Shadow Moses [Fransykes]

Chapter 7

Hannah always told me I had to be thankful for what I had. She believed there was always someone who had it worse and that we should be grateful for even the smallest things.

Since she was technically an orphan, she was one of rare workers who got the chance to choose which worker area they'll devote their life to. Although she never thought of leaving the mines, she was still forced to work at different areas each week.

Be thankful, Oli, she told me day by day. You aren't even aware how much we have. I could still recall her voice as if the last time she told me that was yesterday. It almost brought tears to my eyes. I always thought she was talking about things such as a roof over our head or clear water to drink, but just now I could truly understand what she meant. She meant family - someone to talk to, someone you could rely on, someone who was willing to sacrifice themselves for you.

Even the richest of the rich, the Franceschi's were far from peace. As much as they would never admit it, ousting layers wouldn't only benefit the workers and slaves, but the high class as well.

My mind drifted to the conversation I overheard yesterday and I wondered how much they'd need to have to be satisfied. Greed was a horrible disease and they were only letting it spread.

I sighed. Did this mean The President's son was in danger?

''Hey! Hey, Oliver!'' Vic's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. ''Yeah, you, the pet of the Franceschi's!'' He yelled.

''What?'' I raised my gaze.

''Which worker area do you come from?'' He asked.

''The Salt Mines.'' I said.

''The Salt Mines?'' He laughed. ''I should've guessed.''

I rolled my eyes looking sway, not feeling it in me to argue with him.

There were five worker areas - The Salt Mines, The Lake of Life, The Empty Forest, The Plains and The Factory of Goods. Working in the mines was apparently the easiest worker life you could get, and although in my eyes, that was more than debatable, who had it worse wasn't a competition.

''I come from The Empty Forest area, you know, the area The Night Assassin claimed as his favorite.'' Kellin spoke.

"Yeah, so?" I shrugged.

''We were constantly watched and even the slightest mistakes could be punishable by death, yet you're the one flaunting your miserable life around thinking the government owes you something?'' He laughed.

''If you really had it that bad, you'd be desperate for change.'' I said.

''Oh, watch it, Kells!'' Vic playfully punched his shoulder. ''He's back with the wise words!''

''If you were smart, you'd appreciate what you have.'' Kellin told me.

''I have nothing,'' I rolled my eyes. ''And I'm not enough of a coward to accept that.''

''God, your personality is toxic.'' Vic gave me a look full of disgust.

''You know what?'' Kellin tilted his head to the side. ''All jokes aside, you act like you'd do everything for some kind of grater good, but honestly, if you lived through the pre-realm era, or even the glorious revolution you speak of, you'd just hide under your bed and wait for someone to end you quickly. You come from The Salt Mines, what do you know about life? What do you know about struggling?'' He shook his head. ''My parents gave me off to the high class because they thought I'd have a better life as a slave. You should just shut up with your revolutionary shit and appreciate you're not dead yet.''