The Beginning (Book 4): Liberating Barriers

by Shepp, Roman

  In the still of the night, Saeed snuck out of his room and went to the boxes again. There were no guards during the night, so nobody was there to witness Martha and Belinda's mournful, pitiable sobs. He was going to set them free, because nobody deserved this treatment.

  “I'm getting you out,” Saeed whispered as he fiddled with the clasp on one of the boxes. It was difficult to see in the dim moonlight, but he heard a click and then pushed the lid off.

  “Stop what you're doing!” a stern voice said behind him.

  Saeed hung his head. He turned to see Hugo and Matthias standing there. Martha reached out a trembling hand, gripping Saeed's arm. That gesture, that touch, told him everything he needed to know. Whatever happened next, giving them this glimpse of freedom had been worth it.

  “Matthias, go alert the rest of the community. They all should see what has transpired here,” Hugo said. Matthias nodded and strode back, bellowing at the top of his voice for them all to wake and gather by the boxes.

  “Go on then, free the other one as well. You've started now, so you might as well finish,” Hugo said. Saeed grimaced, but freed Belinda. He helped them out of the boxes. They showered him with thanks, their voices were hoarse and as soon as they were out of the boxes they collapsed on the ground.

  “So pitiful,” Hugo said.

  It wasn't long before the entire camp was standing around them, including Tara.

  “As you can see, this man, who we so kindly took in, has broken our rule. He has tried to set these women free before their punishment was up. I understand why he did this. Mercy is not a weakness, but if we are to make our mark on this world, we must be strong. Everyone here knows the value of strength, and that sometimes we must harden our hearts for the greater good. Unfortunately, this man must now learn it too. Saeed, you must be punished. You will serve out the remainder of their sentences in the box,” he said.

  Saeed's eyes widened in horror. Matthias and the guard grabbed hold of him and dragged him to one of the boxes. Saeed tried to writhe free, but they were too strong. He looked at Tara. She was about to move, but he shook his head. He had to be an example for her to follow. He had to be resolute. He gritted his teeth and bore the pain as his body was curled up, fitting within the narrow walls of the box. Breathing deeply, he kept his eyes open as Matthias and the guard lowered the lid, placing it over his head. Soon enough he was plunged into darkness and only vaguely was aware of Hugo's proclamations. But Saeed would prove to Hugo that this box could not break a man. He had suffered too much already. These people would not get the better of him.

  Chapter Seven

  Matthias rubbed his hand as he walked away from the box, looking down with scorn at the man they just had put inside. He shook his head as he returned to Hugo's side, wondering what had possessed the man to try freeing those women. They were obviously worthless. Mercy was a weakness, despite what Hugo had said, and now that man was going to pay the price. While Hugo continued, Matthias searched the people's eyes for any trace of weakness. Thankfully, nearly all of them were aware of how important it was to keep order, and this man was an outsider, so he was unlikely to have any allies. Soon enough he'd break, and he'd see the true way.

  “Let this be a reminder that we still have our work to do. Once we are out in the world we will be met by people who challenge our beliefs and our faith, but that only should serve to strengthen us. We will show them how strong we are, and how we have the right way of life. When this man emerges, I am sure he will be more willing to see how we can help heal the world. Now, please return to your beds. I am sorry for rousing you, but I thought it was important you should see this.”

  The people clapped, giving Hugo a hearty round of applause as they dispersed. Hugo remained standing there, basking in the adulation of his crowd. One day that adulation would be Matthias' as long as he stayed true to the path laid out for him.

  “I thought that man had potential,” Matthias said when he and Hugo had been left alone. “It was a shame he tried to spare those women.”

  “Some men always think they're doing the right thing, even when they aren't,” Hugo said.

  “I'm also a little confused about why you didn't kill Saeed. Don't you think he could be trouble?”

