A Brief Moment of Silence

By Brian K. MacLeod

In a post-apocalyptic setting, Samuel finds himself in the most difficult of circumstances as one of the lowest members of society. As one of the masses of indentured servants to a brutal ruling class he is faced with injustices everywhere around him. His unique way of handling these injustices with his fellow servants hints at his true nature. Those who are lucky enough to discover this nature and be touched by it discover that there is a better way through mindfulness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Feb 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483407180

Book preview

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Chapter 1 01.jpg

T here was a brief moment of silence. Then there was a loud screeching bang that seemed to shake the earth. The noise was so intense that it took everyone’s breath away. Samuel didn’t flinch. He squatted down on one leg, with his elbow resting on his other leg and his chin resting on his hand.

A piece of paper skipped across the ground until it hit Samuel’s boot, and it stayed there, stuck, as the edges fluttered in the wind. He looked down, and he could see the words at the top of the page in big black bold letters: It is time for change. It is time to join the Reset Movement. It is time to start over. It was as if there were something somewhere trying to warn him, but he knew things would still have to happen the way they were meant to. He stood up and examined the dark bruised sky as the crowd slowly marched past him. The cruel cold forced the people to huddle together; but if one observed closely, there was a distance among them that was even crueler and colder. Samuel turned toward the Temple that stood over everything with its mass of concrete and steel. He began to slowly walk. The sky had begun to fill up with the black smoke that filtered out of the large chimney stacks that appeared to touch the sky. There was a tempo to the Temple if one listened closely, and he could hear it now starting to pick up like a train set in motion.

A man, his wife, and two children walked ahead of Samuel, and the man fell suddenly to the ground. The man lay there motionless while the crowd continued its slow procession. Samuel stopped and knelt down beside him. The man’s face was pale, and his eyes were wide and delirious. The children’s dirty faces looked down sadly at their father as his hand reached out and then collapsed back down to his side. Their mother watched on helplessly, unsure of whether to run to her husband or shield her children from witnessing the possible death of their father.

Samuel put his hand behind the man’s head and lifted him up slightly. The two children, one a boy and the other a girl, knelt down and put their hands and faces against their father’s chest. The mother stooped over to look but was unable to bend down completely because her twisted body, mangled from years of hard labor in the Temple, would not allow it. She reached out and held her husband’s cold lifeless hand. Tears slowly ran down the faces of both children. Samuel reached around the man’s back with his arm, and his strong, lean body began to hoist the feeble man up. The man’s legs were so weak that they shook as he tried to get to his feet. Samuel put the man’s arm over his shoulder as they began to walk. He smiled at the children, and their malnourished faces smiled back as their tears stopped. When they reached the entrance to the Temple, the crowd was almost at a standstill as they funneled in through the narrow gates closely monitored by the Watchers.

Yauna is glad to welcome you to his Temple where he watches closely over you.

These words resounded through the large speakers placed throughout the Temple.

Yauna loves you, and you must work as hard as you can because it is your destiny.

Through the gates along the walkway there were speakers that boomed the prayers that the Servers, the people who worked in the Temple, were expected to repeat. These prayers were a reminder to be thankful for the grueling labor Yauna, their God, provided for them.

The crowd’s mumbling echoed through the space:

I am only an instrument of Yauna. And it would give me such grace to work myself to death today in the Temple. Yauna, give me the strength I need to fulfill my destiny. Thank you for allowing me to be your loyal servant.

As the crowd walked by statues of Yauna in the lobby of the Temple, they bowed their heads; from far away, it looked like the rising and falling away of the ocean.

