What Must Be Done

“Welcome to Rebirth," an intercom announced in the barren room. No artwork or decor adorned the cobblestone walls. Kari woke up a few seconds ago in a cramped cottage. She rose from the lumpy bed and placed her bare feet on the cool, exposed earth. A pair of stark white sneakers were perfectly staged beside the bed; perfect size and matching the rest of her tailored athleisure outfit.

“Your new life begins today. Memories of your old life have been removed as requested,” the voice said.

“Where am I? What is this?,” Kari thought out loud.

“This is Rebirth, Kari.”

“Who are you? Why are you calling me ‘Kari ?”

“Do you not like your name? You may change it if you wish. You can choose who and what you want to be here.”

Small slits of light slipped through planks of the crudely fashioned door; the only door. Kari wiped the dirt from her feet and slid into her sneakers. Dust clouds rose from the floor with each step that Kari took. She reached out and applied just the smallest amount of pressure to the door.

“Welcome to your new life. Function complete. Transmission terminated,” the voice spoke.

“Wait, no!,” Kari said as she whipped around; there was no reply.

Shit, Kari thought as she went back to the door; this time even more reluctant to open it. She could feel the warmth on her palm as she pressed against the rotted wood planks. There was a moment of hesitation. Then, a blast of blistering heat enveloped her and sizzled on her skin. The white-hot light was blinding at first. Kari eased her eyes open and gazed upon her new world: sandstorms hurling across a burnt-orange desert and more cobblestone cottages speckled throughout the rolling dunes.

She decided to collect any essential items from her cottage, but the building had disappeared. Shocked and stunned with disbelief, she knew she couldn’t waste any more time. Kari darted against the onslaught of whipping sand; struggling harder and harder with each sinking step. The closest cottage was 20 yards away. The forceful gusts of blistering heat, the relentless sandblasting, and slippery terrain made the short commute an arduous trek.

“You are intruding on another citizen’s privacy. Step away immediately before the authorities are called to intervene,” said the voice from Kari’s cottage.

“It’s me! Kari!”

“You are an intruder. Remove yourself before de-escalation protocol is implemented.”

Kari took a couple of steps back and looked around for other signs of life. Glowing white spectres lunged against the harsh winds. Kari tried to call to them, but the wind carried her voice away as it left her lips. Shielding her eyes with her arms, Kari made towards the wandering figures.

Approaching the closest figure, Kari smacked their shoulder: “Hey! What is this place?”

The figure turned around: “New arrival?”

Kari couldn’t see the person’s face amidst the veil of sand, but the tone of voice suggested it was a man. “I just woke up here less than an hour ago!,” she hollered.

“Grab onto my shoulder. It’s a long trip, but I can get us out.”

Kari felt she had no choice. She gripped his shoulder and blindly followed.

.* * * * *

After hours of traversing the soft, sliding sands, the wind was abated and the blowing sand softened. Kari lifted her weather-worn face and took a look at the man in front. He looked back and smiled, but his face was caked with dirt and his teeth were covered with a grainy brown paste. His appearance was of no concern to Kari, but his information might be of value.

“What is this place?,” Kari asked.

“This is ‘The Edge’,” he replied. “ It’s the first stop on the way to redemption. You opted for the memory wipe? ... Stupid question.”

Kari continued her inquiry: “What does that even mean? Who are you and why are we here? ”

“Slow down. One question at a time. You must’ve done something unforgivable if you chose the memory wipe.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Come on, let’s rest.” The man led Kari to a group of small boulders just ahead. “We’re all here for an opportunity. For some, this is purgatory; our penance for crimes against humanity. For others, this is an opportunity. We’re in a type of prison with a chance to redeem ourselves,” he explained. “You’re probably thirsty.” The man reached into his zip down track jacket and retrieved a small flask of water. “Just do me a favor and conserve enough to get us through the rest of the trip.”

The spout was too small for Kari’s unquenchable thirst. She sucked on the flask like it was a paper juice box. Even though her guide was fair in his request to conserve water, she couldn’t help herself.

“That’s enough!,” he shouted and swiped the water from Kari’s hand, spilling a bit in the process. “What’s the matter with you? I said we have to conserve this. You’re lucky I even let you have any in the first place.”

“Where are we going anyway?,” Kari asked.

“There’s supposed to be an exit that allows us back into civilization,” he replied.

“Well, how far is that?”

“Hell if I know! Maybe you shouldn’t have wiped your memory. Stop asking so many damn questions. All I know is why I’m here.”

“Why ARE you here?”

He stared at Kari with contempt as he deliberated his response.

“It’s no concern of yours. I think I’ve already told you enough,” he replied.

Kari retreated from her inquisition. “You’re right. Sorry for prying. I don’t really know what’s going on and... I appreciate your help is all.”

The man took a swig from his flask. “ My name’s Orville.”

Kari held back a snicker, but a snort escaped her nose. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh. It's just... Orville doesn’t sound like a criminal’s name.”

