by Max Barry

Latest Forum Topics

Advertisement

2

DispatchBulletinNews

by The Republic of Deerfenland. . 18 reads.

Junie Joseph: The Ever Complete Story

Source from Junie Joseph's Diary

"I want to be a champion skater or a writer. I want to be different than everybody else. I want to be a movie star. I want the world to know my name. I want the world to remember me as a beautiful legend in history. I want to be an actress. I want to study languages. I want to travel. I want to..."

The sun started to rise over the city of Zhumu. Signs that were formerly in Mandarin Chinese were broken down by Alerians and Tiristanis. They were replaced with the English translations. The city glistened in the bay that separated Ostlea, the Deerfenese region, and Zhumu, the A&T region. Zhumu's businesses were opening.

The roads started to rise and crowd up. The sun rose over the city. The bell all the way from Ostlea sounded off. The customs and the border security woke up. The arms sounded off waking up the city. Gunshots flooded the air. People rose as they went outside to worship the leader of Aleria and Tiristan, Alexi Gryaznov.

Over the hills, along the coastline, and in the outskirts of town lays the labor camps. The people got set up for their day of work. Already a total of 4,600,000 Deerfenese have died and 5,000,000 had been imprisoned in these camps. The Abby Labor Camp is one of the more infamous ones. It housed Junie Joseph and her siblings.

Every sign in front of the camp entrance said one thing in English "Scum shall never be set free". The Deerfenese have been treated like scum in Alerian and Tiristan. What started as segregation moved into more. When the Afro Caribbean Republic leased Zhumu to A&T a few days before Big Shaq was sworn in, that is when the camps were put into use.

Slave ships were sent from the docks of Alexandra, Neu York, and London. They would line up and be sent around Oskarheim and Atheenos to make a short pit stop in the Alerian Sea. Once in the islands, the boats would fill up tanks, they would feed the captains, and they would stock up on food mostly for the captains. Prisoners were only fed once every two days.

The ships had very harsh conditions. Cholera was spread through the nasty water, and on one ship. there was an Ebola outbreak which killed every prisoner on the ships and the captains. The Alerian and Tiristani government played this into their hands saying that Deerfenland had planned this so they would have people in the camps, but in reality, it was the nasty water. Death on the ships was a toll of 3,000 people.

Once arriving at the docks, the people were told to separate into trains. They were separated into nine groups; Abby, Salisbury, Chester, Shatterwharf, Amberfield, Jasmine, Whiteshire, d'Antinne, and Abandonnée. Those were the trains to the camps that they would have to take. A lot of people knew that they weren't coming back and that this was a death sentence, but some people like Junie Joseph had hope for the future that they thought they would live up to.

"Scum!"

"Dimwits!"

"Swines!"

"Filthy Deers!"

Those were not all but some of the words faced to the people at the camps. The camps were in very shabby condition. They were full of rodents, bugs, and most notably lice. Not only that, but the water was foul. The danger of the impured water was that it could make for more outbreaks of Ebola or Cholera within the camps which could eliminate 90% of the camp's population.

Little did the camps feed the prisoners. They had a feeding schedule. It was three times per week. Water schedule was more flexible, but they made people work in the sun. In the Abby Labor Camp, the people had to dig, break rocks, move trunks, and clear pathways all in the hot sun. They were not treated as people. They were treated like subhuman animals. Many people ended up dying of heatstroke where they worked. A few of them were lucky to see another day of hell.

-

Dear Charlie,

This place is garbage. My people are dying of causes that were put in place by the camp. My sister, Zoey, is extremely sick with Cholera, my brother Carmen is kind of sick with Genkum, my mother was shot and killed in Salisbury, and my father is showing early signs of Genkum from what I heard. We were separated from our families. My siblings and I were sent to Abby and my parents were sent to Salisbury. This is a living hell. I missed Greta and Summer. I miss Ji Tao and my love, Odelin. I know Heston has died of heatstroke in Amberfield. They make us work in the conditions that not even prisoners have to work in. It is only the Deerfenese set in these horrid camps.

It isn't fair at all. I just wish that justice was coming. I wish that the people could see that what is happening isn't right. I wish people could figure out that the camps should be liberated. 1,000,000 have already died. How much worse should this get? My darling, Odelin. I miss him to the brim that I would jump over this fence and head into Deerfenland just to catch a flight to London to see him. I couldn't see him until he tried to liberate my ship single handedly. He knocked 2 captains overboard. But, he was sent to his home, and threatened that he would face being in a camp. He was from the Haitian Province.

I hope the future will look better than this. I know that it will.

Cheers, Junie
-

August 7, 2015; London, Aleria and Tiristan

Junie's POV

I woke up wanting to tell my family a story that I wrote in my spare time. People always said that I was a prodigy at writing. My family always said that my essays were good enough to write a book. My story that I wrote was called "Quack Quack Quack".

My family was downstairs eating breakfast, so I walked to the dinner table with the paper that my story was on. The dinner table was covered with a white tablecloth. The room had a chandelier. I was ready to read the book. I called attention to the table. They all looked at me. I smiled and bounced up and down on my toes. I was nervous, but this was my family.

"Hey, guys!" I said bouncing,

"Good morning, dear." my father replied,

"I have a story. Can I read it?" I requested,

"June, we would be happy to listen."

"Once upon a time there lived a duck named Mrs. Butterscotch who lived with her children in the pond ruled by a swan. This was not a nice swan. 'Quack quack quack' went Mrs. Butterscotch," I started, "'Keep your voices down!' Said the swan, his feathers in a ruffle (Quote from Anne Frank) 'Be quiet or I will bite you and you will never quack again!' Mrs. Butterscotch looked at the swan 'You will not bite these children.' She said sternly. The Sean replied, 'I do what I please.' He then bit the children. 'Help us, mother!' Yelled the children. Mrs. Butterscotch began to quack and quack and quack. 'STOP IT!' yelled the swan, 'Stop that annoying quacking!' But Mrs. Butterscotch did not stop until the swan flew away and they all loved happily ever after singing quack quack quack."

