Dystopia

In the year 2035 scattered groups of humans struggle to survive. Civilization was never really civilized. It seems the price of a man’s soul is the weight of his flesh. Supply and demand creates value for his death. Cities and States allow the herd to feel safe because a free range steak provides the best taste. The illusion of choice makes the sheep feel free as they sleep walk through the day as if it’s a dream. There are an awoken few who broke free from the daily routine of this tyranny. An alien invader has taken control of the country and is always hungry, taxing the people daily, monthly, until there is nothing. The tax he collects is not dollars and cents or some cryptocurrency only way to pay off this debt is with pounds of fresh meat. The livestock was depleted years ago after they chopped down the forest trees. Aquamarine life is nonexistent because of over fished seas. There is only one abundant resource left on earth, homegrown, genuine human birth. Huge factories, restaurant-like stables provide the finest fresh food from farm to table. The wealthiest and rich indulge in the ribs of little kids newborn babies are an exquisite dish. Those without children to cover their taxes will pay an arm or leg to supply the masses. The workers feed is a mix of organs and bone ground together like a burger patty. Deep fried fast food and fluoride water is the perfect combination to create an addict. The rebellious ones, the outlaws fighting for freedom are hunted down daily for treason. They found a way to survive off seaweed and bleeding human blood bags when nutrients are needed. City limits are guarded and patrolled not many people have escaped the danger zone. A few families fail in their attempt every week until the numbers dwindle and shrink. No one knows where they go when they get caught chopped up, processed and forgot. That won’t stop this family of four with a new born baby boy they refuse to lose anymore. They’ve paid the cost of life twice to feed the slaughter plus chopped off an arm to spare their daughter. A bittersweet birth this is their third son a child believed to have divine purpose. With no time to waste they make haste down a dirt path nothing but the clothes on their back. Under the cover of night they move as quite as they can though the child could cry out at any moment. The street lights flicker up ahead in the distance they’ve reached the city limits. Just a couple more steps to the freedom of their choices suddenly they hear voices. Like a crack of thunder in a split second shots fired a celebration for getting hired. Two new deputies patrolling the streets have both finished off a bottle of brandy. They’re eager to please and feel like royalty but what comes next will test their loyalty. The shriek of a baby’s cry disturbs the peace they can either fight or flee. From out of the shadows the father leaps into action his plan of attack is a distraction. The element of surprise helps him escape with his life desperately he races to his wife. Down on her knees with a pistol to her frontal lobe the children are hidden she is all alone. Sacrificing herself she saw this moment in a dream it’s the only way her family will be free. Insubordination is not tolerated death’s the only sentence there is no incarceration. A hair pin trigger, a couple pounds of pressure double tap for good measure. Smoke spirals from the barrel the scent of burning flesh there’s a heart shaped locket around her neck. The executioner rips it from her corpse a gift for his girlfriend of course. The husband has a choice he can die with his wife or stay alive and find his kids who need him to survive. He remains unseen as they take her to be processed and starts to feel nauseous. From the corner of his eye he sees his daughter and son, grabs them and starts to run. The next morning the gift is given to his woman who works as a chef in the kitchen. While she slaves away sweating preparing signature dishes the locket accidentally slips in. The alien invaders harvesting human souls all die from an allergic reaction to the gold.