Cold Light Of Day

There is no such thing as disorder, each incident may seem random yet any mathematician will tell you everything is connected, leading to a precise conclusion. A statement not of religion or man made beliefs created to avoid the truth, but the words of truth. The words that decide how we live. How we act with one another, and even how we must sacrifice ourselves when the time comes. For this is the philosophy of the Party. Brought to power by the revolution of the people,. Democratically elected by mass onslaught against the parasites that laboured whilst workers toiled and were exploited, until they finally rose up and took what was there's.

“The Party knows what's best for us all, muttered Father Pinotti, the Party has, and always will guide us and makes decisions about how we must live; Yet looking out the window I am confused For people have gathered in the Market Square and they have tied ropes around the Statue of our living founder. Not the first, for the Party has reigned for over two hundred years, merely another incantation, one of many from the same bloodline, though all influenced “For lack of a better word” by the philosophy of their ancestry. And they have gripped the many lassos in their hands, and are puling. There is shouting, there are fires and explosions, and the soldiers whom we once knew as Confidents are fleeing. Some fire shots, and protestors fall, yet with confiscated weapons many retaliate and soldiers fall. Bodies lay in the streets, yet the Party is in control, and we cannot believe this is random. Can we?

He turned to his colleague, a somewhat younger religious man known as Father Driosken. The two men dressed in clerical clothes were in a state church, one where the illusion of free speech reigned, where Confidents dressed as the Public and reported back any untoward activities.

“We can never be certain; began Father Driosken, although I cannot see any other solution to explain the event that is now occurring. As a man of faith, I know that faith is hopefulness, it is never blind acceptance.

“And what of loyalty, did God not test Abraham by telling him to sacrifice his Son Isaac before revealing his true intentions?

“The God we trust, even when the Confidents came and removed people in the night, took them from their families and-, Some of course were never seen again. Others were abused, raped, sodomised, both men and women, beaten, tortured, until they were finally-'

“Converted; Yes I know interrupted Father Pinotti, watching as the statue crashed, it's blackened iron structure smashing open like a demonic eggshell, to show there was nothing to fear from the threats of Satan, for God was, and always is in control.

“Have you been, converted?” Inquired Father Driosken, I mean do you still doubt this is God's work, that finally after many years of standing by our faith God has finally answered our prayers and given us what we want;

“And what is that?”

“A world free of false idols;

Father Pinotti gave a quizzical look of doubt.“Well, one less at least.” he confirmed.

“Shall I tell you a story? A man is given a wooden idol as a present by his Father, but it brings only unfortunate results, everything seems to be going wrong, till finally the man can stand it no more, and smashes the wooden idol with a sword, only to find Gold coins fall from a secret compartment; Stated Father Driosken.

“Something to ponder whilst we talk with our guest; General Sauridon.” Replied Father Pinotti.

“Yes, General Sauridon, whose image now lays in broken ruins. The loyal and indoctrinated members of the party, for we are all one. Now dance and scorn, instead of praise, and yet I feel this mass scene is like many the result of conformity. Are you coming? Inquired Father Driosken, I mean will they let us through?”

“Oh of course. After all it was us whom shall we say, were chosen to set things in motion'

The two men were not only allowed to leave, they were given a rousing reception of cheers and physical greetings of the amiable kind. In fact they had to politely thank the masses whilst continuously moving towards the State prison known as the Correction Facility, where many had confessed to whatever they were accused of, whether guilty or innocent, and those whom refused were murdered. Sometimes they were murdered even after confessing, for the State had gotten what it wanted, and this piece was deemed random without structure.

“Was General Sauridon random without structure?” thought Father Pinnoti to himself, did he know what was truly occurring? Or was he like us, a man of irremovable faith? Even against all evidence, did he still cling on to the fact he was right? And is Father Driosken also a man of Irremovable faith, does he still hold out hope of seeing the woman he loves, the woman he was destined to marry? The one whom disappeared ten years ago, taken along with two other men from the local area for distributing offensive literature. The Bible.”

