The next time I gained consciousness, I had been dressed in a blood red tunic with gold embroidery of flames. The material on the back was extremely thin. I started shaking; these clothes were specially reserved for criminals who were bound for the Post. I was still shaking as a black clad figure dragged me out into an arena in front of a silent crowd. I didn't glance at their faces – the wooden pole in the centre of the field engulfed my vision.
"Elide Jarek kneels before you today, as a sign of her penance. She has wronged our peaceful community, and now stands trial for that wrongdoing. Our great Leader, after studying this case so thoroughly and contemplatively, for the good of society, what is your verdict?" The black clothed man's voice rang out with surprising clarity and volume.
The Leader stepped forward, "With a heavy heart, I sentence Elide Jarek to forty-two lashings."
He didn't look like his heart was weighted down. This caused a few whispers. No-one had ever received more than twenty-six. Anything more would be a death sentence. My eyes snapped wide. You will not be alive by tomorrow dusk. It was sunset already. As I was strapped to the Post, I did not beseech anybody with my eyes. I did not beg or plead, but tell-tale tears streamed down my cheeks.
YOU ARE READING
Human Nature (A Dystopian Short Story)
Teen FictionElide Smith lives in The Controlled Earth, the planet created to banish inequality and divisions in the human race. Equality, Inclusion, Acceptance is their motto. There's no such thing as the right religion, a better job, a purer colour anymore. Th...
