Tani's Trial

Tani held the gold heart shaped locket, as she looked out over this unfamiliar city, “Someday, we won’t need the shield, and I will go find you.” Things had not gone as planned since her stepdad tried to kill her and did kill her mom. Well, things had not gone well since her dad’s accident really. First her dad died, then her grandparents, and finally her mom. She had no one else here, all the family she had ever known were dead. She had come up with a plan as she sat looking at her lifeless mother. Her mom still had the locket on, and Tani took it off, and looked at the familiar pictures inside. On one side was a young couple, her grandparents, on the other a young boy and girl, her mom and uncle. The locket was all her mom had left of her parents and brother, and now sadly it was all Tani had left of her mom. Tears rolled down her cheeks, just like they did when her mom would hold the locket. Tani understood better now the pain that came with those tears. Every time she tried to ask her mom about the pictures all she would say was, “They didn’t make it in time.” So, she kissed her mom for the last time and told herself she would go outside the shield and find her family.

Why she hadn’t realized it was a stupid plan before walking months to get to the shield she could not answer. It was a shield made to keep everything and everyone out for goodness sake, how on earth was she going to just leave it? She blamed it on the injuries her stepdad gave her, especially the massive blow to her head. Yet, here she was in a town near the shield standing alone outside the home of a stranger because she told the nice old man, who stopped her from death by shield, that this was her house. She was not sure how she would make it, but she promised herself she would. Being alone until the shield went down was far better than facing her stepdad again.

She survived on very little at first, free samples from various grocery stores. It was not enough, so she began to offer her assistance to older ladies; she could at times sneak a small item from a bag, and sometimes they would give her a tip. She got enough to buy a coat, hat, gloves, and a sleeping bag from a second hand store. She knew she would need them soon, as the days were getting shorter and the nights colder.

That first winter was horrible, but she made it through. She normally spent her days in the library getting lost in books. Sometimes she was able to hide there and stay all night or she would find a store that was open all-night and she’d sleep curled under a clothes rack.

She had been delighted at first that she would not be forced to go to school, but soon she actually missed it. There were several homeschool groups she discovered that met at the library and she jumped in on their discussions and projects. They were great not only for learning, but there was always food at them. She learned new and interesting things and kind of gained friends. It never felt very real since almost all she told them about herself were lies. She was in constant fear someone would turn her into the police and she would be sent back to that monster.

When summer came around Tani enjoyed going to various parks she had discovered. If she came across some event she would sneak in and eat the food provided. As fall came closer Tani was overjoyed when she heard some kids at the park talking about one school that had a free breakfast and lunch for all the kids. It seemed too good to be true, that she might be able to get two good meals a day. The school was huge and no one seemed to take notice of her.

As the years passed she began to feel kind of normal again. Things were changing though and the talk she heard from the families and friends she allowed into her life was exciting and frightening.

They talked of the wars, contention, and death that had been happening outside the shield for longer than Tani had been alive. She had heard this talk now and then as she happened to pass by the tv with news on or sitting near as adults conversed. The talk was only of the sadness they felt for those poor people or of their own they had lost and the gratitude they would not lose any more. A group of scientists and engineers had invented the shield that could cover a large amount of land, which they named Harmony. This shield had kept them safe from any kind of attack, allowing them to focus once again on enjoying life instead of fighting for it. Now there was uncertainty, fear, and lots of opinions on what should happen. Many groups had taken a stand, some proclaiming they needed to drop the shield and fight again, some that they had to improve the shield to prevent those outside from finding a way to destroy it, some claiming they had technology now allowing for a door which could open to let those seeking refuge in. Tani was a little frightened by what she heard, but also excited there might be a way to get out soon.

The concern that was at the forefront of her mind though was just surviving another day. She was 17 now and it was getting harder to hide in stores and libraries.

