Marital Law Read online

  “This. It’s the journal of Beatrice Munford.” Ellen said, and I could tell from the way she was holding the thing that it contained some pretty horrific things.

  “Do I even want to know what it says?”

  “You have to. Everyone should know what she did!” Ellen said forcefully.

  Taking the book from Ellen, I sat on the toilet and began to read.

  Beatrice Munford

  This is the moment I’ve been waiting for, my chance for a new start. I will remake this world, and I alone will rule.

  December 2020,

  I was elected as the first female President of the United States. A historical event in the eyes of the country, the world. But for me, it was so much more. I've been in secret negotiations with China, Russia, and the United Kingdom, for over a year now. My plan will soon come to fruition, and when it does, the entire world will bow to me.

  October 2023,

  Three years into office, and I really can't say anything's changed. This system is wrought with idiots! Men jockey about for position within my cabinet, but none of them seem to have a clue. I've attempted to put forth a few bills, a few proposals, but the House and the Senate can't seem to agree on anything, so they end up dead. This doesn't surprise me in the least—I expected as much.

  November 2024,

  The election has everyone going a million different directions, and no one has a clue about what I'm getting ready to set off. In three short weeks, I will unleash a massive nuclear bomb on the same three great superpowers which conspired with me to do the very same thing on the other countries around the world. Once they are out of my way, I will blame the attacks on Russia. While the smaller countries go after them, I will drop another bomb on the Russians. In a few short months, I plan to eradicate all competition, and then I will enact Phase II of my operation: Supreme Power, Supreme Leader of the World.

  December 2024,

  I intentionally bombed all major U.S. airports, power plants, and a carefully selected list of homes of high ranking personnel and their families. Blamed attacks on North Korea, and in turn, blasted them off the map as well.

  Fires raged for months throughout the country, and with the electricity now gone, it actually provided much needed light for those still alive.

  Rioting, looting, and all out race wars killed off the majority of the other people that on my kill list. With the so called smart and rich people out of my way, Phase III of my plan would soon see the light--even if the free world might never see it again.

  February 2025,

  I just issued a statement via a secret sound system I had installed after I knocked out the world’s power. In detail, I told the survivors what was left of the world, demanding everyone disarm and pledge their allegiance to me (Phase III). They unanimously agreed. Two days later, I ordered strikes on all the leaders left in power throughout the world: they have now been eliminated.

  April 2025,

  Just removed all males from office, and locked the majority of them up in the nearest prison. Created a new order keeping force, called the Monitors. This group consists of men I personally handpicked and trained since they were only teens. They are fiercely loyal, and deadly. I have over 150 of them, and they were instrumental in ridding Washington D.C. of the ancient system and anyone who goes against me.

  August 2026,

  My reign remains unchecked. I have killed all communications with the outside world, effectively shelling the U.S. from outsiders. I am in the middle of constructing a new plan that takes men out of their role as head of the household and puts women in their place. This was always my plan, my desire. Men have destroyed everything good about this world; it's time for a change.

  April 2026,

  Just renamed our country Providence, and broke out the major cities into regions: North, South, East, and West. Women now run things: they hunt, they plant, and they punish the unlawful. It is now time to put my hand on the union of marriage: women will soon marry at 16, and their spouse will be handpicked by their mother. Men will forever be submissive, and never be in charge again.

  September 2026,

  In an effort to break the monotony of this life, I've decided to give other women the chance to fight for and take another woman's husband. This will be done in the arena, which I plan to have built in the coming months. I don't want male or female to grow content. This will keep everyone on their toes. A woman who loses a challenge for her spouse will be afforded a rematch, if desired, but upon losing a second time, will forever be without that mate. This little challenge for your mate game can only occur twice in the life of a marriage. Win both battles and your marriage is safe forever.

  December 2030,

  I recently drafted a rather extensive list of ordnances and regulations, known as the Munford Laws. These will further keep my people in check and prevent any attempt to remove me from my reign. My personal favorite is the Marital Law, because it has provided me with more entertainment and delight than I thought possible: women have died in battle, some have broken out in tears, and some have even left town. The latter are eventually hunted down and crucified in their hometown, as a deterrent to other possible cowards. I drive a hard train, and cowards and traitors are swiftly dealt with.

  March 2035,

  As I grow older, I worry everything I've set in place will be lost without a proper heir. I've decided to have a child, a female, of course. If she can please me with her ability to lead, I will allow her to take over in my stead. If not, she will be banished to the outer regions.

  December 2036, Allison Munford was born today, an ugly little eight pound girl. I want no part in raising her until she reaches eight years old. At that point, I plan to groom her for this position, this honor.

  December 2044,

  Allison began her training today, and I already fear I've made a mistake in thinking even one of my own blood could replace me. She's slow, she's clumsy, and can't seem to wrap her mind around the fact that playtime is no more. She will have no choice but to learn all that is required, or else she will be forced out.

  April 2052,

  My daughter has grown in all areas: she has become a warrior in the arena, she single-handedly planned and executed an attack on a group of dissenters that tried to seize the Capitol, and she has hardened her heart towards all men, thinking them only good for pleasing her. All of these are reasons why I still detest her. We are too much alike, and I envy her youth.

