Author: Kate Leslie
Category: Other
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“Helpful to whom?” Mia asked. “I think you’re merely trying to impress such young ladies.”
Max leaned forward again and looked Mia in the eyes. “I hope it works.”
Mia felt her cheeks blush and averted her eyes.
“Max, enough with your nonsense. You’re just putting ideas in her head,” Becka criticized him. “Marriage is a serious matter where two people make a commitment. And in most relationships, it is the woman who runs the household.”
Mia sighed. “If that’s the case, I’m glad I have no husband. It better stays that way.”
Max sat up straight, sounding serious. “You’ll change your mind as soon as you meet the right person.”
Mia meant to remain quiet, but the words burst out before she could stop. “So, you have already met the right one?”
“Yes, I have,” Max replied.
Mia threw a furtive glance at Becka, who was busy staring at Max. Then Max also regarded Becka. Not exactly the reaction Mia had hoped for. Here she had thought they had shared a special moment. She had felt that certain tension. She must have been wrong. It seemed Becka was ‘made’ for him. Mia lowered her eyes to the table, set the knife aside, and wondered about Becka’s idea of marriage. However, she could not wrap her head around it. “In a partnership, partners should be equal. Women should have the same opportunities as men. I’d rather stay single than be forced to assume a certain role.”
Max looked at her seriously. “The right guy won’t do that.”
Mia was not sure if there was a ‘right guy’ for her. Besides, she would not search for him, for right now, she had far more important things to deal with. She rested her forehead on her hands, closed her eyes, and thought about Ben. She should be focusing on her search for him, not about finding the right one. Ben was held captive in an unknown location while she enjoyed the good life here. The thought made her sad. No more sitting idly by. It felt like she was giving up on him. She would do anything to get him back. The planned trip into town was merely the first step.
“We have to hurry if we want everyone to eat today.” Becka’s voice disrupted her reflection.
As she reached for the knife, she brushed Max’s hand. He was faster. “I’ll take care of it.”
“You don’t have to. It’s my job,” Mia protested halfheartedly.
“I know I don’t have to, but I’d like to.” Max gave her a reassuring look before starting to peel.
Huffing was heard from Becka.
14
Ben
At five in the early morning, they were woken up. The students grumbled since they were not used to rising so early. Last night, after lights out, they had conversed quietly. Everyone had stayed up late. Now they were short precious hours of sleep.
Lieutenant Becker came for the morning assembly. After being roused, they had to line up in orderly fashion in front of the barrack. Each room formed a line. Ben stood behind Daniel, who stood at the head of their line. Lieutenant Becker paced back and forth in front of the lined-up students, then stopped and faced them. “I am not happy about yesterday’s condition training. You have to do better. You lack stamina and concentration.” Luca, a classmate, yawned. The lieutenant’s gaze shot to him. “You’re obviously lacking discipline too. Lights out means go to sleep, not stay awake half the night yakking.”
Ben looked around uneasily. His suspicion that they were being listened to was confirmed. Thankfully, Ben had restrained himself, whereas most classmates had been complaining about the accommodations and training.
Lieutenant Becker went to Luca and read his name badge. “D-3.” He sounded like he was memorizing the information. “Later on, during training, you’ll run three extra laps around the field.” He looked Luca directly in the eyes.
“I’m sorry," he said.
“What did you just say?” Becker barked.
“I’m sorry,” Luca repeated.
“You will address me by rank. I’m sorry, LIEUTENANT. And stand up straight!” He continued staring at Luca until he averted his eyes.
Satisfied, Becker addressed the entire assembly again. “Pay attention to your posture and make sure to address by rank and salute properly. Since this is only your second day of training, I’ll let it go this time. But I won’t tolerate more of this behavior.” His gaze swept over the group in front of him. When it landed on Daniel, his expression grew friendlier. “D-14, I heard you did well at the shooting range. Keep it up.”
Daniel turned to Ben, who was patting his back. When they looked forward again, they saw the lieutenant watching them critically. They quickly straightened up and stared straight ahead.
Though Lieutenant Becker continued watching them for a while, he did not reprimand them. Then he finally addressed the entire group. “I expect discipline and cooperation from all of you. You can stand at ease now.” He dismissed them.
Today’s training began with stretching exercises. Luca had to run his penalty laps while the others finished warming up. After the warm-up routine, the others joined him. Considering yesterday they had to run penalty laps for talking, today everyone remained silent. In between, they did pushups. Ben’s muscles ached for they were still sore from yesterday, but he clenched his teeth and kept going. He knew taking a break would be punished with penalty laps. They were still feeling yesterday’s training deep in their bones.
“Today, you’re even worse than yesterday. You have to apply more effort,” his instructor said. Ben exchanged a furtive glance with Daniel. What did the instructor expect? Considering yesterday’s strenuous training, today should be a day of rest or at least lighter training.
