The Crimson Red Lily

There was another 8kms to reach Logan’s secret place. Sid’s Bullet stopped by a small café by the main road. His hangover was blinding his vision as he did not have enough sleep. He turned off the bike engine and took off is helmet.

 “When you feel my heat, look into my eyes

It's where my demons hide

It's where my demons hide

Don't get too close, it's dark inside

It's where my demons hide

It's where my demons hide…”,

Sid hit pause on the Imagine Dragons track and removed his headset, feeling the need for a hot beverage to soothe his hangover. He ordered a cup of steaming lemon tea and settled into a seat in the small café. As he waited for his drink, the owner of the café, who was familiar with Sid despite his beard, approached with a nod of recognition and a look of sympathy. The nation had watched Sid's fall from grace with a mixture of sorrow and disbelief. Once he was a swashbuckling left-wing political activist Sid now seemed like a broken angel waiting for his final descent. Even Siddharth’s mentor and idol, the recently murdered Dashanan, couldn’t help Sid bounce back from his fall.

As Sid sipped his hot lemon tea, the waitress approached him, eager for a photo and autograph. Despite Sid's withdrawal from the political scene, he remained a famous and revered figure. He obliged the waitress by signing her notebook and smiling for the photo, though his smile was strained. The news on the TV caught the café owner's attention and he quickly muted the volume. "Dashanan's funeral riot is the biggest in Westbrook's history since the infamous 2013 riots," the newsreader reported. "Both events were sparked by Dashanan, and while the right-wing politicians claim that the nation will finally find peace with his passing, the opposition argues that the balance of power has been irrevocably shifted." The café owner shot a concerned look at Sid, as if to apologize for the news, but Sid simply nodded to indicate that he was alright.

Sid quickly finished his tea and made his way out of the café. He climbed back onto his motorcycle, started the engine with a strong kick, and donned his helmet. The larger main road gave way to a narrower forest road as he set off on the remaining 8km journey. With his headset back on, he resumed playing the song from where he left off and rode towards his destination.

“They say it's what you make

I say it's up to fate

It's woven in my soul

I need to let you go

Your eyes, they shine so bright

I wanna save that light

I can't escape this now

Unless you show me how….”,

as the song was playing in the background, his mind rolled back the memories from 9 years ago.

18 May 2013

The 13th General Election was a defining moment in the history of Westbrook and its neighboring nations. For the first time, the ruling party was faced with the possibility of losing its majority, igniting political campaigns to new heights. With tensions at an all-time high, Dashanan, a renowned political figure, made a bold move by choosing to make the final stop of his political tour in Arkine, the northern-eastern state of Westbrook. This was a daring move, as Arkine was a stronghold of the ruling party, known for its manipulation of rural citizens through racist tactics and instigation of religious riots. But Dashanan was determined to shatter the chains that bound Arkine and free its citizens from the almost impenetrable fortress of the ruling party. He chose Astela, the main city of Arkine, as the stage for his historic campaign rally. His presence in Astela was a rallying cry for the people of Arkine, who sought hope and change. This was a pivotal moment in the history of Westbrook, as the tides of political power shifted, with Dashanan leading the charge towards a brighter future.

"Hear me, citizens of Arkine! Let us rise up against the forces that seek to divide us along the lines of race and religion. For too long, we have been told that the Merfolk community is well taken care of, but where do these special funds and allocations actually go? The truth is, only a select few benefit from these provisions, while the majority remains trapped in poverty and despair. But I say, enough is enough! Let us join together, hand in hand, and fight for a better future, where every man, woman, and child is treated with dignity and respect. Who among us is ready to stand up and be counted? Who will join me in this battle for balance and justice?” Dashanan's voice boomed across the field, echoing into the hearts of the thousands gathered to hear him. The crowd erupted into cheers, their roars shaking the very foundations of the state. Police forces stood guard, ready to maintain order, but the crowd was a sea of calm, their passion uncontainable yet controlled. Dashanan had struck a chord with the people, and the winds of change were blowing strong in Arkine.

