My hope is that our son, Spurious, will grow up in a better world. Now that scientists in Tisaia have created a new form of Biomass, it may be possible. Yet I know our new government is fragile. There has been talk of legislation that will ban all immigrants from our country.
If that isn't frightening enough, Governor Lunia has replaced the Tisaian National Army with a Council of Royal Knights to protect the citizens of Tisaia. But, I wonder, from what? Our walls protect us from the outside, and it has been years since any stragglers have tried to attack us. Why then do we need a massive military force to police our streets and walls? There is no one left to fight against.”
Spurious paused to check on Lana who sat quietly, her eyes locked on the note.
“Go on,” she said.
“April 1st, 2051
Late last night the legislature passed Bill 99, which deems any immigrant entering Tisaia in the past 10 years as a criminal facing immediate detention and deportation. A group called the Justice Committee has been formed to help track down all of these men, women, and children who will be put into camps until they can officially be deported outside the Tisaian walls.
Many of us, my husband included, have been talking about forming an underground movement to fight against this legislation. Right now we’re still in the tentative planning stages, but I know in my heart that something must be done to stop the State from doing this.
As I look at Spurious, I realize that my own life is worth sacrificing if it means his life will be better.
I have to go now; I hope to write again soon. Tonight we’re holding a secret meeting, and we’re going to call ourselves the Tisaian Democratic Union.”
Spurious folded the paper and placed it in his pocket.
“Leo was right.”
The words rolled off his tongue and echoed in his mind, repeating over and over.
My parents were the founders of the TDU.
Lana’s touch finally brought him back to reality. For a few moments she sat by his side, waiting for him to speak, but when he turned to face her the words would not form. He was lost in the brilliance of her brown eyes—captivated by her exotic beauty.
Finally Lana squeezed his hand. “Spurious, your parents created the TDU!” she exclaimed.
“I know,” he said pausing. “I have been told this before.”
“Oh,” Lana said quickly.
Spurious caught her gaze again. For a moment he studied her seemingly perfect features; her small nose, gleaming brown eyes, perky lips and full eyebrows. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on, something worth protecting and dying for.
“The Council never knew who I was. My parents made sure of it, and far as I know only you and an old man from Rohania knows the truth.” Spurious paused, afraid what he was about to say would offend her. “Don’t act like you don’t have your secrets too, Lana. We all have our secrets, but I want you to know I’m here for you, no matter what your past holds.”
Lana scooted over closer to Spurious. “I guess we both have our secrets then, don’t we?"
“We do indeed. The only thing is, I don’t know about many of yours.”
Lana leaned over to kiss him, her eyes syncing with his. “Well that is something we’ll have to remedy, isn’t it?” she said, her lips meeting his.
The two rested on the bed for another hour, listening to the soft drizzle of rain on the boards outside the window. Spurious massaged Lana’s right arm as she lay with her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
“I can’t believe my parents were part of the TDU. I just can’t believe it,” Spurious whispered.
“You probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you that I’m an immigrant.”
Spurious slowly sat up as Lana pulled away to gauge his reaction. “Honestly, I’d be lying if I told you I didn't already suspect that, Lana.”
She smiled and rested her head back on his lap. "How did you know?"
"A hunch," he said, running his fingers through her hair.
"Well, now you know all of my secrets. It’s a good thing I trust you.”
“And I suppose it’s good I trust you too,” he said, settling back down onto the aged mattress, his heart slowing back down to a normal beat.
“You know, for the longest time I’d never have imagined myself here, with you. And now that we’re here, I don’t want to be anywhere else,” he said.
Lana tilted her head so she could kiss his hand. “I want nothing else than to be here with you, but I have to be honest. What if someone finds out? What if the Knights find us? You’d be lying if you told me you weren’t worried about the same thing.”
Spurious sighed and looked up at the orange radiance of candle light dancing across the ceiling.
“All I want to think about is the here, the now, with you. If we get caught then at least I can say a part of my life was worth living. Besides, my parents risked everything for me. I’m not going to throw it away anymore. I’ve been wasting my life for too long!” Spurious exclaimed.
He glanced down at his watch. “It’s getting late, Lana, we better go. Unless you have some weird fantasy about being interrogated by your AI--I know I don’t. She can be pretty mean.”
Lana laughed. “You’re probably right. I’d like to stay out of prison for a little longer.”
The two got up and headed out of the room, turning to take one last glance at the place he had once called home. This can be our place, he thought, closing the door and heading into the darkness.
Time: 7:01 p.m. February 10, 2071.
Location: Commons Building #21, Apt 44. Lunia, Tisaia
Spurious sat at the edge of his windowsill, peering at the surrounding buildings. The snow in Tisaia had all but melted, once again revealing the copper and gold dome roofs of the Commons buildings and State offices. With the snow gone, Lunia began to bloom back into the architectural wonder it really was.
He watched State workers walk across the courtyard and thought briefly of Paulo, who would never walk across the terrace again. For a second he remembered his old friend’s gleaming smile and wisdom. Things just weren’t the same without him. A tear crept down the side of his cheek. He wiped it away and pulled out his journal.
Feb 10th, 2071
I have been seeing Lana for a little over a few weeks now, and I must confess my love grows stronger for her with every passing day. The time has allowed me to realize how fragile both life and love can be. I have known for only a short time that my parents were killed by the CRK, but now one of my best friends has been killed by the TDU. My heart is torn as I have tried desperately to find where my loyalties should lie.
Lana is all that is good in my life now. Ing and I have grown apart, and without Paulo, our friendship has began to dwindle.
The future is so uncertain now, but as I think about the future I’m reminded of a quote I once read. “Dreams come true. Without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them.”
This couldn’t be any more relevant as I find myself dreaming of a day I can live with Lana in a free State. My fear is that before long, I’m going to be forced to pick a side.
Spurious closed his journal and another tear dropped from his chin, landing silently on the black leather cover of the book.
Time: 1:00 p.m. February 12, 2071.
Location: Sector of Governmental Services. Lunia, Tisaia
Spurious sat at his desk, staring into Archie’s bowl. He tapped on the thick glass, causing Archie to dart towards a small shipwreck replica.