I concluded the story, and gave a little bow, and left for my stroll around the neighborhood and city with friends. My friends, Greta and Summer, met me at my house, and we had to stroll around. I am 12-years-old, and you were allowed to walk alone at 10. We started walking around, and we saw this little shop. I saw this little journal in the store window. That had my eye for so long. I
whispered to my friends.

"My dad is getting me that for my birthday, and I am SUPER excited!" I was jumping,

"Lucky," Greta said,

"Yeah! What do you plan on writing?" Summer asked,

"Well, I don't know. Probably diary entries." I responded,

When an hour passed me, Summer and Greta went home. I started walking home with a huge smile on my face. I wasn't watching where I was going, and I bumped into a boy. We both fell to the ground and went right up.

"I'm so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going!" he cried,

"No, no. It's okay." I responded,

"Are you sure?" he questioned,

"Yes. Really." I said smiling,

"Okay, then. I'm Odelin," he said,

"I'm Junie,” I responded smiling,

Turns out that we lived right next to each other. We started walking back. The kid was only around 5'0, but he was wicked smart. He was funny. I smiled at him when we were walking back. I saw familiar sights around London, an example being the clock tower, Queen Elizabeth Tower.

I knew from that moment that we would be good friends.

New Year's Eve, December 31, 2015

It was that day again. New Year's Eve. It was like the reality of a new year and the reality of a new shot was coming true. I was intrigued and excited about it. The new shot and opportunities that could be coming. I was ready to start to pursue my acting career. I have just turned thirteen, so my family won't treat me like a helpless child anymore. Sure, I have been allowed to wander the streets, but on the inside and behind closed doors, my family is very protective. Zoey and Carmen tease me calling me "the baby of the family".

However, what starts as well doesn't always end well. What else was happening was that our little town was a little far away from London. We live in Calabuja, which is a small town that was completed with a bunch of business buildings, homes, schools, shops, libraries, and even a little town square in the middle of town with a park. However, in London, which is only around sixteen miles away, there are some new anti-Deerfenese propaganda signs. The new Aleria and Tiristan is cruel to Deerfenese.

Even if everything is going on, I still have hope for the future. I still believe that things can change in a moment if we wanted to change the future, it is in the hands of you and me. We need to emphasize that. We can't change the future if we don't want to change it. We need to change the world.

What is happening is that people are rallying for the slave labor of Deerfenese people. People are shouting some very choice words. Around the Tower of London. Onto St. James. And even all the way outside of London Heathrow and in Hyde Park. The bringing up of the case of Abeo Abegunde. Abeo Abegunde was framed for the murder of Analise Williams, a businesswoman. He was later proven innocent because of a Deerfenese boys soccer team finding that the murderer was the coach of a rival team.

Ever since that case, Alerians and Tiristanis have been easily pinning the blame on Deerfenese people. They call the inferior race, and they should be destroyed. They have forced many into slavery as well. Zhumu was the new Special Administrative Region that was leased, but nine camps are already set up there. Salisbury is the most infamous. I shudder to think about such stuff.

I go over to Odelin who is standing alone in the park. I meet with him and wrap an easy arm around him. I could tell something was on his mind. I didn't know what. I just decided to walk with him for a little bit. His very little hair making his head cold. I smiled.

"So, what is on your mind?" I ask him quietly,

"I'm scared..." he responds,

"Why are you scared?" I query,

"The protests. The propaganda. The words. It is too much for me." he panics,

"We will be okay. I promise you." I say squeezing his hand

We just keep walking around the docks. The docks had very blue water, and the sun can be even brighter in that. I smiled. I loved the sight of this town Calabuja is very beautiful. We walk around the docks and take a seat. I wrap an arm around his shoulder and I tell him the story "Quack Quack Quack". He is the first one to hear it, but he loves it. He also subtly roasts me.

"Is it called Quack Quack Quack because all you do is talk?" he smiles

I laugh and punch the shoulder. I knew he would crack a joke out of it. I just saw that coming. That is what he does. He cracks jokes out of pretty much everything you can think of. I continue to tell him the story as the sun sets behind the rocks. My arm still wrapped around his shoulder.

Diary Entry of January 15, 2016

Happy New Year to you! I have more to tell you. Zoey has officially been named a goddamn pushover. A lot of people at her school called her "worthless" and "a sucker" and she took them to heart and locked herself in the bedroom that she SHARES with me!

In other news, more people have been sent to labor camps. A notable person that was sent to a camp was my best friend, Greta. She and her family were sent to a camp called Salisbury-Buckanham. I pray that she and her family will be alright. I am scared for her.

Salisbury-Buckanham is a scary place to hey sent and sentenced to. The scariest part is that nobody has come back.

Cheers, Junie

What I think might be wrong is the way that people see. Deerfenese are people too, but we are treated as the scum of the human race as of we did something wrong. They blame us for the economy. They blame us for murders. They blame us for the dumbest stuff. I don't see what we did.

Anyway, through all of the rows that I have had with mummy and through the struggles, I was excited to get to the bakery with Carmen.

When we got there, we were refused service from the Royal Bakery in Dublin. We had to find a way to take a stand for some reason. I warned Carmen every second I could.

"We will be sent to a camp!" I fire to him,

"June, I don't care! We must take a stand here!" He fired back.

We took a seat at a table nearby and people started to throw hands at both of us. Punch after punch we received. However, we did not let it move us. We sat there until we were thrown out onto the grass.

