Let Them Speak

Prologue

I put on the hoodie and leather boots over my day clothes as quickly as I can. There’s no time to waste if I want to have it back to Papa. There’s no way he can take care of Isabel and me if he can’t speak, and stealing this is the only way he will be able to. Still, I feel a twinge of guilt, but remind myself that I am only stealing for Papa and Isabel. They have needed me since Mama left. I am the only one who can get Papa what he needs. I flip the hood over my head and get moving.

I run through the bushes, trying to be as fast and quiet as I can. If anyone catches me here, I don’t know what they would do to me-no one has lived to tell the tale. Stopping for breath, I look around. I am in the Copper district now and getting close to my destination. The houses here are so much nicer. Plus, there’s less smoke, which is always a plus. While still admiring the houses, I hear rustling in the bushes behind me. My breathing stops for a moment, and I freeze, before coming to my senses and ducking under the bush. But it is too late. The rustler walks toward me and grins.

“Come with me.”

And I know that voice.

So many thoughts are running through my head. Why would she do this? When did she become-

But let me back up.

Chapter 1

My name is Sola Hill. I live in the smoky wasteland that is the Coal District of Allyros with my Papa, sister, and as of late, Mama.

Now let’s get to my story.

I pedal down the hill that my family lives on, hoping that there is a little relief from the constant smoke at the schoolyard. I can’t believe I’m going to be late for my own graduation! I pedal faster, knowing that there is a smoke barrier as soon as you enter the Nickel District. Nickel might not be rich, but they liked to point out that they weren’t as bad as us. How could they be, when we were trying to mine a fuel that was barely there at all, and we had to burn it to make use of it? That was why there was so much smoke, or at least that’s what my teacher, Mrs. Dia, said. We were poor, and everyone knew it. My mind went to my Papa, an old man coughing in the smoke, his lips sewn shut with no way to communicate. But we’ll get to that later.

Panting, my lungs full of smoke, as usual, I got off my bike and dropped it in the lot, not stopping. Who was late for their own graduation? Thankfully, they called out the rich districts first, which gave me time. I ran to the auditorium.

“Miss Collette Lune, please step forward.”

A short, rather plump girl walked out toward the podium to receive her work statement. She had dressed up for the occasion, wearing a pink fluffy dress with a huge bow in the front. I winced at the sight of it. I had never liked this girl. She acted, talked, and even walked like she was better than everyone else at the school. Although, as a Gold, she would probably get a better job than most of the students.

“Ooh, I got Nurse!” The girl called out in her ridiculously high voice.

Now that was a job that I would hate. Imagine all the 18-year-olds walking into your clinic because they had to get their mouths sewn shut. And to have to do that, just because some stupid law says adults can’t speak? It was ridiculous! I had always hated that law. It was probably there so no one could spread rumors about the Supreme. Ever since World War III, only children have had freedom of speech. At least upper-class families could use AI (regulated, of course) to do their talking for them. My poor Papa was not so lucky.

The man at the podium called out another Gold, a Silver, three Bronzes, a Copper, and two Nickels.

“Miss Sola Hill, step forward.”

I walked out to the podium. I noticed that even out of the other Coals, I was dressed the worst in my shaggy, huge off-white T-shirt that didn’t start out that color and the cargo pants that used to be Papa’s until I cut off the bottoms.

Nevertheless, I stepped up to the podium, trying to mimic Collette’s steady, proud walk. There was a bit of a giggle from my class, so I gave up.

I took my work statement. Looking at it, I stood there shocked.

“Um, Sola, please state your new trade,” the man on the podium said quietly.

“Coal Miner.”

Chapter 2

Papa and Isabel were both crying in their rooms when I got home. I decided to go to Papa first.

He was trying to sing in his room, tears running down his face. I looked at him affectionately and sadly. His white hair stuck out at strange angles, and a humming sound was coming out of what used to be his mouth. As soon as I entered, he handed me a silver locket with a heart on it. Inside is a picture of him, looking dirty from the mining he used to do, and Mama. Papa had never been the same since Mama ran away, and since he didn’t have a robot to voice his thoughts, he could never speak like some of the upper districts.

I had an idea.

A crazy, stupid, totally-worth-the-risk idea.

And that, my friends, is how I got here.

Being caught red-handed while trying to steal my Papa a robot.

Oh, and did I mention the person who caught me is kind of, sort of, my Mama?

Yes, the same Mama who ran away from Papa. The same Mama who is now putting handcuffs on my wrists. The same Mama who just told me she works for the government and is taking me to a “detainment facility”. That Mama.

