Chapter
22
Deprivation
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Beams of golden sunlight slit through the trees reflecting the wet foliage that crumbled and rustled beneath our feet as Dr. Harris and I moved through this seeming almost endless stretch of forest.
It was very quiet, not a twitter of birds, or the call of beasts: just the prowess and swiftly pushing gusts of profound wind as it rattled the outstretched branches full of leaves.
“Quiet isn’t it,” Dr. Harris said as though he read my thoughts, “It wasn’t like this once Sam… once life bloomed around here.”
“What happened?”
Dr. Harris giggled, “This was once a preservation sight that housed many beautiful specimens… but upon the shift in new power the new Council President thought that preserving the life of many exotic animals would result in cataclysmic outcome.”
Dr. Harris said amorously, he didn’t seem too convinced on the Council President’s choice.
“This entire local here… these acres and acres of barren forest land hasn’t seen life since the dark times occurred not too long ago.” He stopped for a second and pointed to his left, “Not too far off that way you’ll see an old stretch of abandoned railroad tracks, it was used to go over here, come-come, you’ll love this!” He continued on and I followed eagerly.
I was however truly curious about these Dark Times he referred to, yet he silenced my curious tongue by remarking about the train tracks.
The end of the woods opened up with a horizon full of water that lingered beyond my eyes could see. The golden sun’s majesty gleamed across the surface with such magnificence that I was blinded momentarily.
“Magnificent isn’t it Sam?” Dr. Harris said, “A beauty that only a scarce few can witness. Go ahead, enjoy.”
I ran as fast as I could out of the woods and made my way down the slope, leaped over a small collapsed tree and landed into what felt like the smoothest sand I’ve ever felt.
I scooped up a handful of beach sand and watched it run through my fingers like water. I turned around and noticed Dr. Harris sitting comfortably on the stooped tree watching me with a big smile on his face.
“What were the dark times?” I sat Indian-style on the sand waiting patiently for his response.
He lolled and laughed, “Curious are we now huh?” He slipped off the tree and outstretched his legs, pressed his back against the trunk and took a deep breath, “Has the loose-tongued mention any of it?”
I shook my head, “No, but I recall Ms. William saying something about it.”
“Elizabeth eh? Interesting, wouldn’t have expected such an ill-conceived word to slip pass her beautiful lips,” he rubbed his chin, “The Dark Times were also a time where we as a civilization bloomed immensely… perfection was among us, life was abloom; everything you see around you had many, many people like you and I enjoying, embracing, and experiencing a carefree environment. I was...”
He hesitated, his eyes slightly watery with the sun’s shine.
“But unforgivably… these times also brought us to where we are today, seclusion, deprivation, and isolation… and caused a split in the worlds. Everything you’re being taught is just a perversion of actual reality. The historical accounts, books, and the news that the adults read are just some made up fairytale the Council cooks up to keep the people sane… to give them that sense of living their lives. But there really isn’t anything there."
Dr. Harris rubbed his temples as he yawned.
“I defied the Council’s wishes… though most of my medical innovations and breakthroughs are used today; my sin surpassed their grievance…” Dr. Harris rose rapidly, his eyes squinted, and forehead creased, “Thomas.” He said surprised.
I turned around and saw Oliver standing stiff, upright, arms dangling by his side and eyes ablaze in that unnatural shade of blue.
“You shouldn’t get too close to him... ” Oliver had this odd stare, he muttered something I couldn’t lip read.
Dr. Harris scoffed, “If I were going to Thomas, I would have long ago… I mean no harm to him.”
“I think otherwise, then why take him to the Funerals?”
Dr. Harris’s breathing intensified, “You caused that funeral, I didn’t do a damn thing to provoke it.”
Oliver cleared his throat, “Under the order of the High Council you’ll hereby testify to the crimes you’ve committed and accept full responsibility for the Council’s...”
“I did nothing!” He screamed, he turned to me and gave me this hopeless stare of remorse.
I caused this; the search for me led them to him, because of me this innocent man will be… I felt pain, a gash in my heart: some unnatural fathom of emotional conviction.
I didn’t know what to do: I was powerless: a child. The desperation came out with one foul blast of words: something I didn’t even think of saying, the last thing I thought I would have said: however it blurted out.
“Leave him alone Oliver!” I bellowed at the top of my lungs, I remained glued to the ground, hands balled into to fists, “He’s not what you think Oliver he's not what you think!”
I slightly turned my head enough to catch a glimpse of Oliver from the corner of my eye.
“You don’t know him Sam.” Oliver replied, “He must,” he hesitated for a second and stared at me, I turned my head back to the ground, “Must reap what he sowed.”
I sobbed, I couldn’t control myself. I couldn’t say another word, my lips shivered uncontrollably, hatred, perhaps hatred beyond hatred.
“I don’t want him to witness this Thomas…”
I heard Oliver sigh, “I’m truly sorry: I do wish there was some other alternative but… there is no other choice… this is how your story ends.”
“You’re wrong,” he sneered at Oliver, “This,” he began to walk towards me, my watery eyes couldn’t focus on his face, it was but a blur, “Is just one small step.” I heard him begin to laugh.
“Enough, this isn’t some joke; the Council Officials and Officers are on their way here… I suggest preparing your final words.” He warned.
I rose and faced Oliver, “Please let him g…”