Prologue

Prologue

The tunnel they are in is dark and depressing. The air is dank and reeks of sewage. It’s dark, and Alice’s eyes must squint in order to see even the vaguest outline. She runs her hands along the choppy walls as she walks, using it to guide her towards safety. A silly notion, for she will never truly be safe. She hears the man behind her as he walks. His gait is strong and sure, unlike Alice’s own feeble footsteps. I can hear the fear in my footsteps, she thinks.

“Stop!”

His voice is sharp and clear against the stillness of the air. Alice pauses in her tracks, her heart hammering so loudly she is sure he can hear it. She turns to face him.

“What?”

She hopes she sounds confident. She must, because if he hears the fear in her voice, he will know she does nothing for him out of true loyalty. The man just cocks his head. Evaluating her.

His roundish face, large eyes, and plump lips make him look rather childlike. He just stares at her, and again Alice feels the beginnings of fear creep up on her. She keeps her face expressionless while she pushes it back down. She can’t let him sense she’s afraid.

“What do-“She starts to say, but his cold stare stops her. Such big, innocent eyes radiating such intense coldness.

“You don’t talk unless ordered to,” The words are said in the same tone one would have used to say the sky is blue.

Alice speaks hastily. “I’m sorry, sir-“

“You will obey my commands and attempt to use your limited brain to remember them.”

She doesn’t respond, although inside a part of her wants to scream “How dare you call my brain limited!” But she knows all too well that the consequences are extremely severe.

“You will now wait here. When I give you the signal, you will push this button.”

What button, Alice almost asks and then clamps her mouth shut. She feels something being thrust into her hands.

She looks down at the object in her hands. About the size of a football, the object is square with only one button in the center. Suddenly she realizes that she doesn’t know the signal. She looks up at the man, but-

The man has disappeared. Alice feels panic rush through her, if she fails to hit the button, he will murder her! She can’t die, not yet, not now! Not with the baby growing inside her- the baby no one knows about except her. 

It doesn't really matter if I live either, she thinks, as if to cheer herself up. She certainly couldn't care for it while serving her master, and its father had disappeared in the uprising- even if she lives, who will care for it?  Not her parents, surely- they are against even her very existence.

Anxiously, she looks around. Maybe he will wave a flag. Surely nothing too complicated, though- he feels her brain is limited. What is the button for, anyway?

She waits for his voice. Suddenly she hears footsteps coming towards her, the voices belonging to them growing gradually louder.

“Give it to me.” Alice recognizes the cold voice of her master.

“No, I will not,” That is stated simply, without a trace of fear. Alice admires this man, whose voice is only vaguely familiar, although she can’t remember from where.

“I can set this place on fire. You know I will.”

“That would kill you too.  Then what would be the point of having it?” They are avoiding saying what it is.

“That proves how very little you know about me.” He sounds utterly confident. Alice can imagine him smiling, that smile that is both friendly and hostile at the same time.

Alice listens for the second man’s response. There is none, and she hears the pitter-patter of their footsteps stop. She strains her ears, listening for some sign of the men, when she hears a shout.

 “Now!”

Is that the signal? She doesn't think as she presses the button. There is a sudden boom, a bright flash of light, and the world goes dark.