The next day, an officer called him: "Gail. You'll be sent to court for your hearing."
Gail was taken to court in a supervised vehicle. The officer in front of the court pulled him out of the car with force and took him toward the courtroom with his hands and feet shackled. The courtroom was connected to the street by several long steps. Gail's legs, tired from the previous night's pacing, couldn't climb the stairs, and the officer grumbled as he dragged him up the steps.
The only person present in the court session, apart from the judge and Gail, was a person in a suit who carefully monitored the court session and did not say anything. At the hearing, the judge officially started the session. Gail was not given the right to have a lawyer, and even his father was barred from attending.
The judge looked at Gail with contempt and said: "Do you know what you're here for?"
Gail: "Your Honor, I requested a lawyer."
The judge, frowning and shouting, replied: "We issue the fairest judgments, and there's no need for a lawyer. I repeat, do you know what you're here for?"
Gail, distressed and choking up, responded: "For communicating with the outside world."
The judge said: "For illegal communication with the outside world and endangering national security!"
Gail was shocked and amazed and said: "My father was present and can testify that I didn't transmit any information that would endanger national security."
The judge nodded. He paused a bit and reluctantly continued: "Son of John, it's better to trust the larger family, just the government, more than your small family."
Gail said fearfully and questioningly: "With all due respect, I don't understand your meaning, sir."
The judge: "Government is a big family that you can always trust and rely on. But you did not choose your family. You should know, son. Your father has informed the authorities. It is clear that your father is aware of this. The top priority is the larger extended family. That means the government. That means the city of Neo Eden."
Gail was going crazy with amazement and surprise. He could not believe that his father had betrayed him like that. He trusted his father all his life and had no one but him in Neo Eden. Gail put his hands on his head. He lowered his hands from his head to cover his face with his palms. It was as if the world had ended for him. But this was not the end of the story, the situation got even worse!
The judge: "You are sentenced to two years of forced labor in the mines for secretly communicating with the outside world. And because you endangered national security, you must perform the hardest mine work!"
Gail, overwhelmed with hatred, pain, and distress, couldn't speak a word. He lowered his hands from his face, choked up, and his palms were cold and sweaty. Gail wished for death and wanted the world to end at that moment.
After the court session and Gail's departure from there, the man in a suit who was the mining deputy objected to the judge: "Why did you issue this verdict for him? He is very weak and does not serve our purpose."
Judge: "His crime is very grave. It's better if you can force him to work until he dies. He might have information from the outside world to pass on to others. And of course, I've given him a tougher sentence."
Mining deputy: "Do you mean the hardest work in the mine? We can give him one of those strange rocks that have caused the death of several people to carry."
Judge: "Exactly!"
Gail, who was no longer capable, was forced into the car under guard. Life had turned into hell for Gail in one day. He had to be transferred again to the detention center and then tomorrow he would be sent to the mine, the forced labor camp. He did not know what was meant by mining. He didn't know if his father really betrayed him or not. Gail and his thoughts were at a very tough war.
When Gail arrived at the detention center, this time he saw more disappointing details, the sight of the imposing, grim structure filled him with dread. The building's cold, grey walls seemed to swallow all hope. Inside, the air was thick with despair, the dim lighting casting long shadows that danced eerily across the walls. As he was led to his cell, Gail spotted Tommy sitting on a hard, narrow cot, his back against the damp, moldy wall. Tommy looked up, his eyes widening at Gail's appearance.
Tommy noticed Gail's desperate condition and felt a pang of sympathy. Gail's face was pale and gaunt, his eyes hollow and lifeless. The poor boy looked like he was dying, his spirit crushed under the weight of his sentence.
Feeling sorry for him, Tommy tried to communicate with him. "What happened, kid? What was your sentence?" His voice was gentle, filled with concern.
Gail said in utter despair, his voice barely above a whisper, "Two years of forced labor in the mines..." His words hung heavy in the stale air.
Tommy, trying to console him, said, "Don't worry, two years of work isn't too hard, and I hope you get through it safely. Just be careful not to make any mistakes there." He tried to inject some optimism into his voice, but it sounded hollow even to his own ears.
Gail, his eyes hollow, replied, "I feel like my blood pressure is very low. I'm going to pass out." His legs wobbled, and he slumped against the wall, sliding down to the floor.
