Discipline of the soul. The practice that Olivia spends the first moments awake to gather her thoughts in meditation to think about her feelings and what she will give up for the good of others. Today, like many, she finishes early and must pretend to have her mind full for the hour as her parents Isabel and Peter prepare breakfast: oats and a boiled egg along with a short prayer. Only what is needed and even then that is generous. “May the tenets of prophet Abel guide your way,” her parents say as Olivia leaves. She goes to the heart of the forest, the statue of Abel. Carved out of stone, he carries but a lowly hammer and journal to build a brighter, controlled world. Here in the plaza she would receive her schedule, but today is not like others. The town’s watcher scolds Olivia for leaving the chicken coop open last night, which could have been attacked by predators. “Your mind darkens with mistakes and your devotion for us waivers, young one,” her voice stalwart amongst the trees, “and for that you must be punished. She spends the day in quiet frustration. Things didn’t used to be this way. There was a time when she could talk to her friends without a care in the world and play on her iPad all day long. Then the world went up in flames, hurricanes, droughts, and disasters. Hidden away in the forest, her community blossomed under the teachings of Abel. This fear mixed with faith keeps her here. She arrives back home where she wants her parent’s comfort, but only receives her silence. It would remain silent through the night, so quiet her parents would have never known she had taken her things and left.
Leaving the bounds of her community out into the forest leaves Olivia feeling strangely uneasy. She’s gone on countless trips out into the forest over the years, but never at night, and never unsanctioned. As the harsh concrete edges of the community and the striking structure of Prophet Abel appears less and less visible in the distance, Olivia checks her supplies twice, pauses to send off a quiet prayer, and turns her back on her community, perhaps for the last time. It doesn’t feel like long until the sun rises, bringing with it a creeping sense of loneliness and regret. Her parents must be awake by now, and it’s only a matter of time before she’s declared lost and search parties are sent out for her. She isn’t worried- she’d stopped recognizing the trees around her hours ago; she’s way too far out for them to find. She continues southbound, with her anxieties slowly building up further and further until all she can think of is the measly four days of food and water she has and the seemingly endless woods she’s traveling through.
Another day passes before she realizes she’s come across the same bed of water with a peculiarly shaped stream twice, meaning her direction has been off. She’s lost, and completely alone for the first time in her life. What had she been thinking, to leave her home and family over one lie perpetuated by someone who wasn’t even alive anymore, let alone someone who guided her community through survival for so long? Guilt rises in her as she considers that her prayers aren’t going to be met- she betrayed her family, her community, and her faith, and she broke the number one rule by leaving, so why would she be rewarded with a safe journey, or answers to her questions? Her quest for answers has led her into a dangerous unknown, far from the security of her community. The stories of those who have defied the council and met gruesome ends echoed in her mind, and she knew that if she met a similar fate, it would be deserved. Olivia decides then and there to return home and makes a silent promise that if she returns home safely, she will never question the authority of the council again. She’d do anything to see the strong, harsh slope of Prophet Abel’s statue, beaconing her to safety. She does her best to retrace her steps and ration her food as she continues her journey. She feels the all-consuming solitude creeping in, a terror that grips her very soul. The silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of a bird, is deafening, a stark reminder of her isolation. It’s as if the world is holding its breath, waiting for some impending catastrophe. Suddenly, without warning, Olivia is thrust into the sky, her surroundings spinning, before colliding with the ground, the impact momentarily blurring her vision. The once-thunderous heartbeat in her ears transforms into an ear-piercing ringing, growing louder with each passing second. Panic sets in as she feels a vice-like grip around her ankles, and her limp body is dragged mercilessly across the forest floor. Her consciousness wavers and Olivia finds herself drifting into blissful unconsciousness, escaping the pain and fear that has overtaken her. But soon, the sound of footsteps and the snap of broken branches jolts her awake. Olivia's eyes struggle to focus as she takes in her surroundings—a place near the edge of the forest she has never seen before. Her arms are tightly bound against one of the few remaining brick walls. Three men with distinct circular tattoos on each of their temples, unmistakably scavengers from the outer rink, stand before her. They had seized her bag and what remained of her supplies, including the cherished journal of Prophet Abel. It’s the one familiar object she clings to amidst the pain and uncertainty.
Fear grips Olivia as her mind races through the darkest possibilities, wondering if she will ever see her mother's loving eyes again or feel the reassuring warmth of her gentle but sturdy hands. It’s in this moment of fear and despair that Prophet Abel’s teachings flood her thoughts: "Hold your emotions steadfast, do not allow them to dictate the outcome of your actions. Be sober-minded and glad, through every obstacle, hold on to hope." The words that once felt like a weight on her shoulders have now become a source of solace, providing strength to her weary soul. Her past life in the village—morning prayers, daily routines, her town duties, and the relentless study of the Martyr's teachings—seem like distant memories. Yet, the idea of returning to that life now offered a sense of comfort and nostalgia. With the teachings of Prophet Abel guiding her, Olivia clings to this newfound hope. Gathering her courage, she resolves to escape. She recalls the countless hours spent learning about knot making, practicing the art of tying and untying ropes until every possible combination was mastered. With determined hands, she examines the ties binding her wrists, detecting a subtle weakness in their tension. Summoning every ounce of her strength, Olivia twists her arm and pulls with all her might. The ties give way, unraveling as her shoulder flung in the opposite direction. She smothers a scream, her knuckles pressing into her mouth to muffle any sound. Silently, she rises to her feet, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination, ready to make her escape without looking back.
After freeing herself, Olivia sprints through the forest. She runs until she can’t feel her legs. She tries to search for shelter, finding a meadow with long grass to collapse in. She wakes up wondering how long she’s slept for. “How will I get home? How will I survive?” These thoughts race in her mind and she aimlessly wanders the forest. Hours feel like days. She begins to forage for berries realizing her food and water are running short. Olivia goes to gather, when she is petrified by a figure in the distance. Her kidnappers? The figure is unmoving. Finally, she makes out the figure as another statue of Abel. She runs towards the statue and embraces it. She is almost home. Following its placement, she navigates the forest to her old community. There by the fenced off region she cries for help as two soldiers look onward. “My name is Olivia Rodriguez, I’m Peter and Isabel’s daughter! Please help!I’m sorry for leaving but I need to be let in! I’m being hunted!” The guards mutter to themselves for a few moments before hesitantly letting Olivia in. She rushes towards her house only to find it empty. She searches to find them in the plaza huddled for routine prayer. Of course. She spots her parents and they embrace in a long hug, each of them bursting into tears as everyone else gasps at her arrival. Olivia is apologizes prepeatedly to her parents. All that matters to her parents now is that their daughter is safe in their arms. Olivia exhales a long sigh filled with relief. She knows there will be more punishment from the task watcher, but it doesn’t matter. Olivia is grateful to be with her parents and community again. Content knowing her place back home, where discipline means safety.