As Dashanan's impassioned speech reached its crescendo, a vision of grace and power emerged from the sea of supporters. Cameras swarmed towards the figure, eager to capture her stunning beauty and poise. The throngs of onlookers erupted in wild applause as they beheld the radiant face of Rhea Hopkins, a political star who shone as brightly as the sun. Clad in a regal midnight blue suit, adorned with a gleaming white corsage, Rhea exuded an aura of authority and confidence. Her reputation as one of the most revered left-wing politicians in the nation, rivaled only by Dashanan and opposition leader Riz Wendigo, was well-deserved. As the Youth Branch leader of the National Hope Union party, Rhea had already made an indelible mark on the nation's history. At the young age of 29, she rose to prominence as the youngest Education Minister in history, bringing sweeping changes to the country's education system. Her abolition of racial quotas was a bold move, and her introduction of special quotas for lower-middle-class students had positively impacted hundreds of thousands of young lives. Rhea Hopkins stood tall and proud beside Dashanan, a symbol of hope, strength, and progress for a nation in need of change.

Isadora, a common woman from Arkine, stood among the thousands gathered in Astela to hear Dashanan speak, her heart pounding with excitement and anticipation. As a resident of Arkine, she had always felt powerless against the ruling party's manipulations and had resigned herself to a life of quiet desperation. But the sight of Dashanan, with his fiery rhetoric and unwavering determination, gave her a glimmer of hope.

As Rhea Hopkins emerged from the crowd, Isadora felt her breath catch in her throat. She had heard of the young left-wing politician, known for her intelligence and progressive policies. But seeing her in person was a completely different experience. Rhea exuded an aura of authority and confidence that left Isadora awestruck. She stood tall and proud, a beacon of hope in a nation in need of change.

Isadora couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret and sadness as she thought about her own life as a prostitute. She had fallen into the profession out of desperation, with no other way to support herself and her family. But the presence of strong, powerful women like Rhea and the message of hope and change from Dashanan gave her a renewed sense of purpose. She vowed to herself to fight for a better future, for herself and for her fellow citizens of Arkine.

Rhea was such a vibrant youth leader was there supporting her mentor in their political conquest. Far from the stage, among the crowds, there was a man admiring her stage presence and charisma to get the crowd going. He was none other than Siddharth Wendigo. He was witnessing his girlfriend Rhea and mentor Dashanan running the show, with awe. Unlike Rhea and his father, Sid did not associate him with any parties. A brilliant mind, he had followed in the footsteps of his mentor, the legendary Dashanan, in his unwavering quest for justice and equality. Known as Dashanan's successor, he had been deemed a political prodigy by many. The crowd around him felt honored to be in his presence, seeing him as a beacon of hope.

However, Sid's unease grew as he noticed the increasing presence of police forces. Undeterred, he pushed his way through the throngs of people who reached out to shake his hand, as if he were a divine messenger. As he navigated the sea of people, their hands reached out to touch the hem of his garment, as if they believed that just a touch from him could bring them closer to the ideals he represented. On the stage, Rhea Hopkins, the youthful leader of the National Hope Union and a shining star of the left, caught a glimpse of Siddharth and smiled, knowing that his charisma and resolve were unmatched. With grace and poise, he strode towards the stage, every step imbued with a power that commanded the attention of the entire crowd. As he walked, he seemed to be cutting a path through the waves of the tumultuous political sea, his eyes fixed firmly on his goal. "So much for keeping a low profile," Rhea thought with a smile, as she watched the charismatic young leader approach.

