Kay.

E
Bondage
And
Discipline

An intriging dystopian thriller, filled

with false utopia, serums, tech and one
IMMORTAL
 1

Prologue
Year 2021:
I knew something was
different about me, even at age two. I had
just saw through Covid-19 pandemic and
it was not a pretty sight. It had claimed
the lives of over 7 million people
worldwide. I was scared, not because of
the pandemic, but because of the fact I
had a coronavirus positive classmate as
my seat mate. I never wore a mask, I
didn’t care. But when I went for countless
covid-19 tests, they always came back
negative.
At age 4, with an IQ of 150, I
was driven by curiosity and went
searching my parent’s room. They found
me and they couldn’t lie anymore. They
told me everything about the
government’s plans for the future, the
citizen, the world, the serum and my
 2

immunity and immortality. I didn’t

understand anything but I was scared.
From that day on, they taught me
the oath and taught me how to find the
right answer to a set of questions. I didn’t
know what the questions were for, but I
obeyed my parents. I practiced day and
night and learned the oath until it was
engraved on my brain and I learned the
method by heart.

Year 2035:
World War III. I aged much slower
than the rest of the world. From what my
parents told me, I aged 85% slower
physically than the rest of the world so
that I could have the body of my peers.
World War III erupted because of
the disunity between the United
Kingdom and the United States. It was
chaos that claimed 30% of the world’s
population.
 3

The government had my parents

work for them and had them as scientists.
My parents were the ones that those in
charge told their plans, that’s why they
started preparing me. The government
soon found out and had them
annihilated, they wanted to take me, but I
fled. Now I was all alone, orphaned. I
didn’t have siblings, neither did my
parents. I was all alone in a world, during
World War III, where people would give
their kidneys, arms, legs, just to have the
basic necessities like food and water. I
had to learn to fend for myself and that’s
how I survived. I survived off street meat
and gutter water. It was HELL. This
lasted from 2035-2040. Suffering.

Year 2045:
The war ended in 2040 with the
United Kingdom surrendering. Things
were quiet for five years but the
 4

government had other plans for us. 2045

was the origination of the Xenocox. This
was a virus, deadly and unseen. The
infected one didn’t show symptoms and
was killed within seconds. At the time the
virus was discovered, it was a normal
day at the mall in Denver, when people
started dropping dead with smoke
coming out of their mouths. Everyone
had to stay in one place in order not to
get infected. People still moved, people
still fled, introducing the virus to other
countries worldwide. Soon it was a global
Pandemic. I went underground, I didn’t
want the government to find me, not like
they could, but I was still scared. The
pandemic went global, claiming 45% of
our remaining population and this went
on for 5 years.

Year 2060:
 5

With the scarce resources, over

population and need for better
government, World War IV erupted. This
was a nuclear war, jets were seen
dropping bombs on countries one after
the other.
This wasn’t a normal World war,
every country was fighting each other,
nowhere was safe.
I joined an underground
revolutionary group. I was scared and
mentally young, I didn’t want the
government to find me, if they did, I
would become a lab rat to their sinister
and vile plans for humankind.
It wasn’t a war of survival, more
like a war of ambition. Each country
trying to prove they had the most nuclear
power. It got to a point that the
government announced Worldwide that
the Earth had reached its nuclear
capacity. We didn’t have clean water,
 6

plants were dying, people were dying.

