Rebel Quest

May 9th, 2072.

I didn’t think to document what’s happening or what we’re doing until now. Let me explain.

My name is Caspian, and I am nineteen. Back on December 29th, 2066, the Stock Market crashed, the Hive plague spread, and the government made global warming worse than it already was. It’s been a dark time ever since. My entire family caught the plague and passed away, save for me and everyone else in the Bahamas. The plague had a terrible impact on the survivors. Their brains worked differently, their heart beats were in sync. They were tired and arrogant, but worst of all they were obedient. The people were like bees in a hive, all doing and acting the same way. That’s why it was named the Hive Plague. The plague was the only reason King Landon became King. Hecreated the plague so he could be chosen as king without any objections.

Now, the current year is 2072, and we’re five days into our journey away from the tyrannical new king. In case you didn’t know, the world has returned to kings and queens, but mainly kings. My four friends and I decided we should step up and take out King Landon for the good of the people. He’s done too many things for the worse in our time. He would fire people from their jobs for no reason, limit citizens’ monthly pay, select specific people to add to his group of Officials, and don’t forget that he’s the one who created the plague to control the public. He’s created a police force of minions and he calls them The Officials. We’ve taken on this duty even though we know we could get killed in the process of this. It’s sad to think that this is what happens to the world when one thing fails. It’s corrupt, I tell you.

Day 12: May 16th, 2072

We’ve almost been caught about four times during our journey; it’s risky. Doing what we’re doing. But I believe in us; we can do it.

Taylor and Erica start complaining that they’re hungry and tired, so we stop to set up camp. The sun is setting, and that’s when it gets dangerous; any noise, light, or smell could send the officials right to us.

I start pulling out our tent, but then I’m told we’re out of food and water.

I tell Taylor and Michael to find a nearby river and use our filter to make it drinkable. Then I have Erica and Jonas grab the bow and arrow to go hunt for food. They all do that, while I stay here to look out for officials and set up camp. But we need to be quick about it since the sun is close to setting. They set out on their ways, leaving little lights behind so they can follow their trail back here. It’s dangerous, and I’m always worried. I can’t even begin to fathom what could happen to them if we got caught. I go to pull out our massive tent, but I hear a twig snap. Slowly, I grab the other crossbow I have and turn towards the direction of the sound.

Nothing. No animal, no official, and no regular person.

Interesting. I can’t let my guard down now, I just know something is hiding behind the bushes.

Then, a bird flies out of the bushes. Good, that’s all it was, just a bird. Though I still can’t shake the feeling that there’s something there. I hear faint talking and laughter from Erica and Jonas. They always giggle together. Especially Erica, she’s a happy person and never lets anything get the best of her happiness. Michael, though, is a chill guy, yet comedic, and can lift anyone’s spirit in an instant. Taylor and Michael are the same. Both overly serious and all business. They’re good for deep conversations and plans, though. In fact, they helped me plan this entire mission. Then there's a slight arguing between Taylor and Michael.

They never get along.

Ever.

Erica and Jonas come back and tell me that there’s a plentiful river just a few minutes away from camp.

Then Michael flaunts his hunting skills and shows off three birds and two squirrels.

I praise them all for their findings and then tell them to start getting prepared.

The sun sets completely just when we get the fire started, which means we don’t have long. The officials could find us here at any second. The night sets everyone on edge, so they hurry to get the food cooked and eaten.

I know it’s crazy, but I feel that they know we are here, but they’re waiting for the time when we are at our weakest. But we’re strong, nothing can pull us apart. If we survived six years of the Hive Plague spreading without catching it, then we can survive this.

