The Dome

July 3, 2140, 12:30 PM

Today was weird. Earlier today, I found a small gold heart-shaped locket dangling half haphazardly between a sewage drain. Finding something like that was not a typical find for someone like me. I am, after all, a Lower District slug.

There were four classification levels here at The Dome, which is basically a dome of metal surrounding our community and farms. Once you were born into them, that was the life path to take. After all, structure keeps our community safe.

The Governer was the highest-ranking; they overlooked the city, approved pairings, and decided rations. The Elite Society came next; the people here were guards and people closest to the Governor. The Middle District was composed of ordinary working people. They did jobs that were necessary to keep the Dome functioning. Us Lower District people were forced to do hard labor and menial tasks. We offered no value to The Dome besides number. Our pairings also happened quite early, at the age of 18. Pairings are made between people with genes that will produce the best possible offspring. We are written off as unfeeling, but let me ask you; Why feel when you know it won’t change the way you live?

As I was saying, I found the locket and took it to school with me. I kept staring at it throughout the day; it was enchanting to look at, which is why I ended up in the detention center. Mistress Jane, my history teacher, and a proud middle-class citizen, caught me staring at it instead of paying attention to class. It was just my luck to get caught by someone who hates the Lower District. The Mistress confiscated the locket of course.

I remember the burning shame I felt when Jane, the current governors’ daughter, was called to answer the question I couldn’t, ‘What is The Dome’s history?’ Of course, I knew the answer. I like to consider myself smart.

The history of The Dome started in 2080, when the Dark Period happened. The Dark period was a significant time in history when a plague ravaged the lands, turning many survivors into man-eating monsters. The Dome was created by the last surviving humans to ensure humanity would survive. See? I know my history.

Before Mother and Father were called off of work to pick me up, Mistress Jane had stopped by and pushed the envelope into my hand. She said nothing and went elsewhere. At the time, I was terrified of the letter’s contents; my first thought was that it was an expulsion letter. Expulsion was one of the only things that scared me. I love learning. It’s the only time I feel equal to others. If I was expelled, I would be forced to work the same job my parents did, cleaning the street. Jobs were, after all, handed down to future generations.

The contents of the letter were quite different; it was the golden locket. I was, and even as I write this, shocked.

Now I’m in my room looking at the locket; I’m unsure why Mistress Jenna gave this to me, but I will find out right after lunch; Mother is calling.

July 3, 2140, 11:45 PM

What I am about to write here should never be found by anyone at The Dome. I will start at the beginning. During lunch, a group of Elite Society guards burst through the little wooden house door. Some held guns.

They looked at my parents and me in disgust. One of them even knocked over the small wooden board serving as a dinner table for no reason. I felt nothing, as I am trained to by Father.

“We need to talk to your daughter.”

“Of course sir me and my wife shall wait outside.”

The guard who spoke to my father stepped up to me after my parents left. I will try to write as much of the conversation as I remember down.

“We are here concerning a locket. We received an anonymous tip from your classmate that it is in your possession.”

“The locket is no longer with me, the teacher confiscated it sir.”

“How did the locket come into your possession, it is worth far more than you.” The rest of the men laughed.

“I found the locket on the street sir.”

“Look at me dirty slug. Tell me how you really got it” I looked up and met the Guards gaze.

“I assure you, sir, I did not steal the locket. I found it sir.” The guard nodded, believing what I said.

“If anyone else contacts you for the necklace, repot them immediately. You will be rewarded.” I nodded, and they left.

Afterward, I went to my room and pulled out the locket. It looked beautiful but ordinary, like something the Elites would wear. It was obviously not as normal as it looked, considering several elite men carrying weapons came searching for it, and Mistress Jenna returned it to me after confiscating it.

I played around with it; there didn’t seem to be anything unusual about it. I shook it and heard something lightly rattle inside of it. I looked for a way to open it but was disappointed when I did not see one.

It took a while for me to realize the locket was a piece of jewelry and a USB flash drive. The small bump I thought was due to damage was actually was the slider that popped out the USB connector. The clock told me it was 10 p.m., an hour after curfew started.

People from before The Dome could apparently tell when night fell merely by looking at the sky. In the history books, the sky is described as black, dotted with specks of light. I did not think I would ever see it, although I want to.

