Age of Silence - bloodlines

Mari and Justice parked the hovercraft in the meadow next to the club, still shaken up from the crash.

Mari hung up her mind call from the police.

“What did they say?”

She paused then shook her head. “Nothing.”

“Really?”

“I’m not even sure why we still have police, they’re useless.”

Justice shook his head violently. “I’m afraid that woman will come after us again. Why us?”

Mari locked the hovercraft, “She’s probably just another psycho, c’mon let’s go in.”

A crowd of clubbers walked by them speaking French; the weekend imports were arriving, or maybe they were simply a group of the millions of transplants in this city. As they walked in silence to the club she was still on edge from the chase, but it wasn’t her safety she was worried about, Justice didn’t have a violent bone in his body, and sometimes Mari doubted he’d be able to defend himself. Going clubbing was her stress releaser for her. With the ever increasing tension of a crumbling world, at least she could find peace while dancing, even if only for a few flashes in time.

People came out in droves from all over the city and world to Berghain on this night. The line to get in was big…the weekend was upon them. People dressed in all styles of clothing: latex, leather, and with some people littered with piercings and tattoos, all flocking to the famous Berghain. Even though she usually found a release coming here, for the first time in her life Mari had the sense she was being confronted with death. She was scared, but as with everything, she faced the challenge head-on. She tried to place the woman who had chased them. Did she know her?

Mari leaned over to Justice. “Don’t tell anyone what happened. I don’t want anybody to worry about us.”

“Don’t you think your Dad should know? Besides he will notice the dent on the hovercraft.”

Mari felt fear in the pit of her stomach. “I’m not worried about what my dad is going to say. I’m worried about the woman that was chasing us.” I wonder if she followed us here?

The dark sky beckoned the freaks of the night, and this night like all other Friday nights would be a cathartic release of Berlin hedonism. Mari and Justice hit a patch of pavement and then walked onto the gravel of the entryway of the club. As they approached the line, Zara spotted them. Their tall, bushy brown-haired, Hungarian friend was waiting for them to arrive. He waved and called out to them. “Mari, Justice, right here.” Mari hadn’t liked him when they had first met a few years ago. She’d thought he was cocky and full of himself, but as she had gotten to know him his loyalty and kind heart had revealed themselves and they’d become friends. Plus Mari thought he was cute and had a secret crush on him. Mari waved back as they walked toward him.

An empty grass field surrounded the club. Berghain was not a place a person would stumble upon by chance; it was a destination spot, a club that people from all over the world visited. Many clubbers in Europe would fly to Berlin without staying at a hotel and stay up for an entire weekend. It was a never ending party in Berlin, the world’s party capital.

Among other things, Berghain was also known for its crazy opening hours, starting from Saturday it stayed open until Monday at noon, and in perfect Berlin fashion its attitude towards sex was relaxed and open-minded. A stroll through the booths on the lower level, and one would be sure to see people engaged in sexual acts. In fact, the booths constructed on the ground floor were made for that purpose. Berghain was the ultimate expression of hedonism and decadence. For Berliners like Mari and her friends, this was not a big deal, but foreigners were always blown away by the liberal nature of Berlin.

Zara always seemed to be smiling. He was the quintessential extrovert. Keeping with his heritage, the Hungarian gave them both a firm handshake when they walked over. “Ready to dance?”

Mari nodded. She thought it was cute that Zara made sure to stay true to the traditions of his heritage. “I’m always up for dancing in this crazy place.”

Zara laughed. “That’s right, you never know what’s gonna happen here.”

“Speaking of that,” Mari said. “If we get separated, lets meet back here t four a.m, okay?”

“Works for me,” said the Hungarian.

Mari poked Justice. “Earth to Justice.”

“Oh yes sorry, I saw someone I thought I knew.”

“After we’re done, we can go back to my dad’s place if we want; he’s out of town and said we could crash there,” said Mari.

“Cool,” said Zara. “I’m up for that.”

“Nice, the line is moving fast tonight. We’re up.” One by one they walked up to the security guard for a pat down. Covered in tattoos, his head shaved and wearing a long thick beard, he looked mean and to most people he was. To get into Berghain you had to be on the guest list. Luckily Mari had become friends with one of the bouncers. Mathias’s personality came across gruff and cold, but if you got to know him, he was a big teddy bear. He scanned them for sharp objects, weapons, and drugs.

He smiled at Mari when she walked up to him. “Gut to see you again.”

