“Stand tall, citizens! Know that the superman lives.”

The crisp voice blared from the speakers that had been set up on every block. Dozens of people in the streets stopped what they were doing and looked up, faces taut with fear. In many eyes, I could see hope die, withering away by the newest addition to the daily propaganda.

“Today is a great day!” It continued. “Our great country no longer has any enemies to speak of. Every traitor has been interrogated and executed for your safety, and even now the last remnants that thought they could fight against the product of our superior science are being exterminated. Now we truly will be one people, forever united, stepping forward into history with pride and determination. Nothing can stop us now. Smile proudly citizens, we have finally won.”

Silence followed. A whisper rose, the sound of a body breathing its last.

I shuddered as I realized they were right, at last the world was united- in its hopelessness, each person nothing more than a part of the machine.