Defiant

~Defiant~

Prologue

They aren't who everyone thinks they are.

They are torturers. They are criminals. They are inhumane people. Yet they continue to remain transparent.

They are in charge of everything. And everyone. 

Most people call them management, but others would beg to differ. I prefer 'the Masters'; the title matches their attitudes and evil intentions precisely. 

There are thousands of workers for the musician management service because there are musicians everywhere who need guidance; each artist having his own management group. Their management travels along with them everywhere and plans every upcoming event. 

I must say they are very helpful in a musical career and quite efficient when it comes to touring, but it is not always laughs and kind faces.

The head officials of management work for a secret group. It is still undiscovered, but well hidden. There they hire several workers to labor for the business. When the workers are hired, they do not know of the malice and danger that is involved. They are only aware of the basic job application. If they make it through, they are brought into work not too long afterwards. 

Then they receive, 'the special talk'. 

Once they are accustomed with the routine and familiar with the staff, they are ordered into a room with the head manager. There, they are dealt with in an unruly manner which I have witnessed myself first hand. 

The Master secures the room, and all of the evil schemes are revealed to the new worker. As usual, the worker is shocked and eager to report to the police. But that is not remotely acceptable.

They are given two options: they can either be inaugurated into the secret industry, in which they will be sent off to the main head quarters to be dealt with there, or they can have a chip inserted into their neck which ultimately enables them to be controlled by the high Masters. 

They do not simply lose all of their emotions. They still have the ability to cry whenever and where ever they wish. Although they are not allowed to speak out loud or move where they'd like. The chip connects to a sensory section inside of their body and gives management complete control over everything that is said, done, or given to anyone else. 

It is cruel work. But I still haven't figured out, why?

How do I know all of this confidential information? You see, they have the power to torture musicians whenever we disobey their orders or requests. There are many ways they choose to do this.

The first choice would be to shoot them and ship their bodies somewhere secret to be burnt. That would be the easy one.

The second would be to insert a chip into their necks to be controlled for the rest of their lifetime. Then they force drugs and alcohol into the body for weeks at a time until the person becomes helplessly addicted. I've seen many of my close mates fall under this punishment.

The third option, is still unknown. All I can decipher is that they chain the person in thick bulky rope and ship them off to the head quarters. I ponder about this punishment day and night, but still nothing has become clear yet.

Regardless of the punishment that is chosen, the public is told that the musician 'unfortunately passed'. 

Here I lay still and silent in my bed, waiting for an answer. I am frightened beyond belief. In four years I have learnt all of this from many fatal demises and alterations of my friends, my co-workers, my family, the boys...

I have grown used to every scheme that happens around me and have managed to cry less. But I can't seem to let the fear go.

I fear them. I fear their power greatly.

But the thing I fear the most; the thing that keeps me up at night; the thing that prevents me from having sweet dreams...

I have become more defiant than any other that they've dealt with in the past. I am always prepared for any unsettled business with them. They've managed to handle it for years now, but it has only progressed. I am more grounded with myself than ever before. I fight back, even when I'm terrified.

But why would I fear my bravery and defiance?

Because I know that they are waiting for me to strike back one more time. They are watching me and everything I do. I know that they won't hold my penalty back forever. 

I am next.