Revolution

PART ONE

Tilly

This all started out as simple curiosity. Curiosity is part of what makes us human. We never would have come as far as we have without it. Then again, we also wouldn’t have fallen as far without it, either.

I don’t know the exact details of what happened. I only know what I have managed to read in the history books: Humans couldn’t stop experimenting. We couldn’t stop seeking that next milestone or that next level of greatness.

That’s when we created a new species, one that is almost human, but they are genetically altered.

The scientists took away all of our genetic faults when they created them for the purpose of having an army to serve us. They thought it would make us forever protected and safe.

It probably was not completely those scientists’ fault. We were conditioned to think of humans with special abilities as heroes. Movies, books, and comics were dedicated to showcasing our saviors. Sure, there might have been a bad guy in that plot, but they never lived in the end, because in those mediums, humans were kept safe, and we always had our world in the end. We always had a sense of control and a future promised to us.

No one considered that what we created would never fit under the heading of a superhero. Never did we think we had made a species that would be the human race’s downfall. After all, even though they took away all of our physical faults when they created this new species, they still left others behind: arrogance, self-interest, greed—the list goes on.

It wasn’t long before humans became enslaved to what we now call Superiors.

There was a war, we lost, and many lives were massacred. It was the end of life as we knew it. Humans weren’t made extinct, though. No, there are many who still live, myself included.

After the war ended, humans became little more than pets, slaves or breeders. We are considered weak and, therefore, only for the Superiors’ amusement. We entertain them. And since they began regulating how many humans could be bred to keep our numbers down, it adds status to their family to possess a human. They think it is a novelty to own and control us.

As a result, they never could have imagined an uprising. They never saw it coming. Even I didn’t know, and I am part of it.

Humans deserve to be free, and I will stop at nothing to deliver this promise.

My name is Tilly, and I am alive with a sole purpose: to begin a revolution.

CHAPTER ONE

Tilly – Age 18

We have to hurry. Charlotte rushes down the stairs toward me, her hazel eyes frantic as she nearly slips down the last step, just catching herself.

I haven’t laid eyes on Charlotte since the night I refuse to think about. Since that night, I have been locked down here in darkness, barely fed enough food to survive. My sole visitor has been Joseph when he decides to drop one of my meals at my feet, and he only hangs around long enough to call me names or deliver a well-aimed kick to my already sore ribs. I’m not even sure how long it’s been. It might have only been weeks, but it feels more like years. If I had to hazard a guess, I would say I have been fed three or four times. If Joseph was only feeding me once a week, then that would mean I have been down here possibly a month. A month, I have been awaiting my punishment, wondering why I’m still even alive. I don’t deserve to be, and I often wish I wasn’t.

The lock on the basement door is enough to know I am trapped down here. With no windows for light and almost no strength or will to live, I have been left to my dark thoughts and memories, wallowing in self-pity. I have never been one to do so before; however, for my entire captivity down here, my depression has been relentless. Memories of that awful night have played on repeat in my mind. I also can’t stop wondering why Charlotte never tried to visit me. Why did she leave me down here alone? Was it because she had no other choice? Or does she blame me for what happened that night?

Even without thinking about that night, I’m not sure I have ever seen Charlotte appear so frazzled yet determined before. However, it is what lurks in her eyes that I fear. She is terrified.

"Hurry? What do you mean? What is happening?" I ask her, shielding my eyes from the impossibly bright light shining throughout the basement.

I’m getting you out of here. She grabs my arms and forces me to stand in front of her.

You are? How? Joseph—

He is out. Nicholas is having his bachelor party tonight, and I insinuated to Joseph that I was worried Nicholas’s friends would lead him astray. He promised me he would keep a close eye on him and chop his balls off if he did anything wrong.

I gape at her, my eyes widening, which quickly blinds me from more light invading my retinas.

Covering my eyes again, not needing to shield them completely as I become more used to the brightness, I stare at the ground. You can’t do this. It’s too dangerous.