The two men had keys. Father Pinotti seemed to rush as he turned the lock that entwined the two oak doors, making it look like a Town hall meeting place, Only the barbed wire on the walls, and security cameras and now empty guard posts, contradicted the assumption. Inside was a black and white octagonal patterned floor, a desk and a huge staircase with a shining oak brown coloured bannister. The illusion of comfort. Yet unlike a celestial retreat. Upon entering the top, and walking down a darkened corridor, all became of despair. The walls were old and filled with the stench of decay. The jails in each row smelt of urine and excrement, some had bloodstains on the walls caused by beatings, rapes and in some cases. Eventual suicides. Only one jail was without odours, only one had been given a coating of white, though not enough to deny the facts, for that was never the intention.”

“Good Evening General.” muttered Father Driosken, opening the door and entering. In all prisons, there was, or rather should be, a guard on duty. Though the one whom stood within the General's cell, was not one of his own. He was a man, dressed in peasant clothes and proud no doubt of his true heritage, he had once been a Confident, but he had been converted, and the test of faith in whom we must trust had been given to Father Driosken. God had told him to accept this man, to prove they had nothing to fear, for God is in control. So he did, and God was indeed right.

“How long do you think you can keep me here? Inquired General Sauridon in an heavy structured accent, the kind that was easy to impersonate. Even as we speak my loyal members are rising up to crush your rebellion, they are preparing to execute you all, soon we will regain our rightful place as the voice of the people.”

General Sauridon was an obese, rounded man, with greasy black hair and a short stature making him look like a ball, as if he could be thrown down a flight of stairs and bounce off the wall. a thought many whom had suffered under his regime had no doubt contemplated. Father Driosken being no different, despite being a man of God,, he was still human and therefore not yet divine.

“Have you looked out the window General? Inquired Father Driosken, yet looking at the guard for an answer.

The guard shook his head as if an interpreter.

Father Driosken contemplated this statement of faith before telling the guard, “Leave us please'; If we need you we will call, Go and get yourself something to eat you've earned it.”

“Yes, go and enjoy your ill gotten gains while you still can; retorted General Sauridon, We know how to deal with traitors, that collaborate with our enemies! Then smiling added, Of course if you was to confess to me, I shall be lenient.”

The guard was about to give a hostile reply, however Father Pinotti beckoned him not to respond, and he left upon obedience.

The sound of his footsteps echoed until they could no longer be heard, and Father Drioseken sat on a chair, opposite the bed General Sauridon was sitting up on. He tried to devoid himself of any hostile feelings he might have for this man, as a Christian he believed it was only God whom truly judged, humans merely played a part in the structure of things, the random decisions we all made had been thought out by God, or so he liked to convince himself.

“Where are they General? He began, a time old question that still the General refused to comply with. The people, those whom disappeared, where are they? Where is the woman I love whom you took from me, where is Amalya. Tell me, please?”

“You dare to order me? What do I care about some whore? If she is truly the woman you claim her to be why has she not appeared? You say I am finished, you say the people in your own words are truly free; Yet she does not appear; Why is that? have you asked yourself? It is because she is not free as you put it, only true freedom comes with the party!”

“Tell me, inquired Father Driosken, raising his voice in true, yet unintentional harassment, where is Amalya.”

“And what will you do if I do not tell you? Mmm,” Inquired the General, his face turning into the smile of a grotesque schoolboy, that reminded everyone who saw it of the photo of him in his military uniform at the age of seven with his Mother beside him, kneeling besotted in a picture of pride, that would lead to the worst outcome. At that moment Father Pinotti placed a hand on his Colleague's shoulder, noticing his fingers beginning to clench and confirmed, “We will merely ask you again when the time comes! Now if you will excuse us we have matters to discuss.”

Before any reply could be uttered Father Pinotti propelled his colleague out of the cell, locking the door with his own set of keys as if to deny the facts. He then continued to propel his colleague to another part of the area, this one an office on the same floor and stated upon entering.