She sent him a smile and look that made him feel special. When she wanted to, Mari had a charm that caused people to develop a crush on her. “Hi, Mathias, always nice to see you.”

Justice shook his head and turned to Zara. “Sometimes She’s such a flirt.”

After a quick pat down they were cleared and walked up to the counter to pay the entry fee. As they entered the club, the pulsating vibrations engaged their bodies immediately. The trio walked up a steady climb of metal steps to the main floor, entering the dance floor filled with people dancing, doing drugs and often mindlessly bumping into each other as if they were sleepwalking. The vaulted ceilings and vast space was dark and dingy, and even though it at first seemed like a wide open space there were slathers of nooks and dimly lit hallways to get lost in. Mari looked around at the sea of people and continued to struggle to walk through the packed dance floor.

Justice turned to Mari. “This music feels amazing.”

“I love this place, it’s my church.”

Finally they got to the other side of the dance floor and stepped up the stairs to the next level. Mari turned to the guys behind her.

“Let’s go up to the Panarama Bar.”

They walked up the last set of stairs to the top floor. There was a small dark hallway to cross before entering the Panarama bar. It was smaller but Mari liked it up here better because it was more intimate. There was a large patch of panel windows against the wall to the left as they walked into the room. Friday was always fun, but Sunday mornings were Mari’s favorite times to come here; the sunrise looked beautiful shining through those smoky windowpanes. Mari and Zara started to dance and walk weaving and bumping through the crowd on the dance floor.

Even though they weren’t on drugs it felt like it. There was something in the way the music vibrations triggered sensations in the body, that released endorphins in the brain creating a euphoric high. The good vibes filled the club, and people were dancing like nobody was watching, having the time of their lives, completely forgetting about problems in their world; they were free in this place. Mari sighed and turned to Zara. “I wish people could act this free all the time.”

“Me too,” said Zara.

Justice got their attention. “Hey, let’s go to the hallway bar in the other room. There’s always an interesting conversation to be had there.”

“Good call,” Justice.

As they made their way out of the Panorama Bar, Justice turned to his left and saw a young woman about twenty feet away from him. She was a striking blonde woman, wearing a tight black latex suit, and she was staring right at him.

He whispered in Zara’s ear. “I think that lady over there is looking at me.”

Zara looked over at the woman. “You better go over and talk to her before someone beats you to it.”

Justice timidly walked off in her direction. Zara was shaking his head and smiling.

“Where’s he going?” Mari was worried Justice could get hurt. There had been more fights breaking out in clubs lately.

Justice felt nervous about approaching the girl even though he was a good looking guy. He was socially awkward and lacked confidence, especially with women. What if she rejects me? He walked up to her. “Excuse me, but I got the impression you were looking at me and wanted to talk.”

She winked at him. “I do, sexy boy. You look like someone who’s seeking. Do you know why you are here?”

Justice adjusted his ponytail. “I’m just having a good time with my friends.”

The woman in black leather laughed. “No, not why you’re at the club. Why are you are on earth?”

“I’m still trying to figure that one out.”

The woman glanced behind her. “Would you like me to help you figure that out?”

“How?”

“I know someone who helps people find their calling. He’s upstairs now. Would you like to talk to him?”

“Sure.”

“Follow me.”

In the main room of the club there was a stairwell to the second floor, a new addition to the club, constructed to increase the capacity. The new area was an especially gritty area of the club, where the tormented souls hung out. Many of them lurked upstairs because they couldn’t stand the sight of people having a good time on the dance floor. Booths lined the perimeter of the elevated section that overlooked the main dance floor. The faces of the people up here looked possessed and pale, as if the life had been drained from them.

“Have you heard about the lost souls?” she said as she turned her head toward Justice.

He nodded. “They think everyone but them are like sheep, following what everybody else does. They think they are different but they are just sulking as a group in their misery.”

“It’s hard to argue with their propensity for negativity about the human race. The earth and people on it are being wiped out before our eyes, because of the idiocy of our race.”

As they reached the upper level the vibe shifted, the space was even darker and enclosed. They walked down the narrow black path. Hollow faces stared off into the abyss of their internal feelings of oblivion. The pinched walkway wrapped around the perimeter of the main floor, booths to the left and people lined around the edges of the ledge peering down at the dance floor, looking on in judgment of the people below. Lines of cocaine streaked across the tables, needles littered on some of the tables with people injecting the latest drug of choice. If one wasn’t interested in doing drugs, they had no business up here.

Justice observed people as they walked by.