Her daily visit to the library was spent in research of some way she could get a job without any of the necessary personal identification required. It was during this time of stress and worry she met Grandma Agnes, as she insisted on being called. The sweet old gal had been invited to come teach the homeschool group some knitting lessons. The first words she spoke to Tani were, “I love your locket honey, it reminds me of the one I gave my daughter years ago.” Tani instantly loved the lady. After the knitting lesson they would sit and visit for hours. One day Grandma Agnes, believing Tani was a university student, asked her how she would like free room and board in exchange for “young feet and hands to help out around the house.” Tani cried as Grandma showed her the room with a real bed and pillow to sleep on. There were so many things Tani had once taken for granted.

Two years passed by before Tani realized it. She loved Grandma Agnes dearly; she was an amazing woman who had experienced so much. Tani had started going to the university since Grandma thought she was a student anyway. What a joy it was sneaking into classes and learning.

There were uncertainties and worries though. The beginnings of the fear and mixed opinions about the wars outside the shield had only grown worse. There was now talk and fear of war among each other, which brought up concerns of the government’s actions. Tani was not sure what to make of all the talk, but she was noticing changes around her that brought distress.

Sitting outside one of the small classrooms trying to listen to the lesson she found herself concentrating more on a conversation nearby. "There are changes coming for sure. My dad works for the power plant and they are starting to pass out efficiency cards to all the employees. They have to scan them when they come to and leave work and for each workstation they go to" said one student. Another said, "All government run businesses have had the cards for months now. They say it is only to be more efficient, but many feel it is to keep track of employees’ movements to prevent any possible retaliation. The government can’t understand why we would want to get rid of the shield and they worry if they do let refugees in the resources will be drained.” One of the students in the group noticed Tani’s interest and invited her to sit by him.

After everyone else had gone she sat talking with this young man, named Andy, for hours. They became the dearest of friends and Tani found she was falling in love, an exhilarating and frightening experience. She and Andy would often escape life and go sit together under a huge willow tree near a lazy little stream, visiting for hours.

There was no escaping the changes happening around them though. Every day another business was given a date by which they had to put in the new “workers efficiency equipment,” which was the scanners and cards for employees. If anyone objected some crazy accident always happened and the business was shut down. The latest Tani heard was that the university had even been given a date for when they would need to have scan points for the students put in. She worried just how much all these changes would affect her life.

Her one light in all of the craziness surrounding her was Andy. He was always there, making her smile and laugh, giving her strength and support on bad days. As much as she loved him she had yet to tell him the truth about her, she came close so many times but fear kept the words from coming out. He came over to help her with Grandma often especially as it got increasingly more difficult for her to do things. Every time he came, Grandma would ask him, “When are you going to put a ring on my Tani’s finger?”

The day scans went active at the university; Tani heard grocery stores and hospitals were next. She lost it; her little world was falling apart. When she promised herself she would survive till the shield went down she never imagined that part of that process would mean losing access to everything. She ran from the university feeling like a volcano about to erupt. She knew she must look a terrible sight, but she didn’t care. All she wanted to do was crumple into Andy’s arms and have him tell her it was all going to be ok.

“What is wrong? What has happened? Are you ok? Is it Grandma, has something happened to her?” Andy asked shakily. She didn’t think any more tears could come, but a river sprang forth as soon as he touched her. He held her caressing her back as he spoke in calming tones. “You’re ok, take slow steady breaths, I am here, it’s all going to be ok.”

With each stroke of his hand and soothing phrase the boiling volcano slowly settled down.

“Let’s go to our tree for some privacy, and you can tell me what has you so upset.” Tani did not trust herself to speak yet so she merely nodded her consent.

Sitting under their willow she finally found the strength to tell him about her past and how concerned she was about living in this crazy looking future. Andy held her close and said five words that made her love him even more, “We will figure this out.”

A month later Andy knelt on one knee and professed his love for Tani and promised he would always take care of her if she would have him. They had a beautiful little ceremony in Grandma’s backyard, well their backyard because they would be living with her. It was perfect in every way except for missing her parents, but she had long since stopped dreaming of them at her wedding. She held Andy’s hands looking into his dark brown eyes, and in that moment everything was perfect and right.

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If you enjoyed reading about Tani check out the beginning of her story here.

If you’d like even more about Tani and Andy’s life check out this one.

If you’d like to hear the story of Lindi, Tanis mother, check it out here.