Michael is thirty-nine and gay. Like his little niece, Kim, who has a learning disability, he is considered a non-citizen under the draconian Normalcy Laws. Kim’s parents quietly arrange to flee to New Zealand, where the Normalcy Laws haven’t been implemented. As Michael has a good job and has been careful to hide his homosexuality, he doesn’t consider going with them. Instead, he remains behind and goes about his business as normal until one morning when he is confronted by two Black Guards. Hooded, Michael is taken to what he assumes is the Department of Law. Once people are taken there, they never see the light of day again. Elimination is the only punishment in the New World Order. There he is interrogated by The Man, a handsome officer of the Black Guards. In a desperately hopeless situation, is there any hope of surviving elimination? No one ever has in the past, but Michael discovers something about The Man that hints at his situation not being as bleak as it appears. Can he dare to hope there is a way out? Or is he so delusional that his fantasies of freedom have clouded his judgment? Under the oppressive Normalcy Laws, nothing is certain.

Forbidden

“I mean getting there. So don’t worry about me.” He finished his whiskey. “Need any help?”


“Not really,” said Craig. “We’ll just throw a few clothes into a suitcase. Some toys for the kids. Not too many though,” he said, directing the comment to Rebecca. “Throw in a beach ball and an umbrella for effect and Bob’s your uncle!”


“Sounds like you’ve gotten it all sorted,” said Michael, getting up. “I’m off to bed. It’s been a long day and probably another one tomorrow. Wake me up before you go, won’t you?”


“I don’t know, Mike…” Only Craig called him Mike. “…we’ll be on the road before sunup.”


“Better say our goodbyes now then,” said Rebecca.


“No. Wake me up. I want to say goodbye to the kids.”


Craig shrugged. “All right. Have it your way.” He slapped Michael on the shoulder. “Night, buddy. Hope we don’t keep you awake.”


Chapter 7