The Parables

Aadem - Precinct Two

Aadem - Precinct Two

I thrust the axe forward, and it hits the rock with a loud thwack. I draw it back and swing it forward again. Another loud noise, and a piece of rock drops down and into my basket. Grinning, I wipe the black residue off my forehead and carry on axing the rock.

When you turn eighteen, you are forced into labour. Any adult not working would be punished. Every adult had to do something. Children were given the privilege of going to school, which is more easy-going than being obliged to work long hours for a bit of cash.

The mines were made for men only. Any man who didn't work in the mines was usually a baker or butcher or had some other manly job. The mines are not fit for any woman or girl. Mainly because of its peril and hazards. Toxic fumes, lack of oxygen and the rare explosion or two scared most females away. The majority of men who had died, had died in the mines. It was either that, or The Parables. Something Precinct Two had only won twice.

I carry on chipping away at the rock. We mine for iron, and in rare moments, we come across a jewel or two. Iron helps keep our industry up and running. Every Precinct has an industry. Ours just happens to be iron mining. Some Precincts have better industries, some worse. But iron mining is okay; when you don't get killed, that it.

Suddenly, I hear a shout. I lift up my head and look left. A man is storming out of one of the caves, his axe clenched tightly in his hand and his face like thunder. Another man runs out of the same cave and after him.

"Marty, we had a deal!" the running man shouts. Marty turns around and growls.

"You think I would do your dirty work for you so you could get the gratitude for it?" he bellows at the man.

"It wasn't like that," the other man begins nervously. "They didn't realise I hadn't done it."

"Then make them realise!" Marty roars. He steps forward and swings his axe high up into the air.

Without thinking, I run towards the man and push him out of the way, just as Marty lunges forward with the axe. My body smashes against the ground and I grimace as agony shoots up my arm. Turning over, I see the other man lying on the floor. His face is as white as a sheet and he's trembling.

"Thanks," he murmurs. I nod, then scramble to my feet and face Marty.

"Look, man," I say. "If you're gonna have a big bust-up, then I suggest you take it outside. You don't want your personal life out in the open, do you?" Marty glares at me.

"If you think for one second that I'm going to apologize," he growls.

"That's not what I'm saying," I tell him. "All I'm saying is that the louder you shout and bellow, the more danger we're in. These mines are fragile, man. Another loud sound that resonates could bury us alive. It'll be like an avalanche in here. And then we'll all be dead." Marty stays silent, his face stony. I hear the man behind me getting up and running back off to his cave.

"Oh, screw you, bastard," Marty curses angrily. He turns his back and marches off to the lift. Marty boards the lift and it takes him up. Up, away from here.

A quiet cheer erupts from the watching miners. I grin, and return to work. It's rare when a fight happens. Whenever there is one, I steer clear of it. But today, I couldn't help but get involved.

Suddenly, a siren sounds. I breath a sigh of relief and put my axe in my basket. Lunchtime. Dozens of men file out from the hundreds of underground chambers, and head for the lift. I pick up my basket and follow them. I've been working in the mines for over a year now. I'm meant to be used to it. But I'm not. The only upside is that I'm now handy with an axe, which is some sort of skill for The Parables.