Page 16 of Dissent

I grimaced. What the hell was up with Chase? He was definitely mad at me, no doubt about it. I rubbed my brow, biting my bottom lip. I didn’t want to ruin my relationship with him. Tapping the screen, I messaged him again.

Mara:Hey, are you mad at me? I’m getting worried about you. Can we talk after the assembly today?

With that, I turned my attention to the tangled mass that was my brown hair and neatly combed it back into a tight ponytail. I changed into a white blouse and tan dress slacks. Inspecting myself in the mirror, I made sure I looked presentable. Raúl would want me to look my best, but I fully intended to bump into Chase and wanted to make sure I looked good. Once satisfied, I peeked at the clock and felt my stomach drop. It was ten past eight. I was late.

Crap.

I ran out the door, through the hallway, down the staircase, and out the mammoth double doors of the estate. Outside, the limo was waiting. The driver opened the door for me the second he saw me racing down the white stone steps. The look on his face told me he already knew what I was deeply fearing. We weren’t going to make it on time.

***

The drive to the arena felt like an eternity, and I drummed my fingers on the car door, staring out the window, tapping my foot. As the limo pulled up to our destination, I closed my eyes and tried taking a deep breath. The outside of the arena was calm, which meant everyone had already been scanned in. I wasn’t just alittlelate. I wasa lotlate.

I didn’t wait for the driver to open my door. The second the car stopped, I busted out. Without looking back, I ran to the north side entrance, but didn’t make it far before an enforcement officer halted me.

“Present yourself for scanning.”

I groaned, gritting my teeth. I hated retinal scans. Raúl instituted retinal scans and GPS trackers years ago when rebel activity started. They were incredibly helpful to the REG, but a major pain in the ass. I tilted my head up, keeping my eyes open wide as he lifted his handheld monitor and scanned them. It blinked yellow twice, then flashed green, and then he waved me by.

I took off again, doing my best to run up the marbled stone steps of the arena without killing myself in my heels. That was all I needed, to totally eat it. Flying through the entryway, I glanced at my mini-tab. The time mocked me, silently screaming five past nine.

I could hear Raúl already speaking—punctual, as usual. Reaching my assigned entrance, I took a deep breath and walked through. The hall was brightly lit, white marble walls reflecting the glow of the gilded chandeliers above. I made my way to the elevator and pushed the button. My foot tapped as I let out a heavy sigh.Come on!Why did elevators take for-freaking-ever? I pushed the button again, and then a third time. Finally, the damn thing dinged, and the doors slid open.

I slipped inside and selected the top floor. The doors slid shut, and the machine kicked into motion. Taking a deep breath, I blew it out slowly. I was going to be in so much shit for being late. The elevator dinged again, and as the doors opened, I rushed out, following the hallway. My feet pounded the ground as I whipped around a corner and came to a bright red door with the Telvian crest painted on the exterior. A REG officer guarded the door and stopped me.

“Halt, citizen. Unauthorized entrance is not permitted.”

“I’m Mara de la Puente, daughter to the President. Citizen ID 1311.”

“Present yourself for scanning.” I scrunched my face, fighting the urge to stomp my feet and screech at the man. With a deep breath, I relaxed my facial muscles as best as I could and lifted my head, eyes opened wide. The officer scanned my retinas, waited a moment, and then waved me by when it blinked green. I wasted no time letting myself in through the door.

The majesty of the arena greeted my eyes. Nothing but marble white columns and beautifully carved stone work surrounded the place. It was an oval shape, with stadium-style seating rising high several stories around an empty space in the center. Subclass citizens sat at the very top while District 2 members sat somewhere in the middle. Noble Class citizens were located closest to the bottom or in box seats around the arena. A gust of cool air hit my face, and Raúl’s clean and eloquent voice greeted my ears. I slipped inside, trying my best not to be noticed.

The Presidential box seat was intended for the de la Puentes, as well as a few other chief government officials. It looked out onto the grand open space of the arena, right in the middle of the east side. Thousands of citizens were present for the assembly. In the center of the arena, three wooden posts had been driven into the ground in a single line.

Raúl, facing everyone who had gathered, spoke into a microphone as his arms opened wide to greet the assembly. “Citizens, as we gather today in the arena, its beauty and powerful symbol of redemption awes us. This is a place with much historical value to our Telvian history. I called you all forth today to discuss a growing concern for our wondrous way of life and to celebrate. To begin, it is with great pleasure I present to you our new general of the Rebel Enforcement Group. A young man who has shown great promise and will further enhance the security of Telvia as we face the foes outside our walls. I introduce to you General Jacob de la Puente.”

