Centered around the theme of "Voices of Protest", I wanted to write a story about how justice does not always prevail, that sometimes no matter how hard you try or protest, things just do not work out the way you want to. I decided to write about racial discrimination in a different world, trying to draw parallels between the treatment of the Brymnorians with minority groups in the United States throughout history. The Brynmorians are conquered people who are subject to harsh laws and unjust treatment. I tried to mirror the consequences of "going against the institution" with real-world consequences that minority groups have faced.

I decided to incorporate another element concerning "Voices of Protest" through Zachary. He is the only one who is relatively unscathed because he looks so 'plain', commenting on how those who do not stand out and blend into the background are safer than those who take risks. However, on the flip side, he is the one who bears the burden of avenging his family in a sense, protesting the system and his family's injustice by taking cases as a lawyer to prevent the same situation from happening for other people.

Protest can be long-term and come in a variety of ways; voices of protest are not only those who go on strikes or campaigns but also those who fight for injustice in their jobs in day-to-day life. Zachary also represents how ordinary, "plain" people like him can protest—anyone can. They just need to persist and speak out in their own way. The repetition of "Summer of 1979", and "People ask me..." preceding it was to show Zachary's motive for protesting: the summer of 1979, where everything began, and he was forced to face the grim reality of society for the first time, taking off his rose-colored glasses.

I hope you enjoy reading this short story as much as I did writing it!

1828 words.