Gabi Connor Connor

Gabi Connor is an aspiring journalist. She dreams of working in South Korea to cover the North-South Korea situation. She spends a lot of time studying the Korean language in order to be prepared when she moves to study abroad in Korea. Gabi also writes songs and plays the piano and guitar in her free time. She has a large interest in dystopian fiction and loves to consider what it would be like in a society without a democratic government.

Maria Locklear is one of three people in a military unit, protecting society from an organization called "The Masked Men." She aims to save the people within society, as well as redeem herself from her past.
To Dust We Shall Return
My Submission

There are always rumors. Rumors that the world will end and that the ‘last judgment’ will happen to the living and the dead. The words “And to dust, you shall return” becomes the quote most live their lives by. And to dust, you shall return. Dust. Not dirt, not soil, not mud. Dust. Why? Why dust? Why not dirt, or soil, or mud? Because dust is the most insignificant part of the earth. To clean is to get rid of dust. Dirt, soil, and mud are all necessary parts of the world we live in. Dust, not so much. We are the dust of the earth. We are the most insignificant part of the earth. We just don’t realize it until it is too late. Humankind, as it is known, will never be the same. Yes, humans consider themselves the smartest organisms on the earth. However, we were under attack all this time, yet we had no clue. Why is that? Because we spend so much time caught up in ourselves that we have no idea what is around us until it begins to affect our comfortable lives. The result? A destroyed world.

I kicked at a rock and stood watching it bounce across the barren soil and disappear into the thick, early-morning fog, just like all of its fellow rocks before him. As I prepare to kick another rock, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn to see someone in my unit walk behind me, Cassi. I nod at her and go back to the rocks, trying to ignore her when she comes to stand next to me.

“Socializing isn’t your strong suit, I take it?” Her French accent was barely detectable behind her formal English. I arched an eyebrow and glanced at her. “Where on earth did you get that idea?” I asked, my tone dripping with sarcasm. Cassi chuckled. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe it’s the way you don’t initiate conversation. Maybe it’s the way you avoid us like we’ve done something to harm you.” Her tone matched my own, almost as aggressive. Touche.

“Maybe you have and you just haven’t realized,” I shrugged and pointedly turned away from her, searching for another rock. She opened her mouth to respond, but I cut her off. “Hey, I get it. We’re the only girls, you want a friend, and I respect that. But listen, I don’t want a friend. I didn’t even want a unit. You haven’t pissed me off or any of that shit, okay?”

She glared at me, lips pursed. I waited for her to say something, but when it was clear that she wasn’t, I turned back to watch the sunrise. Being raised on a Native American reservation in Ohio, it was guaranteed to be hot and dry. I remembered reading from the unit guide that Cassi was from France, and not exactly accustomed to the sweltering weather.

A few moments passed, Cassi not-so-subtly staring at me while I pretended not to notice. Finally, she sighed and plopped down, none too graceful. “Well, I’ve got nothing to do for the next hour or so. I think I’ll just stay here if you don’t mind.” I do mind, I thought to myself.

She looked at me again. “Alright, so I don’t know much about you other than what the unit guide said,” Cassi frankly said, obviously tired of waiting for me to respond to her monologue. “I’d like to get to know you if you don’t mind.” I thought this over. Honestly, I didn’t really want her to “get to know me,” but I would need allies if my unit got cornered in a battle. I went back and forth before I reached a decision. “Well, what do you want to know? We’ve got a couple minutes.”

Cassi looked back at me, surprised. “Are you sure? I mean, your profile in the guide was very specific, if nothing else.” I looked at her and tilted my head. The unit guide only showed other profiles, not my own. My curiosity got the best of me once again, and I asked, “What did the guide say about me that makes you so apprehensive around me?”

Cassi shrugged but tensed up as if expecting a hit. “Well, as you know, it gives information about ancestry, as well as your past academic and juvenile records.” I rolled my eyes. Of course, my unit would be afraid to approach me. My ancestry was probably the most complicated and weighted past of anyone here, not to mention my record. My juvenile record is three pages long and full of crimes that were unacceptable in the past society. Now, however, my kind is needed more than ever. By my kind, I mean the people who don’t regret their decisions, who don’t look back, who don’t think twice about breaking the rules.