It was a real waste of time...

January 25, 2016

Dear Charlie,

I have just about had it. I am about on edge with Zoey. She is such a fricking goodie-two-shoes. She is always the most polite and I get referred to her. When I behave "badly", everyone says, "Why don't you act more like your sister?" or "What is wrong with you? How are you related to Zoey?"

When I get these questions, I will either shrug them off, or I will snap at them telling them to back the hell off or to shut the hell up. Sometimes you have to snap at people even if it is disrespectful.

You mustn't be afraid to piss people off, my dear Charlie.

Cheers, Junie

February 14, 2016

Dear Charlie,

Talks of hiding have increased. The nextdoor neighbors just got their call-up letter to the docks. As sad as it may seem, we might be going into hiding in the near future.

The scariest part of in all of this is that I see no end to it all. Odelin is one of my only sources of comfort because everyone else thinks I am weird or crazy. Other than writing to you, I almost have nothing else.

As long as my family has each other, we will rise up. Anyway, I have jokes.

Q: How many Pandemoniumians does it take to liberate camps?

A: 5,000,000. And that still isn't enough. Fricking cowards...

Q: How many Alerians does it take to screw in a light bulb?

A: 7. One to put in the lightbulb and six to blame the Deerfenese for failure.

Cheers, Junie

February 14, 2016

School started. The bell rang and sounded off to the beat and the march of the kids coming in. Teachers were getting set in. Ocean left behind the ball we were playing with outside. Laughing, she ran off and I waved. Summer slapped my back with a heap amount of force in it.

"Gah!" I shouted,

"Gotcha good!" she yelled

I looked out into the distance to see Heston playing with a group of boys. He looked and slightly waved. I smiled lightly and went inside with my giant army and clan of girls. I looked at Odelin and Ji Tao playing on the playground with a baseball they found. They stared at us when we walked into class.

Inside of class, Mr. Conways waited for us to take out our pencils and journals for us to start writing down our lessons for the day. Our whole class groaned for awhile, but we managed to get our stuff out. Today's lesson seemed more boring than normal. It was about the laws of physics.

July 2, 2016

Life moves well. Life is great. The sun will shine. The birds will sing. It will be a bright and beautiful day outside of your home and it will be a nice day in Calabuja. I took a step outside to take a breath. The air smelled of fresh flowers. I walked to the town square to pick up a few things for dinner. I just wanted to hang out with Odelin, Greta, Summer, and Ji Tao, but it didn't appear THAT was going to happen today, so why not?

The sidewalk, the trees, the grass. It all looked more beautiful than before. The people were walking along and waiting for the time that the propaganda would stop, and they would be free to move back to London. Calabuja was nice, but it was only set up for Deerfenese people who had to move here to escape and find refuge from the evergoing abuse and propaganda in the city. The only other place was the Alerian Sea. The island chain had islands full of Africans. However, the Alerians and Tiristanis fought and took over those and sent all Africans to Zhumu.

I looked into the store window. Ocean's was run by Ocean Street, who is only fourteen, but she can run a pretty successful business. I walked in and looked for some of the best and fresh produce that they had to offer. I found some of the vegetables that were needed, but I still needed more, so I went to Taimane's.

There, I found the tomatoes and the chicken that was needed for dinner. I walked out with the two bags in hand.
Right on the way back, I bumped into Odelin. He was walking on the sidewalk. When I saw him, I bumped fists with him and continued on. I was tired, but I needed to get home.

When I finally reached, I saw a letter at my doorstep. I picked that up and brought it inside. It had the official logo of the Alerian Ministry of Defense and the logo of the Alexandra Secret Police. We opened it and we saw it was addressed to my sister, Zoey. The note read:

This note is addressed to Zoey Joseph,

You have been selected to be sent to Zhumu to work in the camps. We need you to report to the docks of Neu York for you to participate in your service. This is a true honor, and failure to do so will be treason. If you refuse to do so, you will be brought out with force or you will be shot and killed on the spot. If you report to the docks, you will be arrested gracefully, and you are less likely to have bigger responsibilities. You are doing a great service to the fatherland and if you refuse to do so that is treason. We hope to see you in the Neu York docks.

- Alexandra Secret Police

I was scared. Zoey had the possibility of being put into labor camps. We told father about this. He panicked. He made a direct phone call to the people who ran the Secret Village Warehouse. He made the call and told us to get packing quickly. Before we could run out of time. When I started to pack, I packed all of the clothes I could pack, and then I packed the birthday gifts that I acquired. When everything from my room was taken out, I turned to look. I felt something was missing. I put my luggage onto the table, and I had to make one last visit.

I decided to visit Odelin one more time. Just one more time before I go into hiding. When I arrived at his doorstep, I rang the doorbell. Ocean opened the door, and I asked her if I could see him. I explained my situation and she felt sorry and opened the door for him to talk to me. He arrived at the door, and I had to tell him something.

"Sweetie, I'm going away for a while. I'll be back later." I told him,

"When will you be back?" he asked me with a pinch of worry,

"I don't know, honey. However, when I will be back, I will be back here and I will take you to Ostlea." I said to him with a smile,

"Oooooh!" he said bouncing up and down, "I'll be here!"

"Goodbye, sunshine." I say,

I wrapped him into a hug, and I kissed his cheek before I put on my trench coat and left. I went back to my house and took my suitcase. I took one more look at Odelin as Ocean wraps an arm around him and takes him inside.

"I will always love you..." I say as a tear goes down my cheek.

