I’m King

9) mercy

Conrad had been friends with Jessen for so many years that he couldn’t remember a time without Jessen in his life. Jessen was one of his best friends. He had always been a ‘f**k you’ kind of person which irritated Conrad who enjoyed following the rules set out to protect them. They had some crazy memories together from Jessen's antics. Running from the German police on Euro tour came to mind. He wouldn’t have changed his friend for anything.

But sitting here, now, under Gia’s gaze that Conrad could not read, he wished his friend was not so reckless with rules. Most people were struggling with the no s*x rule, hell, Conrad had wanted to take Kat a couple times since The Blackout, but he knew that Gia made that rule to protect everyone. Childbirth could be lethal and no one was ready to raise a child yet. Let alone Jessen. But he would have to. Him and Leoni would have to do it by themselves because Gia was clear: if there was a baby, they would be banished from the community we lived in. The safety but more importantly the resources. Maybe Gia would be lenient? Maybe she would let them stay?

But she still hadn’t said anything. The entire room was quiet. Waiting. As if the King was making a judgement. They all watched her, waiting.

“I don’t know what you expect me to say?” Gia finally looks at both Leoni and Jessen. Neither of them spoke though so Gia continued, “I was very clear. You have to go.”

“What?” Leoni’s voice was teary with disbelief.

“You b***h!” Jessen stood and looked as if he was going to lunge at Gia. Out of some primal instinct, Conrad did the same to place himself in front of Jessen.

“Sit down,” Conrad spat through his teeth. Jessen turned his head to look at Conrad.

“You just gonna let her do this?” Jessen spat right back.

“No one lets Gia do anything,” Kiki said from her spot next to Kat, “You broke the rules. It's time to pay the price for your actions.”

“This is not fair!” Jessen shouted. Leoni sobbed on the couch. Bless his soul, Jared attempted to comfort her.

“Calm down,” Aly said, “perhaps there is something we can do? Gianna? Have mercy.”

“Please,” Leoni whispered out.

“Have mercy?” Gianna said in disbelief, “You expect me to have mercy? For who?”

Conrad did not expect her to say that. Seemed like no one else did either as they were all quiet. Even Jessen, who was now shaking in rage.

“For you two?” Gianna continued, “I should have compassion for you two? You broke one of the only rules I have put in place. You decided to have baby making s*x after I told you not too. Do you think I make these rules for fun? Do you think I made the rule because I wasn’t getting any so no one else could? No! I made that rule because of how dangerous bringing a child into the world is. Not only could Leoni develop an ectopic pregnancy - which could kill her – she could also develop an infection, her body could reject the baby, she could have any number of deficiencies, she could go into early labour, the baby might get stuck and Leoni needs a c-section, she could bleed to death following child birth, she could get a post birth infection among many other things. And those are all things that could go wrong with Leoni, never mind the child.”

“Exactly why we should be able to stay,” Jessen cut in, “So Leoni can get treatment and help from...”

“I was not finished talking,” Gia said. Conrad could see she was getting angry. Very, very angry, “These things might have been treatable before The Blackout with doctor who trained for decades. But what now? With teenagers who didn’t finish high school let alone had enough time to finish medical school. And pharmacists who haven’t been able to make all the kinds of antibiotics, antifungals, ARV’s, antidepressants in case Leoni has postpartum depression. If they haven’t perfected the adult pills, what about child pills?”

“I...” Jessen started again but Gia pushed off the wall and stalked towards him.

“Shut up!” she snapped, “You are asking me for mercy. So, I will ask you again; mercy for who? For you two? Or for the people sitting in the university right now, who have told me they are not ready to help with child birth yet by the way. Should I place them into a situation they are uncomfortable and underqualified to be in? Let your or your child's potential death weigh on them for the rest of their lives? Scare them out of being a doctor, or nurse or midwife and wasting a year we don’t have to train someone else to where they are? Or worse, have others quit and take their knowledge with them and have nobody ready for a real emergency? Should I ruin someone else's life over your mistake? Maybe even have someone take their own life because they could not live with themselves if you or your baby die.

“So, I am going to ask this non-rhetorical question again: who am I having mercy for?” Gianna directed the question to the entire room, “Mercy for Leoni and Jessen. Or Mercy for the aspiring medical professionals?”

The room erupted in discussion. Shouting and arguing. The room was divided on what to do. Conrad was torn. On one hand, Jessen was one of his closest friends. But on the other, Gia was right about the people studying to become medical professionals. But those things could still happen to Leoni if they left, she would be at a greater risk of dying if she left. But they went against the rules. Maybe it was time for Jessen to pay for his crimes.

Gianna finally whistled to get the rooms attention. Everyone quieted as she spoke, “I see we are not in any sort of agreement. The Council will meet in the Lapa to vote. Jessen, Leoni, you may each have a person you trust to sit in and confirm the vote is fair.”

“We don’t get a vote?” Jessen’s voice has a bitter tone to it.

“Does a convict have a vote in their trial?” Gianna counters.

“You really are a b***h,” Jessen spits at her. The liquid doesn’t reach Gia but she wipes and droplets off her cheek.

“Yeah,” she says casually, “But only to people like you.”

