18 December, 2024 @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2597 (Part 7) | Prompt: (a silver coin)

>[**Part 6 Recap**:](https://peakd.com/hive-161155/@justclickindiva/18-december-2024-mariannewests-freewrite-writing-prompt-day-2597-part-6-or-prompt-a-silver-coin) > >*The farther from the ICO North Complex they traveled, the weaker the storm became. To Amos' surprise, the oppressive, stifling sensation lifted as he breathed in deeply. He scoured the surrounding countryside. Dappled among the sparse trees and withered landscape were small remnants of the old days before the emergence of the ICO. He bolted upright. I'd almost forgotten the spirit of freedom that envelopes you among nature.* > >*But that feeling of freedom didn't last.* > >*Now, he watched solemnly with a scowl as high tech fencing with sharp, barbed wiring meant to maim stretched as far as he could see along the highway. Trespassing signs that warned of severe consequences if violated lined the fencing at various junctions. A hint of a smile became visible as he nodded at the retaliatory messages in the form of graffiti and vehement protest language were sprawled over each sign.* > >Annette caught the end of Amos's scowl. She turned to explain. *"Vast areas between the ICO Complexes were condemned and forbidden to enter almost immediately. No longer can residents explore and enjoy natural lands."* > >*"And the reasons given to take away the natural environment that wasn't theirs in the first place to claim?" he blurted.* > >*"Advanced technological equipment detected harmful levels of soil and water contamination. No reports were ever issued and available to the residents. ICO Television brings us their news daily."* > >*Amos turned his head and continued to stare out the window, closing his thoughts to the events he surmised would come, remembering the collection of books titled *"2084 And Beyond"*. He'd managed to secure a copy before it was banned and all editions confiscated except his copy locked chest in his basement.* > >*Almost a year had passed since he'd seen home. But he didn't dare return. His name would surely be added to the list, as was Roy, Annetta, and Julius. Anyone with sense enough to listen between the newscasters' accounts of how society had improved for the better.* > >*Amos' immediate concern was survival without a steady means of the meager compensation received as a Level 1 Janitor. His pulse beat faster. He couldn't remember which chapter he'd read in the banned book that encouraged financial freedom. The difficult part was believing the warnings that their economy could collapse under the right circumstances. A fascinating read. But after all, it was only fiction. Scenarios no one had ever heard or considered a possibility conjured up in the mind of a leftist dissenter, as the author was portrayed.* > >*So why did I hide the book after it was banned and place my earnings in the bottom of the locked chest in the basement? Amos pondered.* > >*Reflecting on the events these past ten years, the veil had begun to lift. And underneath, sufficient evidence, enough to reveal minor discrepancies between their promised words of an advanced and improved society and subsequent actions, slowly floated to the surface.* > >*The closer Julius came to the intersection connecting the highway, the more pungent the odor from the direction of the factory rose up and spread through the vehicle's air system and slammed them in the face. Their only solution was to roll up the window.* > >*Instantly, Julius pointed in a direction behind the fencing. Sirens in the distance steadily advanced. Annetta and Amos jerked their heads around and spotted the commotion.* > >*Balls of fire spewed from machinery as if bulldozing land. Brightly colored uniforms worn by officers from the Security Holding Unit of ICO North came into view as they sat high in the harvesting equipment. The next moment, the outline of people running through tall blades of grass speckled across the field materialized. It wasn't the clearing of land. Sparks of flames followed individuals and came within inches of their backsides as they ran wildly on foot trying desperately to escape the doom closing in.* > >*The signs did warn of severe consequences for trespassers, they silently noticed. Deep sorrow settled in. "It's best we abandon this route and travel the back roads," Julius stated, his voice crackling. "Don't want to get tangled up in those harrow blades."* > >*Another five miles away from the ICO North Complex, they finally arrived at the destination. Annetta pointed in the direction away from the building as a tall figure suddenly appeared from out of nowhere. Standing guard was a friendly face they recognized. Roy moved in closer and beckoned them to continue on an overgrown path littered with trash that led to the back of the warehouse.* > >*"It's good to see you, my friends," Roy announced, smiling. "Didn't know if you'd make it out of that place. Quickly, park in one of the loading docks. I'll secure the door."* > >*Afterward, Roy led Amos, Annetta, and Julius, not fugitives, into the warehouse.