Tommy got up and knelt beside him. He massaged Gail's shoulders gently, trying to offer some physical comfort. Water was dripping from the ceiling. It had caused efflorescence on the ceiling. So Tommy reached up to the ceiling, scraping off some of the salt crystal caused by water dripping, and forced it into Gail's mouth. Tommy tried to bring Gil's blood pressure, which had dropped, back to normal by giving him salt. So he continued: "Why? What else happened?"
Gail, feeling slightly better due to Tommy's support, answered, "The judge claimed my father turned me in! It's impossible, I'm losing my mind." Tears welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill over.
Tommy's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you sure? Maybe the judge lied, or maybe your father made a mistake? Isn't your father a careless person?" His voice was both incredulous and compassionate.
Gail sighed deeply, his breath shaky. "Maybe the judge lied, or maybe my father mistakenly talked about my connection with a person in the outside world or while talking to a friend of his who I think is a government spy. He makes a lot of mistakes."
Tommy asked, "Like what kind of mistakes?" He leaned in closer, his face serious and intent.
Gail was about to cry: "For example, when I was born, my mother wanted to name me Gil, but my father mistakenly registered my name as Gail. Do you think my arrest could be a mistake by my father, or is he a government supporter?" His voice wavered, filled with a mix of anger and sorrow.
Tommy, now more serious and upset with Gail's father, asked, "Where is your mother now?" His tone was soft but urgent.
Gail's voice softened with sadness. "My father says she died when I was a child. You didn't answer my question." His eyes were pleading, searching for some semblance of hope.
Tommy, taking the situation seriously, replied, "Look, I don't want to be overly optimistic. Your father might support the government. In this damned city, you shouldn't be optimistic. There's an ancient Eastern legend that says, 'A son never betrays his father, but a father... It is possible!'" His voice was low, almost a whisper, as if speaking too loudly would make the harsh truth even more unbearable.
Gail was shocked and couldn't continue the conversation. His mind raced, trying to make sense of everything. The walls seemed to close in on him, and the weight of betrayal and uncertainty pressed down on his chest.
Tommy tried to justify his words, spoken out of anger, but it was no use. Eventually, out of exhaustion and sadness, Gail fell asleep, his body succumbing to the overwhelming fatigue and emotional turmoil. His sleep was restless at first, filled with fragmented images and muffled sounds, but then a vivid dream took hold.
In his dream, Gail found himself standing in a vast, open field bathed in a surreal, golden light. The sky above was an endless expanse of warm hues, blending seamlessly into the horizon. Suddenly, a soft, shimmering glow appeared in the distance, growing brighter as it approached. Gail's heart pounded in his chest, both in fear and awe, as the radiant being came into focus.
The creature had two enormous, graceful wings that seemed to be made of pure light, each feather glowing with an ethereal brilliance. Its body was humanoid, but its face was indistinguishable, obscured by the intense light that emanated from it. The being exuded an aura of peace and reassurance, its very presence calming Gail's troubled mind.
As the luminous figure drew nearer, Gail felt an indescribable sense of comfort and security. The entity didn't speak, but it seemed to communicate with Gail, imparting tranquility to him. The sound of its wings fluttering was a harmonious blend of musical notes, akin to soothing whispers of spirituality resonating deep within Gail's soul.
Experiencing this dream filled Gail with a profound sense of hope and determination. The creature's presence seemed to dispel the darkness that had been consuming him, replacing it with a radiant light that touched the deepest corners of his heart. He felt a renewed strength, a belief that he could endure the trials ahead.
As the dream began to fade, the luminous being extended a glowing hand toward Gail, a gesture of encouragement and solidarity. Gail reached out, his fingers brushing against the creature's hand, feeling a surge of energy and warmth flow through him.
Gail woke up with excitement, his eyes snapping open to the dim light of the detention cell. He sat up, breathing heavily, his heart still racing from the intensity of the dream. Despite the oppressive surroundings, a strange sense of calm washed over him, a lingering echo of the dream's reassuring presence. For the first time since his ordeal began, Gail felt a real flicker of hope, a belief that he could survive the darkness and find his way back to the light. Although he did not know what the nature of this luminous man was, he felt good.
He rose with excitement and started pacing again.
Tommy, who had just woken up from sleep, asked him in surprise, "What happened?"
Gail, trembling with excitement, replied, "I see a bright future."
Tommy shook his head. Once again, he became concerned for Gail, imagining that he might be suffering from bipolar disorder.
A short time passed. It was now time for Tommy's court session, and the officer called him. As Tommy was leaving, he whispered to Gail, "Take care of yourself in the mine, son." His voice was filled with a mix of sorrow and determination, a silent promise to look out for Gail even in his absence.