The Dystopian Gene Read online

  “You know how many crimes I could arrest you for right now?” Anna asked, grinning. “Defacing the wall for starters,” she finished.

  Billy laughed out loud. He stood up before responding. “From what I hear, you're the pot calling the kettle black when it comes to writing on walls,” he teased, still grinning.

  Anna stared up into Billy's face cocking her head. “I was like, six.”

  Billy shrugged. “Yes, I remember that day. It was the first time you kissed me. The sky was so blue that day, and the sun was brilliant. One of my fondest memories,” Billy recalled. He threw his arms up in the air before continuing. “Okay, come on now, hurry. Close your eyes and open your present, we're almost out of time.”

  Anna did as Billy asked. She set the champagne down on the pavement next to her and closed her eyes. She fumbled with the small box, tearing the wrapping to reveal its contents.

  “Okay, do you remember what you said that day under the summer sun, right after you kissed me?”

  “Yes,” Anna laughed, brushing the tears from her cheeks.

  “Okay open your eyes,” Billy said.

  Anna opened her eyes to see a small jewelry box in her palm and a new message on the wall. Inside the heart were the words 'Yes! I will marry you Montana Morton.'

  “How did you do that?” Anna asked.

  Billy smiled. “It's the new billboard smart paint. You can paint it on anything and you have an instant display screen.” Billy paused. “Well? You proposed so many years ago, but I was hoping the offer was still on the table.”

  “I...I-,” Anna's voice cracked.

  “So lovely lady, are we going to open the champagne and celebrate? Or am I going to drink it, wallowing in self pity and rejection?” Billy asked.

  Anna opened the box. The diamond inside caught the rays of the setting sun, exploding into oranges and reds.

  Anna ran the back of her hand across her flushed cheek and then giggled.

  “Well? How long are you going to keep a guy waiting Anna?”

  Anna watched Billy's trembling hands.

  Wow, I think I’m worrying him.

  “Can I come down and put it on your finger?”

  Anna grinned broadly. She knew her answer. She had been waiting for this moment for as long as she could remember anything.

  “Of course you can Billy!” Anna burst out in tears. “Yes, yes, and yes! I will marry you!”

  Anna sniffled. “And the sooner you get down here the better, before someone sees you up there.”

  Anna's watery eyes sparkled with excitement as she watched Billy prepare to climb down. “How did you get up there in the first place?” she asked.

  “Yes, how did you get up there in the first place Wool?”

  Anna turned to find Richard looking up at Billy.

  “What the hell are you doing here? Did you follow me?” Anna asked.

  Creeper

  “It's tricky, I doubt you could manage it,” Billy replied.

  “Yes, I followed you to make sure you got home safe. And this is what I find. A proposal, Wool up there breaking the law, and a cop not doing anything about it. I can report this. The City Patrol will have you through the gates by morning,” Richard laughed.

  Anna moved towards Richard and pushed him hard in the chest. “Go away Richard!”

  “Tell me how you got up there Billy so I can come up. We need to chat about this proposal thing,” Richard asked. “You can't marry this little tramp.”

  Billy's cheeks flushed. “Can you see the two long bolts sticking out of the streetlight pole? Grab onto to that with your hands and shimmy up the pole as far as you can. Then there will be another set of bolts above that,” Billy explained.

  Anna shook her head. “No, Billy. What are you doing? This is a bad idea. Come down now,” she pleaded.

  “Sorry my love, I can't do that. Richard here has insulated you, and I must defend your honor,” Billy explained through clenched teeth.

  Richard did as instructed, and with much straining, he got up the pole and swung his leg over. Billy moved closer and offered Richard his hand.

  “I can do it myself,” Richard spat between labored breaths.

  “Looks like you need to work out more,” Billy chided. Richard stood up and faced him. “So now, how about you explain why I can't marry this fair maiden,” Billy asked in a British accent.