Source: Junie Joseph’s Diary

Diary Entry of 07/01/16

Diary,

So, I know who may or may not be reading this will probably be Heston, but this is somewhat addressed to Greta, Summer, and Odelin. So, recently, I moved into a place called the Secret Warehouse. This warehouse is in the middle of nowhere, so we took it over and made it our home. People work, so we have to stay extremely quiet. Even if we have to go to the bathroom. Outside of the back window is a good view of London. When you go upstairs three floors, there is a shelf. You move the shelf and there is a door. You open that, and you will see two bedrooms.

One is my mother’s and the other is my brother’s. Then, you go up another flight. You will see four bedrooms. One is Zoey’s, one is my father’s, one is mine, and the other is Heston’s. When you go up, there are three more. One is Mr. Bradenbush, one is Mrs. Bradenbush, and the other belongs to a co-worker of Dad.
I moved everything in. After the bedrooms, there is a kitchen, and after that, there is a little room. That room is for baths. It doesn’t beat my old place, but it beats being in a labor camp in Zhumu for sure. We need to be invisible day and night. When the lights are on, we must shut the window. We must stay completely quiet through everything. My mother wanted to bring a different family, but that didn’t work out because they had many kids, and it would be difficult for them to stay quiet.

Love,

Junie

July 3, 2016

I walk back to my house. I take another look at it. The fresh white sidewalk. The black streets. I will end up missing it more than anything. I already know what happened to Greta and her family. They were sent to Salisbury to never be seen again. I already know that Greta’s brother and her mother were killed. Death was unavoidable at this point for her, but I hope that I am sent to Salisbury, the most infamous camp, just to see her.

We take our bags out to the courtyard and we went back into the house. I took one more look at the house that I used to know. I had a feeling that I would never see this house. I left my cat alone with food and mush. I kissed my cat, and I left. I knew it. I could feel it. We were not going to be found by the Alerians and Tiristanis. Not ever.

We walked out of the house in the freezing cold rain. Trench coats over us as we took a short walk to the warehouse outside of Calabuja. We took our suitcases and put them down. We called on the three helpers that would help us in the hiding from the Alerians and Tiristanis.

Okonkwo Munachiso, Olisa Chizoba, and Jacqueline Jerome walked into the room. Okonkwo Munachiso took the bags upstairs into the rooms. Olisa Chizoba let in the Bradenbush family. Heston walked in with his mother, Marie France Bradenbush, and his father, Roosevelt Bradenbush. They came with their bags and took a seat inside.

"Alright, so if you follow me, you will find where you will be staying." Okonkwo Munachiso stated,

"Quickly." Olisa Chizoba scurried with our stuff up the stairs,

We walked up the stairway. The long staircase was noisy and screechy. There was nowhere to go but up. When we arrived in the place, we discovered that the windows were shaded up. The lights were wired in. Beds were put in already, and it was just time to decorate. Since it was Sunday, nobody is likely to be working today. We didn't have to be as quiet.

Daddy decided to write a schedule for the days. It was a really complex schedule, but in simplified terms, we had to wait until 8:00 before we could even move. After breakfast, we would have to tip-toe back to bed and wait until 3:00 before we could use the restroom. Then, we would go back to beds or chairs to find quiet activities until 6:00 PM. At 6:00 PM, the warehouse would close and the people living in the attic would be open to move around freely, but with caution in case, somebody was working overtime.

They led us downstairs where there were two bedrooms. The wood floor squeaked and the shoes marked the wood floor.

"Alright, here are the first two rooms." Mrs. Chizoba said, "These will belong to Emma Joseph and Carmen Joseph."

My mother and brother moved into their small and somewhat cramped rooms. They had to put some personality into it. Mrs. Chizoba led us back and up three stairs. There were four bedrooms. They were also cramped, but I saw one with a shelf and a nightstand for a lamp and a desk. I automatically thought that that room was mine.

"Alright, these rooms are here." Mrs. Chizoba began, "These belong to Zoey, Malcolm, June, and Heston."

I was thankful that I was on this floor. I sprinted for the door. I captured the room and I slightly closed the door. I didn't want to be heard if there were people in the warehouse. I set down my diary. I opened it up to see a picture of Odelin and I sitting at the harbor. I smiled, but cried at the same time. Is this what my life has become? I opened my diary quickly to jot down a letter and maybe an entry.

I put my diary away. I was not tired whatsoever. I could hear the rain pounding the rooftop of the Sekrč Kache Tach. The rain pounded. I wondered one thing. How could this happen? Why do we have to stay so quiet? Why did we have to wait to move around?

Then, I remembered. Zoey was summoned and called up for her time in the camps. We had to hide quickly. We found a place, and I don't think that the place will be found. Not ever. We were called upon. We did not report. How would the people at the docks of Neu York react?

I looked. The place was really well built. It was basically a house. The bed was put against the wall. I had to keep the paint brown as if nothing changed. We had to leave our phones and electronics at the house because they would make noise. I dreaded leaving my only contact with Odelin away, but it had to be done.

Heston walked into my room with his cat and he just simply asked me one question,

"How are you?" he asked,

I looked at him funny. Could he see that I was in a state of remorse? I couldn't wait to retreat from this hiding spot and find Odelin. I could hardly wait to find him and take him to Ostlea. That was a place that I would always love to visit.

"I'm fine. I just miss my friends." I said,

"Greta or Summer?" he asked,

"Both. However, I miss Odelin as well." I say

"The eleven-year-old?" he says with disgust,

"You have a problem?" I shoot back,

I admit. I was a little too far in defense. I had to remember that we have to stay quiet or this hiding place will be found in a day or a month. Without hesitation, Heston gets up and leaves. I can't remember a time when I was happy. When I could have a carefree life.

