By Zac Loughty
This story is about adults, to be read by adults only.
The author would like to thank his Discipline Monitor for his ‘encouragement’ to get this story finished, and for proofreading this story.
Chase (rien) has arrived at camp. He’s wearing his new camp uniform and is about to get his leg irons fastened around his ankles.
“Alright! You’re beginning to look like proper subs! Just a couple steps left. Next, we’ll be applying your irons,” Russ informs us.
We all groan. I guess I forgot about the irons. I was hoping maybe we’d only have to wear them on the van.
“We’re not worried about you subs running away. There’s no place to go! The rattling of your chains serves two purposes. One… it’s easier to find you when we have a job for you to do, and two… you’re reminded that you’re nothing but a sub with every step you take. Every time you move your feet, even just a little bit, you’ll hear a ‘clink’, ‘clink’, ‘clink’. It’s music to my ears! That sound will remind you to obey! Do you understand, subs?”
“Yes, sir!” we all shout.
“Chain ‘em up!” Russ orders.
The soft muddy soil spreads out beneath the tall cypress trees that have been growing over the decades in these wetlands that sit just east of the big modern city. There is a shallow layer of dirty water, looking like glass, settled between the wild grasses and mounds of dirt. The calm breeze makes the moss slowly sway, providing a calmness in this area with no direct sunlight.