Silver and Red: A Short Story

Ohmigod, ohmigod, I cannot describe how incredibly sorry I am for taking so long to put up another post. It seemed like my brain was just out of the whole "writer's dimension" in the past month. But no worries, I can guarantee that this post will most definitely be interesting to say the least. I know I'm not usually the type to thank the people who helped me write my latest pieces, but this time I'm making an exception. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Mr. Mac. Writing a short story, especially on-demand, is anything but easy. Thanks for helping me edit the finished product and making it an example of my best work. You're the best!!!! And now, ladies and gentlemen (dim lights), our feature presentation...

Silver and Red

The only thing I remember about when the Scientists came to take away my 14-year-old sister, Mala, was that the sun was shining. I recall thrusting clenched fists into the golden brightness and sobbing, unable to understand why the sky would not match the tumult in my heart. I remember screaming and blood, and an Officer handing my mother handfuls of crisp bills, but nothing else. I didn't know, I didn't comprehend, until it was my turn. Now I was in a living nightmare as each of my footfalls echoed in the long, icy cold stone corridor. On my 14th birthday, my mother had dressed me in a new pleated skirt and twisted bright silk ribbons into my chestnut hair.

"It's your birthday, Iza." She had murmured happily into my ear, sending little shivers of joy down my spine, "Good things are sure to come." Exactly 22 minutes later I was being shoved into a long, black car by two Scientists as my mother called, "Enjoy your trip darling!", with pale green money flowing from her hands. "Happy birthday!" But even before the shock of her betrayal wore off, I knew what was happening. I had heard stories of children mysteriously vanishing on the day they turned 14-- it was said that they went to a top-secret cloning lab with Scientists everywhere. Scientists, really? They were a thing of horror stories and malicious pranks. Yet here I was, riding towards my death, delivered by the dreaded Scientists themselves.

"I must escape." I thought to myself as I was rushed into a bright white room. "I could run away, maybe steal some food or clothes." I imagined as Scientists in long white robes forced my to strip and doused my in rubbing alcohol. Dressed once again in a flimsy, worn grey dress, I was escorted into a warm, golden-lit room. But the monster sitting behind the heavy oak desk was anything but friendly. Wild and savage scars formed a delicate patchwork on her face and neck. Eyes black as coal dust pierced through me, and I froze in my steps. Her white nostrils flared as if she could sense my racing heart, my shallow, ragged breaths. Slate-thin lips parted to reveal long rows of jagged, ice-pale teeth.

"Iza." She breathed the word, more growl than murmur. All hopes of freedom flew out of me as I stood paralyzed before her. "My darling, it has been too long." Something seemed familiar, maybe the look in her eyes or the strange endearment that lingered on her lips.

"Mama?" I gasped. Tears stung my eyes and for the first time that day I wanted to die, to end everything right now--the pain, the suffering, the betrayal.

"It took you long enough." She smiled again, "Now my dear, we can do this the easy way or the hard way." my own mother, the one who cared for me and loved me, wiped my tears and sang me songs. I couldn't believe it. "No matter," she laughed, misunderstanding my silence and sending a chill down my spine, "How about just starting right now?" Reaching out a claw-like hand, she pressed a bright red button on her desk.

"Wait Mama, please." I begged, "Why do we have to do this?"

"Because," she retorted, "it is our duty. It is my duty to this organization, this community."

"A community?" I cried. "Is that what you call it? What community sells its own children to become experiments?"

She whipped around to face me, teeth bared, "And would you rather I had just given you to them when you were born? That I had never met you, just handed you to your death? We didn't have a choice." Her voice trembled. "They promised that it would be painless, instant." Her face hardened, "They threatened to kill you, to kill all of us! They would ensure to died the most painful death if we refused." Mama looked down at her clasped hands, and I could have sworn I saw a single, crystalline tear drip slowly down her ravaged cheek.

Suddenly she cocked her head, and I heard the footsteps of more Scientists thundering down the hall. "Please," she knelt before me, "I love you more than anything, it wasn't my decision. Please, I beg you," She looked up, eyes brimming with tears, "forgive me." She whispered.

"I--" Before I could speak, a group of Scientists burst into the room. One roughly shoved my mother to the floor, and another grabbed me and jabbed a silver needle into my arm.

"No!" Mama screamed as my vision blurred at the edges.

"I-I forgive you" I murmured, but my words came out as a jumble. I heard the whir of machines, saw the flash of bright equipment, thought I could make out a ripping, sobbing sound. I reached towards the sound, as if to comfort, but I slumped back down as everything faded into darkness.

Peace, love, and happiness

-Becca