Grandfather (50 page)

People were afraid of
them, and they had a right to be. These soldiers weren’t afraid to
kill. They weren’t afraid to arrest somebody just for talking
against their new leader. It was their job, and they were
proud.

During the day, the people
tried going their own ways, pretending like everything was fine and
normal. To some, it was. They still had their job. They still had
their money. They still had their fancy clothes, their technology,
and their nice homes. Then there were others who just weren’t
sure.

They didn’t like being
forced to go home before curfew. They didn’t like not being able to
go to their local grocery store, buying whatever they pleased.
There were limitations on how much a household could buy each week.
Larger families got more, of course.

“
Moderation,” their new
leader told them. “It’s time we bring the shortages to attention,
especially food. It’s time we change and quit wasting
resources.”

Most people didn’t like
Belladonna. After President Cornelius was killed, she had assumed
the role as commander in chief. It didn’t matter what others
thought. And if somebody argued against it, they were taken away or
refused food.

People wanted answers as
to what was going on. Nobody knew for sure how President Cornelius
died. All they knew was that he was a part of Grandfather. He was
the Grand Imperial, and many didn’t believe until Belladonna
released footage of a Grandfather meeting. Cornelius, of course,
was there. People were furious that they had trusted him. Others
were too worried about Belladonna, believing she was a lot worse.
The fact that Belladonna’s divine Grandmother name was too close to
Grandfather made matters worse.

About a week after
Grandfather’s fall, everybody gathered around their televisions.
Those working stopped to open up a live stream on their computer.
Those roaming the city piled into nearby shops and restaurants that
had televisions. Those unable to get in due to the dense crowds sat
on benches and leaned against the wall, watching their
phones.

***

Belladonna was ready. She
had prepared for this moment for a week, writing speeches over and
over, finding the best way to address the situation. Things were
about to change, and it brought a smile to her face.

As her dresser finished
her makeup, Belladonna kept thinking of her husband. Her dead
husband.

Olyver.

She wished he could see
the progress being made. She had been working for years, bringing
their dream and idea to a reality. The hardest part was planting
her followers in just the right places, controlling everything and
anyone with power. It had been difficult, and things were going to
get even rockier. But Belladonna knew that was inevitable. She kept
her focus on the future outcome.

“
Grandmother,” a soft voice
said behind her.

Belladonna looked in the
mirror to see Robert standing in the doorway. He was dressed in a
black suit. His hair was perfectly combed over. He looked the same,
except for one change.

On his wrist was a black
metal bracelet. In the middle, facing upward, was a green symbol .
. . the infinity symbol.

Belladonna waved her
dresser away and stood up. She walked to the nearest body mirror.
She looked beautiful, her dark red hair put up in a bun. The dress
was designed specifically for her. She always thought green was her
best color. Her dress showed it. It was dark green, hugging her
body tightly. The dress may have seemed plain, but it was
breathtaking. The material was very elegant, made with finest
fabrics. Her necklace and earrings were shiny diamonds. The
pendants were green, matching her dress . . . matching her
eyes.

“It’s time,” Robert told
her once she finished gazing at herself.

She nodded. “This is it,”
she said, actually sounding a bit nervous.

Robert approached her and
placed a hand on her shoulder, as if his touch would calm
her.

“I’ve dreamt of this very
moment for fifteen years,” she said slowly. “I guess it’s just
overwhelming that it’s finally come.” Belladonna forced a small
smile.

Robert took his hand off
her shoulder and walked to the door. “After you, Grandmother,” he
said.

She suddenly grew serious,
no longer looking nervous, but content. She raised her head up high
and walked quickly through the door. Robert followed her as she was
met by several soldiers, who led her down the hall.

They reached the main
sitting area. It was the very place she had first met Mrs.
Harrison. Once the Harrison’s went missing, Belladonna took control
of their mansion. She preferred it over the presidential
tower.

Belladonna was led to the
large foyer and to the main entrance. She paused, taking a deep
breath. Once she nodded, the soldiers opened the doors.

Belladonna walked out with
confidence, immediately meeting a large crowd. There were hundreds
of people. Many of them were reporters, broadcasting the event.
None of them cheered. They barely knew the woman. They stayed
silent, waiting.

Belladonna didn’t bother
waving at them. She didn’t even smile. It wasn’t like that would
make things better. She was just there to give them what they
wanted to hear. She was there to tell them the things they
needed
to hear in order
for her plan to progress. She walked to the podium that had been
set up earlier that day.

A soldier rushed to her
and placed a small microphone on the end of her dress. She allowed
him. Once he was gone, she took one last glance at the crowd before
speaking.

“I know a lot of you have
questions,” she said with authority. “I understand this. I am here
to explain everything. I am here to explain what must be
done.”

She paused, giving the
audience time to prepare.

“The world is in a dire
position. Many of you wouldn’t know because we’ve all been taught
to ignore the problem. It’s not your fault. It’s those who have had
power these past fifty years.”

The crowd stayed silent,
not taking their eyes off Belladonna.

“Our population has
surged. This planet is crammed with 13 billion people. The fact of
the matter is that our resources won’t last much longer with such a
large population. Food production just isn’t keeping up with our
population growth. Natural resources . . . they’re running scarcer
than ever.”

“We’ve never had a problem
getting food!” a man from the crowd shouted out.

