Page 4 of Captured By the Monsters
SERA
My parents ruined the moment by giving me mirror looks of pity, as if my words wouldn’t come to fruition no matter how strong they knew I was.
“Of course you’ll be back!” Mom sniffled without conviction, glancing at Dad out of the corner of her eyes. She really was trying her best to not fall apart all over again and lend me strength, but it just wasn’t her forte.
“Better get going,” Dad sighed as he took her hand gently to lead her out of the apartment.
“I will be back,” I said in a soft but sure tone, the words both for them and myself.
Dad slowly nodded, a spark of intensity within his words. “If anyone could return, it would be you. I love you, Sera.”
His words made my mouth tremble. Biting down hard on my bottom lip, I tasted blood while I desperately blinked tears away. I wouldn’t leave here sobbing—I promised myself I’d be strong for them.
For me. For Gizmo.
“I love you both,” I responded before looking in Gizmo’s direction one last time until they disappeared from my view.
Looking at the empty doorway for a few minutes, I took this last moment with them to heart, tucking it away for the tough times ahead.
Crossing my arms resolutely over my chest—an absolute show of false bravado—I inhaled deeply and decided it was time. I’d accepted my fate and was ready to take this on.
Grabbing my keys I marched out of my apartment and dropped them off in the landlord’s mailbox. As I left the building, I saw neighbors watching my progression, their eyes harboring the same defeat as my parents’ for my fate. I didn’t acknowledge anyone but walked on with my head held high. They didn’t believe I was coming back, but I would fight tooth and nail to return to The Above, even if I had to claw my way out of there.
Frustration mixed with apprehension fluttered like a swarm of angry bees in my stomach. The only bright side of this mess, if you could call it that? We were well compensated for our sacrifice—or should I say, our families were. A monetary compensation for their loss was handed out after the successful transport of the chosen women. With more than enough to cover the funeral costs most families held after the woman left.
My parents just became very rich at the cost of their daughter’s life, a deal neither would have taken if given the option. But they were stuck in this fate the same as I was, and if I wanted to ensure my parents continued to live, down to The Below I went, like a good little citizen.
Sliding into my car, my hands instantly gripped the steering wheel tightly as rage bubbled and brewed deep inside of me, creating a toxic concoction of emotions.If only we could overthrow the leaders… No, Sera.
I stopped that dangerous thought in my head before it could even fully form. No one would ever join me on that quest to topple our government. They led viciously and with an iron fist. Being sent to The Below was kind in comparison to what our leaders did to traitors.
Shuddering at the thought of the public tortures held in the Citadel Plaza for weeks, I glanced at the car screen, counting down the time on the GPS until I reached the Unified Capital of the world. Previously known as Times Square, but with major remodeling, it was barely recognizable as the same place shown in history books.
Not much further to go until my life ended and another started. The acidic bitterness of the situation left a shitty taste in my mouth. I doubted I could ever rinse it away, even if—no, when—I came back.
When I reached the Citadel Plaza, the heart of the Unified Capital, I blew out a breath of relief. No one was being disemboweled today. That was the last thing I needed to see right now. My nerves were already frazzled enough, my grip on my thin confidence waning with each step closer to my fate.
My parents took me to the Unified Capital once when I was ten for the yearly Pledge of Allegiance, where everyone over eighteen was required to go and get down on bended knees before our leaders and swear their fealty. My parents had to bring me with them that winter as they couldn’t find a sitter to watch me at home, and it was their biggest regret.
Three defectors who attempted to help a chosen female escape from the Selection had been caught, and a public torture and execution was held in the Plaza for all to see—a warning to anyone foolish enough to go against our leaders. We came on day five of the torture. The three men were slowly having their intestines pulled from their body, inch by agonizing inch, prolonging their inevitable death.
This is why hardly anyone shirked their duty if chosen to go to The Below.
Our loved ones wouldn’t just die if we refused—they would be made to suffer in the most excruciating manner possible first.
Swallowing thickly, I got out of my car on trembling legs that threatened to give out. Steeling my spine, I started to walk but didn’t really know where to go. I pondered my dilemma as I came up to a soldier with an assault laser strapped to his back. From what I read, they were similar to the tasers from long ago but stronger and deadlier.
I watched a video of one in use once, and I had no desire for it to ever be used on me, so I’d comply with whatever he said.
“Citizen status?” the soldier grunted as he ran his eyes over me.
No one could pass into the Citadel Plaza without stating their caste and providing their identity card. When the Unified Capital was formed, the population was broken into three castes: Upper, Middling, and Lower. This was based on your family’s monetary standing at the time and could not be changed once determined.
“Middling,” I announced, pulling out my citizen card.
When the man read my name, his gaze swung to lock with mine, annoyance simmering in their dark depths. “We’ve been waiting for you. You’re the last Selection to arrive.”
My brows raised in astonishment. I didn’t live far from the Unified Capital and figured I would be one of the first to get here even though I’d spent two hours bawling. I’d been hoping that the others wouldn’t show up for another hour or so, giving me time to maybe learn about The Below while I waited.