Afterward, they had class. Fortunately, this time it was less extreme than the day before. The images of all the suffering still haunted Ben’s mind. Instead, they learned about the planned attack on their school by the rebels. The rebels’ aim was to overthrow the existing system of peaceful coexistence and establish their own with them at the top. Supposedly, the rebels were driven by their quest for power.
The rebel group originated in the city of Porta Deus. By sabotaging the waterworks, which led to a drinking water shortage, and destroying several genetic laboratories that grew crops, which led to a shortage in food, they had managed to squash the population’s resistance. He also informed them that the armament industry was in Porta Deus. By arming themselves through raids on the armament storage and controlling resources, the rebels had ensured full cooperation from the citizens, who feared further reprisals. Then they had attempted to overthrow the city administration. However, the population rose up against them and foiled the attempt. Nevertheless, the rebels’ thirst to reach their goals had not lessened. They were still consumed with lust for power. Though they had retreated from the city and set up a base on the coastline near the town, they regrouped and launched further attacks. This time, they pursued an even bigger goal. The overthrow of the Porta Deus government no longer sufficed. Now their plan was to weaken and overthrow the state government. They had carried out radical actions throughout the entire country. The planned attack on the school was one of those actions, though it was to look like the city administration was to blame. They also wanted to make it look like the city had not properly maintained the power supply and caused it to explode. The rebels had hoped the loss of their children would rile up the citizens to join their revolt against the administration, which would have cost more human lives. Human life, so claimed their teacher, meant nothing to the rebels. Their only goal was to take over ruling the country. By whatever means necessary. They even considered waging war. Though their teacher did not intend to scare them, he was convinced war was imminent.
Ben glanced around the classroom. His classmates seemed quite alarmed, perhaps even shocked. Surely, like Ben, they were still seeing yesterday’s horrific images in their minds. Now they could look forward to experiencing it firsthand. Their teacher made it sound inevitable, not a possibility. And it would happen soon. The way he sounded, i
t could be mere months away or maybe only a few weeks.
Looking at his classmates, Ben saw that no one questioned anything about what was said. However, Ben was overcome with doubt. To him, it made no sense. Why would the rebels cause a shortage of food and drinking water in order to win the population’s support? His own experience taught him that the living conditions of the people in the neighborhoods of the new and natural people differed greatly. The rebels could have as easily won over the natural people by promising to make their living conditions better, instead of trying to force them into compliance. Why risk alienating the population with such actions, it made no sense.
The students went to lunch. Ben peered over his shoulder and then leaned in closer to Daniel. “What do you make of what we just heard?” he whispered to him.
Daniel rubbed his neck. “It worries me. It looks like we are about to go to war. Considering yesterday we saw the outcome of war; I sure hope it can be avoided.”
“I mean, do you believe the rebels oppressed the population? They must know as well as we do about the living conditions of natural people. Simply promising them better living conditions would have been enough to get them on their side,” Ben said.
“I would agree if it was only about improving their living conditions, but they have a different goal. They want power. They want to sit on top and rule the country. This goal they cannot reach without waging war. And since no one wants a war, they need to intimidate the people in order to reach their goal.”
Though Daniel sounded logical, something gnawed at Ben. He did not believe the rebels needed to go to great lengths to win over the population.
15
Mia
Since her shift was over, Mia stood and started to leave the kitchen. It appeared Max wanted to join her. Fortunately, Becka engaged him in a conversation. Mia had no use for company right now. It would only hinder implementing her plan with Phil. She hurried down the stairs to the second level where the living areas were located. She had failed to set a meeting place with Phil and hoped to meet him there.
When she turned into the corridor where the quarters were, she heard her name and winced. She walked back to the stairs where Phil stepped out of the shadows. “Sorry for startling you. I thought it would be better to wait down here, away from my parents before they started asking questions.”
“Hopefully you didn’t have to wait too long,” Mia said instead of greeting him.
“I don’t mind waiting for a beautiful young lady.” Phil grinned from ear to ear.
Mia rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell me that pick-up line actually works.”
Phil kept grinning, unmoved. “More often than you think.”
Mia could well believe it. Considering his good looks and outgoing personality, girls were ready to excuse such lines.
Together, they went back upstairs. Reaching the first sub-level, they waited a moment for the path to clear before climbing the remaining stairs to the exit.
They quickly made it to the barn where the car was parked. Phil was in a great mood. You could tell he was excited about their outing. He seemed to welcome whatever change.
In the car, Phil tilted the sun visor a little and caught the car key. He informed her it was kept there for easy access and everyone knew about it. This was now the rule since someone once kept the key, causing a big search. And no, he was not the culprit, though most suspected it.
They drove off. Mia watched the landscape zip quickly by. They were going much faster than Max’s bike. She tried to look at the speedometer but could not make anything out. Phil said they were pressed for time and had to go as fast as possible. Mia did not know if she wanted to go even faster or wished he drove slower. Nervous, she started drumming her fingers on the armrest.
“Relax,” Phil tried to reassure her. “Everything will be fine. You’ll see, we’ll be back in no time.”
