Arya Brooks

  I would never get used to people getting shot on the morning subway. Or the sound of people praying on their commute, hoping to never get shot or framed for activities they never did. The shots rang seconds ago but the reverberation was still alive. I couldn't help but observe the people in the compartment sitting rigid and looking ahead even after witnessing the execution of one of their co-passengers. The silence of shock was quickly replaced by the sound of the body being dragged into a body bag by the soldier bots. I shuddered and forced myself to look away from the spot where the man was pleading for his life seconds ago.

  The bots were here to ensure that everyone was running on schedule- a rule of this modified society of 2041, thanks to our government who served our freedom on a silver platter to a Bot powered private company ZedTech.

  “Woman. 29. State your business and code for identification.” The attendance bot shook me from my resentful thoughts against their creator.

  “Nurse, code-AB20001207.” I replied.

  “Identified as Arya Brooks. You aren't supposed to be on this route at this time of the day.” The bot stated expecting me to either plead for my life as the previous man did or have a good excuse for my schedule deviation.

  I already had the answer to his question, “ I have submitted an application for my half day leave, number-119076.”

  “Running number….Request found already approved….Your schedule deviation is allowed till 5pm.” The bot spoke with pauses in between. Soon he moved to other passengers to identify them.

  Ever since ZedTech took over, no one was considered an exception from the rules. The rich couldn't bribe the bots and the poor couldn't ask for mercy from them. Everyone was expected to live, work and die on a strict schedule. Anyone who deviates was shot without warning. There was no hope for rebellion since the bots monitored everything, our messages, calls, voice recording of the calls and even deleted or unsent messages and emails.

  History was evidence of our failed rebellions and the voices of thousands being silenced.

  Hopping off at my station, I quickly swiped my card for exit. Thanking the luck to be on my side, I grabbed a taxi and headed towards my home. I was excited to meet my family, and hoped to get get updates from them about their life, but a part of me knew that the conversation will be the same one that has been going on for past 10 years.

  A part of me dreaded going home, but I forced myself to think of this reunion as a memorable one. Even though we were 2 hours apart, I was meeting them for the first time this year, using my only privilege of half a day. As soon as I reached I was greeted by my father, mother and Lina, my sister.

  “Finally you are here!” Lina rushed to hug me and squeezing the life out of me.

  “Easy there! I'm not vanishing.” I hugged her back, thankful that she is doing well. Soon, she broke off the hug and took me towards the dining table.

  “Mom graced us with some really good food today, I was starting to miss Indian food.” Lina said.

  “Well we all better lighten up our spirits, this is the only time that we all can be together and enjoy ourselves.” Mom said as she brought the dishes to the table along with my dad.

  “How is your job going, Arya?” Dad asked.

  “The usual, people coming in with extreme problems, injuries and worse things.” I said hoping my father understands that I was least interested in talking about my profession right now.

  “At least you are being paid well.”

  “Well enough I guess.”

  Hunger soon took over us and we all moved our attention towards eating food. My mother made amazing Asian food, especially Indian cuisine, courtesy of her Indian heritage. The story of how she fell for our father was an adventurous one nevertheless full of love. ZedTech created havoc in everyone’s lives, but my parents never shied from telling each other how much they mattered to one another. Their love was inspiring and resilient, and if the conditions all over the world weren't like this, maybe I would have been focusing on finding someone too.

  The house my parents made was filled with love and warmth. The outside world was harsh but this house was a safe space.

  As I put the dishes away, I could hear my family’s whispers in the living room.

  Not again

  Lina did not look comfortable with their conversation and my gut feeling told me that the part of the reunion that I dreaded the most, was here.

  “Have a seat, lovey.” My mother instructed, as I wiped my hands and entered the living room. I sat on the nearest chair next to Lina, who looked like she’d rather be anywhere else but here.

  “Look this may come off as slightly odd but we need to talk about this.” My father said and I doubted he knew how to start the conversation.

  Please not this conversation again.

  “What is going on?” I asked.

