Part-Time

Chapter 8: Tom and The move?

    It all felt like it happened in slow motion. As the rock that I was once holding now entered Tom's skull and forced him to fall to the ground. And All I see is a blood puddle start to form right before, the others start to rush to his aide including Ms. Hart and Steve. I stand there watching for only a moment because I was then grabbed and pinned to the ground by something. "You better stay down boy," the person who has pinned me says in an angry voice. I then struggle enough to notice it's Steve pinning me down.

  "Let me... go, this is so... messed up. The way... they were treating... that guy over... on the other side of the store was just terrible... I had to do something". I continue to try and struggle out of Steve's grip, but it ended up being a waste of energy. Steve had too good of a lock on me to free from.

   "Seth, I don't want to hear anything from you. I have told you already they don't matter. To be honest those people on that side of the store are lucky to make it out alive every night. They are criminals who we sacrifice so our population can finally settle once again. And as for you young man, no matter what happens. The rule stands as there is no killing allowed on this side of the store,". I stop struggling and look up at Steve, scared to know the truth. The truth that I went through with it and killed Tom. "You... don't... know... if he's... d...e...a... d, the... moron... is probably... just... faking".

  He seems to give a chuckle "Faking huh?". He grabs my head vigorously and jerks towards Tom. I instantly see the gushing blood running straight out of his head. It was like something straight out of a horror movie, but it was real. Steve gives another laugh "You still think he could have survived that. You murder him, and that's something you're going to have to live with". After he says this the world feels to change in an instant to fast motion. Ms. Hart trying to give some sort of help, called for a hospital. Which told her the typical answer that they can't waste energy trying to save someone like that. So, everyone had to face facts and give up. Minutes later Tom stop breathing, and everyone stared down at his dead body. Rick, Chad, and Jose all looked at me ready to try and kill me themselves. But instead they were forced inside by Ms. Hart.

   One cashier went came out with a Makeshift Body bag, that Tom was soon placed in. I was then dragged inside, escorted by Steve and brought to Ms. Hart's office to sit in darkness. Waiting for what comes next.

  I sit in silence wondering what's going to happen next. In till what feels like hours of meaningless time, Ms. Hart walks in. She sits and gives me the biggest smirk a person could give. "So, Seth I'm not going to sugar coat this, you killed a man and you will be punished for this. Of course, there is a good thing you're in a world of overpopulation. In which the government promotes behavior such as this. So, I can't punish you for doing what society demands. But I did decide to think more into what you did and was given an interesting thought. That this little thing you did was so strange that it had to of been planned out. I mean why would an employee after getting in trouble once for a similar little outburst. Try to repeat the same steps as last time. Would you like to explain Mr. Stone?" It was at this moment that Ms. Hart leaned back in her chair and gave me an evil stare.

   "Well... I think it might be... a coincidence, And that's all". I say and try to force a bit of confidence with my nervous answer. "Just a coincidence, I don't think that is the truth. I have already talk this event over with some higher up people in the company. They agreed that I can't fire you because the government seems to enjoy the fact that you killed someone. So, I have asked to get you moved as a punishment". I look at her scared to know what she means by moved.

   "Listen I don't deserve any punishment for what I did. Tom was about to essentially do the same thing to the Aaron..." She then looks at me in surprise and seems to ignore everything I said except. "You know his name, well this got more interesting. There's a rule about associating with the criminals. I could have you put on death instant row for that right now. But instead, I'm going to let you go off with the move and leave that between us. You see this move is something new the government is trying. And allowing us to try with you since the population has lowered by 9% thanks to the Act". She pauses to look at me with her hazel eyes, to build the tension in the room.

   At that moment I already have put 2 and 2 together. I know what she meant by a move and if my normal life wasn't gone before. I can guarantee its gone now and right when this crossed my mind. She says, "You will be moved to the Danger side of the Store".