Day 13: May 17th, 2072

The next morning, we set off and continued our journey to The Capital. Surely they can help us…no? The Capital is a place of peace and love, located in the northern part of The Land of The Better. It’s the only place where a monarchy is nonexistent nowadays. The Capital Building is huge, and made out of solid Marble, Pearl, and Emeralds. Everyone dreams of living there, but only The Honored live there. The Honored are people who have changed the world for the better. If all five Council members in the Capital agree on a person, then they are added to the Neighborhood of the Honored (also located in the Northern part of The Land of The Better). The Council knows that King Landon wasn’t the best choice for ruler over the Land of the Better, but he was the only one who stepped up and offered to help. But clearly, he only made things a thousand times worse. My friends and I are hoping that they will listen to us and demand that he leave before things get even worse for us.

We were all doing well until Taylor and Michael got upset at each other and started arguing. Then Jonas clearly does something to annoy Erica, so they start fighting. As I try to pull them apart, Taylor stops and listens, so the rest of us follow and listen. But hear nothing. That was until three Officials from The Land of The Better had emerged from the bushes. They’ve found us.

I toss the bow and arrow to Michael and look at them all. I have to leave them. All of us know if I get to The Capital, then I can save them, and I hope and pray that they’ll forgive me. I sprint into the woods and feel deep regret when I hear them call my name.

I stop and listen. There are sounds of struggle coming from their direction, and I hear shouting from Erica and Taylor.

The Officials have them.

I turn around to start running, and I don’t look back. Yes, I feel bad, but it’s what’s best for them. If all of us get caught, then there’s no hope for anyone. Now I just need to hope I succeed in saving us all.

Day 16:

It’s been three straight days of nothing but repeating the same things over and over and over. Hunting, looking for rivers and lakes, sleeping, journaling, and trying not to get caught. It was definitely much easier with my friends around to help me with this all. Eventually, I came across Golden Daisies. They are the Capital flower, used in remedies and almost anything else they can use it in.

I’m close.

I stop right by these Golden Daisies and enjoy the petrichor of the forest. Gazing at the beautiful, verdant, waxy leaves of the Emerald trees, I begin to think that it would be nice if I weren’t so alone. After those brief moments, I set up my tent for the night.

Day 17:

After a long and lonely journey, I’ve finally arrived. The Capital is beautiful, and everything I thought it would be. I hold my head up high, and I walk in. I head straight into the Council room and interrupt their meeting. Stepping up onto the dais in the center, gasps fill the room and the council members look surprised. The Council members rise and question me. They ask me why I am here and offer to escort me out if I were lost. I wasn’t. I asked them to hear me out and told them everything when they decided to listen. What King Landon was doing, and how terrible life’s been for us. They know what he’s doing, and they’ve tried talking to him about it, but he won’t listen. There have been multiple complaints about him to the Capital. But no one will step up to take his place. So they have no choice but to leave him there.

“We hear your grievances and are willing to help you and your friends. We have been well aware of these issues for quite some time now, and we will finally put an end to the suffering. We ourselves have also been thinking about dethroning him; the only issue was finding a replacement. For now, I think we have found the perfect replacements. King Landon shall be removed from ruling over The Land of The Better, and will be replaced. Thank you.”

But then Taylor, Michael, Erica, and Jonas burst through the doors, having escaped by the officials. My friends glance at me, scowling, feeling crestfallen. I know I left them, but I needed to help them before all of us disappeared forever. I remember their words, saying they never trusted me anyway, how they hated me, and how they would never forgive me. But I don’t care. As long as they’re safe and free from the shackles of King Landon. They look at me while the Head council member steps off his dais and tells us all to come together. He leads us outside and onto a grand ship without a single word.

Day 23:

He ended up taking us on a journey back to our home, to The Land of The Better. During that journey, everyone slowly forgave me for betraying them after I explained why I did. They came around eventually and thanked me for saving them. Though the head Council member hasn’t said a single word. We all step off the ship and see King Landon being taken away. My friends praise me for getting him dethroned. The head Council member takes us to the public podium, where Landon used to give his speeches. He tells us to enjoy ourselves and to introduce The Land of The Better to their new rulers. We were all confused, until we realized….it was us.

(Don’t worry, we changed the name back to America. We all hated the new name Landon had given to our land.)