Deadly Desire In Midnight City

Chapter 8 Death

When I first step foot outside of the building, my heart stops. I see so much movement and guns going off, yet I can't hear a single sound. I begin to think that I might have gone deaf. But I know it's impossible.

I can feel the color draining from my face, the pain tensing my body until I feel as if I'm paralyzed. Maybe I am, because I can't seem to move.

There's too much chaos going on in front of me, so I can't seem to focus on one scene, but everything all together. It looks like a sick, twisted picture.

But I know exactly what it is.

A new rebellion.

Seekers are running around with guns in their hands, some with Shockers. They're chasing Lunars into a corner. But while running, the Lunars are throwing rocks, sticks, and just about anything they can find on the floor towards the Seekers.

I begin to feel lightheaded. There's no way they will survive this.. It never works.

I start to feel my back turning damp and sticking against my shirt. But it's not over the heat, it's over the fear.

I feel afraid for those people, because I too once felt the pain of a Shocker and nearly died over it while trying to fight for my rights..

My eyes close and I begin to feel the memories flooding into my head.

It was a few weeks after I had just turned fifteen years old. I remember Lucinda and I were struggling to keep the house. One of the Seekers that was in charge of collecting taxes wanted Lucinda in bed, but she would always refuse. Ever since her husband left her, she decided never to become intimate with another man. It was a pledge she made to her heart.

One day, the Seeker came by our house to collect the monthly tax. I remember him knocking on the door too may times in a harsh manner. Lucinda was making something to eat in the kitchen while I was fixing the shower since it had broken earlier that morning.

I guess after a few seconds the Seeker lost his patience and decided to add the door onto my list of "have to fix things". He barged in and began to yell curse words.

"Where's the damned money Lucinda? I don't have all fucking day! Did you not hear the door?" I remember him saying in command.

Lucinda turned redder than I had ever seen her. But at the same time, I saw fear strike in her face.

"I'm sorry I had something cooking in the kitchen, and my son is fixing the shower. How can I help you?" she said with a sincere smile.

And that's one of the things I love about Lucinda..

No matter what the situation was, she never faked kindness, and she had a way of bringing warmth and life into every room.

I could tell the Seeker was in her spell of awe for the slightest second, until his heart turned cold once more.

He walked into the house and glared at me with hatred in his eyes. I never understood why he was so quick at judging me, but I did defend Lucinda when the situation between them got out of hand. However, it was nothing that went out of control, at least, not until that day..

He walked right in front of Lucinda and softened his look.

"Now, I don't want to do this the hard way. Just give me ten gold coins and I'll be on my way." he said nonchalantly.

But it was a big deal.. And I could tell Lucinda was in shock too when I looked into her eyes.

"I'm sorry, but isn't that double the amount we usually owe you?" she said in a sweet, calm voice, despite the fact that she saw the horror of the situation.