Chapter Eight

I thought Fanny was joking when she said she's gonna tell her dad. She isn't. Not that it's confirmed but Mr Sky seemed to know her better than I do. He seemed very worried. He kept looking around when we were walking on ground floor, from Norman's block to mine. The moment we entered the house, he called my dad. My whole family appeared in the foyer doorway.

'What's wrong Nick?' my dad asked. That's Mr Sky's name. Short for Nicholas.

'I need Zac and Zayne to go to their rooms, let's discuss this privately'

The look on my parents' faces were like realisation. And I realised as well.

'No, if I'm in very big trouble, I wanna hear it' I said. There was a short pause. Like they're deciding whether to let me hear them or carry on with their plan.

'I knew this day would come. Janet can't stop herself from saying those forbidden stories' Mr Sky said. My dad walked into the living room and we followed.

'She shared with the class about that?' my mom said, sounding disbelief.

'Wait, how do you know what Miss Janet shared with the class? I mean I haven't tell you anything' I was confused.

'That's a long story to say right now.' Mr Sky said. I was so curious but I don't want to be rude so I listened. So many questions in my mind. Was Miss Janet their close friend?

'I just don't understand why she has to talk about the sphere' my mom said, still in disbelief.

'She didn't talk about the sphere, she talked about how there used to be more diamonds on Dust' I said. Dust is short for Dustromedian. People like me are too lazy to finish the whole word.

'And that only, got her arrested?' my mom sounded angry now. I just nodded. I don't really understand what's going on. I don't even know there's such law forbidding people to tell this story. And what's wrong about telling a simple story?

'The government would do anything to stop people from knowing the truth' my dad said. The truth? What is the truth? Oh man, I'm so confused.

'We're too late to help Janet. The main problem now is your son's in danger'

Okay, that confirmed my suspicions, I'm not just in trouble but I'm in danger. I've seen people got executed on the news before. How cruel are they to show execution on the news? My imagination went wild for that short moment. I pictured myself in front of a massive crowd all looking at me in pity as the executioner get ready to execute me.

'He punched not just any girl but Fanny. Fanny Pace' Mr Sky's voice snapped me out of the nightmare.

'She's Jayden Pace's daughter?' my dad was shocked.

'Yes, the one and only. Jayden is a member of the government. You think how the government knew about Janet's words? From the daughter of course'

'Okay now I wanna know. Did you punch her because you know she was behind it or you just thought so?' my dad asked, looking at me. All eyes turned to me.

'Because I thought so…'

'How many times must I tell you, if you're not confirmed about anything don't act on it!' I could hear my dad was not really mad but he was madly worried.

'No, I saw her smiling as they drag Miss Janet out. She looked very satisfied! She even grinned!'

Suddenly, someone's tabloid rang. It was Mr Sky's. He answered it.

'James, turn on the screen' Mr Sky said.

My dad took the screen remote from the coffee table and switch on the screen. It was the news. It was the execution event that I've mentioned earlier. And Miss Janet was now the person getting executed. My heart raced. I could see everyone's face was tensed. The crowd in the screen watching were tensed as well. A person in fully-covered armour walked up the stage behind Miss Janet whose hands were cuffed with the electric cuffs. A man in a smart suit walked up the stage as well. The screen camera focused on the guy's face. He seemed to resemble someone.

'That's Jayden alright' Mr Sky said.

Okay, now I know. No wonder he looks similar. He's Fanny's dad. Oh man, I mess with the wrong family.

The man, Jayden, walked around the stage, looking at everyone. And was smiling. That same smile I saw on Fanny's face.

'We're gathered here today to witness the execution of a school teacher who broke law five hundred and forty-three. A law that specifically stated to never speak of the diamonds of Dustromedian' Mr Pace's face as he speaks proves that he's a jerk. Now I know where Fanny got that trait. 'Why is this law established in the first place? So that people won't dwell on the past! You see, law five hundred and forty-three comes just after five hundred and forty-two...'

'Of course you idiot!' Mr Sky said. I can't help but laugh a little. Behind the jerk face is actually an idiot.

'...which law five hundred and forty-two clearly mentioned to never talk on matters relating to the sphere of Dustromedian and the crimes committed upon it. We don't want to be a traitor to our capital don't we? Look what happened to the city of Zonex when they go against the capital! They're wiped out! Let this be a lesson to all. Don't hesitate to report a crime. If you hide someone's mistake, you are wrong as well. And you deserve the same fate. And don't go around punching people because they're doing the right thing. If you are the person, you'll know'

Okay that was definitely scary. He looked at the camera that last few words. It's like he was talking to me personally. I'm scared.

'He's coming, he's definitely coming' Mr Sky said.

My parents looked scared and worried too.

'James, you have to bring your whole family out of Warhem. Go to the campsite. It's definitely safe there for now'

'When I leave, I need you and Darren to bring your families as well. They're gonna come after you both also'

Darren? Darren Pierce, that's Orion's father. I didn't know they're friends. What a small world.

'Now we witness Miss Janet Kim, as our executioner will guide her to the vapor' Mr Pace continued.

Oh no, Miss Janet's gonna be executed by the vapor. The vapor is a machine that vaporised anything inside. Techbots also have the same system in them. But the vapor's power is many times stronger. Well, based on the officials' explanation.

'Like every other law in Dustromedian, break any of them and the punishment is by death'

'But a lot of children break the laws at the mall?' I asked.

'What he meant is government or international laws' my dad replied.

We saw Miss Janet stepped into the vapor. But then, the camera shook like the cameraman was running. We heard gunshots, laser beams and screams. And suddenly, the screen went static.