Eradicated Freedom

Chapter Three (8706)

The plaza is bordered by five huge buildings along the north east and west sides separated by small alleys that lead to the network of roads that spread out all over South, along the south side of the plaza is a row of shops and tea rooms that sold no tea and were more of a place to meet up. The plaza was neutral territory as were the streets directly around it, when the gangs that controlled the city meet up they usually met up in the tea rooms to talk or if you wanted somewhere to hide from the gangs you would do so in the stories above.

To the east was the Flag House, the tallest point in the city and its key landmark, 25 stories tall and used for storage its base wasn’t that big however at the top was a flexible 30 metre tower made entirely of stairs and a single round room at the top where the flags are kept and they have to rebuild it at least once every winter but it takes less than an hour. Next to the Flag House is the Tap the building where all water is collected and distributed, opposite that on the west side was the Cupboard where all the food was stored and could be brought from and next to that was the Battery where all the electricity created in South was stored, the roof was never covered in snow because all the heat melted it and when you stood next to the building you could hear it humming. It only stored the electricity for a little while before it transferred it to the fifth building though.

At the north side was a single single story building. The only one in the city, it was also the most impressive. Made of concrete and steel with glass windows it was the oldest building and had been made in preparedness for the Slain by people who had studied buildings all their life and had made it impenetrable to all but the weak sunlight. After a short stretch of land rumoured to be explosive was a five metre wall of concrete and steel a ten metres high viewing platform with reinforced glass and a concrete roof to protect it from the forces of nature. A  tiny wire fence stood surrounding that about a metre away and guards permanently patrolled the platform and shot at anybody who passed the fence, they even knew they were there in a mid winter blizzard. Facing the plaza were huge gates made from twisted metal and was the only entrance, immediately after the gates was a small building with even more security. The compound was about a mile square and must have some way to get out into the outside world because all the food certainly didn’t grow there. It was the home of the guards and was officially called the Bureau but was nicknamed the Morgue by the Slain, Bonnie had never understood what it meant but apparently it got the name because you only entered it if you were dead even if your heart was still beating.

As she knelt on the ground the guards picked up her father and dragged him through the gates leaving a trail of red behind. The needle was still in his arm and the clear glass showed how empty it was. How no hope remained. The crowd didn’t start to move until the well oiled gates had shut and then most of them scurried away, a few crossed the square to go into the Tap or the Cupboard but within minutes the streets had cleared leaving Bonnie alone with her thoughts. The girl on the Flag House finally remembered what she was supposed to be doing and rang the gong nine times before vanishing down the stairs. Bonnie’s knees gave way beneath her and she collapsed in a heap on the ground wanting to lie there and die. To wait for the merciful hands of death to scoop her up. Soft hands touched her shoulders and she relaxed, death was more up to date than she thought.

“Hey.” said a girls voice and Bonnie looked up to see the girl from Flag House smiling sadly down at her. “Lifes not over yet.” Bonnie sniffed.

“Yes it is. I just saw it.” The girl shook her head.

“Your Dad?” She asked and Bonnie nodded. “I know it feels terrible but you’re still here aren't you? You have to live life to its fullest, lying around and waiting for death ain't gonna get you that. You have to make sure his memory lives on and keep his spirit alive. The future looks dark but your Dad gave you our life here, the least you can do is live it.” She opened her arms and Bonnie fell into them. They sat hugging for what seemed like hours before the girl moved. “I think theres a storm coming.” bonnie sat up and looked in the direction that she was looking to see that she was right. “You want me to take you home?” Bonnie shook her head.