I walked up the stairs for lunch. I remembered to tip-toe up without risk. I took a seat and I quietly waited for mother to be done. Across the table, I saw Zoey and Carmen sitting waiting for food. I turned and I saw the other family. We had automatically taken a vote on a family friend to save. We voted to save Jose Abraham, a co-worker of Daddy. I wanted to save Odelin, but I remembered that he was safe with Ocean.

I have to remember to not to let anything get me down. Mother took out the food. It was a Haitian Cuisine. It was a tough move, but the food made it better. I finished the food in a hurry, and I went down back to my room to sleep to pass the time until I can move again. I pulled out one of the books Odelin gave me. He wrote it when he was ten. A Path Not Taken was the book. I opened it and read until I fell asleep.

July 8, 2016

I woke up the next day. My bed's sheets in a ruffle. I rise to my feet. I tiptoe up the stairs for breakfast. It is Friday morning at 5:00 AM. We get set at the table. Breakfast is upon us before the workers could arrive at the warehouse downstairs. We need to make sure that nobody hears us.
Okonkwo Munachiso went to the store to pick up store products that he cooked in his home last night. He delivered them directly to our main helper, Olisa Chizoba. She put them in a basket. Daddy set up the plates before anybody was ready to eat. She placed the basket inside and on the table.

She urged us not to leave any food. We smiled with pleasure and set up our plates. Mummy smiled, "Oh dear. We forgot to say grace." The Bradenbush family looked. Zoey laughed, "No, mummy. That would take time. We are on the late show. We have an hour to eat." Mummy laughed and went back to her food.

Heston looked at me. I look back at him. I squint. I look at the bacon and eggs on my plate. I finish quickly and I still feel Heston staring. I slam my fist on the table and I storm out. I go back to my room and I shut the door. Pictures all over the wall. I stare at it. Then, I see the paper
from "Quack Quack Quack". I smile. I look back from side to side.

I get our visit from Olisa Chizoba. She is usually the one that tells us when to report back to our rooms and be quiet. She opens the door and walks up. Before she could speak. I give an envelope to her. Inside contains the letter I wrote to him and the story. I put an address on it and I put a fake send address on it. The story is that we were in Athenon, The Crowned Democratic Monarchy of Atheenos.

"Hey, Olis. Can you deliver this letter to me?" I inquire,

"Sure, June." she says smiling,

She walks back upstairs and tells the rest of the people that they need to take the rest of their food to their rooms because opening time is soon. The rest of the people scramble to their rooms getting their quiet activities out. They have to stay in one spot for the whole day and they could only move if they are getting the activities.

I sat on my bed just finishing my breakfast as the people scramble to their rooms to sit. I was tired, but I knew that I would be expecting something from Odelin in the near future.

The toilet is off limits until closing time. We have to use the toilet before the people showed up for work. We stood in a line just waiting for the restroom to become unoccupied after breakfast. We just stood waiting, and when the clock hit 6:00, we were in our rooms and in our positions.
It is supposed to be lunch time. However, this isn't a weekend. This is still midday on Friday. I am reading the book given to us by the Pilsudski family. Reymond gave me the book and I really enjoy it. It is about a character named Kya. She has dead parents in her family, and she has to overcome that with the Pandoskan troops closing in on their hometown.

I am in Chapter 3. So far, the mom and dad have died and she has been sent to the Pandoskan Internment Camps for Toshavoans. Ethnic Toshavoans. I am shocked that this is happening. The Toshavoan Internment happened in 1946 after the fall of the Toshavoan Democratic Republic.

Kids from all over have bit the dust. Already a total of ten boys from my class that I knew have already been sent to a camp. I continued to draw connections from the Toshavoan Internment to the Jenosid, as people all over the world are calling it.

The Toshavoans were being blamed for hurting the Pandoskan economic downturn. The Deerfenese are being openly blamed for ruining Aleria and Tiristan. Many people were arrested for no reason because of new laws in both nations. The laws got rid of voting rights, citizenship rights, and some other rights. Then, they were put in camps.

Toshavoans were put in internment camps and weren't meant to die, but if they did, so be it. Deerfenese Alerians. That is another story. When they are sent to camps like Salisbury or Abby or Whiteshire, they weren't supposed to come back. They were supposed to die.

I was at the part in the book where the main character, Malinska, hid in the bushes and waiting, and when she turned around, she was caught. She was taken from the back of the shirt and dragged onto the bus where she was taken to Shunko. She later has to find a new family there.
I am stressed. I think about what could happen if we are caught. Then, in the middle of my thoughts, Zoey walks into my room. She took a seat on my bed. She started to whisper to me, so we couldn't be heard.

"So, what do you think of these quarters?" she murmurs,

"I think it is cramped." I say back,

"I know. But, find something to do." she mumbles,

"Okay, sis." I answer back,

I start writing my diary entry for today. Zoey just sat looking at my perfect penmanship. She is taken aback. She is
shocked about how good my writing apparently is. I smile while writing. I was excited for the end of the day when Oslina was to deliver our mail. Especially the mail from Odelin and Ocean.

Olisa walks into the room. I smile warmly. The people that worked in the warehouse were on their way out and the coast was clear. We were allowed to move freely. Olisa walked into the kitchen and placed our mail on the table. Except for one piece of mail. And that was the piece of mail that was put on my bed.

I practically run to my room to see a smiling Olisa give a small curtsey to me. I see that it is from Odelin. I practically tear open the small little letter in the small little envelope. I open the letter that reveals a note from Odelin. I smile as I read it.

-

Junie,

A lot has happened while you were gone. People in your grade at school miss you a lot. They ask me where you are. I don't answer because you told me to keep the whole thing a secret and I respect it. I hope that this letter gets to you in time. I don't tell them because it would risk you and your family's safety. I even found a safe hiding spot for the letter you gave me. Ms. Olisa gave me the letter. I can't wait to see you again. Even if it takes ten years.

