Work Text:
My heart is beating fast, and my hands tremble as I stare directly at the brush on my desk. My audience of stuffed animals watches my every move motionlessly on my bed. I'm scared. Should I do it? Should I sing? Should I commit the crime of expressing myself? No. I can't. The rules are in place for a reason. They're to protect us, to keep us in line like cattle. I stop myself from grabbing the brush, and I storm out of my room, gasping for air.
It's not easy living life under the Eggman Empire. Citizens are placed under 24-hour surveillance thanks to microchips embedded in our bodies. It's how she gains control; how she can dictate our every move. Under her rule, obedience is all that matters. Those who fall out of line are eliminated by the robots who mindlessly serve her.
My day usually consists of waking up, being fed propaganda, going to work, being fed propaganda, and coming home while being fed propaganda. I hate this never-ending cycle so much. Not only are the microchips an issue, but the regimes in place stifle any sort of individualism or creativity. These are seen as sowing seeds of rebellion, and thus are snuffed out.
I wish I could just run away, leave this life behind me, but leaving the city is strictly forbidden. I feel like a caged nightingale, unable to sing its song. I have to be obedient in order to survive.
I walk to my kitchen and open the fridge. A glass of water should settle my thoughts temporarily. “Ugh… I gotta get more eggs.” I look at the time on the microwave. “30 minutes before curfew. I think I’ll be able to make it.”
After filling my glass and downing the refreshing beverage, I slip my shoes on and grab my umbrella.
Stepping outside, I open it so as not to get wet. Living in the slums isn't really great either. Despite how much the empire loves to flaunt its resources and expand its rule to other parts of the world, those below the poverty line are like ghosts. We don't matter in the eyes of the ruler.
I keep my head down as I walk through the stormy night. Flashing propaganda posters of her advertising for total obedience lit up the street. It makes me sick, but I have to keep in line.
After a brief walk, I enter the convenience store and I get greeted by the robot cashier working behind the counter.
“WELCOME TO EGGMARKET.” It says in its usual robotic tone. Its eyes watch my every move as if it were daring me to try and steal something. Like I'd ever do something that stupid.
I go through aisle by aisle, grabbing a loaf of bread, some snacks, and of course the eggs that I came for.
“DID YOU FIND EVERYTHING SATISFACTORY?” The eggbot asks as it scans my items. I don't bother responding, its text script is all automated anyway. I pay for my items using the wallet on my watch and leave the store with 20 minutes left before curfew.
Arriving back in my apartment, I turn on the TV for background noise as I put away the groceries. For a moment, it's quiet and peaceful, and with no urges to break the law bubbling up in my brain. The moment of serenity gets interrupted by a breaking news segment and the urges in my brain start to grow again.
“Breaking News: An enemy of the state by the name Silver the Hedgehog has stolen a Chaos Emerald from the capital building. The empire is offering a cash reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of the suspect.”
Seeing his mugshot on the screen stirred something within me. It made my head start to hurt. How could someone like him have the courage to openly defy her rules? It didn't make any sense to me. I could feel the urges growing stronger. No… No! Just because you saw some guy on TV breaking the law doesn't mean you can do it too! The pain settles eventually. In order to survive, I have to keep in line. Obedience. That's all that matters.