Samuel continued to carry the feeble man while his wife and children followed behind. The crowd started to disperse as each Server attended to his or her sacred work. The Watchers stood along the walls, yelling orders and pushing the crowd, hoping to hurry the Servers. The Watchers’ sacred work was to watch over the Servers. Once again, the man’s body gave out; Samuel could not hold his weight, and they crashed to the floor. Several of the Watchers came running over, pushing the surrounding people out of the way. They found Samuel leaning over the man. One of the Watchers sadistically pushed Samuel to the ground, and he landed on his back. Three more Watchers with dogs ran over to push the crowd even farther back. Samuel sat up, leaning back on his arms. The same Watcher who had pushed him down came running toward him, his club raised high in the air as he ran. Samuel sat still, looking straight into his eyes. There was a pause, as if the Watcher were waiting for Samuel to raise his arms before he struck him. Then the Watcher began his downswing toward Samuel, and he stopped about two inches from his head. Samuel sat there calmly, softly smiling.

The Watcher, known as Pete the Head Hunter, stood there frozen in his stance. For some strange reason, he could feel Samuel’s eyes burning into his as a bead of perspiration dripped down the end of his nose.

Everyone was stunned by Pete’s hesitation. No one made a move, and the only thing that could be heard was the vicious barking of the guard dogs.

You! You! Pete shouted. You fool! Why didn’t you let him die outside of the Temple?

Anyone who died in the Temple was entitled to a proper burial, especially the Servers, because that was their destiny. And so to remedy this problem, when a Server was on the brink of death, he would be rushed out of the Temple; or, if he died in the Temple, he would be pronounced dead outside. However, there were those rare occasions, like this one, when there were just too many witnesses.

Samuel still sat calmly on the floor. The Watchers with the guard dogs surrounded him. The dogs immediately stopped barking, and they peacefully sat down on their hind legs. The Watchers jerked the leashes of the dogs to try to stir them up, but they sat there contentedly.

Zeus, take action! yelled the one Watcher, but the dog did not respond, and he playfully rolled over onto his side as his tail wagged.

Samuel stood up and walked over to where the man still lay on the floor, motionless. He knelt down beside him. Another Watcher came bolting through the crowd with his club ready at his side to take action. The dogs leaped at the Watcher, ferociously clawing and biting at him. The man let out a high-pitched scream as he scrambled on the floor, desperately trying to protect himself. The Watchers tried to control the animals, but the dogs turned on them. Samuel once again held the man’s head tenderly.

If he can’t walk, they will destroy him, the man’s wife said in a frantic plea. A Server who could no longer work was considered to have lost his way to Yauna, and so he would be executed as a sacrifice.

The man’s two children clung to him as if trying to protect him. The dogs continued to attack the Watchers, and the crowd cheered, as this entertained them.

Samuel looked around, and he could see that most of the people were focused on the Watchers being attacked by the dogs, so he gently placed his hands on the man’s chest. The man’s body quivered, and his eyes rolled up into his head, as if he were being electrocuted. He then began to laugh uncontrollably, and the grayness that looked like it had been in his face for some time had disappeared. The two children stared brightly into their father’s face and then looked up to their mother to see her response. The man began to flex his hands and examine them as if he recognized them from a time when he had been more youthful.

Okay, okay, he will be fine. We’ll get him some medical attention. Pete the Head Hunter said, trying to regain control of the situation. Now, you go where you’re supposed to be. He pointed his finger at Samuel.

Pete looked as if he were about to continue with his orders, but he paused when his eyes rested on the man who lay on the floor. He looked around at the crowd and looked back at him again. His eyes squinted, and his face winced with confusion: the man seemed different. While his mind worked on that, he began giving orders to the Servers and his staff.

Sprightly, the man stood up from the floor and put his arms around his wife as she wiped a few tears from her eyes. He then turned and scooped his two children up into his arms. It had been a long time since his ill body had been able to do that. The two children raised their little hands to wave good-bye, and the parents replicated this action.

Samuel turned and blended into the dispersing crowd.

Chapter 2 01.jpg

T here was a buzz over the loudspeaker, and the red light over the door next to the giant panel of mirrored glass began to flash. Pete the Head Hunter stared at the light and then dropped his head as he let out a sigh.

What now? What can they possibly want from me now? he said under his breath.

