Life on Mars

Sabine Edmonds

I never really thought it would happen. It was cold, dry and it felt like there really was no air. Being hooked up to tubes attached to little stands was a struggle, though it was what we all had to do to survive. No life, no nothing. We had heard that one day we would relocate, but everyone thought it was as insane as Hitler. A caravan would seem big compared to our homes. The government promised us a new civilisation, not a monitored existence. I felt trapped, with nowhere to run except into the universe. We all knew: you run, you die.

“Okay you lot, into your homes,” watchmen would say, multiple times a day. A few minutes to socialise then inside again, trapped, suffocated.

“Quick, can I come in?” a stranger asked. Giving me no chance to respond, he grasped the handle, tugging at it.

“Please just let me in before they catch me. I am sure you know what happens to naughty boys like me,” he said. As he spoke with so much confidence, I was convinced he was a lunatic. I opened the trapdoor on the roof and he jumped in, executing a perfect landing. Seeing the crooked grin pasted to his face, I immediately recognised trouble.

“Wow, wicked place, bigger than mine,” he uttered.

His eye twitched as if something was bothering him. Honestly, I didn’t know houses could get smaller than this.

“Mathew Miles,” he introduced, holding out his hand, anticipating my shake. Mathew Miles; there was some familiarity about that name. Though I knew it would’ve been impossible to know someone within the few minutes of socialising we were permitted.

“What are you doing here exactly?” I curiously asked.

“Well, I’m assuming you feel suffocated being hooked up to the air supply. Have you ever considered removing it, trying to breathe unencumbered. I am here to enlighten you,” was his reply.

I assumed this stranger was trying to kill me.

Reluctantly I removed the tubes, which took several moments to untangle. Thump, thump, thump; my heart rate was going at an abominable speed, so my fist grasped the tube ready to hook it back up before I perished.

Attempting to breathe, I managed just fine. Too many questions overflowed my brain. Mathew Miles gripped me hard forcing the tubes back into my arms. I felt suffocated; knowing that I really could breathe without assistance. Mathew Miles didn’t need to hide his enjoyment, as he was obviously pleased with himself.

“The satisfaction I see, when people realise they can breathe in fresh Mars air,” Mathew smirked, like I was crazy for not believing him at the start.

“What do you want? You must want something in return?” I implored. Instantly I was aware of the truth, dawning on me… “No, no it wouldn’t work. You're insane, get out of my house.”

No movement, I was more scared of his idea than breathing without the support. “I SAID, GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!” Just like that, hitting the floor hard as my vision turned black.

A piece of black cloth blurred my vision. “Where was I? What was happening? Did Mathew Miles end up leaving the house?” I sat up unwillingly, forced to stand and march. Pain surged down my body dangerously nearing my heart. Tripping multiple times didn’t help the pain. Big, lumpy hands slowly crept along my face, carefully removing the blindfolds. My sight was muddled, forced to see a distorted face equipped with a large spear, black as charcoal.

“You’re lucky we're not killing you on sight, special orders from Master,” he stated and when he spoke, his face clumped together like lumpy scone mixture. I didn’t feel lucky, a brief, splash amnesia didn’t sit well in my stomach, grasping for memories that weren’t there. I entered a large room, the centre a ruby-coloured carpet, while the walls were encrusted with jewels. The scone man kicked back my shins pushing me to the ground.

“Hazel, Hazel, Hazel, you should’ve known better to disrespect me, the Master. I thought you would have agreed. We’ve met before, but family can forgive anything.”

Who was this voice? It was Mathew. The shadowy figure arose from his jewel-encrusted throne, wearing that very same smirk, requesting, “Augusto please escort Hazel to the backroom.”

Augusto fastened his grip and led me towards an open hatch while tying me down onto the ripped hardened seat. “Hazel, stay here, don’t move, otherwise your brother Mathew would have my head,” Augusto said, seemingly worried, but attempting to wear a confident toothless grin.

Brother? Impossible. Mother never mentioned a sibling. Though part of me knew. Mathew was my brother. We both had curly blond hair and hazel coloured eyes. Mathew crept into the open hatch and fastened it tightly closed, quickly jumping into what I assumed was a cockpit. His voice came over the small muffled speakers.

“Buckle up sis, prepared to be wowed.”

Adrenaline rushed through my bones; harsh wind forced me back in my seat. Engines powered. It felt as if hours had passed, suddenly it became harder and harder to breathe oxygen. Head throbbing, eyes burning, I hoped Mathew knew what he was doing.

“Hazel. I wanted to give us a new better life. I intended us to go back to Planet Earth. I’m sorry, but I can’t make it. We’re going down.” Mathew spoke over the intercom, his voice cracking, straining back tears. Just like that I felt weightless, helpless and defeated. Angry at him for robbing my life with my mother, never saying he was my brother before. I was lost in space; no one was coming to get us this. Death was just in reach