The Society

I looked down upon this wrinkled and tough hands that have been with me through thick and thin for all these years. And even now, as they were covered in blood, blood of a fellow human being, they still seemed alive and were still my very best friends. Then I looked down at the laser gun I had in my hand. They glimmered as though they had gone back to the past when I had just joined the Society. In great contrast was Ricky, lying at the bottom of my feet, covered in his own pool of blood, appearing a much brighter shade of red than ever before. His laser gun layed beside him, dyed a little shade of brown by the already coagulated blood. Sirens filled the air, and I turned to dash into the underground chamber…

I had joined the Society in my mid-20s, an age that seemed so far ago that I cannot really recall it even though it was actually just 9 years back. The most vivid image that stayed in my mind and had that everlasting effect on me was the so called high-technology ceremony that was necessary for me to be considered a rightful member of the Society. I had to input my name into the Society’s huge network of computers that were only accessible by the four Stulos ( more commonly known as leaders ). The names stayed there until the Member was killed , either during a Clash or when they tried to leave the Society. Then my head was clean shaven and the roots of the hair were burned and my head was waxed to prevent any future growth of hair. It was the most painful experience I ever had but I do not remember groaning and making lots of noise as I clenched my fists and bit my own tongue as the Shaving went on. Finally, they splashed the plasma of all the gang members , which were extracted using complicated methods, and I was a Member. Forever.

Life in the Society was relaxing and I felt as if I had all the power in the world. I made many friends , Ricky one of them. From them, I learned a lot about the ups and downs of life which I had been so meagrely exposed to in my times confined at home for the past 20 years. If not for one of the Stulos who had broken into my home and brought me out to see the whole world, I would still be like my brothers who were older than me, confined at home, as part of the Government’s ‘conservative policy’ which forbade anybody and everybody from stepping out of their homes once they were born. Nobody knew why.

I was also taught about the Clashes that happened between the Government and the Society itself. These Clashes were necessary to confirm the two parties’ state of power. That is, the winning side takes the power. When I turned 25, I was finally given my laser gun which I had grown to regard as a status of high power. Everyday since then, I practised using it until I became the top marksman in the Society. Ricky had received it at the same time too but he chose to continue the relaxed way of life everyone was enjoying now. I also helped to collect the daily supplies of food provided by someone, or some organizations which we were never told about, and that toned up my body. All these were actually warm-ups for the Clash which actually was still a long way from then, about 6 years early.
Often, I was mocked by the other Members. They laughed at me for being such an idiot, working day in day out when I could have opted for a much more relaxing life of lazing around and talking the whole day long. But Dad’s words remained deep in my head:

‘ Son, when you feel that you are wasting your life away, look up at the shiny sky above your head. Think about all that you should have done and have not done it. Then, go and do it all with your fullest commitment. Remember, your ancestors will always be with you.’

It was these very words that keep me working hard for all the nine years at the Society. I never thought that it would pay off. At least, not in this way. Nine years! Nine years! Who would expect that nine years of hard work would accumulate as anger and violence so great that could wipe out the entire Government and Society?

The Clash that I had been kind of looking forward to finally took place on the 14th of June. The year had long been forgotten since the days the Government took over. That fateful day, one of the Stulos guided us of the underground chamber which we had been living in for all these years, and ironically, just found out its real name. When I got out of the heavy metal door, a gust of cool air whipped my face. Nothing had ever felt more refreshing. Then I looked up at the blue, blue sky. Dad’s words came into my head at once and it was only then I knew that he had also been confined for his life.
Chaos followed next as we surged forward under the guidance of the Stulos. Members of the two parties clawed at one another when at close range and fired with the deadly laser guns from long ranges. Being the top marksman, I naturally stood at the back and fired into the opposition mob. People fell and blood flowed. Voices of agony filled the air, and voices of people mocking me filled my head. I continued firing, completely turned into a tyrant. Only when I heard the pleading voice of Ricky did I stop, but not before firing a last shot. A deadly one for Ricky and it ended his pleas and cries, as it did for all the other Members and Stulos of the Society and Government, forever…

Then I looked down upon this wrinkled and tough hands that have been with me through thick and thin for all these years. And even now, as they were covered in blood, blood of a fellow human being, they still seemed alive and were still my very best friends. Then I looked down at the laser gun I had in my hand. They glimmered as though they had gone back to the past when I had just joined the Society. In great contrast was Ricky, lying at the bottom of my feet, covered in his own pool of blood, appearing a much brighter shade of red than ever before. His laser gun layed beside him, dyed a little shade of brown by the already coagulated blood. Sirens filled the air, and I turned to dash into the underground chamber. I had to find some way to announce to the world that they were finally free. Forever.