The Greatest Lie

Origin

From all the historical records and artifacts that humans have left behind during their existence on Earth, war has always been a part of it. Starting with the primitive hominids that fought over food and mating rights, to the attempts to build an empire by taking over surrounding countries, taking things by force has always and will always be a part of human nature. If you are desperate enough to survive you will fight at all costs, sometimes against your will, in desire of whatever hope there is for something more. At first M Corp saved the world, now the world was asking to be saved from M Corp. The lottery offered something more the people could look forward to, and M Corp did not want it any other way. This intoxication of an idea had consumed the world and M Corps goal of controlling the masses had been achieved as soon as they offered the vote. There was still one group that was steadfast in stopping M Corp and the lottery, and they called themselves the group of X.

Peeking around the corner of the building, Kim checked the street to see if any of the M Corp soldiers were out on patrol. The coast was clear, so Kim motioned for Yao and Jack to quickly follow as she sprinted out into the open from their hiding spot. They strained their muscles as they hoisted the rectangular metal gas cans just high enough above the ground so they could quickly scurry to the next alley way. Kim took the lead as she raced ahead knowing that her followers would keep up without her needing to turn around to check. Yelling in the distance let them know that their victims were aware of the theft that had occurred. This wasn't the first time that they were in a foot race, but they knew at some point their luck would run out. This time luck appeared to be on their side as they were close to making a clean escape.

Some would say it all started with Kim, but she would never take credit for it. The revolutionary concept known as the lottery that had spread across the world, had all begun as a silent dialog in her mind. It wasn't supposed to get this big and it was never meant to take over the world. A dream for a better life had turned into a nightmare that she was now responsible for creating. She had no idea where the roots for this idea took hold, but the first time it entered her mind it held on and didn't let go. If anyone had been there to read her mind it would have meant the end of her life, and she made sure to keep the secret all to herself. She knew it was wrong and against everything she had been taught to believe, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the idea that life could be better. It felt bigger than her, like it was a gift that she had been given, but she didn't feel capable of being the leader this idea needed. The more it grew, the more she realized that she couldn't keep it all to herself, people had to know that there was a possibility for a different way of living. Life had become a struggle with only a small sliver left of what humanity used to be and Kim's plan was to show everyone it didn't have to be like this.

They were approaching familiar territory as Kim recognized that they were getting close to the outskirts of the town. Just one more block and a short sprint into the woods and they would be untraceable. Gas was one of the few things that they couldn't make or grow themselves where they were going, but it was a modern necessity they couldn't live without if they were going to continue on with their agenda. The generators needed to run if they were ever going to make contact with their short wave radios, and the infrequent lighting was a nice treat to look forward to. Kim once again made sure they were safe to cross the road and they darted quickly from between the buildings and across the cracked tar of the street. The shouting was getting closer and Kim briefly looked behind her to make sure they had enough time. Jack and Yao were a hundred feet behind at this point and she could see a couple men with bats running a short ways behind them. She knew that they were not with M Corp, but they didn't look like they were just trying to scare them away either. Kim yelled for them to pick up the pace or to ditch the gas. Jack and Yao looked at each other and then lowered their heads slightly while tightening their grips on the cans. They knew they could turn up another gear and their efforts proved fruitful as they began to gain distance on their approaching company. Kim cruised past the last remaining building and ran into the little grassy lawn between the building and the forest. Waiting until she was safely in the woods to turn around to check her friend's progress, Kim turned around just in time to see Jack and Yao whizz by her as she got the message and ran quickly after them. Easily continuing to run at a very high rate of speed, they didn't slow down until they were sure that the two men had given up. The three of them looked at each other with big grins as they stopped for a moment to catch their breath. Jack and Yao dropped the cans as they burst into laughter. They began jokingly blaming the other for the situation they had just been in as Kim laughed along for a bit until she brought them back to reality by letting them know, "We've got to keep going if we want to be back before dark."