If Joseph ever found out Charlotte helped me escape, he would kill her, daughter or not. Nicholas would barely be a consideration before he killed him. They both have already risked so much for me. I can’t ask them to do this. I can’t lose the only two people I care about in this world.

"I need to do this. Johnny would want me to," she says softly, grief echoing in her voice, and my heart squeezes painfully in my chest. That ache never truly leaves me. Will it ever feel less raw?

He died because of me, I snap, tears already blurring my vision, but I refuse to let them fall. I have cried enough tears to last me a lifetime. Surely, there can’t be any more.

No, he died because of Joseph. He wanted you to be free, and that won’t happen if you stay trapped here. You need to trust me.

I shake my head, unable to think clearly now that my thoughts have gone to Johnny. I am still deeply stuck in my grief for him, and I cannot believe Charlotte is able to forgive me for getting her brother killed. Doesn’t she hate me, too? I was the reason for his death. It is my fault.

What if he finds out you helped me get away, or what if he realizes Nicholas is a distraction and hurts him? You can’t lose him, too. You have to call him off. He—

It was Nicholas’s idea, she interrupts. He knows this is for the best. Joseph won’t even realize what is going on, and I will have an alibi for your escape. I have been planning this for the past month, since… She trails off, and I watch her take deep breaths. I have never seen Charlotte lose it before. The sight is chilling.

The revelation that my suspicion of how long it has been freezes me.

It has been a month? I whisper, finally able to see clearly in the bright room, but this knowledge causes me to close them again. How have I gone an entire month living while knowing I have lost Johnny forever? Why am I still breathing when I deserve to be the one dealt the ultimate punishment, not him? Never him.

Yes. I’m sorry it has taken so long. I was ready to get you out of here the first night, aware of the beating you were going to get from Joseph, but Nicholas talked me down. He reminded me we need to be smart about this.

I wince at the reminder of the beatings I have received from Joseph. My body still aches, and I’m surprised nothing appears to have been broken. Often in the past, Joseph held back on his beatings when there was an upcoming function or dinner at the house he wanted me to be present for. However, since I have been locked down here and, with no obvious end to my captivity in sight, I am unsure why he held back that first night. I don’t even know why I’m still breathing. He obviously wishes I were dead. Why keep me alive?

About getting me out of here. Where am I going? I sigh, only wanting the pain in my heart to end, not caring if I live or die. Why did he leave me alive? I thought he would … After Johnny, I thought … Why am I even breathing, Charlotte? My voice breaks again. It is me who is taking several deep breaths this time.

I have never been much of a crier, used to the abuse and the bleak life I often have to face. However, since I have been down here, my tears have been endless, and suddenly, everything feels like it is too hard.

Well… Charlotte trails off again, her eyes shifting uncomfortably. I know her well enough to realize what I’m about to hear won’t be something I will like. "Joseph was going to kill you. He was distracted for a short time while he tried to save Johnny, but I recognized it was only a matter of time. I was devastated at what happened to you both, heartbroken that I was losing my brother, but I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you, too. So I made one plea with him, not really thinking it through. It struck something inside him, and I knew I had not only saved your life, but also sentenced you to hell." She looks away from me then, which tells me whatever she said to him is worse than death.

What did you say? What does your father intend to do with me? I whisper, fear washing over me at the thought of everything Joseph could do.

I told him I hated you, that I blamed you for seducing my brother and clouding his mind. I played him, using his hate to make him believe me. But what I said set something off inside him, and now I have to save you from this fate. She wrings her hands, her nerves making dread settle deeper in my stomach.

What fate?

She hesitates then whispers, I told him I wanted a human for Nicholas and me … for when we are married.

I gasp, my heart pounding heavily in my chest. You said you would never take a human when you moved out, that you didn’t condone what happened to us, I accuse.

I know, and I never intended to break my promise to you, but it was the only way I could assure he didn’t kill you that night. I bought you time. I told him I wanted your baby; that it would be penance for losing my brother. Charlotte stares at me apologetically while my heart stops beating altogether. Is there a part of Charlotte that does blame me? Is there a part that hates me?