  July 2060,

  As I lie on my deathbed, I can see nothing but hate in Allison's eyes towards me. She wants me dead, wants my power. If there were another I thought could lead my people, I would ban Allison and put them in charge. But there's only me and her.

  Allison Munford

  My mother has passed on--good riddance! I couldn't stand the sight of that old windbag any longer! A new chapter has begun, and I'm the one authoring it.

  I'd had enough. There were more entries in the journal, at the hand of Allison Munford, but I was pretty certain they displayed the same or even worse than her mother's evil, conniving ways. Beatrice Munford is the reason we are all living in squalor. Her and her descendants. I couldn't believe it. Such madness. And it had worked. She had taken down powers that had been in place for centuries.

  “Pretty heavy stuff, huh?” Ellen said, looking down at me.

  “All of this,” I said, waving my hand around the room, “is because of one woman's obsession for power. I'm in complete shock at what that woman has done, what she set in motion. And it seems her offspring only gets worse. I'm afraid to read about all the madness Allison Munford brought into the world.”

  “Allow me to spare you that much,” said Ellen, reaching out to take back the book. “Suffice it to say she struck down any other group or faction that dared stand against her, and she made sure everyone knew it.”

  Getting up from the floor, I still couldn't believe men used to be the ones in power and women were the caregivers, the stay at home moms. It was just mind bogg
ling to think men could actually handle the pressure we dealt with on a daily basis. I tried to picture Caleb, with his dislike of blood and animal guts, attempting to shoot and clean an animal. No way that was ever

  happening.

  The older gentleman smiled at me and said, “Hard to believe us men used to actually order you women folk around, huh?”

  Smiling back I said, “I'm pretty obvious, huh?”

  “Like an open book,” the man replied. “Don't worry though. My wife, Emma, had the same look on her face when Ellen showed her the journal.

  “I think it's time we rewrite history and get rid of the Munford's for once and for all! Our people should be free to decide what they want to do, how they want to live, and who they want to do it with!”

  Looking at the old timepiece around her neck, Ellen said, “We have exactly fifteen minutes to get you to the square, where you will confront Marcella. Are you ready?”

  “Are you sure she will show? I mean, there’s a fugitive on the loose inside the Capitol.”

  “She’d rather be struck down than miss a chance to address the people. You good?” Ellen replied.

  “I’m very much looking forward to this.”

  After dressing me in monitor garb and tucking my hair out of sight, Ellen and the old man maneuvered me out the rear of the Capitol building and into the midst of a group of ten or eleven, heading in the direction of the speech. I worried someone would notice me, thinking at every turn I would be surrounded by monitors and carted back down to the dungeon.

  Fortunately, no one really even looked my way. Everyone seemed so enthralled with MOM and what she might say, they couldn't care less about an escapee.

  Before I knew it, we were right smack dab in the middle of the procession and I could see the monitors stationed outside the main entry awaiting Marcella. I scanned the crowd, praying I didn't run into Kaylee and her crew, which now included my Adeline.

  I quickly put my head back down when I spotted them not more than thirty feet from me. Of all the people, it was Adeline who I’d locked eyes with. It was brief, and I prayed she didn't recognize me in my new get up.

  When a loud horn blared to signal Marcella was making her way to the podium, I almost wet myself. My heart was working triple time, and the ever-present worry that I might suffer another asthma attack found a place inside my head and refused to leave. Luckily, there was also the recent memory of being inside the wall and defeating the oncoming attack...the two were putting on quite the battle in my mind.

  Marcella, dressed in what appeared to be leather pants and a shirt with the sleeves cut off, placed her hands on both sides of the podium, and scanned the crowd. She wore long, dangling earrings, tattoos covered her arms from shoulder to hand, and the oversized hat on her head made her look like a mosquito wearing a turtle shell. She had an air of arrogance, a way of looking down on people, thinking she was better than all of creation. She seemed completely oblivious to the fact that she looked ridiculous.

  Chapter 29

  “My people. Thank you all for gathering here today for my address to the United Nation of Providence,” Marcella said. And then she waited out the loud chants of “MOM!” and enough hand clapping to shake the earth beneath them.

  Motioning with her hands downward, Marcella quieted the masses like an arrow through the heart might silence a squealing pig. “My people, I am here today to tell you of my latest endeavor. For years I have labored to bring the forest dwellers to justice. As we speak, my monitors, led by General Solomon, are on their way to their village. They will all be executed on the spot. Gone are the days where I give them grace. They have turned many of my people against me: your brothers, sisters, mothers, and surprisingly, some fathers.

  They are all deserving of death! Once they have been executed, we will burn the forests to the ground. Never again will my people even think to turn against me!”

  I glanced over at Ellen, and her look told me she was just in the dark as I was on the part about killing everyone inside the forest. My legs grew weak at the thought of them harming the dwellers and the children.

  Another loud chorus of chants and raised fists erupted throughout the crowd. The people were out for blood and I couldn't help but think I'd be right there alongside them, had it not been for the events that had occurred over the last few weeks. I began to wonder at what point Marcella Munford would think she'd crossed the line. Never.

