The Heart

The impact had broken and destabilized the moon. That’s all they knew. They couldn’t even definitely say what hit it. Life was over on Earth, survival meant not being here.

Another step forward.

Colonization started years ago. Two small dots of civilization off the planet, two small beacons of hope.

“ETM, ETM” everyone in the crowd cried. “ETM”

Another step forward.

At first the lottery was bad, very bad. People, desperate for more chances, more hope, were killing others. The government added protections. Now only you could use your locket. It was linked to you.

Another step forward.

Thieves were executed immediately. The few errors were deemed insignificant, the lottery must be fair. You can’t steal another’s hope.

“ETM, ETM”

Another step forward.

Almost there. I can see the screens and the computer. The crowd gets more restless the closer we get.

“ETM, ETM”

The lockets were handed out door to door. Every family got one, supposedly chosen randomly. No one believed that, not at all. There were riots. There were crackdowns. The Heart Locket was the best they said... the best chances.

My locket was a heart.

Another step forward.

“ETM, ETM”

“M!”

We were close enough to see other’s results now. Close enough to hear relief or panic. The panic was contagious.

Another step forward.

Something happening at the end of the line. One sharp bang and it stops. The panic forces all to comply. To comply gives you more hope. Comply.

Another step forward. Almost there.

“ETM, ETM”

Can’t breath. Can barely move. One foot in front of the other. Almost there. Fight the panic to get one foot closer.

Another step forward.

Another step forward.

“ETM, ETM”

There. I take my heart off my neck. I’m there. I open the heart. Place the disc in the slot.

“ETM, ETM”

EARTH, TITAN, MARS

E. Earth.

My Heart had no hope.