My throat feels tight, so my words are barely a whisper when I say, You know I’m sorry for what happened, that I never meant for him to get hurt.

I don’t blame you for Johnny; I promise. I just need you to understand why you need to leave tonight. Joseph has found a male to breed you with. He’s been in talks with another family who have a human male who is young and fit. He plans on initiating this within the next week.

I actually feel dizzy at her words. I lean against the wall, and my legs slide away from under me as I slowly descend until my butt hits the ground, thinking it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Truthfully, this is something Joseph most likely always planned, even without me being the cause of his son’s death. Still, I feel shocked by her words.

I can’t believe I am going to be given away like a worthless animal. I’m going to be forced to have sex with a complete stranger until I am pregnant. Then, once the baby is born and deemed healthy, Joseph will either kill me to avenge his son, or I will most likely breed again with the same stranger. Or perhaps they would find someone else. If I had twins or triplets, we would be forced to breed together until I was unable to give birth anymore. This is what happens to humans who are placed in the breeding farms.

Joseph bought me as a house pet. Part of my diet since I was adopted includes a hormone suppressant, which means I cannot go through a natural cycle that would allow me to get pregnant.

Regulations are strict on how many humans can be used for breeding. Superiors need a special license to breed their humans. Joseph has friends in high places, though. I’m sure this was a simple request granted to him easily and without hassle.

Rumors Charlotte has heard include the mother is only allowed to stay with their newborn for mere days before they switch out the breast milk for formula. Then, depending on when the family who adopts the child wants the baby, it would be taken away, and the mother would never see or hear from them again.

I was held for over a year before Joseph was willing to take me. Charlotte said some families pay to have their humans held even longer so they are fully trained when they are delivered: no crying, no toilet accidents, and most definitely no misbehaving.

Is that what is going to happen to me? Am I going to become a mother who has their children taken away and forced to become pets for other families? While I know Charlotte and Nicholas would take care of any human baby they adopted, they are rare in this world.

And forgetting about that for a moment, am I truly expected to have sex with a complete stranger? How am I ever supposed to do such a thing after what I shared with Johnny? How can I ever give myself to someone ever again?

Tilly, are you still with me? Charlotte waves her hand in my face, slapping me lightly when I take too long to respond to her.

I can’t … This can’t … I … I feel tears falling down my face as I try to fathom how I am supposed to get through this. I can’t do it. I can’t give away a child of mine. It’s wrong, and I won’t stand for it. How do I get out of it, though? How can I stop this?

It’s going to be okay. I won’t let them do that to you. That is why we have to get you out now. Once you are with the other family, I won’t know how to get you out. You’re leaving here … tonight.

Leaving? My voice shakes as fear grips my body like a fist has wrapped around my heart, clenching it unbearably tight.

I have dreamed of leaving this house, dreamed of being free and living a life like the ones I have read so much about. I even dreamed of Johnny being alive, that awful night never happening, and reuniting with him. I can still hear his voice as clear as day inside my mind, his whispers of adoration and love. I never got the chance to tell him I loved him, too. I never said the words, and now he will never know.

I shake away the dark thoughts that only lead to more tears. I need to focus.

How can I leave? I don’t know what I’m doing, I croak since my mouth is suddenly dry. I have no idea how to survive in the outside world. I might as well put a huge sign on my head, stating I’m human.

I have left the house only a handful of times, and every time, I had to remain hidden, only able to experience the destination before hiding again. I don’t even have any idea what the front of the house looks like.

Yes, we will get to that. First, I need to fix you up.

I open my mouth, ready to ask what she means, when she dumps a huge duffle bag in front of me. She quickly begins grabbing items and haphazardly dropping them at my feet.

She looks up at me for a while, her head slightly turned to the side, and then she nods as though she’s decided something.

Blonde will suit you fine with a tan and blue for contacts.

What are you talking about? I ask.

