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Coming out of the salty water, taking off his oxygen mask, Bayou sighed. Yet another disappointing dive. This was the seventh dive this month that Bayou came up with nothing. No soggy technology of old, no fish, and no useful materials.
How can he feed his family if he brought nothing? It was approaching winter so it was vital to have a stock of food.
Bayou´s mother was a hardworking seamstress. She once was a great diver in her youth, diving to great depths. But an accident left her earthbound.
Bayou´s sister, Arowana at the young age of twelve, was too young to dive but not too young to make clothing. She was a spirited individual and extremely outgoing.
Sadly both his Mothers and sisters work leads to nothing. Their work only sells for enough to feed a person, not a family of three. That’s where Bayou came in, diving brings up things that are able to be traded for rations if he finds anything.
No one likes the soldiers that come from Corderllia’s capital, Anath. But expressing this opinion would be considered rebelling against Cordeilla’s high order and is considered suicide.
2212 was the last year that Earth's population lived fully on land but the land slowly began to sink. Anath was the first island to be built, funded by a wealthy CEO, the High Ruler’s descendant. Only the most rich and wealthy are able to live on Anath, a land of privilege and success.
Being able to live on Anath was a pipe dream but a dream nonetheless. On Anath you could pursue any path available to you, always having your belly full, and do not have to risk your life just to survive.
Bayou erased these thoughts from his mind, Anath is the least of his worries at the moment.
Making his way to the rations stall, Bayou stepped in line for the rations stall which was run by a large Anath soldier.
“Hey Bayou, any luck today” A light voice said behind Bayou.
Turning around Bayou was face to face with his childhood friend Sammy. Sammy was eccentric to say the least. She was obsessed with pre-flood history to the point that she zealously kept all the useless stuff that Bayou found on his dives just to look at it. But ultimately she was very kind and had been Bayou’s friend since they were children.
Bayou didn't want Sammy to worry so he kept his face emotionless but Sammy was nothing but astute.
“Oh, so you didn't find anything,” she said sympathetically.
“Not this time saw Brute the shark and had to scram”.
Brute was a tiger shark that frequented diving waters. Sammy told him that before the world flooded that sharks were skittish and easily scared off. But Brute was mean and not at all scared of biting your arm off.
“But, if you didn’t get anything, what about rations”? Sammy interjected.
“Don’t you even think about giving me any of your rations you know your family needs them more”
Sammy looked down at her feet, curly hair hiding her eyes, pouting.
“Sammy I’ll figure something out. Maybe the rations soldier will take pity on me.”
Sammy nodded at his statement and the two waited as the line dwindled until it was their turn.
The rations soldier was a large no nonsense man named Mako. His exterior was tough but with the right words easily cracked.
“Hello Mako could….”
Mako’s gruff voice interrupted him “Did you bring anything this time”
Bayou wrung his hands together laughing awkwardly, “Funny story Mako”.
“So you brought nothing,” Mako sighed. “You know the rules, no product, no rations.”
Then Mako’s beady shark-like eyes moved to Sammy, “what about you girl you got something”.
Sammy nodded, and dumped her bag onto the counter of the stall. Inside was a pile of what looked like minnows, which were pathetically small.
“Is this all you fished up?” Bayou asked, with concern evident in his voice.
Sammy nodded solemnly, “the fish have been diving deeper and deeper and we've been unable to lure them up.
Mako gathered the fish and dumped them into a basket. He disappeared into the stall and brought out a stale loaf of bread ,“Here you go this is it for the week”
Sammy’s eyes bugged out for a moment but she quickly composed herself. Sammy took the bread and placed it into her bag. “Thank you Mako” She said softly “See you later Bayou, hope you have better luck”.
Then Sammy left, leaving Bayou with Mako. Bayou opened his mouth to bargain, but Mako started closing the stall.
“Sorry Boy, bring something next time and I'll give you somthin” Mako huffed.
Then the stall closed completely leaving Bayou alone. He had no choice but to walk home. One does not want to stay up past dark, unless you want to get caught in unsavory company.
Making his way through the maze of the island town. A hand grabbed Bayou’s shoulder. The owner of said hand turned him around and now Bayou was face to face with the man. This man was tall, with a long face, coupled with greasy side swept hair, and a nice suit. This man certainly was suspicious.
“You, unable to get rations, kid, overheard you at the rations stall” the man frantically whispered in an odd accent.
