Unmarked

3. Hidden World

Riding my bike down the back alley of a building, I swerve around a rubbish bin and make an abrupt stop outside a plain brown door.

I'm glad Teddy's leaving tomorrow. It means he'll be out of this, no more connection to the hidden corrupt world that he doesn't know exists. A world he has been delivering to and collecting from for almost half a year.

I wonder if he's ever been suspicious. Would I if I'd lived a more innocent life? I'm not sure. I'd like to hope I would remain oblivious. I'd like to think everyone not involved in my world thinks life is pure and perfect like The State wants us to believe.

All the laws enforced by The State are to establish a virtuous and moral society which produces pure and moral citizens. It's the very reason you must be engaged by eighteen and married three years later. The State ensures your future family is formed early; secure and solid. No divorce, no way out. Commit or else.

Except, some people are overcome with the desire for excitement and pleasure. These same people will always find a way to bend the rules and exist in-between them. These people allow me to survive.

Our world is illegal and the risk of getting caught is high; that doesn't deter everyone. Even some State Officials, the very ones who are meant to be enforcing and promoting The State's stance on purity and morality, frequent these places I am linked to.

As an owner, if you manage to get the rare high ranking State Official as your regular customer your establishment will pass by undetected. Just don't upset them because that will be your end, an Official who was your best customer will happily carry out your punishment without a flicker of remorse. You're not safe from The State's punishment, only they are.

Thankfully, I don't deal directly with Officials. Our clients are the establishments who occasionally serve them along with law-breaking citizens.

My clients are Cafes, Doctors and Hotels. Legitimate on face value and even when you venture inside, you'd never be able to tell what they are hiding. It's only when you say a certain phrase or give a specific signal will you be directed through an ordinary-looking door leading into a dark underworld of illegal activities. Activities The State keeps telling the rest of society are on the brink of eradication. They're not, not even close.

I wonder if The State is aware they will never be successful at getting rid of all those activities they consider impure and scandalous. Not whilst there are people always willing to take risks for personal gratification, and definitely not when the Officials, who are meant to be such honourable and righteous people and uphold the law, are regulars at what The State call 'immoral houses of depravity'.

Knocking on the door, I untie the large bags from my bike. The door opens and a man's head pops through the gap. Suspicious hooded eyes set in a swollen face morph on recognition and break out into a welcoming smile.

"Cady, come in." Jonah opens the door wider, ushering me in quickly before slamming the door behind us and bolting it.

He's dressed in his usual dark green robe with gold trimming. It's sleeveless with a deep v-neck, the hem skims the ground but the material is translucent. The whole outfit is designed to reveal his adorned skin whilst symbolising his status as a State Reflection Overseer, a role which involves advising society on how to behave correctly.

A permanent large thick gold circular marking on Jonah's face represents his high standing in Society. Only those specially selected by The State are allowed markings on their face. The large gold circle shows status as well as his commitment to The State and their belief in being moral and pure.

It's laughable, Jonah is one of the most perverted people I've met which is saying something; I've met a lot of perverted people.

The dim and dingy hallway is a stark contrast to the front of the building which is encased in glass. Bright and gleaming; it shines like a beacon, enticing people in. The Reflection Centre is a place of, as the name suggests, reflection and meditation as well as a meeting point for likeminded people.