“I can’t blame you,” Cassi said after a long, awkward silence. “Your past is really messed up. I mean, you came from the United States. The world came crashing down because of your president’s choice, but you belong with us now. We all come from different countries. We’re different nationalities, but we came together because of choice. We’re not just Unit 72, we’re family, Maria.”

“My name’s not Maria,” I said, a little more sharply than I needed to. “What is it?” Cassi asked. “Skylar. Maria was my name given at birth, yes, but I rejected that name. Maria was my mother’s name, but she died. She died because I couldn’t protect her. I’m not worthy of my mom’s name. Not anymore.”

Cassi sniffed, and I looked over, stunned to see her eyes watery. “Why are you crying?” I asked. Honestly, my story wasn’t that much of a sob story. Not compared to other people. Cassi looked at me, her eyes filled with tears. “It’s just-” she broke off and started again after a second. “It’s just, I know what that feels like. You know, that you’re not worthy of things given to you. I had two younger sisters. I had promised my dad I would do whatever it takes to protect them. I failed, though. We were at my old house, and we heard a gunshot. I told my sisters to stay there while I went to go investigate. That was my first mistake. My second was when I saw the masked men. They didn’t see me because I hid behind the counter. As I watched them, my youngest sister, Jess, started to scream and cry. I still don’t know why. But she got the men’s attention. I stayed in my spot. I didn’t move, just watched them head up the stairs.”

Cassi chanced a glance at me, but I ignored her, staring into the sunrise. She continued: “I was supposed to protect them. I was their older sister. They relied on me for everything, but on the one thing that mattered most, I let them down.” There was a long pause between us, filled with hundreds of things neither of us could say out loud to unburden our souls, but at least now each of us had someone to say something to.

I thought about what Cassi had mentioned before. She mentioned that the masked men were hunting her. “Hey. The masked men that broke into your house. What did they look like?”

Cassi shrugged and twisted a lock of blonde hair around her finger. “To be honest, I don’t really remember. I was trying not to die. But, I do think that there were three people. And, now that I think about it, one of them wasn’t fully masked like they usually are. One of them was just wearing a face mask over his mouth. It was black, with a white design in the middle, I think.” My gasp wasn’t well stifled, because Cassi looked over at me in concern. “What? Do you know him or something?”

I breathed out through my mouth, briefly closed my eyes, and looked at Cassi, who looked half worried and half skeptical.

“No, of course not,” I replied, giving her a small smile. “I just was curious, that’s all. If we’re being honest, I’ve never actually seen a masked man before.” Cassi’s mouth hung open.

“You’ve never seen a masked man? How have you never seen a masked man? Like, wasn’t someone you know killed by a masked man?” I swallowed and grimaced. She was hitting a little too close to home, and I hated lying to people. Especially people like Cassi, who are too innocent and trusting for their own good. But, I guess the one good side about my lies is that I’m good at lying. Doesn’t mean I have to like it though.

“No, actually. Sorry to disappoint.” Cassi winced and quickly looked away from me. I know that I hurt her, and that my tone was too sharp, but truly, I couldn’t care less. If she knew what I knew, there is no question about whether or not she would turn me in. Everyone has secrets, don’t get me wrong. I’d bet even Miss Perfect French Girl has one. Even so, hiding a secret this significant would be drastically dangerous.

We watched the Sun for a little while longer before we heard a blood curdling scream that suddenly cut off . And not even the normal blood curdling scream either. It was the kind that people did when they looked into the face of death.

Cassi and I shared a look and sprinted across the dusty path to the brick building in the distance. Once we reached it, we could hear the one other person in our unit, Raphael, talking loudly. It sounded like he was having an urgent, one-sided conversation, as whoever he was talking to wasn’t responding. As Cassi and I approached, creeping around the side of the building to the back where we practice shooting, we saw Raphael kneeling over our unit leader, JJ. We had been silent up until now, but I motioned to Cassi to walk normally. Raphael looked up at the sound of our deliberate footsteps as we got closer and sighed in relief.

“Good. You guys are here. Bring a towel. Or blanket. Something like that. Hurry!” Cassi shot a look at me and ran back towards the building. I knelt next to Raphael to what he was doing. Once again, my poorly hidden gasp caught unneeded attention. JJ was bleeding from the chest, and poor Raphael was doing what he could to staunch the flow of much-needed blood. I pressed my hands on top of his and applied even more pressure.