“Sit down, we need to talk?”

“About what?” Inquired Father Driosken, taking the seat in front of the desk, while Father Pinotti took the official residence as if conducting an interview.

“The Geneva Convention. Father Pinotti replied, We need to do this the way we have been taught, I know how you feel, and I understand the true feelings you have for this man; Feelings that are in us all, and yet we must show we are truly children of our Lord Jesus Christ. For his is the true Kingdom, one that has continued to reign despite attempts at repression by so many Dystopias, from the Roman Empire that eventually crumbled, to Stalin and Hitler, and all those others whom sort the value of fear over love, a value destined to fail;

“Except in Orwell's 1984 have you read it? It is banned by the State, along with many other books such as Huxley's Brave New World, and Zamyatin's We. and many others I could mention, including the Bible.”

“I believe Orwell wrote it as a warning; If he had given it a nice ending it would not have been heeded.” Stated Father Pinotti.

“Though in the book the majority were ignorant of the facts, only the Party knew what was going on, and of course Winston Smith. Where as here, we all know, Guards walk openly, barbed wire fences and dogs are visible, Cameras watch and record our every move. Why'd you think he made his hero an Atheist? “

“Because he was one.”

“I have a different theory, would you care to hear it.” Inquired Father Driosken.

“Please.”

“Supposing, began Father Driosken, Winston Smith had not given into the Party.? Supposing he had not given into his fear, the rats? Supposing like Paul he had not denied his God under torture, or like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had allowed himself to be thrown in the furnace, or rather the metaphorical equivalent? Well he might have won the battle, but not the war, for the Party would still be in power, and because of ignorance of the truth not enough would have risen up. In fact far from denying religious freedom or anti-Government protests by the Prolertarian, the Party encouraged it. No the reason he was not someone whom believed in God is because only when the masses understand the truth can all be truly free!”

“And are we truly free? Does it not say in 1984, Freedom Is Slavery? And is it not our desire to belong, to be loved and secure, as Christians? An Atheist would say The Roman Empire collapsed because of economics, they could not maintain authority and the people overthrew them. There are those in other parts of the World whom believe the Party was destroyed by it's own greed, by the corruption induced on Animal Farm, that the sanctions were implied; That this caused the people to rise up, and it was the inner Party Leaders and their stubbornness that caused these random acts to occur?!”

“And what do you believe?” Inquired Father Pinotti

“That God moves in mysterious ways.” Smiled Father Driosken.

“And therefore we still have work to do. The search for those taken by the State is still continuing;

“Yet, no sign of Amalya.” Interrupted Father Driosken

“No, and still you persist in asking him.”

“Because he knows; It is only his false belief that stops him from telling the truth, once that is gone, like all criminals he will learn to confess.”

“And if he doesn't? So far we have search parties out with people, helping them to find their loved ones. Everywhere you look there are placards with the faces of those arrested by the State. Photos are being shown to anyone whom might have information. And sometimes the results are not what they wanted. We have discovered bodies drowned, illegally buried and in some cases dumps filled with the burned remains of those the State had sort to dispose of!”

“Like Nazi Germany with the holocaust; Are you saying I should just give up on finding her? Because I don't think anyone else would, and nor am I going too.”

“I'm not telling you to give up finding her, I'm merely saying if he does not cooperate, you cannot let your emotions stray you from the path you chose as a Christian, the path we all took; As you will know we have sent representatives to try and obtain recognition from The Geneva Convention, and the United Nations in the attempt to get ourselves recognised as the rightful Government.”

“And you believe my actions could reverse the decision.”

“I'm saying we cannot become like them.” At that pointed he patted his colleague on the shoulder and Confirmed, If she is alive we will find her. In the meantime we have to continue to convert, there are many who have gone over to our side to coin a phrase, however the Party still has loyal supporters, some as stubborn as General Sauridon himself. I have asked all those who knew Amalya and I know you have done the same.”

