Cry to Me

8.

Speakerphone: Everyone return to your living quarters for an important announcement immediately. I repeat, everyone return to your living quarters for an important announcement.

It was early morning and Taylor and Charlie were eating breakfast in the cafeteria when they heard the message. It was the first time during their stay that the speakerphone had been used. Taylor looked at the confused faces around her as people slowly began getting up from their seats. The last time she had seen David was the previous night, but he had already been gone that morning before she had made it outside of her living quarters. Charlie was sitting beside her when they made eye contact, and he spoke in the most reassuring voice he could muster.

Charlie: It's probably just an update. I'm sure everything's fine.

They left the cafeteria together to find guards ushering people into their appropriate living quarters. She looked back and saw Charlie staring down the guards, eyes narrowing in contempt.

Taylor: I'll see you in a bit, okay?

Charlie: Yeah.

She tried to give him an encouraging smile, but could not help but feel a sense of dismay.

After taking a final glance behind her before he disappeared into the crowd, she made her way into the female living quarters. There were several uniformed women directing everyone towards their designated mats. After about five minutes of trying to get everyone organized, one of the ladies raised a handheld speakerphone and began her speech.

Speakerphone lady: Attention everyone. We are in need of recruits for several positions, including our mobile soldiers and drivers. We ask any volunteers to make their way to the front of the room now.

There was silence in the large room, the announcement clearly taking everyone by surprise. Some people looked down to avoid eye contact, while others started scanning down the rows to see if anyone would dare move towards the front of the room. Quickly it became clear that there were no volunteers, as everyone continued to stand on their mats in silence.

Speakerphone lady: We ask again, are there any volunteers? You will be helping to save lives.

Still, no one stepped forward. A few more moments passed.

Speakerphone lady: Since we have no volunteers, we will be running a lottery to determine which of you will be helping the cause. Please know if your name is called, you will be expected to make your way to the front of the room and you will then be fitted with a wristband. Once all of the positions are filled, we will then give you further instructions. Any resistance will be met with immediate repercussions.

Another woman standing slightly off to the side reached into a box and pulled out a slip of paper. She handed it to the speakerphone lady.

Speakerphone lady: Number 1301, please make your way to the front.

No one moved, and after the woman repeated the number to the same response, a guard walked towards the mat number that was called. The guard approached the forty-something year old and made a hand gesture to show her where to walk. Still, she did not move. The guard then threatened #1301 by pointing the baton she was holding towards the lady, but still there was no response. Suddenly the guard hit #1301 in the abdomen with the baton. She buckled on her feet, and another guard came to help drag her to the front of the room. The other woman then reached into the box again, pulled out another slip of paper, and handed it to the speakerphone lady.

Speakerphone lady: Number 1790, please make your way to the front.

A scared twenty-something year old slowly and hesitantly walked towards the front of the room.