Latchley Fields

No one in the ditches knew what they were looking for.

The prisoners certainly knew why they were forced to continuously dig in the hardened earth, wheeling never-ending carts of rubble up the long winding road to the back plains. It was a punishment for being on the wrong side of things during the Morality War. The worldwide battle had been so fierce it had resulted in all religion being declared illegal, before science had blossomed both for the good and for the bad.

Religious faith was still practiced secretly among the inmates of Latchley Fields, of course, far from the eyes of the Finishers. The fear of discovery hung heavy in the air and with good reason. The Finishers acted as wardens of the inmates, called so for their predictable decision to end the life of anybody who dared to go against The Proprieties. The Proprieties were encompassing and replaced all religious and legal law. They were to be followed to the letter, even outside the Fields where freemen roamed.

Triton didn’t like these new edicts. He didn’t like how there was no way to come into redemption after a fall from grace. Some of these idiots didn’t belong here. Many wouldn’t make it.

Screams rang out from under the balcony where Triton stood, causing him to lean over the rails. One of the inmates was being dragged into the trees by two Finishers. The man's screams echoed all around, and all who heard broke instantly into a panic.

Seth, a fellow administrator, walked out and stood next to Triton. “There goes another one,” he said. He lit a cigarette. “Fucking shame.”

Triton kept his eyes peeled on the young man begging and pleading for his life until he disappeared into the trees with his assailers. Two loud shots rang out. Then nothing.

“What did he do?” Triton asked.

“He was caught with some written scriptures under his bed. Stupid fool,” Seth mumbled. That’s the first place everyone looks…for anything.”

Triton could feel the tiny hidden cross dangling down his chest. His great grandfather’s cross. He prayed they never searched administration. He didn’t want to be dragged off.

Seth suddenly looked serious. “There’s a rumor going around,” he said.

Triton raised his eyebrows in anticipation. Nothing ever happened in this hellhole.

Seth leaned in. “They say they might have found it,” he whispered.

“Where?” Triton asked.

Seth stood back again and shrugged. “You know they won’t tell us everything. Assholes like us would run amok.”

Seth had come from the central office a few months ago, and Triton knew he had been transferred here for the same reason everyone had: the pursuit of The Key. Anybody who found it was going to be exempt from The Proprieties. That meant no fear from the Finishers, or from anyone for that matter. One could live life as before with no interference from the government, and everyone wanted that kind of freedom. A few dignitaries and high-ranking men and women had been granted the honor with the understanding that they would not start any rebellions. So far there had been no such rebellion.

For Triton, however, it was about more than just religious freedom. For Triton it was a matter of life or death.

“Was it found here?” Triton asked.

“I think so,” Seth mumbled, still chewing his cigarette. “There have been a million feds rolling around, so something has happened. I don’t think they would waste their time if it wasn’t true.”

They didn’t really know his entire past. Triton was glad of it, because he was sure he wouldn’t be there if they did. Father Triton, his great grandfather and namesake, had been the keeper of The Key before religion had been outlawed. It was believed it was buried here in Latchley Fields since this place had been special to the priest. No one knew how special. No one knew why the government wanted it so much as to give freedom to the lucky devil who found it.

No one but Triton.

They called a meeting after the morning dig to clear up any misconceptions. Gloria Tyson was the head administrator and looked shiny with the stress of having so many important people visiting her establishment. The officials lined up behind her, stern and imposing.

“There seems to be some misconception and unfounded rumors going around about The Key, that there has been a finding.” She smiled brightly. Triton thought she was definitely overselling it. “However, there has been no such finding.” She shrugged nervously. “It was just a rumor. We assure you we will make a sweeping announcement once any progress has been made.” Then she scurried off the stage as if she was being held hostage.

“Do they think we’re idiots?” Shane said. He turned to Triton. “What the fuck was that?”

Triton went back to his apartment. He was suddenly fearful. The officials were here for a reason, and he was starting to think it was him. His name was not a problem; after the War every other baby born had been named Triton for the role Father Triton had played in ending the War. Even his blood link to his great grandfather was hidden as those files had been destroyed. Triton supposed no one wanted to think about a priest giving in to earthly pleasures. Amazing the lengths gone through to avoid the stink of human nature, Triton thought.

He fumbled opening his door and quickly locked it behind him. Deep breaths, he thought, pausing for a moment. He opened the securely locked drawer on a side table and took out the camera scanner. It could detect any recording device that might be in his surroundings. It was not illegal for administration to have, but questions would be asked if it was found.

He slowly and thoroughly scanned his lodgings. Nothing.