I need to alter your appearance. I found most of this in the basement of the Human Museum. The security there is nonexistent. I suppose they don’t expect anyone to want to steal any of this stuff. She indicates all the stuff she dumped on the ground. Can you believe this is what you guys had to do just to change your looks? Charlotte chuckles, pulling out two large cans from the bag and giving them both a shake. You smell really bad. Go upstairs and take a quick shower. Mom is in the kitchen, making dinner. She’ll just think it’s me. I told her I am heading out, so I’ll go up after you’re finished and pretend to leave.

I nod, feeling too shell-shocked to do much else. I haven’t washed since I was exiled to the basement.

I feel groggy and slow; each step a struggle, since I haven’t moved much after being trapped down here. It could also be the emotional turmoil weighing me down.

When I reach the top of the stairs, I hesitate from stepping outside the door. If I do and I am caught, Charlotte will suffer, too.

I look back down at her, watching as she pulls more things out of her bag. She will already be in trouble, so there is no point dragging my feet and getting us both killed. She has already started the domino effect. I just need to do better by her than I did Johnny. I need to make sure Charlotte and Nicholas don’t pay for my crimes. If getting caught means they will be placed in danger, then I have to make sure I never get caught.

I focus on where I am going, running upstairs to the bathroom and ignoring the urge to stare over the house and look at the photos, as well as avoiding a glance in the direction of Johnny’s room.

My prison used to be this entire household. Often, I was allowed to spend time in the backyard, but I still felt trapped and claustrophobic despite the amount of room I was allowed. I was only ever officially allowed outside the house to visit a local human doctor if I was ill. Even then, I was put on a lead so I could never leave Joseph’s side. My head was to remain down, and the one time I looked up, I was slapped hard enough to see stars and almost black out. I never got to see a thing; he was too quick.

As much as I used to feel trapped in the house, I envy the amount of freedom it was after being trapped in the basement for an entire month. I used to be able to roam the house during the day, spend many afternoons outside in the backyard, and sleep in Charlotte’s room on the floor by the foot of her bed. She used to read to me every night until I fell asleep, obsessed with our history, in how the world used to be. I think, because she loved me so much, she couldn’t understand our differences.

At ten years old, she hacked into her parents’ account on her tablet, gaining access to old history books. She eventually found our true history, the one not taught in schools, and realized humans weren’t always treated this way. Then she found books written during that time that told stories about when humans were in control, when they never had to fear the Superiors, from when we were free and led normal, boring lives.

It is make-believe, of course. At least, it is in this era.

Now we have no freedom, and despite being abused for most of my life by Joseph, even he isn’t the worst of what can happen to us.

Charlotte used to tell me horror stories about how some people in her school treated their humans. While owning a human for a pet is considered somewhat prestigious, depending on how well-behaved they are and how they are presented, there are still many who only view their pets as punching bags; some are even starved to death, neglected. Owning a human is work that many don’t want to put effort into, even if that only includes feeding them and giving them water and shelter.

She has even heard stories of humans who were forced to fight each other to the death in underground fighting rings. It is mostly kept a secret because it is illegal, though people are aware it goes on. The policing of such acts is not strict.

Then there are humans who are purely slaves, ones who do the jobs Superiors believe are beneath them. They work in shops as cleaners and waiters, worked to the bone. Once they can no longer continue, they are thrown away and quickly replaced.

Human deaths aren’t treated the same as Superiors’. It is shrugged at. We have no rights, and because it has been so many generations since we did, there is little to no fight in us left to argue against this. This has become our normal.

We are weak now, not only because the Superiors keep us this way physically, but also in spirit. We no longer know a difference, and unfortunately, not many humans, if any, have people like Charlotte, Nicholas or Johnny to tell them differently.

You haven’t even stripped your clothes off yet! Charlotte hisses from behind me.

I jump in fear, expecting to be discovered by Joseph. Sorry. I got distracted.

We don’t have time. She brushes past me, turning on the water in the shower. Take off your clothes.

I take off my dirty clothes and leave them in a pile on the bathroom floor, unable to help feeling sick when I see my reflection in the mirror.