“Why is he like this?” I asked. Raphael shrugged and looked at me helplessly. “I don’t know. Honest. I was out here, fixing and replacing targets before I saw JJ. He staggered out the building like he was drunk and collapsed. I was over there when I saw it happen.” He gestured towards the target almost right across from us, about 30 feet away. “I didn’t know what to do. I thought maybe he was testing me, like he’s done before, but when I got to him, I realized that he’s in serious trouble. I was going to come get you guys, but I didn’t want to leave him in case he bled out even more.” Raphael’s accent became more noticeable as he rambled on, his Mexican heritage all the more apparent. He stopped talking once Cassi returned with a fluffy white towel, a bucket of water with a sponge, as well as needle and thread. She handed Raphael the towel, which he pressed to the still bleeding wound. I gave her a cautious look as she threaded the needle and knotted it.

“What are you doing? You aren’t planning to stitch him up, are you? He needs blood,” I trailed off as Cassi gave me a fierce look and rolled up her jacket sleeves. “I already sterilized my hands while I was inside. I’ve done this before, but with the amount of blood that he’s lost, the damage could be already done. Once I stitch him up, I need either one of you to be willing to give blood to him, if he’s still alive. First things first, though. Raphael, remove the towel and let Ma- sorry, Skylar wash the blood off. When it’s clean enough, I’ll stitch him up. Ready… Go!”

It happened in a rush. Raphael pulled off the towel and I gently but firmly rubbed at the blood with the sponge and kept at it until I squeezed the sponge and blood came out instead of water. Cassi knelt right in the center and began to sew. JJ shuddered and his chest rose and fell, ever so slowly a couple of times, then stopped completely, right as Cassi was nearing the middle of the wound. Cassi noticed and stopped. She withdrew her hands and folded them in her lap, and she didn’t seem to notice that they were covered in JJ’s blood up the her forearm. She closed her eyes and began to pray silently, her mouth moving with the words. Raphael also made the sign of the cross and started to pray, saying: “Dios te salve, Maria. Llena eres de gracia. El Señor es contigo…” Raphael’s methodical praying left me to my thoughts. I’ve never had a religion, and never prayed to whatever ethereal being exists, if any did. So I just offered my condolences to JJ and his family, if he had any others that exist. After a while, Cassi rose, and the two of us followed her example. Tears tracked their way through Cassi’s grimy face, and Raphael’s jaw was set, his eyes narrowed and mouth in a thin line.

We turned and walked into the building, and Raphael immediately stopped in the doorway. “I can’t leave him there,” he told us. “I can’t. Not after everything he’s done for us. I’ll bury him.” Cassi nodded. “I’ll help you.” She replied, then glanced at me. “You gonna come, Sky?” I shook my head, and she nodded like she understood and walked out the dorm with Raphael, who grabbed the shovel leaning on the wall. I sighed and leaned against the counter, and watched the two work from the window. The sun was high over the cracked ground, and the fog had just dissipated, and the last wisps of it was hovering over the steep, rocky cliff, which was very near where Cassi and Raphael were burying him.

I thought back to the description of the masked man Cassi had seen. She wasn’t very sure about what she had witnessed, so her word can’t be taken too seriously. But, what if she had seen the mask? What if she connects the dots?

I jumped as the door slammed open behind me, and I turn to Cassi and Raphael breathing heavily, and Cassi caught her breath first. “You might want to come see this,” she said, motioning me out the door. We briskly walk to where JJ’s body is, and Raphael picks up a small package the size of my hand. He turns it over and on it there’s a small, cramped handwriting that I recognize instantly. It reads: To the Soldiers of Unit 72. We all look at each other. “Well,” I ask. “What is it?” The other two shrug simultaneously. “We don’t know.” Raphael says. “We were waiting for you.” He offers it to me and I take it gingerly.

I unwrapped the brown packaging, and a folded paper, as well as three black face masks, falls out. My breath catches in my throat, and I unfold the paper. I read it out loud to the others.

Unit 72, you all have terrible stories that will always haunt you for as long as you live. But you have a chance for revenge. A chance to make things right. Put on the mask. Stop hiding and be who you are called to be.

