The intergenerational council of possible elders has compiled information from Alandrix's project studying her ancestor Alexis Pauline Gumbs. In a letter to Alexis, who lived five generations ago, twelve-year-old Alandrix writes to her ancestor to thank her for her bravery despite being scared. Alandrix has recently completed a project about the time when Alexis lived, known as the time of silence-breaking. Alandrix explains that her life would be unrecognizable to her ancestors. Her generation is known as the hope holders and healers, and people her age spend their time growing, which involves daydreaming and quiet meditation. Alandrix continues her project at age twenty-five, studying an engraving from someone who believed she was the last person on Earth. The engraving is made into a wall in a subway cave. During this time, the aboveground people likely did not know about the underground people, who moved underground at the time that the silence broke. As part of the project, emails are recovered from Alexis living after the fall of capitalism sent to her past self. Alexis explains that money no longer exists and that everyone has food. She tells her past self to stay strong and reassures her that the world will become a better place.