The woman turned around. “Would you also like to get a reading from a future teller?”

Justice’s eyes widened. “No, they only reveal dark outcomes.”

“Suit yourself. Some people just aren’t ready for the truth.”

“I just remembered why I never come up here,” he said.

“Oh?”

“This place really scares me.” Yet here he was again, and he didn’t turn around because something was pulling him up here. Something felt strange, but it felt right. They continued to weave slowly through the dark narrow hallway packed with pale people, most of them dressed in all black.

She pointed to an empty booth in the corner. “Sit, I’ll be right back.”

Though the temperature of the club was warm, Justice shivered, his bones cold. He started to regret coming up here. Maybe I should go back down? Yes, I should, I’m leaving.

But before he could stand up, a man put his hand on Justice’s shoulder, pushing the boy back down. Justice looked up at the man, fright dripping from his eyes.

“You weren’t about to leave were you, young man? I was told to come meet you, it’s not wise to waste my time.”

The man looked like a ghost. His head was shaved, and he had a boney jaw with a large scar across his left cheek. It looked like a blade had cut his flesh long ago. Dressed all in black, he wore a body length trench coat, probably to cover up that he was skinny. His skin texture looked leathery; one look at him told a story of a hard life. It looked like death surrounded the eerie man. To his left stood a big muscular brute, who was equally pale. His stare was piercingly intense. “Young man, what is it that you would like to know?

Justice fumbled his words, “I, I want to know what my purpose in life is.”

The man adjusted his coat. “A pitiful existence…being without purpose. But even worse is the brainwashed life, government wants one to live. This club is infested with people like that.”

Justice bit his fingernail. The guy was creepy. “I think people who come here want more from life, that’s why we come here. We’re seekers.”

The man slammed his hand on the table. “Silence. Are you here to get answers or to give them?” His deep, raspy voice sent a shiver through Justice’s body.

“Sorry. No, I didn’t.”

“Do not doubt my words again, do you understand? You have sought me out, not the other way around. If people really understood their purpose, they wouldn’t allow themselves to be controlled by the government.”

Justice sank back in the booth and nodded his head.

“I on the other hand am off the grid and answer to nobody, a freedom that only I and my people experience, but this is possible for others like yourself.”

“How are you able to stay off the grid? Everybody is tracked by their blood information.”

The pale man lit a cigarette, and took a drag. “I know how to mask that information. You can see that the government is trying to control people into carrying out their agenda, can’t you?

“I do.”

Our goal is to dismantle the government and give the power back to the people. Sound good to you?”

Justice looked at the ground. “I agree there are many things wrong with the government, but I’m not sure that waging a war against it is something I can do.”

The man’s stare intensified. “It takes courage to fight against the corruption of the government. Our purpose is to create a vision of freedom for now and future generations to come.”

“But we are already free.”

The man laughed. “You can barely take a piss without asking government? Tell me, what can you do without asking the permission of someone?”

Justice didn’t have an answer he just sat there and continued listening to the man rant on about the lack of freedom of modern society.

“That’s why I agreed to meet with you. I sensed your presence when you entered the club tonight, and I knew you were looking for the truth. Join my revolution and you will be free. What do you say, young man?”

Justice paused for a moment. “I don’t know, I don’t think I am made for your group.”

The man tightened his lips, clenched his jaw, and took another drag from his smoke. “So be it, freedom is not for everyone. Enjoy the rest of your pathetic little life.”

Justice was scratching his head. “Can I go now?”

The man looked at his bodyguard. “Yes. You are free to go.”

Justice stood up and walked towards the stairs. While he was walking away, Nero turned to the man next to him and leaned in close.

“Get rid of him.”

The bodyguard turned and walked after Justice at a fast pace, shoving people aside as he closed in on him. Justice heard people angrily protesting behind him, and turned around to see the brute coming after him. Overwhelmed with fear Justice picked up his pace. He frantically pushed people aside struggling to gain separation. The angry lost souls shoved him back, slowing him down as he bounced into bodies.

“Watch it!” A girl shoved Justice into someone. He lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Pain screamed from his knee as it slammed to the concrete floor. Justice could see people shoved aside by the man chasing him. He was getting closer. My knee hurts, but I have to keep moving.

“Shit,” he mumbled. Getting back up on his feet, this time he was half running, pushing more people out of his path. Justice struggled to get by the crowd, desperately squeezing past people as fast as he could. But nobody moved out of his way, so he got on the ground and tried to crawl by people, but it didn’t work. He got back up, turned around again and saw the man even closer now. Justice was almost to the stairs. The brute tossed the tormented souls aside like plastic dolls; he was almost at arm’s length to Justice.

