MAJOR/minor Chapter 16: DARK/age

“For centuries MAJORS and minors have not been seen as equals.” Narrated Francis Luke Renard. “In a way it’s only natural when one species has such a significant physical advantage over the other. Fossil records show as far back as the paleolithic era show two prominent yet distinctly different species. In 1894 a French dentist discovered two intact skeletons planting herbs in his backyard. He then coined the terms we you to day based on the difference in size of their front canines. MAJORS and minors. Fossil records, journals, paintings, research papers, eyewitness accounts, gospel, since virtually the beginning of humanity’s ability to think and create has depicted minors being inferior and subservient to MAJORS. Hell it’s even in how you spell it!” Renard paused. “Then one day everything changed.”

Izzellah sat on a soft pillow provided by Christine. She like many of the minors were placed in the front of the class to have a clear view of the projector screen. She watched quietly as Renard continued his preamble.

“It all started in the late 19th century.” he continued. “With the popularity of Christianity and the idea that all men were created equal the concept of slavery was becoming taboo. Britain had outlawed it and quite famously America had fought a lengthy and deadly civil war over it. A noteworthy document of common knowledge is the Emancipation Proclamation signed by then president Abraham Lincoln in 1863 as well as the thirteenth amendment. But if you ever looked at said document there was one group that was universally held as an exemption from emancipation. Minors.”

Izzellah shuddered as Renard hovered over a glass display case with the original Bill of Rights. An expert librarian with gloved, adept fingers gently retrieved the document.  They then procured a magnifying glass and focused on one specific line. “All men have the god given right to hold dominion over their inferiors. This right shall never be infringed upon.”

“As many of the quotes from this centuries old piece of paper have been this line is highly debated. The language is intentionally vague, but it is fair to assume this line was directly referencing minor humans. What else could be considered “inferior” but a race of people notably smaller and weaker than yourself?”

“Over the next half century tension and resentment only grew within the oppresses species. An example of note is Karl Benz a minor widely credited with the invention of the first automobile in 1885. Unfortunately he was not allowed to own a patent and the rights and profits to his invention went to his landowner, his sister in law. He died penniless and rectification and restitution weren’t given to his family until over 100 years later.”

“Anger finally boiled over in 1914 when the Austrian Archduke was assassinated and his minor granddaughter was abducted and held hostage. As the world reached turmoil minors proudly fought and died on the front lines amongst their MAJOR contemporaries. And as they fought and died, they wondered.”

The minor rebellion:

“When the first world war had ended the minor population had been devastated. Nearly 80% percent of minors enlisted had fallen in battle regardless of what side they fought on. The thought of the veterans who returned how and the widows and orphans left behind was. If we can fight and die then why can’t we be free?”

“March 3rd, 1924- Mayor of New York Matthew Cheechum is poisoned. His wife and three children are officially awarded to their MAJOR biological grandmother. Two months later the wife Deloras Cheechum releases a controversial tell all book documenting abuse and Matthews secret affairs.”

“June 4th 1924- The empress of Japan dies in a mysterious car explosion. Minor sex workers in notorious royal brothel the Satin Dragon escape and are never seen again.”

“June 29th, 1924- Minor slaves stage an armed revolt against Colombian dictator Alfredo Lopez Cruz. After acquiring a stock of arms from an unknown supplier.”

“The list goes on.” Renard explained as newspaper clippings of rebellion’s, accidents, unsolved murders and assassinations appeared in a montage on the screen. It was heavily implied that minors orchestrated these events.

Izzellah trembled in disbelief. Was this actually true? How had she never heard of such a thing? Minors systematically eliminating MAJORS of power, freeing her oppressed people. Strangely she felt a hint of pride in her kind even though the context was clearly meant to vilify them.

