The Entry

To Whom This May Reach,

This is my last, and only entry. I know that they will likely read this, but I am in hopes that someone, anyone, will find this instead. Please, if you read this believe me. I don't have much time, and I know that they are coming. I will not be alive come dawn.

My name is Jacob. I was born during a time of great turmoil and famine. I was a celebrated child, as all children were, as many children died before their first birthday. The Earth was devastated by the pollution of our ancestors. Their toxic waste and plastics had wiped out most plants and animals, and we were left to live in their left over mess. There was nothing, and we were dying.

The worst part was the atmosphere. After a century of burning fumes and waste to run a doomed world, it was poisoned and black. In fact, the ozone layer was so eroded by the time I was born that we all feared that one day we would all be wiped out. That is, until the State stepped in.

They made promises, grandiose statements that left us all believing that they would fix things. They promised they would restore the Earth, and build a city protected from the deadly world around us. Oh, they did all right. But, we were foolish. How could I have been so foolish? As I write I am thinking of those I have lost. My friends. My father. My mother.

Oh, how I miss her. As I write this I clutch onto her locket, its heart-shape reminding me of her love and her sacrifices. They lied to her, as they did the other mothers, telling her that the children they took would grow to bring a better world. She cried as she let me go, her hand forcing the locket into my own hand, but I could see her hope. I know now that she is dead, having been thrown out into the world outside the "Dome" to clean the filth of the toxic waste. At least, I hope that was her true fate.

That's what they have been doing. I know this probably makes no sense, so let me explain. They promised a better world, and in a way they delivered. They brought order, and function. They brought us together to build an amazing city in under ten years, and yes, they built a protective dome around us that was supposed to protect us from the Sun's radiation. But, how could they bring order, and clean up the toxic waste? How could they grow food for the thousands of us living here, when there was no safe land to do so? My stomach is in knots as I write this.

All seemed fine, until the State Leader spoke at a podium. He had so much charisma, it was hard not to get caught up in the moment. I know I did. He promised we could do better for the world, if only we gave up our strongest children and our weakest people. The children would be raised to be better citizens, he said. They would lead us into the light, and built our world again. He then claimed the weakest people would come together, and in his great power, they would be let back into the world stronger than before. That they would all be together working to make this world strong. He didn't lie, but he didn't tell us what he meant.

A Great Cull (as I will now call it) was ordered. I, along with many other children, were brought into large boarding houses and raised very well. We were taught about how great the State was, and taught the laws and structure of our world. We were taught to admire the State Leader, and follow his great word. In fact, I now work under the State Leader himself (This is how I learned of the realities we live with.). However, the weak were not taken to a good place as promised. No, the reality is disgusting. Grim. Gut wrenching.

They were killed.

They were processed.

They were fed to us.

Those who they left behind were forced to work outside of the Dome for agonizing hours with no wage, but left to believe it was for the good, all while unaware of what-or who-they ate during the evening dinner. After the cull, many people have continued to go missing, and I believe this is how they have continued to feed the masses here. This is how they're controlling the population. Oh, God. I am scared of what will happen should this continue.

I learned of this from secret files, and I know of what is to come. I want to make up for my sins having worked for the State, but I know whatever I do will not be enough. I have told a man, a man I will not name for his safety. He has copies of the files. He will spread the truth secretly. The Dome is not safe. Our families and friends did not sacrifice for any good reason. The Dome is falling apart as I speak. We will die if we do not act fast, and people will continue to go missing none the less. They know I took the files, they had to know. I am terrified as I write this...I know I will die.

Please, if you are someone I love reading this, tell her I love her. You know of who I speak. I wish not to write her name here, I do not want them to find her. Tell her I love her, and that I did this for her. Please, don't let my sacrifice be in vain. Help spread the truth.

Oh, God. I hear them now. They are coming down the hall. Oh, God. I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry.

-Jacob McConnel, year 3209.