Taken Chapter.1

The beginning, when THEY took us away from our parents...Thrust us into this world of pain and torture, misery being our only comfort. No one can save us now.

Chapter 1

Everyone in the classroom flinched as the dull bell sounded from the overhead speakers. Even the teacher twitched as the monotone sound resonated throughout the empty school halls. A girl on my left began to sob silently, which led me to the conclusion that it was someone she knew who had been selected.

Selected. For death. That was how this school worked. You behave, or else you die. And not just you. Usually one or two other people get selected because of one persons behavior. Controlling us by fear...That was their way of keeping us at bay. Because what’s more to fear than death itself? Nothing.

My hands began to shake as I realized that the death toll was now 9, this month. Last month it had been 3. And the month before that it was 1. But now it seemed like people were acting out more often, and more people had to pay the price because of it. This isn’t just injustice, it’s cruelty.

“Alright class. You may go back to your rooms now. That’s all for today.” The teacher said in a shaky voice.

One by one we all stood up, bowing before the teacher before we filed out in a single file line towards the things they call our rooms. Many of us kept our heads bowed as we shuffled through the halls, but those who didn’t saw unsightly things that would prevent them from sleeping for weeks.

Children being beaten for unruly behavior, scrubbing the dirty floors with nothing but toothbrushes, and their own at that. But the worst of all was the courtyard they made us walk by each day. The courtyard where they piled the bodies of those who spoke out and those who were innocent. As if the smell wasn’t enough, the sight was equally terrible. Our fellow peers, dead and unmoving, right before us. Everyday I walk passed this terrible place and think, that could be me next.

I kept my gaze forward as we passed the inhumane form of torture, my eyes focusing on the splash of orange throughout a sea of gray. The Keepers. The ones who watch us when THEY aren’t able to. With their orange shirts and black shorts making their presence clear as we trudged by in our rag-like gray uniforms, smirks plain on their faces. 

Oh how I hate them. The ones who put all of us in this retched place. The ones who stole us from our families when we were young. The ones who put us through this constant torture, day after day after day. And, the ones who order the killing of the innocent, the killing of the ones who dare to say one word against them. In this hostile anarchy I’m surprised there are even a hundred of us left. Day after day the killings continue, and for what? For such a stupid reason as keeping a few ‘brats’ at bay. This isn’t a school, it’s a prison. 

“Hey! Keep moving! Don’t make me get my whip!” One of the Keepers yelled at a girl no older than 10.

She made a small whimpering sound and shuffled forward, tears streaking down her face. The Keeper smirked mercilessly as his hand shot out and grabbed her by the collar, lifting her up and dangling her off of the ground like some crude prize. She began to sob.

“Awww. Looks like we’ve got a crier here. Shena, go grab the whip. I think I’m going to have some fun with this one.” He said happily.

I clenched my fists as my line walked down the hallway, the girls screams echoing throughout the corridor. 

No...This is torture enough...Death...Death is a blessing at this point...I thought bitterly as the girls cries of pain rang in my ears.

Author's Note

NOTE: This story is not for the faint of heart! It's going to be rated 14+ at least!!