It Was 2020

Jon was cremated. He had Covid so there was no funeral and no memorial. Flowers were laid outside the door of his apartment in his memory. His children and grandchildren were devastated. They only knew he was sick. They had no idea how bad it was. Jon’s brother was perfectly healthy.

After two weeks of avoiding leaves and seeing smaller clusters of suits walking around town, Kay decides to throw caution to the wind and return to the Capitol Building. Since this is where she saw the suits the first time, she is hoping they will be there again. Kay closes her office and has her assistant reschedule her appointments for the day.

When Kay arrives at the Capitol Building, during normal business hours and during the week, she sees just how busy it is. However, what she notices most are the hundreds of men and women in suits. All seemingly members of Theoth - E.R.S.

It doesn’t take Kay long to recognize who is in charge of this organization. He is standing at the top of the stairs behind a sign that says ‘Upper Entrance Closed’ and he is leading a long line of people into the building. There is a suit for every 5 people and they alternate which side of the line they stand on. Basically, if you were in line you were not getting away. Though, to Kay’s eyes, it didn’t look like these people wanted to leave. They seemed enthralled by the presence of the leader and were listening intently to the directions he was giving.

“People of Madison. You will willingly walk up the steps of your Capitol Building. You will go exactly where I tell you and do exactly what I tell you. No questions will be asked. Should you try to leave, you will be restrained. Should you resist, you will be eliminated. Do I make myself clear?”

A resounding and elated “YES!” rose from the line.

Kay was the only one that was not captivated by the speaker or his assistants. She did notice one of her newest friends, Alan, standing in line with his wife, Michelle, and she wondered what could have brought them here or put them in this situation.

It was then that she noticed the trail of blue leaves on the ground. They were not glowing but they still seemed to hold sway over those near them. If things weren’t bad enough, what Kay hears next chills her to the core more than any Wisconsin winter ever could.

“Kill him.”

The leader points to Kay’s friend, Alan, who has recently dyed his hair green and is possibly under the influence, but seems extremely jovial considering the situation. He doesn’t seem quite as disconnected as everyone else in line is. He is the first person she has called ‘friend’ since she moved here. He can’t die. She won’t let him die.

Kay yells, “No! You will not kill him.”

The leader looks at her with a combination of amusement and disdain. “If he does not die, we will be one short. Will you take his place?”

Kay briefly considers this. She is a doctor and helps people with mental problems, but Alan...he’s different. He helps people with confidence, self esteem, family matters, strength, etc. What he does is worth so much more than anything she could offer. He’s also married and expecting twins.

“Yes. I will take his place.”

She walks up the stairs, past the leader, and into the darkened Capitol Building where the executioner waits. She is prepared to die for her friend. The executioner stares at her in disbelief.

The leader looks at her, briefly baffled, and says, “Wait. She is different. Let her live. We shall find another to take his place.”

“S-s-sir. If we do not meet the quota…” stammers one of the underlings.

“I am fully aware of what happens if we do not meet the quota! I will not stand here and allow you to undermine my decision. Insubordination of any kind will not be tolerated. The quota shall be met with your life.”

The leader of Theoth - E.R.S. reaches into the pocket of his blazer, (“It’s happening again.” Kay thinks.), withdraws a luminescent blue leaf (“No. Please, no.”), and crushes it against the underling's forehead.

At first, it seems that there will be no reaction and Kay is inwardly relieved. She really doesn’t want to witness another suicide (or a murder) and that is definitely the direction this was headed. Unfortunately, her relief is short-lived.

Startled by the turn of events, his left eye twitches. His face contorts and he begins to perspire profusely. His handsome black suit is completely soaked within seconds. He falls to his knees, in obvious pain. His back arches and he throws his head back, mouth stretched open in a silent scream.

Kay can see blood leaking from the corners of his eyes and dripping from his nose and ears. “Why are you doing this to him? Isn’t he one of your people?”

“Correction. He was one of my people. We follow directions. We do not falter in our objective. We respect authority. He did not and now he must suffer the consequences.”

Though the leader still had his hand outstretched, he had ceased touching the underling immediately after the leaf was crushed against his forehead. Once the effects started taking place, Kay noticed he took a single step backwards. Almost as if he was concerned with the inequitable affair that he had caused.

As the body warped and shriveled into a dried out husk, Kay noticed that none of the people standing in line had moved or spoken. They seemed to be patiently awaiting orders from the leader. Were they on the way to becoming suits themselves?

“Is that what this is all about? Some big corporation wants more people to do their bidding so they invent some sort of death-leaf-mind-control crap.” Kay asks. “And how were you able to touch the leaf and not die?”

The leader looks at her, confused as to how she had come to this conclusion, and beckons her to follow. Obviously this young woman has no clue about him, or what he represents, and she has piqued his interest. The first human to do so, actually.