Phoenix, Arizona, Federation of America
Population: 3,950,432
South Mountain District
7:30 pm
It's not easy being the most wanted criminal in the Federation.
At least four times a month, there are multiple "Wanted" ads adorning with pictures of what the Federation thinks I look like all over the JumboTrons across downtown Phoenix. In one ad, I am depicted and designed as Asian, with short, spiky dark hair and olive skin. In another, I am white with long locks of golden hair or strangely bald. Or something as bizarre as being albino. The increasing regularity of the "Wanted" advertisements is becoming out of the ordinary. Usually, the JumboTrons display typical advertisements such as smiling children surrounded by their equally happy parents, who dress in standard Federation Soldier Uniforms, Charismatic tourists who are spotted riding in the famous hot air balloons in the sky, or war propaganda ads against the Republic of America.
"The Republic wants our land!" The ads declare, "They want our way of life, a glorious life serving the Federation." or, "Don't let the Republic conquer your homes, jobs, and way of life! Support the war effort!"
But this particular ad of myself is different. Below my supposed depiction of myself, the Federation has attached my crimes and a reward for my head. I read all my accumulated crimes that are in various colors that light up the JumboTron above me:
WANTED BY THE FEDERATION
File Number: 02082002-2032 "Unknown, aka Chameleon"
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WANTED FOR ASSAULT AND BATTERY, ARSON, THEFT, DESTRUCTION OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY, DESTRUCTION OF MILITARY PROPERTY, TREASON, AND HINDERING THE WAR EFFORT.
500,000 FEDERAL NOTES REWARDED TO ANYONE WHO CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION.
It's entertaining how the Federation is never able to pinpoint what I look like. Also, the fact that they have resorted to calling me "Chameleon." Perhaps it is because I can conform to any situation, being able to blend in with my surroundings. This gives me the strategic advantage of being able to hide in plain sight, to walk directly in the light, and not in the shadows.
The Federation does not seem to know anything about me. The only thing that they seem to know is that I am young, as well that they can not find me in any of their databases. I am completely invisible. That is why the Federation hates me, I am not dangerous, but I am the most wanted. I make the government look weak and non-powerful.
It's late at night as I walk down the sidewalk towards my home. I live in the South Mountain District, one of the poorest districts in all of Arizona. Almost every building in my neighborhood is abandoned and left in ruins. The cause of these abandoned buildings is that the residents have begun relocating in droves due to the lack of work for the impoverished residents of the district. Building windows are boarded up, doors kicked in, and walls filled with graffiti. Some stated, "God save our glorious President!" or "Fight the tyranny and oppression of the Federation, join the Hodooehg (Rebels)!" However, despite the lowly appearance of the neighborhood, you can never underestimate the spirit of a community. The people may have nothing, not a single thing to their name, but their courage and willingness to survive, this sense of communal pride can not and will never become diminished. No matter how hard the Federation may try.
Despite the darkness surrounding me, the faint, almost non-existent light from the streets reveals my dark brown skin. Upon closer inspection, you could spot all the scars across my arms. A new facial wound from my recent "treasonous" debacle holds a visible spot upon my temple. Earlier today, I found my way onto the Federation's regional airbase on the outskirts of Phoenix. I planned to hijack and create mechanical trouble with the fighter jets on site. However, that fell short when a soldier caught me by surprise, which caused a tumultuous fight and ended with the butt-end of a rifle. But you can guess who had the last laugh.
YOU ARE READING
Notorious
Teen FictionBeing the son of the President, in one the worlds harshest totalitarian nations, sixteen-year-old Nathaniel Whitlock, has been groomed since birth to become the newly "elected" leader of the Federation of America. However, born in the slums of the F...