Season 02 - Episode 15

‘shaved head life’

Ko is shivering.

He doesn't know if it's fear or the cold getting to his freshly shaved head. Life has been hard since GovCo declared war. Many of Ko's brother's have been killed. Sometimes they've had to fight to survive, but mostly it's running, hiding and scavenging that's kept them alive.

These hardships have forged fast bonds between Ko and his brothers. Of course, they call him Wa and still believe his body is the same as theirs under his clothes. Despite these secrets however, he feels closer to them than anyone else he's ever known.

Over time, their shared struggle has meant Ko sliding slowly towards becoming a full member of The Disciples of The Beast. Shaving his head is just the latest, seemingly automatic step along that path that will end with full membership, at the cost of his left eye.

Ko doesn't want to give up his eye and hasn't found a way to believe in The Beast, despite genuinely trying his best. He doesn't want to be alone again either however, doesn't want to give up this sense of belonging.

These are some of the thoughts distracting Ko from the waiting game they are playing. He and his brothers are huddled in doorways along a darkened corridor and have been for over an hour. Ko traces his fingers absently over his strangely smooth head, discovering the shape of his own skull.

“You'll get used to it,” whispers nearby Vo, Ko's new best friend and leader.

“What?” says Ko, returning wholly to the corridor and the waiting.

“The hair,” says Vo, his one eye never moving from the far end of the corridor. “In a couple of weeks you won't remember what it was like to have hair.”

“Ok,” says Ko.

Then, taking advantage of the broken silence, he licks his lips and whispers a thought that has been pestering him.

“Hey, Vo,” he begins, carefully. “I was wondering about the food we scored yesterday.”

“What about it?” says Vo.

“I was thinking maybe we could distribute it to the neighbourhood?” says Ko. “GovCo have cut off meal deliveries. They're trying to starve the people out.”

“It's a nice sentiment, Wa,” says Vo. “But no.”

“Why not?” hisses Ko.

“We're all that stands between The Fourth and GovCo,” sighs Vo. “If we fall, The Fourth falls. Sure, we could feed the people today, but at what cost tomorrow? In case you hadn't noticed, we're losing this war, Wa. We need every scrap for ourselves. It might seem harsh now, but they'll thank us in the end. You'll understand better once you get your eye. Hail The Beast.”

“Hail The Beast,” Ko echoes automatically. He draws breath to try again but the sudden sound of footsteps consumes everyone's attention instantly.

A small group of EnFo's comes into view, marching in step, two civilians bound at the wrists stumbling along among them. Vo raises a single finger, holding The Disciples in place until the last possible moment. Ko looks at the knife in his hand and hopes none of his brothers notice he is trembling.

“For The Beast!” Vo roars and The Disciples leap from their hiding places with clubs and blades. They set upon the EnFo's with almost psychotic rage, venting all their grief for their recently fallen brothers.

Ko follows Vo and watches as his friend hits the nearest EnFo so hard with his club that he cracks the shiny black visor. The EnFo stumbles and falls, dropping his weapon. Vo pushes past him to get to the next, leaving the EnFo clawing groggily at Ko's knees.

The sounds of struggle and bloody murder rush all around and into him. His heart races and a lifetime of frustration suddenly boils up all at once. The figure in black below him is raising its hands in feeble placation.

Ko watches himself as he stomps the EnFo flat to the ground and then falls upon him. He brings the knife down again and again. He screams, cries and laughs until long after the figure has fallen still and his brothers have to drag him away.

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