ANTIDYSTOPIA by Skittlez & Arabesque - Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Heruna

It’s been a week. A week since I began living in the “castle” which is really just one of the few old government buildings not destroyed and rummaged through. I’ve been summoned down to the Main Control Room where they will prepare me for my first appearance, but according to Eralia I must be in “proper royal attire” before being seen by the people. Zephyr and Geneva, my close servants, help me get into the fancy clothes. I’m fairly sure that the emerald green gown I’m wearing is worth more than my entire life, and I feel out of place. I look in the mirror. Who is that girl? She is a plain girl with the dark hair and hazel eyes, looking like she should be out on the streets, not in an extravagant dress, preparing to address her country. I exhale. I’ve always been told that I look just like my mother, but more am like my father at heart. The green gown is beautiful. It has long flowing sleeves and embroidery on the bodice; the dress goes all the way down to the floor. The emerald color is rich and vivid. Zephyr is about to put an emerald necklace and matching bracelet on me when I stop her.

“Wait, I have my own jewelry I would prefer to wear,” I tell her. I grab a small box from my meager belongings. Gingerly, I take out a delicate silver chain bracelet and put it on. Next, I remove a shiny silver heart pendant. Both were given to me by my mother before she died.

“My, those are absolutely beautiful,” sighs Geneva.

I smile, “Thank you. My mother gave me these.”

“Your mother would be proud to see you right now.”

A few minutes later, I am being escorted down the long corridors of the building, headed for the Main Control Room. Eralia meets me at the entrance. She smiles with delight.

“Oh Heruna, you look stunning,” she says assuringly, “the people will love you.”

Knowing the people of Surubi, from being one just a few weeks ago, I’m sure they’ll hate me.

Olanth Wellsbee appears in full military attire and opens the door for me.

“Your majesty,” he gestures.

It does not feel right. I am not queen, I am not fit to rule. I’m just a seventeen year old girl, trying to get through my harsh life. One of the men at the computers stands up to greet me.

“Queen, we have prepared a speech for you,” he informs me, “you don’t have to read it all right off the teleprompter, you may of course add your own words to it.”

I read over the copy of the speech he hands me. It sounds very sophisticated and purposeful. I nod at him with approval.

“Very well, I like it,” I tell him. He seems as though released from burden when I say this.

“Ten minutes until show time people!” Eralia shouts.

Ten minutes pass quickly. I am taken out to a balcony, and a camera is pointed at me. The teleprompter is pointed so I can read it. We do a test run, and I jumble a few of the long words they have me read. I repeat them in my head until I can enunciate them properly. We do the official taping.

“Hello, people of Surubi,” I say with a smile. I know it is not genuine, but it’s not completely fake either. “I am Heruna Querba, and I am your new queen. Surubi has been a dreadful anarchy for too long. I will try my best to bring Surubi back into its Golden Age; I will not be an ignorant nor power hungry leader. None shall go hungry; none shall go thirsty; none shall be poor with me as your queen. I am here to announce some new laws that will be effective immediately and enforced by the military. Do not worry, they will not kill you; nor punish you without reason. Now, the laws shall be this: There will be no more thievery, murder, nor any sort of violence. We will ration food out to all who need it; weapons shall be put away, bad feelings forgotten. This is a fresh start for everyone, and if you do not value it, good luck on surviving. The children shall be educated in the schools we will rebuild, the adults will be given jobs of their choosing. Stores will reopen, cities rebuilt. Surubi shall rise once again to its prime, where people may live in harmony, but this time not forced harmony. The government shall not have full control; the people will have say in what happens. Surubi shall once again be the most enviable and amazing country in the world.”

I look out to the landscape of Surubi. There are crowds of people. I’m not sure if they are cheering or screaming in anger. Eralia looks out too. She smiles a little.

“Are they angry?” I ask apprehensively.

“I’m not sure yet, but at least we know that we have their attention.”

The next day, news comes in. People have begun cleaning up; the revival has begun.

“Well done, Heruna,” Olanth tells me, “I’ve been out, and the people seem to have joy now. Of course, there are the skeptics, but today we are rationing the food out to whomever needs it, and I’m sure they will realize that you mean what you say.”