  My parents looked at each other and towards Lina. She drew in a deep breath and spoke.

  “We might have something on Tara."

  All the windows in the house were closed, it was the middle of summer, but I still felt my body go cold

  “Mom-“

  “We think that she is still out there and she is alive, but maybe she is being held.“

  Not again.

  “It’s not possible, Mom. Tara-” I repeated for the nth time before I was cut off by dad.

  “We know it has been a long time Arya, but maybe she is still out there. Our girl, your sister…We just want to find her. We want to see her…or at least…..” he didn’t finish his sentence, and he didn't need to.

  It has been years since Tara vanished, without a trace. The day she vanished was the day the government signed off human rights to ZedTech.

  ZedTech promised a regulated, organised and productive population. Their governance model worked in smaller countries so our country decided to give our rights to them hoping that they’ll still reap the benefits without any hinderance.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  But the tables turned, innocents died.

  And for the first time in history, the rich paid the price too.

  “We were hoping you can do something since you are in the medical field.” My mom asked.

  “Mom, it has been 10 years, for gosh’s sake. Yes, something happened to Tara but we cannot let our life revolve around her anymore. Don’t you think we have grieved her enough?” Lina said, frustration and desperation evident in her tone.

  “She is your sister, Lina. You don’t get to give up on her.” Mom shut down Lina with her sharp tone. Lina didn't argue back, even though she was the one who always had to have the last word.

  “What do you want me to do? You know how tightly my hands are tied don’t you?” I asked, hoping to keep frustration away from my voice.

  “Are you giving up on Tara?” my father asked, in his sharp tone that made me flinch.

  Silence engulfed the room, and I knew that my parents were massively disappointed in me. They have always taught me that family comes first, and here I was breaking their illusion.

  “I’m not giving up on her but it’s been 10 years. What can we possibly get on her after 10 years?” I asked.

  Out of the corner of my eye Lina caught my attention, pointing towards the washroom. Mom and dad’s expression changed from frustration to hope. Each step that I took towards the bathroom felt heavy, whatever this was I knew it wasn’t good. If my family had information that should not be in the knowledge of ZedTech, then they were playing a dangerous game. Closing the bathroom door behind me, I shuffled through the drawers for any note. Bathrooms were the only place where our communications were not monitored, but the public still held assumptions that ZedTech may have found a way through with the help of their advanced technology. Not cameras but recorders could be hidden in some places for monitoring any communication.

  Beneath one of the drawers my hands found a stack of papers attached with the help of tape. Grabbing a bucket, I put it under the tap and turned it on, to mask any noise of the paper.

  Arya,

  I hope you are the only one reading this and I hope we can go somewhere from here. Your mother and I, we built this family with love and Tara was the start of it. When she disappeared, so did our peace of mind and maybe our sanity. I know she took her decision but everyday feels like a challenge, not knowing what happened to her. We love you three equally, but this family is incomplete without her. Your mother and I are greying and who knows when our time runs out. Before something happens to either of us we just want to know what happened to Tara. Thats all.

  Few weeks ago, a coworker of mine told me about the Uprising through the same pages that are now in your hands. He said that a movement against ZedTech is in the making. They operate in the dark to keep away from the sights of ZedTech, the tunnels underneath our floors are one of the streams of the Uprising. They are ready to help us out in finding Tara regardless of whether we want to join them or not. Arya, they might give us a shot with Tara or help us know what happened to her. Nalini and I will never be able to recover from her disappearance but we need to know what happened with her. Lina is against the idea and believes that we are digging our grave but deep down even she wants her sister to survive. I've seen her praying for her sister’s health, while she says that she doesn't believe in God.

  You may have to get your hands dirty for this, but you don't have to feel horrible or alone at all. Out of all the three, you’ve been the child that we never had to worry about achieving something. Once you’ve set your mind to something you have always achieved it. Please consider what the Uprising’s offer holds, even if you don't like it you can only work with them this one time and leave all this behind. Please give this one chance, Arya. Nalini and I love you.

  Dad.