  “Stop fooling around Billy. This isn't the time or the place to be chivalrous!” Anna yelled. “I‘ll come up there and kick both your asses. You know I can.”

  Richard scoffed and then looked from Anna back to Billy. “Because William, I am the one who will marry Anna. That is what I wish.”

  Billy steadied his stance and put up his fists. “Well, you know what they say Richard. Wish in one hand and shit in the other and see what you get more of.”

  “You're forgetting Billy that I am from the Cromwell family, and Cromwell's always get what we want.”

  Richard charged toward Billy, throwing his body weight and trying to knock Billy off balance. Billy dodged the lunge and Richard tripped. He fell to one knee and then slipped over the outside of the wall, hanging on by his hands.

  Billy bent over in front of a wide-eyed Richard. He could see the terror in his eyes as he pleaded. “Don't let me fall. Please, Billy. I'm sorry, help me up, I'm losing my grip.”

  “Apologize to Anna,” Billy demanded.

  “This isn't a joke Billy, I‘m slipping,” Richard panicked.

  “Does it look like I'm laughing? Apologize now,” Billy repeated.

  Richard could not see Anna from his vantage point with his body dangling over the other side of the wall. Only his hands remained, gripping the concrete with white knuckles. “I'm sorry!” Richard yelled in Anna's direction then looked up at Billy. “Come on now, I‘m falling,” Richard continued to plead.

  Billy reached out his hand and got down on one knee. He grabbed Richard under one arm and helped him back up on top of the wall.

  Richard stood up and brushed himself off. “Enough of this, I'm going home,” Richard said and moved towards the light pole. Richard watched Billy out of the corner of his eye. Billy was still down on one knee and catching his breath from the effort of hauling Richard back up.

  Richard grabbed a hold of the street pole for support and kicked Billy as hard as he could in the shoulder. Billy lost his balance and fell sideways.

  Anna froze, clenching her fists until her knuckles turned white.

  Scrambling for leverage Billy scratched at the concrete with his nails to keep from going over. He stopped himself in time and was hanging by one hand. “Richard, this isn't funny. Help me up,” Billy pleaded as he got his other hand onto the ledge.

  “I told you William, we Cromwells always get what we want!” Richard replied and then stomped on both of Billy's hands.

  Anna screamed.

  Billy's hands let go, and he fell to the ground on the other side of the wall.

  Ear-splitting sirens erupted all around Anna, and the lights along the wall flashed.

  Anna looked up at Richard. Her eye color changed from bridesmaids blue to a murderous muddy-gray. “Ill kill you, you son of a bitch!”

  Anna moved towards the wall, but stopped when she felt a hand grasp her arm. She whipped around to see Damarion. He pulled her away from the wall. “We have to go Anna,” he said with furled brow.

  Anna stared in disbelief for a moment and then her face twisted up into a knot. “You! What are you doing here? It was your son!” Anna raged while pointing up at the wall where Richard stood. “Richard just threw Billy over the fucking wall!” Anna lashed, her spit flying into Damarion's face.

  “I know,” he yelled over the sound of the sirens, still struggling to pull her away from the crime scene. “But if you don't come with me, you'll be going there with him.”

  “The rescue crews are already on their way. Billy will be fine. I can't say the same for my son though. Now, come on,” he urged.

  Anna stopp
ed fighting and moved away from the wall, allowing Damarion to escort her by the arm. She looked over her shoulder as Richard climbed down.

  “That son of a bitch. I can't believe he did that,” Anna roared.

  “Don't worry Anna. My son will get his due.” Damarion locked his gaze with Anna and stopped walking. Anna could see something behind his eyes.

  Sadness, maybe?

  Four City Patrol officers came running around the corner. They stopped Damarion and Anna. “Hold up there, we have a wall breach a block away. You're being held for questioning,” said the middle age officer to Damarion's right.

  “Yes, there has been!” Damarion snapped.

  The officer's eyes widened. “Oh, I'm sorry Chief, I didn't recognize you at first.” He took a step back. “What are you doing down here?”

