THIS IS GARNET

To tame a wild animal is like taming curiosity... Stay in line. Only look forward. Your job is to do what is needed.

"This is Garnet! -or so they say. Envision a hell like this: we are all swimming in the same pond with no conviction. Our eyes are hollow, and our identities can be condensed by any soldier after a brief inspection of our flash drives. Any spark has already been burnt out by the scent of saw dust and synthetic fibers. It is obligatory. We are merely citizens of a small territory. I can address this, but that is all that I know. It infuriates me, but most of us in this territory are not too bright, so asking questions is impossible. I am completely blindsided and rogue.

Upon my awakening, I knew that I was different from the other citizens. This was not a beneficial factor for me and left me bitter. For example, the other citizens forget the smallest of routines. Life here is simple. Too simple. At 8:00 AM, we always wake up by an alarm, our radio host, and then the sunshine. Every day, we are given the rules that we must follow. Then, we depart for work. We work from 3:33AM to 5:00PM, we are sent home, given the rules, and then we are to be in bed by 6:30PM. Every day is the same. Nothing changes and nothing evolves. Yet, the citizens… No, whatever they are… The way they act is odd and without consciousness.

Look at the person across the room, hunched over by the electric threader. I have been studying them for about twenty-three days. Every three minutes, he hunches approximately five centimeters forward, and by the end of the day, his skin greets the needle with a warm greeting. Does he learn from this? Of course not. By 5:00PM, the poor soul does not even remember. He will be able to walk away, very slowly, so that the pain is minimal. But the sucker will never remember what caused it in the first place. We are fortunate enough to have a radio host. He gracefully gives us reminders each night before downtime and each morning before the shift starts.

I let out a sigh underneath my mask. Although I know truly little about Exodus, I am thankful that this country has these. I do not know the technicalities, but these robotic heads conceal the many facial expressions I need to hide. It is against the rules here to not wear the mask, but every now and then, there are a few fools that disobey that law. Either they are dumb or stupid. Fools are so desperate for rebellion that they would rather change what is already perfect for selfish dreams, ambition, and unrealistic expectations. This is reality- we must stay in line and only look forward. Everyone has a path designed for us at birth. The superior lead while the weak fall back and pave the way. This is how the unchosen survive. This is how I survive.

Yet… Still… I have questions I need to ask. I am without reason.

"011!"

I fumble at my station, still collecting the metal from the run line and handing it towards the next citizen. I have never been called out before. No one has. I feel a force pulling me down. My once cleared mind becomes clouded, and my thoughts no longer flow like water. Hundreds of “what if” statements continue to blow. I know I must shut them down. This moment is crucial. I could die soon. I am aware that my existence matters not, but I want to live. "Y-Yes?" I let it slip. My hand covers the mouth part of my mask. I left out a faint gasp and instant regret fills my head.

The soldier lets out a heavy sigh and they make their way to my section. Their arms are clasped behind their backs. They inspect me a bit by pacing left and right. When they lean forward to keep a closer inspection of my mask, I catch a glimpse of their tag. 203… That means that this soldier is far from the command. That can either be a good or a dreadful thing depending on their integrity. If their power hungry, I could be done for. The pressure I feel has no concise measurements. This is true authority, and I am in the face of it. This tailored suit, Garnet brochette, and pointed shoes- an officer in the flesh. I hear a mumble underneath their mask, but something seems off.

"Tell me. Why are you the only one without quirks?"

No, it is not just something. This conversation is forced and manipulated.

"What do you mean?" I mutter.

“You know what I am saying. You are the other person here with a brain. You do not sway. You do not hunch. You are an outlier in Garnet, and I have been watching you for quite a while,” They elaborate. As they learn backward, their posture is given free realm for an inspection. The soft voice, the elegant attention of detail… No, this is no officer. They are cool like water. It was my first time hearing a soldier speak. But yes, it is off. They do not sound anything like I expected. I brush them off, putting my hand up in defiance. The soldier sets off laughter that fills the room. Everyone remains in their duties. Undistracted and uninterested.

Don’t tell me… This can’t be.

"Let me tell you a secret. In Garnet, the average citizen is mute. And guess what,” he laughs. “They’re completely deaf too.”

As their laughter grew, I felt my eye swell. This truly could not be true. I looked around, inspecting everything around me. No worker reacted to their laughter. Every. Last. One. I look back at the imposture, staring dead at their suit. Now, I simply could not be. It defies everything I have experienced every day. The radio host morning and night. The bell of dismissal. I look at the clock hanging above the exit sign. I clasp my fingers, shaking completely. The time is 4:59PM. In a few seconds, everythi-

Ring…

I look around. As normal, everything turns from the station in unison. But this time, this time is different. Complete horror rattles my bones. I feel a chill from the deepest part of my brain to the soles of my feet. As the bell continues to ring, I feel it. There is a vibration in the ground. As everyone forms a line, I sink to the ground. Only then, does the laughter stop. The only thing that I can muster up is the courage to ask, “How blind are they?”

“You know the answer. It is the right hand that always get injured.”

“You are lying. This," I let out a few tears. “This defies the rules of Garnet and shatters everything.”

The soldier lets out a sigh. "You don't need to believe me. At night. There will be a code. Code 0. They placed their arms behind their back and turned to walk away. "Once you know the truth of this world, I wonder what face you'll make under that mask."

…