When people promise me something, they usually tend to die on me, or at the very least, break those promises.
My father once promised me cave orchids. The next day he was shot several times with a rifle. I was 9. It is not uncommon for people to die unexpectedly, if it is at the hands of someone else, or as my father did; being shot at the hands of his own men. I myself at a young age have seen countless children die, sometimes at the hands of their own parents. This is just the way it works in our nation of Herakleum. The name is supposed to come from an ancient hero, Herakles, who apparently was brave, fierce, strong, intelligent and mighty; all that our leading group, the Foxes, wants us to be. All that we will never be.
After many epidemics, droughts, starvation periods, and wars, the world was left in ruins. Not many human beings were left healthy and living, those that were, helped create Herakleum. It was perfect; everyone lived in harmony, until a deadly version of the plague hit. Millions of people died, and millions lost someone close to them. Hospitals soon were on quarantine, and more than a third of our nation was lost.
Another disaster struck around 6 generations later. A nuclear war had started on the outskirts of our nation. This was caused by the people that were cast out so many years ago, those who were unfit, unhealthy, or dead. The nuclear war caused another medical disaster, this one radiation, leading to cancer. With all the hospitals closed or still recovering from the plague, no one could be treated, and no one is treated now. Injure yourself and there is no helping you. All those people that could not be treated were sent to the outside, left to fend for themselves or die. Survival of the fittest.
After the two disasters, now called the Volcan ages, a group was formed, the Foxes. Strong believers of violence and discipline, they formed Herakuleum into a military nation. If you are hurt, or in need of help, the rule is to fend for yourself. Help someone and you are cast out. Show sympathy and you are cast out. The Foxes say the casting out of people is a sign that they control our every move. Something I will always and forever hate about them.
The Foxes were the beginning of the crystal age. Where the name derived from we don't know, but the Foxes say this is how the world should be. Kill to survive is the motto of our nation.
What the Foxes say, is always correct, that is what we were taught in school, and that is what is still taught now. My father was an official, trained and well sought out, he was what the Foxes called a perfect Herakleum subject. When he passed away, the Foxes had sent my mother a letter, stating that he would be remembered as a hero, having died, as they said- in honor. That was what was regarded as the truth. Though my father died a so called hero, our family name lost all its value, leaving my mother and I starving for three months. The only way to re-establish the family honor was through marriage, and that is exactly what my mother did, although she had promised me she would never do such thing.
The only man willing to marry a widowed woman, was a general named Michael Knight. Seemingly nice at first, he adorned my mother with gifts and jewelry, introducing us to his ever so lovely son Lark, until finally proposing. My mother loved him, and although I had no obvious reason to, I hated him. Four months after the marriage, he killed my mother in cold blood, in hopes of inheriting the money my father had left her, money I never knew existed. It was the day of my 11th birthday, December 6th. My birthday is now not a celebratory day, but a day of loss and mourning.
The day after my mother was cruelly murdered, Michael revealed that he was one of the three leaders of the Foxes, provoking my already deep hate for him.
By killing my mother, Michael no longer had to play nice, and started to turn abusive. Beating me up, sometimes to the point of my passing out. Sometimes even Lark joined in, filming the whole thing. Michael said it was for my own good, to make me more obedient, to prepare me for the recruitment ceremony coming up the day of my 19th birthday. But I know better. I am his way of gaining money. The daughter of a honorary military official, and now step-daughter of a general. The money he could earn through me would be tremendous. If by marriage or other purposes, I am his key to success, but until the day he breaks me, I, Alekzandra Marcoa, will never submit.
**********************************************************************************************************************Authors note:
THIS IS THE NEW AND IMPROVED VERSION
Hi this is my first story ever, I hope you enjoy what I have, there is more to come, and I hope to have weekle updates, a bit longer if I have writers block. (Which is bound to happen to a 14 year old student :P)
Thank you so much for giving my story a chance!
Vote and comment!
Oh, and if you don't like the Prologue, then try reading the first chapter, which I think is better :P
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Parallel
Science Fiction(On hold until July) 'I stare at my reflection in the mirror. My matted red hair, pale skin, and ironically, bright green eyes. They are the last remaining hint of my once carefree personality. A sign that Michael will never break me... ' Alekzandra...
