C0NV3RG3 (Sequel to M3RG3)

Chapter 19

Friday

The ocean roared behind me as my clothing dragged me down the salty folds. My arms flailed in a paddling motion as I desperately gasped for air before sinking into the silken folds once more.

This was only a simulation. I was in control. My arms wriggled ridiculously as the wave crashed upon me again, tossing me into the depth-less blue. Behind me, thunder flashed, illuminating the dark ocean an eerie neon blue.

The water was freezing, the numbing feeling permeating into my veins like icy fire. Another wave slammed against me, and I pathetically drowned underneath the ocean's folds before bobbing up for air once more.

Land. I needed land. I desperately paddled against the current, my hands barely tearing through the silken folds before being pushed further back.

This simulation made us powerless against nature. They expected us to fight against it, but what we needed to do was harmonize with it.

When the next wave swelled underneath me, I gasped for air then dived into the water, floating on the surface like a bobbing wood plank.

This was what they always wanted us to do. To overcome our fears, in this case, drowning. My lungs ached for oxygen, but I kept my head down. I would not breathe. I was one with the ocean, silently gliding across the silky layer.

My lungs burned. I released a long stream of bubbles, my vision darkening.

Then, blinding white. The water was gone, as was the thunder. There was only me and the dull grey simulation room.

"3 minutes 40 seconds," The speaker chirped. "Next."

"What are you talking about?" I whipped my head to Oliver, who hung his head in shame. "The Republic suspects that I'm behind all this?"

"We did our best," He shrugged helplessly. "They were really persistent."

"They tracked you down?" I crossed my arms and ankles. "Then confronted you?"

"They had Lydia at gunpoint. We couldn't do anything. She disabled all the trackers afterwards though, so we should be fine." He winced, rubbing the gauze on his right elbow. "None of us were medical surgeons, but we did our best."

"May Arista and the witnesses please step forward," Jordan boomed, clapping his hands together. "Everyone, please settle down."

The crowd soon quieted down beneath me. I kept my eyes trained at the front door, where my mother stood. Her emerald eyes met mine, silent and steely.

"We are here to witness Arista's trial, who is guilty of endangering three Revolutionary members. Oliver, do you have anything to say?"

"She tried her best. We could have acted, but we didn't. However, she did lie to save herself, not us." Oliver sent me a guilty look. "Sorry, Arista."

"The trial is here to speak the truth, not express our feelings." Jordan rapped his knuckles on the table. "Karen?"

"I mostly agree with Oliver, but Arista's actions were out of self-perseverance, not selfishness. Anyone would've done the same thing."

"Lydia?" Jordan gestured towards the dark-haired girl. She had dyed her streaks neon purple, making them even more bright and prominent. Slowly, she raised her eyes, sparing me a disinterested glance before speaking.

"Arista endangered all of us through her selfish actions. When we were caught by Security, she lied and said that we were holding her hostage, forcing her to hack into the system. She returned safely, but we were chased and threatened for days. I only believe that it is fair for her to receive some form of punishment to reflect her actions." She blatantly stated, and I briefly caught her disdaining stare. I bit my lip, my hands clenched into fists.

"It was the best choice out of everything else! You-" I yelled, just as hands pulled me back. All I could do was glare at Lydia as she blankly assessed me.

"Calm down," Jordan shouted, banging his fist repeatedly against the table. "Arista, do you have anything to say?"

"The person on trial should not say anything when being trialed," Lydia interrupted. "It is against the rules to do so."

"Very well," Jordan sighed. "May we cast our votes."

Every second was painfully slow and excruciating. All the glares, the curious glances, the blank faces, it was just too overwhelming.

"They'll go easy on you," Lydia whispered. "It's a given."

"People here aren't that conceited," I replied stiffly, rolling my shoulders. "They will be honest about their decisions."

"I know well enough that even the most naïve and innocent people have a shard of vanity within them. We aren't human if we aren't." Her gaze was far away as she studied the looks of every person casting their votes on their Tabloids.

"Look, I know that I come off as harsh sometimes, but I value my family." She did a quick gesture to the leaders, then to Karen and Oliver. "This is all I have. Sometimes, I wish that I still had a mother and father. An actual family, like you."

"But I don't see them that often. The Republic doesn't allow that." My gaze wandered to my mother, who was animatedly talking to Caelan. The two were nodding in agreement, but to what, I didn't know. "If my mother wasn't involved in the Merging Process, I wouldn't be picked."

"That's what they all say," Lydia sighed. "But no, that's not how life works. It's kind of like programming a computer. You tweak this tiny bit of code and think you're going to change it for the better, but no, it turns haywire and you have no idea how to fix this even bigger mess that you just made."

"Thanks, I guess," I murmured. The entire crowd had now gathered around us as Jordan returned to his usual seat. His expression was solemn apart from the slight twitch in his lips, like he was trying to suppress a smile or a grin.

"Arista," He stated. "The Revolution has voted. The accusations and punishments have been removed. You are declared innocent."

My body instantly relaxed in relief, but I mirrored Jordan's solemn expression, inclining my head. "Thank you," I said.

"I declare that this trial is officially over, and you may all exit through the front or back doors." Gradually, the crowd began dispersing. My eyes scanned the room before landing on my mother, who was shoving past rows of Revolutionaries, scrambling her way towards the stage, towards me.

"Arista," She whispered, pulling me in a motherly embrace. "You've done well."

"Thanks," I whispered back. "You've taught me well."

"I'm just so glad that you're still alive," She laughed bitingly, her green eyes darkening. "If I had destroyed the memory serums, your friends would've still remembered who they were. I'm sorry."

I stepped away. "Wait, what?" I interrupted, my eyes widening.

A series of beeps, growing increasingly louder by the second, resonated across the room. Everyone instantly tensed up, the air curling and thickening like hazed smoke.

The beeps paused, like that dreaded moment where you knew something really bad was going to happen. Finally, with an ear shattering bang, the bomb exploded.

Next update: 17th May