“Then in 1925 documents were discovered in a minor slave quarters in South Africa. It documented with excruciating detail plans to stage a coup that would depose South African warlord for his more minor sympathetic son. This alone wasn’t of much note but was interesting was a collections of communications in different languages. When translated it revealed documentation of almost every notable MAJOR assassination in the last two years both known and unknown, as well as more plans for the future.”

“Now there had always been theories that minors were behind these crimes and incidents but there was never much proof. That plus common perception led most of the public to think it was impossible, ridiculous. It was more believable to say it was an accident or shift blame to a MAJOR.”

“On December, 14, 1925 after discovering a cell of a international ring of minor collaborators. An investigation was launched and each arrest made global headlines. The criminals were common minors. Former slaves, sex workers, paupers, servants, orphans, wives and husbands. Even though authorities would urge that there was no more threat what happened may have been inevitable.  Panic took over as many MAJORS began to distrust the minors that served them. The people they had ignored and mistreated were dangerous. How were they doing this?”

“Nowaday the concept of bonding is well known, but even a century ago it was still held firmly within  the realm of mystery. It was spoken of in religious texts as nirvahna, being touched by god, even witchcraft. There is still no proof of this but modern historians believe that back then there was still enough minors to create an active global network of mental communication. Plans were relayed and acted on with precision in real time. Minors were shifting the tide of national politics. The amount of minors necessary for such a feat was high enough that soon every minor was perceived as a collaborator. This assumption would turn out to be deadly and damage minor society in a way they still haven’t recovered from.

MAJOR retribution:

Kristia Abadelli is largely credited with the inciting incident for the start of the decade infamously known as the Dark age for all minors. In the summer of 1930 she murdered her husband and his minor mistress in a fit of rage. She claimed they were conspiring to kill her and transfer ownership of her estate to her husband’s brother. She was acquitted of her crimes as there was very little legislation in place for killing a minor at the time. She still walks as a free woman to this day as do many who actively participated in minor hunting the world over.”

“Investigation into the Abadelli case largely collaborated her story even though the legal team largely suspected foul play. Her acquittal opened the floodgates as case after case of minor assault and murder plagued the years that followed leading into world war 2. Not much needs to be said about the atrocities committed in the largest war the planet has ever seen, but the bloodshed of the Dark age was met with a firm exclamation point as the number of executed minors numbered in the millions, events rivaling the holocaust or the Nanking Massacre. When the war was over the United States alone reported the minor population had been reduced to less than 2%, Those who hadn’t been outright murdered had died in the inferior conditions of internment camps fueled by national hysteria and paranoia. This mirrored the state of the minor population around the world. On August 15th, 1952 minors were officially recognized as an endangered species.”

Izzellah was cold. She felt a deep, hollow dumbness in the pit of her stomach. She’d felt sadness when hearing the highly abridged version her father had told her about, but this was something different. To hear that her kind had been systematically slaughtered out of fear and it wasn’t even considered a crime. That minors had paid the ultimate price just fighting for their right to freedom. She understood why MAJORS chose to suppress this chunk of history. It looked exceptionally bad for them.

She tried her best to focus on the film but as it continued her hopelessness only grew. MAJORS hadn’t stopped their campaign against minors until after the second world war, after they had already shown signs of an unprecedented jump in evolution that had increased their size and strength. After they had learned to bond themselves. That was the true answer. The dark truth that the film implied. MAJORS had only stopped persecuting minors after they had learned to bond themselves, become addicted to it, actually needed minors, but by then the damage was done. There was still no accurate explanation for what caused the explosion in MAJOR development but experts theorized it was a direct result of such long term conflict and possibly the adaptation of minor bonding itself. Izzellah was mute to it. She became lost in the interviews of MAJOR and minor alike as Francis Luke Renard travelled the globe to catalog testimonials from as many sources as possible. The fact that Kristilia Abadelli was ultimately remorseful of her part in the minor genocide and had since devoted herself to minor rights and was one of the figure heads of minor civil rights meant next to nothing to Izzellah. She could take a vow of silence and relinquish all her worldly possessions to become a devout pacifist and it wouldn’t mean a thing. It was hard enough for her not to blame them all.

