mind.
Marianne’s clothes were wet; she said she had a mishap during her visit to the store, and a car drove over a puddle in the parking lot. But what if that was a lie?
Jack’s hands trembled slightly as he guided the last remnants of water towards the submersible pump. The sound of draining water echoed off the pool’s tiled walls like whispers from the past.
Neglected Pool
The pool, once a vibrant azure hub of laughter and splashing, now lay barren and exposed under the scrutiny of the afternoon sun. It felt like a metaphor for his own heart—empty and seeking.
As the final gurgle of water spiraled down the drain, Jack’s gaze fixed on the anomaly at the bottom of the pool—a hatch, inconspicuous yet undeniably present.
It was a shock; in all the years they had owned the summer home, he had never noticed it before.
Hiding Something
Could it be that Marianne, with her frequent visits and silent care of the place, had also missed it? Or, as the nagging thought in the back of his mind suggested, had she been aware of it all along?
The thought that Marianne might be hiding something from him stirred a complex cocktail of emotions within Jack.
It was true that since Ellie’s disappearance, a chasm had grown between them, filled with unspoken words and shared grief. Marianne had been his rock, her presence a constant in the midst of swirling chaos.
Approaching The Hatch
Yet, the idea that she might keep secrets from him seemed to widen that chasm into an abyss. Brushing aside his doubts, Jack focused on the task at hand. He approached the hatch, the soles of his shoes clicking against the dry, tiled floor.
Each step felt heavier than the last, charged with the weight of impending revelation. Crouching down, he examined the hatch.
It was solid, with a rusted metal ring as a handle. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he might find, and pulled it open.
Reopening Old Wounds
The discovery of the maintenance hatch in the neglected pool at their vacation home years later would reopen old wounds, casting a new light on the events that led to Ellie’s disappearance.
What Jack found inside the hatch would challenge everything he thought he knew about his family, revealing secrets buried deep beneath the surface.
As Jack stood before the open hatch, the pieces of a painful puzzle began to fall into place. The truth, however dark and unpalatable, demanded to be confronted.
What Had Happened To His Daughter?
But one question lingered, echoing in the empty chambers of Jack’s heart: What had truly happened to Ellie?
Inside, he discovered a trove of items: photographs, journals, and personal belongings—all unmistakably belonging to his long-lost daughter, Ellie. There was even evidence of habitation. Had Ellie hidden there at some point? How had Marianne even drained the pool?
Now, as Jack sifted through the evidence hidden in the pool, the truth began to unravel. The journals detailed Ellie’s life, one that Jack was oblivious to. If he had understood her pain, then he would have been more understanding.
Confronting Marianne
They spoke of a young girl struggling with the weight of expectations, feeling trapped, and dreaming of escape.
But it was the photographs that hit Jack the hardest. They showed Ellie in various places around the world, always with the same unknown woman by her side.
The realization hit Jack like a freight train—Marianne had known where Ellie was all along. Confronting Marianne, Jack demanded answers.
Tension
The air was thick with tension as Marianne confessed to helping Ellie escape, to live a life free of the pressures that had been suffocating her.
Ellie had contacted Marianne shortly after disappearing, and together, they had devised the plan to keep her whereabouts a secret, even from Jack.
The revelation shattered Jack’s world. Betrayal and love warred within him as he grappled with Marianne’s actions.
Keeping Her Secret
She had kept their daughter’s survival a secret to protect her, a decision that had cost them years of unnecessary suffering.
In the days that followed, Jack struggled to come to terms with the truth. The web of secrets had torn a rift in their family, one that might never fully heal.
Yet, amidst the turmoil, there was a glimmer of hope. Ellie was alive, and there was a chance for reconciliation, for rebuilding the bridges that secrecy had burned.
The Journey Ahead
The journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but Jack knew there was no going back. Jack had to take all of it in his stride for his own sanity.
He had uncovered a hidden world beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect life, revealing the lengths to which love and desperation could drive a person.
Was he really the monster that had driven Ellie from their home? He stewed in regret. He couldn’t forgive Marianne for her betrayal and ended up getting a divorce. It was better for them in the long run.
Moving On
Nothing had been the same since Ellie had left. Their love had dried up, and now they were free to look for other opportunities.
Jack decided to wait patiently until the end of his days for Ellie to reach out once she forgave him, even if it took decades.
He knew that once that happened, he would be the father he was supposed to be. In the end, he would face the future, whatever it may hold.