The true lives of MY Fabulous Killjoys
Freedom...Sorta
The next week proved completely uneventful. Nothing to do. No solution to the lock down. No word from my official. I wrote and drew so much that I lost inspiration. Luckily I figured out the symbol before that happened. It was really simple, just like the real killjoy sign. A plain black bat with a white swirl in the center. Some people may speculate that I stole the “bat symbol.” No. That was nowhere near my mind when I thought of it.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, an envelope was slid under my door. Inside were three notes:
Ok, fine, and I’ve got a plan – Midnight Revenge (Jill)
I get a laser gun?! – Silent Lemonade (Robert)
I’m blaming you if something goes wrong – Strawberry Deathwish (Bell)
I smiled to myself. My friends were all in. It was more than I had hoped for, and Jill had a plan. A plan was always a good thing to have. A plan meant hope. A plan meant possible escape. A plan meant I really needed more human contact to figure things out! But how could I possibly get that? I couldn’t risk going out. It would just prove my insubordination and get me further locked up, which was the opposite of what I was trying to do.
I settled for embellishing my bandana and shorts with my killjoy symbol. I also wrote another note and slid it under the door. I couldn’t really have a full communication network yet, but I could at least get to Jill. And now that everyone was (hopefully) familiar with each other’s code names, if the wrong person got my note I would still be safe. All I did was inquire as to what the plan was, but I was still on edge. Anything could go wrong at this point, and with my luck it would.
It took a couple days for any sort of response, and it didn’t come from Jill. My official showed up with a somber face. He sighed when he saw me, and did something I wasn’t expecting. He hugged me. And the hug was completely filled with sadness. I didn’t understand at all. He pulled away and looked straight into my eyes. I couldn’t read the emotion in his, but I knew I was scared. Something was up.
He took a backpack that I hadn’t noticed and started stuffing some of my things in it. Then he looked at me again, “I need you to come with me.”
That was it. No other explanation. He walked out into the hall and I followed. Standing there were all of my friends, plus two other kids. I didn’t recognize them, but everyone looked scared out of their minds. I wanted to ask what was up, but I didn’t dare speak. Something about the atmosphere said it wouldn’t be allowed.
We were led into an unknown hallway. It was too high tech for my liking. Creepy screens all along the wall displaying messages like “keep smiling.” Weird tube-like elevators every few feet that went God knows where. I was alarmed when we stepped onto one of those. It went up. Up. Up. Until I swore we were in outer space. But of course we weren’t.
We stepped out into a room with a door that led outside to the desert. I couldn’t figure out how that was possible. When did I go underground? I just couldn’t remember it. Clearly the others were having similar thoughts, because they were all looking around in terrified bewilderment.
“Halt! What business do you have with the outside?” a guy by the door asked in a husky voice. I almost laughed at his use of the word “halt.” Almost.
My official had his fake smile back on, “These subjects are being transported to the closest maximum facility. They have been seen as problems and require immediate emergency action.”
Maximum facility? Emergency action? What was he on about? “May I test the subjects?” the guard asked.
My official nodded and stepped aside. The guard then began inspecting us. I wasn’t sure what to do. Luckily he went to Robert first, “State your name.”
Robert sneered, “No.”
He turned to Jill next, “What about you?”
She shrugged, “Why should I?”
I got the hint by then. As he spoke to the others in the group I formulated my response. “Just don’t even ask.” Was my witty remark when he stopped in front of me. I know, I’m so clever.
He grunted and continued to the kids I didn’t know. When he was finished he stepped back, “Very well, continue. Be careful, I hear there are killjoys nearby. Go by the code names Midnight Revenge and Sweet Demolition.”
I tensed up at that. I felt so stupid. Of course I had raised alarm bells. That’s what unknown information does. I knew that if whatever was going on succeeded, Jill would give me an earful. Or maybe it would be D…Or Bell. Anyway, someone would chew me out.
We were ushered outside and into a BLI issue vehicle. The official was driving, and us kids piled in back. We drove for what felt like forever. And the desert scene never changed. I was getting really carsick by the time we stopped. The official then turned around and held a finger to his lips. Quiet. He began pulling small things out of the front pockets of each of our uniforms. Then he disconnected some of the tiny wires. Finally he handed me the backpack and motioned for us all to get out. As I was passing he pointed to one of the pockets.
When we were all standing by the road he drove off. I didn’t understand. But I thought I could find out. I dug into the pocket he had pointed to. Sure enough, there was a very lengthy note inside.
Miranda,
I hope you aren’t thinking I abandoned you right now. (I wasn’t). This was Jill’s big plan. We used your unprogrammed states to our advantage. Those other kids are mainly there to erase suspicion. You wouldn’t think it, but BLI keeps track of things such as who interacts with who. Having you all disappear at once with no others would have raised alarms.
As it is, they will now believe that you escaped while I was gaining fuel and I had to dispatch a draculoid after you. It is the only explanation to your trackers (the devices from your pockets) disappearing. I will receive slight punishment, but don’t worry about that.
It is time to begin your true journey. Don’t go out unprepared. It won’t be easy, but find the nearest dispenser and use the code X27W4F. It should override the system and give you as many guns as you need. After that the next move is up to you. Maybe you should go looking for the original Killjoys. They’re far away, but I’m sure you can do it. You have a lot of smart people with you.
As for me, I’ll keep looking for resistant subjects who will be able to take on the task of becoming Killjoys. Maybe I’ll send them looking for you. Just keep your head high. I know you’ll play a big part in the salvation of this world, even if you don’t know it.
Keep Running,
Brandon
Tears pricked my eyes by the end of it. We were on our own now. I would never see my official again. I was suddenly regretting taking all this weight on my shoulders. But there was no turning back. I dried my tears and faced the rest of the group.
