DYSTOPIAN FICTION
Joanne Is Executed
Danté’s Journey — Chapter 8
A crude platform had been erected, a raised stage. And behind it, stark against the cold wall, was the hummingbird, the one Joanne had drawn with such defiant beauty. It had become the focal point of the a scene that was yet to unfold. The hummingbird and the platform with nooses suspended sent a jolt of nausea through Danté. This was a calculated act of psychological warfare designed to crush any lingering hope or resistance.
The forced witnesses attempted to divert their eyes from the platform and the hummingbird on the old brick wall finding a blank space to stare at as though it would make the scene disappear. The silence was heavy with the unseen presence of others. Danté’s eyes darted around, searching, trying to see who else had been rounded up. The witnesses for what could only be capital punishment by the Republic, were huddled in two groups leaving a wide path between them. Enforcers stood silently lining the edges of the two groups.
Then, two figures were escorted onto the platform by a military escort wearing their black and red uniforms.
A gasp escaped Danté’s lips before he could stifle it. Joanne looked smaller, more fragile than he remembered. Her eyes were downcast, and her shoulders slumped in a posture of utter defeat. The usual spark he had glimpsed in her at the worksite, had vanished. Beside her stood another figure, someone Danté immediately recognized. Both wore shackles on their feet and hands. Two military officers held the shackles binding Joanne, and another two did the same with Dennis.
A hush fell over the assembled workers as a figure in a crisp, black officer’s uniform edged with red, stepped forward to the edge of the platform. It was the Warden, Andrew Cargill. His voice, amplified and resonant, cut through the silence like a blade.
“Today,” the Warden began, his gaze sweeping over the conscripted workers who stood as witnesses. “Today, we are going to witness the consequences of defiance against our society and government. You will learn the ultimate cost which comes with attempting to subvert the Red Republic. To survive and thrive in our glorious republic, it is imperative that we stand together in unity.”
He gestured towards Joanne. “Joanne Ellis allowed her personal whims and rebellious sentiments to manifest in acts of sedition against the Red Republic. Her… artwork…” he said with distaste that was accompanied by a sneer, “if you can call it artwork, became a symbol of discord, a blatant disregard for the order and harmony we, as guardians, strive to maintain. Art unites it doesn’t divide.” Pointing to the crude sketch, he added, “This is propaganda pure and simple, a deliberate attempt to divide our society, to incite violence. It is treason.”
The Warden then turned and pointed. “This man, Dennis Vance, harbored and concealed seditious material, demonstrating a dangerous lack of loyalty to the principles of the Republic. He also knew about Joanne’s subversive agenda and kept silent.”
The Warden continued, his voice hardening. “Let this be a lesson to all of you. Any deviation, any whisper of dissent, any act that undermines the unity of the Red Republic will be met with swift and decisive action. The hummingbird, a pathetic symbol of misguided rebellion, will now serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of such actions.”
As the Warden spoke, two enforcers produced several canisters of paint and began to spray a angry swaths of red paint over the vibrant colours of the unfinished hummingbird, slowly suffocating its beauty. Joanne flinched. This was an erasure.
Get Robert G. Longpré’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
Danté watched while a cold dread began to smother his heart. The spectacle wasn’t just about Joanne and Dennis; it was about all of them standing there to watch as witnesses. It was a crushing display of power. A symbol of resistance was being erased, and Danté knew that the worst was yet to come.
Joanne watched those watching her. Her face betrayed her fear. Yet, despite knowing her fate, a defiance flicker in her eyes grew as she looked at her workmates. Dennis beside her, stood tall, his gaze unwavering, staring defiantly at Warden Cargill.
The hummingbird was permanently defaced though still recognizable. Warden Cargill gave a sharp command. The enforcers dropped the cans of spray paint and walked towards the two prisoners who were still held by chains. A second command had the two placed under the hummingbird, below the waiting nooses.
The nooses were lowered and placed around their necks. From the assembled witnesses, a few moans could be heard.
“Raise them!” commanded the Warden.
They stared unwillingly as the two bodies struggled for air.
“Present arms!”
A dozen soldiers pointed rifles at Dennis and Joan. “Fire.”
It wasn’t enough that the both of them were already dead. The ultimate defilement finally brought a smile to the warden’s face, before turning to the witnesses. “This is the consequence of defiance through independent thought. Never forget it.”
Warden Cargill surveyed the small crowd, his expression utterly devoid of emotion. “This matter is concluded. The Republic’s unity remains unbroken.” He gestured curtly towards the lifeless bodies and addressed the enforcers. “Leave their bodies for the crows and vultures and for all to see and remember how treason is rewarded.”
Turning to the gathered workers, he commanded “Return to your duties.”
~
Danté staggered back to his workstation. His shock was so intense, there was no room for tears or any emotion. It could have been him on that stand, should have been him. His journal would have condemned him. The image of the hummingbird in the journal would be a certain death sentence. He couldn’t see the agony of the others who had survived. He stood frozen and unable to even pretend to work.
Then, his hands began to tremble. It was only the end of the shift whistle that finally jarred him enough to begin moving. Two other workers appeared to guide him into the line of workers leaving. Lysandra and the woman who worked beside him.