Bayou nervously bit his lip. What was he to say to a man he’s clearly never seen in his life in a town where everyone knows everyone?
“I could give you food, you know, enough to last months” The man's frantic whispers paused his grip on his shoulder growing tighter “if you do me a favor”.
What! Why would this man give him food when it was so hard to obtain? Food could only be bought or given through ration stalls; any food grown or caught has to be handed over to Anath soldiers or the consequences are grave.
“I don’t think you understand how crucial this is for you, Bayou, winter is coming fast and I know you know what winter means”, The man removed his hand from Bayou’s shoulder and placed them into his pocket. “No diving which means no food and no food means starvation”, Then the man leaned in closer where he was inches from his ear “and we don't want that, all you have to do is some snooping for me”. He then took a hand out of his pocket and extended it to Bayou. “So do we have a deal”.
What choice did Bayou have? He was desperate and this man knew it, with great conviction he reluctantly took the man’s hand and shook it fiercely.
The man gave him the biggest grin but on his face it just looked creepy and handed him a piece of paper.
Bayou opened it reading the contents within.
“Find out about Operation Whirlpool from a man named Senator Marlin who is coming to Anahita on falls eve.
-SC”
“Wha….”
Cutting off Bayou the man handed him a sack, “oh, it's getting late you better get back home kid. Don’t worry about finding me, I'll find you, and remember failure has awful consequences”.
Then the man walked off leaving Bayou with a sack, a paper with a mission, and a growing sense of regret.
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Bayou’s house was small like all the other houses on Anahita. But that never mattered to Bayou, home was tranquil and peaceful. Then why did he feel such dread looking at the door?
Bayou should have refused. That man was too suspicious with his nice clothing and hair. But could bayou really have refused?
Opening the door he walked in, His sister, Arowana was sitting on the table near the leftmost wall.
His sister looked more like his mother than Bayou did. Bayou with his darker skin tone, curly black hair, and smaller stature while his sister was paler, wavy light colored hair, and was already taller than him.
Arowana smiled when he walked in and noticed the bag right away. “WOW, what's in the bag?” Arowana exclaimed clearly excitedly tumbling out of her chair grabbing at the bag.
“Hold on Arowana please” Bayou said already exasperated, this was normal with his sister she was such a bundle of energy.
“What's in it show me, please?” She pleaded, clutching his arm.
You know he was curious too; he never checked the contents on the way to the house.
He dumped the contents of the bag onto the table and to his delight inside was food that Bayou could only dream of having. Pork, milk, cheese, beef, fruits, vegetables. This was definitely more than the bread and water that Bayou was used to.
Awestruck, Arowana unstuck herself from Bayou’s side and started to admire the various foods. “Bayou, how did you manage to do this” she asked?
“I found a supply shop, fully stocked” Bayou lied “It had pre-flood items and weapons”. Bayou was never good at lying; he hoped he was able to fool his sister.
The door opened, his mother hobbled in, cane in hand. Bayou’s mother has been incredibly weak lately; the lack of food certainly didn't help as she gave all the food they did get to her two kids.
“Oh Bayou, any success” she asked?
Arowana squealed jumping up and down, “Oh, yes Bayou is so amazing we don't have to worry about food for winter, now”
“Oh, really what did you ge….” Bayou’s mothers gaze fell upon the table and she dropped her cane in shock. “Bayou” she yelled “How in the world did you manage this?”
Oh his mother would never be fooled by a lie like this. His mother was a former diver herself and she knew that nothing you brought up would get this good of food. Plus she knew the ocean below like the back of her hand there was no fully stocked supply shop”
“Bayou said he found a pre-flood supply shop”, Arowana blurted.
Bayou’s mothers eyes narrowed in suspicion, “What did you really find?”
Bayou made careful work to keep his face clear and kept his hands at his sides. “I did not find a supply shop but I saw someone steal a boat and told the Head soldier and she gave me all of this. The Head soldier was the one who gave me the supply shop lie, ``But don’t tell anyone I told you I don't want you to get in trouble”.
His mother, clearly still suspicious, sighed as she picked up her cane. “I guess it doesn't matter how you got it, what’s important is we don’t have to worry about winter”
Arowana picked up a chicken salivating and looked expectantly at Bayou. “Can I have a bit of this I haven't felt full in months”
Bayou nodded, “Sure, but don’t eat the whole thing, me and mom need to eat too”
Arowana smiled big at Bayou before taking a bite. With a mouthful of food Arowana said “You’re the best Big brother!”