She takes me up a ladder into a helicopter, which she proceeds to fly away from all I’ve ever known.

Scary, right?

Chapter 3

I wake up in a cold room with stone walls and floors, shivering. Looking around, I realize that I didn’t even get a blanket. No wonder I am shivering. I look around the room. It has stone everything, except for a wooden door. In the corner is a small sink, and you know what goes with a sink.

A million thoughts rush through my head. Am I in prison? What will Papa and Isabel do? Why is my Mama here?

Interrupting my thoughts, a guard opens the door.

“It’s yard time,” he says simply. “Go explore. And don’t say I let you out.” And then he winked. Wait, seriously? Did he just wink? Did I just notice it?

I rush out the door, happy to be free of my cell and my thoughts. I wander around for about 10 minutes and then notice a spiral staircase. I climb it, anxious to maybe get a view and know where I am. It does not disappoint. I am standing in the Capitol of Allyros, a huge, wealthy city that used to be known as Washington, D.C., but that was before the Intercontinental War.

And right next to where I stand is the Supreme Palace. As in, where the ruler of Allyros lives. Yeah, I’m shocked too.

And as soon as I finally begin to get used to it, none other than the Supreme’s son (that is if Mama’s old magazines are right), the Prince of Allyros, starts walking toward me.

“Who are you,” he asks, “and what are you doing here,” I begin to speak, but he’s not done, “and why is your mouth still functioning?”

“I could ask the same for you,” I reply.

“Well, I’m Aiden, I live here, and, well, I guess because I’m the prince? I’m not really sure about that one, to be honest.”

“I’m Sola, I just got arrested, and it’s a stupid law that no one should follow. Plus, I’m not old enough.”

“You’re funny, Sola.”

What was with this guy?

“Whatever,” I snorted.

“Um, hey, Sola?”

“Yes?”

“Do you want the grand tour?”

And within a second, I know what I have to do.

“Please take me to your father.”

I know that this is just the beginning. If I speak to the Supreme, maybe we can talk about the law. Maybe adults could be allowed to speak freely, and the Supreme could let them. As Aiden nods and takes me up the stairs, I know that this is just the beginning of the beginning.

The end.

Prologue

I put on the hoodie and leather boots over my day clothes as quickly as I can. There’s no time to waste if I want to have it back to Papa. There’s no way he can take care of Isabel and me if he can’t speak, and stealing this is the only way he will be able to. Still, I feel a twinge of guilt, but remind myself that I am only stealing for Papa and Isabel. They have needed me since Mama left. I am the only one who can get Papa what he needs. I flip the hood over my head and get moving.

I run through the bushes, trying to be as fast and quiet as I can. If anyone catches me here, I don’t know what they would do to me-no one has lived to tell the tale. Stopping for breath, I look around. I am in the Copper district now and getting close to my destination. The houses here are so much nicer. Plus, there’s less smoke, which is always a plus. While still admiring the houses, I hear rustling in the bushes behind me. My breathing stops for a moment, and I freeze, before coming to my senses and ducking under the bush. But it is too late. The rustler walks toward me and grins.

“Come with me.”

And I know that voice.

So many thoughts are running through my head. Why would she do this? When did she become-

But let me back up.

Chapter 1

My name is Sola Hill. I live in the smoky wasteland that is the Coal District of Allyros with my Papa, sister, and as of late, Mama.

Now let’s get to my story.

I pedal down the hill that my family lives on, hoping that there is a little relief from the constant smoke at the schoolyard. I can’t believe I’m going to be late for my own graduation! I pedal faster, knowing that there is a smoke barrier as soon as you enter the Nickel District. Nickel might not be rich, but they liked to point out that they weren’t as bad as us. How could they be, when we were trying to mine a fuel that was barely there at all, and we had to burn it to make use of it? That was why there was so much smoke, or at least that’s what my teacher, Mrs. Dia, said. We were poor, and everyone knew it. My mind went to my Papa, an old man coughing in the smoke, his lips sewn shut with no way to communicate. But we’ll get to that later.

Panting, my lungs full of smoke, as usual, I got off my bike and dropped it in the lot, not stopping. Who was late for their own graduation? Thankfully, they called out the rich districts first, which gave me time. I ran to the auditorium.

“Miss Collette Lune, please step forward.”