The nuclear plants would soon explode.
The whole world braced themselves
for the explosions. They built
underground camps all over the world.
people had to rely on one meal in two
days. Even at that, countries were still at
war. It seemed they didn’t care.
It was a cold Friday night, when I
and the others heard a loud explosion. It
shook the ground above us, I felt the
shock waves run through my body. From
the satellite, it was the nuclear plants in
Asia that had exploded. We heard
another bang, it was North America. We
heard another, it was South America.
Another, it was Africa. Another, it was
Antarctica. All the plants in the
continents had exploded leaving
Australia where we were. We braced
ourselves and covered ourselves in the
Nuclear Resistant Blankets provided by
 7

the government. Then we heard it, it was

loud and powerful. Though we were 36
feet beneath the surface, the explosion
broke through our underground camp.
There were no casualties.
We crept out of the camp. The Earth
was ruined beyond repair. No trees
remained, the water was poisoned and
carbon was at 63% and increasing at a
rapid rate. Earth needed to be evacuated
immediately. The survivors, including
me, gathered together at what was once
the glorious Grand Canyon and we
boarded into different spaceships.
As I got into a space ship, I looked
back at the Grand Canyon one last time.
It was in ruins and deserted. The space
ship took off. I looked back at Earth, Asia
was blown off into space and the
explosions blew Earth out of its orbit. I
watched as Earth drifted farther and
farther into space.
 8

2067. We were told that Toi was

ready for us to stay there. Toi 700 d. This
is a planet the same size as Earth and
habitable. It took the government one
year to finally prepare it for us.
Toi had trees and beautiful springs,
rivers and mountains, like Earth or what
was once Earth. The government had
cities built where people could stay but
reserved the nature.

Year 2086:
Our natural satellite, Arton, went
supernova on Friday 13. It was a loud
bang. I was living in constant fear, hoping
I would never experience what happened
on Earth again.
The next day, we saw some men in
black, wearing masks, spraying some
kind of serum everywhere. I started to
feel drowsy, my surrounding spinning
and was head was pounding. Then I fell
 9

with a thud and blacked out. The serum

must have contained Xenon which I was
highly allergic to.

Year 2090:
The effect of the Xenon had slowly
started to wear off. I blinked off my
cloudy eyes. I saw a man in black slowly
come towards the girl sitting beside me
and injected her with a serum. He came
to me and I pretended to be asleep. I felt
the cold needle of the syringe penetrate
through my skin and the serum flood into
veins. I could feel the serum find its way
through my brain. My thoughts were
clouded, I couldn’t see, everything
around me wee silhouettes, my heart beat
like crazy and my blood pressure
increased, then I blacked out.
I woke up, not remembering
anything that happened. I had a feeling,
this was Earth and I was home. My vision
 10

was impaired and my thoughts clouded,

until something in me clicked and I
remembered everything, World War III,
Xenocox, Covid, World War IV, Earth
and Arton. I figured I was given a
simulation serum, but the question was
“Why?” I was lost in thoughts until I
heard the shrill, cold, emotionless voice
call my name.
“Amorey Solace. Please come up front.”
The voice said. It was then my vision
cleared and I saw that everyone including
me, was standing in front of a podium,
where a group of men were standing in
front of us. A man was on the podium
and on either side of the podium, there
were chairs, on the left colored black and
on the right colored red. People were
seated on both side of they looked just as
clueless as I did.
“Amorey Solace. Please come up front.”
The voice said again. All eyes were on me
 11

as I walked up to the podium. “Take a

seat.” I sat down. A man in a white lab
coat came up to me and injected me with
Scopolamine which is a truth serum. The
truth serum made my head spin and my
heart pound but that soon stopped.
“Written on the paper given to you,” the
man on the podium said. I was handed a
paper. “is the oath of Maxim. If your
thoughts are pure you will have no
problem saying it. But if not.” He didn’t
finish his sentence, he didn’t want to.
I looked at the paper. The words
written on it, they were familiar, then I
remembered. It was the oath my parents
taught me when I was on Earth, 2023. I
was nervous, my hands shaking, my face
sweaty. I took a deep breath and spoke.
“I am willingly and proudly in Maxim.
We follow the way of Axiom. Shun the
outside world, remain the insiders of
Maxim and forever be in peace.’ I said.
 12

