The New Americana

Heroes

Cara was immediately rushed away, Mona sobbing. We all knew she had killed her, and that was a huge crime down here. I almost choked on what we had to do. Jordan pulled me in for a hug, whispering in my ear. "You know what to do. Do what must be done, and do it with the professionalism of our leader. You are our hero. And heroes do what is right." He let go, disappearing to the infirmary where Cara was being prepped for the disintegration. It had been about 4 hours since she died, and Mona had not stopped crying in the middle of the ring. She hadn't taken a joint, so she had ragged breath. Murder, even if accidental, had to be punished. I loved Mona, but this was different. That mad look she ha in her eye when she was killing her, she knew somewhere in her soul. There must have been voices? An angel and a devil? Jordan and a group of others followed me back to the ring where Mona's sobs wracked the whole room. I almost choked on my own words. "Mo- Mona." She looked up, her eyes bloodshot and hair a mess. "Ye- yeah?" She stuttered shakily. Jordan bowed his head, as did everyone else. Everyone was in the room now, our small 100 packed into the tiny room, all crowded to see what was happening. The children pushed forward, eager to see. "So, as we all know, even though an accident, you did kill Cara." "Please- i - i didn't know!" She fell to the ground, sobbing even harder. "But you did." she stormed offstage, right at me. "I DID NOT KILL HER! SHE HAD BAD LUNGS FROM THE SMOKING YOU IDIOT!" She screamed in my face. Jordan stepped forward, placing a protective arm over my chest. "Get back in that ring right now or so help me God-" She grabbed his throat, crushing his windpipe. Her eyes were crazy, her teeth clenched, and veins pulsing uncontrollably. I yanked her by the hair, throwing her off him and onto the floor. She came down on the cement with a crash. "Mona Lilian Jay, we are all gathered here today to expel you from this facility. Murder is wrong, so we will not kill you. your own actions will. Try to seek refuge in the Capital, the Mist will kill you before you reach the halfway mark. Your expulsion process will begin tomorrow in the morning, so get your things ready." The defeated woman lay on the floor, completely confused. "So you won't kill me?" "No, murder is wrong." "Just so you know, when i reach the Capital, i'll tell them about every last one of you. Especially you, Mia." She spit at us. I let a smile take over my face. "If." "WHEN!" She stormed off, but was stopped by the horde of people ringing her. "She said i get thrown out tomorrow, idiots." "Yeah, but we don't rust you enough so you'l have to be escorted to a back room where you can have a last meal and sleep. Be awake at 7:00, bright and early." She left the room in a rage, and i nodded to three hefty men to escort her there, and lock the door. 

Mona's screams could be heard the whole night. By morning, Cara's name was ringing in our ears. I woke up in bed next to Jordan, as usual. We were in my room though, not a back one. Smoking antidote also entailed you to lose your memory for about an hour. Our times had been reduced to about only 7 minutes of confusion in the morning. I was fully undressed, which triggered my memory. I remembered everything clearly. Mona and Cara, thee book i had read to clear my head. The reason i was fully naked. Why my head hurt so much. Why i had a sick feeling in my stomach. Jordan was awake, i realized, resting his head in his hand, staring at me thinking. I'd been told so much that people could tell when i was thinking. Cause i moved my lips to the words i was thinking. Sometimes said them aloud. "Morning." "Morning." I got up, taking the white sheet with me, which did almost nothing to cover my fully exposed skin. It was Jordan, though, i didn't really care if he saw me like this. He'd seen me like this a thousand times before. I walked into the cold cement bathroom, with the leaky faucet and clothes sprawled all over the place. I picked up a reasonably fresh shirt, a black leather zip up like the one i wore the day before, along with some black leather leggings to match. I attached my knife holster, taking the switchblade off the holster. It was my only thing left from my old life in the Capital. a symbol of new beginnings. 

Jordan got up, with no sheet and proceeded to dress as well. He threw on the casual gray muscle shirt, along with his casual boxing pants and army boots. He met me at the door, kissing me and holding my arm. "Be strong with her, Mia." He left to the boxing ring. Today was his match with Torch. We called him that cause half his face was burned off. I walked to th back rooms, ignoring all the commotion i heard. When i entered the end of the dark hallway, i could only hear a small weep, not the screams from Mona anymore. The three boys stood guard, obviously drunk. "Morning guys." "Morning." One of the three guys was propped up on the other two, unconscious in a drunk and high sleep. One of the men i knew only as Jeb unlocked the room, and i coughed on the smell of blood. I looked at the horrific scene with my eyes wide, i could only utter one word to the two boys. "Jordan."