Hope

Chapter 6: May and Mae

As I sit in the cell with the other Sword Wielders, I scan the neighboring cells containing the two other Ukoo and the Wandering as I like to call them. In the time we've been here I have been able to memorize the face of every Kulaaniwa in every Ukoo except for the Wandering. I look at the Wandering and see a figure sitting in the back corner of the cell. She has her short brown choppy hair covering half of her face and she seems to be staring at something. I find a small marble and aim. It silently rolls in her direction until stopping against her leg. She turns towards the marble and looks up for it's director. I gasp silently when I see her face, though I shouldn't be surprised. Who else would smuggle books into a prison cell? It's Mae. We make eye contact and both come to the quiet realization of each other being a Kulaaniwa. She nods at me and holds a finger to her lips. Mae then tilts her head back down and continues reading.
The KDE has already sent actors and actresses to fool our families until they are ready to reveal us to the public. I imagine my baby brother beeping someone else awake in the morning, I think of someone else talking to Marissa about tv dramas and cooking competitions. I can't stand these thoughts. I miss my family, my friends, and my freedom. By the marks I have carved on the wall and just general speculation I can confer that is it almost the end of May. We've been trapped in this building since March. Each day is pain, our hope is slowly dwindling. Soon the riots will begin and we will die at each other's hand. I glance toward Mae, then I look at Lucy and Jake. How I wish we were free, I know it's what we all wish for, and far be it from me to say I wish it more than anyone else. I tuck my knees into my chest and bury my head into my pale and bruised arms, trying to ignore my surroundings. I close my eyes and try to visualize a happier place, and soon enough, I fall asleep.