“Please move, that guy is chasing me!” he pleaded as he pointed to the burly man behind him. But the upper level was the last place to ask for help.

If I can just make it to the stairs, I can get away.

Approaching the top of the staircase, for the first time a glimmer of hope emerged that he might actually make it. Relief comforted him as his shoe touched the top step. As he grabbed onto the railing and stepped down, he gasped in relief. Then he felt a hand crash down on his neck. Panic paralyzed him as the man lifted Justice into the air and dangled him over the railing.

“No, no. Please don’t. Please let me go,” Justice begged. “I’ll join you, just don’t drop me.”

The man pulled the boy closer to him and looked him square in the eyes. His stony gaze pierced Justice’s soul. He smiled at Justice then tossed him over the ledge.

“Ah, ah ahhh!!” Mind numbing panic engulfed every fiber of his bones as the terror of impending impact was his only thought. Then all thoughts were erased, everything went black as his skull bashed against the concrete. Blood began to puddle on the dance floor.

The music stopped, and silence brimmed inside the walls. This killing had been a two-person job. Just before the man had dropped Justice from the upper deck, the woman who had escorted Justice upstairs had cleared people away to make sure he would free fall to the ground. Before security knew what had happened, the assailants vanished from the club.

Panic broke out, and people either rushed outside or stared in disbelief and horror at the body lying on the dance floor. Security was already starting to usher people out of the club. It didn’t take long for the police to arrive. Two squad cars pulled up to the entrance, the officers casually walking into the club while barking at the patrons to leave.

A voice announced instructions through the speakers. “We’re shutting it down. Everybody out now.”

Zara and Mari were making their way to the main floor. “Where’s Justice?”

“I don’t know,” said Zara. “Last time I saw him, he was walking up to the upper level with that woman. He’s probably outside looking for us.”

As a security guards funneled the clubbers outside, Mari saw the shoes of the guy on the ground. Her heart sank. It looked like Justice’s shoes. She turned to Zara.

“He is wearing the same shoes as Justice. I need to go check to make sure it’s not him.”

She ran out of the line and over to dance floor.

A guard stuck out his arm to block her. “Whoa, young lady, get back in line.”

She swatted his arm off her. “I think he might be my friend.”

He nodded his head. “Let’s have a look.”

The closer they got the more she felt a nervous rush through her body. A lump in her throat formed, as they walked toward the man, she hoped for the best but had a bad feeling. Something didn’t feel right, but denial kicked in. People stared at her, whispering and chatting as she walked towards the dead body. About ten feet away it became crystal clear. Mari knew it was him but she didn’t want to believe it. She continued to walk toward the body, her muscles wound tight as a rope.

The two stood directly over the body now. Mari stared at the man, her gaze cold

“Do you know him?”

She didn’t respond. The ambient noise of the crowd leaving the club, bounced off the walls. Pain shot through her skull, her head pounding. A deep ocean of sorrow pulled her under rational thought.

“Young lady, do you know this young man?” His voice was a bit louder this time.

Mari stepped back. A lifetime of images and emotions pin-balled around her mind. She nodded her head slowly.

He motioned to another guard to come over. “I am so sorry.”

Mari didn’t respond. She couldn’t believe it.

“The authorities will take it from here. In case they want to speak with you can you tell me your name?” he said, holding up an identifier pad.

This can’t be happening. Who would do such a thing to a gentle soul like him? She scanned her wrist over it and walked back over to Zara.

“Mari, I think I should still come over to your dad’s place with you. No way should you be alone right now.”

Tears streamed down Mari’s cheeks, and Zara put his arm around her. The two exited the club and headed home in silence.

His voice reverberated from the rafters like a hollow recording, looping over and over, the dull drizzle landing down on their hats and umbrellas. A new face delivered the message, but the information was tired and overplayed. President Baku had delivered another rally today in hopes of perpetuating the manipulation of the public so that the government could continue their insane practices. Some thought he was secretly working with a terrorist group, some thought he was one the shadow governments puppets. And others thought he was doing both. somehow though even in the midst of this decaying world, the public kept voting people like Baku into power despite them being blatantly corrupt. Their trust had been wavering for generations yet somehow the seeds of a one world order were being sewn right before their eyes.