Cassi Suave: You've made a great mistake, and have paid the price. A price, some might say, was too great for a girl like you. Prove yourself worthy, and you might perhaps have what you seek.

Raphael Garcìa: You lost everything when times seemed altogether too bleak. The girl you loved betrayed you, your family abandoned you, and yet you still look of peace in a world of chaos. Become an instrument of destruction, and you will lose nothing.

Maria Locklear: Your life has been ruined by someone else’s choices. But all you do is take the blows from others, again and again. When will it be enough? When will you take part in your destiny and follow in your brother’s footsteps?

My blood drained from my face as I read the part addressed to me. We all looked at each other, processing the information that was given to us. I hadn’t realized that either of the two had secrets, just like I did. Or, I guess, secrets that were as monumental as mine. Cassi’s face had also become much paler, and Raphael’s mouth was pressed into a small, thin line.

“Well. I don’t think I’m the only one slightly confused.” Cassi said, giving both Raphael and I a suspicious look. “All of you have some explaining to do.”

“No, I don’t don’t think we do.” Raphael said, shaking his head at her. “If we hadn’t already told our stories, we shouldn’t have to. We may be a unit, but that doesn’t mean that we trust each other.”

“Actually, that’s exactly what it means,” Casi replied, shaking her head at him. “We took an oath, just like all of the other units. Do you remember, or do I have say it?”

Raphael just rolled his eyes and arched an eyebrow. Cassi blazed on. “As one unit, we pledge to protect what is left of society and it’s ideas and laws. As one unit, we promise to serve people of our home, and only our people, for our desires are, and will always be, our downfall. As one unit, we vow to protect this society so that we may be part of our goal, a perfect world. As one unit, we swear that we shall trust each other with our lives, so that we may fulfill our oath. We shall become each other, and they shall become us. Our unit shall become our family, and we will, on pain of death, keep no secrets from each other.” Cassi glared at each of us in turn as she finished.

“Then we will all die,” I said quietly. Cassi looked at, surprised that I spoke. “If we die for keeping secrets, then we might as well kill ourselves now. We all have secrets, even you, so don’t you dare try to act like you’re the innocent, trusting victim in this mess.” Cassi had enough of a conscience to look guilty. “Listen, I get that we’re supposed to stick together and all that, but that’s not gonna work anymore. JJ is dead, and that’s the truth, Cassi, we’ve got to accept it,” as she had gasped and glared at me. “We don’t have to work together anymore, ok? We can just take what’s ours and move on with our lives.”

Raphael snorted. “And do what? Run away from our problems and get killed for it? No, I’d rather not, thanks. Even if we don’t follow the oath anymore, everyone else still does. What if we meet someone who knows us? Or worse, what if they assume that we are a runaway citizen? Either way, we’re done for if we split up. Look, I’m all for keeping our secrets a secret, but we need to stay together. If not out of love for each other, which I know we don’t have, then for self-preservation. I know for a fact none of us want to die.”

Cassi nodded. “Every man for himself.” I furrowed my eyebrows and narrowed my eyes at them, at their simplicity and their selfishness. At least I knew about the part I played in the world’s destruction, but I don’t think they even knew why the world is what it is now. Cassi noticed my look at the same time Raphael did.

“Well now you probably have a comment, so spit it out.” Raphael snapped.

“Do you even know why society is like it is today? Do you even care?”

“Why should we care? Why should we know? The world’s becoming better every day. Some parts of society are a bit harsh, and maybe even a bit unnecessary, but as a whole, we’re doing a hell of a lot better than before.”

I shook my head at them, unnerved at how trusting they were in the government. “ ‘We’re doing a hell of a lot better than before.’? What do you mean, we’re doing a lot better than before? People die every day for what? A perfect world? Did you know that people in history have tried to build a utopia, but instead they just made the world even worse: society full of brainwashed idiots that can’t think for themselves and would risk their lives, put themselves on the line just so they might be part of this ‘perfect world.’ ”

“What are you saying, Skylar?” Raphael asked, heavily implying that whatever I say next could either implicate me as a threat to this child’s dream in adults’ heads or could put me in their good graces again. I took a moment to respond. The way in which I could respond could drastically change my life’s course, and if I pushed their boundaries a little too far, I could end up on my brother’s doorstep again. I pinched my lips together.