  “For my final announcement of the day, I would like to bring forth Sonia Rashellus.”

  My heart skipped a few beats. I hadn't seen my mother since I'd returned, afraid to place her in danger for my actions. I feared what Marcella might be up to, knowing I'd regret it no matter what.

  Two monitors, one on each arm, guided my mother towards the podium. I wanted to rush over to her and smash in their faces. It was evident they were holding her against her will. I felt Ellen grab my arm, holding me in place.

  With my mother deposited not more than two feet in front of her, Marcella said “Since this woman has lost control of her offspring, I've decided to increase the amount of times a woman can be challenged in the arena for their mate.”

  My eyes bulged, my heart constricted. I felt my feet moving forward, while Ellen did her best to keep me in place. The crowd seemed just as shocked as I was, evident by the hushed whispers and murmuring amongst themselves.

  “What do you have to say for yourself, Sonia?”

  The new order should've shaken my mother, but she didn't act fazed. She said, “If this is your will, then let it be so, MOM. I did my best to raise Sidnie to follow Munford Law. If she has indeed gone the way of the dwellers, then I stand behind her.”

  The crowd went crazy. A chorus of “traitor” chants roared through the crowd, until Marcella once again shut it down. “Then maybe you need to be locked up as well, Sonia. But for now, I think we need a little fun to break up the boredom of this life. What do you think, my people?”

  More roars of approval ensued. After the crowd quieted, Marcella said, “Bring out Wayne Rashellus. Let's give the future brides in the group a chance to see what they could soon own.”

  I didn't think it possible my heart could ache more, but seeing my father led out in chains, tore me apart. He looked sad, old, and tired. I'd never seen him so exhausted, spent. And he'd lost his signature smile, something that had become his trademark over the years. I wondered if I'd ever see him smile again, if I'd ever call him father again, for that matter. Unfortunately, once a male was lost in the arena, even their children from a previous marriage could no longer contact them again.

  Ellen still had her hand on my arm, steadying me, but I wasn't going anywhere. I had to see this thing through, no matter the pain, the hurt.

  “Who would like a chance to fight for this man, in the arena?” Marcella said, as they deposited Wayne in front of her, next to Sonia.

  Two women made their way forward, and I recognized them immediately. The Darcy sisters. The two that had taken Black Death from me years earlier.

  “Since we are changing the law by adding an additional opportunity to battle for one's spouse, how about we also allow two women to have one man?” said the vocal one of the two.

  Marcella didn't like being put on the spot, but in this instance I could tell she quickly warmed to the idea, and judging from the chanting crowd, they were also for it.

  “My, my, what a great idea,” said Marcella. “I will allow it.”

  Foul, was what I wanted to cry out, but I knew it would do no good.

  I could see Ellen nodding her head next to me, mouthing, “It's time.”

  Tearing off the hood covering my head, I yelled, “Since we are looking for something to break up the monotony around here, I'd like to issue a challenge to you, Marcella Munford!”

  Her eyes zeroed in on me, drilling holes through me like a mole burrowing its way into the ground. I could almost feel the heat shear through my clothes. “What? Foolish girl. You can't challenge me. I am the founding moth
er of Providence.”

  “Why not? Where does it state in Munford Law that MOM cannot be put to the test? Why should you be any different?” I pushed, seeing Marcella Munford's anger deepen.

  “Seize her, guards!” Marcella said, pointing to the monitors closest to her.

  “Are you afraid she might best you in the arena, MOM? Surely you are not afraid of a young little girl?” Ellen stoked the already blazing fire.

  “Afraid? Me? Of this, this criminal? She's no longer a citizen of Providence. She deserted us for the dwellers.”

  “Then prove it! Accept the challenge! Show your people how the great and mighty leader can handle herself in battle!” Ellen continued.

  A few others voiced their agreement, slowly at first, but eventually picked up speed. Before too long, a large portion of the group was chanting, “Arena! Arena!”

  Fuming, Marcella silenced the masses. I saw nothing but hate in her eyes. After a few beats, she said, “If asthma girl thinks she can defeat me, then so be it. You will have your day in the arena. But first, Sonia and the Darcy sisters will do their little dance of death. Tomorrow at 9:00 in the morning, Wayne Rashellus will await his new wife, or should I say wives.”

  Another chorus of cheers erupted.

  The monitors grabbed my arms and twisted them behind my back. They led, dragged me in the direction of Marcella Munford. As I passed my mother and father, I could see tears in both of their eyes. Sonia Rashellus didn't cry, so I knew she was worried for me—for us all. I said, “It will all be okay, Mother. It will work out.”

  With a look of disgust, Marcella said, “Your naiveté is consistent with your age, Sidnie. Your mother is getting up there in years, and she will soon battle not one but two women, two younger women. And you, well you just signed your death warrant. I train every day for the arena, little girl. I just hope you don't expect me to take it easy on you.”

  Directing her words at my mother, Marcella said, “You will fight tomorrow, and Sidnie and I will battle the next day. This will be your only chance to tell your daughter good-bye.”