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Sundays were the days that most people didn't work. There were always exceptions, but most divers like Bayou adhered to this rule.
Bayou slipped out of the house quietly making sure not to wake the light sleeper that was his mother. He just needed to get out to tell someone, anyone about the events of yesterday.
And who better then his trustworthy friend Sammy.
As he walked through the residential area of Anahita,the scent of the ocean's salt and the morning air of winter’s oncoming chill hit his face.
In front of Sammy’s door Bayou knocked. He waited a couple of minutes before someone opened it. Sammy’s father was a sturdy man of a shorter stature who had the same mane of curly orange hair Sammy had.
“Oh, Bayou hello.”
“Hello Mr Snapper.”
“For the last time just call me Snapper” Snapper then sighed, “Sammy told me what happened with the rations”.
“She did”?
“Yes, listen we could always give you some of ours. What little we get anyway”.
“Sammy always says the same thing. But I am going to tell you the same thing I tell Sammy, your family needs it more. Especially with that baby on the way.”
Snapper Blinked in surprise then sighed again, “Alright just know the offer is there. I’ll go get sammy for you”. Snapper then went back into the house and seconds later came out with a barely awake Sammy, then went back inside leaving her with Bayou.
“Hello Bayou” Sammy yawned.
“Hello Sammy, listen something happened yesterday and you’re the only I trust”
Sammy nodded, shaking her head vigorously as though trying to shake the tired out of her body.
“Usual place” she asked?
“Yea, now come on”. Bayou grabbed Sammy’s wrist and started dragging her through Anahita.
“Wow, is it really that urgent” She then grabbed at Bayou’s hand, “You really don’t need to grab my wrist that tight”
Bayou let go of her wrist but still kept on walking.
“Wait!” Sammy yelled running in front of Bayou, “you’re acting unusual it really is that serious”
Bayou stopped “I’ll tell you when we get there, please trust me on this”
Sammy smiled sincerely and grabbed his hand “When haven't I trusted you Bayou” she then started running towards the base Bayou’s hand still grasped in hers. “Onwards to the hideout” she gleefully exclaimed.
Their hideout was a small airtight space underneath Anahita’s seldom used dock. The only place available in Anahita a person wouldn't be overheard.
When the two friends were snugly underneath the dock, Bayou told Sammy about his encounter with the man.
“Bayou, you don't think” she covered her mouth and whispered, “that man was part of the rebellion.”
“I don’t know Sammy. Probably” Bayou said, exasperated. “What choice did I have? He gave me food, real good food.” A few lone tears made their way down Bayou’s face “How else am I supposed to support my family? Why does it have to be so hard to just survive because we were born in this backwater town?”
Those lone tears then turned into sobs and Bayou felt two arms circle around him. Bayou melted into the hug and buried his face sobbing into her messy curls. They sat like this for a few hours until Sammy finally spoke.
“Bayou, it's never been fair, I know that, you know that. All we can do is survive despite everything.”
Sammy then turned Bayou’s face to meet hers and he couldn't help but admire her brown eyes, her face sprinkled with freckles, and an expression that promised better things.
“But we have each other, Bayou. We will survive through this no matter what and come out stronger than we ever have before.”
Bayou sniffled, wiping his face onto his sleeve, ridding his face of tears and snot.
“Now I wonder” Sammy pondered while playing with her hair, “Who is Senator Marlin, what is Operation Whirlpool, and who is SC?”
Bayou scrunched his face pondering “I don’t know but the paper mentioned that Senator Marlin is coming to Anahita soon. I guess we need to find out about Operation Whirlpool from him. Still no idea about who SC is.”
“What do you do when you find out about Operation Whirlpool”
“The man said that I shouldn't worry about it, that he’ll come fi…….”
Suddenly though faintly a boat could be heard coming into the dock. The pair looked at each other eyes wide.
“Who is it?” Sammy whispered “No one new ever comes, this dock hasnt been used for years.”
“Could it be Senator Marlin,” Bayou whispered back.
Peering their heads out ever so slightly they looked out at the newcomer. An ugly man wearing the nicest suit that Bayou has ever seen stepped out of a sleek white boat tailed by three large soldiers in body armor strapped to the nines with weaponry.