My unruly black hair is knotted and oily, my face pale, my cheekbones sticking out, and my soft, green eyes appear lifeless. As my gaze moves lower, I see many of my bones are exposed. I have never been heavy, yet I also have never been so skinny before. A month of barely eating has taken its toll on me.

Hurry, I’ll get the wax ready.

Wax? I ask, but she has already rushed out of the bathroom.

I step under the water, quickly backing up when I feel the heat hitting my face. I turn the cold tap until the water is only lukewarm then step back under it. I have been cold for an entire month, so the heat feels suffocating.

I take a bottle of soap from the side of the shower, the only one I was allowed to use when washing myself for every social event Charlotte’s parents had at the house. Just smelling the cinnamon-scented soap takes me back to memories that now feel like a lifetime ago.

When I was younger, I used to wash outside with a hose. Charlotte and Johnny always thought it was fun, but the cold water was anything except fun. I never complained about it, aware I would be disciplined if I did. Honestly, I was mostly content simply being allowed outside. However, as I got older, I was afforded more privacy.

Now, when I think about it, I suppose it was for Johnny’s sake rather than my own. They didn’t want to muddle their son’s thoughts with seeing me naked.

My heart thuds painfully in my chest, and I force away thoughts of him. I will never be able to do this if I wallow in misery.

Instead, I recall the parties I was allowed to attend. Freshly showered and wearing newer clothes than I had ever been afforded, I was shown off as if I was some prized pet. I was always on my best behavior when we were surrounded by strangers, aware of the beatings I would get afterward if Joseph felt I had misbehaved in any way.

I probably should have hated the parties since they were just another way for Joseph to think up an excuse to hurt me; nevertheless, I enjoyed them. It was interesting to see so many different people, and sometimes, I was able to see other humans. I never spoke to them, but seeing others like me brought me hope. I didn’t feel alone.

Charlotte thrived at those parties. She was stunning, of course, loving to appear completely different at each party, and she enjoyed the persona she liked to put on with her new look. Outside of the expensive and extravagant parties, she always kept her hair blonde, her eye color blue, and her figure slim. She said it felt most natural to her.

All Superiors are able to change their appearance at will—not only their skin, eye, and hair color, but also their body shape. They are able to manipulate their own DNA. Therefore, I struggled when it came to figuring out if I was seeing the same people or different ones from party to party. Despite my inability to tell them apart, Superiors are implanted with data chips in their wrists, which reveals their real identities to other Superiors.

Whereas Charlotte loved being someone new, Johnny rarely ever changed his appearance. He kept his hair a dark brown, his eyes the same blue as Charlotte’s, and his physique was strong and fit. He kept his hair long enough that I could run my fingers through it yet short enough that it didn’t get in the way of his training. I have seen him appear different before, but this was always my favorite look for him.

Charlotte used to tell me it was strange to have a best friend who always looked the same. I think she thought I was boring, but she never said that to me, which I appreciated.

I often wished I could change my appearance. I wasn’t concerned about changing my eye or hair color. Skin color didn’t mean much to me, either. I wished I could change my figure. I wanted more muscle, bigger legs, stronger arms, and the ability to intimidate someone. I wanted to be taller with a fierce look that would make Joseph think twice about putting his hands on me.

Nevertheless, I have always been stuck with short, lean, and no muscle.

Lost in my thoughts, I lather up the soap and clean my body, aware the water coming off me is still filthy. After placing the soap in my hair, the dirty water increases. All the same, it feels unbelievably good to have the water running over my sore and chilled body. I even brave the hot water, turning it slowly up until my body temperature rises with it.

Time’s up. Charlotte pulls back the curtain and turns the water off. Fortunately, I just finished rinsing my hair.

I let Charlotte pull me out, taking the towel she offers.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen such hair on a woman before. She watches me drying off, and I blush, knowing she isn’t speaking about the hair on top of my head.

I never cared about Charlotte seeing me naked. We used to get dressed together in her room every night, and she often helped me bathe when I was little. Still, I have never appeared so unruly before. Well, it’s not like I can alter my appearance like you to get rid of unwanted hair, I point out, putting on the fluffy robe she passes to me.

