(BANG!…. BANG!)
The gun shots rang loudly on this snowy day in Chicago, Illinois.
The state had been far removed from gunshots; at least 100 years from the war that destroyed the once great country of the United States of America, World War III. What was left was no longer United States, but pockets of people, who striven for peace no matter how they achieve it.
The state of Illinois did that by creating a new government system that still functions. There have been no major incidents since. But today, it feels like the violence of the past had reared its ugly head.
Andrew Prior, the leader of Abnegation and the elected President of Illinois, dressed in his grey slacks and heavy grey button up uniform, is now covered in red.
He was walking out the council meeting room, smiling. Crowds of people, dressed in their faction uniforms were waiting to celebrate the decision just made. Months now, faction representatives had debated, more like argued, whether faction members should be allowed to interact with each other professionally and personally.
People are segregated into seven factions of their choosing; Amity the peaceful, Abnegation the selfless, Artistry the creative, Candor the truthful, Dauntless the brave, Erudite the intelligent, and Ingenious the inventive. Faction members are not only divided by career, uniform, and politics, but also socially, but Andrew Prior wanted to end that.
Andrew preached to the council, a few to death ears, "In order to truly create a society of peace, we must not create false conflict. Our society has been built by segregation, but we need to encourage our faction members to connect academically, professionally and socially. Faction before blood turns friends and family into rivals and enemies. This must end now."
The vote was clear with 3 council members representing each faction:
12 members for the policy (Amity, Abnegation, Artistry, and Ingenious),
3 neutral (all the members of Candor, the usual), and
6 against (Erudite and Dauntless).
It was surprising that both Erudite and Dauntless representatives voted against it when their actual members voted in favor by 71%. Nonetheless their leaders made the decision for them.
The law would go into effect anyways.
Faction members will be working together professionally in advancing the society, and are now allowed to interact with each other during their personal time, freely. Faction before blood was no more. The announcement was made across televisions and live podcasts in people's homes and community centers. Celebrations have begun. Even though some members were nervous about the change, people could see their families again. People could get the help they needed. Friends can even become lovers.
But it all died with Andrew Prior.
(BANG, BANG!)
People in the crowd screamed and chaos broke out with the gun shots. Dauntless security rush to the gunman, who looks to be dressed in dirty ragged clothes of white, black, and yellow, a factionless man, unexpectedly.
Andrew Prior was a proponent of building better relationship with the factionless, the homeless and uninitiated of the society, and giving them more representation in the government. Many people found that to be crazy, but not Andrew Prior. He represented the people, respected the people of Illinois. He believed in change that betters people. So why would a factionless member kill him?
Faction leaders were forced back inside the lobby by more dauntless security, trying their hardest to contain the situation. They now stood in a round room surrounded by glass, the council building, which should be considered unsafe.
But the damage was already done.
Natalie Prior, Andrew's wife and Abnegation ambassador, held Andrew's dying body up with his arm wrapped over her shoulders. Her pain made her weak, and she couldn't carry him anymore. She drops to her knees, as his breath became labored. She laid him on the floor, trying to be careful.
"Somebody! Please get help!" She said desperately, as she used her knowledge of emergency medicine to try to save her husband. She only knew enough to fix up factionless' cuts and bruises, not enough to deal with bullet wounds to the chest.
"Natalie, it is too late." Dr. Jeanine Matthews confirms, in her perfect blue dress, fit for the leader of Erudite.
"Nooo!" Natalie yelled at the leader, doing whatever she could to help him. The rest of the council leaders and representatives looked at her sympathetically, sorrowfully, pitifully. Marcus Eaton, an Abnegation Council member, looked at the scene despondently.
Marcus and Andrew were close, working together through many problems together. Marcus was always in agreement with Andrew, even when Andrew was considered wrong.
Despite that, Andrew never trusted Marcus because he knew too much of the man. In reality, Andrew only worked so closely with him, always keeping an eye on him. That was why he didn't give him second in command.
Andrew gave it to the person he trusted and believed in most.
Natalie was desperate and panicked. She only stopped when her husband placed his bloody hand on her cheek. She thinks it was a gesture of love, but he is trying to tell her something; 'Look Natalie.' She got the message, and turned to see a small blonde 25-year-old woman, dressed in a simple long grey Abnegation dress fit for a leader in training. She looked frightened, with tears falling from her eyes. It was their daughter, Beatrice. That did it; Natalie broke down crying over Andrew's body.
Beatrice rushed to her mother comforting her, which was ironic considering the situation. Beatrice was unsure what to do now, but watch a piece of her die. This had to be the worst moment of her life. But she looked to her father, and he was smiling, still. He reached for his daughter, wanting her to come closer. She leaned down close to his face.
"Don't give up sweetheart, don't ever give up. They need you now, and you will be great for them." He whispered to his daughter with his last breath.
Why would he tell her this? Because now she takes over his job. Beatrice Prior is the leader of Abnegation and the leader of the people of Illinois.
What the hell was she going to do?