The Product by Marina Fontaine

Author:Marina Fontaine
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Horror, dystopia
Publisher: Superversive Press
Published: 2016-10-11T07:00:00+00:00

Kevin lay in a bloody heap on the floor of the Rec Hall. The room was packed with students, and he could hear the low hum of their conversations as they tried their best to carry on with the routine. The Social Hour was normally the most pleasant part of the day. Even though entertainment was limited to propaganda holos or an occasional visit by a government-approved storyteller, it was better than the drudgery and abuse that filled the rest of their days.

Today there was no holo show for the students to watch, no propaganda-laden tale to hear. Or rather, Kevin’s still form in the center of the room was both the show and the message the Educators wished to convey to their charges. Don’t slip up. Don’t trust anyone. Not even friends.

Considering the events that led to him being in re-ed in the first place, Kevin should have learned those lessons better than most. Yet Will had been such a good friend. All Kevin tried to do was give him a little hope, to help him survive. Had Will deliberately set him up by confessing to suicidal thoughts? Or was it a spur-of-the-moment decision once Kevin had brought up the forbidden topic? Did it matter? Kevin had no energy to spare to figure it out, but the questions buzzed in his brain, somehow adding to his misery rather than providing a distraction.

The bell rang, and the students began filing out of the room. Most walked in a wide circle around Kevin, carefully averting their eyes, as if a mere glance at the offender could taint them and mark them for punishment. Others passed a little closer, offering furtive words of sympathy or encouragement, but unwilling to linger or provide any physical help. A few clever ones, mindful of the cameras and hoping for a boost in their behavior ratings, paused to spit in his face or kick him, then strutted away, no doubt proud of themselves.

He could not blame his fellow students for either ignoring his predicament or making it worse. In re-ed, survival took precedence over normal human emotions and attachments, and no one owed him consideration. He could not even feel much anger towards Will. A ticket out of re-ed was a high temptation indeed, especially for someone as physically and emotionally weak as his friend.

His former friend. Just like Shelly was his former …

No. He could not allow his mind to drift there, not even momentarily.

More students passed, and he accepted both kindness and cruelty that came his way, waiting to be left alone so he could pass out in peace. The pain reached its peak some time ago, and even the disturbing thoughts were fading away. All he felt was empty and cold and very, very sleepy.

The sound of the footsteps had receded at last, and he heard the heavy metal door close with a final clang. A few seconds later, with the sensors no longer detecting movement, the windowless room went dark, and the fan came on, sucking the remaining warmth out of the room to re-direct it elsewhere in the building.

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