The Prisoners

Prompt: Dystopian Future A boy locked up in prison with a criminal who broke into his house.

The iron bars slam, it echoes in the dark, concrete halls with the accompanying footsteps of an officer walking away in eerie silence. “Hey! Wait, why am I here.” The boy grabs the bars and shakes them vigorously. “There is no point, they think you are a criminal.” A voice says behind him. “Shut up! It’s your fault that I am here.” “Actually, if you just let me go. We wouldn't be in this situation.” “Why would I let a trespasser go. You broke into my house!” “I was just passing by, I needed to escape this situation.” There is a lingering silence. The tension in the cell can be cut with a hot knife. The boy turns to face aquamarine eyes. The eyes of the intruder and cellmate. It’s like looking into a pair of marbles. The boy, around about his age is sitting by the corner looking up at the small opening near the ceiling. There is a silver ball high in the sky and there are twinkling like candles ablaze on the dark canvas. “The ball in the sky is called the moon, and the flashes of light are called stars.” The boy turned back to him in surprise. “I didn't realise there are so many beautiful things beyond the wall.” He scoffs. “Since we will be spending a while together, I might as well introduce myself. I’m Sven.” He flashes a friendly smile to him. “Peter.” “Okay, Peter do you want to see the stars, the moon, The Outside more often?” He stands up and approaches Peter, staring as looking for an answer deep within him. Peter never questions about The Outside, he never wonders about life beyond the wall, he never thought the wall is in the way of so much beauty. He always thought of being the perfect citizen, trying to achieve the best in school and always follow the rules. When Sven breaks into his house he thought he could do something for the city. Be a lawful citizen. Instead, he is accused of being his accomplice. If he left Sven alone and hide in the corner in fear would he continue his life remaining ignorant of the world beyond the wall? Why did the government keep this beauty away from us? Peter wants to see more of it. He needs it like the air he is breathing in. “Tell me more of The Outside.” Sven gives a bigger smirk. He reaches in his coat and pulls out a box with layers at its sides. “You poor boy, being ignorant of what the world has in store for us.” Peter gives Sven a deadpan look. He opens it, inside there are illustrations and writing full of detail. The pages are torn and browning around the edges. The leather cover is slowly falling apart. The writing is curvy, it swirls around the paper like smoke. “What is this?” His eyes widen and his jaw slightly ajar. “This is a book.” “Book?” “This is how people without technology gain and share information.” “Oh.” He flips through the delicate, thin pages. There are pictures of creatures that can fly, walk-in four legs, swim in water, and things called plants and trees. There are plants that bloom amazing colours, like the neon signs in the city. Peter’s eyes sparkle, he is drawn into the book, awestricken. How long has he been ignorant of the world beyond the wall? Is the wall just to keep danger out or keep us in? “Do you want to see more of The Outside?” Peter looks up, Sven is standing in front of him. The moonlight glowing around Sven making him a mythical creature. His hand is outstretched. “Yes!” “Then let's escape this hellhole.” Peter looks at Sven confused. “We can’t escape. That is against the law.” Sven gives himself a facepalm. His friendly expression turns dark like someone flicks the light switch in his mind. “Peter, they also said that learning about The Outside is against the law. Punishable by death for treason.” Realisation dawns on him, he could die before he can feel, smell, see and experience The Outside. He has seen the magnificent moon high in the sky. He couldn’t return back to the city with this newfound knowledge and continue living like an ordinary citizen, Could he? “Let me ask again. Are you in or not?” Peter stares at Sven’s marble-like eyes. The aquamarine colour shines and sparkles. “I’m in.” His bright smile returns, but it looks more menacing than friendly. He takes the book out of Peter’s hand and slides it back into his coat. He reaches down to his pocket and pulls out a hairpin. “What are you going to do with a hairpin?” “I’m glad they just threw us in a normal cell, then the high-tech prisons one.” He leans against the metal lock, he slips the hairpin in and moving them around the keyhole. “What are you doing?” “Shh! And keep watch. Tell me if an officer is coming down here.” he whispers. There is the sound of metal, Sven's eyes focused on the task ahead of, there are folds on his forehead and his fingers work nimbly. Peter quietly looks down the hall. The hall is dark and the only light source provided is from the moon. Peter listens, there is a faint sound coming down the fall. Footsteps echoed in the hollow walls. “Hurry up, they are coming.” “How many?” Sven says calmly, Peter listens he only hear a single rhythm of echoes. “One.” There is a click, Sven pushes the iron bars open. Peter is about to step out before Sven stops him. The echoes gradually louder, Peter can faintly see