Odelin

-

I smiled at the note. The Haitian Creole penmanship was completely perfect for his age. An eleven-year-old boy who is trying to understand why I left? My note wasn't too complicated for him, but I think that he could hardly understand the worst that could happen to me if anyone were to find out.

I got on a new note for Odelin right away. The note didn't take long at all. I walked back up after the note. I took a little visit with the Bradenbushes. I walked to the attic to see Heston. He had to transport beans. I took a seat to see him struggling. "What are you doing?" I asked him. He looked at me. "Oh, I was just moving this downstairs for dinner," he said. He picked it up, but there was a hole in it.

The beans spilled out of the bag and onto the cold, wood floor. Onto my head and face. I started laughing as I was shielding my eyes from the falling projectiles. We walked downstairs with a new bag of beans and we gave it to Mummy. His father came down. "Oi. What was that noise?" he asked.

Heston looked nervous. His father came over and slapped him across the head. He wasn't fooled. "Heston, why do you always have to mess things up? Why do you feel the need to screw up?"

Heston looked at his father and retreated downstairs. I chased after him. "I think it is horrid the way he treats you." He looks at me with a smile. "I can get over that." I laugh and I embrace him quickly. Dinner was ready so we walked back up. The table was full of talking adults. Carmen, Zoey, Heston, and I joined in in the conversation.

"June. A joke for you." Mr. Bradenbush says, "How many Alerians does it take to change a lightbulb?" I looked puzzled. Zoey shrugged. As did Heston and Carmen. "What?" I ask. "Seven. One to change it and six more to blame Deerfenese for failure." he started laughing. So did the whole table. Zoey took her glasses off and shrugged. We laughed along. Maybe hiding wasn't as bad as it is portrayed.

December 24, 2016

The months went by. Many holidays that used to be celebrated by our families were put on hold. Leif Erikson Day. Halloween. Alerian Independence Day. Tiristani Independence Day. Alerian and Tiristani Unification Day. Those holidays were celebrated in the slightest during the time where we couldn't make noise. However, I always noticed that outside and during the night, especially in the holidays, police patrolled left and right. In other words, even if we dressed up for Halloween, we wouldn't be able to go out because we would be at risk.

However, Olisa always made her daily or weekly trips for mail. Everytime that we got mail, I noticed an increase with Odelin's writing quality. Sentences came more in-depth, more talking by him, and his penmanship only got better on the day. Then, like a lightbulb, Christmas came. You know what that means. The warehouse is empty. That means that today and tomorrow, we will be free to move among the home.

The covers on my bed were warm. Then, my eyes opened. The calendar on my door read that it was the 24th. You know what that means? It is Christmas Eve. I am excited. I leap out of bed to discover a note on my desk. I quickly opened it up to see it was from Odelin. He has become my lifeline to the outside world. The note had a Christmas Tree at the bottom of the page and I read the note.

-

Junie,

Merry Christmas. Today, I hope you can enjoy the freedom to move around more. Back in Calabuja, life isn't as difficult as you would think. Ocean gave me an iTunes card, a Deerfenese flag, and a Santa hat. I gave her a stuffed animal that was shipped to me by Xiankun from Ostlea. I also gave her a new book that you recommended to me. She loves it a lot. Anyway, I also sent a basket of cookies, Haitian cuisine, and some other really good dishes. I hope your family, the other family, and your family's acquaintance will enjoy the food.

Odelin

-

I smiled as I greeted all of the fellow people at the table for breakfast. Maybe this was going to be a good Christmas. We haven't quarreled yet, so that is a start. We sat at the dinner table staring at each other. Daddy finally said words to all of us. "So, all of our presents and gifts are over there." Zoey and I finished quickly and we went over. Then, followed by Heston and Carmen who were talking about the recent book called Darkness.

Then, the Bradenbush family followed and then our family followed. We quickly opened them, and the only gift I could remember was the gift of teddy bears that Olisa sent. I loved them even if I was thirteen.

"Thank you, Ol." I say smiling,

"You're welcome, June." she answered,

Then, the next day was Christmas. Then, my birthday hit. I rose up on Wednesday, but I couldn't make noise or run. I just calmly waited for everything to come by. The workers were in the office today, so it was back to the normal schedule. I waited for the end of the day for my gifts. However, Heston didn't wait. He came by with his gift to me. It was a necklace made out of beans. I loved it.

Olisa came in with the gifts and mail, and immediately, I saw a box from Odelin and a note. I opened the note and saw the chocolate. I smiled to myself warmly. Heston and Odelin put a lot of effort into their gifts.

-

June,

Happy birthday. Turning thirteen today, I see. May this be a year of remembrance. Remember who is behind you. I still can't wait to see you again. Enjoy these chocolates. I remembered that you loved these when you forced me to go shopping. What do you know? This really does help!

Odelin

-

Day after day. Week after week. Month after month. Life went in the Ančks Sekrč as normal. Quiet days and warm and talkative nights. People argued. People agreed. People were family. Celebrations were celebrated. Appointments were taken. Heston and I grew closer in 2017. We then got into a relationship. I felt as if he was the right one for me. However, as life went on, I grew farther and farther from Odelin. Odelin would send me letters, but they would remain unresponded from me.

For my birthday and Christmas, he sent letters and gifts, I remained focused on Heston. His gifts. His time. However, I never took into account that the diary I used to write about my experiences? It was a birthday gift from Odelin all those years ago. Heston and I hung out in the attic and listened to the church bells. We fell asleep there on Sunday. Everything in the Ančks Sekrč was perfect. Then, on my fifteenth birthday, everything went wrong.

