Lifers by M.A. Griffin
This story taps into real social issues: disenfranchised and discontented youth who feel let down by political systems that fail to create opportunities for them or lay a pathway to a good future. For those who fall between the social cracks due to disadvantage, criminal activity is a means to thwart the system. But rising crime and its very visibility is something the prevailing governing body is keen to bury.
When a group of vigilante teenagers proclaiming themselves ‘Watchers of the Unwatched Life’ uncover disturbing evidence of the government’s brutal methods of forced incarceration and ‘disappearing’ – and suspected murdering – of the city’s criminal youth, bystander apathy is not an option. The group feel compelled to go in after and try to rescue those who have already been taken. Entry to the highly fortified youth prison is through one of countless portals scattered around the city area. These portals leadto a dangerous subterranean world that is lawless and savage. Survival is predicated on street fighting and dirty gang tactics of domination and intimidation. Getting this rabble group to band together to find a way out is their only hope. The risks are life threatening and the inmates are not called ‘Lifers’ for nothing.
When a mass breakout is planned, timing, coordination and brazen luck will be needed if the truth behind the government’s actions are to be publicly exposed and those culpable held to account.