“That’s not it,” Mia sighed. “I’m worried we won’t learn much and, in the end, know as much as we do right now.”
Phil placed a reassuring hand on her arm and looked at her. “Wait and see.” When he glanced back at the road, he hurriedly pulled his hand back and jerked the steering wheel. He laughed. “Oops, that was close.”
Mia was hoping he would keep his eyes on the road from now on, given the speed they were traveling.
As they approached the city, Phil drove slower. No reason to draw attention and get pulled over.
“Where do you want to start,” Phil asked.
“Let’s go to the school first. Maybe they can tell me what I want to know,” Mia replied.
“Your wish is my command.” Phil drove as close as possible to the school and pulled into the next available parking space.
They got out and Mia stood there, staring at the school. Would she get the answers she was hoping for? Could it actually be that easy? If that were the case, had others already got the information and acted on it?
They approached the school. It seemed deserted. It was dark behind every window. Was it closed now that all the students were gone? The front door was locked with no explanatory notice in sight. Mia used her hands to shield her eyes from the sunlight and peered inside. Everything was dark. Nothing moved. Resigned, she dropped her arms.
“We should walk around the building and make sure no one else is here,” Phil suggested.
At the back of the building, one third floor window showed light. They tried to draw attention by yelling, but it was no use. Phil picked up a few pebbles and threw them against the pane.
Soon after, a gentleman appeared in the window. It was the director of the school. Mia recognized him from her schooldays and, apparently, he remembered her too. Startled by what he must have thought was a prank, the director opened the window and was immediately friendlier. “You are Mia Scholl. Some time ago, you went to school here. Your brother goes here now.”
Mia confirmed it. “The very reason we’re here.”
The director scanned the area and gestured with his hand. “I’ll meet you at the entrance. Be right there.” He disappeared from sight.
“So far so good,” Phil remarked.
Mia nodded. “Let’s see what he can tell us.”
The two returned to the front entrance. A moment later, the director appeared and opened the door for them. “How are you, Mia? It has been a while. I always thought it was a shame you quit school.”
Phil seemed curious. “So, she was a good student. I expected as much.”
“I had to earn a living,” Mia said.
“I know,” the director replied with regret in his voice. “You, I do not know, I never forget a face,” he said to Phil.
“I went to school in District 1. Not that anyone there would care to remember me.” Phil grinned. Noticing the director was looking at him questionable, he informed him, “I am still all original parts.”
The director nodded. “How can I help?”
“Where were the students taken?” Mia asked.
The director looked at her regretfully. “I’m afraid I do not know. The students were taken without giving us any information. We were told they were only to be evacuated from the building. That they would be taken away was kept secret. I keep getting calls from worried parents and tell them the same thing. Though that is all I know, it is the reason I stick around since all the teachers are on leave. Someone needs to be here to answer questions.”
Mia was disappointed, but what had she expected? Why did she assume the school was informed? “Thanks for your help.” Mia lowered her eyes.
“I’m sorry I was not of help,” the director said.
They said goodbye and returned to their car. Mia plopped into her seat and rubbed her face with her hands. “Oh well, I should have known.”
Phil placed a hand on her shoulder. “Where to next?”
“You’re right,” Mia said, “we cannot immediately give up.” They could inquire with the district administration. There were no police
stations here, only in District 1. Nevertheless, she dreaded it and decided to postpone it. “Ben has a good friend. His name is Daniel.” She gave Phil the address, which he entered into the navigation device.
They found a parking space near Daniel’s home and walked the few steps. Mia peered at the nameplates and rang the bell. It took a few moments until the intercom crackled. “Hello?”
“Hello, this is Mia Scholl. I’m Ben’s sister. I would like to talk to you.” The buzzer sounded. They had to climb the stairs since the elevator was out of order as it was in many houses in the area.
At the apartment door, they were greeted by Daniel’s worried mother. “Have you heard from Daniel?” she inquired. Disappointed, Mia exchanged a look with Phil. She shook her head. “No, that’s why we’re here. We wanted to ask if you know anything.”
Daniel's mother waved them in and offered them seats in the family living room. A small room with little light. The furniture showed clear signs of wear. The air was stuffy. Daniel’s mother seemed to be aware of it too. She opened a window and sat down facing them. Only then did Mia realize her eyes were red. “I tried calling you several times, but no one picked up.”
Mia traded look with Phil. “I’m staying with friends.”
“That’s better than being alone in the apartment. You are almost a child yourself.” She glanced around. “I forgot my manners. Can I offer you something, maybe a drink?”
Both declined. They had a brief talk with Daniel’s mother. Phil expressing sympathy showed Mia a completely new side of him. She was used to seeing him as the happy carefree Phil, who seldom cared about other people’s feelings.
“Take care of yourself,” Daniel’s mother said expressly to Mia on their way out the door.
Back in the car, Mia leaned her head against the side window. This meeting was also unsuccessful.
“Now where are we going?” Phil asked cheerfully.