There was silence. The man looked back

to the stern- faced people seated behind
him. They gave a slight nod and the man
turned back to me.
“Amorey Solace, which of the following
do you mostly feel: sorrow, envy fear,
hate or anger?” He asked I thought back
to my parents and their teaching.
“Always look for the most natural
feeling.” My mom’s words rang in my
head. “There can never be two answers.
Never.” She would say.
“I’ve felt sorrow before.” I answered
trying not to show the nervousness in my
voice.
“Have you ever felt fear?” he asked me.
“One thing to always bear in mind is that
you’ve never felt fear ‘because you’ve got
nothing to hide.” My dad once told me.
“No.” I said, keeping my answer short
and simple.
 13

He looked back to the seated ones behind

him. They gave him another slight nod.
“Amorey Z,” he paused. My heart must
have been beating at 500 beats per
minute. Many questions ran through my
mind; what happened to my surname?
What does the Z mean? What is he going
to say? I was interrupted as he continued
speaking. “sit over on the right side.” He
said. I walked down briskly and sat on
the red chair side. I was seated beside the
same girl that was given the simulation
serum before me.
“What’s going on?” I asked her. I didn’t
know what was happening or which part
of Toi we were in. I looked in the
distance, there was a huge wall that
circled the whole place, no doors or
windows…just guards.
“I have no ideas,” The girl whispered
back. “but California is looking weird.”
She said. I was surpri
 14

“We’re actually in Toi.”

“Toi?”
“Yeah. Toi 700 d. Don’t you remember?”
The girl closed her eyes and was silent for
a while, then she opened her eyes.
“No”, she said. “By the way I’m Nancy
Z.”
“Amorey Z.” I shook hands with her.
The man on the podium continued
calling names and positioning them
either on the right or left side, only giving
lettered surnames to those on the right.
He did that until everyone was separated
either on the left or right. Then two guys
positioned themselves on the right side.
They started spraying some kind of
serum. It must have contained Xenon
because within seconds I passed out.
I opened my eyes and looked
around. We weren’t in the same place or
the same size as before. We had reduced.
Here was prettier and neater. There were
 15

buildings, nice buildings and skyscrapers

everywhere, neat and all new. There were
only females with me. I heard a woman’s
voice. I looked up and saw a huge sign
that read: WELCOME TO MAXIM.
Beneath it was written: CITY HALL.
I walked over to where everyone
was gathered in front of a stage where
three women’s holograms spoke.
“Welcome to Maxim A. I’m Maladee B
Gason,” she turned to the holograms
behind. “These are Lynx B Taylor and
Audi B Cilar. We are the governors of
Maxim A.” Everyone began to clap.
“There are but a few simple rules.” Audi
spoke and her hologram moved forward.
A huge screen appeared behind the stage.
“Rule one: You are not allowed to mix
with the opposite gender until after the
choosing. Rule Two: each year there will
be an evaluation to know if you’re still in
 16

the maxim spirit. You will be given a

truth serum, so, you can’t lie.”
Lynx’s hologram stepped forward. “Rule
three: Oxygen is scarce ‘cause the
government can’t provide enough for the
whole citizens of Maxim. So, each year, a
number of oxygen tanks will be given to
each individual for that year it will be
used in the payment for goods and
services. The government will collect it as
tax and all the carbon that is breathed out
will be sucked out in the atmosphere of
Maxim. Oxygen will only be provided in
classrooms, buildings and hallways,
anywhere else is carbon. You’ll have to
learn to manage your yearly oxygen
tanks to serve you unless, you, well, die.”
She said.
“In other words, oxygen is our new
currency.” Maladee said.
“Isn’t that wonderful?” Audi finally said
and everyone started clapping as the
 17

holograms disappeared. The big screen

showed classroom, buildings, labs and
world places. It seemed perfect, until they
showed the huge force field that shunned
us from the rest of Toi.
 18

Year 2132:

One.
“Does anyone know what started in
2035?” Gliona C, our history teacher
asked. Rachel D elegantly raised her
hand. “Yes, Rachel.”
“It was World War III.” She said and
flipped her long blonde hair.
“That’s correct. One day, you’ll make a
good a good governor. I’m sure Maladee
B Gason will consider you as a good
candidate.” Miss Gliona said. She
sounded pathetic, being all over Rachel,
just ‘cause Rachel’s dad was a governor
in Maxim B.
“If only they’d let us vote.” A voice from
behind the classroom said. We all turned
back to see that it was Kazia Z. The
lowest ranked person in our class.
 19

Miss Gliona looked sternly at her.

“What did you just say?” She asked. I’m
pretty sure she heard her.
Kazia stood up in her seat. “You heard
me the first time. The history textbooks
say in the 21st century there was
democracy, people were allowed to vote
but here it’s just authoritarism.”
“That’s not true.” Miss Gliona said, her
voice clear and one could sense the
authority in her voice. “Take your seat.”
Kazia took her seat and crossed her arms.
The bell rang. Everyone got up to
leave.
“Don’t forget your oxygen tanks.” Miss
Gliona said as we all line up at the door.
“Kazia please stay back, I’ll like to talk to
you.” Miss gliona pressed a button and
gridded force field appeared. We went
through it one by one. The gridded force
field is a scanner to scan for identification
 20

and vitals. I took a deep breath and

walked through the grids. I put my
oxygen mask on and wore my tank. Even
though, there was oxygen in the
hallways, I didn’t want to take any
chances.
I was soon joined by Mae-Noi F and
Ravenne M. Mae-Noi F and I had met
when I started school. I went Ravenne a
while back.
“Again, with the oxygen mask?” Mae put
her hand through mine.
Rave also put her hand through mine.
“You know, there’s oxygen in the
hallways.” Rave laughed.
I pulled down my oxygen mask. “We are
going home now and outside we’ll die.” I
said and put my mask back on. We got to
the school exit door. We slid our identity
cards across the ID scanner. We heard the
beep and started walking home.
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All houses in Maxim a were built

and positioned in the O.P, Ocean
Paradise, a Resident estate. Ocean
Paradise is an estate, in front of a beach in
Maxim A, where all the citizens except
those Ranked B, married couples and the
Guards stayed. The guards could only
stay if they were single parents and had
kids. But most of the time, they were at
the border.
I walked through the gate of O.P
and removed my mask. I breathe the
oxygen secured within the estate. Mae
and Rave removed their masks too and
started heading towards their houses. I
waved them goodbye and started
towards my own house.
The houses in Ocean Paradise were
all lined up in rows and columns, all
painted white with vibrant green grassed
porches, a veranda and a backyard
swimming pool. The Ocean Paradise had
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a mall, restaurants, museums, space

observatories, green houses, boutiques,
TollyWood (Toi’s movie industries),
cinemas and all that earth has back then.
Then the schools and offices were outside
Ocean Paradise. While the Grey house,
where the governors stayed, watched and
monitored everything that happened on
Toi, was on a meteor hovering right
above Toi in space which they were able
to stabilize and control.
I got to my house and I was
welcomed by my dad, actually he was the
parent given to every group of kids in
Maxim A. They had us believe they were
our real parents but I knew he wasn’t my
actual parent.
“Hey honey. How was school?” He asked
and planted a kiss on my forehead.
“Kazia said she wanted democracy.” I
responded. My dad fell silent. “Dad,
what’s behind the border?” I asked.
 23

“Shh,” he whispered. “Don’t ever ask

that question again. Now go up to your
room.” I nodded.
I went up to my room. I got a call
from Mae. I tapped my Alliance and her
hologram appeared in front of me. “Hey
Mae.”
“Hey Amorey. So, what’s up?” Mae said
as her hologram sat on my bed.
The technology in Maxim is pretty
advanced and the holograms are so life
like, it’s hard to tell the difference. But
they tap all our calls, and there are
cameras everywhere.
“Nothing much.” I answered. I looked
down. It was quiet for a while then Mae
spoke.
“I can’t believe Kazia said that in class.”
Mae said. I looked up surprised, it was
unlike Mae to talk about these things.
 24