My eyes bulged as my jaw hit the floor. Jacob was being promoted as general of the REG. It was an incredible accomplishment for him, and would make him the youngest general ever in Telvian history! Jacob stood from his place on the other side of the box and stepped forward to stand next to Raúl. He lifted a hand in the air, waving to the masses. My eyes peeked over at Belinda, who remained seated. She clapped gently, shoulders back, and a gleam in her eye. I imagined she was brimming with pride.

Jacob put his arm down and stepped in front of the mic. “It is with great honor that I assume the position as General of the Rebel Enforcement Group. I vow to serve in Telvia’s best interest and to protect all of its citizens from the threat beyond our wall. Thank you, President de la Puente, for this great honor.” The audience clapped as he stepped away from the mic. He shook Raúl’s hand and took his place just behind our father.

Once the crowd settled down, Raúl began speaking again. “Now, I know you are all aware of the rebellion that has plagued us for what seems like an eternity. This group, a small band of individuals who are more concerned about themselves than the well-being of all, refer to themselves as Dissenters. This group has caused destruction, devastation, and death to our grand city, to our government, and to you, the citizens. As much as I would like to detain these lost souls and reeducate them in the way of our government, as is customary, their atrocities against us have grown in number and in gravity. The attack against the administrative system was egregious. I would be lying if I were not to admit that I fear for the wellbeing and safety of all Telvians.

“In collaboration with the REG and the Council, I have made the difficult decision that those who have been found guilty of rebel activity, or in alliance with them, will not be subject to reeducation. Instead, from this day forward, any individual found to be cooperating with the rebellion will be subject to our highest form of punishment. It is an old and retired consequence, but proven to be massively effective. As such, I have reinstated this old practice. Beginning today, we will once again practice the ritual of Cleansing in the Arena.”

The crowd clapped, but I couldn’t help but notice several looked at each other nervously. I pinched my brows at the news. Was the rebel activity that bad? It seemed like such an extreme, but I trusted Jacob. If he thought this was needed, then it must be essential.

Raúl’s smile was grand, spreading from ear to ear, showing off his white teeth. He allowed for the crowd to continue their applause, and as it settled down, he spoke again. “Today, we will all share in a glorious ritual of justice that not only brings peace to the hearts and minds of every citizen, but cleanses the souls of those who have strayed from the righteous path. A ritual that helps to remind us all that your government truly cares aboutyouand your future. With that said, may I please have our lost souls brought into the arena.”

At the far southern end of the arena, a massive wooden door opened. Soldiers marched out, leading three individuals with their hands bound, and their heads covered with brown sacks. What the hell was this? I had never seen the Cleansing in the Arena. I had read about it, sure, but never paid much attention to the practice since it was done and gone with years ago. Once at the center, each prisoner was secured to a post. One by one, the officers removed the sacks from their heads, and suddenly, I felt faint. I pressed my palm to my chest, panic skyrocketing within me. Because there, right in front of me, attached to the third post in the arena, was Chase.

“Citizens, I present to you our three lost souls, members of the Dissenters that viciously attacked the Administration just one day ago. We have found all three guilty of treason, having connections to the rebellion. Today, they will be cleansed.” The crowd clapped again, a few even cheered. Raúl extended his hands out to the crowd, motioning them to settle. “Citizens, as your president, I am also using the authority vested in me to alter the cleansing ritual. Normally, our lost souls would be executed and then cremated so that fire may cleanse their spirits. But I feel the crimes committed by these souls require a purer cleanse. Today, our souls will not be executed, but will be burned alive.”

My heart stopped as a flood of emotions overwhelmed me. Raúl was going to burn Chase alive! I looked at Jacob, who was looking back at me.What did you do? What didIdo!This was all my fault. If I hadn’t said anything…

My mind was spinning. Chase couldn’t be guilty…he couldn’t have been! I could sense the desperation rising within me. And just as I thought I was going to do something stupid, I felt warmth encircle my hand. I shifted my attention, seeing my hand cradled by Jacob’s. I looked up at him as he drew me in, his arm wrapping around my waist. His features were soft, but his eyes communicated the sorrow he felt for me.

My vision blurred, and I tried to blink away the tears. I turned away from him, shallow breaths making it difficult to steady my achy heart and sour stomach. I glanced at Raúl facing the crowd, and then at Belinda. Her eyes were piercing me, a satisfied grin across her face. The same damn smile that haunted my dreams at night. I was lost. I didn’t know what to do, so I did the only thing I could. I gripped Jacob’s hand, clinging to him for strength, and closed my eyes.

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