Ashes Of New

“Today, we burn.”

It is the chant of the women of this town who have been born into this hypocritical, religious sect only for their bodies ability to reproduce. If a woman is unable to conceive, she must remain in repentance as a nurse to the women who are pregnant. For no other reason than the Haven’s desire to remind women of how little they mean. I am the nurse. But I am a person who did not desire babies growing up so this is a good reminder I made the right choice.

Despite being grateful for the reminder, I am disgusted at how these women are seen and used. I didn’t ask to be here. I was kidnapped, held hostage for numerous months until I broke then sent here. I know nothing of this town but the people call themselves “Haven’s.” It is as if they believe making this town with only church men and kidnapped women would make this world safe. Many women have succumb to Stockholm syndrome and began fulfilling more roles than just a zygote processing factory. They’re now wives whose sole purpose is home life. Not allowed to leave without her husband or a male. They are brainwashed into complacent stupidity. Other women watch as one or two lose their soul to the ideal.

Month after month, I question how will I get out? How will I save these women and their kids? These men have weapons, drugs, restrictions and resources across the globe. We cannot trust anyone but one another. But we are monitored day in and day out, whether from soldiers walking around or the “hidden” cameras everywhere. These women are weary and terrified. Their bodies have not been theirs in so long, it is hard to keep hope alive and burning inside them. Hard, yes. Impossible? Never. Have you met a women?

One morning, I witnessed the passing of a young girl as she gave birth. The men surrounding her didn’t care that she wasn’t respectfully covered after the birth. I watched the light leave her eyes. This was my reality. I cannot watch another person die for these men to have what? Children to do who knows what to? I can’t keep myself from tearing up. I walk over to the girl and cover her silently, and as I do, I grab the scalpel. I have enough rage to take out these three men and will do so with ease… and tremendous joy.

Raging through the town’s hostiles and hospitals where all the women are being held, I found a few keys to some of the rooms where the weapons are stored. I need nothing but claymores and C4. Killing people doesn’t stop this town from being used again. The women who were alive were with me, carrying others who couldn’t walk. Others were setting charges up with pleasure. We gathered to our meeting place. Little did anyone know, after women gave birth, I would hold their hand and whisper “we will get through this. Then we shall meet outside the church on October 4th. We will find the light in the darkness.” And we would.

Once everyone was in position, we all took one deep breath and ignited the triggers. I’m not sure what hit me first, the light or the sound. It was freedom in fired. The screams of monsters getting what they deserved. I can’t keep myself breathe. I was these women cheer, some cry. Some have no clue what to do. Do I? No. But what I do know is I have set a reminder in the heart of this abhorrent men that women, as a whole, cannot be destroyed or dictated. We will burn down the patriarchy