“I cannot believe the Grand Ruler has me, Me, going to this backwater town” The ugly man screeched his high pitched voice an assault the ears.
“But Senator Marlin” one of the soldiers said clearly exasperated. “You’re the only one who could be trusted with this project”.
This! This was Senator Marlin, this is what a man who has power, a man who’s lived a secure life with no worry looks like.
“Hmmm, I guess you’re right. Only someone of my clear importance can be trusted. Who else can be trusted with the Grand Rulers plans.”
“Um, Sir” a soldier meekly said.
“You” Senator Marlin spat “refer to me only as Senator or Senator Marlin”.
“Oh, Senator Marlin”.
“Yes?”
“What's the plan I forgot?”
Marlin turned his body to the soldier, his face not in view but Bayou saw his ears turn beet red. This had to have been a common occurrence. The Senator pointed a boney finger at the soldier and looked around as if looking for prying ears.
“I have no clue how you received your position. But this is the last time I will explain it to you numbskull”. The Senator lowered his finger and crossed his arms. “Grand Ruler referred to it as Operation Whirlpool. Our scans of this area found something to be impossible”. The Senator said the next word with an air of flourish “oil. Unfortunately for these vagrants the oil appeared right under this pathetic town, But luckily for us we will be able to make a super weapon and no force will ever be able to contend with Grand Ruler’s power”
“But Senator what about the people” the dumb soldier asked?
“You can’t really care about the people of this useless town” The Senator laughed coldy “Come on we must find the “leader” of this place”.
Then the procession started walking out of the dock and two eavesdroppers duck back into the space. The two waited for a few seconds to wait for the footsteps to slowly fade away and a few minutes to get out of the hiding space.
“Is that really what Operation Whirlpool is” Sam muttered “What will happen to Anahita?
Not meeting her eyes Bayou grabbed her hand, “we should probably get home, that rebellion man will pop up again soon” his expression saddened “Hopefully we don’t even have to worry about Operation Whirlpool”. Bayou then started walking hand and hand away from the dock.
“You know Bayou,” Sammy said softly “I’ve known you my whole life and I’ve never seen you cry.” Sammy said softly “You’ve always hid your emotions so well especially after your father died.”
Bayou gazed out to the sea “I never got a childhood like my sister. I’m sixteen and I’m the one supporting my family”. Bayou reached his free hands out to the waves “Sometimes I just want to become part of the waves surrounded by water, that way it’ll feel less lonely”
“Bayou you’re not alone,” Sammy said, squeezing his hand, “You have me, your family, my family”. Sammy stopped and dropped his hand and she cupped her hands catching the setting sun. “Sometimes I wish I could be the sun rising over the world, watching and keeping all the knowledge to myself” She gushed. She grabbed his hand and started walking. “And sometimes I wish the two of us could be together as long as the ocean and sun have been friends.”
Before Bayou could ask Sammy to elaborate further a familiar frantic whisper was heard behind them, “Oh Bayou just the person I wanted to see”
The duo turned around and standing there was the suspicious tall man.
“Do you mind if I talk to you alone”
Bayou pushed Sammy behind him and shook his head. “She knows”
The man frowned, “bad decision kid, these are dangerous waters were swimming. Anyway, Senator Marlin is in town and just arrived an hour ago.” The man stepped closer inches away from the duo's ears. “So now nows perfect. No! Only time to find out about Operation Whirlpool”
Bayou stepped back warily with Sammy still behind him
“Actually, Sammy and I overheard them talking when they arrived, We know everything”.
The man's placid expression turned ecstatic and walked past them. Then he paused for a second “Follow me” he looked back at them “And tell me everything.”
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Bayou startled awake to a loud banging at the door and so did his mother and sister. Who in the world could that be? The banging wouldn't be so loud if it wasn't urgent. Did someone find out? No! there was no way, he was so careful.
Bayou jumped out of his bed throwing the sheets onto the floor and threw the door open. Greeting him was one of the Senators soldiers and not the incompetent one.
In a harsh voice the man asked “Are you Bayou?”
Bayou’s blood turned to ice. They had to know he knew. What could possibly be done now? He was done for but his sister and mother weren't.
“Yea thats me” Bayou sputtered out his heart pounding.
His mother cut in front of him, her hair was messy and she was shaking badly without her cane. But she still emanated a fierce energy.
“What’s your business here?” She demanded.