For a moment just a  strike of fear and resentment ran through her. Who was to say it couldn’t happen again? Couldn’t it happen to her? A sickening pain buried itself in the pit of her dljdkdjdkjkdjjstomach. The pangs of fear nestled deep into her psyche creating a physical manifestation of pain within her. In her mind and heart she’d always known she feared MAJORS. It was logical, realistic, she prided herself on her own pragmatism, but seeing and hearing some of the horrible acts committed by MAJORS added and instinctual and irrational terror. As she watched the black and white footage of a grieving man cuddle the lifeless corpse of his minor son who had been accidentally trampled in a MAJOR lynching riot she realized just how easy it was. She shivered then felt a large had on her shoulder. It was warm and rough, and familiar, and terrifying.

“Are you okay, Izzy?” Her father asked. She’d forgotten he was even there, that he’d insisted on taking a day off just to view this film with her. She flinched when he touched her.

“I need some air.” Izzellah said. She left the classroom in a panic as a moistness wet her cheeks.

Air didn’t seem to be what she needed. Being outside the classroom didn’t calm the quick beating of her heart in fact it only filled her with embarrassment. None of the other minors had been so weak that they had to leave before the documentary was even over. For the first time she truly felt inferior to them. She envied them. She wanted to be mute to what she saw, she wanted to be just as blissfully ignorant the rest of the minors she’d seen. Docile, quiet, simple, happy, oblivious.

Izzellah let out a bitter chuckle through her own tears. She was so arrogant. How could she even pretend to be better than other minors if she couldn’t stomach witnessing atrocities committed nearly a century ago or longer. She didn’t know those people personally, most likely any minor directly involved would be dead by now anyway. She still felt awful and hypocritical. She was the blubbering baby MAJORS perceived her as. She was scared of her own father! The man who loved and raised her. She knew he’d rather lose a limb than ever dare to hurt her! He’d cut out his own tongue before so much as scratching her. But her heart and mind were in conflict. When his hand touched her, for a moment it felt like the hands of a stranger. Like the hands of the MAJORS who had toyed with her so casually. Like any of them could still do now. She felt surrounded, trapped. MAJORS were everywhere, out numbering her a thousand to one. Even if that weren’t the case it felt like it would take a thousand minors just to stand against one MAJOR. She wanted to quit school, she wanted to run away, she wanted to be alone……..She wanted her mother. It had only been five years. It still hurt to think about. She could never be with her again, but she could?

Izzellah took a deep breath.

She closed her eyes.

She was on the front porch of her house. It was a pleasant summer day and a warm breeze flowed through her hair. She walked up the four short steps and sat down on the bench swing like she had countless times. She wasn’t there. Izzellah brought her legs up and reclined. The bench swing was large enough for her entire body and then some. It was built for her father to use, but he rarely did. He always said it was just for them. Where was she?

Then came the humming. She liked humming show tunes and Disney songs. This time it was “Under the sea.” at least that’s how Izzellah remembered it

“Nice day.” her mother said. “Tired?”

Izzellah nodded.

“Well I know just the pick me up!”

“Lemonade?” Izzellah asked.

“There’s my smart girl!” Sheila grinned wide and bright. It revealed her missing tooth she’d lost before Izzellah was even born.

Her mother sat down with two glasses of sweet lemon juice. Izzellah could hear the ice clink against the glass. Her mother kicked off the ground and the bench slowly rocked back and forth. The woman offered her the glass and when Izzellah took it she found her mom’s arm around her and she was brought in for a hug. Izzellah nestled softly against her mother’s skin.

“The twins get too rough with you again?” she asked.

Izzellah felt a sting on her knee. She looked down to see a scrape and a trickle of blood ooze out of a small patch of ripped, purple colored skin. She remembered this day.

