Chapter 18 – The Subjectivity of Thievery
758 Words
Julianna :
"Hello? Are you guys still there?"
Skylah :
"Yeah, we are. Have you reached the church?"
Julianna :
"Yeah. Just checking to see if the comms are alright. Wait, you sound different. Are you chewing gum during our mission?
Anyway, I'm in the church already. It was surprisingly easy. No background check at all.
They gave me some plain clothes to change into before sending me into this isolated jail-like room. They told me there would be an orientation in an hour and asked me to clean and prepare myself."
Skylah :
"So, it really is like a rehab centre huh?"
Julianna :
"I guess so. I'll switch on my comms during orientation later so you guys can hear what's happening too."
Julianna sits crossed legs on the floor and meditates to wait for the hour to pass.
** knock knock**
Julianna gets up from the floor and opens the door, and a middle-aged lady in a white garment greets her.
Catena :
"Hi. My name is Catena. What's your name, young lady?"
Skylah :
"(That's Leo's wife! That was fast! We found her!)"
Julianna :
"My name is...."
Skylah :
"(Just come up with any fake name)."
Julianna :
"My name is.... Martina."
Skylah :
"(That's an awful fake name. Were you thinking about Martini?)."
Julianna clenches her fist to hide her annoyance at Skylah's comments via her earpiece from Catena.
Catena :
"I understand you are afraid. You even hesitated to give me your name. Don't be too alarmed, I'm not here to harm you, Martina.
I'm merely here to guide you to your orientation. All will be well, young lady."
Julianna follows Catena to a larger room filled with people of various ages sitting in a circle, resembling an alcoholic anonymous support group meeting. Julianna walks towards the only empty chair available and sits down as she scans the room for clues.
As she sits down, she notices the seat beside her is occupied by a young boy barely in his teenage years.
Fitz :
"What are you staring at?"
Julianna :
"Woah! What? I'm just sitting down and looking at my surroundings. You're a feisty little one. What are you in here for?"
Eludica :
"This young man is in here for theft.
I'm sure all of you are either, nervous, scared or curious. So, let's start with a round of introduction, shall we?
My name is Eludica. I'll be your teacher for the rest of your time here. I'll also be the one who will be reviewing your behavior for your release from custody.
Would you like to go next, Fitz?"
Fitz :
"My name is Fitz the Great."
Eludica :
"Just Fitz."
Fitz :
"Says who? My non-existent dad? I get to name myself, and I won't be "Just Fitz"."
Fitz pouts in his seat as he crosses his arms.
Julianna :
"Alright little great one. My name is Martina. I'm in here because I have a gambling addiction and I lost everything in the casino."
Fitz :
"Gambling is stupid. You risk losing something you already own.
Stealing, on the other hand, is all about what others have. It's risk-free from losing anything."
Julianna :
"GREAT logic there. Is that why you got caught? Because it was risk-free?"
Fitz :
"I got caught because I was weak.
If I were stronger, instead of stealing bread, I would be like a conqueror, and songs would be written of me for stealing lands."
Skylah :
"(I like this kid. He's not wrong)."
Julianna clenches her fist again to remain composed.
Eludica :
"Now, now. We'll be dealing with your personal issues one by one in due time. Why don't we move on to the next?"
While the rest of the group introduce themselves, Fitz constantly tries his best to annoy Julianna with funny faces, which only prompts Julianna to laugh even more.
Eludica :
"Alright, here's a bible for each and every one of you."
Eludica hands a bible to each member of the group with a gentle and loving smile.
Eludica :
"The Bibles may look the same to all of you, but each one has different folded pages, respective to what you are in here for.
Your first assignment is to read the pages that I have folded for you, and tomorrow, share how you feel about it.
Catena will now guide you to a large hall where dinner is served. Eat up, and go back to your rooms and do the assignment.
I will see you all tomorrow."
- Writer
