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

Bevan got to his feet and brushed himself off. Even in the shadows Michael could see the bulge in his jeans. He was similarly excited and wanted nothing more than to stay close to Bevan, holding him if nothing else, but the girls were picking up their picnic and it was only right that he and Bevan should help.


As promised, Brenda and Rosemary got the backseat and were able to sleep. Bevan took the passenger seat and Michael drove them into the coming night.


Later that evening, Bevan, with heavy eyelids, as usual, put his hand on Michael’s thigh.


“I think I’m falling in love you,” he said.


Michael glanced at him and smiled. “I thought you said you were already in love with me. Love at first sight. Remember?”


“That was probably more like lust at first sight now I think about it.”


They both laughed then remembered the sleeping passengers in the back. Michael glanced up at the rear vision mirror to check he hadn’t woken them.


Chapter 25