Chapter 1
Chapter 1: the Withering Rose
The morning air was damp and cool, Marinette lay up watching the sun rise above the city’s borders, the walls that kept them in. The only ones that ever-stepped foot outside was President Thorne and is guards, the president’s quarters lived outside the boarders away from any peering eyes.Marinette focused her attention on the vase of wilted Roses she had gotten a few weeks ago for her mother, she wondered how such beautiful things can go from vibrant ravishing colors to dark and pale shades of brown. Something that once stood tall in confidence is now wilting in shame. Just like her mother, the flower has become frail and the life it once had is slowly falling from all existence. Marinette looks around her cramped room, the thin paint cracking, and cobwebs in every corner. She recalled when the house was once beautiful, bright, and full of laughter, back before her mother was sick.
A sharp cough came from the other room, “Mari, sweetie?” Her mother called her voice shaky and croaky, “coming mama!” Mari ran to her mother’s room, kneeling beside her bed. “Good morning my sweet Rose bud did you have a good rest?” Helena’s eyes showed concern and worry for her daughter. She knows Marinette does not get much sleep and is always out selling something or looking for a job to keep lights on and water running. “Yes mama” Mari knew it was a lie, but she knew that it would keep her mother from worrying and keep the peace that they both needed. “Mama, can I sell grandma’s necklace? I know it is important to you, but we do not have much left... more or less of worth.” Mari saw Helena face drop for a second, 1 second, 2, 3… “yes sweetie, I don’t mind, just make sure you get it’s worth alright?” “Yes mama!” Mari gave Helena a hug grabbed the necklace and left the house.
Right when she opened the door a shadow appeared startling her, “ahh!” Mari let out a loud yelp, soundly she met by laughter the laughter she knew all too well. “Charlie!” Mari looked at Charlie with her eyes squinted and her lips closed girly shut. Charlie was Marinette’s best friend they have known one other for as long as they could remember, Charlie’s Long lean frame rested against the door frame, smirking. “I did not mean to scar you Mari” he said letting out another laugh. Mari and Charlie headed to the back side of town square, the black network not everyone knew of its existence. Charlie has come across once during a game of hide and seek with Mari. Ever since if they had something to sell, that is where they went. “I’m going to go try to trade my radio 416 for a new computer!” Charlie said, excitedly knowing that everyone is in need for a radio so they can listen to President Thorne. Charlie ran off yelling “I’ll meet you at alleys market!” Marinette smiled and waved yelling back, “don’t be late!” Marinette turned and went to find someone who would buy her necklace for now less than 100 credits...Mari knew that 100 credits would get her medication refill for Helena and dinner.
Marinette made her way to a pawn shop; she had never been inside she heard rumors that the seller is a hard bargain and the chance of getting a fair price was low, but she knew she did not have much of a choice.
She walked in to see a tall muscular man, he has several tattoos on his arms and neck. Marinette could tell he was a part of the army before President Thorne took control. Every veteran from the last war had an eagle tattooed on their neck, this was ordered by Thorne so people would fear them; however, everyone here treated them with respect. Everyone in the dark net hated the president they saw through his tricks and knew his words where merely just empty promises that where never to be followed through with.The man had dead chestnut brown eyes; his glare sent shivers down Mari’s spine.
Mari shivers as she walks up to the front counter. “He-hello I- um I was wondering I-if you would be w-willing to buy my grandma’s necklace, its origin is back to year 2024.” The man let out a sigh before he decided to speak. “Well do not just stand there staring let me see the damn thing” the man’s voice was deep and sounded like a low growl. Marinette fidgeted in her purse for a bit before taking out a lovely shiny gold necklace with an emerald, green Jewl in the middle. The man observed the necklace for a good 2 minutes, before looking back up to Mari.” I will give you 50 credits for it kid” Marinette eyes widened “50! It must be worth more than 50 credits it is an antique it is all that is left from my grandma”, The man scowled. “Look kid the golds fake the Jewl is fake no one is going to buy this stupid junk for more than 50 credits, but I’ll give you 60 if that will keep you satisfied.” Marinette thought to herself for a moment if there was one thing she was good at it was bargaining she knew she needed at least 100 credits to make it through the week. “150”, The man looked up not excepting a fight from a child. “85” Mari let out a small smile knowing she could get it to 100 she just had to. “120” the man clinched his fists “95” One more Mari thought, one more. “110!” The man’s calm mood changed to irritated. “I will give you 105 credits and that’s finale!” Marinette smiled “deal” They exchanged the deal and Mari left the shop.
Mari made her way to Alley’s market; Alley’s market was an abandoned grocery store that no one dared to walk in for the war that had taken place inside there except for Charlie and Mari of course that became their hideout. Charlie was a hacker. He could hack into any security footage on any computer, any tv, radio, PC, etc. That he wanted.Charlie came running in. “MARI! MARI! YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST HEARD! I am not even sure if I believed it. ANYWAY, GET OVER HERE!” Marinette stood up startled by his yelling, “what is Charlie? I am right here,” Charlie looked down realizing he did not have to yell his face turned the color of a tomato.
“Oh, hey Mari didn’t see ya there, but I overheard a conversation over Golden Roses, you know the ones your father would tell us about when we were little.”
Mari raised her head to look at Charlie his deep green eyes shimmering with excitement and hope. “Yeah, but those where just stories flowers can heal or bring someone back from the dead that’s impossible char.” Charlie did not settle, “ no Mari there’s a chance they are real, they really exist the whispers just returned home they said they saw the roses and that the president is hiding them in his quarters to keep them all to himself. They say his keeping them to stay immortal so that he can live and rule as president forever he is trying to make himself a king. “Marinette sprung up if the roses were real, they could save her mother.“Charlie, you know what this means right! If they are real, they can save my mother!”
Charlie’s eyes grow darker, “Mari even if they are how could we get them, the whisperers are lucky they are alive, they said they barely made it out and if the president finds out who they are they will be killed.Mair thought for a second. “I have an idea, but I will need your help.” Charlie looked at Marinette’s gaze, he knew there was no changing her mind now. “Aright ill help but don’t get us killed Mari, we only have one life and if I die who will take care of my children.” Charlie gestured to his wall of computers and electronics, Mari rolled her eyes and laughed. “you’re not going to die char okay I promise I won’t let you.”
