Nova & the New World

“March 6th, 183 NWE”. I wrote the date at the top of my paper as I prepared to take notes in history class. Today we were learning more about the Old World. In the year 2063, a deadly virus wiped out most of the population. Those who survived congregated somewhere in North America (now known as New World) to start a new life. That’s how the NWE began - New World Era. When building the New World, the Survivors put into effect something called the Complete Equality Plan. This meant that from here on out, there would be no racism, no sexism, no wars, no social classes, etc. We’d all be equal. Today, this plan meant that we all received the same education in school, received the same salaries, regardless of jobs, lived in identical houses, and wore uniforms. However, there is one exception to this plan; The New Leaders. The New Leaders were a group of people who enforced the rules and made sure life ran smoothly here in the New World. I guess you could compare them to Old World governments. I was very fascinated by the Old World so I was latching on to every word my teacher was saying and furiously taking notes. I decided to take the long route home so that I could walk past the Relic Yard, a huge landfill on the outskirts of town that stored artifacts from the Old World. I was bound to see something cool!

After school, I walked past the large chain link fence that kept citizens out of the Relic Yard. The only people allowed in were Relic Guards and New Leaders. I could see some Relic Guards sorting through artifacts to see if anything was of use to us today and to learn about the ways of the Old World. “That would be a cool job after graduation”, I thought to myself. I ran my fingers along the cold fence trying to act natural while also scanning the items closest to the fence. There were some old wooden tables and chairs, a blue bicycle with a basket, lots of papers and books scattered, something small and shiny- “Is that a necklace?” I wondered aloud. It was forbidden to touch or take anything from the Relic Yard so I had to be careful as I went to investigate. It was a heart-shaped locket and it was partially on my side of the fence. I stared in awe: jewellery had been forbidden a long time ago, as it went against our dress code. It took everything in me to not open the locket right then and there, but there were Guards nearby and cameras watching the Relic Yard at all times. I knelt down pretending to tie my black combat boot as I battled with my conscience. I didn’t want to break the rules, but I was just dying to know what was inside! After what felt like an eternity of fiddling with my laces, I swiftly grabbed the necklace and shoved it in my uniform pocket. I nonchalantly walked out of sight of the Relic Yard and cameras, then sprinted home and didn’t stop until I was in the safety of my room.

My heart was racing, probably from sprinting all the way home but also because I had just committed a serious offense. I surveyed myself in my mirror. Everything looked normal: my long, brown hair was in two French braids, I was wearing what I usually wear, which was the New World school uniform - a black collared shirt, a cobalt blue overall dress, black tights and black combat boots. My face though, my face wasn’t normal. It was riddled with guilt. I shook my head and turned my attention to the locket. My hands were shaking as I tried to open it. When it finally snapped open, I dropped it on my bed and looked away, nervous to see what was inside. I held my breath and picked it back up. On one side of the heart was a man and woman. The man had his arm around the woman and they both looked so happy. On the other side of the heart were three children- a boy and two girls. They looked very similar to the adults on the other side so I could only assume they were a family. I closed the locket, put it around my neck and imagined what their lives might’ve been like in the Old World. What were their names? Did they live in North America? Did they live by the ocean or near the trees or up in the mountains or in the city? Did they get to wear whatever they wanted? Were they killed by the virus? Did they- My thoughts were interrupted by pounding on the front door. My heart sank when I heard the words: “Relic Guards! Open up!”.

I was placed in a van and was being transported to the New Leaders for questioning. Since I was only 16, my mother was allowed to accompany me. She wiped a tear from my cheek and squeezed my hand. “It’s going to be okay, Nova.” I nodded and looked out the van window. They had obviously confiscated the locket from me, so I fiddled with the bottom of my dress as I fought these foreign feelings of guilt and worry. I had been so obedient up until now, so what had changed? Perhaps it was learning about the Old World and understanding the freedoms they had back then. Whatever had changed, it didn’t matter now. We were pulling up to the House of The New Leaders and I was about to be at the mercy of said Leaders. Through the foggy van window, I could see Leader Maxwell and Leader Dawn waiting at the front door. The van came to a stop and a guard opened my door. I slowly stepped out, pondering my fate and my mother followed. She took my hand and we started up the path towards the Leaders. “Nova, welcome.” Leader Maxwell held the door open for us to enter the building. He was a tall man, in his early forties with brown hair and blue eyes. Leader Dawn was a bit older. She was tall, with red hair, pulled back into a neat bun and kind, brown eyes. They were wearing the New Leaders uniform - grey suits, white shirts and cobalt blue ties. They led us down a hallway, down some stairs and into a small room. The room had only one table and 4 chairs. “Please take a seat.” Leader Dawn gestured to one side of the table. We sat down and the Leaders sat on the opposite side.

“Nova, do you realize that what you’ve done is in serious violation of the New World and the Complete Equality Plan?” Leader Maxwell began. I nodded, keeping my eyes on the table. “Ok, now do you know what we do to people who break the rules?” I nodded again, fighting back tears. They were sent to a prison-like facility to undergo a “treatment” that turned them into “obedient, law-abiding members of society”. My uncle was sent there a few years ago and when he returned, he had completely changed. He was unsettlingly perfect, always smiling but with glazed over eyes that showed no emotion. I felt like I didn’t know him anymore. “If your father didn’t work for us, things could've gone a lot worse for you,” Leader Dawn said. “We’re not going to send you to the facility.” I breathed a sigh of relief and looked at my mother, who looked relieved as well. “However, you will be monitored for the foreseeable future to ensure you are living in compliance with the New World rules. And if this happens again, you will be sent straight to the facility. Do you understand?” “Yes.” I nodded eagerly. “Okay, I think we’re done here.” Leader Maxwell smiled and stood up. “I’ll show you out.”

When we reached the top of the stairs, my father was there waiting for us. He looked so disappointed. He shook Leader Maxwell’s hand and said “Thank you, sir. And my sincerest apologies.” “Don’t let this happen again, Kit. We don’t want a repeat of your brother.” Leader Maxwell turned and disappeared down the hall. Dejectedly, my father led my mother and I to where his car was parked. He didn’t say a word to me until we reached home. “I could’ve lost my job, Nova,” he said calmly but sadly. “What were you thinking?” “I’m so sorry, dad. I wasn’t thinking.” I felt like there was nothing I could say or do to make this better. He sighed and gave me a hug. “Don’t do anything like this again. I don’t want to lose you to the facility.” He gave me a kiss on the top of my head and went to his room. I went to my own room and lay on my bed. The words “lose you to the facility” kept bouncing around my head. I shuddered thinking about what my father meant by that. I assumed he was referring to my uncle. I didn’t exactly know what went on in that facility but what I did know was that I’d be walking on eggshells for the rest of my life, so that I would never have to find out.