He turned back toward the crowd, hoping the call wasn’t for him, but he knew that it was.

Watcher 290202, please report to your Divine Governors immediately, echoed loudly throughout the Temple.

Pete put his club back into the holster on his belt, and he began to cut through the crowd, harshly pushing and yelling at anyone in his way. All he could think of was how much he hated that staircase. He took out his ring of keys and searched through them frantically, wishing that the light above would stop flashing. He jammed the key in the door, stepped wearily through, and let it slam closed. The stairs seemed longer and steeper than ever before. Pete put his hand on the cold steel rail. His movements felt labored as he reached the first stair; with each step after that, his mind raced with more anxiety. He came to the door that he now hated much more than the staircase. He removed his cap and began to fix his hair, hoping his appearance would help him. He pressed the button that sat upon the wall so scornfully. There was a long buzzing sound, and the door swung open. Pete stepped inside, showing that fake smile that carried a dash of humility while appearing to be calm and in control.

Greetings, Divine Governors, he said with a smile. It is a pleasure to see you, Lord Jozel.

He stood in front of the long boardroom table where the Divine Governors sat. There were ten Divine Governors, along with two members that served as council, Dr. Bill Stie and Dr. Thomas Moss, and Lord Jozel, who sat in the middle. Pete’s hands were neatly folded behind his back, and his legs were shoulder width apart. His eyes scanned all their faces. They all stared back at him grimly.

Lord Jozel stood up, and the light from the table cast an ominous shadow on his face.

Take a seat, Lord Jozel said sternly.

Pete, once again carrying the right amount of humility, graciously accepted the offer. He walked to a chair that was in the middle of the room, a spotlight beaming down on it.

I told you, did I not, never to touch the man that you pushed and almost beat to death with your club?

I followed your orders … Pete began but then stopped. He sat dead still. Lord Jozel walked slowly around Pete until he stood in front of him. He stepped back and leaned against the table across from him, where the Divine Governors still sat.

Are you calling me a fool?

No, sir, Pete quickly answered. But I was just trying to point out that the action I took was necessary to get control of the situation, and that man was never in any harm at any time. I would have given my life to carry out my orders.

Lord Jozel’s voice began to grow louder as he loomed over Pete: I know what I saw today. I know what I saw, you damned fool.

Lord Jozel stood up straight, moving away from the table he leaned against, and Pete tried to keep his eyes on him as he disappeared behind him. Lord Jozel put his hands firmly on Pete’s shoulders.

Show him! he roared.

Along the wall, there was a screen that covered half of the room. The incident began to play on it. There were only a few select places that were not under camera surveillance in the Temple. Pete’s face grimaced as he watched. The film stopped and on the screen was a picture of Pete holding his club high in the air.

Peter the Head Hunter they call you. Well, I think you might be smarter without a head. I need not remind you the punishment for disobeying your superiors. Beheading was the punishment for a Watcher who disobeyed the orders of his superiors, the Chosen People. Or would it better suit you that you and that pretty little wife of yours and those two cute children be demoted to Servers and have to work in the Temple? This was the other option, and if one was familiar with the Servers’ work in the Temple, the first option would be preferable. So in the future, when I give an order, I expect it to be carried out to the detail.

Pete just sat there, afraid to even blink an eye.

Lord Jozel shook his head in disbelief as he made his way back to his seat, and the Divine Governors all stared at Pete with their usual looks of disappointment. He was used to this type of berating, but this time there was something that propelled him to defend himself, instead of his usual groveling.

Sir, I … I, remember quite clearly a couple of months ago when you and Dr. Stie came to me and said that no one was to lay a hand on that man. I also passed that direction on to my staff. You also said that you and Dr. Stie would personally deal with any matters relating to 766640.

Stopping dead in his tracks, Lord Jozel took a deep breath to harness his lungs with the air that he would need to counter this act of insubordination.

Listen, you little fool, do you think I believe you?

