Chapter 4: Hemian's Misery

"Move!" A guard bearing a heavy tone of voice ordered.

A group of men, including me lifted the heavy metal bar. I can hear groans and silent complaints. No one could utter them loudly, tasers await those who won't work or disagree. Brutal it is.

We headed towards the far side of the dome. A clamp lifted the bar and brought it upwards were the welding machinery works.

Robots can work but Sydon, a man of lawlessness likes to watch us suffer. Our life wasn't like this before, not until many opposed the Prime Leader. They took the deceiver's side. Many were fooled but not me, my loyalty is sworn unto the Prime.

I'll work and wait for his reign's return. We stood there for about a minute or two. The working area is filled with mechanical noise, we could barely here one another.

I just stared at the surroundings, what happened to this world? Too much change can kill.

I was about to move when a 30 year old looking man elbowed me gently. He spoke without looking at me, making it look less suspicious.

His voice was low but I can hear what he was uttering.

"I found an escape tunnel. Let's go, a collar deactivator is waiting for us there."

Could this be my chance to escape this prison cell?

"How? And when?" I asked.

The city is heavily guarded, surrounded by armed forces, drones, choppers and ruthless guards.

But if there's an escape tunnel then maybe it'll be possible for us to flee.

"Tonight, after the shift. Meet me i-" He was unable to finish his sentence.

Someone from behind shot him with a taser gun. His groan could be heard all throughout the area. The electric shock made him lay himself down.

"Back to work!"

Everyone fled far from the man, but I stayed. I helped him go back up. After his feet was firmly glued to the ground I left him and went back to work.

This night will be long, agony won't be short, the evil one's throne will perish in fire.

* * *

"Hurry!" Someone behind our back commanded.

Everyone's actions were swift as if we are to be left by a train. The man was right, there's an escape tunnel.

It's an old abandoned mining site which leads out of the city. Our collars were deactivated. We are no longer chained dogs, but we're still the hungry lion's prey.

The only light we brought is a solar powered torch. Technological advantages are limited for us Hemians. Only the high citizens and officials gets to experience such inventions.

We've been walking for an hour or so, but or feet couldn't feel tiredness at all. About a hundred Hemians are escaping tonight. I'm positioned at the back.

But suddenly, our sprint was stopped by a loud sound. This can't be good.

It was an explosion. Everyone stopped there steps. I don't think that sound is created naturally.

I can feel my escape fading away... they're here.

Footsteps filled the whole tunnel. They were heavy.

People started panicking, many ran to go back to the city but the guards already surrounded both ends, cornering us badly.

Their suits lit up in the darkness. Tesla guns were positioned, one shot could kill or paralyze the victim. It's worse than a gun.

"Go back." The commander mouthed coldly.

I can't see his face due to his mask but I can tell that he's emotionless. Dead as ice.

Without any options left we moved out. I guess we really can't escape a man like Sydon. We can hear sobs and shrieks but we can't do anything about each others pain.

I'm still inflicted with a heavy burden. My wife died, the guards took her body and burned it. The ashes weren't even brought to my custody. Cruel they are.

I wanted to follow her but I remembered my promise to her, I'll stay alive.

The tread was long, our phase this time was slow, just like a prolonging face of experimental demise. The guards are right behind us, any wrong move could cause us to lose our lives.

I can't help but to sigh. How I wish that someday I'll get to see the Prime's salvation. I'm certain that he's still working to save us, with the help of his son.

Now, I can feel my feet worn out. I barely could move but I must continue. I can't endanger others.

The walk continued and we met the beginning of the tunnel. The same old city welcomed us.

"Go back to your houses, the third most high will pay his decree. You need to watch." For the second time, the commander uttered.

We went our separate ways. I went home before we could leave, I wanted to bring Pier and Ace with us but they left without further notice. The baby's life is under their own wings.

I'm still curious about the neonate's identity and why was it in the woods. Mankind's cruelty would be no doubt capable of doing such an immoral act, but the baby's different.

The tag in his wrist indicates a great place in power. Who's son could he be? Too bad he was forsaken and abandoned, but was he really abandoned?

My house is not far from here but I took time in walking. It's almost dawn, the horizon is splitting into two. Mixture of orange and dark blue... the sky is the only thing natural in this system.

The city is replaced with brutal technologies, allowing mankind to be persecuted badly. Sydon changed the law.

That thought made me sigh. I still can't believe that Sarah died and I wasn't able to give her a proper burial. He same thing happened with Ace.

We're both deserted islands. Left out by their villagers, the owner of our hearts. Sarah was my greatest love. I won't love again.

Though the city generates a mechanical sound, a dramatical music played inside my mind. As if the keys of the piano are pressed in my every step.

My life is a theater show, but there is no music. Only sounds of cocking tesla guns and loud commands fill the whole stadium of slaves.

We are the actors, destined to entertain the prominent.