The Stories of the Sufferers

The Blind and the Sighted

"Welcome to Amjan, where the majority is not based on race, religion, status, or sexual orientation, but where the majority are the blind, and the minority are the sighted. A society where the minority are oppressed in violent, damaging manners. Where one with different views would have a severe punishment laid out for him.

"Once a man, Eric, fled his home country, which had become a site for war. He heard the news of a peaceful country. Crime rates were low. Education was high. The economy was soaring. Eric immigrated to the supposed blissful country in hope for a new beginning.

"The first few weeks were fantastic. He had found an apartment at an inexpensive price. He made friends with his neighbors, who were generous enough to give him furniture, art, and meals. Eric was content.

"Problems increased slightly by time weeks after Eric's settlement. One time, he was discussing books and films with his neighbors, only to realize they did not know any of which he named (and they were all rather common, some to the point where they're household names). He learned what they did know, and they were all possessing themes of the very government of Amjan. It was indeed a country with patriotic citizens. And when Eric spoke of his home country, their faces darkened with hatred at that thought.

"When his cable and WiFi was at last brought upon his apartment, he was flipping through the channels on his television. After a while, he only came across programs and programs of men and women preaching about Amjan, its values, morals, and legislation. No other fiction show was airing. So, Eric went on his phone, but all connection to anyone outside Amjan was lost. All connection to news outside of Amjan was also lost. He realized everything was strictly controlled.

"The next day, he continued talking with other citizens, getting closer to them. They all had similar beliefs to one another. There were no liberals, conservatives, and in-between. They were all on the same political stance, even though the country was an oligarchy.

"Eric was constantly fed their standards and beliefs. The news, programs, banners, and citizens were some of the main causes. Things like (pro) homophobia; the tribal religion, Amji; cruel punishment for adultery, apostasy, homosexuality, etc.; and the right for citizens to participate in (frequent) executions were all encouraged. Eric did not agree with those rulings. He wanted to emigrate from Amjan.

"On one overcast afternoon, he voiced his opinion to his new friends. Once again, their faces darkened with hatred as they began to discern that Eric was not a part of the majority but of the fateful minority. The group decided to bring the case to a police officer, who then drove Eric to the station for interrogation. Eric had not been told what he was on suspicion for and proceeded to answer the questions truthfully. All of them were concerning his beliefs and opinions on certain matters. He stated how he does not care for one's sexuality, that he was okay with people departing a religion, that he was a Christian, that most of the punishments were cruel for the crimes assigned to them, and that citizens participating in executions were morally horrific. As he was answering, the police officer's face transformed into a grim one.

"Because Eric was sighted, he became of those executed by citizens, some with minimal training. He was to be sliced eighty times, and if still alive, would then be stabbed in the heart. Every slice burned with searing pain. About twenty-seven were performed by his past friends and neighbors. They hatefully took their time, slowly guiding the sword from one end to the other. Others stabbed in the abdomen since it was physically easier for them. Some even stabbed spots on his face like his left eye, his nostrils, and his gums. One particular person found it amusing to skin his eyebrows and eyelashes. His midriff wound up disturbingly seeming as if it was disemboweled, with extra flesh dangling from the surface. Eric could not hold onto life any longer and died at thirty-five slashes, but the punishment continued until eighty. His dead body was tossed mercilessly into a pit where the other criminals rotted for eternity.

"And that is the true story of Eric Osborne." Uncle Brad finished.

"So, none of his family from his old country knew this happened?" his nephew, Billy, asked.

"No, they were sent letters by government workers pretending to be Eric," Uncle Brad replied. He watched the ducks on Lake Johanna in St. Paul.  "Now, what did you learn from this story? Should you be blind or sighted?"

"I should be brave and be sighted!"

"No, kid! You need to be from the blind! It's safe, it's beneficial, and their rulings are correct."

"But I want to have opinions on my own! I want to think on my own! The other people just followed what they were told with no question! Why be blind then?"

Uncle Brad speedily retrieved a switchblade and pressed it on Billy's throat. "Don't question me, boy!"