“That is none of your concern” the soldier retorted, grabbing Bayou’s arm pulling him out of the house, knocking over his mother in the process.
“Bayou” screamed Arowana. She reached for him but still on the floor his mother held Arowana back.
Bayou had never felt so helpless before in his life all he could do was watch as he was dragged farther and farther from the house that had everything he ever knew grew smaller and smaller.
Bayou was brought to the town's square where Senator Marlin with his soldiers and in one of the soldiers arms carried.
“Sammy!”
“Oh so you know the girl, how cute” The Senator mocked. “We got some information that you have leaked some information to some rebels” The Senator yellow eyes peered into his and he paced over to him grabbing his chin harshly. “So if you don’t want your little friend to be harmed. It’s in your best interest to tell us what you know”.
Bayou told the Senator about the events of the last two days. Everything about the suspicious man and spying on him under the dock.
“How quaint there has to be more” the Senator sneered, letting his chin go.
The senator waved the soldier carrying Sammy closer.
Now that she was closer Bayou noticed a gash on her forehead but she was still breathing so she was definitely unconscious.
“Your friend here tried to run when my soldier here went to retrieve her. Now child tell me what you know”.
Bayou couldn't help but shake from rage or fear although he was unsure which. This man knew without a doubt that he knew nothing, he was just messing with him.
“That’s all I know, honest,” Bayou screamed.
A crowd started to form around the group muttering. The crowd were people Bayou knew, passed by on the daily. Yet in the moment they were as powerless as him, unable to help, only able to watch as this man hounded Bayou.
“I am going to ask again, but this is your last chance”.
Tears pricked Bayou’s eyes. Nothing he was saying was making the man take him seriously, he was seriously sadistic. “I’m serious, I know nothing. I was only approached by some guy, I don't even know his name.”
The Senator laughed, a cold heartless laugh, “oh, you townspeople are so entertaining.” The Senator snapped his fingers at the third soldier and pointed to Sammy. The soldier took a handgun and pointed it at her. A gasp emanated through the crowd.
And in that crowd Bayou spotted his mom with Arowana clutched by her side.At this he started bawling, he didn’t know how he had to get out of this situation for Sammy.
“I know nothing” he wailed incomprehensibly.
And those were the words to seal his fate.
A large boot met his side, all the air escaped his body leaving him dangling by the soldier's grip on his arm.
“Oh and I thought coming to this town would be boring” the senator cackled “You’re fun to play with kid.”
Bayou peered up at Senator Marlin’s vibrant yellow eyes and he looked back with a sinister grin.
“Soldier shoot her”
A gunshot rang out, screams were heard and Bayou’s world ended. No more listening to Sammy rambling on about the world before the flood, no more laughing at the hideout, he’ll never find out about what she meant about the ocean and the sun.
He dared look back at Sammy. She looked like she was merely sleeping except for the large pool of blood coming out of her head turning her orange hair blood red. Bayou felt nothing, his surroundings became non-existent and his reality became the repeating sound of the gunshot and Marlins grin.
Bayou with all his strength ripped his arm out of the soldier's grip and launched himself at Senator Marlin. But before he could rip his face off a second gunshot sounded. And an intense pain emanated in Bayou’s chest.
Bayou’s surroundings spun as he collapsed, everything growing darker by the second. He heard someone scream his name but his hearing slowly faded out.
Is this really how everything ends? Bayou thought, It could be this or starving to death and in Bayou’s opinion he much preferred the latter. He never knew it would feel so cold and lonely. And his last thoughts as he faded from the world, Me and Sammy can finally be together forever becoming the ocean and the sun.
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The thin man stood in front of the leader of the rebellion, code name: Silver Carp.
“Apparently the children who fed us the information are dead” the man said “Killed by Senator Marlin’s men”.
Silver Carp took a long inhale from her cigar. “Yes but does that matter, you’ve obtained the information needed. Mission success”
“Pardon?”
“Common Carp, your job was to find out what Operation Whirlpool was, no matter the cost. Besides” She paused taking another drag of the cigar “those children would have died anyway we both know that town would have been slaughtered without our involvement.”
Common Carp sighed, taking his hand through his swept black hair. “It still feels like a waste.”
“Dwell on it and it will. Change requires sacrifice without those two kids we would never know about the government's plans about building a superweapon.” Silver Carp threw her cigar on the ground and distinguished it with her foot.
“So let's make those kids' sacrifices mean something and squash this government under our heel.