December 28, 2018

As it seemed, the conditions for Deerfenese Alerians were getting better. Fewer slave ships were coming back. I knew what was happening. Deerfenese BARRACUDAS had interrupted the line between slave ships and Zhumu. More ships were being liberated in the Emerald Sea. I was joyous of this news.

Earlier today, Olisa brought back strawberries for my birthday. I was very happy about it. Presents for me were on my bed. However, there was one issue. And it is that the Alerian Secret Police are patrolling the city.
As life went on today, we heard a knock on the door. The door opened, and the Alerian Secret Police came in and told us all to put our hands up. The people upstairs had their hands up, then, they took Zoey and me from my room to the living room, then they took Carmen and Heston and put them in the room as well. We had been caught.

"Nine of them... How long have you been hiding here?" he asked our father, "2 years, sir." Father said. We were panicking in the room. They knocked some of the pottery on the ground and stared deeply to us. His glare filled us all with fear. He pulled out his gun. She shot a bullet to the roof. "You have five minutes to get packing," he said alas.
I hesitated to go back to my room, but I had to go back. I teared up as I tried to put my shoes on. Out of nowhere, Mr. Abraham came and tied my shoes for me. I teared up and hugged Mr. Abraham knowing that this could be the last time I would see him and everyone else in the Ančks Sekrč.

I quickly packed my clothes and I packed my diary in my bag. I put a scarf over my head and I walked to the living room. "I'm ready, Father," I said with tears in my eyes. Soon, everyone was done packing and we all made our way downstairs and onto the bus to the docks of Neu York. We were loaded in and we looked at the warehouse that had been our home for years.

The ride was bumpy. Speedy bumps and bumps in the road were always hit. A few hours after we boarded, we reached the docks of Neu York. We were put in line for the ships. Zoey and I were put in the same line. Heston was separated from his parents and our parents were separated from us. Carmen was put somewhere else.

There, I saw three figures in the shadows. Three boys. They swooped down and fought. The fought for liberation. They made their way on my ship to fight for us. A quickly recognized the face. It was the boy that I had seen all those years ago. I embrace him quickly as I disappear in the shadows of my quarters on the ship.

Diary Entry of 7/13/2019; Junie Joseph's Last Diary Entry

Diary,

Strangereal's last days for me are coming. Death might be inevitable for me. I can't tell what is wrong with me. Clothes and beds and sheets and pillows are all infested with lice. My sister, Zoey and my mother have died in Labor Camps. Zoey died in my arms. Her corpse fell onto the hard, wooden floor. My mother was shot and killed at Salisbury. Abby is full of lice and full of death from which nobody can escape. Many have died of heat stroke in the hole we had to build and dig. This place is awful. I couldn't help her out. I feel really bad. Carmen tried to convince me that everything would be alright. That we were still alive. I don't feel like his words were in any way accurate. Zoey and our mother have died. I might not have been fond of our mother, but everything is taken from me. Zoey. She was the sister that loved me the most. She loved me more than Heston did. Carmen helped me through the dark times as well. Now, I can't bear to wear my clothes. My clothes are infested with lice, I am sick, and now I am itchy all over. I can't survive here. I can't do this anymore, and I feel like I might die soon. The Alerians and Tiristani have taken everything I had. They destroyed everything I had.

We were put on Slave Ships from our home in Aleria and Tiristan! London is full of troops. Alexandria is full of people being fatally shot on the streets by the "superior" race. Our village. Our little village was invaded and sacked. Haitians were dragged out of their homes and taken in chains to the docks. They told us that we had five minutes to pack, What we didn't know was that I, Carmen, and Zoey would be sent to Abby while our parents were sent to Salisbury. My boyfriend, Heston, was sent to Amberfield. He ended up dying.

I can't bear to wear my clothes. They are so itchy. I wrapped myself in a blanket. I was still itching. Zoey couldn't remember her hopes and dreams, and that broke me. I am a Deerfenese girl that was living in Aleria and Tiristan and is now imprisoned like a caged tiger. Hopes are lost with prisoners. There are none in here. If I could talk to one more person, it would be Odelin. Just to have one more moment like we had in the auditorium before my performance. It would mean everything to me. Odelin, if you are reading this, I love you. More than anything. You were my sunshine in those years growing up. Maybe, I can see you later in life. Maybe someday, I can love you. Maybe, I can visit you at some point. I am always going to be with Odelin. Ji Tao, I thank you for being my friend as well. I know that you guys are fighting for rights. The whole camp knows what you two and your friend, Tyler, are advocating for. I can't thank you enough. But, as it seems, I am going to die. I guess this is farewell.

- Junie Joseph, Remember my Name

Abby Labor Camp; 5:03 PM; July 13, 2019

Too long. Too tired. Too sick. Zoey has died in my arms. As if I said I was going to die, I fell ill. Typhus with the lice crawling from the clothes in. The labor at the camp is horrid. People must dig a giant ditch in the camp. Many people died today from heat stroke. Life is horrid. Nothing could get worse. The barracks don't have a solid roof to keep us from the rain. I am tired and I need to lay on my bed before they give us our tiny bit of food.

Odelin's POV

Flashback: Junie's School Play; August 8, 2015

Today was that day. I knew that it would be very important. Junie is very important to me. Today is her school play, and she wants me to come to it. She is playing as the aunt in the play, 'My Dear Aunt, Rosa'. She was always in love with movie stars and stuff, so acting is perfect for her. Her skills also align with a lot of good actresses.

Yesterday, she held my hand at her party. I knew that her father was too busy with work to give her the notebook she wanted, so I decided to step in. That was my gift to her, and she loved it. I feel like I have something for June that is greater than a friendship, but I am too scared to tell her. What if she doesn't feel the same for me?