“Mae,” I said. “they are listening.” I

mouthed. She quickly understood and
covered up.
“Luckily, we know the truth, that maxim
is the best place for humans.” She finally
said. “well, I have to go.” She said and
hung up.
I lay on my bed, arms and legs
spread. I wondered what miss Gliona
wanted to tell Kazia was right. But deep
down in my heart, I knew Kazia was
right. Maxim wasn’t near perfect, there
was no democracy. Every year, there was
an evaluation and those that don’t pass
disappear without a trace. Each year, we
are given simulation serum to make us
believe this is “paradise”. Each year, the
population grows thinner and thinner.
Every three years, people who had failed
the evaluation five years back are
brought back to Maxim to cover up for
the under population. They are brought
 25

back in a new light because they have

been “cleansed”. I missed Earth, I missed
my parents, I was scared and alone.
My thoughts were interrupted by
the sound of the front door slam shut. I
guessed it was Ivy and Catherine.
Ivy W was 19 and Catherine C was
also 19. They were my sisters and
fraternal twins.
I went down the stairs quietly. I sat
on the steps and watched.
“Dad, I passed.” Catherine squealed and
hugged dad.
“How was the exchange program?” he
asked. “How did it go?” he looked at
both them.
“It was fine. The supervisor said I did
excellently well and my Rank got
bumped up.” Catherine said.
“Wow, my girl’s now a rank B.” dad said,
He abruptly stood at attention and
 26

saluted. “Afternoon governor Catherine

B.”
Catherine started to giggle. “Oh, stop it
dad.” They both started laughing.
Dad turned to Ivy. “What of you, how
did it go?”
“I didn't pass. Not because o failed the
tests or the exchange program but
because I didn't want to.” Ivy said,
without emotion and straight forward.
“She failed the Evaluation.” Catherine
said bluntly like it didn't matter. But dad
thought otherwise.
“You what?!” he boomed.
“Yes, I failed the Evaluation so what? I
doubt want to be in this damn place
anymore.” Ivy shot back. Before dad
could say anything, she made her way to
the stairs and I ran back to my room. I
heard her room door slam shut and I
came out of my room. I walked to her
room and opened the door.
 27

Ivy was crying as she violently

shoved her clothes and shoes into her
backpack.
“Ivy what happened? I heard Catherine
say you failed the Evaluation.” I said. She
looked at me and began to clean her tears.
She knelt down in front of me and held
my hands. “Look Amy,” she started. Not
everything is as it seems and they're
somethings that are going on that you
won't understand. But I do.
“Now I'm leaving, but I promise I'll come
back for you.” She kissed my forehead.
“I have no idea what they're gonna do to
me, but no matter what promise me
you'll never forget me.” She said and
hugged me.
“I promise.” I said a tears welled up in
my eyes. Ivy let go of me and remove a
small cut out of the floor. Beneath it was a
box. In the box were 15 small oxygen
tanks, she stuffed 10 in her backpack and
 28

hugged me. She kissed me on the

forehead one more time and headed out
the door. She looked back and smiled at
me.
I heard her thud down the stairs. Dad
and Catherine tried to stop her but I
heard the front door open and close.
I looked out the window and saw her
running towards the end of our street.
Before she could get across, she was
surrounded by black cars. Men in black
and black sunshades marched out of the
cars, and with tranquilizer shooters and
heat seeking guns.
One of the men threw a smoke screen
and I couldn't see anything. The smoke
screen covered our street and I sniffed the
air, it was a sedative. When the smoke
cleared, I saw Ivy. She tried to fight back
but one of the men shot her with a dart.
She was still red