Triton took a last look around before he walked into his bedroom and into the closet. He pushed aside his clothing and faced the small mobile hidden safe. He pressed in the code and heard the quiet beep sound that indicated the entry was correct. He opened it and looked inside.

It was still there. He took out the small silver box and opened it gingerly. It was empty of course but he could see the outline of what had been there. The shape of the heart shaped locket was evident, but it was what lay inside the locket that was of interest to him, to the officials, and to the world.

The Key.

It was no surprise that Triton was lost in thought as he looked at the silver box. Anybody would be. What was surprising was how an entire human being had been able to sneak up behind him without him hearing.

“Anybody can find that, you know,” a female voice rang out.

Triton nearly dropped the box, but instead threw it in the safe and halfway shut the safe door before turning around. There was a uniformed officer in his closet. A pretty one.

“Who the hell are you?” Triton asked. “You have no right to be in my closet.” He thought about the gun in the back of the safe. It wasn’t completely closed, the safe, which was a great and terrible thing all at once.

“You have no right to have a scanner and a secret safe,” the woman said.

“What do you want?” Triton said annoyed. “I have every right to have a scanner. It’s not illegal.”

“But the safe…” the woman continued, “the safe is a different story.” She gave him a sly under look. “It must be something pretty important for you, an administration official, to defy The Rules.”

Triton remained silent and took a good look at the woman now that the initial shock had worn off. Her uniform was perfectly pressed and tightly form fitting on a beautiful feminine shape. She had black hair and brown eyes. She was biting her lip and sizing him up at the same time. The gun on her hip was of keen interest as well.

“Answer my question,” she said.

“It’s just a keepsake I’m keeping for a friend,” Triton said.

The woman smiled. “For a friend,” she said. “What kind of keepsake? Let me see it.” Her hand was on her gun now. Triton knew it was a threat.

He supposed he could keep this going on for some time, the back and forth, but she was an officer after all and no matter what resistance he put forth it was not going to end well. He reached to the safe and swung open the door. He reluctantly showed her the silver box. She grabbed it and opened it.

Her eyes went round. “It’s shaped like…” She didn’t finish the sentence. She didn’t need to.

“Yes,” Triton said simply. “Yes.”

“I want you to tell me who you are,” she said.

“I am who I am,” Triton replied. “Who are you?”

“I am Rebecca…Patel. I’m an officer.”

“I guessed as much,” Triton said. “What exactly do you think will happen now?” Triton looked at his silver box, which she was nervously clutching. “I think you know who I am. So what happens?”

“I won’t tell if that’s what you mean. I don’t think anyone would believe me anyway…but I need a favor in return,” she said.

Triton hadn’t noticed until then but she had a slight British accent. Usually he would find it sexy but right then it was only annoying.

“What favor?”

“I need to escape,” she said. “I defected.”

“So you came here to ruin my life along with yours? Great,” Triton said.

“I…” she began.

There was a knock at the front door. Triton looked at his watch and could see it was more officers.

“Damn,” he said. “Are you kidding me?”

He grabbed the silver box—Rebecca did not protest—and threw it in the safe, making sure to lock it this time. “Come on,” he said.

“I…can’t be here,” she said.

Triton shook his head. There was no need to hear anymore. He knew what kind of penalties were ahead of those who disobeyed.

“Stay here,” he said.

Triton walked out to the front door. Deep breaths, he thought.

The officer was about to knock again when he opened. “Yes officers?” he said pleasantly. There were two uniformed men.

“We are looking for a defected officer, a woman,” one said, then put a picture of Officer Patel in his face. “Have you seen her?”

This was going to be simple or life-ending. He hoped simple.

“No…I haven’t. I just got back from the meeting and was making lunch,” Triton said nonchalantly. “I will certainly let you know if I do. Do you have extra pics?”

The officer let him keep the picture and told him who to contact if he saw the defector.

After the exchange Triton walked back into his living room and then to his bedroom. Rebecca had walked out of the closet, probably to see just how steady her fate was. Her eyes were huge and worried.

Triton held up her picture. “They want me to contact them at Number *11679 if I see you. So what now?”

“You really like that question, don’t you?” Rebecca asked.

“Forgive me for asking questions of someone who is going to get me killed. I didn’t know there were rules. I’m going to get a drink.”

“Wait!” she said so he turned around. “Well…there might be more. I think you’re the only one who can help me.”

“What else could there be?” he asked. “I have a defected officer in my room who could—and probably will—blow my cover a mile high. What else have you done? Did you rob a bank? Kill the president?” He smiled at his own wit.

She didn’t smile. Instead she reached in her pocket and pulled out a silver chain with a heart shaped pendant.

“Damn,” Triton said.