A short, rather plump girl walked out toward the podium to receive her work statement. She had dressed up for the occasion, wearing a pink fluffy dress with a huge bow in the front. I winced at the sight of it. I had never liked this girl. She acted, talked, and even walked like she was better than everyone else at the school. Although, as a Gold, she would probably get a better job than most of the students.

“Ooh, I got Nurse!” The girl called out in her ridiculously high voice.

Now that was a job that I would hate. Imagine all the 18-year-olds walking into your clinic because they had to get their mouths sewn shut. And to have to do that, just because some stupid law says adults can’t speak? It was ridiculous! I had always hated that law. It was probably there so no one could spread rumors about the Supreme. Ever since World War III, only children have had freedom of speech. At least upper-class families could use AI (regulated, of course) to do their talking for them. My poor Papa was not so lucky.

The man at the podium called out another Gold, a Silver, three Bronzes, a Copper, and two Nickels.

“Miss Sola Hill, step forward.”

I walked out to the podium. I noticed that even out of the other Coals, I was dressed the worst in my shaggy, huge off-white T-shirt that didn’t start out that color and the cargo pants that used to be Papa’s until I cut off the bottoms.

Nevertheless, I stepped up to the podium, trying to mimic Collette’s steady, proud walk. There was a bit of a giggle from my class, so I gave up.

I took my work statement. Looking at it, I stood there shocked.

“Um, Sola, please state your new trade,” the man on the podium said quietly.

“Coal Miner.”

Chapter 2

Papa and Isabel were both crying in their rooms when I got home. I decided to go to Papa first.

He was trying to sing in his room, tears running down his face. I looked at him affectionately and sadly. His white hair stuck out at strange angles, and a humming sound was coming out of what used to be his mouth. As soon as I entered, he handed me a silver locket with a heart on it. Inside is a picture of him, looking dirty from the mining he used to do, and Mama. Papa had never been the same since Mama ran away, and since he didn’t have a robot to voice his thoughts, he could never speak like some of the upper districts.

I had an idea.

A crazy, stupid, totally-worth-the-risk idea.

And that, my friends, is how I got here.

Being caught red-handed while trying to steal my Papa a robot.

Oh, and did I mention the person who caught me is kind of, sort of, my Mama?

Yes, the same Mama who ran away from Papa. The same Mama who is now putting handcuffs on my wrists. The same Mama who just told me she works for the government and is taking me to a “detainment facility”. That Mama.

She takes me up a ladder into a helicopter, which she proceeds to fly away from all I’ve ever known.

Scary, right?

Chapter 3

I wake up in a cold room with stone walls and floors, shivering. Looking around, I realize that I didn’t even get a blanket. No wonder I am shivering. I look around the room. It has stone everything, except for a wooden door. In the corner is a small sink, and you know what goes with a sink.

A million thoughts rush through my head. Am I in prison? What will Papa and Isabel do? Why is my Mama here?

Interrupting my thoughts, a guard opens the door.

“It’s yard time,” he says simply. “Go explore. And don’t say I let you out.” And then he winked. Wait, seriously? Did he just wink? Did I just notice it?

I rush out the door, happy to be free of my cell and my thoughts. I wander around for about 10 minutes and then notice a spiral staircase. I climb it, anxious to maybe get a view and know where I am. It does not disappoint. I am standing in the Capitol of Allyros, a huge, wealthy city that used to be known as Washington, D.C., but that was before the Intercontinental War.

And right next to where I stand is the Supreme Palace. As in, where the ruler of Allyros lives. Yeah, I’m shocked too.

And as soon as I finally begin to get used to it, none other than the Supreme’s son (that is if Mama’s old magazines are right), the Prince of Allyros, starts walking toward me.

“Who are you,” he asks, “and what are you doing here,” I begin to speak, but he’s not done, “and why is your mouth still functioning?”

“I could ask the same for you,” I reply.

“Well, I’m Aiden, I live here, and, well, I guess because I’m the prince? I’m not really sure about that one, to be honest.”

“I’m Sola, I just got arrested, and it’s a stupid law that no one should follow. Plus, I’m not old enough.”

“You’re funny, Sola.”

What was with this guy?

“Whatever,” I snorted.

“Um, hey, Sola?”

“Yes?”

“Do you want the grand tour?”

And within a second, I know what I have to do.

“Please take me to your father.”

I know that this is just the beginning. If I speak to the Supreme, maybe we can talk about the law. Maybe adults could be allowed to speak freely, and the Supreme could let them. As Aiden nods and takes me up the stairs, I know that this is just the beginning of the beginning.

The end.