I followed Reisdro, obediently into that darned church for the millionth time. Past that one statue, who's purpose remained unknown. Almost everything was purposeless here, including its people. We were all blank slates, being used and wasted by the nine. At this point, it was almost routin. Find exit. Escape. Regain my trust with the banditos. Get caught and then smeared. Repeat. We walked across the bleak courtyard, neon lights almost blinding me, as I stared down at my shoes, as another bishop walked past, looking at me with judgment, and perhaps slight anger. Blush spread over my already beaten face, as the door creaked open. We walked into the Church, my footsteps echoing across the bare room. It had a somewhat cold atmosphere to it, physically and metaphorically. A carbon copy of the statue outside stood at the bottom of the Church, and even though it was just a statue, I could almost feel its presence in the room with me. I knew that feeling all too well. Reisdro stripped the yellow tape off my camouflage jacket and jeans, essentially ripping away my one source of hope. The lightbulb of hope in my brain was slowly dimming. I knew deep down my faith of ever leaving this hell of a city was synthetic. A mere delusion to keep myself hopeful. He handed me a matching, grey sweater and trousers and demanded me to change, but he didn't even have to tell me what to do. I was too used to this by now, and my hope was slowly slipping away from my grasp. I walked across the Church into a smaller room, my legs shaking and head down low, where I changed back into my uniform. I knew this was going to happen. I was stupid for trying. I should just stay here, they're just going to take me back. I bit my lip, as I walked back into the main room, my footsteps so loud, I was sure the entire city could hear. Residro stamped the all-too-familiar Failed Perimeter Escape badge onto my shirt, telling everyone around me I had failed. I walked over to the front pew, in front of the large neon light, where the bishops performed their twisted rituals.
I sat down on the thin, bare bench as Reisdro dipped his hands into the cold, stone bowl, holding them in there for a few seconds, before taking them out again, then walked over to me. This moment always seemed to last forever, as I was waiting for the feeling of Reisdro's cold hands to hit my neck. His face was almost completely hid by a veil, but that didn't make the direct eye contact with him any less intense. He bent down to where I was sitting, crouching directly in front of me. That's when I felt it. His cold hands, directly touching my neck, smearing black paint all around, I felt it slowly spreading down my neck, and onto my hands. My mind slipped into a haze of fear, and doubt and any hope of ever leaving this place was erased from my weak mind. I felt almost calmed, in a sense. Stuck in a blind trance of obedience, Dema almost started to feel like home. I felt detached from my body. Alone. That was when I made the decision. I couldn't take it anymore. Walking back and forth from Dema, getting absolutely nowhere and not finding home. So, here I am, in my cell, taking in what will inevitably be my last breaths. I guess it's my time to go. Goodbye life.
I won't miss you.
Alvara
Infraction no. 1 12 22 1 18 1 9 19 4 5 1 4 by The Sacred Municipality of Dema
