“You didn’t believe the Northlands existed?”
“No. I’m from the brown area down south and I grew up believing that the world is a homogenous place. But I must say that the more I travel, the more I see how untrue that is. We might all speak the same language and call ourselves Motlanders, but there are vast differences in the culture around the world. It would be interesting to see what it’s like on the other side of that wall, but as I said, I don’t think the Nmen will listen if our Council makes protests about how they run their country. And sadly, we don’t have the skills or the technology to undertake a rescue mission, which is a shame.” Dolores drew in a deep breath. “Personally, I think there’s something unnatural about our generation being less advanced than they were two hundred years ago, don’t you?”
It was rare to hear an official criticizing our culture and it confused me.
“Think about how much we could have learned from the past if we hadn’t been so quick to bury everything.”
“We had to. It was a matter of survival to bury the dead and there weren’t enough people left to rebuild the ruins of the great cities.” I didn’t know why I felt such a strong need to defend the survivors of the Toxic War. “And about our ancestors being more advanced than us… I’d say that we’re more advanced. They invented technology to see what was possible, but we are more thoughtful and responsible in our approach.” It was what I’d been taught by my teachers all my life.
“Yes, but this…” Dolores sighed and threw a nod to an electric typewriter on her table. “Before I was sent here, I worked in New Munich, where we all had computers. Nothing fancy but at least we all had access to Wise-Share. If I want to use a computer now, I have to walk down to the end of the hallway to the only one available to all four of us officials here.”
“I’m sorry.” I looked around her office, which looked like it hadn’t been updated in at least a decade. “This region has always been behind the rest of the Motherlands. I think people here are afraid of Wise-Share getting corrupted like the old Internet did.”
“Ahh, but Wise-Share is different since we have librarians to control all the content.” Dolores pulled at her shirt again. “At least the rest of the country isn’t as far behind as this place. Did you know that the council members use virtual reality when they meet up? That’s pre-war technology right there, and the environmental engineers have advanced computers as well.”
“I’m sure the Council wants the best for us.” I didn’t know what else to say.
Dolores softened her face. “Yes, I would like to think so too.”
With the conversation coming to an end, I repeated my request. “Is there no way we can help Wilma escape her captors?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“That’s a shame.” Standing up, I bowed my head to her. “May you be surrounded by light and positivity.”
“Same to you. Let me walk you out.” Dolores began small-talking as she led me out of her office. “How long are you staying in town?”
“I’m not sure. It’s a big house and I’m sorting through everything.”
“Do you have anyone to help you?”
“No. My friends are spread around and scared of coming into this area. I would never ask them to travel up here.”
“Anyone local maybe?”
I shook my head. The Triple D virus didn’t leave many behind and the few who were here had enough to worry about with their own tragedies.
“May I give you a bit of advice?”
“Sure.”
Placing a hand on my elbow, Dolores gave me a maternal look of concern. “It’s probably best if you believe every word in Wilma’s last letter about her being happy where she is. That way you don’t worry about her so much.”
“And what if a savage was looking over her shoulder forcing her to write what she did?”
We had reached the exit and Dolores reached out her hands to me. “I wish I could help, but the only thing I can tell you is that thinking about it will drive you mad. Let it go and cease all contact with the girl.”
“And if I can’t?”
Holding on to my hands, she kept her eyes on mine. “I’m new to this region and I don’t want to add on to the suffering that you and others are going through, but, corresponding with a person in the Northlands is dangerous and therefore illegal.” She nodded toward my pocket. “Those are forbidden letters.”
She was right and I knew it.
“I’m not going to take the letters from you or write a report about your correspondence, but I’m asking you to stay away from the border and forget about Wilma.”
Even as she spoke the words, a strong voice inside me whispered,Impossible!
CHAPTER5