The once loyal people of the State, or so it was believed. Now marched against the very authority they had entrusted. Father Pinotti and Father Driosken marched with them, amidst a sea of memories as each photo of a family member, or loved one was held high. Some Confidents fearing for their safety had confessed to whatever information they felt would protect them from the vengeance of the masses. Others whom stood by the party were arrested like General Sauridon, though unlike General Sauridon some were beaten. Tortured and killed. Father Pinotti had spoken out against all violence, quoting Nietzsche whom had stated, When you fight a Dragon be careful less you become one yourself. Yet, thought Father Pinotti as he watched the helpless look of despair on his friend's face as they marched with the crowd. “How do you retain control, is it a matter of faith, or mere conformity? Was the crowd marching for justice against a now deposed regime, or were they merely following orders, like those they condemned?

The crowd stopped at a field, complete with leafless autumn trees that held out there branches like the dying arms and malnourished bodies of those that had first risen up against the State, When the Aristocracy had oppressed the poor. Stealing land, using them as cheap labour and even murdering those whom sort equality. Many peasants marched and the army opened fire, killing all whom dared to oppose the Aristocracy. So perhaps with faith and determination the protests continued, until enough was done to overthrow those that had misused their power, and the revolution was formed.

In time however it became corrupted, and those that had once opposed the Aristocracy had indeed become part of it. “That, concluded Father Pinotti to himself, must never be allowed to happen again' All through history economic revolutions or those of similar ilk had brought dreadful repercussions; The Russian Revolution had lead to Stalin, The collapse of the German economy after the First World War, had lead to Hitler being elected because the Germans had to pay compensation to the allies. And although some would say the French Revolution had not turned out so bad, there were many Middle Eastern coups where Civil unrest still preceded and no overall person was in charge, And things had indeed become worse.

“That is why we must keep to our faith. Yet some, are more capable than others, and we must continue to assist.

The crowd slowly began to make there way into the deserted area, some holding the photos of those missing, as if to give them the determination to continue. There were caves amidst the grass scorned paths, combined with mud and some growing petals. The crowd arrived at one of the caves and a few armed with electric torches lighted a path for the rest to follow. Even then it was clear that the mounds of buried earth on the ground and whitened objects, were those of their dead friends and relatives killed by The State, their flesh having decayed or been eaten partly by wild animals that scavenged for food. It was then amidst a shining light as if illuminating the truth in fact, rather than comfort that Father Driosken saw a familiar dress on a decayed rotted corpse It was Amalya, she had been killed by The State.

“What is it?” Inquired Father Pinotti, noticing as well as sensing, the subtle changes of his friend and colleague. The way he arched his shoulders and tensed his fists, as if torn between the need to express his desires, and rationalise the situation for what was deemed a greater cause.”

“Amalya, he muttered, they killed her,”

Whether the crowd heard him or not was at that moment, immaterial, for at that moment, they all sort answers even when the results were in front of them. And the desire to continue in faith or strike out in vengeance was dividing them in thought, if not yet in physical strategy.

Outside in the far distance the cheering of free people and sounding of cars hooting, could be heard. The fires were still burning and Father Pinotti wondered how long this would last. Sensing that he needed to encourage his friend, he clenched his elbow as if leading a blind person into the light and whispered gently. “God is with us, we will face this together. We will all face this together, we will not let this evil divide us. Whatever Satan is prepared to throw at us, God is always with us!”

“Is he? Is this part of some plan, or are all events a series of combined outcomes? Is that not how both dystopias and utopias are formed. And like Winston Smith in 1984, is it not merely a case of choosing what to accept as well as what to believe?

“It is faith, replied Father Pinotti watching the crowd now express their emotions in cries and scorns, We must continue with our faith, we cannot be divided. Look at it, she is not what you see, she is free, she is with God.”

“I wanted her here with me.” he shouted, so loud that people heard him. Yet they were caught up in their own revelations,. However Father Pinotti knew it had registered, if only at the moment subliminal, and soon it would rise to the surfaces of their minds, and he knew the possibility of another dystopia was a threat to what they had fought for and continued to believe in.