“The road ahead of us is gonna be tough. But we have to keep going with it. Who’s in?”
I did that cheesy thing that you see in movies and stuck my hand out, and one by one others piled on.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, an envelope was slid under my door. Inside were three notes:
Ok, fine, and I’ve got a plan – Midnight Revenge (Jill)
I get a laser gun?! – Silent Lemonade (Robert)
I’m blaming you if something goes wrong – Strawberry Deathwish (Bell)
I smiled to myself. My friends were all in. It was more than I had hoped for, and Jill had a plan. A plan was always a good thing to have. A plan meant hope. A plan meant possible escape. A plan meant I really needed more human contact to figure things out! But how could I possibly get that? I couldn’t risk going out. It would just prove my insubordination and get me further locked up, which was the opposite of what I was trying to do.
I settled for embellishing my bandana and shorts with my killjoy symbol. I also wrote another note and slid it under the door. I couldn’t really have a full communication network yet, but I could at least get to Jill. And now that everyone was (hopefully) familiar with each other’s code names, if the wrong person got my note I would still be safe. All I did was inquire as to what the plan was, but I was still on edge. Anything could go wrong at this point, and with my luck it would.
It took a couple days for any sort of response, and it didn’t come from Jill. My official showed up with a somber face. He sighed when he saw me, and did something I wasn’t expecting. He hugged me. And the hug was completely filled with sadness. I didn’t understand at all. He pulled away and looked straight into my eyes. I couldn’t read the emotion in his, but I knew I was scared. Something was up.
He took a backpack that I hadn’t noticed and started stuffing some of my things in it. Then he looked at me again, “I need you to come with me.”
That was it. No other explanation. He walked out into the hall and I followed. Standing there were all of my friends, plus two other kids. I didn’t recognize them, but everyone looked scared out of their minds. I wanted to ask what was up, but I didn’t dare speak. Something about the atmosphere said it wouldn’t be allowed.
We were led into an unknown hallway. It was too high tech for my liking. Creepy screens all along the wall displaying messages like “keep smiling.” Weird tube-like elevators every few feet that went God knows where. I was alarmed when we stepped onto one of those. It went up. Up. Up. Until I swore we were in outer space. But of course we weren’t.
We stepped out into a room with a door that led outside to the desert. I couldn’t figure out how that was possible. When did I go underground? I just couldn’t remember it. Clearly the others were having similar thoughts, because they were all looking around in terrified bewilderment.
“Halt! What business do you have with the outside?” a guy by the door asked in a husky voice. I almost laughed at his use of the word “halt.” Almost.
My official had his fake smile back on, “These subjects are being transported to the closest maximum facility. They have been seen as problems and require immediate emergency action.”
Maximum facility? Emergency action? What was he on about? “May I test the subjects?” the guard asked.
My official nodded and stepped aside. The guard then began inspecting us. I wasn’t sure what to do. Luckily he went to Robert first, “State your name.”
Robert sneered, “No.”
He turned to Jill next, “What about you?”
She shrugged, “Why should I?”
I got the hint by then. As he spoke to the others in the group I formulated my response. “Just don’t even ask.” Was my witty remark when he stopped in front of me. I know, I’m so clever.
He grunted and continued to the kids I didn’t know. When he was finished he stepped back, “Very well, continue. Be careful, I hear there are killjoys nearby. Go by the code names Midnight Revenge and Sweet Demolition.”
I tensed up at that. I felt so stupid. Of course I had raised alarm bells. That’s what unknown information does. I knew that if whatever was going on succeeded, Jill would give me an earful. Or maybe it would be D…Or Bell. Anyway, someone would chew me out.
We were ushered outside and into a BLI issue vehicle. The official was driving, and us kids piled in back. We drove for what felt like forever. And the desert scene never changed. I was getting really carsick by the time we stopped. The official then turned around and held a finger to his lips. Quiet. He began pulling small things out of the front pockets of each of our uniforms. Then he disconnected some of the tiny wires. Finally he handed me the backpack and motioned for us all to get out. As I was passing he pointed to one of the pockets.
When we were all standing by the road he drove off. I didn’t understand. But I thought I could find out. I dug into the pocket he had pointed to. Sure enough, there was a very lengthy note inside.
Miranda,
I hope you aren’t thinking I abandoned you right now. (I wasn’t). This was Jill’s big plan. We used your unprogrammed states to our advantage. Those other kids are mainly there to erase suspicion. You wouldn’t think it, but BLI keeps track of things such as who interacts with who. Having you all disappear at once with no others would have raised alarms.
As it is, they will now believe that you escaped while I was gaining fuel and I had to dispatch a draculoid after you. It is the only explanation to your trackers (the devices from your pockets) disappearing. I will receive slight punishment, but don’t worry about that.
It is time to begin your true journey. Don’t go out unprepared. It won’t be easy, but find the nearest dispenser and use the code X27W4F. It should override the system and give you as many guns as you need. After that the next move is up to you. Maybe you should go looking for the original Killjoys. They’re far away, but I’m sure you can do it. You have a lot of smart people with you.
As for me, I’ll keep looking for resistant subjects who will be able to take on the task of becoming Killjoys. Maybe I’ll send them looking for you. Just keep your head high. I know you’ll play a big part in the salvation of this world, even if you don’t know it.
Keep Running,
Brandon
Tears pricked my eyes by the end of it. We were on our own now. I would never see my official again. I was suddenly regretting taking all this weight on my shoulders. But there was no turning back. I dried my tears and faced the rest of the group.
“The road ahead of us is gonna be tough. But we have to keep going with it. Who’s in?”
I did that cheesy thing that you see in movies and stuck my hand out, and one by one others piled on.
cuz I decided to write the story?
9/28/13