Year 18

-Chapter 12-

I watch as men and women raise their arms, waving their hands high above their heads, shouting out astronomical prices. Or perhaps it's only astronomical because I'm still in the dark. Fear skitters across my skin. They all seem to know something I don't and the ideas running through my mind aren't helping the anxiety swelling in my stomach.

"Did I hear ten-thousand-dollars?" the Leader's voice drops an octave, his smile leering. "Will anyone bid higher?"

"Twelve-thousand," an older man raises his hand, his fingers shaking as everyone turns their attention to him.

"That's a bid placed by Oliver Jaccobs for twelve-thousand. Would anyone like to counter his offer?"

I catch Charlie's gaze in the crowd, and shortly thereafter Cullen's. Neither seem to know what's going on. Or at least their faces aren't giving anything away.

"I believe we have a winner. Mr. Jaccobs, you have bid twelve-thousand dollars for the honor of housing Felisha Martins for the next three evenings. That being said, in four days from now... well, it appears it's time for the broadcast." The Leader levels me with a taunting grin, "I guess we'll come back to our discussion of your earnings Mr. Jaccobs."

The room begins to go dark as a large four sided hologram appears in the center of the room, allowing everyone to have a clear view of the News segment.

A woman who doesn't look more than thirty or so appears on screen, her smile in harsh contrast to the scene behind her. Pictures and videos of Year Movement rallies show, paired with images of the Government's vicious responses.

"A growing revolution brings fear and panic to the citizens of our great nation. As tensions rise, the Government has been forced to take any and all measures to smother those who will bring us harm through their hateful ideologies."

A scoff slips past my lips and the Leader's grip tightens.

More images show the apparent devastation brought to neighborhoods and families, houses burned, and windows smashed in, front doors spray-painted. Images of individuals appear too, those caught up in the brutality. I wonder how many of these images are being misconstrued as acts of the rebellion when they are in fact the effects of the oppression of our leaders, those who will do anything and everything to maintain their power, even at the expense of those they are supposed to protect.

"For weeks, our officials and the Leader himself have worked tirelessly to find a way to keep everyone safe from these terrorist organizations." Anger rips white-hot through my chest. "As a response, the Leader has issued a complete shutdown of our essential Government facilities. No one will go in or out beginning tomorrow evening until the rebels and their actions have been dealt with appropriately. For added security to those areas that may be affected, the Leader will send out Agents to keep all those outside of the Government sectors safe as well." Define safe. "Anyone who tries to come into the Government sectors that is not permitted for Government duties will not be let in. Anyone who commits any acts of slander or defamation to our Leader and our nation; anyone who wreaks havoc in the streets or has any association with these known terrorist groups such as the Year Movement, will be dealt with."

I try and wrap my mind around what this woman is saying. Is this the Government's final attempt at halting an impending war against their tyranny? Is this the Leader's idea of killing the rebellion? From what I've seen and heard, the rebellion is already here within the Government sectors. And to be frank, there's an inordinate number of individuals who would be willing to die for their cause on both sides of the matter. This won't stop Kane, nor will it stop the legacy his father has built. People want change, and the more time goes by, the more desperate they become.

"Any affiliation with individuals such as Kane Porter or Felisha Martins will be deemed an act of terrorism. Our Government will not allow these radical groups to continue. So, I say to everyone, listen to our Leader and his wisdom. Take your safety into account during these times and respect all the rules being put into place. If you have any information regarding these rebel causes or groups, please call your nearest Government Bunker for help in making a statement. You will be the true and necessary change in our nation. With your help, we can rid ourselves of the pestilence running rampant in our streets."

The video cuts out not long after, and I take a moment to survey the room. Surrounded by Government officials, and supporters if nothing else, I'm far from surprised to see shock, horror, and sickeningly enough, a few twisted smiles. There are those that truly believe in the Government and their rules, those that agree that groups such as the Year Movement don't have a place in such a society. It's a blindness caused by years and years of lies shoved down our throats. Eventually you choke, and you either accept the inevitable, or you fight a fight that's far more difficult and wrenching than acceptance. It's easier to follow the natural course. It's braver to forge your own.

"As of tomorrow evening at six p.m., there will be no individuals who are permitted to come in or leave the sector unless explicitly permitted by myself alone. That being said, please contact your families, and understand that they will be taken care of and watched over until everything settles down."

Grunts and angered words float around the room, individuals who appear upset by what they are being told to do.

The Leader holds up his hands, finally releasing his hold on my arm. "I understand the inconvenience this will bring, but I assure you that this shutdown is necessary. We are preparing ourselves for retaliation from the Year Movement specifically, but other rebel groups as well." The Leader's eyes fall on me, and I feel chills bloom across my body, my fingers beginning to shake. "Mr. Jaccobs, I would like to explain to you what exactly you have won."

I watch as the older man steps forward, the Leader motioning for him to join us on the small stage.

"We've learned that Kane Porter cares very little for his own life. Truly, it would be admirable had he chosen to fight for the good of our nation. But the one way we know to get to Mr. Porter is through this young woman here," he meets my gaze, and rather than looking away, I stare him down. "As a highly respected official, we have no doubt that you are aware of the honor in the responsibility I am tasking you with; in this act of protecting and ensuring our nation's safety. Mr. Jaccobs, you are tasked with escorting Ms. Martins in four days' time to her public execution."

All the air in my lungs is forced out, and I hear a cry of anguish in the crowd. Charlie. I find him, Cullen looking equally horrified beside him. Neither seems to know what to do, moving toward the stage, but making no effort to come up here. What would it change?

My vision blurs along the edges, and I struggle to bring air back into my lungs.

"This will end Kane Porter. He'll come at us from all sides, but we'll be prepared. This shutdown doesn't allow for an ambush. His revolution will crumble, and we can then again feel safe on our streets."

Public execution.

I'm going to die.

The Leader has ensured through this shutdown that no one can come save me now.

I fall to the stage floor, my skirt doing little to cushion my fall as my legs buckle beneath me.

Maybe the braver course just leads to hurt. Perhaps death, my death, will finally bring peace. Maybe this itself is the inevitable.

A/N~ Well, I bet you all didn't expect to hear from me so soon! I hope everyone is having a fabulous New Year (well, New Years Eve really). I am hoping that 2021 looks different from 2020. I wish you all the best, especially in terms of health and safety! I am going to shift Year 18 to be my main writing project for this upcoming year, so I plan to finish it in 2021 at the very least, though I can't give an exact time frame. And again, stay safe out there!

Questions:

1.) How do you feel about the Leader?

2.) What are your thoughts about the events that transpired in this chapter... especially that announcement?

3.) What do you expect to see happening moving forward in the book?

Until next time my Year Movement! 

-Sarah