Human Nature (A Dystopian Short Story)

Chapter 14

I awoke strapped to a Dentist's chair, in the warehouse I had infiltrated not twenty-four hours ago. I rolled my eyes around my skull, trying my best to see the room with my forehead bound to the head rest.

"Ah. She's awake!" the Leader drawled. "Well, I'll cut the bull and get right to the plot line. You're going to ask me why I would do such a thing. I'd laugh evilly and say it was for the good of the human race. You'd try to convince me this is wrong and that it's not too late to stop all this and let you go. My dear, it is too late. You are not getting out of here, and this is not for the good of the human race: this is solely, wholly for the good of the Pure."

I had in fact been planning a little speech, but he wasn't to know he hit the nail on the head. Never one to mince words, I spat, "You're insane. This is a stupid plan. What are the Pure? We are all pure: Equality, inclusion, acceptance."

"The Pure are the few of us left that have not... mingled... with different careers. I'm telling you this because no matter the outcome of today, you will not be alive by tomorrow dusk."

"What happened to the banishment of divisions? The rise of equality?"

"There will never be any equality! Ever! Not today, not tomorrow, not in a thousand years! Those vexatious thorns in my side, who call themselves Blue Rebels, want to eliminate the Jobs by Birth system!" He screamed the words so close to my ear it took me a while to get rid of the ringing that ensued.

"Why the experimentation? Why keep the Jobs by Birth?" I nearly whispered this, a poor attempt at placation.

"The Blue Rebels have planted people all through our city. They are infiltrating us! The Jobs by Birth unifies us by keeping away progress up the ranks!" He took a deep breath. "Tomorrow, my dear, you will be tied to the Post in front of a Gathering."

The blood vacated my face, and as the world spun into the ink again, I realised just how stupid it was to pursue justice.