He screwed the cap back on to his drink and tucked the flask in his jacket. “That’s the point.” Orville stood up and stretched his arms. “I’m going to set up camp here for the night. I suggest you do the same. Otherwise…” Orville extended his arm and pointed in the direction that they were travelling. “... the exit should be that way.”

Kari looked, but saw nothing other than a vast empty desert stretching across the horizon. She didn’t feel like she had much of a decision. Orville was lying on his back with his hands covering his eyes, seeking respite in the small shadows cast by the boulders. Kari noticed the water flask under Orville’s top. Despite Orville’s altruism, the temptation of water in this landscape was more than Kari could resist.

*****

The sun faded away into the dunes. Kari was awake and saw an opportunity for personal gain. Under the cover of night, Kari approached Orville in his sleep. Slowly kneeling beside him, she slipped her hand into his tracksuit. With her fingers on the cap of the flask, she carefully began pulling. The cap protruded from behind the front zipper of the jacket. With utmost care, she eased out the remainder of the flask.

Kari began to unscrew the cap and retreated backwards, keeping eyes on Orville. As she continued to skulk, she backed into one of the boulders. Maintaining visuals on Orville, she sidestepped blindly around the boulder. Before her second step, she felt the boulder firmly grip her shoulders. Kari let out a frightened scream. Orville bolted up from his slumber.

She was thrown to the ground and Orville charged towards the assailant: a massive sasquatch of a man with evil in his eyes. Orville cocked his fist, but the giant reached out, grabbed Orville by the throat, and lifted him inches off of the floor. Orville kicked and gagged.

The fallen flask caught Kari’s attention. She scuttled towards the water. Orville’s face was reddening; his veins bulging to the point of bursting. The giant tightened his grip. Bones cracked. Orville’s limp body crashed to the floor. Kari was frozen with fear as the giant moved her way. He stopped just short of her, stared, kneeled down, and picked up the flask. Unscrewing the cap and throwing it aside, the giant sucked every last drop and hurled the empty vessel directly at Kari’s head.

Instinct brought her hands to her wound and fright kept them there. Moments had passed; nothing happened. Fighting every impulse to remain cowered, Kari raised her head, but no one was there; only Orville. She looked around to try and find their attacker. In the shroud of darkness, the giant’s reflective suit was floating away into the abyss. Kari crawled towards Orville. She unzipped his track suit and checked the pockets. All that Orville had to offer was a mostly finished protein bar. Kari made a second pass, frisking every inch until she got to Orville’s chest.

Kari slid her hand down the top of Orville’s shirt and felt a small chain. She pulled until a heart-shaped, golden locket popped out. Inside the locket was a picture of a woman. The other half of the locket was a mirror. She looked into the reflection. The face in the picture was the same face in the mirror. Kari’s heart swelled and shrank simultaneously. In a fury, she ripped out the picture, broke the mirror, and removed the shattered pieces. She closed the locket and examined its surfaces. The front had a faint engraving: “Rein”.

“End simulation,” the voice from the cottage echoed throughout the desert. Kari spun her head around.

“Who’s there?!,” she screamed. Orville’s body began to disintegrate. The boulders evaporated into thin air. The sand sank into the floor and revealed a flat, solid, white foundation. The night sky began to pixelate and fall around her until a large, clear dome appeared overhead. Kari’s world was now a white room in which she was being observed. “What is happening?!,” she cried out.

A voice comes on overhead; an older man: “Your assigned identification is M32. You’re a voluntary participant and your safety is assured. Please, relax. Someone will be with you for debriefing once your heart rate drops to a more calm state.” Kari notices the viewing room above filled with astonished faces.

A man gathers the spectators: “Citizens, what you’ve just witnessed serves as a testament to the necessity for your government’s ‘Crowned Head Constitution’.” These annual exhibits allow the public to be reminded of the dangers of self-autonomy. The Master Warden takes on the burden of making decisions for us; for the sake of our civilization and the security of our future. Mankind has amazing potential, but history reveals that our decisions are the reasons for fatal conflicts. In 133 years, we have never experienced a famine, the crime rate has been reduced to a negligible 0.5%, and most importantly of all, we have not had to endure the atrocity of an interminable war. To forgo freewill in exchange for peace and wealth seems a fair price to pay.”

The audience nods in agreement. An observer raises his hand: “What will happen to the subject of the exhibit?”

Masked men enter the simulation room below. As they approach M32, she displays signs of aggression and violence. Despite the men’s best efforts to peacefully control the situation, M32 kicks, claws, and punches.

A voice comes over the intercom: “M32, your sacrifice and contribution is not in vain. Your Master Warden thanks you for your service, but it is decided that you are beyond reintegration. Thus, it is decreed that your service has come to an end. Members of the gallery, your time here is appreciated, but you must leave. Remember what you saw here today; how easily mankind can be corrupted by selfish desires. Agents, sanitize. Your Master Warden has spoken.” The masked man in front of the formation reaches for his holster. The tour guide leads the gallery out of the observatory. Fixed above the threshold of the exit is a banner:

“MASTER WARDEN KNOWS BEST.”