“Yes.” She sniffled. She’d been playing with two MAJOR children that lived right next door. They were almost five years younger than her but were also close to her size. Back then she wasn’t completely aware of the age disparity of MAJORS compared to her. They were friends. One a boy, the other a girl, both with raven hair. Whatever happened to them.

“You don’t have to be scared, Izzy.” her mother comforted.

“They were fighting!” She cried. “I tried to stop them.”

“And did you?” Her mother asked.

Izzellah  nodded. “But then Jordan pushed me down and I hurt my knee.”

Jordan? She was the girl. The older twin. She’d pushed her down in anger when Izzellah had pulled her off her brother by the hair. They struggled for before she was eventually overwhelmed by her friends MAJOR strength. That was probably the one and only time she’d actually posed a physical threat to a MAJOR if only barely.  

“No.” Izzellah sulked.

‘That’s okay.” Her mama said. “Sometimes you fail. The important part is to try again.”

“B-but.” Izzellah stuttered. She took a sip of lemonade to settle her nerves. It tasted sweeter than she was used to. How did her mom always make it taste so sweet.

“But?” her mother probed.

“They’re so scary!” Izzellah shrieked. “Jo’s only in first grade and she’s already as big as me!”

“I can understand why that would frighten you.” Her mother agreed, “So I imagine you’ll stop playing with them then?”

Izzellah nodded.

“That’s a shame. They were your only friends on the block.”

‘They’re big jerks!” Izzellah snapped.

Her mother chuckled. “So I guess you’ll go back to bothering your papa then?”

“I don’t bother him.” Izzellah argued. “He’s says I’m helping!”

“Yes,so much help. Didn’t you knock down all his tools trying to climb the shelf

ddyesterday?”

“He said it wasn’t my fault. He put the tools in the bottom shelf so I could get to them.”

“That’s very nice of him. Y’know for such a big jerk.”

“Papa’s not a jerk!” Izzellah gasped. Then she paused as she realized what her mother had just done so easily. “Hmph! I’m not going back.”

“You can’t be afraid forever.” her mother said. “Besides I don’t think YOU have to go back.”

Izzellah looked to see two crestfallen children waiting at the end of her walkway.

“I think they’re here to apologize.” her mama said.

She felt  a thump to her forehead.

Izzellah opened her eyes.

“You okay girlfriend?” Lisa asked. “You were kinda zoning out there.” She leaned into the wall and slowly sunk down to join Izzellah in sitting on the cold linoleum ground.

“I figured my papa would come check on me.” Izzellah muttered.

“He would, but I think he’s having a small existential crisis, girl.” Lisa noted. “That look you gave him. It was like he was an axe murderer!”

“I should apologize.”

“Eh, maybe.” Lisa said. “If I were you I’d milk this for something. Need a new phone? Clothes? You into video games maybe? Nothing like a few tears to get an early Christmas present.”

“That’s awful.” Izzellah said but she couldn’t help smiling at the idea.

The classroom door cracked open and her father stepped out, followed by Sabrina.

“She says she hates you and won’t forgive you until you buy her a new laptop!” Lisa shouted.

“Of course!” her father blurted in desperation.

“Lisa!” Izzellah shoved her friend and rose to her feet. She went to her papa and hugged his leg. “I’m fine, papa. I just.”

“It’s a tough film.” her papa said. “I was having trouble with it too.” He kneeled down to return her hug.

“You ready to go back inside?”

“No I think I’ll stay out here.” Izzellah said.

“Cutting class!” Lisa exclaimed. “I’m rubbing off on you!”

“Class is pretty much over I think.” Her father revealed. “Your teacher cut off the movie. She said it was almost over anyway.”

“So not only did I make a huge fool out of myself, I also ended class early.” Izzellah sighed.

“No one blames you.” Sabrina spoke up. “You weren’t the only one crying.”

