The Bang, the End Was Just the Beginning

THE BANG The End Was Just The Beginning Mahnaz Mirkhond-Chegini Chapter 1 Bang! There is was again; that loud clamping sound coming down from the hallway. Bang, bang, bang, bang! It seemed as if that sound would never end. The obnoxious screeching of the nails against silver, going up and down the walls as the heavy machinery orients itself over and over again making motor energy for the spacecraft to remain afloat in the dark voids of space. The loud noise, I was accustomed too, as this was the only thing I knew. The loneliness I yearned to seize; it seemed as an eternity of solitude. The year, 2050, went by fast in this wretched place. Minutes turned to hours, seconds into days, nights into weeks, and months felt like years. I stare at my ghastly pale reflection in the tiny pocket mirror hidden in the corner of my room. My once brilliantly shiny green eyes, were staring at me with a pale and dull glare. My long golden locks, chopped short and yellow. I missed myself. I wonder if I will ever smile again. That is a great question. I continue to stare long and hard at myself. Was that really me? I can’t recognize myself, perhaps it is the dim-to-no lighting in this stale room. I bring a little knob of light to the mirror, shining a bit of light from an almost dead mini flashlight. I had swapped this with my neighbor inmate last week during social hour for my brownie cake. The light shows the truth in my reflection. I have aged. All is as it should be. Yet, I do miss my youthful face. I hope it will return…someday. The alarm sounds, and it is time. The day is long and I will run; for I cannot endure any more beatings at the hand of the sergeant. Lateness is seen as unforgivable here in this ward. How I miss my comfy room and friends. I can only hope to see them someday soon. Perhaps before my 30th birthday, as that nears in a month. June 27th 2050, I turn 30. I will continue to try to please the captain of this ward, and hope my hard work pays off. What can I do but try my best to hold on to my mental strength and what tiny seed of hope that remains in my heart for better days to come. For once the bottom has been reached; it must go uphill from here…right? I wish I would be with my friends for my birthday. I envision a banner across my bedroom door, “Happy 30th birthday Carly Mae”. How I wish this would be the case. Chapter 2 Time flies with unimaginable speed once I enter the job. The routine tasks of machinery in the line of workers, makes me feel calm knowing I am not alone. The mundane reality of the machine job is countered by the sense of unity felt with all the workers. The meaningless work brings me great joy as I have some hours to be amongst humans, before returning to my empty cell. Day in and day out, I do the best I can to follow orders and to perform just as good as the machine robot workers. I strive to outperform them, making myself valuable for the captain; in hopes to win his favours and be returned to my friends in the main port. I try my best, yet fail at doing so. The robots do the job far better than any of us workers, and it seems impossible to ever beat them. I wish I could though. How amazing it would be if acknowledged as the one and only female worker to surpass a robot in production. I never question what it is I am participating in during the assembly line creation process. I have learned to not ask questions and to take orders. The more I do this, the less likely to be given lashes. I do this mindfully, follow orders and strive to beat the robots. I hope I can secure a spot in the front of the line today. I am certain if the captain only looks into my eyes, I can win him over. My neighbor mentioned last week in the shower that the captain has a liking towards a few women here. It has been said that he can give gifts, and higher status’ to those he takes a particular liking too. I can only hope today will be my day, and he will look at me. I must do something about this status. I cannot endure this any longer. To live another day like this, and see no change in my status will be the end of that tiny seed of hope that I harbor closely. I wear my rugged white linens, and comb my hair back. I try my best to fix myself with the nothing I have in my empty cell. I give all my intention to making today…the day. It has to be. Chapter 3 I shift my eyes back and forth trying to get a glimpse of the crowd. I work busily, but seek the captain. I cannot see him anywhere. Was today an off day for him? Will he come at some other point? This is the one chance I have at salvation. I am ready to do what I need to do in order to make it out of this barren state. I yearn to see the captain and try to win him over with one look. I have nothing to lose now as my one friend is gone. Jack was killed last month by the robotic soldier outside the cafeteria for the elite workers. We are not allowed to enter the area. Jack tried to sneak in and get some food; I warned him not too. The ruthless robot took no caution in ordering his death. With the laser hands he slashed open Jack from neck to navel. Nothing could be done then; I had warned him. I am used to not being heard. My entire life I was ignored by my family. It was a common element in my childhood, to be misunderstood and not heard. I was accustomed to being ostracized and alienated. I accepted my fate and endured the constant criticism. It was Jack who always was beside me. He seemed to care for me when no one ever did. He heard me and loved me as a sheppard to his sheep. I miss him so. To lose Jack was certainly the end of a part of me; the soft side of me, for he always brought that out. Now, here I am, competing with the robot workers and striving to become the mistress of the captain. What has become of me? All I know is that I need to get out of this ward. To stay here is the end of all that makes me…me. Chapter 4 The crowd emerges now and a few women are making some noise. The captain is coming this way; towards me he comes now. I hope my hair is where I pinned it in the morning. Here goes nothing, ”Captain, please sit with me a while. I have a story I need to share with you”. The Captain heard the yell to him, and he turned on his heel at once. I guess my request sent him outside his comfort zone. It is at this time that I decided to go ahead and give it all I got. It is now or never. Chapter 5 “Hi there”, I gasped heavily as I raised my eyes to his lower jaw and saw his smirk. He took the breath out of my lungs. I knew he was charming, I had heard from his previous lovers that he has the lips of a hero and a heart of a villain. Here they were right in front of me now. I could not seem to stop staring at his smile. What a smile.