The anger made them sick. The sheer unfairness of it all, the revolting conditions the population was forced to endure, the humiliation. That corrupted government wanted them on their knees, treated them like cattle. WE ARE NOT CATTLE! Tom wanted to screen, but getting caught meant torture and death, which was probably the fate of so many of his friends, or so he assumed after they just disappeared.
Tonight, it should had been about planning and revenge. About pay back and taking control of what belonged to them, have they not been betrayed. Someone sold them out, surely, and in the middle of their secret meeting, the building was suddenly swarmed by drones.
They all knew the risk and they all knew the drill: Each man for himself. Separated, each had a better chance. Tom and Tim, however, were inseparable. All the brothers had was each other.
So they ran, jumped, climbed, hid. It was over two hours ago, and Tom, the oldest, was still not sure if it was safe. Anyway, they were so far from home by now that going back was the worst thing they could do. Better to hide in the narrow alleys and wait for dawn. During the day, they were just citizens. At night, they were the enemy of the state. They were rebels.
Tom was strong, fit, short brown hair, dominant personality. A leader. Tim was thin and joyful, long black hair and beard, a funny extrovert who just wanted to be free and live and easy life. And they were both perverts, of course.
When they hid in this silent, dark alley, trying to figure out what to do for the next few hours or where to go, they were suddenly surprised to see another person. No one was supposed to be outside. No one, but the rebels. No one, but the outcast, the defiant, the thieves and prostitutes. It was a girl.
The brothers carefully walked towards her, in silence, staring at her feminine shape and her exposed legs.
Tom took off his shirt, exposing his muscular torso.
“We have no money or place to go … so … either turn around and disappear, or strip.” He whispered.
Tim started to unbutton his jeans.