  “Perhaps, but he is just one man. What difference can one man make? Besides, if we break him, he could become a useful asset. Surviving out in the world is no mean feat, Matthias. He's a man who has seen a lot, and we could use someone with his particular set of skills. Death is too much of a final end anyway. A true victory only comes when your enemies look to you and tell you that you were right all along.”

  “Is that what you want to happen when we march into the city? To change minds?”

  “Yes, it is,” Hugo said.

  Matthias bristled at this. Perhaps Hugo didn't have as good an idea of what he wanted as Matthias had thought. Changing minds wasn't something that Matthias was interested in. The only way was to subdue people by force. They either would join the cause or continue to fight, and thus be put down. Hugo's way was too peaceful. Perhaps he had been more influenced by Arthur than Matthias had thought. Hugo's problem was that he always wanted people to love him. Matthias didn't care for that. Matthias wanted people to bow down in awe, to accept their rightful place as below him.

  At least Hugo still was assured of Matthias' loyalty, even though it was beginning to waver.

  The two of them eventually moved away from the boxes. Matthias was a little surprised that Saeed hadn't begun to weep and wail, but eventually that would come. It always did. Hugo bid farewell for the night, while Matthias stayed up, sitting in the middle of community. He lit a lantern and looked around at his immediate surroundings. Often he enjoyed staying up long after others had gone to bed. It gave him a sense of peace, as though he was attuned with the world. Breathing deeply, he settled his mind and thought of a future where he was standing in the middle of the city, people bowing down before him as though he was a Roman Emperor. It would be glorious. Still, he could not allow himself to accept it as a certainty yet. There still was much that had to be done.

  Some time passed, then he heard a commotion. He stood up, peering into the darkness. A loud voice was muttering and cursing.

  “What's the meaning of this?” Matthias asked.

  “We found these two wandering through the woods,” Jack said. Matthias pressed his lips together and raised the lantern to get a better view of these new prisoners. Perhaps new candidates to be put in the box.

  “Get that light out of my eyes,” the man said. Dawn began rising over the horizon, so soon enough there wouldn't be a need for a lantern at all. Matthias wasn't too impressed with the man, who winced and turned away from the light. The woman however, was a different story, meeting the glare of the lantern with a fixed stare.

  “Well, welcome to this camp. I'm Matthias, and if you're going to stay here, you're going to have to work hard and be a productive member of the community. We don't like people who don't pull their weight and--”

  “Now listen here, my name is Frank Underwood. I'm a politician and I should be afforded more respect than being manhandled by these people. I demand to speak to whoever is in charge. Take me to them. There's plenty of opportunity for all of us to work together.”

  A smile flashed over Matthias' face as he heard the man's name. He wasn't about to play that card just yet, though. Ignoring Frank's pleas, Matthias turned to Jane. “And who do we have here?”

  “Her name is Jane Watson, but that's not important right now. Listen to me, we need to speak to your leader. There are other dangerous people out there,” Frank said, placing his hand on Matthias' arm. Matthias didn't like that one bit. He stared at Frank.

  “Get your hand off me,” he growled. “I know who you are.”

  “Well, good,” Frank said, smoothing down his clothes, “then you know that I'm a man of my word and that I can help you. Let's just sit down together and talk about things like rational adults.”

  “Oh
, I know you well. I know that you cheated on your wife. Is this the woman you broke your vows with? Interesting. I certainly can see why you were tempted, but a man is only as good as his word, and you broke yours a long time ago. I must warn you that we don't have much use for weak men here. As for you, Jane, well, from what I've heard you have a great many skills. I think that perhaps you could be put to good use, if you show better judgment,” he said, sneering toward Frank. Jane remained unnaturally quiet, keeping her mouth closed.

  “How do you know that?” Frank demanded, pointing a finger at Matthias. Matthias merely arched an eyebrow, finding Frank's hostile demeanor quite amusing.