* > >*To their surprise, Benetiz strode over to the door and greeted them, his hand extended as if greeting old friends. Shocked, Amos stepped back. He immediately remembered Benetiz's part in strapping him to the gurney for transport to ICO North. He also remembered the orderly's nonchalant attitude toward his captivity as he obediently followed his superior, Matchov's, orders. A splash of anger crossed his face, so he clenched his fist, ready to punch his jailer in the face.* > >*It was Annetta who witnessed Amos' refusal and rushed to explain. *"Amos, this is Benetiz. He's an orderly I've worked with in the hospital system whom I trusted to keep an eye on Matchov and document which ICO Complex citizens were being taken. I was as shocked as Julius when he reported to me that you were being taken to ICO North. He also knows which complex our and his parents, along with thousands of other elderly citizens are detained. The mystery we haven't figure out yet is why. Were it not for him and Roy, you wouldn't be standing here now."** > >*Reluctantly, Amos accepted Benetiz's hand. His anger subsided, and he shook it heartily when he realized that Benetiz knew where his parents were hidden.* > >*He glanced over Benetiz's shoulder to the horde of men, women, and children huddled together in the warehouse. What is this place, and why did Julius bring us here? he probed as hundreds of other questions slithered through his thoughts. Unable to fully reconcile his current role, Amos did remember the odd look on Benetiz' face and his words: "No one knows anything really about The Interdisciplinary Consortium Orbit. It's best not to," he replied cautiously to Matchov in a strained voice.* > >*Amos shot a confused glance toward Julius before Benetiz interrupted, ordering "come meet others in our small group whose silver coins were deactivated. I'll explain why."* **Now, Part 7:**  Inside, Amos scoured the dilapidated warehouse. It bore witness to the deplorable, disintegrating conditions outside that surrounded the inner cities beyond his home only rumored about. He stared at decay and filth piled high in the building's far end. One huge industrial fan standing opposite did little to prevent the faint odor from mingling with musty air and permeating the space. A far cry from the country's *Interdisciplinary Consortium Orbit* (a/k/a the "ICO") protected facilities and compounds that housed the wealthy who worshiped the organization and followed all rules. Benetiz climbed two steps at a time. Upon reaching the platform, he turned and beckoned to Amos. Standing at the podium, Benetiz tapped the microphone. "Everyone, we have a new refugee. A true believer who's seen the light. Make him welcome as he's been away and doesn't understand what has happened these past few years. Please meet ***Amos Goodall***, brother and brother-in-law to two of our fearless leaders, Annetta and Julius. He was assigned to patrol Area 199 at ICO South as a Level 1 Janitor." Still a bit suspicious, Amos shrank back for a moment, then recalled his sister had assigned Benetiz to locate citizens and document their whereabouts while employeed in the ICO facilities. In essence...a spy for the rebellion. Benetiz continued, "Amos is the latest citizen to have his silver coin deactivated", then beckoned for him to approach the stage and tell his story of captivity. The crowd screeched in loud protest, then the room fell silent. Slightly behind Benetiz, Amos swiped his stubbled chin before stepping to the microphone. It had been two days now since he slept fully. Weary, only thoughts of his parents flooded his senses. He timidly spoke, unsure whether he could fully trust the situation he now found himself in. But Annetta and Julius began to clap loudly, with others immediately joining in. *"I'm not a speaker by any means. I'd rather forget the torture and ill treatment by ICO South and North staff. So, I simply desire a show of hands please if any of you have parents that are now detained at an undisclosed location. If so, will you join with me, my sister, and brother-in-law to rescue our parents and other family members held elsewhere in other ICO units. Julius helped me escape, so I know it can be accomplished with careful planning."* Murmurs erupted form the crowd while they watched Amos descend the stairs and take a seat. Benetiz waved his hand. Instantly, the crowd quieted.  Benetiz surveyed the crowd. Body count had increased; the facility space hadn't. I must remind the protestors of our purpose, especially since over twenty five new people had been rescued in the last three months. He began slowly. "Fellow citizens of Neodstronia. I want to take this opportunity to welcome again all our new members into our bosom. Our numbers are increasing. I pray they continue. However, our resistance, ***The Silver Revolt*** urgently requires a new facility and a new plan of attack. Need I remind you we must all band together with those in positions of power within the Noedstronian society who have lifted the veil of deceit to expose the ICO. It was not so long ago that darkness descended upon us. But we have endured. Benetiz raised his fist, and the crowd chanted their resistance cry: **Remember Our Plight. Remember Our Struggle. TORCH THE SILVER**!