Big Sky Chronicles

Chapter 2: The Summer Solstice

"Walls. All around me. All I see is walls." Ramsey thought as he laid in his bed staring up at his wooden ceiling. "All my life it has always been work, eat, sleep, and walls... if only I had a way to break these walls." Ramsey thought back to what he saw in that telescope. He had been up all night thinking about it. The violent black hole with fiery plasma spinning around its circumference; but most importantly, the singular white dot that hid within its depths. The singularity. Ramsey lamented Paul's reaction.

"He has no idea... the power that lies within that single white dot. And how it can break down these walls." Ramsey continued to let his mind run wild as he wrote on a piece of paper. It was a note, and the only person in the world who knew what was written on that note was Ramsey himself. He gently folded the note and laid it on a stack of four other notes. Suddenly his alarm clock rang.

"No... stay calm and collected. You will know the time and place. Just be ready." Ramsey said to himself. He abruptly got out of bed slipping into his work clothes. Despite not getting a wink of sleep the night before, he looked refreshed and alert. Paul met Ramsey outside his door.

"You said we needed to talk?" Paul said. He looked exhausted as if he also didn't sleep the night before.

"Let's go to work and we'll talk when we get back, ok?" Ramsey said with an assuring voice. "And don't freak out... god you get so worked up all the time, Paul." Paul's expression stayed the same.

"I'm stationed at the western precinct, we are decommissioning a windmill, so hopefully I won't be out late tonight." Paul said. Ramsey nodded and they both headed for the door. Before they could reach it, Paul's mother stopped them.

"You boys, be safe. The Summer Solstice is coming up and inquisitors are everywhere." She said in a shaky voice. Paul dropped his head. Every year around this time, the inquisitors keep a close watch on local communities to prevent gatherings or parties. On June 21st, America observes the summer solstice and work is off. Historically this has resulted in mass riots and raucous parties. Consequently, this day is marked with blood as every protest is met with lethal force. But it's also the day when Paul's dad died ten years ago. Every year his mother mourns during the summer solstice.

Paul and Ramsey leave the house like any other day and are met with a beautiful sunrise. Red and orange streak across the horizon as it melds into the deep blues and purples of the receding night sky.

"Isn't this great? Imagine seeing sunrises like this and not having to work like a dog for rations," sneered Ramsey.

"Don't talk like that, idiot. We're outside and I can see the bus coming down the road." Paul fired back.

"Oh loosen up Paulie! If someone hears us you can just go back in time right?" Ramsey said with a smirk. Paul looked startled. "Things are gonna change for us, can you not feel it? I know it's summer right now, but it feels like spring," Ramsey said as he looked up to the sky. His eyes were glimmering anew with optimism. Paul and Ramsey both quickly climbed into the bus when it arrived. Like any other day they both sat in the same seat as the bus traversed to their designated work site. Ramsey was dropped off first at a small packaging plant in the north east precinct. He quickly hurried into the facility and was frisked by the guards before assuming his position in the line. To his excitement his favorite co worker was working right next to him. His name was Kinsey. Kinsey was rough around the edges but an all around good guy. When he wasn't at work he was always wearing a cowboy hat and boots. Due to Kinsey's insatiable appetite for hunting and exploring the wooded area around his house he acquired multiple lash wounds on his back and arms from inquisitors who caught him. Despite the abuse, Kinsey had an overwhelmingly positive attitude and kept the mood light with co workers.