“I want to return to the prison, Stated Father Driosken, I need to speak with General Sauridon.”

“We cannot leave at this moment, we need to stay with these people, show them our faith is strong.”

“Or they will think differently, are we not then suppressing thought? Oh perhaps negative thought, yet thought all the same without debate or reason. I will remain with you, yet when we return I have many questions for General Sauridon, and I want them answered before he attends The Geneva Convention for War Crimes.

In silence the two men made their way back. Whilst all around the revolution, as it was now known continued. And, thought Father Pinnoti, “Just as in 1984, the prolls have no idea what is really occurring. The threat of going from one extreme to the other was becoming more real. For when those that disappeared are found to be dead, there are those whom will sort to exploit other peoples despairs for their own purposes, replacing God's will with that of man's,? Yet this cannot be allowed, we must stand firm, and show we believe in a higher form of judgement, than simple revenge against those that have wronged us.

Father Pinotti stopped his colleague a few steps from the cell, he looked at him as if expecting an answer to a silent question.

“I'm not going to harm him; replied Father Driosken, I just need to know why?”

“And will that change the outcome? For you I mean.”

“Dystopias remove choices, they take away free will. As a Christian I need to look for the good in all, and find out how to bring them to faith.”

“And if they do not? He is going to stand trial at The Geneva convention when the time comes, how will that be explained to him?”

“We must act within the law, conformity is part of rehabilitation; This is not the same as the tactics used by The State. Or in dystopian novels such as 1984.”

“Winston and Julia, me and Amalya, two people in love, one driven apart by man, the other kept together by faith in one God; I need to speak with General Sauridon now.”

“Very well, stated Father Pinotti I will be at the Reception desk if you need any assistance.”

Father Driosken watched his colleague leave then entered the cell with his key, locking the door behind him, and standing as if in observation of something he did not yet fully understand.

General Sauridon beamed his usual triumphant smile, yet this time it seemed questionable, like the State in We, a novel that was considered a predecessor to 1984, working along similar lines, one Orwell allegedly took inspiration from. Though unlike 1984, one with hope.

“You have come to question me? Inquired the General. I will tell you only what I, want you to know. My family are of noble blood, my Mother installed in me a sense of worth and obedience, you would do well to learn it.”

“I have a teacher, his name is Christ.”

“You believe your religion will save you? If you are all powerful why keep me here? Why not give me the freedom to debate, isn't that what you Christians believe in, the truth?”

“I am not all powerful, I am weak, like you, like everyone in times of need, that is why I seek answers;

“I am not weak, protested General Sauridon, in a somewhat frightened voice, yet smiling inanely as he half rose to his feet, before sitting down again. Father Driosken remained calm, before stating:

“I need to know about Amalya, we found her remains, do you know who killed her, and why?”

“And if I say yes, what will you do? What will your God allow you to do? You are still not free, do you realise that you will never be free, soon my loyal followers will come, they will rescue me;

At that point General Sauridon got up, more it seemed to avoid reality than retain it. He went to the window, peered through the bars and seemed to see a different scene than what was occurring. One according to Father Driosken, etched in the old ways of the past, the old ways that had failed and therefore needed to change.

“And where are they General? Inquired Father Driosken, his voice sounding deliberately sardonic, or is this all part of an elaborate plan? Is the pastoral scene going to change to show the party still rules? Or will you face the truth?”

At that moment General Sauridon turned away from the window, listened it seemed to the continuous noise of the crowd for a moment before solemnly stating:

“I have been brought up to trust in the Party, my Mother enrolled me as a child in the youth movement, and from there I learned all about the history of our glorious struggle, a struggle which you now endevour to destroy, yet you will not succeed, soon my loyal subjects will come and free me, for I have been chosen as the leader of the people, indoctrinated from birth as is my right!|

Father Driosken could see the glassy eyed look upon General Sauridon's face, a look of misused faith as well as childhood memories. He thought of Lenin's quote about being given a child of seven and having him for life. And he remembered the part in 1984 when Winston Smith dismissed the memories of his Mother because of his loyalty to the Party. And he wondered if General Sauridon's Mother had an an entirely negative effect on him. And although he despised this man for what he had done, he still believed in forgiveness of all whom had fallen and therefore inquired:

“And what about your Father?|

“He was weak, admitted General Sauridion, he wanted to water down what we had achieved, he would have preferred an outcome more to your liking.”