“Yeah! Peter was bawling like a baby when that kid got crushed!” Lisa snickered. How exactly was she so immune to the plight of her own people? Izzellah admired her armor. Maybe two years was enough difference to become jaded, or maybe the differences in Lisa’s life added a different context. She’d spent a day with Lisa and had a fresh understanding of how the girl lived. A fun free spirited bird in a cage whose promiscuity was born from the desire for independence. She could understand why the plight of minors a century ago didn’t matter to Lisa when she basically had to fuck a guy just to have a night out. Context.

“Izzellah Ivory.”
“Oh great!” Sabrina groaned. “You know you’re starting to feel a little stalkerish, Mei.”

“You seemed stressed at the subject matter of the film.” Mei said completely ignoring Sabrina’s snipe. “I wished to check on your mental wellbeing immediately, but my brother informed me that you might need a moment of solitude for emotional decompression.”

“You’re brother is very insightful.” Izzellah said. She briefly looked at Lee Matsumoto. He hung off her arm eerily quiet. He tugged at Mei’s shoulder and she put him down not saying a word. They locked eyes for a moment and then he went about sketching something on a digital pad. Was he an artist? It seemed one of the more accessible career opportunities for a minor. It dawned on Izzellah that she knew next to nothing about him. How old he was, what grade he was in, did he know Randalf?

“Are you well?” Mei asked.

“She’s fine, Panda Express!” Lisa shot. “Taco Bell is right! You hovering around isn’t a coincidence.”

“Of course not.” Mei smirked. “I have been pursuing a romantic relationship with Ms. Ivory. I am simply maximizing my courtship opportunities.”

“Romantic relationship?!” Ignacio queeried.

And Izzellah had completely forgotten he was still there. As in right next to her, close enough to hear everything.

“What now?” He peered down at her.

“Hehe.” Izzellah chuckled nervously as she slowly died inside. Too many things were happening now! She hadn’t even fully recovered from her episode. Her brain decided to take a vacation. She’d never told her father about her interest in girls, she’d never told him anything! Was she outed!? Did he even care?!

“I completely understand if you wish to excuse yourself from our date this afternoon.” Mei added.

“Date, now?!” Ignacio exclaimed. “Only two weeks in and you’re already dating huh?” he grinned. “I guess that’s what you meant by she’s “special” to you?”

“Correct.” Mei informed. “I intend to court your daughter into a long term relationship. You’re blessing would be greatly appreciated, but not necessary.”

“Really now?!” Ignacio bellowed with laughter. “This girl’s got moxie eh, kiddo?”

Izzellah couldn’t respond. He was laughing! That was good right? Why was he laughing?! They’d had the talk! He was worried about her getting pregnant! He couldn’t think...he had to know?! Right?! “I like boys too!” She blurted.

“Uhhh, okay.” Ignacio said. “Good for you, Izzy.” he smiled. “Well it seems like you have plans so I’ll just mosey on home. You’ll call me right?”

“Yes!” She replied a little too quickly and a little too loudly.

“Don’t worry Mr. Ivory.” Lisa said. “I’ll be there to protect your daughter’s honor!”

“I’m sure she’s in good hands.” Ignacio nodded acknowledging the three girls around her daughter. “So I’m in kind of an awkward position here, but uh….. don’t hurt her or I’ll do something...yeah uhh. Something.”

“I acknowledge your concern your daughters well being and assure you I would never infringe on her agency.” Mei stated.

“Kiss ass!” Lisa coughed.

“Sure.” Ignacio replied. “You don’t have to try so hard, kid. I don’t dictate who my daughter likes. Just don’t start screwing around.”

“Papa!” Izzellah shrieked.

“Bye.” He waved on last time at his daughter before lumbering away still chuckling to himself.

“My life is over.” Izzellah whimpered.

“Well you had to rip the bandaid off sometime.” Lisa dismissed. “Now tell me about this date we’re all going on.”