Belladonna didn’t seem
angry. “You’re right,” she said with a gentle tone. “Everybody
within the wall has always gotten whatever they want, as much as
they want. The problem hasn’t yet reached our cities. The problem
has started in third world nations. What I’m talking about is the
future. We can keep on living, ignoring the population and
shortages, and in twenty years, people within the walls will be
starving. They won’t be able to get any natural
resources.”

Again, Belladonna paused,
allowing them to take it all in.

“Many people are angry
that I have assumed control. I understand, and recent events are
unfortunate. But this is a part of the transition.”

“Transition to what?” a
woman asked politely.

“To prevent the extinction
of mankind.”

Mumbling whispered
throughout the crowd. Belladonna raised a hand to silence them.
They did so quickly.

“The population will
continue to grow, and we’ll continue using all our resources. Food
is going to grow scarce as the supply struggles to keep up with our
growth. It’s inevitable that we’ll run out, and people will start
to starve to death. People will start dying on the streets.
Businesses will close. We’ll enter an era of a forever-collapsed
economy.”

People listened
inventively.

“My plan will be
difficult, but if we work together, we can make it happen. First,
we can now be aware and address the problem of shortages. This will
allow us to invent alternatives rather than invent new models for
our phones and televisions and vehicles.”

“You’re aware of the
monitoring of weekly food purchases. You now understand why this
has to be. Again, it’s unfortunate. The transition won’t be easy.
At times, there will be force. People must obey me. I am assuming
control and forcing regulations on everybody because it has to be
done if we want to see our society live on.”

Again, whispering rippled
throughout the crowd. A couple of people even shouted in
anger.

“It’s a part of the
transition,” Belladonna repeated silently.

“Dictator!” some old man
screamed out.

A soldier started to go
after him, but Belladonna stopped him.

“Yes,” she said. “I am
taking complete control. I will control everything until things
start to get better. There is nothing anybody can do, and it’s
terrible. You guys are losing most of your freedom, and many of you
aren’t going to like me or my followers. But it’s for the greater
good. Just understand that I’m trying to help the world, hoping to
extend mankind’s life. The transition will be rough, but the
outcome will be very rewarding.”

A couple of more people
shouted in anger, cursing Belladonna. This time, she allowed the
soldiers to go after a few of them.

The soldiers weren’t
gentle. They took what seemed to be a simple black metal bar and
hit each of those talking out against Belladonna. Each person hit
began twitching, their eyes rolling to the back of their heads.
They eventually fell to the ground, motionless. Several people
gasped, but nobody cursed Belladonna any further.

“The transition will be
rough,” Belladonna repeated once again, trying to fuse the idea
into their heads. “I hope you understand that. Because if you
don’t, I can’t allow you to get in the way. You will be
disposed.”

More whispering. This
time, nobody screamed out at Belladonna. Several people were
crying. Others were already leaving the mansion, refusing to hear
more.

“I’m sorry,” Belladonna
said. “It’s for the greater good. Curfew will remain the same.
Media must not report harsh things about our plan to progress. If
so, they’ll be disposed. Those who follow us will be rewarded.
Those who follow us will never have to worry about hunger or danger
for they’re joining me to protect this world. With that said, those
who wish to follow us must be useful, having something to
contribute to our society. Because of these shortages, we can no
longer afford to give to those who can’t contribute to society,
helping it progress.”

Belladonna turned to
Robert and motioned for him to approach the podium He did so. Once
beside Belladonna, she grabbed his arm and raised it into the air,
revealing the black bracelet around his left wrist. The green
infinity symbol had a glow.

“We’re entering the era of
The Grandmother Society. If you wish to follow us, helping us to
prevent inevitable catastrophe, you will be allowed to join our
society as a Grandmother Citizen.”

People continued
whispering, keeping their eyes on Robert’s wrist.

Stations will be set up
for those who wish to apply. Everybody can’t be a citizen. But if
you prove yourself as useful for society and our idea, you will be
allowed, never having to worry about anything. And to identify
Grandmother Citizens, each follower will be given a permanent
bracelet. All of your information will be stored into the
bracelets. If you’re ever in trouble, we will find you through our
GPS system, allowing us to immediately track you.”

Belladonna put Robert’s
arm down. He stayed standing next to her.

“Soldiers will stay on
every corner, keeping order. If any Grandmother Citizen is in
trouble, these soldiers will help them first. If non-members even
try to harm a citizen, they will be disposed. No
exceptions.”

Belladonna took a moment
to look around. There was one more problem to address. She thought
of the safe. It would have solved the last problem, but Carsyn
escaped. She just knew the Harrison’s were somehow involved. The
thing was, most people knew nothing of the safe and the nuke
locations. Maybe she couldn’t access that until she got Carsyn, but
others didn’t need to know that. Their ignorance would keep her
alive.

“There is one more thing,”
Belladonna started slowly, as if still thinking things slowly. She
turned to look at Robert, who urged her to continue.

“As I said, this is
something that must be forced. It’s for the greater good. I don’t
want anybody getting in the way. Other nations are listening right
now. I hope you those leaders understand the predicament we are in,
and I hope you will join my society, allowing us to add more
Grandmother citizens. Those who don’t agree will not be a threat.
An attack on the United Regions won’t be tolerated. And to keep my
citizens safe . . . to keep our idea alive in order to save the
world’s future, I have massive nuclear weapons aimed at specific
locations all around the globe. I have power to destroy every
country, and if it comes to that, I won’t hesitate. I
can’t
hesitate.”