Utopia?

They enter as one, all in fighting stances, gripping kitchen knifes, yoyos and baseball bats. Some only have their own gloved hands balled into fists, the poor dears.

The leader, a small, slim person with a yellow and black Halloween mask steps forwards, holding her red scissors out like throwing stars.

They called out, in a nervous soprano voice, “Beta, we ask that you allow freedom of speech and thought back into the system, and bring back humane punishments that actaully work.”

A small chuckle escaped my lips at this, as I peer over my large table, dotted with dishes of food. These people are rather ridiculous; my ways bring peace and prosperity. Nothing they say will make me change my protocals.

“Welcome, Verity. Or shall I call you Maria Löwenstolz?” I call out warmly, thankful that my viel hides my smirk. “Come, bring your people to sit at my table. I have been expecting you.”

Fear and shock fill all their faces as they find I know their leader's identity, though there is no reason for them to be afraid. Maria has done a splendid job of turning my people into hers.

“Never!” bellows a younger girl, whose dark ponytail has slipped out from under her dark green hood. “We’re not gonna surrender to a creature like you!”

Once again, a small, melodious laugh echoed from my cracked, dry lips as I repeat, “Creature, creature? Your notions are incorrect, though I must compliment your valor. There is good reasong for it to be your code name, Adeline Brookslander.”

A clearly visable scowl is taking Adeline’s smooth brown face, and she moves her bat slightly, preparing to swing. Nothing is around her other than the bright crystal figures and dancing, rainbow light reflecting from them, making her efforts futile.

As the group of people tighten and prepare for attack, I look towards one, a young man who they call Just. His real name is Luan Kit, and both names serve the kind boy well.

“Luan Kit,” I whisper, beckoning the boy close with my pale hand, hidden by a white silk glove. "My dear boy, if I may ask, what is your reason to rebel? Why do you find the utopia I have created unjust aven after it saved your sister's sight?"

Luan flinches, and noticing it is easy, even with the black cat mask obscuring most of his face. Such a poor, misguided child, just like the rest of them.

"We'd have found a way to get Lucy vision without your gadget's, Beta!" retorted Luan. "Your ways are unjust. The Center for Reformation shatters sanity, Beta! You allow, encourage and partipate in draining the land of resources four frivilous things! Not to mention, your punishments are either pointless or so horrible that it drives people insane!"

Many others in the rebellious movement nod and fidget with their weapons, as if they would like to hit me. How heartbreaking! Though, I must not let my feelings stop progress. Progress comes first, before everything- after all, it helps everything.

Finally, I take a deep breath, gesture to the table in front of me, groaning under the weight of food and drinks, and say, "Sit, please. I will listen to your suggestions if you sit, and I will not punish you."

"I rather stare at the pure white of The Center of Reformation than sit at your table!" schreeches Adeline. "I think everyone here agrees!"

A young man steps forward to voice his agreement and, to my shock, a cut traces his cheek. It is recent, too; his blue fabric mask is mutilated and drenched in blood, hanging limly onto his ears to reveal startling blue eyes.

"Liberty, George Grey, how did you get that cut on your face," I ask in concern as I lean forwards slightly.

"Your law enforcement gave it to me!" called out George in fury. "You know they did, you know! Everything they do is under your orders, Beta!"

My mouth goes dry, and I nervously wring my hands. This information is new to me. Which of my marvelous gaurds could be so cruel?

Without hesitation, I demand, "Which gaurd, George? Whoever gave you such a deep wound ought to be punished."

Immediatly after the words left my mouth, George's fingers clasp tighter around his knife, and he nashes his teeth together. Anger- no, rage- radiates off him, and, next thing I know, his knife is flying towards me.

I fall backwards, and tears fill my eyes. I call for help, but only the rebels could hear. It was a foolish mistake to not post guards or medics nearby. After all, I had known these people were coming.

"Help," I beg, my eyes finding Luan in the crowd. "Help me, please. I understand you hate me, but please don't let me die!"

Luan breaks ranks and runs towards me, bending down.

"Beta? Beta?" he whisperes, looking at where George's knife pierced my skin. "Oh gosh, Beta, I'm sorry! You were trying, trying to be good, I think, and now- now- I'm sorry, Beta."

He pulls the knife out of my stomache before I can explain how it will increase the speed of my approaching death.

I manage to grab my viel from my face, revealing my white hair and wrinkles. Struggling, I manage to place the viel in Luan's hands.

Knowing I have passed on my legacy to someone deserving, someone who already knows what changes to make and what things to keep the same, I realize I have enough time to say something. I must choose my words very carefully.

I croak, "It's alright, child," before turning the aghast and pitying faces of the crowd, meeting the panic-stricken eyes of Geroge. "It's allright, all of you. Enjoy my utopia, and work to mae sure it can be everyone's."

Now, my time is up. Seconds tick away, and my life fades, leaving me to hope it was a good one.