After several minutes, Sid reached the entrance and moved towards the Inspector General of Arkine. He asked if everything was fine and the IG ensured it was all just a precaution and there is nothing to worry about. Despite the assurance from the IG, he was still not convinced. Several  minutes later, he saw few Riot Control lorries entering through the back alley of the stage. “ Why does a riot control squad have to be here when there is no signs of any instigation of violence”, he started to feel fishy. He proceeded to go to the stage instead and be close with Rhea and Dashanan. Sid pushed his way through the crowd, his heart racing as the chaos around him escalated. Suddenly, the sound of gunshots shattered the air and the panicked crowd began to surge forward, breaking through the barricades. People were shouting and pushing, the sound of gunfire still ringing in their ears. Sid struggled to keep his footing, his heart pounding as he fought his way through the throngs of people towards the stage. It felt like an eternity as he pushed and dodged, fear gripping him as the sounds of violence and chaos filled the air. He had never felt so helpless and afraid, but he refused to give up, driven forward by a desperate need to reach safety.

The crowd on the left side of the stairs exploded into chaos, surging past the police with a roar of violence. In a matter of moments, the once-orderly crowd transformed into a stampede, with people pushing and shoving their way up the stairs. With the police retreating, the rioters began to attack indiscriminately, striking out at anyone in their path. Sid fought his way through the chaos, desperately trying to get a glimpse of the stage. But the panicked crowd made it impossible to see anything clearly, and he stumbled over bodies of innocent people as he pushed forward. 

Isadora was near the back of the crowd when the chaos erupted, and she quickly realized that she needed to get out of there before things got any worse. She had seen Sid push his way through the crowd, but she had lost sight of him in the confusion. With no time to waste, she began to push her way towards the stairs, her heart pounding with fear. As she made her way up the stairs, Isadora could hear the sounds of violence and chaos behind her. She knew that she needed to move quickly if she was going to make it out alive. The crowd was pushing and shoving, and she had to fight her way through to get to the top of the stairs.

Isadora had managed to slip away from the crowd and hide behind a nearby building as chaos erupted on the stairs. She watched in horror as the once-peaceful demonstration turned violent and the police were overrun by angry rioters. Isadora knew she needed to get out of the area as quickly as possible, but the stampeding crowd made it nearly impossible to move. As she looked around for an escape route, Isadora spotted an alleyway leading away from the chaos. She darted into the alley and ran as fast as she could, her heart pounding with fear. She heard screams and gunshots in the distance, but she kept running until she finally emerged on the other side of the block. Breathless and shaken, Isadora realized she had lost her phone in the chaos. She had no idea how she was going to get home or contact anyone, but for the moment, all she could do was take a deep breath and try to process what had just happened. She had never felt so afraid and helpless in her life.

On the other side, Sid finally caught sight of the police forming a protective circle around the stage, and he redoubled his efforts to reach them. He broke through the barrier of rioters, dodging and weaving, until he finally reached the safety of the police line. But even there, the sounds of violence and chaos were all around him, and he could only hope that Rhea and Dashanan were safe. The sight before Sid was a nightmare come to life. He saw Dashanan sitting against the wall, his face covered in blood and flesh that was not his own. "She jumped in to save me and got shot," Dashanan said, his voice cracking with emotion, as he cradled the lifeless body of Rhea in his lap. 

Sid could barely believe what he was seeing. Rhea, the woman he loved, was gone, brutally taken from him in the prime of her life. Her face, once so full of life and beauty, was now unrecognizable, disfigured beyond repair by the blast from a shotgun. The once pure white corsage on her coat was now stained a deep red, a stark contrast to the delicate petals that adorned it just moments before. Sid felt a pain that he had never experienced before, an indescribable grief and loss that consumed him from the inside out. He felt as if the life was being ripped from his soul, leaving him with a void that could never be filled. Westbrook had lost a young leader, and Sid had lost the love of his life. He stood there, speechless and shattered, his heart heavy with a pain that he would carry with him for the rest of his days.

***************************************************************************

Sid was jolted back to the present moment by the sound of a car honking behind him, reminding him that he was driving too slowly. He wiped the tears from his cheeks and shook himself out of his reverie, revving the engine on his bike and picking up speed. The end of the road loomed ahead, bringing him closer and closer to the secret location where Logan was hiding. The memories of the past still fresh in his mind, Sid rode on, determined to put the past behind him and face the challenges of the present.