I ask Eralia if I can venture outside. She agrees, on the condition that I wear a disguise and am watched by guards. I’m fine with that, and I go to change. I put on a blue jacket with the hood over my head, my hair braided down my back. I’m wearing plain running shoes and head outside. Two young guards follow me out, staying about fifty feet behind me. I head towards my home; well my old home. I knock gently on the door and Hyren answers. She smiles at the sight of me and hugs me tightly.

“Oh Heruna, you were wonderful! You sounded very royal yesterday,” she tells me enthusiastically. I walk into our home. Nana sits on her chair, talking to my father. My father looks up and lights up when he sees me.

“Heruna! The military already came to our house and gave us enough food to last us a month. Myka is upstairs reading since he finally has time to now,” my father tells me with a grin, “Our neighbors are very happy as well. The whole neighborhood is grateful there is finally a sure food source.”

We talk for a while, everyone giddy about the rationing and what’s to come next. I tell them I have to leave, but I will return as soon as possible.

As I walk outside, I notice the boy again. He has bright green eyes and dark hair. Just then, Olanth comes over and hands me a full sack of food.

“This is the last house in the area, we thought you should personally deliver the food,” he says, gesturing towards the boy.

I walk up with the sack, and the boy meets me half way. I hand him the sack, and he opens it and gasps in surprise to see all the bread, cheese, fruit, vegetables and meat within.

“Hello, I am Heruna. Who are you?” I extend my hand towards him.

“Ahhhh… the queen Heruna,” he smiles at me, “I am Zakyas Rymaire.” He shakes my hand. Zakyas. He seems familiar.

“Zakyas Rymaire… it’s a pleasure to meet you. You seem familiar…” I realize why, “Your parents! Uncle Hoyne and Aunt Lyana! Well, not really my relatives, but close family friends! I used to run around in the orchards with you and your sister, Tarynn.”

His face lights up in recognition, “Runie! Of course, you’ve just gotten prettier over ten years.”

I can feel myself blushing. I smile at him.

“Well, it’s amazing to see you again! Sorry, I have to go,” I say apologetically.

“No problem, I’m sure you have some important royal things to take care of,” he jokes.

I head off. I notice Zakyas watching me from the distance. His compliment was surprising, and very sweet. I sigh. I decide to help out Olanth with the food rationing and travel from house to house with a smiling face to hand out food. Each family thanks me, children rush out and hug me. I feel wonderful.

I knock on the door of a plain blue house. I see the curtains flutter and a few seconds later the door opens.

“What do you want?” a girl my age growls. She has short jet black hair and brown eyes. She has a fierce aura around her.

“Well, we’re handing out the food to everyone,” I gesture at my big sack, “and so I’m here to give your house your month’s food supply.

“Ira! Who’s there?” I hear another girl shout. She appears behind Ira, and looks completely different from her as well. The girl has long golden blonde hair and side swept bangs that were covering her bright blue eyes.

“No one we need to care about Viann,” Ira mutters. Clearly, she doesn’t like me already.

“Look,” I sigh, “here’s your food, I hope it helps.” Viann smiles and takes the sack from me.

“Thank you, miss. We really appreciate some order around here,” Viann tells me. Obviously, Viann and Ira are different in appearances and personality. I’m about to respond to her thank you when Ira slams the door shut.

I continue delivering food all afternoon. When it starts getting dark, I head back towards the Base, as Eralia refers to it.

I am sat down at a huge banquet table, but I dine alone. Just as how it is in the bigger picture; I am apparently backed by the Elites and a huge military force, yet I am still alone.

At 11:00 PM at night, I am awakened by the noise of shouting and chanting outside. I look out the window. There are torches dotted over the landscape, casting a glow. It takes a moment for my drowsy mind to realize what this is; a rebellion. Gunshots fire, arrows are shot. One lands perfectly below my window. I carefully grab the note attached. It says in threatening words: BE GONE.

Ooh... sudden ending. ;)
Just so you know, tentative sched (yes, sched) for ANTIDYSTOPIA is up on my blog, Random Thoughts. Check it out to see when the next awesome chapter is comin' out.

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

Mucho Gracias,

Arabesque