Written by Baby Rucelle Cogal
[Town of Craydon, Year 3022]
If you look from the outside of the town of Craydon and knew nothing about the place, aside from it is really far from civilization being in the you would be extremely amazed due of its peace and order–or so you thought. If someone would look closely, one may notice that there is more to it that meets the eye. The town was heavily divided in terms of social classes. In the middle of the town, a castle stood at the top of hill, surrounded by towering trees and golden gates. Inside the castle, here lives the higher ranks people who govern the town and people at the top of social classes. Outside the castle’s premises is where the common people reside, with houses too tiny when compared the castle. The town was actually not like that at the beginning, at least not until the governance of the Swindford family.
When the Swindford family started to govern, they first appeared to be a good government, but as time goes by, their true colors surfaced. Human rights violation and oppression started to rise– and that continues for 10 years already and counting. Of course, people fought against the government when the oppressions started, but what can we, some ordinary people, do against something so powerful and influential? And that is where the killings and abductions started. Anyone who opposed what they want will either be killed, imprisoned, or tortured. Even when you have not done anything, if they deemed you must die, trust me, you will.
Dark days like these continued all throughout the years it became the “normal”. Poor being denied of opportunities. People working their feet off received almost no wages. Families struggle to achieve a basic human standard of living such as having food and shelter. Discrimination and abuse against women and children. Mass killings. Sudden disappearance of people. They all became normal in a twisted way. The once beautiful Craydon became the embodiment of a living hell, as human rights violation of any sorts existed there.
A lot of attempts to fight against the family went to waste. People tried to leave the town but failed as it has been closed off outside. There was no way out. Because even people sitting at the top choose to stay blind on what is happening, leisurely staying at the comfort of their home as more and more people were either killed, locked up, or died from hunger. Voices of the people were refused to be heard, so silent cries become the loudest screams. Due to the disappearance of people due to the government making them as slaves in the castle and mass killings, there were a very small number of population left, as to why people thought that it is a really peaceful town, as the outside world never knew what was happening in this closed off town.
If you are wondering why I knew all of this, it is because I am one of the slaves captured by the Swindford family. And I am writing this to ask for anyone’s help. By the time someone finds this, I may be already gone so I am giving you my thanks in advance. I hope wherever it ends up, it falls to the arms of a kind person. Please help the town of Craydon. Please help us.
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A prisoner was caught near the garbage dumpsite, trying to escape. As a consequence, he would be killed off the next morning. As to why he chose to go to the dumpsite instead of running to the back gate, no one knows. But as some slaves witness the capture, they said he was smiling as if he had accomplished something that he wanted.
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In one of the cells, there stays a prisoner waiting for his penalty for trying to escape – in short, dying. Covered in bruises and wounds, he stares off space, remembering everything they had gone through.
“Austin Richardson”, a guard spoke from outside the cell.
“It’s time, huh?”, he said to himself as he let the guards dragged him out.
When they reach outside, that is where everything sinks in for him. Without realizing he was already crying. Because he is going to die without achieving freedom, without gaining back their rights. And as if the weather is consoling him, it started raining as much as he is crying.
“I hope somebody would find that letter” was what his last word are.
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[1 year later, Year 3023]
“Hey, where are we?”
“I don’t know man. Look there, seems like a town.”
“Town, huh? A creepy one, if you asked me.”
“We’re not dumb enough to go close there, no? The town seems peaceful yet something about it feels off.”
“Argh. Why did we even join in this training, now we’re lost.”
“They’ll probably looking at us right now, so we just have to wait.”
“I stepped on something. Wait.”
“What are you doing with that trash bags, gross.”
“I stepped on it and something creaks. What is this? A box?”
“That could be a treasure!”
“Ha-ha very funny. Let’s see.”
“Oh, what is that? A letter? A.R. From Craydon Town?”
END.
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