Gia grabs her radio from its holster on her waist and hands it to Jessen.

“They have 10 minutes to get here,” she says before walking away.

~

“So, wait,” Jen said while waving her hands around, “we don’t have a vote?”

“No,” Gianna said flatly, “You are here to make sure the votes are correctly tallied.”

“But there’s only five of you,” Grizz counters. Grizz was Conrad’s best friend. They had known each other since grade 8 when Grizz’s family had moved from America and been inseparable since. Grizz was working in The Defence as one of the trainers. Grizz and Conrad had bonded over hunting, both being an amazing shot, and later of doing boxing and jujitsu together. Grizz was Jessen’s choice and Jen was Leoni’s.

“Why do we need to be here,” Grizz was still confused about the whole thing.

“In case anyone contests the votes,” Gia explains, “It’s just to make sure everything is fair.”

“Okay then,” Grizz takes a seat.

Conrad had never actually been in the Lapa. He did not enjoy swimming so found no desire to be out here. Jared and Kiki normally sat out here with the kids over the last few months of summer while they swam. It was very cosy with lots of cushioned chairs that everyone started to sit on.

“Okay,” Gia said from her spot on her chair, “We will all vote. If anyone wishes to contest the decision, you will have a chance to speak and another vote will take place that will be final.”

Everyone murmured their agreement.

“We will all close our eyes. Grizz will then say vote. If you wish for them to stay, sit. If you wish for them to go, stand. Grizz will count down 10 seconds and then the vote will be tallied. Grizz will then say all sit. Once everyone is seated Grizz will tell us we can open our eyes. Everyone happy?” Gia explained.

The general consensus was yes.

“All right,” she turned to Grizz, “Ready?”

“Yes,” he replied. “Close your eyes.”

The last thing Conrad saw was Gia sitting deathly still with her legs crossed on the white cushioned chair with her eyes closed.

“Vote.” Grizz’s voice rings out in the darkness before he starts counting down.

Conrad sits firmly in his seat.

Four

Three

He is saving his friend

Two

He is going against what’s right. Jessen and Leoni broke the rules. They didn’t deserve to get rewarded for that

One

Conrad shot up last minute. He heard rustling and whispers before it went silent.

“You can sit,” Grizz called out, “And you can open your eyes.”

“The winning vote is,” Jen paused a moment and looked down at the paper in her hands, “They have to go. 1 to 4 votes.”

“I contest,” Aly said almost immediately and stood up, “Why should they be punished for a mistake they made? We have all made mistakes, certainly none of us are perfect. We will make it work. The medical students will just have to focus more energy on it. Practice on dolls. Something. We cannot leave them out there all alone to raise a child.”

Conrad could see Gia biting her tongue. He felt the same. The students were at Wits and UJ for 12 hours 6 days a week. How much more could they take?

“Is that all you want to say?” Gia asked and Aly nodded, “Anyone else want to add anything?”

To his surprise, Conrad’s mouth started moving and words came out, “The medical students shouldn't have to suffer because of someone else's mistake. We all know the rule. We all know s*x can lead to a baby. If the rest of us can abstain, why couldn’t they?”

“Anyone else?” Gia asked once Conrad had finished. Everyone shook their heads.

“Grizz,” Gia said and closed her eyes.

“Eyes closed,” Grizz said, “Vote.”

This time Conrad did not hesitate. He stood right up.

Three

Two

One

“Sit,” no whispering or rustling noises this time, “Open your eyes.”

Jen spoke and Conrad could hear the heartbreak in her voice, “They have to leave. 2 to 3 votes.”

“Right,” Gia spoke with a sigh, “They can stay at Fourways life until 2 months after the baby is born, if they want to. It’s a fully stoked hospital. And if there are any major complications, we will inform the medical team and if anyone volunteers, they can help. But after that they will be escorted out of our boarders.”

Gia stood and everyone followed suit. Kiki and Jared started leaving with Jen and Grizz not far behind.

“I’m sorry,” Gia said to Aly as he passed by.

“I understand,” he said back, “I just hope I never make a mistake, least I be subjected to your judgement.”

Aly left and Gia stood and looked after him.

“Gia?” Conrad touched her arm softly when she didn't move.

“Am I a horrible person?” she kept her gaze straight ahead, voice hollow.

“No,” Conrad replied after a moment, “They have what is coming to them.”

“Can I tell you a secret?” she looked down at her hands. He knew she could see him from the corner of her eye, so, he nodded once, “I didn’t stand up.”

“What?” Conrad couldn't believe it. The angry woman from inside voted for them to stay, “Why?”

“Aly was right. They made a mistake. God knows I’ve made plenty. I knew they wouldn’t win. Kiki felt too passionate about it. Jared is besotted with Kiki so would vote whatever she did. And you...” she paused. She looked at him, shook her, and looked back down at her hands.

“My moral compass,” she took a deep breath and ran her fingers down her neatly plaited hair, “I knew you would stand. So, I thought... I would at least give them a fighting chance. I had the slightest glimmer of hope. Me and my stupid bleeding heart.”

Before he had an opportunity to say anything, to register what she had just said, Gia walked out of the doors.