Midterm: The Story from the Future
Story: The Trial
ACT 1:
Discipline of the soul. The practice that Olivia spends the first moments awake to gather her thoughts in meditation to think about her feelings and what she will give up for the good of others. Today, she finishes early from the anxiety she is facing and must pretend to have her mind full for the hour as her parents Isabel and Peter prepare breakfast: oats and a boiled egg along with a short prayer. Only what is needed and even then that is generous. Breakfast is quiet, and everyone knows why. She goes to the heart of the forest, the statue of Abel. Carved out of stone, he carries but a lowly hammer and journal to build a brighter, controlled world. It is dawn now, and Olivia prays with the rest of her community. When her name is called, she holds her rosary, a beaded necklace with the statue’s own likeness as a pendant, to the prophet’s massive statue as its unique code is scanned. Then, as routine, her thumb is pricked and her blood is identified as her own. The town’s watcher gives her her tasks like every other day, but what’s written today is different. The thing she’s been dreading all week. The first time she must commune in the wilderness alone. She must hunt, forage, and find her inner strength as she crosses into adulthood. She is afraid, however. She wants to hide deep here at the heart where it’s safe. Things didn’t used to be this way. There was a time when she could talk to her friends without a care in the world and play on her iPad all day long. Then the world went up in flames, hurricanes, droughts, and disasters. Hidden away in the forest, her community blossomed under the teachings of Abel. These teachings, along with her mom and dad, keep her grounded. Tears well up in her eyes amongst the crowd as she fears her trial. “Do not worry my child, you will only be out of the statue’s range for a short time. His glow will shine once again,” her mother says. “It’s okay to be afraid, but your devotion will keep your mind bright and your body strong,” her father adds. The words remain stalwart amongst the trees. The wind and her mind carry them along as she journeys out for the first time.
ACT 2:
As the harsh concrete edges of the community and the striking structure of Prophet Abel appear less and less visible in the distance, Olivia checks her supplies twice, clutches at her rosary to send off a quiet prayer, and turns to face the wilderness before her.
It isn't long until the soft glow of her rosary fades- she's officially outside of the range of protection Prophet Abel affords everyone in her community.
It doesn’t feel like long until the sun shines straight above her head, the afternoon greeting her with a searing sense of loneliness. She sets out an assortment of snacks she’d managed to pack for the trip, holding her rosary close to her chest to properly bless her food and thank Prophet Abel for the nourishment. She keeps in mind that as long as she keeps her faith, Prophet Abel will see to it that she will return home safely.
After eating, she continues southbound, with her anxieties slowly building up further and further until all she can think of is the growing stretch of land standing between her and the safety of her community. Part of her is tempted to set up camp here, a mere few miles from her community, where she can wait out the remainder of her journey. She'd still be in the wilderness, but the safety of her community was around the corner…
She scoffs, sends a quick apology prayer to Prophet Abel, and continues on her journey. If she had been caught thinking like that, the counsel would see her fit for severe punishment- to refuse a mission was to disobey Prophet Abel's will.
Olivia feels the all-consuming solitude creeping in, a terror that grips her very soul. The silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of a bird, is deafening, a stark reminder of her solitude. Suddenly, without warning, Olivia is thrust into the sky, her surroundings spinning, before colliding with the ground, the impact momentarily blurring her vision. The once-thunderous heartbeat in her ears transforms into an ear-piercing ring, growing louder with each passing second. Unconciousness sets in as she feels a tight rope around her ankles, and her limp body is dragged mercilessly across the forest floor. Olivia's eyes struggle to focus as she takes in her surroundings—a place near the edge of the forest she has never seen before. Her arms are tightly bound against one of the few remaining brick walls. Three men, unmistakably scavengers from the outer rink, stand before her. They had seized her bag and what remained of her supplies. But amidst the pain and uncertainty, her rosary beads press against her neck, and the edges of Able’s statue bear down on her chest, the one familiar object she clings to.
Fear grips Olivia as her mind races through the darkest possibilities, wondering if she will ever see her mother's loving eyes again or feel the reassuring warmth of her gentle but sturdy hands. It’s in this moment of fear and despair that Prophet Abel’s teachings flood her thoughts: "Hold your emotions steadfast, do not allow them to dictate the outcome of your actions. Be sober-minded and glad, through every obstacle, hold on to hope." With the teachings of Prophet Abel guiding her, Olivia clings to this newfound hope. Gathering her courage, she resolves to escape. As night falls and the men drift to sleep, she whispers a short prayer to herself, “Prophet Abel, hear my plea. Spare me from the hands of these wicked men and secure a path back home for me. I swear my undying devotion to your teachings if I live to see the sunrise once more.” With determined hands, she examines the ties binding her wrists and recalls the master’s words about knottology, detecting a subtle weakness in their tension. Summoning every ounce of her strength, Olivia twists her arm and pulls with all her might. The ties give way, unraveling as her shoulder flings in the opposite direction. She smothers a scream, biting her lip to muffle any sound that might scape as she pops the bones back into place. Silently, she rises to her feet, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination. Olivia runs without looking back.
ACT 3:
As she sprints through the dark, Olivia collides with a small table holding supplies. Her stomach drops as the materials clash onto the ground, making a loud noise. Olivia quickly gets up and starts running again. However, behind her, she can hear a man’s voice yell for her to stop running. Olivia’s mind is focused on her escape. She dodges any trees, logs, or bushes in her way. Amidst her heavy breathing, she hears the man’s shouts behind her. She also hears a faint noise of a river in the back. She follows the noise. She knows that her chaser is right behind her but she realizes that she needs to lose him. With just enough moonlight to see, she sees the river and starts to cross. Olivia carefully jumps from one rock to the next, balancing her weight on the wet, hard surface. If she were to fall she would surely be swept away by the river’s forceful waters.
She continues to hop and balance between the rocks. As she is halfway across the river, she hears the man coming out of the forest. He starts to cross behind her. Olvia turns back to the river. She sighs with relief once she finally makes it across the river. However, she turns around and sees the man starting to carefully take the same path of rocks as she did. Olivia knows that she must do something, she can’t keep running since she will only tire down and get caught. Acting on instinct, Olivia gathers some hard rocks on the edge of the river. She starts throwing. She aims at his head and throws one of the stones with all her strength. The stone hits the man in his chest and it throws him off balance, making him slip and fall into the river’s rushing waters. Olivia sees the man get carried away by the river until she sees his body collide with rocks and logs. Olivia refocuses her attention on escaping, she knows it will only be a matter of time until the other two men come.
Olivia is lost again in the forest. Trees blend together and she cannot tell where she is. She feels hopeless. She takes her necklace in her hand and starts praying. She feels the small statue of Prophet Abel in her hand and it brings her comfort within the darkness. She examines the statue closer. As she’s walking, she can see the statue omit a pale light. She realizes she must be near her home. She begins to run again, letting the vibrancy and glow of her statue guide her. As she’s running, she can see the sky lighten above her. It must be near dawn. She eventually spots the outer edge of her community, protected by a fence. She cries for help as two soldiers peer towards her. “My name is Olivia Rodriguez, I’m Peter and Isabel’s daughter! Please help! I need to be let in! I’m being hunted!” Olivia tosses to them her necklace and rosary beads. The guards mutter to themselves for a few moments before letting Olivia in. She runs and eventually spots her family in the plaza huddled for routine prayer. She finds her parents and embraces them in a long hug, bursting into tears as everyone else gasps at Olivia’s return. She has completed her trial. Olivia is grateful to be with her parents and community again. She feels grateful to feel safe in a frightening and unpredictable world. She’s content to have a place back home in her community, where discipline means safety.