Bill of Human Wrongs

Chief Rubio had called the mayor into his office. The recording was a stunning piece of evidence proving the lies coming from White Town.

The mayor listened and when the chief finished, he said, “This is all we need. It’s an important time for us, no more repression. They have the law on their side, but guess what? They wrote the law. It’s time to put an end to this.” Mayor Peña had heard everything and he knew he had few options. He’d been pushed for years by the White Town authorities, but never like this. “Make a public statement and have your men ready to act on this. We’re going to declare an end to ghettos today.” He stood and solemnly left the room. He had calls to make to the mayors of the other ghettos across the country. He needed cooperation.

The chief called a meeting to let his men know the story, he arranged for a patrolman to pick up Eve from Ron and Christine’s house. “In fact, take the couple she’s living with too. They all need to be in a safe house.” He told the men what he wanted them to do, to be prepared for riots and possibly an open war.

The news reporters were then notified of his pending press conference. Everything was set. Within an hour, Chief Rubio walked out to meet the crowd, to deliver a message that could send the country into a tail spin. He had always known the day would come, but still wasn’t prepared.

Guns were illegal, except for those issued to officers of the law. But everyone knew that there were plenty around that had been bought from the black market.

Within hours, gun fire could be heard, flashes lit up the sky from heavy artillery. The fights started in White Town, just outside the community of Scarsborough Meadows. It had been a tribute to Conchita to begin their war near the street where she’d been killed.

In Latino Town, Asia Town, Black Town, all the townships, there were protesters in the streets chanting. “Death to the people who killed Conchita!”

Communications spread throughout the country over the internet. Within hours, a technical team from Black Town had set up a social network called Operation Conchita, exposing the war for the entire global community to follow. Every state in the Union was involved, the organization took place within a staggering short period of time. It demanded the end of suppression, asking for cities across the Nation to take part and march through the White Towns of America. Claim their government buildings. Take prisoners. This was the beginning of a new Civil Rights Movement. This was the beginning of the end of dominance over citizens of the country. In the name of Conchita, all states in the Union declared war on their own Nation.

News analysts debated on the semantics of it all. Some called it Civil War, others argued it was just a Social Movement and would be over within a few days.

Protesters in D.C. were on foot, armed with bats. They planned to infiltrate Liberty Square just outside the municipal buildings in White Town. Their intention was to take over the mayor’s home, and finally the President’s. Some of the troops were assigned to march to these different residences, some were aiming for Liberty Square. But their numbers before splitting off were impressive. Tens of thousands of them.

The army was armed unlike the protesters, and had instructions to take all officials as prisoners. Prisoners that would be tried by the heads of government from various ghettos. It had been 30 years since many of the people had lost their rights as citizens of the United States, 25 years since they had been banished to their townships. This day was the beginning of the end of their suppression. This was a day for all to unite and destroy White Town, the day to make the fears of people that lived in a place like Scarsborough Meadows come true.

***

In the small hotel room in D.C. the television was on. Ron flipped the channels to see protesters from all the townships chanting Conchita’s name as they progressed toward the square.

“Ron! Give me that remote, you’re driving me crazy.” Christine tried taking it away from him.

“Honey, we need to get the full story. Listen, we give each channel two minutes. Ok compromise?”

Eve sat motionless in her chair, sick. Finally, she spoke, but in a forlorn tone. “I did this, I created this war. What do we do to help?”

Ron and Christine looked at her in shock, Ron took the lead. “We stay in this room, that’s what we do, Eve. One. They’re looking for you, and want you dead. Two, you didn’t start this. That nut case husband and his cronies did. And three? What the hell can we do? This is out of our control, Honey. You leave here, you put us all in danger, you understand?”

“I’ve never seen anything like this before. Those people marching in the streets are going to be killed. The army will be killed. This isn’t a fair fight, we don’t have the military to defeat these people.”

Christine stood and went over and began rubbing Eve’s shoulders. “Honey, we know how you feel, we’re scared too. But you must listen to Ron. There isn’t anything we can do. Our part is done, we got the truth out there. You must listen to us, Eve. You scare me when you talk like this.”

“Shush.” Ron had another station on, one from White Town. The reporter was standing in the middle of a deserted district with lights flashing in the sky a few miles in the distance.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before.” He was yelling his words to be heard over the sounds of terror inside his mind. “There are marches coming from all directions hoping to infiltrate Liberty Square. Our army is waiting for them 10 miles from this target. They have orders not to shoot unless the hooligans don’t listen to them. These thugs are from every ghetto, they’ve formed a united front. They should be confronted by tomorrow if they march through the night.” The man put his head down for a moment, but continued with his voice quivering. “If they don’t listen to the authorities, there will be a blood bath.”

New impressions of smoke could be seen in the distance, the sounds of combat had intensified. The reporter turned to see what a war looked like and shuddered. “The armies have started their battle on the north end of town.” Tears were streaming down the man’s face. “Leave your homes, this is massive, it’s going to cover miles of the city. Keep your children hidden, especially your daughters. I don’t need to remind you what these brutes are capable of.” The man was sobbing with his last remarks. He could be seen shaking his head and waving his hand to motion for the cameraman to shut it down.

Within minutes of the reporter’s announcement, panic sounds in the streets were noticeably different. The silent lanes were soon filled with cars loaded with citizens attempting to leave the city. But where could they go? The scene became chaotic within minutes.

Eve sat and watched, her frame frozen, the look of terror coating her face. There was nothing else to do, to say. She had started this, but someone else had to fix it. Ron was right, it was beyond her control. Only a few days ago, she and Sandy had spent time together. Now her friend was dead and she was the cause for thousands of others that would soon lose their lives. Her sons, she’d already lost them. Jonathan had taken care of that. “Damn monster!”

Christine turned, “What, Eve?”

“Jonathan, he’s a damn monster.” Then she choked on her next thought. “The fireworks have come early this year, Constitution Day isn’t until Friday.” She put her head down and sobbed.