  “I know a lot about you, Frank. Although I know a lot more about your wife. In fact, you could say I know Natasha very...intimately.” he gave Frank a knowing smile, which was perfectly highlighted by the dawning sun. Frank's face turned ashen. First, he looked shocked, but that quickly gave way to rage.

  “What? No? Natasha is here? What about the boys!”

  “They're all here, Frank. And they're mine,” Matthias snarled.

  That was all Frank needed to set him off. He lunged at Matthias, who quickly stepped back and avoided Frank's punch. The man looked like a wild animal. It was funny to see how so many men were so quick to attack when their ego was bruised.

  “Stay here. I'll go get Natasha,” he said.

  The other men held Frank back. Jane still didn't make a move, although she seemed more alert than she had been moments before. Matthias went to fetch Natasha, only telling her that he had a surprise for her. Intrigued, she accompanied him, arm in arm, and then gasped when she saw Frank and Jane.

  “What the hell are you two doing here? The world ends, and you don't even come looking for me? What kind of a father are you? You should have been with us. And you...you bitch! I'd seriously look at your life choices if you're still with him. God, of all the people to come here...” she said, shaking her head in disbelief. Matthias watched the passionate outburst with awe.

  “It's okay, Natasha. They have found their way here for a reason. Perhaps it is to show them how small their lives are.”

  With that he wrapped his arms around Natasha and pulled her into him for a sweet, deep, long kiss. Out of the corner of his eye Matthias glanced at Frank, enjoying the seething rage that was evident on his face. Jane had turned away, looking a little ashamed. Matthias drove the dagger in deeper, thrusting his tongue deep in Natasha's mouth, bending her back so her long lustrous hair hung down. He wanted to show Frank what he had been missing, what Matthias had taken from him.

  “Enough! Enough!” Frank said. Matthias pulled back, keeping hold of Natasha to ensure she didn't fly forward and attack Frank.

  “Natasha, are they okay? Are my boys okay?”

  “They're better than they've ever been, Frank. We're better than we've ever been. It turns out that all this time you've been the only thing holding us back.”

  “Can I see them? Please? I just want to see them.”

  Natasha laughed. “You're not really in a position to be demanding anything, Frank. This is a new world and you don't have a place in it. We're not your family anymore. You forfeited that right a long time ago. I bet you two were together on the night it happened, weren't you? Figures. Damn, Jane, I always thought you were smart, but I never realized you were stupid enough still to be with him. Hasn't he stabbed you in the back yet? It's coming, trust me.”

  “Natasha, please, we can work this out, surely?” Frank said. “I know I've made mistakes, but that doesn't mean we can't have a healthy relationship for the sake of the children. Let's just sit down and talk this over.”

  Natasha shook her head and walked away.

  “I think you have your answer,” Matthias said, chuckling to himself as he walked away. “Take them captive. We'll figure out what to do with them in the morning,” he told the others over his shoulder.

  “Did you like the surprise?”

  “A little warning would have been nice,” Natasha said.

  “That look on his face is something I'll never forget.”

  “Me neither. I can't believe he actually made it. Should have figured. That man is like a cockroach.”

  “He'll get what's coming to him. What about the woman?”

  “Jane? I couldn't care less about her. She's made her bed. If she's chosen to be with him after everything, then she can suffer by herself. I don't really want anything to do with them. Like I said, I'm your woman, Matthias. For better or worse. And I don't need a ring for that.”

  He leaned in to kiss her. Natasha was a good woman indeed, one who was worthy to stand beside him. The emergence of her husband was an interesting twist in the tale, and Matthias was looking forward to showing him more of what Frank had missed.

  Chapter Eight

  Rosa's shift as a guard was over, and as soon as it was she left her friends in the cages to go fight for their rights. They all were upset, but why couldn't they see that Rosa was doing the best for all of them? She could understand it from Frank, since he didn't have any qualms about hiding his dislike of her, but she hoped she had earned more goodwill from Jane and Phil. Perhaps she had been right all along in not wanting to form human connections. She only ever seemed to disappoint people, and it was far easier to go her own way rather than be beholden to other people. Even so, she wanted to help Phil and Jane. Perhaps it was just her guilty conscience for how helpless she had been in the bunker, but she had grown to like them, and this world certainly would be easier if she had others she could rely on.

