The Phoenix Cycle: Would You?

By Robert Edward

When a citizen of New San Francisco reaches his or her 18th annual cycle, they are given a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get out of the city’s vast ghetto. This opportunity cannot simply be brushed aside. All citizens who recently turned 18 are forced to make the decision to apply in a colossal stadium, in front of the entire city.

Would you choose love or choose to have everything else you've ever wanted? Would you bend to the temptations of a ruthless government....or would you be willing to lose everything in order to fight against it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Edward
• Release date: Dec 25, 2013

Robert Edward

I find sleep and watching television incredibly boring. In place of such ridiculous habits I read and travel whenever possible. I tend to travel by flying in small planes, as I have my Private Pilots license. So expect to find me around small airports scattered over the southwest.

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The Phoenix Cycle: Would You?

By Robert Edward

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 Robert Collopy

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How it Began

Journal Entry #156

When he watched his would-be wife die, that's when he snapped.  When he sat there, newly alone as her last beat pulsed through her veins.  He knew that, while powerless, he was still somehow completely responsible for every dimming shade of blue that leaked from her beautifully bloodstained eyes.  That's when all this began. 

That's when this rebellion really started.  That's what led to the awakening of a people whose brains had been washed so clean, that killing their fellow cyclamen to become part of the City Guard didn't seem too foul.  It's what made young women second guess becoming one of the Esteemed ladies of the Inner Circle.  

Her withering heart is how this story begins and is how New San Francisco ends.

Sundown

The room was 78% steam, 18% starch and 1 percent ash. Even at one percent you couldn’t get that corroded tar taste out of your mouth. Nevertheless, it was Steve’s last refuge.

Oye!

Steve was staring deep into the folds of the cassette tape. Aside from his bobbing leg, Johnny sat frozen on top of his bar stool. Kleiner banged on the bar top.

Oye! shouted Kleiner.

Steve snapped his gaze upward at Kleiner.

You in or out! barked Kleiner with his one-of-a-kind Irish accent.

Steve responded with a blank stare and a faint, Uhhhhh.

You crazy, boy? The sun’s settin’ and I for one won’t be having anymore o’ dat ash blowin’ into me bar!

Steve turned his head toward the door; the iron door hung open; The sun had already created that ominous purple shade that made a man want to run and jump into whatever hole would fit them. How did he lose track of the time? He’d never gotten caught at sundown. Steve looked back at the cassette. Kleiner glared at Steve’s weak indecision.

"I’ll do a