“Nothing. Never mind. You guys were right.” Raphael nodded and Cassi sighed, looking visibly relieved and relaxed. “I’m sorry about this. I’m just stressed, ok? It’s all a bit too much, with JJ dying and this letter.” I clamped my mouth shut, worried I was going to give myself away. I’d lied plenty of times before, to dozens of other people, but this was different. If they realized my lies, I could be put to death for violating every law we’d ever had. Raphael and Cassi shared a glance and looked at me.

“Of course. I think we’re all a little upset,” Cassi started. “You had us there for a second, though.” I nodded, almost visibly trembling with relief. What was happening to me? I’d never felt any type of remorse for something like this before. Maybe it was the fact that I was emotionally connected with these people, whether I like it or not. Maybe it was my conscience, finally kicking in, back after seventeen years of silence. Or maybe it was my human nature, trying to find a home where there’s not one to be found.

2

The fire blazed up as Cassi threw more wood into it, making the room increase multiple degrees. She slid backward, moving into a sitting position next to Skylar. Cassi positioned her legs so that one was on top of the other. She caught the other girl’s eyes and grinned, the light of the fire reflecting off of her smile so that it was even brighter. Skylar tiredly smiled back, then saw Raphael over Cassi’s shoulder, frowning at the fire. His brow was furrowed and his eyes were crinkled together, making him look extremely troubled. Skylar called him, trying to get his attention and succeeding.

“Hey, what’s got you all upset? Really, you’re like the life of the party compared to me!” She started to laugh, but soon stopped when he looked at her and shook his head in a sort of sad way.

“I’m thinking about JJ. His death thing is honestly kind of suspicious, don’t you think? He was shot inside, but I didn’t hear it. And JJ is too much of a pro to accidentally shoot himself. Not to mention that no one was inside when we came, so whoever it was made a quick getaway. It’s just, JJ’s death is under kinda weird circumstances.”

“Well, maybe he was just cleaning his gun and it malfunctioned. Even JJ couldn’t have stopped an unforeseen bullet.” Cassi looked toward Raphael, trying to sooth him.

“But surely there’s more to his death story than a malfunctional gun, right?” Cassi and Skylar shared a look, and looked back to Raphael, who was still staring into the flames.“You know what’s funny, though? JJ was carrying that package around. But the message and masks were meant for us. How do you think he found it in the first place? Was it delivered to us and we just weren’t paying close enough attention? Or maybe he had just gotten it today and was going to give it to us, but was killed before he could.” He glanced at the two girls sitting only feet away with matching concerned expressions. “Listen, all I’m trying to say is that we should investigate his death. Don’t you guys have these questions too?”

Skylar sighed because she knew that Raphael was going to find out what happened with or without their help. Cassi, on the other hand, had her mind made up. She was going to do everything in her power to not get near JJ’s corpse or that note again.

“No, actually, I don’t. Why are you always like this? Do you remember what JJ said, when you were trying to find out why there was less game around to hunt? You look into things that have no meaning, ok? JJ’s death was most likely an accident, just like everything else you’re worried about. Leave this alone.” Cassi glared at Raphael, who shook his head at her, almost disgusted.

“You’re not serious? You’re not actually curious about this?” Raphael sounded completely befuddled. “You’re just going to pretend that none of this ever happened and that our lives have not changed? How can you do that? How can you do that to JJ?” Cassi scoffed and glared at Raphael.

“How can you not? He’s dead, Raphael. Not even your investigation will change that.” They stared at each other in angry silence until Skylar had enough of their attitudes.

“Why so cynical all the sudden? You were the kindest and most sympathetic person I’d ever met. Why stop now? Especially when Raphael acts more like me every day.” Skylar acknowledged that she had hit a nerve when Cassi’s face turned red and she was rendered speechless.

“I…Well, I… um. Ugh! I’m not cynical, ok? I’m just done with you guys. And for the record, I’m not the ‘kindest and most sympathetic person you’ll ever meet.’ I’m not even close to that.” Cassi glared at Skylar, who bit her lip and slowly shook her head, realizing that something was most definitely wrong.

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