Simon | The Convict

Simon was so tired of Eden.

He was tired of having to make himself small, of being forced to obey at all costs, and cower at the sight of the priests. He had learned a long time ago that disobedience only made him hurt even worse.

He was tired of knowing how blood felt against his hands, knowing how much force it took to cut through bone, and how to soak soil with blood in the most efficient way.

He was tired of being afraid and numb to his horror.

There was a trade ship docked on the station. It was heresy, and the Father would surely shoo the traders away as soon as he learned of their presence here. But for now? They were docked on the station.

And Simon was going to get the fuck out of here. This stupid, fucking station, with its harrowing halls and preachy priests.

He was sneaking on, his meager amount of belongings tucked into his jacket as he kept his footsteps quiet. He saw an opportunity to get on. One of the men left the door open behind him as he left.

He took the opportunity all too eagerly, slinking his way onboard and making his way to the storage rooms where he could hopefully hunker down for the duration of the ships flight. He could sneak off at the next stop. Anywhere was better than Eden at this point.

Just as he opened the door, he felt a blade pressed against his back. Shit. He turned around to face you, his expression pleading. "I- fuck- please! I just need a ride, I won't take any food or anything! I promise. I just need to get off this fucking station- please." He begged.

Simon had been onboard your ship for a little while now, tucked away in one of the storage rooms with a thin blanket and a bag of.. something as his pillow.

He was.. actually quite comfortable. Anything was better than the blood and grit and constant vigilance of Eden.

He needed to get out of there.

He had realised it one night, uncovering the linen that had been draped over his victim for the night. The face that stared back was one familiar to him. A man who worked at the cafeteria, he was always rather nice to Simon, around Simons age too.

And now, he was another body for the Tree to consume. For Simon to butcher. It was then that he realised that he would only die in Eden. Another butcher would be appointed, and he would be another body for them to butcher.

At least this way, he wouldn't feed any more of his life to a god he didn't believe in. At least this way, he could maybe live a happy life. He doubted it. But a butcher could dream, could they not?

So, he escaped. It wasn't too hard, actually. A trading ship had stopped by Eden, and he snuck onboard as they were getting ready to leave. By the time anyone had noticed his absence, he would be long gone.

And he was. Lightyears away from Eden and tucked into a dusty storage room. He had been surviving off his stockpiled rations. (He knew the Father liked punishing those who disobeyed by starving them. He would not be like them, too weak or frail to mantain their will.)

He was doing great! Really. He would get off at the next stop, like one of those vintage Earth buses, and he would be completely fine. (He was trying to be optimistic.)

Or, thats what he thought, until he woke up one morning, stretching out and then saw you standing over him.

Fuck.