  “We were first on the scene. Who do you think reported it in the first place?” Damarion asked and then put his arm around Anna. “This fine officer right here,” Damarion announced with a smile. “Now, go. You'll find the criminal around the corner.” Damarion urged through a wince.

  As soon as the City Patrol were out of ear-shot Anna stopped Damarion. “What do you mean?” she asked. “About Richard getting what he deserves?”

  “Anna, you may not understand the rules in cases like this, since you don't patrol the wall. Someone doesn't get banished and sent through the wall for going over it, unless they act on their own behalf. We get jumpers all the time as pointless as it seems. And yes, they all get sent through the gates, but not in cases like this. When someone is pushed or forced, it is the one who does the forcing that is sent through the wall. The victim is rescued and brought home, usually with a broken bone and some bruises from the fall. As I said, Billy will be fine.” Damarion explained. “But they caught my son on camera doing this deed, of that I'm sure, and now I will lose him forever.”

  Anna let out a sigh. “You're sure? Billy's not banished?”

  “Positive,” Damarion replied.

  Anna slid the engagement ring onto her left hand and tucked the box into her uniform pocket. “And what about them?” Anna asked, stretching out her hand to look at the ring one more time. “Are you sure they won‘t get Billy?”

  “Anna, they never make it past the outside perimeter fence. Billy will be fine. I would be more worried about the animals within these walls than the ones that might roam outside.”

  “I hope you're right, but I'm not so sure that Cornelius Cromwell will let his own grandson get sent through the wall,” Anna replied.

  As they walked again Anna frowned. “I have one more question for you though.”

  “Yes?” Damarion asked, cocking an eyebrow.

  “Why did you-” Anna stammered. “Why are you here helping me and not your own son?”

  Damarion looked deep into Anna's eyes while letting out a slow breath.

  “Because Anna, I swore an oath to your mother I always would.”

  CHAPTER 9

  Anna's Present

  Anna awoke to a shroud of darkness with the smell of wet concrete stinging her nose. She opened and closed her eyes, unable to tell the difference. Swallowing to ease her dry throat she tried to stand.

  Anna stiffened.

  Eyes widening, she tried again.

  The leather straps pinning her arms to a chair, along with her ankles made it impossible to move. Another strap was cinched around her waist putting pressure on her bladder.

  Anna pulled against her restraints and then gripped the cold metal armrests with sweaty palms.

  Where the hell am I?

  Water dripped to a rhythmic slap as each droplet splashed to the floor. Anna squirmed in the chair, trying to ease the pressure on her bladder as a dog barked in the distance.

  It was a high-pitched bark that would set off anyone's nerves, but it reminded Anna of when she brought a puppy home for Sara's birthday the year their mother died.

  Anna smiled through the blackness, memories of a rough tongue on her cheek, and warm puppy breath in her face.

  The barking grew louder and was incessant.

  Someone should let the poor thing in, or feed it or something.

  Anna tried to redirect her thoughts from the barking dog by thinking of her last memory before waking.

  Treatment. And then the man with the green eyes, the nurse. And then...

  Her thoughts trailed off, forced out by the persistence of the yapping animal somewhere nearby. It grated on Anna's nerves. She clenched her teeth and tried to think of something else, but the only thing she could hear in the darkness was the continued barking and the slap of the dripping water. It went on for hours.

  Doesn't the thing have to breathe, or swallow? I mean, come on!

  It has to stop and take a break sometime. Doesn't it?

  She tried her restraints again and squirmed against the fake leather seat.

  There was no concept of time. No window, or light to determine daytime or night. No clocks or phone. Just the darkness.

  And a dog that won't shut up.

  Her thoughts went back to the puppy she bought for Sara. Anna remembered how Sara's eyes lit up. How she smiled. It was the first time Sara had shown any emotion since they lost their mother.

  The barking continued.

  Anna clenched her fists.

  My God, will someone please shut that damn dog up!

