Above and Below: A Dystopian Novel by Alexander Lee

Author:Alexander Lee [Lee, Alexander]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sociology, political, Fiction, Political commentary, Science Fiction, Dystopian
Publisher: Alexander Lee publishing
Published: 2021-08-16T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 29

Max

The door opened behind me. I turned and saw John Larsen enter my room. My heart jumped into my throat. I supposed he wanted to confront me about my relationship with Isabelle, and my wanting to join in on their invasion. His face wasn’t red this time, and he didn’t have me pinned against the wall. Already things were going better than I had anticipated.

“Hello, Captain Larsen,” I said. He seemed to ignore me as he grabbed another chair and dragged it across the metal floor, making a horrendous screech. He pulled it in front of mine; behind him the exit, behind me a wall. I grew less confident when I realized this brutish looking man cornered me inside my room. If he was trying to intimidate me, it worked marvelously.

“We need to talk,” he said stonily. My mouth went dry.

“I suppose we do,” I responded, hoping that I did so confidently, but knowing I probably hadn't.

“Isabelle has informed me that you wish to elevate your status from prisoner to member, is that right?” He had a vigorous but clear manner of talking. Every word enunciated with an edge that ensured no miscommunication.

“Yes, I want to be a part of your invasion.”

“Why?” He asked, a question I’d been reflecting on with some difficulty, but I did my best:

“I was an outcast, a reject. Labeled diseased and defective. I’d been sentenced to a life of infertility and poor prospects with my social credit score. I was miserable and lonely, and since I crashed, I've been down here watching them lie about me, merely to discredit ALL." Was I making sense? What reality did Larsen even live in? “As well. I met Isabelle. Finally, a woman I would not have to share, and I don’t have to pretend and act like I’m not in love." His eyes narrowed, but I plunged on. "I can’t go back to my old life, I would kill myself.”

Larsen sat with his elbows on his knees, listening and staring at me intently. His brow furrowed. Though his head didn’t move, I noticed the muscles under his shirt clench, especially around the neck and shoulders. They moved as if they were their own entities, powerful and uncontainable. I worried that he was furious with me. I half expected him to lunge at me. Isabelle had told me how he had cared for her since his friend and her father had passed—and that Larsen felt duty-bound to protect her. I must’ve seemed so undeserving of her to him, and frankly I would’ve agreed. What he said though next surprised me.

“I apologize," Larsen said tentatively. "For what happened before." He exhaled, relaxing his steely neck. "I should not have coerced you the way I did. But I hope now you understand that my intentions were good.”

I nodded. After seeing the murder, the lies, and how much the government had robbed from people, I was certainly more sympathetic to his reasons.

“The droptroopers and ultimately the New World Order, their power comes from people's compliance," he said.

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