“And what happened to him?”

“He died of natural causes at 86. “There was a pause then General Sauridon shouted as if in need of repentance, We did not kill him, I know what you think of me, but I am loyal to those I love, I am loyal also to the Party.”

Father Driosken knew that General Sauridon was aware of being analysed, yet in truth he had no sympathy for this man, despite his Christian values, all he could think of was that Amalya had been murdered, and the outcome would be questioned the way events were questioned in We, and not accepted as they were in 1984; He told himself he would not dismiss her memory as easily as Winston Smith had dismissed the memory of Julia, he would hold onto it for as long as he could, no matter how much it pained him.

“Do you want to tell me anything, General?”

There was a silence, as if of mistrust, yet each side needed to analyse the other in order to convert by persuasion when force did not work, so General Sauridon stated:

My earliest memory was as a child playing with a little girl. We were both three and she came from the other side. If you go to where the Town hall is and walk from your right, past the dusty road you will find it. It is where the workers marched against the imperialists in respect of freedom. She was dressed in rags. We had improved conditions, yet there was still a long way to go. I remember one evening, we were playing near some rubble, I believe it used to be an old building the imperialists used. I was running all over the remains, and helping her as if she was a princess being escorted over a puddle. We were laughing and enjoying ourselves, until I heard my Mother call me from a far, I'm not certain where she was, but I could tell from the sound of her voice that she was angry. I pretended I did not hear, and besides I would only be a few minutes. All seemed quiet at first, then my Father showed up. He was always sent to fetch me, he told me it was not civilised to act the way I was doing, and that it was my duty to lead by example. I wanted to stay with my friend, but my Father just smiled at her and said, perhaps some other time?! For a few days I was kept busy with educational work, concerning the role of the party. My Mother appointed a tutor and he would watch me all the time, or so it seemed? When I asked if I could play with my friend because I missed her, he would reply perhaps someday? I never saw her or her family again, I visited the house one day and saw men boarding it up; I had managed to give my tutor the slip, I did however see three wooden boxes, two large and one small, the size of a child.

Father Driosken remained mutual without reply, knowing how much he hated this man for what he had done, and yet trying to empathise in ways of Christian understanding, whilst demanding his own form of justice that went beyond that of God and the Geneva convention.

“Did you ask your Mother what they were?”

“She said they were old stuff being taken to the dump;

“The one near the caves, thought Father Driosken to himself, allowing General Sauridon to continue as any good interrogator would.

“In time, because I was so busy, what with my tutoring and my Mother enrolling me in the Party's youth section, I forgot about Liania, I would have liked to have been there.

At that moment General Sauridon shot up, as if rejecting a form of reality that did not comply with his training, the way Father Driosken remembered Winston Smith had rejected the memory of his Mother after being tortured into submission by The Party, yet this for General Sauridon was more personal.

“I have to lead, I must do what his right for the people.”

Outside he could see the empty stand where his statue once stood., the crowds anarchic and his men failing in their attempt to maintain control. He looked upward, and stated:

“Both my parents are gone, I don't believe I will see them again, I do not accept your faith, your reality, “Then smiling tearfully yet triumphant” I accept The Party, if we are strong, if we are united, then they will listen to us, if we can maintain our strength then this set back will not prevail.