a figure in the dark. “On my signal, we go.” He does a hand gesture with a wave of his hand. Peter nods. The echoes are louder and the figure they see is the officer. Peter's heart is racing, his palms are sweaty. He looks at Sven for reassurance, he looks calm, collected and in full concentration. We can see the officer, black shiny boots from the corner, then a navy blue jacket, some of his face. Sven does the hand gesture. Both boys tackle the officer down, “There is a situation in Cell 2B59.” The alarm sirens blare and, the hall is dimly lit with the red flashing lights. “All, units report to Cell 2B59. Emergency lockdown commencing.” Sven punches the officer’s jaw. His head hits the concrete floor. Sven digs through the officer pockets. “What are you looking for? We have to hurry!” Sven pats every pocket, he feels a hard thin inside his jacket pocket. He pulls out a card. He grabs Peter’s hand and they run down the hall. Peter’s heart is racing and adrenaline kicking it to high gear. There are marching footsteps, coming towards them. Their vibration faintly felt underneath their feet. The echoes bouncing off the walls. Sven’s hand still gripped tightly at Peter’s wrist. They climb multiple stairs, with the red light still flashing and the alarms yelling at them. On top of the stairs, there is a door. Sven scans the card and opens the door, “Halt, stay where you are!” A phalanx of officers stares at them with cold eyes. Sven quickly turns to the right, avoiding the officers. “Halt, stay where you are!” Their metallic voices echo in the hallway. The alarms still blaring at full force. Peter looks behind him, the phalanx marching in total union. “Surrender yourself immediately!” They yell. Peter looks ahead of him, there is a buzz of electricity and red light. “Lasers!” Peter shouts “Follow me, exactly to the point,” Sven shouts back. He let’s go of Peter’s wrist. Peter nods, The lasers are approaching, they are in weird patterns. Jumps over the first set of lasers, through a small opening near the wall. Peter’s heart quickens, he musters all his courage and takes a leap. There is a hiss. “Ah!” Peter lands on his feet and looks at his left arm. A section of his left sleeve is burnt off, leaving a mark on his arm. It hurts when he moves. Another set of lasers approaches and Sven slides under it smoothly. Peter feels the cold floor on his skin, he closes his eyes. Hoping his face won’t get burnt. There is no hiss of pain or sizzle of skin meet heat. Peter opens his eyes to see Sven pulling him up from the ground. “We are almost out, hang on!” Peter nods, then wince in pain. “Stay with me, we will get you treated once we get out. The phalanx still behind them. There is a door ahead of them. Peter's heart fills with hope. Sven scans the card and the door opens. The alarm is faint and there are no flashing red lights. Peter looks over, he can see the city below his feet. The neon lights, the busy streets, the school he goes to. Behind him, he sees Sven standing in front of the moon, the trees blowing in the cool wind. “Halt, stay where you are!” The boys turn to the voice. The officers are standing there aligned neatly in front of them, the boys turn behind them and the officers that chased them are behind them. They back off, as the officers' approach. “Surrender yourselves!” Another step is taken, another step back. The boys turn around to see them at the edge of the wall. Peter can see the top of trees, patches of grass in between the gaps and the long drop to the ground. Before Peter realises, Sven puts his hand up. He can’t believe it. “Sven, what are you doing?” “Do you trust me?” Sven asks. His aquamarine eyes shine in the moonlight. His eyes lost their playful, friendly charm, they are dead serious. Peter takes a deep breath. “Of course.” Peter lifts his hands up before Sven grabs them and jumps off the wall. They are falling, he can see the guards huddle near the edge, watching them fall to their deaths. Time seems to move slowly, Sven brings Peter closer to an embrace. His arms wrap around Peter’s waist. Peter closes his eyes. He whispers in Peter’s ear. “You are my first friend and my last. Goodbye.” They fall through the trees, every part of their bodies collides with the branches. The rustle of leaves follows them until they hit the ground. Peter opens his eyes, pain screaming all over his body. The leaves glisten in the moonlight like tea candles. Peter rolls off to the side, he sees Sven, his eyes closed and a smile plastered on his face. Peter jolts up and starts shaking Sven. “Sven! Sven! Wake up! I can’t survive without you!” There is silence, the cricket chirping. The darknesses grow dimmer and the light starts to flood into the forest. Peter felt his tears stinging his eyes. There is a groan, Peter looks at Sven and meets his aquamarine eyes. “Urgh, I’m not a morning person.” He groans. Peter felt his tears trickle down. Relief sweeps him like a tidal wave. He stands up, his body screaming in agony and his winces at the sudden movement on his left arm. He looks at the beautiful sunrise. The warm colours, paint the skies. He feels the warmth, that the city lights couldn’t give him. He looks back at Sven, his smile full of that playful charm. The Outside feels like home.