The artificial lights in The Dome were turned off by the time I snuck out of the house. I did not own a computer; only those above the Lower District were allowed one.

Soon I reached school, the only place I could use a computer. Getting in was not too hard; there were no locks or security systems like in the years before the Dark period. Our own guards only exist in case something dangerous from the outside would enter the Dome. That was impossible, though, since there are no living things in the world left beside the Dome.

When I entered the library as expected, there was no one. When I inserted the USB in, there were two files. I selected the first file. I will write down exactly what each video contains.

Video one:

(Man adjusts camera)

“If you received this video, I implore you to listen till the end. I was once a part of the Elite Society of The Dome. That was before I discovered some...shocking truths. There is life outside The Dome. Many communities are flourishing, free, and happy. There are no social structures, people are with who they want, and curfews do not exist. These people are technologically advanced and kind. You may not believe me; you may think this is a test. I do not blame you, but it is not. Let me show you what I have seen.”

(He picks up the camera and shows what looks like trees. He continues to walk until he reaches a large amount of water. In the distance, houses much fancier than Middle District houses)

“This is called the ocean, and it’s actually quite near The Dome. Now I believe that is enough proof for you to believe me. The Dome’s history is a lie. A Virus ravaged the world and nearly brought humanity’s downfall, but there were no man-eating monsters. Let me tell you the correct History of the Dome. Once the Virus situation was dealt with, human civilization was in tatters. The first leader of the Dome wanted to take advantage of the state of our world.”

(Small pause as he attempts to calm himself)

“He succeeded in convincing a group of people to come with him and build the Dome. Over the years, through lies and propaganda, the first governor’s descendants forced you into willing submission, segregation, and unjust laws. You are not even allowed to choose who you will spend your life with.”

“If you still do not believe me ask yourself, why would the Dome need guards if it’s oh so peaceful there? The guards are in case anyone from the outside were to break in. They are for silently settling anyone who dares question the authority of the Governor.”

(He pauses for a moment)

“I now ask you to please consider all I have said. Escape the Dome. Join my fight in letting the people of The Dome know about this. There is a way to escape the Dome; you will have to find it yourself. If this video is ever discovered, escape would be impossible. That is the sole reason I won’t tell you anything about the location of the tunnel. After you’ve escaped, you will see something blue. That is the ocean, follow it and it will lead you to us. There are others who realized what the Dome is and escaped. They likely passed this onto you because they saw potential in you. I wish you good luck. I hope you chose to join.”

(End)

I believe the video, the proof given, very much goes with what’s happening here. Besides, what would this person gain by lying? Of course, it’s a bit suspicious he gave no name and showed no other person, but that was probably because if this video fell into the wrong hands, that would be the end of anyone finding out the truth.

I might’ve found this locket by accident, but Mistress Jenna gave it to me after confiscating it. That means she has something to do with this whole rebellion. I have yet to watch video 2, so I will, and then I will record its contents here.

July 4, 2140, 1:00 AM

Video Two:

(Mistress Jenna steps onto the screen)

“Hello Miss Ahra. Assuming you watched the first video I will get right into it. The man you saw there is my brother. His name, you will know when you meet him. I have no doubt in my mind you will, after all you are the smartest 17 year old in here. I don’t know how this locket even came into your possession but i’m glad it did. Now go, before the sun rises seek the tunnel that will lead you to freedom. Delete this file and hide the USB somewhere, or give it to someone you know will follow in your footsteps. If neither is doable place it in my classroom.”

“ I will continue to work like this towards the Lower District for the sake of the future. I wish you good luck. Escape, and then help liberate the people of the Dome.”

(End)

I am now in Mistress Jenna’s classroom; I deleted her video file and placed it on her desk; I plan on doing the same with these scraps of paper from my diary. When Mistress Jenna gives the USB to the next person, I hope they also write a bit of their past life. I don’t have time to let any of this sink in; the Dome’s lights will be on soon, and I have to find the tunnel before that. For the first time in my life, I feel what I can only describe as hope. A feeling that even if something goes wrong, I will find my way. I am joining this rebellion. After all, I’ve always wanted to see the sky.