Father Driosken remained silent, his thoughts turning now to Winston Smith's analysis of the Proles and how they had real; power, to work together, to understand and show compassion the way Christ had taught us. And yet how difficult was it, to put away personal hatred and bitterness in exchange for a working solution, to think rationally, yet not in the way of Dystopian novels that sort to control through torture and intimidation, but through logic and the ways of higher determination that as a Christian he should have achieved. Yet he could not stop thinking of Amalya, she was his Julia and he was not prepared to desert her, he would hold onto her memory for as long as he could because although he believed she was in Heaven, he missed her, and wanted her with him forever.

“And it did not matter what caused these memories to exist, he told himself, staring occasionally at the General's back, wanting to strike him down, love, hate, desire, all were part of her and all brought him closer to some one he believed he had lost.

“Did you have many friends after Liania and her Parents, “Left” Inquired Father Driosken, trying to make the last word seem sarcastic.

“The Party is my Family, we are one, replied General Sauridon, I am their Father, and their leader.”

Father Driosken knew that General Sauridon had probably been told that by his Mother, he now began to see that General Sauridon was never really in control, like in all true Dystopias there was more than one level of power play. In 1984 he remembered how no one person had full control, everyone watched everyone else, except for the Proles whom were occupied with the media.

“Was God watching this, he was the one in control, and yet freewill could bring about the wrong outcome; concluded Father Driosken in thought. He remembered a story about a group of people on an island who created a Utopia by following the teachings of the Bible as a blueprint, yet religion like politics had always been corrupted. “Was there any reason, he thought, that our society's outcome would be any different? He thought of Amalya as he left the cell, locking the door behind him.

The crowds were still chanting slogans, yet he merely stood at the closed entrance, immersed in his thoughts and beliefs. He knew General Sauridon was the same, holding onto the memories of his Mother, no matter how manipulative she was, yet he had the ability to escape from his past and be free of any guilt. “There was two ways, he told himself, one was to kill General Sauridon, “It would be quite easy; he confirmed; After all this sort of thing happened when Dictators were overthrown. Yet he knew there was another way. He opened the door and stepped out into the street. The crowd did not seem to notice him as he walked through them, oblivious like an individual, and that was what he wanted, to be alone with his thoughts, to rationalise independently and to be able to think for himself., to be free of the masses, just like Winston Smith had wanted. To question The State like D-503 in WE, whilst remaining faithful to his beliefs, that had determined for him the outcome he and those like him had put their trust in. Yet just as D-503 questioned the State, so he questioned his beliefs.

For though he knew there was a God, he questioned what had happened to Amalya, the way characters in the Bible had questioned God's will. And he wondered, as he ignored the crowds and made his way to the church, if God was really listening to him now?

They had never bothered to tear down the building. Even though Religion like all opposition had been State controlled ,and probably kept to give the false impression of a democracy! He wondered if somehow his doubt was doing the same?

“I will continue in my faith, he told himself, looking upward, Amalya, I know you are watching over me, and I know that in time we will be reunited! For you are my Julia, and yet, I cannot remove this bitterness I feel towards them for what did to you, in taking you from me.”

The building was empty, yet he was convinced there was a presence. Whether of thought or faith he did not dwell. He studied the empty seats, people had come, and so had the Government's Officers, in plain clothes, watching all the people who attended, and if they so much as were suspected of offenses against the State, they disappeared.

“Just like Amalya, he told himself, they kill them, just like they killed Amalya, I love you Amalya” he told himself. I will not erase you the way people are erased in Dystopias; For this Dystopia no longer exists, except in me, and yet when I think of the rats in the cage ready to rip into Winston's face, and his cry of, “Do it to Julia.” I now know I must give my pain, my hatred, even my unforgiveness to the God who died on the cross, I give it to Christ, I free myself, so unlike Winston and Julia, we can be together.

Father Driosken prayed at his church, he cleansed himself of all bitterness, and when he arose he turned to see Father Pinotti was smiling,

“You have made the right choice, he stated, yet it is not the last. The Geneva Convention will be preparing for General sauridon to go to trial. We cannot interfere, yet we must bare him no malice, for a World built on hate will destroy itself; Come, he stated holding out his hand in a greeting of empathy, we have much work to do.

The End.