With the Alliance gaining popularity, and various underground operations creating chaos, traditional and governments losing control, as they tried to merge as one. Nero, the mastermind behind the strongest terrorist group in Western Europe, had been planning Baku’s assassination for years.

Tilted rain dripped from the sky as Nero’s warriors shuffled up the stone steps of an abandoned building across from where the President was delivering his speech. The morning chill washed into the crowd; people huddled and listened intently, desperate for signs of hope from his words.

Baku’s message faded in the background while General Cale approached his commander. “Sir, they’re in position.”

Nero stroked the scar on his face, gazing down at his target. “I’ll signal when it’s time for Zaytsev to shoot.”

The crowd roared as Baku made proclamations about the government’s plan to restore order, and peace.

Nero turned to Cale. “Even after generations of lies, these pathetic sheep still believe what slime ball politicians say.”

“That’s why I’m glad you will eliminate the.”

Nero raised his hand in the air to silence him. “It’s time. Inform Zaytsev to get in position..”

“With pleasure, sir.”

Nero pulled out binoculars and glassed Baku. “Just a few more minutes and I’ll end that pathetic puppet’s life.”

Cale sneered. “Yes, and soon you will be the ruler.”

Soldiers gathered at the table behind Nero and Cale, standing their like petrified wood, then loaded their weapons and filled their packs with explosives upon orders from Cale. A sardonic expression filled Nero’s face as he watched them prepare to fight.

A wind flurry whistled through Baku’s black matted hair, his arms angled towards the sky as he made promises of peace to his supporters. His voice strengthened, as he cast it out to the crowd. “We are living in desperate times: heartache, death, destruction. Wars and chaos surround us, yet we stand stronger than ever. Evil forces are trying to dismantle the fabric upon which our great country was built, but they shall not succeed!”

The crowd roared and cheered. Though their cheers were loud, they sounded controlled, not a genuine enthusiasm…but a kind of resigned hope stemming from generations of disappointment, empty promises, corruption and horror.

Baku made eye contact with several of his followers in the first row, as he pressed on with his message. “The unity we’ve cultivated are being threatened, yet we stand here with the opportunity to stand as one world.. And together we can take down these monsters who kill our sons and daughters.”

Roars from the crowd echoed into every nook and down every hall of the plaza. Now is the time to unite and stand together as one. We will defeat these monsters who threaten our freedom!” Signs of their leader were raised high , and more roars filled the air.

“One government is the only hope we have to maintain justice. The Alliance says we should go back to a segregated system, but that way did not work. We have to protect you from people like them who are recklessly trying to go backwards, not forward.”

The crowd chanted his name over and over again.“Baku, Baku, Baku…”

Nero spit on the ground. “Despicable these brain washed maggots. I can’t wat this any longer. General, it’s time.”

Cale mind called the sniper. “Zaytsev.”

“Sir.”

“Get ready.”

Dark clouds drifted in the sky, a pause in Baku’s speech rippled a fragmented snapshot of silence in the piercingly cold surroundings. The wind whistled through the cracks of rusted pipes. Nero and General Cale looked over at the building where their sniper was stationed. Baku’s voice continued in the background. Zaytsev had the President in sight, his finger resting on the trigger. Ready, waiting for the signal. His breath was steady, his eyes scanning the area, itching to get the call, Cale’s voice transmitted into his brain. “Do it now.”

Zaytsev lined up the red dot on Baku’s head. He took a deep breath and squeezed the trigger. Just as he pressed down on the hammer he was knocked to the ground, and the shot missed his target. . Instead the stray bullet hit someone in the front row. Blood squirted from her flesh as people screamed and scattered.

Two security guards rushed over to Baku and hurried him into a black hovercraft behind the stage. The machine vanished amidst the wall of chaos. The shooter and intruder rolled on the ground. As they wrestled, each fighting for leverage over the other, the snipper grabbed a knife out of his leg holster. Dressed in black, the assailant hopped on top of Zaytsev, pulled out a blade of his own, and thrust it toward the sniper’s neck.

Blood spilled to the ground as Zaytsev collapsed onto the concrete. It was a swift kill, one performed by a lethal killer. The sniper choked on his blood, and the attacker ran into the hallway, climbing up a ladder onto the roof and disappearing into a hovercraft waiting for him.

As Nero watched his plan unravel, he pulled the binoculars from his eyes and slammed them to the ground. Glass shattered and bounced off of the concrete floor. “He turned to his general. “Follow that hovercraft now.”