Re: WWYCD: Omelas
I know this isn't exactly a WWYCD but I think it would suit as a sequal to the story
All the horses are assembled at the starting line, the riders’ faces set awaiting the starting trumpet. There is a murmur of anticipation through the crowd, the quiet before the storm.
Slowly a black figure winds its way through the spectators. It is robed from head to toe in black and a large hood obscures its features. Those it passes turn and stare for there are none who dwell in Omelas who wear black.
The crowd parts like water before a boat, as the stranger walks toward the city. As one the people follow it, the race and the festival forgotten so intent are they on following the only outsider to come since before the child.
Through the green fields walks the newcomer, leading the people in some sort of strange parody of the summer procession. Into the city it goes, down the streets. Turning this way and that, never hesitating like one who travels a familiar road.
It stops outside a house well-known but rarely visited. Slowly it turns and regards the crowd before opening the door and stepping over the threshold.
They all know why it has come, but they cannot move. They are compelled to stand where they are.
Time passes.
The dark figure emerges bearing a foul-smelling bundle wrapped in a white cloth.
For a moment it stands before them silently, letting them watch with horror as it lifts the cloth from the child’s face.
A small sound of happiness escapes the child’s lips as it sees the sky and the sun. And in that moment all know that the days of peace are over. Shattered like the silence that was broken by the child’s cry.
As the dark-robed stranger walks the crowd and back the way it came the people of Omelas begin talking. First in a whisper, then in a murmur, then a roar. As shouts and yells ring out as fear takes hold of the people, some look back at the retreating figure in black and it’s white burden and know. That their lives had been changed for ever by the one who returned to Omelas.
