Strands of Fate by R.F. Hurteau

Author:R.F. Hurteau
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction, sci-fi, dystopian, corporate government, parallel universe, alt history, alternate realities, post-apocalyptic, genetic engineering
Publisher: R.F. Hurteau
Published: 2019-10-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Ice and Fire and More Fire

Eli’s blood had turned to an icy sludge, his heart pumping all the harder to force the thick liquid through his veins.

The convicted, one Mabel Harper.

This was not happening. How had they caught her? When had they caught her? It couldn’t be true.

But as Eli’s eyes turned toward the side entrance through which he himself had been led just minutes before, he saw her. Her beautiful brown curls were tangled and limp, her shoulders hunched, eyes dull. He watched as, in slow motion, the judge’s mouth opened and closed. Sounds came out, but they made very little sense to Eli. Charges? Conviction? But Mabel had done nothing. Her answers were so low and timid that the judge had to ask her several times to confirm her answers for the court.

“I said, do you deny any of the charges for which the court has found you guilty? Do you wish to make an appeal?”

Of course she denies them! Eli found himself screaming internally, outraged. Of course she wishes to appeal!

“No, your Honor,” came Mabel’s meek reply.

The judge nodded and leaned back. “Very well. You are hereby sentenced to a minimum three years of community service. You will be transferred to the custody and care of Cedar Grove Innovative Technologies and assist in any means necessary with their studies.”

“No!”

It took Eli a moment to realize it was he who spoke. The word came out of his mouth as he attempted to rise, his chained wrists wrenching him down as his legs reached their full height, causing him to hunch.

“No,” he repeated, willing his voice to return to the calm, steady tone he had used when addressing the judge before. He saw Mabel’s posture stiffen, saw her turn toward the familiar sound of his voice. And then, he saw the faintest hint of a sparkle return to her eyes. “Eli,” she mouthed.

“Mr. Harper,” the judge reprimanded, “this is highly inappropriate. You are to remain quiet during these proceedings.”

Or what? You’ll kill me?

Eli tried in vain to lift his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Please, your Honor. Don’t send her there. Don’t hand her over to those monsters.”

Once again the judge raised an eyebrow. “Cedar Grove is a leader in innovative technology which betters the lives of people the world over. It is less a sentence, and more an honor to be a part of their work.”

“Don’t you see?” Eli said, twisting around, looking for a sympathetic face among the crowd. All eyes were on him. All except his parents. They’re too ashamed to even face me. “Don’t you see what’s happening? They always need volunteers. They need so many, there are none left. Values International has had to turn to the prisons to find warm bodies for their experiments! What’s happened to all of the volunteers who came before? Where are they now? Are their lives better?”

“Mr. Harper!” The judge’s voice alone was a warning.

Mabel was shaking her head at Eli, begging him with her eyes to sit and obey.

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