Chapter 11: Trapped

Why did The Leader think Silicon Shores was so dangerous?

The Leader thought that the active nightlife scene found in clubs and casinos held lots of danger and temptation.

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"Today's class is about safety. This town is especially dangerous at night. The Strangers hold lots of drug addled parties at night where they try to take advantage of those who are unaware of their devious ways. This is why we have a 10pm curfew so that our residents won't be caught up in the temptations of the clubs and casinos, where impurities are rampant. Going to these places can greatly damage your purity. You must always avoid them."

"Aren't those places supposed to be fun? What do you have against fun? Being pure all the time is boring and lame."

"CAMO! Being pure is something you should be proud of. In these modern times, purity is a lost characteristic. What do you feel is lacking in your life?"

"Well, the only thing to do here is read and sit in front of the fountain. I mean, can't we have a foosball table? Or something else to play with? A foosball table wouldn't taint my purity, it's just a game."

The teacher looks at Camo and smiles.

"Camo, I will send your request and reasoning to The Leader. I think it is a valid point that no one has ever brought to his attention."

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Camo and Titanium are on their way to work. Despite the day being cloudy, the boys are in a good mood.

"Wow, can you believe the teacher actually agreed with me today? Maybe she's not so dumb after all."

"I am glad you asked about that. It is kind of boring there."

"I think it was a great idea to get this job. I can't wait to see Verona again."

"Have you talked to her yet?"

"Not really. I think I may have said yes to her request to do some work thing, but you've got more balls than I do when it comes to talking to your crush. I'm scared she wouldn't want to talk to me."

"Why not?"

"I'm a jerk."

"Hmm.. you can be, but I'm your friend, so you clearly know how to make friends when you want to. She seems nice, she'd probably talk to you."

---

Argh. Mother, must you be so infuriating all the time?! I had just gotten ready for the day to find my ever annoying mother sitting on the couch with a stupid grin on her face and yet another set up for me.
She's been doing this ever since she caught me making out with Damien, our pool boy. He was hot and interesting, which was more than I can say for these super dull guys she keeps bringing to meet me. After firing Damien, she became obsessed with playing matchmaker because she says I've proven that I clearly don't know how to find men for myself who are of the correct social status.

"Good morning, darling Verona."

"Good morning, Mother."

"This is Marcus. He is studying to be a doctor."

Great, another uppity jerk who fits neatly into one of Mother's pre-approved professions. I hate how Mother thinks status is the only thing that matters in life. Instead of saying what I really want to say, I smile at Marcus and say how nice it is to meet him and that I hope he is having a good morning.

"Verona, sit down. I will go make you and Marcus some tea so you can get to know each other better."

I do as my mother says and sit next to Marcus on the couch, although I sit on the cushion furthest from him. We sit there smiling awkwardly at each other for a few minutes.

"So, Verona, what do you do?"

"I work part time at the Silicon Shores Bookstore."

"Surely, you don't need to do that living in a place as exquisite as this."

Exquisite, I think mockingly. Who talks like that? It's 2013, and Marcus talks like he's from the 1800s. Yeah, my family is rich and we live in a mansion with a fancy ass gate out front. So what? I have to act like a hoity toity asshole because of it? I don't think so. So what if I want to make my own money instead of mooching off the parents like my brother does?

"It's not out of necessity, Marcus. It's more something for me to do."

Marcus seems accepting of that answer, despite the weird look he gives me. I look at the clock wondering if it's close enough to four o'clock so I can go to work already and get out of this more than uncomfortable situation. Disappointingly, it's not even noon yet. Just then, Mother comes out of the kitchen and sets a tray of tea on the table.

"So, how are you two getting along?"

"I have learned what Verona does with some of her free time."

"Yes, no doubt she doesn't need such a pedestrian job. I have always told her she would fit in better at the country club instead of that low class bookstore."

Here we go again. Mother talking about me as if I'm not here and can't hear every insulting word that comes out of her ridiculous mouth. Dad's a famous director, hence the wealth, and probably how he attracted such a classy lady, I think sarcastically. I sit in silence, letting her insult me, not wanting to cause a scene in front of our guest. I sip my tea and occasionally glare into the cup, pretending it's Mother.

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What were the temptations The Leader wanted you to stay away from?

Things like alcohol, gambling, drugs, and going to clubs to dance. He thought that just setting foot in a club or casino would guarantee we would fall into all the temptations and ruin our lives.

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Titanium and Camo are taking a break at work in the cafe part of the bookstore.

"I'm curious why you think we're not free, Camo."

"Really? You don't see it?"

"Well, no. We can come and go as we please now that we're adults. I mean, when we were teenagers, we couldn't go anywhere unchaperoned, but that's cause we were still too young."

"Titanium, it's the rules that trap us. Do you really think most other adults have to follow a curfew? All the things we can't do are what takes away our freedom. Aren't you ever curious to find out if those things are as dangerous as the teacher says they are?"

"But those rules are there are to keep us safe. I was curious once, but that died a long time ago. I don't want to risk my life if those things do turn out to be dangerous."

"What are you so scared of, Titanium?"

"Death."

"Death? What do you think is going to happen to you? Do you think you will die instantly because you step into a club?"

"It's the scary people, Camo. They hang out at the clubs and try to drag you into their world of danger."

Camo drinks his coffee, unsure what to think of Titanium right now. His friend is clearly paranoid, but Camo doubts it's just because of what the teacher says.

"Titanium? You have never been to a club, so how do you know the teacher isn't just lying to you?"

"I don't know, but I would trust her over a Stranger."

"What if Absolon told you clubs were safe, and they were fun places to go? Would you trust him? You clearly like him, and he's a Stranger."

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What do you think drove your fear of the unknown?

I think I was scared to try new things because the first time I did, it resulted in my friend's death. Maybe I associated curiosity with death.

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"Camo, I don't know the answer to that question, but I remember once when I was a child, I met a girl and we talked about The Strangers. The next thing I knew, I was in Isolation. My friend died there. I still feel like I killed her because I am the one who asked her if she thought The Strangers were really as bad as the teacher said they were."

"Wow, dude, I'm sorry. Is that why you're so quiet and shy all the time?"

Titanium nods, feeling the sadness of his friend's death again. He's also thinking hard about Camo's question about Absolon.

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As I leave work, I notice that aqua haired boy with his guitar playing outside the store again. I've never seen him talk to anyone. I don't know why he's always there, but his music is nice.