Statues

“Do you remember war?” Claude asked while running his hand over a scar on his right shoulder.

“Not really,” Roger responded. “All I remember is that war was pointless. We are much better off without it.”

Claude leaned forward in his chair and stared out into the world. Everything he could see was perfect. The skies were clear and bright, the air was refreshing and clean. Everything had a purpose and nothing was out of place. It was perfect, but Claude found it very discomforting. He just couldn’t forget the events that occurred during his 261 years of life.

He then looked over at Roger and said “I remember war very clearly. I remember it being the single worst thing I have ever experienced. But I miss it.”

Roger’s eyes squinted as they peered over at Claude. “Did you just say that you missed the single worst thing that has ever happened?”

Roger had been friends with Claude for over a century. He was used to Claude’s ramblings, but the idea of Claude missing war puzzled him greatly. As Claude returned is gaze to the world at large, Roger glared at him. He was almost angry at the notion that Claude would miss something that left such a horrible mark on his body. The next few minutes went by silently as Roger wondered what his friend meant.

The Claude lowered his head and said in a solemn voice, “It’s not really war or the fighting or any of that stuff that I miss. It is the freedom. Sure, it was awful, but at least it was our choice. We can’t decide anything on our own anymore. Hell, we’ve been kept alive for over two hundred years because they have no need for us to die yet. Can’t even choose when to die.”

At that moment the air began to buzz. Both men jumped out of their chairs as tiny metallic beads began to form out of thin air. The beads swarmed around the two men. Roger’s heart began racing and his face turned white. Claude stood there, as defiant as ever. Then a thunder voice came out of the sky.

“Per regulation 07-988, this conversation is not authorized.”

“What are you going to do, kill me?” Claude said. “Good! That would finally put me out of my misery.”

The voice replied, “No. Your death would be impractical. You still produce acceptable amounts of Carbon Dioxide and we currently have no need for your blood, flesh, or organs. Your punishment for unlawful mentioning of previous history shall be stasis until we have no more need of your survival.”

With that, the metallic beads rushed inside Claude’s body. Claude let out the most horrific scream as the beads began to rearrange his cellular structure. After about thirty seconds, the beads flew out of his mouth and nose and then disappeared. Claude was left standing there; he was alive, but frozen until They decided it was okay for him to die. He was unable to speak or move. But he could see. He could see his old friend Roger drop to his knees and start to cry. He could also hear. He could hear his dear friend weep and apologize in his behalf. He wanted to tell Roger he would be okay. But he couldn’t. He was now just another living statue that dotted the landscape.