Before her play had to start I took a little walk around the neighborhood with her. She went on about how excited she was about the play. She then went off on how much she hated Heston and how he was a dope and the only reason that she was nice to him was that her family has strong relations with his.

Alas, great things have to end. The clock struck seven. It was time for her to go inside to warm up, and I had to find my way in, but she didn't go right in. She took my hand and started running inside. I struggled to keep up, and I thought that she would pull my hand off. She took a hard left and I bumped my head. She stopped and apologized, and kissed my forehead, and lead me into the auditorium. She found a seat in the front, and sat me down. She sat me on her lap for a really touching moment.

"So. What do you want to be when you grow up?" she asked me while rubbing my hair,

"I want to be a baseball player." I replied excitedly,

"I can't wait to see you grow up, then." she giggled,

"What do you want to be?" I asked,

"You're so cute. I want to be a movie star." she said getting excited, "Look at the time! I have to go backstage!"

She hugged me quickly, and started off in a run. That was a really touching moment between me and her. It is a moment that I will never forget and I remembered it when I saw her on the stage. I was excited to see her. I smiled when seeing her on stage. The stage light dimmed. A small, blue light shined on June. She opened her eyes and clapped. She started to sing and dance at the same time. I was excited. I loved watching her act.

When the play was over, I walked out to meet her. She picked me up and swung me around and hugged me close to her. She started jumping up and down. Her performance was one of the best I have seen in a while.

"Oh. My. God! That was sooo fun!" she exclaimed,

"I can see that." I exclaimed,

She took my hand, and we walked back. I thought we would walk back home, but we walked to the pool. She led me through the double doors and into the pool complex. She took her stuff off to reveal her bathing suit. She leaped in.

"Come on in here, the water is fine!" she exclaimed,

Present Day; Mrs. Addler's Mountain Retreat

The bus went up the hill. I am still sad. I cannot feel more alone right now. The people around me are trying to convince me that they know what it feels like, but June was the love of my life. She was taken away from me. The resentment I feel toward the Alerians and Tiristanis. I am, extremely upset now. I can't think about anything but June.
When the bus stopped unveiling a camp with fake guards and everything, we took off everything. We walked into the camps for the barracks and called our bunks. I stopped for a second. I looked at my swim trunks. I remembered Junie and I's fun times together.

Flashback; August 8, 2015

I was a little hesitant to jump in the pool. It was 8:30 at night. I walked near the edge of the pool but didn't jump in. Junie grew impatient. I felt a hand grab on my leg. It dragged me in and I went in with a splash. Junie spun me around and looked me in the eyes. I was dizzy. She chuckled and kissed my nose.

"Gotcha good, didn't I?" she grinned,

I groaned, but then smiled. I knew June was up to no good when she did that. I laughed it off, and we started to race to the end of the pool. I started strong, but June came up from behind and beat me. She laughed at the end and noogied me. I laughed it off. June was definitely my best friend.

Present Day; Mrs. Addler's Mountain Retreat; 7:30 PM; Sunset

I couldn't take it anymore. I had to take a step outside. I put my jacket and shorts on and took a step into the courtyard. There were games like basketball and soccer there. On the little ledge area, I took a seat. I looked down. I couldn't help it anymore. A tear fell. Then, two. Then four. Then ten.

I couldn't stop crying. June was dead. She died of Typhus. I can't remember a time when I was happy, and it definitely isn't now. People think I am weak because I took a step outside. The sun was rising over the mountains. I remember when I was watching a sunset with June.

Then I realized the harsh reality. My only sunshine is dead. The only thing I could look forward to. The only person that I could talk to about anything. She is gone forever. Like my dad.

Abbey Labour Camp

Junie Joseph fell out of her bed lifelessly soon after the entry. I rushed over to my dead and motionless sister. I glanced toward Zoey. Why the hell must it be me.

Months after her death, we were liberated. I walked out of the camp with freedom. I looked in my barrack once more. I saw June's diary and Zoey's glasses. I gathered them both and went on the boat.

Once in Ostlea, I reunited with Father, who told me that Mother died in Salisbury-Buckanham. Then, I told him what happened with Junie and Zoey. I cried as I pulled out the diary and glasses. Father hugged me until he told me, "Airport." We walked to the airport to catch a flight back to London. Immediately, I saw Odelin with Nicole getting back to London. I drew a small wave to him.

He waved back and I saw his number on his arm. "A-1404". He walked over and asked me "Where are Junie, Emma, and Zoey?" I didn't have the heart to tell him that his almost girlfriend was dead. I just told him, "They're on another plane back to London."

He nodded and walked back over to the girl who was fixing his wounds. I could see the pain and anguish in his eyes. I saw him cry. I saw the girl near him patting his shoulder. "Tyler died in Salisbury..." he whispered.

I walked with Dad on the plane. When it took off, I could see hundreds of sick, homesick, hungry, traumatized, and scared Deerfenese trying to get their lives back together.

When we landed, Daddy and I sprinted out. +We were anxious to get back to the Ančks Sčkrč. When we finally got there, I saw Olisa and her husband who hugged us both. "Olisa, it's great to see you again." Dad said,

Olisa lead us inside. "Where is Emma?" She asked. I looked at her. I saw Daddy tense up. "Emma is not coming back." He said, sadly. Olisa patted his back calmly, "And the girls?"

"They are not coming back, either." Dad said.

We returned upstairs where I gave Dad the diary. He started reading. Page after page of knowledge. He put it down at the end. He fell to the floor crying for June as I could see. I cried as well. What is sad is that June's diary had been kept for us for years. We never knew how she felt of the arguing and quarrels and life in the Ančks Sčkrč. We are just reading it now.

Discussion Time

The Republic of Deerfenland

Edited:

RawReport