Music is our Resistance

The rich leather cracked against B-321’s skin once again, cutting deeper into their flesh. Deep gashes spanned the length of their back; their hands were bound to the top of the wooden stake. All they could do was scream in agony. Punisher cracked the whip three more times, each strike followed by a vocalization of anguish.

“Let that be a clear warning to the rest of you!” he shouted. Punisher then reached into the pockets of his cargo pants and retrieved a rolled-up piece of parchment. Unfolding it, he read its contents to the witnesses.

“The new decree, 57-A, states that any person(s) who imitate, demonstrate, create, or show any display of music are to be swiftly and harshly punished, ranging from a public beating, to execution, depending on the severity of the infraction. In addition, there are to be no traces or evidence of paraphernalia pertaining to music. This includes instruments and scores. This decree has been enacted to ensure our dear society will not crumble under differing ideologies.” Punisher then rolled up the parchment and placed it back into his pocket.

“Return to your dwelling, you filth” Punisher grumbled at B-321, before spitting on him. Punisher then dropped the whip to the ground, immediately walking away.

“Well go on then, return to your duties!” Punisher screamed at the surrounding crowd. The townspeople quickly dispersed, all except for one with long blonde hair secured back with a towel. They promptly freed B-321 from the leather cuffs.

“Come”, they said. B-321 looked back towards the person with fear present in their eyes. Who was this stranger and what did they want?

Blonde extended their hand, and reluctantly B-321 grabbed it. The two traversed past the main square until they reached the dwellings. Blonde carefully guided B-321 behind what appeared to be an abandoned one until they could see the fence. 20 feet of steel prison stretched beyond what seemed feasible to climb. B-321 appeared to be confused.

“Wait and stay silent”, Blonde said. They crouched down and began running their hands under the bottom of the fence. This went on for a few minutes until Blonde stopped and tugged at a certain spot. The edge of the fence came up, revealing an escape point. Once more Blonde grabbed the hand of B-321, and under the fence they went.

Once at the other side, Blonde took a big breath and exhaled slowly.

“That grows more difficult to accomplish every time,” Blonde admitted.

“Excuse me,” but who are you, and where are you taking me?” B-321 blurted. “You know venturing outside of this fence is punishable by water torture at the very least. And if Punisher is already ruffled, he will hang you!”

“Shhh!” Blonde silenced B-321. “I am known by the Others as X-7. I caught wind of your 'infraction' last night."

“I merely sat on my roof and tapped a tin bucket to my heart’s content, while whistling. It brought me joy,” B-321 replied. “And excuse me, but what do you mean by Others?”

“No time to explain until we reach the Site. We will be there soon.”

B-321 showed hesitation but walked alongside X-7 until they could see a log cabin in the far distance. Slowly as to make not a sound, they approached the door. X-7 gently opened it just a crack, before motioning B-321 to come inside. Once inside, X-7 immediately shut the door behind them. B-321’s eyes darted around the room. They saw many others, all of whom carried forbidden items in their laps.

“Others, fear not!” X-7 exclaimed. “I have brought another who is like us, and he will lead alongside me against the destruction of Ruler! But for now, let us celebrate!”

The room instantly filled up with a cacophony of various sounds. Pitched sounds, rhythmic sounds, beats, and scores littering the floor.

“What is going on?” B-321 demanded.

“We are the Others”, X-7 answered. “For an entire year we have met in secret at this very spot, sharing different musical styles and instruments. It has been the one thing bringing us hope for a better tomorrow. Our true desire is for the individualities of every person to be celebrated, not punished. And music has been the one tool that has allowed us to that."

"Okay, and what do you think you're doing? Offering me up as some heroic leader?" B-321 scoffed. "I too enjoy the glorious sounds a tune can provide to my ears, it is the only task in existence that doesn't wear down my bones, strip food from my stomach, or breed disease in my body. But I'm not a leader. Look at me!" B-321 then gestured his hands down the length of his stance.

"But, B…" X-7 began before trailing off. "You are the only one who faced the danger of Punisher head-on. You knew your fate, but didn't care. You smiled and carried on anyways. Your courage and standing up for what is right is what will lead us to victory. Here, a small token to prove my faith in you."

X-7 then reached into their faded, sewn-on pockets and retrieved a delicate, silver, heart-shaped locket.

"This was my grandmother's" X-7 began to explain before their words became choked in their throat. "She...they…"

"I don't mean to sour your mood, but you know the gendering of people is forbidden because...it"

"Yes, yes because it grants them uniqueness which is forbidden, I am well aware" X-7 interrupted with a sarcastic tone. "But she was the one who gifted me this trinket. And she tucked just a small scrap of music in it as a reminder to keep music close to my heart and it will live on forever. This locket means everything to me. But I want you to hold onto it." With that, X-7 put the locket into the shaky hands of B-321.

"Come, there is much to discuss" X-7 beckoned.