She picks up the clothes I discarded and takes them with her out of the bathroom, not speaking as she leads us back down to the basement.

I pause at the entryway, struggling to force myself to take the steps back down there. I struggled to leave my prison, afraid for Charlotte, and now I’m terrified to go back in there.

Can’t we do what you want up there, in your room? I whisper, glancing back toward the kitchen in case I’m overheard.

In my distracted state, I don’t see Charlotte’s hand reaching out and grabbing hold of me. She drags me downstairs, and I have to bite my lips shut to stop the startled scream from leaving them.

We don’t have time to argue. I need to get started.

Without warning, hot goo is lathered over what feels like my eyes, but since I can see, I have to assume it’s over my eyebrows, and then strips of material are placed over the wax. I open my mouth, ready to question what she is doing, and then she pulls one of the strips off. I can’t hold in my cry of pain.

Shhh! Charlotte reprimands.

We pause, listening for her mother to find us down here, but no one comes.

What are you doing? I hiss quietly, my face radiating heat from the hot wax and pain.

You have to look well-presented if you are going to leave here without looking suspicious. Your eyebrows need to be tamed. Get ready for the next one.

Charlotte gives me a little warning this time, but unfortunately, the pain doesn’t lessen with the next rip. Thankfully, it doesn’t take too long to finish.

Why is it important I look well-presented?

A Superior is always immaculate. We have the means and ability to assure we look perfect at all times. You need to blend in.

Wait … She thinks I can convince Superiors that I am one of them. Is she insane?

Okay, now stand up without the robe on.

What are you going to do now? My voice is shaky, making me sound weak and hesitant.

Something worse than what you just felt, she warns.

Are you for real? What now? I practically whimper.

She pulls out a knife. I need to get your collar off.

Can’t you just rip it off? I beg, staring at the sharpness of the edge as I finger the collar around my neck that I have worn since I came here. I rarely even notice the constant touch of the thick leather around my neck.

This one isn’t made to be taken off … ever. There isn’t enough room to fit my fingers, so this is going to be dangerous.

Dangerous! You’re likely to slit my throat! I shake, wanting to trust Charlotte yet knowing how easily this could all go wrong.

Not if I’m careful. I’m going to do it at the back of your neck. It wouldn’t make sense if you have cuts visible.

She shifts my head forward and moves my hair out of the way, exposing more of my neck to her and the light. I feel little sharp pains as Charlotte inevitably cuts me. However, even as I feel blood trickling down my back, I know this isn’t much compared to the abuse Joseph has put me through, and it’s nothing compared to the pain of having to have sex with a stranger, carry a child, and then have it taken away from me. That can never happen.

Done, she finally states, showing me the collar that has been on my neck for two years. I had a smaller one when I was a child. As I grew, I was given a looser one until I was sixteen when I was told I would not be growing any more. This skintight one was my last, which I was told would stay with me until my death.

Humans don’t get fat, given they are rarely fed more than needed to survive. Charlotte once told me that, when a human is deemed too old to be useful as a pet, we are put down. No one wants an elderly pet human in their house. Besides, with the diseases we still carry and suffer from, we are too expensive to keep alive. Regardless, Charlotte assured me that would never be my fate.

When we were younger, she used to tell me she would take me away from her parents, and I could live with her. As we got older, Johnny used to say something similar. In the end, Joseph has the paperwork stating he owns me, and he would never have given me to either of his children.

It is always about control with Superiors.

She drops the collar onto the ground, and the noise brings me back to the here and now.

I’m going to leave it down here so Joseph doesn’t think anything of it. If he monitors your tracker imbedded in there, he will see you haven’t moved. Hopefully, it’ll be several days before he realizes something is wrong, maybe even longer if I can keep him distracted.

I ate perhaps a day or two ago, so the chances of Joseph coming in here anytime soon is unlikely.

Can’t you come with me? I ask as she oozes a cool lotion over my cuts. I hazard a guess that she is using healing gel.

Superiors heal incredibly quickly, but if their wounds are serious, the gel