  Resting my head against the door I exhaled deeply, trying to keep my tears at bay who were ready to fall just like the water in the bucket.

  ‘you’ve been the child that we never had to worry about achieving something.’ One sentence that I despised hearing. Did they not see that I was tired of being the warrior?

  That I was tired of fighting and finding Tara for the past 10 years the best I could?

  I agreed with Lina that joining the Uprising was risky, ZedTech was very capable of failing this rebellion just like the other one, but my parents were blinded by desire to find Tara. If we join the Uprising, we all might lose our heads.

  Despite my hesitance, I read about the location of Uprising. Tearing the pages into small bits and pieces and flushing them down the toilet I stepped out of the bathroom. I could feel the stares of my parents on me, Lina tried not to look at me but I knew she wanted to know what I thought. Without saying a word, I made my way towards Tara’s room.

  It was just the way she had left behind. Mom didn’t let anyone let in her room.

  “She hates when her things are touched by someone else.” She said, when I asked her to replace the old faded bedsheet with new one.

  As I looked around her room, I wanted to break down and curse her. She was our rock, my role model. Yet she took a selfish decision and just disappeared without a word. I loved her but I hated her, and I hated how I felt.

  “Did you know the day she disappeared she stole a top of mine and we argued about it for half-hour? In revenge, I stole her sweater that I always wanted.” Lina said as she leaned against the door frame, observing me in Tara’s room. She didn’t have to tell me that she never wore that sweater fearing that she will miss one thing that connected her to Tara.

  “I got both of your hand-me-downs, so I can say I’ve been lucky.” I said, chuckling through my hoarse throat.

  After a moment of silence, Lina spoke.

  “What they’re thinking, it’s a bad idea.”

  I nodded “it is but if there is a chance we have to try it.”

  “Arya, you shouldn’t stick out your neck for them or for Tara. You cant always…” She trailed off.

  “I know but this time it feels different. We were always alone in looking for her but if this Uprising thing is real-“ I said but was cut off by her warning glare, ZedTech might be listening.

  “Sounds like you are trying to convince yourself.” Lina replied.

  I closed my eyes, trying to wrap my head around the entire situation. I knew this was a bad idea and the consequences would be dire to say the least.

  “I shouldn’t but when have I ever been able to say no to them.” I said, and looked at my hands that looked free but still felt bound.

  Lina sat down next to me on Tara’s bed.

  “Just…I don’t know. Be careful and all.” Lina said, avoiding my gaze. She wasn’t the one to show her emotions openly but I knew she was afraid to lose me too. That would be her last straw.

  “I hate her.” She added, sounding defeated.

  I chuckled and nodded “me too.”

  Without further ado, I hugged her. I hated how her life was only about working, taking care of the house and our parents. But she never once complained and always found ways to make everyone comfortable. But I knew Lina was exhausted, and she wanted to get done with it all. When I walked down, my parents sat holding each other’s hands. I knew they wanted an answer, every fibre in my body screamed to say no to them.

  It screamed at me to protect and choose myself for once.

  My mind begged me to not take anymore on the platter.

  But instead, I nodded at them, confirming that I will do what they had asked of me.

  Tears welled in my eyes, not because I was attempting to find my sister once again, but because I betrayed the one person that mattered the most me- me.

  My parents hugged me before I departed and soon I walking my way towards the nearest subway station.

  I had given up hope on finding Tara years ago, but no one knew about this. Maybe Lina could sense it but I had seen hope in her eyes every time a possibility of her being alive was mentioned. I felt horrible for accepting that my sister was gone, when I should be holding out hope on finding her.

  But it was becoming challenging, everyday.

  And now, it was all gone.

  I knew if I admitted this to my parents they would berate me in the worst ways possible, my only option was to look into the ‘Uprising” and put their hope to rest with proof.

  If Uprising existed then I have to give them a try.

  I have to find a way for us.

  If the Uprising were so promising then they better save me from ZedTech.

  If I can't trust the “Uprising” with my life then there is no way in hell I'm trusting them with my family’s.