But I cannot understand. What is all of this concern for a simple Server?

The Chosen People were seen as the closest to Yauna, and they ruled over all things. The next rank of people was the Watchers, and their main duty was to watch over the Servers to ensure that they obeyed the rules set by the Chosen People. It was quite unusual for anyone to care how the Watchers enforced the rules on the Servers, considering they were seen as the farthest rank from Yauna, and, therefore, were terribly abused most of the time.

I’m quite aware that when you go on a tirade, you have no control over yourself. You walk around smashing people with your club, and when you’re given a sacred order in the name of the Yauna, you don’t hear a thing of it. I have watched you for years commit error after error, completely disregarding order after order; but in this case, I will not let it slide.

It was as if Pete had a sudden awakening: his eyes opened wide, and his body language clearly stated that he wished he could have taken back his words.

Lord Jozel had slowly made his way back to Pete, and he leaned forward, put his hands on the arms of the chair, and pressed his face against Pete’s.

Pete tried to pull away but there was no place to go.

Play the footage again, said Lord Jozel.

The light in the room dimmed slightly as the screen lit up with the image of Pete charging toward a man sitting on the floor. Pete’s club high was high in the air, and he looked thirsty for blood.

Play it again to see if he gets my point.

The scene played one more time, stopping just as Pete raised his club high in the air.

When I give an order, I want it carried out to the detail.

Perspiration dripped down Pete’s face.

But he is only a Server, Pete said as his lips quivered.

Roll it again, Lord Jozel said. Play it until he can get it through his head that his duty is not to understand my orders but to carry them out.

But he’s only a Server.

Lord Jozel stepped away and looked back at the Divine Governors in disbelief. He reached out with both hands, grabbed Pete by the throat, and began to choke him.

He’s a Server, though.

They’re afraid you are going to break their machine boy, Dr. Moss said in a dull voice.

Lord Jozel’s eyes grew even bigger, filling with rage. He turned toward Dr. Moss, who sat at the edge of the table with the Divine Governors. He stopped in front of him and put his hands on his hips while he shook his head.

I can’t believe it. No I can’t … I, don’t even know where to start. Filled with rage, Lord Jozel stumbled over his words. You know this is confidential information that is only between the Divine Governors, Dr. Stie, yourself, and me. You know very well that this is sensitive information that no Watcher or Server is supposed to know about. And you take it upon yourself to not only give out that information but to mock it.

Dr. Moss had his arms crossed and his gaze averted, and he slowly turned his eyes to Lord Jozel.

That is because your idea of a machine boy is ridiculous. A person who can work in the Temple tirelessly like a machine, yet who never has to be repaired or maintained like a machine would. He needs no rest, no water, and no food. Can you imagine how profitable it would be to have a Temple full of them, a Temple breeding them? Dr. Moss paused. Does this make anyone else question their sanity?

I need not remind you of what would have become of you with all your insubordinate behavior if your father had not been such a great man, Lord Jozel said. He would have been deeply disappointed in you and what you have done with the legacy he left behind. Sure, you have done some great work; and I don’t need to, once again, be reminded of how you treated the Servers and saved so many of their lives during the last epidemic. I am well aware it could have been catastrophic to our profits. But that will only take you so far.

It is called humanity; you know, showing compassion for a fellow human being.

Lord Jozel pointed his finger directly at Dr. Moss as he talked over him:

I didn’t ask for you to speak. Let’s not forget that I’m still your superior; however, it does fascinate me so that when something happens to a Server, you come running to give your full attention to the matter, but you take no interest in any of our other projects.

That’s because most of your projects are barbaric …

I am not wasting any more time on your incessant arguing! Lord Jozel shouted as he turned back toward Pete. Roll the film again until he gets it.

Pete looked very frail as he sat with his arms crossed, holding himself. As the film played, he looked down, and Lord Jozel grabbed Pete’s face and lifted it so he would be forced to watch.

This was where Dr. Moss noticed something peculiar. There was no