Genesis

A school of thought believes destiny is unavoidable, others believe destiny is what you make of your own decisions. Right or wrong doesn't matter; the truth remains that there are things way out of our control, occurrences that are always bound to happen no matter what path we choose.

Tomorrow marked Pem's nineteenth birthday as well as the exact date he lost his father ten years ago. Haven lost him on his birthday, the whole reason to celebrate was buried. They were told he died of a drug overdose, yet they couldn't let them see his dead body until his funeral.

Alex Brooks was a scientist/ researcher at Prolab; a dream job anyone could wish for, a job that covered all bills with more than enough to keep things rolling. He was at the top of his career and never complained of anything. A few months before the incident, he was in his lab with his favorite assistant, as little Pem sat on the desk watching him in awe.

"Hey buddy, I'm working on something big, it'll be a major scientific breakthrough," he said.

"What's it, dad?"

"I'll let you know when it's ready, perhaps a surprise gift for you"

Pem couldn't curtail his excitement, he dreamt of what his surprise gift might be, but oblivious to what tomorrow had installed. A few months later, his father's presence became scarce, he rarely spent his night at home. Along the line, he stopped being enthusiastic about his research, never spoke much about it, and stayed away from his private lab which had never happened since Emilia got married to him. When Pem noticed his father's abstinence from his work, he tried bringing it up.

"People aren't what they seemed, Pem," he said.

"It's all lies Beauty, they lied to me" he once told his wife, unaware his son was by the corner. But little Pem could only understand little, after all, he was only but nine. His understanding sharpened when reality struck its sharp blade right through his fragile heart.

Ten years ago, under a heavy downpour, the Island was all wet and noisy, as a cacophony of raindrops clapped hard on the rooftops, continuously accompanied by a heavy thunderstorm, both working harmoniously to ensure the night became more dreadful than it already was. None of these made any sense to Pem then, he was blinded by excitement to take notice of anything. His father was coming home today to celebrate; he promised. He waited until seconds turned minutes, then to hours, and kept rolling, yet his father never showed up. The food was growing cold, the drinks defrosting but he kept hope alive, hoping to see his dad barge in, drenched and shouting happy birthday; but it never happened.

"Will dad make it?" little Pem asked

"Of course, your father will never miss your birthday" Emilia assured him.

At eleven in the night, she led her son to his bedroom after he'd blown his candles, made his wishes, and celebrated a little. Despite wearing a happy face, Emilia felt pity for him. Just like a kid with few things to worry about, Pem became one with his bed after a goodnight kiss. Though not happy, he didn't stay sad for a long time before drifting off to sleep. Emilia kept watch, she waited for two more hours and phoned her husband but it was on voicemail. He must've been too engaged, she told herself, but deep down she knew her husband would never miss his son's birthday. She feared for the worst but waved it off and slept to face the next day.

A loud cry jolted Pem from his sleep. It was six o'clock in the morning. He rushed down the stairs to feed his curiosity, only to find his mother in tears. When Emilia saw her son, more tears flooded her face, it was cruel to be fatherless at such tender age.

"Pem?.." swallowing hard and mustering the strength to relay the horrific news to him. He deserves to know, she assured herself.

"...something bad happened to daddy"

"Where's Daddy?" he asked, but Emilia couldn't muster the strength to tell her son that his father was dead.

"Mom, where's Daddy?" the little boy persisted.

Emilia hugged him and cried bitterly, only comforted by the cop who came to relay the sad news. Though without words, Pem could tell something bad had happened to his father and was too much for him to bear.

Emilia was informed that her husband died of a drug overdose. She couldn't accept such, she knew Alex was never into drugs, something was fishy and she was determined to find out and bring justice to her deceased husband. It became more evident when the organization he worked for refused to release his body until his funeral, even after countless pleas, her request was turned down. This was more than enough to convince her that her husband was murdered by the very people he worked for, and she filed a case against them.

Prolab was a multi-national establishment with a great network and affluence, they had connections in all sectors of the government. Emilia's case was swept under the carpet; all charges were dropped right before her eyes. At that point it dawned on her that she can't win the battle, so she went home to lick her wounds and take care of her son, the best gift Alex gave her. She cried her eyes out every night and never left Pem out of her sight, afraid they might come for him too, he was all she had left. Pem was young, but not too young to know his father never got Justice, and his killers were roaming around the streets freely.

The Brooks moved on but didn't leave Lonefield and impossible for them to leave the Island. Sunville Island was a significant domain in their realm.

Little is known about how they came to be, but according to the map available to them, little was revealed of what lay beyond the Island. The original map of the nation was destroyed and banned a month after Alex's death This was to keep the citizen, especially the young from developing the desire to leave. Sunville was an independent domain, everything was locally produced; or mostly. One bridge connected them to the outside world, and the activities on the Island were completely kept secret. Only a few people were granted access to leave the city, including top government officials, and merchants with great influence. A radius was equally given for fishing or any other aquatic activities, its border was protected by law enforcement officers. The Island was a prison and everyone in it, her prisoner.

Sun bridge, the only connection between the Island and other parts of the realm, was a bridge dreaded by all who lived in Sunville. Many had lost their lives trying to cross over, and those who made it to the other side disappeared mysteriously without a trace. Civilization was far from the Island; the actual journey begins not before but after you've successfully crossed the bridge.

All these started roughly months after the mysterious death of Alex Brooks. The rampant loss of lives in the wasteland forced the government to seal off the bridge, taking the people back into the dark ages, and for some reasons unknown to them, they were also banned to travel by sea. Freedom was gradually snatched away from them right before their very eyes. The government never mentioned what was killing her citizens, but only instructed them to stay off the bridge.

But for how long can these people be caged? It is in the nature of every living thing to seek freedom, and it never comes without a price