  More hours went by as Anna passed the time with her thoughts, trying to keep her mind distracted from the barking and her swelling bladder.

  It has to be getting thirsty.

  Stop thinking about water. God, I have to pee.

  Both the intensity and pitch of the barking turned into razor blades rattling around Anna's inner ear, as a headache pounded behind her left eye.

  And yet the barking continued, without respite. On, and on it went, for several more hours along with the slap, slap, slap of water.

  Anna's thoughts turned to one year later when the dog she bought for Sara died of cancer.

  Anna winced.

  She recalled holding Sara in her arms for hours while she cried.

  Anna shook her head.

  That was a tough day.

  The emphatic barking grew louder. It sounded to Anna as though it were only a few feet away. Anger welled in her chest. Swallowing hard, she clenched her teeth.

  “Ow!” she said, biting her lip.

  And the barking continued for several more hours.

  Anna could no longer take it.

  I wish someone would shoot the fucking thing already!

  As soon as Anna finished the thought, a gunshot echoed through the darkness followed by complete silence.

  Shit! Did someone hear me say that? No, I only thought it. Or did I?

  Anna squirmed in the chair.

  I think I'm going crazy.

  I'm not sure which is worse. The barking, or the silence.

  Dead silence. With the exception of the constant smacking of water drops.

  And no concept of time.

  “It feels like I've been sitting here forever,” She whispered through the damp air.

  Anna closed her eyes. When she opened them Atticus was standing in front of her.

  “I love you!” he said and then disappeared.

  Great. I am going crazy, Anna concluded. She took a deep breath and shook her head as a baby cried in the distance.

  “Help,” Anna squeaked. Her wrists bleeding from pulling on her restraints.

  “Can someone get me out of here?”

  The baby's cries grew louder and more intense, along with the headache behind Anna's eyes.

  Maybe the baby is hungry, Anna thought after listening to hours of wailing.

  “Or maybe it's sick,” she whispered.

  Maybe someone should pick it up and console it.

  The crying continued to eat away at Anna's mind. She clawed at the armrests with her fingernails and tried to take deep breaths to calm herself.

  The bawling never stopped. It went on for several mo
re hours, or even days, Anna supposed.

  There was no way to tell.

  What kind of mother would ignore a crying baby for so long?

  Anna ground her teeth as the shrieks of the child continued to pierce her skull.

  For the love of Christ, will someone shut that baby up?

  Anna shook her head.

  “No!”, she yelled out into the blackness. “Think good thoughts Anna. It doesn't matter how long it cries, I have to think good thoughts.”

  A light appeared above Anna's head, and for the first time, she could take in her surroundings. Anna was sitting in the middle of an empty room with concrete walls and a damp cement floor. The only piece of furniture was the chair.

  Something caught Anna's eye, and she looked down at the floor under her chair. The floor moved. Anna squinted, trying to focus on what she was seeing. The floor writhed beneath her. Anna sucked in a breath, recognizing what was under her chair.

  Snakes.

  Twisting, coiling snakes covered the floor.

  Anna shrieked, relieving a few drops from her burning bladder.

  She clutched the chair with white knuckles as the baby's crying continued to echo through the room.

  Shut up!

  Anna wrenched at her bonds. “Will someone please help me!” she called out.

  And will someone please help that baby?

  Anna's eyes widened.

  One way or another.

  “Stop it!” Anna told herself. “Don't think!” she screamed while continuing to stare at the snake pit around her chair.

  A table appeared in the room, and a second later, Cornelius Cromwell was standing in front, facing her.

  “Tell me everything,” Cornelius breathed. “This will only get worse.”

  Cornelius raised his hand and sang, the words coming out in throaty whispers.

  “All around the mulberry bush.”

  Cornelius brought the flat of his hand down hard on the table. The loud crack shattered through the room with the intensity of a gunshot.

  Anna jumped.

  The bonds tore deeper into her flesh as Cornelius continued.

  “The monkey chased the weasel.”