  Dusk was settling in and Rosa had left Jane, Frank, and Phil locked up. She hoped that in time Andrew would see that they all were telling the truth. He and these other people evidently were scared of Hugo, but they might have the means to fight back.

  She joined Andrew near a big bonfire. People were sharing food, and Rosa thanked them for her share. She turned her back on the cages, not wanting to feel the daggers.

  “So, I know that not all the people with me are likable, but we've all been through a lot and we could help you. I get the feeling that you want to fight, but you're not sure how.”

  “It doesn't come naturally to us,” Andrew said. “We all joined the community because we wanted to get away from a world that was filled with violence, but if we stand by and let Hugo continue to hurt the others with his poisonous words, I don't know how we can live with ourselves.”

  “So, what are you waiting for? You seem to have a good number of people. You could strike out at him, show him that you mean business. Maybe you'd even be able to bring others into your private little war,” Rosa said.

  “It's not that simple. Hugo has many men, and he's far more vicious than we ever could be. How are we supposed to fight him when we have no idea how to fight? We can raid at night, and capture people who we think are our enemy, but that is far different than a full-out assault. Besides, many people in Hugo's army were our friends, our family. They have simply been misled.”

  “If they're against you, then they're not your friends. I'm not saying you have to kill these people, but if you want to stop Hugo, you're going to have to attack at some point. You can't wait for him to come to you, if that's what you're afraid of.” Rosa could tell that that was indeed the source of Andrew's fear by the way he glanced across at the others.

  “How did you escape anyway?”

  “In the days following Arthur's death many of us were unsettled by what seemed to be a changing mood. Many of us were sent out on patrols to forage. Some of us just didn't return. We have been hiding out here, waiting for Hugo to come and find us. Every day we live in fear that today will be the day when he sends people to slaughter us. We have women and children. All we want is to be left alone and live our lives in peace, but Hugo does not seem the type of man to allow that. We have taken to prowling the woods at night to preempt any attack on our camp.”

  “You can't live like that, always in fear. That's not going to do you or anyone else in this camp any good. Look,
I get why you're afraid. But there are other dangers as well, and if you're going to make a good life for yourself in this world, you have to stand up for what you believe in. We can help you with that. These people aren't your enemy.”

  “Were they part of the army as well? The only reason I allowed you to join us was because you wear the uniform. It shows you are a woman of honor. Can you say the same for them?”

  Rosa wasn't even sure she could say the same for herself. The uniform she wore represented so much, yet it meant so little. “They're as honorable as I am, maybe more so, and they've been through a hell of a lot more. Please, just release them and we all can talk about what we can do to help you and the rest of the people here.”

  Their conversation had lasted a while, and time drifted to the late night. Eventually, Andrew relented and told Rosa that he would let them go. Rosa wondered if he actually had chosen to be a leader, or if it had been thrust upon him because he seemed riddled with doubt and insecurity. They walked over to the cages, and to their surprise they saw that Phil was the only one left. The doors to Jane and Frank's cages were wide open, the ropes that had bound the doors to the rest of the cages were on the ground.

  “What is this...” Andrew gasped, turning around in shock, a look of betrayal on his face. Rosa held her hands up and shook her head.

  “I have no idea what happened here,” she said. “I tried to tell them to wait.”

  Andrew marched up to the cages, looking amazed that anyone could break out. The commotion was enough to wake up Phil, who scowled.

  “Great. Am I the only one left in a cage?” he asked.

  “They're gone, Phil. Jane and Frank escaped.” The look on his face made Rosa's heart go out to him. They had left him behind. Without hesitation, Rosa walked up to Phil's cage and began undoing the rope.