Crying: A Dystopian Novel

Crying: Chapter 1

********Please note that this is my first Wattpad upload so it might be a little messed up. Hope you enjoy. Part one is called 'Crying'.***************

Crying. It's a strange concept. Whenever we get upset, our eyes produce water droplets we call 'tears'. These tears then slide down our faces to show emotion. This act of crying is only supposed to be seen by those around you when it happens. My key words there being 'supposed to'. Let me explain.

75 years ago, the 'elite', as we call them, gathered together in a section of a former country. The entire area where this country had been was in chaos at the time, and there was a huge threat of war. The elite had gathered to try to reduce it. So, they met and concluded that if everyone could see the last time someone in their life cried and the number of times they have cried, it would spark their compassion. Also, that it would make them want to comfort and be there for each other. Their idea was to show people how hurt and broken a person was, and to spark compassion from that.

So, the population of the section is told that the elite have found the solution to everything, and that all they had to do was undergo a minor procedure. They were told that compassion would soon replace hatred. Almost all of the population agreed, and many people moved from other sections to be included in 'the compassion movement'. Half a million people had chips inserted and their lives dramatically affected. This was a major decision that was likely rushed due to the situation. Just like that, a new society was created.

This idea worked for about the first 25 years, but after that, it turned dark. People would show false compassion to find out what happened to a person and then antagonize them. These system manipulators were of all age groups, and the ones from each city joined together and gained control. They overthrew what little there was of a government over the area and have had control ever sense. The others built up communities, and they didn't manipulate the system.

I, Anna, am part of the latter group. My mom, dad, two sisters, brother, and Grandma Elle all live together. I'm the oldest of my siblings, my brother, Michael, is next, and then my two sisters, Eleise and Laelynn. We live on the outskirts of a small town, and our house is large and comfortable. Our community is a rather large one, with a radio room in the center over our storehouse. My dad is our leader, and we go into town as little as possible to avoid the 'pack' (the system manipulators). The last time we went was 4 months ago. We typically ignore 'the crying holograms'.

Today, the neighborhood volunteers are preparing for the trip to the city to get more supplies. The volunteers must be between 13 and 50; everything is too hostile for anyone younger or older. I, being 16, am a volunteer. My brother, 15, is also going, along with my parents.

"Mom, please let me go! I'm turning 13 next week! Let me go!" Eleise has been trailing  Mom around the house for the past 30 minutes.

"Eleise, I already told you no, and I'm not going to say it again. Besides, you don't want to leave Laelynn behind do you? She won't be 13 for another year."

"Fine." She storms away from Mom and comes over to me, her attitude completely changed. "Be careful out there, okay? We can't lose you like we lost... I just can't."

I know what she means. On the last trip, our older brother, Drew, was killed. We went to get some grapes, and there was a member of the pack positioned in our area of the store, the fresh goods, to create a scene. He shot Drew in the stomach and walked off; totally unphased that he had just shot someone. Michael and I had brought him back, but it was no use. A week later, he told me, "Take care of them, and tell Michael to be a good brother. I love you, Anna." He squeezed my hand and he was gone. He was only 18.

I snap myself back into now. "We'll be fine. Don't worry." She and Laelynn hug me and I go outside to get ready to leave.

"Let's go!" Dad yells. He's normally great at leading, but you can tell he isn't ready to go back to where his son was murdered. Michael and I head to our friend John's truck and get in. The sound of the trucks ahead of us signals that it's time to go.