TITLE: Kindred Spirits

SUMMARY: Nuclear war has been fought. Communtication between the countries impossible, and society has broken down. America has a new Government and new laws have been implicated. But Bella Swan is determined they won't ever beat her down…

WARNING: Death, violence, rape, angst, smut.

PAIRING: It will be Bella/Emmett eventually.

PROLOGUE

"The following will come into effect immediately. Anybody who fails to react promptly to instil these laws into their lives will be punished severely. Any deliberate attempt to disobey will be dealt with promptly and severely. In light of recent events, a decision has been taken by the Centre to instigate the following laws. We emphasize that this is law. The following laws are now the basis of this society.

Number One: All women who are members of a Class One family must marry within a month. If you are already married, you are exempt. However, if your husband is Missing in Action, then you will be formally declared a widow, and you will marry again. If your family fails to find you a suitable husband, a husband will be chosen by the Centre. If your husband is from another Class, then your marriage will be declared null and void and you will marry within the specified time limit. You will adhere or submit to the consequences.

Number Two: Women are no longer their own property. You are no longer allowed to have a job. You no longer have any rights to an education. You have no right as an individual. You will not be permitted to leave your home without a male escort. You belong to your father, closest male relative or your husband, depending on your circumstances. This applies to women from all classes.

Number Three: Any woman from a Class Two or below family will marry within two months. If you are already married you are exempt. If your husband is MIA, then you will be formally declared a widow, and must re-marry within the specified time limit. You are not permitted to marry a man from a Class One family. If this is the case, your marriage will be declared null and void, and you will marry within the specified time limit. If you fail to find a suitable husband, a husband will be chosen by the Centre.

Number Four: All men will be immediately employed in some form of labour work: Men from Class One families as managers and owners, men from Class Two and below as labourers. No exceptions. If you believe you are exempt, you must put your reason in writing and submit it to the Centre by the end of the month. Your situation will be removed. You will not start work until a conclusion has been reached.

Number Five: Exemptions are the disabled, whether physically or mentally.

Number Six: A curfew is now in place. No person is to be on the street after nine pm. Anybody caught breaking curfew will be arrested, charged and fined.

Number Seven: You are not permitted to carry any item that could be used as a weapon. No axes, knives, guns, or work tools are to be carried on the streets. Anybody caught with any weapon will be arrested, charged and jailed for a year.

Number Eight: Assault, whether physical or sexual, murder, rape, and violence are illegal. Any person who commits these offences will be arrested, charged and jailed for ten years. Anybody who is found guilty of murder will be hanged. We ask women to remember that you may not bring charges of assault or rape against your husband.

Number Nine: The right to a trial with a jury is suspended. All legal judgements will be made by a Centre-appointed judge.

Number Ten: A child is any male under the age of sixteen. Girls may marry at fourteen, and must be married by sixteen. Girls become adults when they marry. This concludes the new regulations. You will be informed immediately of any changes. Ignorance is not an excuse for disobedience.

I turned away from the sign feeling honestly sick to my stomach. So that's it. No warning and no arguing; now the thing is done. Of course there had been rumours that the centre were planning something like this – and I, like so many others, had ignored those rumours, thinking they couldn't possibly be true. War broke out, war was fought. And war changed the entire world.


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