Suzy’s Strange Saga

The Future…

It’s a harsh world.

“Number 660.”

Possibly more than your old one was, but you eventually learned how to deal with it. You even managed to make a proper life for yourself here despite all the trials and tribulations.

You remember how hard that first year with Jack was. Struggling to survive, learning how to hunt, dealing with the elements, dealing with unfriendly people and creatures, and generally just being a “modern” person who didn’t have too many survival skills to speak of and being thrust into a primitive environment.

You think learning the language was the most difficult part. Jack was always a little better at it than you were. You probably still sound like a retard to some folks, but it gets the job done.

“Number 661.”

During those early years you also ended up having to do a few things you never took pleasure in doing, but it was always it was always for survival.

In those instances you were always a little better at that. Jack would definitely always support you, but then he loved you very much and would have followed you into the Gates of Hell.

You suppose it did get to a point where rationalizations really didn’t excuse what you did, but then you don’t think you ever cared about those anyway. You were a woman who was willingly dating a human sacrificing cultist at one time after all.

You smile upon thinking about your old flame. You think Bobby would have fit in very well in this world.

Maybe to some extent, you did too.

“Number 662.”

You think for a while you might have gotten a little colder and ruthless. Seemed like this was a place where the strong ruled over the weak and fuck you if you couldn’t keep up. From what you could tell people here had three choices:

Beg and hope their tormenters took mercy on them, which was almost never likely.

Die and just roll over to accept death because it was preferable to keep living in this shitty world.

Or struggle and fight tooth and nail for what little you actually did have. And in that case you either won or kept it, or you died and lost it.

You know which one you chose.

“Number 663.”

Things did change a little though when you had your first child. You never planned on ever having a family before, let alone one in a world like this one since it seemed more like a punishment than a blessing…but Jack always had a way of making you see the positive.

You loved him for that.

Another child followed and for a while it seemed like everything was going well. You had a loving family, a larger dwelling; you weren’t struggling to survive any more. You even had another baby on the way and you didn’t even mind it.

Hell, you probably achieved quite a bit for a pair of former basement dwellers.

You were starting almost feel “normal” or as normal as you could ever be or get in a place like this.

And then just like everything in your life, it all eventually went to shit.

“Number 664.”

While the occasional wandering ogres were certainly dangerous, they tended to stick a little further north. Other than that dead ogre you saw the first time you came here, you fortunately never encountered one in person again. The freedom fighting elves gave grief to the government, but never really made raids on civilian settlements. Indeed they tended to stay hidden.

The barbarian tribes however were always an ongoing problem in Rask, but you always figured you were far enough away from them and you knew there was at least an Empire Fort in the area they would attack first before moving deeper into more “civilized” territory.

Of course the Empire has always had a hard time maintaining order in this place. You suppose that was one of the upsides of living here, you didn’t need to deal with the oppressive seemingly monolithic government that controls a vast amount of land here.

But it was also a downside as you would soon experience one dreadful day and the fact it all happened in broad daylight does make it seem all the more horrible.

A small group of seven barbarians from the Wendigo tribe suddenly attacked, possibly the most vicious of all the tribes in fact. They attacked without warning and so fast, that your two children were dead before you or Jack could even spur into action.

While you and Jack had long been experienced in combat during your time here, you and he were no match for them or their numbers. Especially in your condition at the time.

You sometimes wonder if a baby hadn’t burdened you, you would have been able to at least save Jack.

“Number 665.”

Before he tried to hold them off to give you time to run, you remember Jack’s last words to you;

Go. Our child needs to survive. YOU need to survive.

You almost didn’t want to. You almost wanted to meet death right there with him, but you think two things stopped you.

One, your will to survive has always been stronger than your defeatism.

And two, you loved Jack enough to honor his last request.

You remember when you managed to get far enough away to the safety of a town; you broke down in tears and cried over him for at least a couple days. You still do sometimes. You miss him so much.

Your eyes tear up a bit upon thinking about Jack and then you hear your number being called out. It’s time to do this.

Maybe you could look after this child, but it would be a struggle. A struggle you just can’t do. Part of you feels like you’re going back to your “old ways” by taking the easy way out, but you haven’t come to this conclusion lightly.

You stand up and make your way to the front of the long waiting room. A tired looking clerk behind a counter looks at you and the bundle you’re carrying.

“Name?” she asks.
“Suzy McCray.” You answer.
“And I take it that this is the baby you wish to put into the care of the Empire?”
“…Yes…”
“Very well. Sign this, and you’ll receive your payment.”
“I don’t want payment.” You say which causes a very confused look on the clerk’s face.
“Don’t want payment? Well that’s a first. We got some people here all the time bringing in babies. Probably stealing them in fact, but at least it’s better than those dark elves do.”
“Well I don’t want payment.”
“Well I’m sorry, but that’s sort of a law. You have to take something.”
“Can’t you just make sure that he’ll be given a good home?”
“I can’t make that promise, I don’t even do that process! I’m just a damn underpaid government drone. If you’re so damn concerned about him, why the hell are you giving him away?”

Just as you’re about to yell at the clerk, another woman walks over. She has long white hair and very dark skin. She’s very pretty. You wonder if this one of those svelk you’ve heard about.

