Republic of Omisha

Chapter 12: Eliza

  They make their way to the art room, but Eliza needs a quiet place to think. She finds the next room empty and unlocked. She heads in and closes the door quietly behind her. She flips on the light switch to reveal a student video production studio.

A computer screens turns on and an automated female voice fills the room. "Welcome Elite High student!" Eliza didn't know the name of the school before. "Please say your name to open your account."

Do I even have an account? Eliza asked herself. "Eliza."

"I am sorry," replied the computer. "That is not a valid response."

"Elizabeth Anne-Marie Spero."

Computer "Your account contains videos recorded as a final testament by Eliza Spero."

Eliza thinks, that's peculiar don't remember recording any videos."Computer, what is today's date?"

"Today's date is Friday, April 16, 2264."

So on the two days that are missing from Eliza's memory, she now knows that she was subject to a physical ability assessment and she recorded a final testament that would have been sent out if she hadn't survived the trials, but why did they erase her memory of it? Valerie knew about it so why couldn't she? "Computer, play all."

"Video, titled for: Kalea Spero"

Eliza's voice comes on and a video appears on the screen. "I heard what you said... I know that you and Mother were in league with a conspiring organization. I know that that's why she's dead. Why you would put yourself in harms way like that, I will never understand. I'm not sure if your aware of this or not, but thy rigged the trials to kill you. Because of this rebellion you have put both of us in harm's way! And all I can say is... I hate you. I hate you! After all that's happened because of the resistance; our Mother's death, my PTSD, and now you are being targeted and I'm going to be taken down with you. Now I get it. Now I understand why you have always felt obligated to protect me. It's because your the reason I need protecting. It's your fault Mother's dead! It's your fault I'm like this! IT'S YOUR FAULT! It's your fault that the beasts will be hunting your scent- our scent."

"Computer, end video." Eliza is ashamed of what she just saw herself do. Now she knows why they erased her memory. They had to. Eliza knew too much.

"Playing next video,"

"No-" but the computer doesn't register her response.

Eliza hears her voice. "Hello Father," She sounds relaxed and thoughtful, the exact opposite than the video that was playing only a moment ago. "I don't know what to say... all I can think of is that I love you and I'm sorry. I am sorry because it's my fault that our family was torn apart after Mother's passing. I blamed you. It was really me. I let my PTSD control me and I used it as an excuse to push people away, but I did that all myself. I'm sorry for pushing you away when Mother died. I know that you just wanted to comfort me and that you were in grief. Both because of sadness of her passing and the torture of helplessly seeing me in so much pain.

I know you think I hate Helena and I don't. At first when you got engaged I thought that you were trying to make her fill Mother's shoes, but now I have realized that that wasn't the reason at all. I now realize that- oh, my time is up. Sorry-"

"You have three more transitions to play."

Eliza is astonished, "three?"
Computer replies, "One titled: Mother, Helena, and-"

"Please tell me I didn't make one for my cat." She jokingly says.

The computer finishes, "and one labeled for Sebastian."