Renaissance: Chapter 2

“Nick Young, you are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment under the Imperial Act 977 for rebellion against the motherland ruled by the Royal Family and attempting to escape the rightful judgement passed by the Imperial Court.” The words became clearer as his hazy vision began to clear out. He felt two forces pulling him from either sides, powerful enough to rip his arms off as it felt from the strong grips of the thick jute ropes. “Ropes.....huh…well, the chains were colder.” He mumbled under his short breath. He was thrown into the dungeon like a pebble thrown into a running river.

A week passed and Nick was in the worst condition of his life. The food served to criminals which barely kept them alive became his daily meal but it was a surprise that even a strong man like Nick couldn't keep up with the diet. He felt like something was off with his food.

Even his lower body could barely be felt because Nick was still half-unconscious. Then the colours around him suddenly began to blacken as his mind began to shut down. As a man slowly approached, his heart raced faster and faster. Then the boots bolted towards his weak body, one of which flew backwards and charged straight towards his gut.

His body jerked both to and fro, rubbing against a harsh surface. He tried to open his eyes but instantly shut them tightly due to the blinding sunshine.

His nose was itchy from the irritating coal dust: then some words appeared out of nowhere “Are ya alright dude? Yo! Sam; come 'ere. I found one!”

“Who are you people?! Wha-What do you want from me now?” Nick burst out. “Whoa, whoa, hold yer brakes mate. We're miners from Hectorsville, don't worry, we're all cool here”. Waking up while enduring the excruciating surge up his spine as it bent from his corpse‐like position felt like he had been asleep for years.

“River! Did you find something?” A distant British-accented voice called out. “Dude….I told ya before didn't I?!” River snapped.

Nick, still half-unaware of the situation he's in except the infinite strong breeze that rushed through his dirty brown hair.

The bogey rocked left and right like a seesaw. Sam could be seen as a dark, stumbling shadow of a man, slowly approaching through the twisting paths arranged by the bogeys. The sky was a profound orange on which massive clouds with a distinct blue glow rested. The rumbling now began to cease.