“Frieda, what’s got you all flustered and generally acting like a typical monkey as usual?” she asks.
“Huh? What the hell are you doing here? You slumming or something? Shouldn’t you living the good life in the Emperor’s Palace like my high and mighty brother?”
“Jealousy is a terrible thing Frieda especially when I’ve spoken to Jacob on more occasions than I’d care to and I can honestly say you have nothing to be jealous about… but then neither would he. However, for your information I’m here on official business.”
“Hrm. Well good for you, now let me get back to my fucking job.”

At this point you intervene.

“Look can we please get back to me?”

Just as the clerk is about to say something. The svelk woman speaks out again.

“Frieda. You’re obviously burned out, why don’t you let me take over for awhile?”
“You? Working a lowly job like this?”
“Sure, I’m no stranger in performing tasks nobody likes to do.”
“Fine by me. I’m going on a LONG break.” She says and storms off leaving you and the svelk woman to talk.

She smiles at you in an attempt to be friendly, but right now you just want this to be over with and you’re starting to think this was a bad idea.

“Don’t pay any attention to her, I’m sure you have a very good reason for giving your child to the care of the Empire.” The svelk says.
“I don’t want to, you know.” You say.
“I believe you. I don’t think any mother truly ever wants to give up their child, but if I may ask, why are you doing it?”
“It’s just…(sniffle) I lost my husband and other children in a Wendigo raid and I barely have anything left. (sniffle) I can’t take care of him the way I want to. I mean maybe I could try, but I just don’t have the energy left in me to do it. I don’t have the drive and if I do a half assed job of it and something happens to him because I can’t do my fucking job, then I’m even shittier mother than I thought. I can’t take another loss in my life.” You say trying to keep it together.

The svelk woman nods.

“I see. I think I understand. So what is it that you were exactly arguing about before? I heard something about not wanting payment.”
“I don’t, I’m not selling my baby for financial gain, I’ll be fine. I’m giving him to the Empire because I’m hoping there is an off chance that the fucking government will do a better job at raising him or finding someone to raise him than I can because I’m too emotionally drained to do it any more.” You say.
“Well, I hate to destroy your hope, but many of the children put in the care of the Empire aren’t exactly that much better off. In fact in some cases they might be worse and as for getting someone to adopt, well it’s a possibility a good family will, but usually they’re just passed off to anyone.”
“Great. So this has all been a waste of fucking time. Nice to know the Empire is fucking incompetent as well as being oppressive.”

To your surprise the svelk woman laughs a little.

“You speak your mind. I like that. Hmm. Well, tell you what I CAN put him in the special E Wing.”
“What’s that?”
“Oh just a place where they often put unwanted babies from higher born families. Bastard children spawned by lust that would create social embarrassments, that sort of thing. Typically these children are very well looked after and special care is gone to make sure they aren’t going to sweat shop owners or something equally hideous.”
“And he would get a good home?”
“Well maybe, I should inform you though that it’s still rare and if not adopted within a certain period of time the Empire still raises them directly. These children are typically raised to be officers and commanders in the military. Their training is severe, but the results create very well disciplined and skilled men and women…are you okay with your child possibly being given that sort of life?”

You look down at your baby. He’s been very quiet throughout all this. Hasn’t cried once. Never been much of a crier really. It’s odd. You begin to think about how harsh this world is, and maybe it would be best if your baby got that sort of life. At least he would be better able to survive this world. Much better odds than you can provide.

You begin to sniffle and cry. You nod.

“Okay (sob) okay. Do it. It’s a better life than I can ever give him now. (sob)”
“Very well. Let me have him.”

You reluctantly pass your baby to the svelk woman who smiles as she holds him.

“I’m usually not fond of the way human babies look, but I have to admit, this one is sort of cute. What’s his name?”
“Name? Oh…yes. Well his name was the same as his father’s middle name.” you say and tell her your baby’s name.
“Hrm. Strange name, but then I’ve always found human names a bit weird.”
“Do I need to sign anything?”
“Nah, I’ll take care of this myself and have two of the best workers here take him to the appointed location. Contrary to the horrible lies about my people, we svelk cherish the lives of infants. You don’t worry about this little one any longer, he’s truly in good hands now and will either get a good home or receive the very best training the Empire can provide. You have my word and I say that as one of the Emperor’s top advisors.”

“Goodbye.” You say, tearfully waving at your baby one last time. The svelk woman holds your baby’s hand up and makes a waving motion with it. You can’t stay any longer and you leave the building as fast as you can.

The streets of the capital are busy, but you still manage to find a secluded spot to release your anguish. You still don’t know if you made the right decision, but it’s done and now all you can do is hope.

Eventually in time you manage to get over your loss and move on with your life. You’ve suffered much tragedy, but above all you’ve always been a survivor and you’ll survive this too. Jack was right about that.

Years pass as years always do and eventually you grow old. Much of the political climate changes within your lifetime, but as a fairly mundane citizen who never makes waves and knows how to keep out of the way during times of strife you’re never ever in the middle of it.

You spend your remaining years living day-to-day and occasionally brightening up you life by dwelling on happier times.

When you finally die, it’s not an important death, as you were never considered an important person. However you and your decisions probably made more of an impact on this world than anyone would ever really know.

For it was your little Francis that grew up and became…

ETERNAL