Lucas
I put my leather jacket on and rush after her. The others don't ask any questions and know better than to do so. I take my time while I pass Blondie's table eavesdropping on their conversation and picking up a segment of their sports tactics. Most of it is all jibber-jabber and worthless to me. I pull my hoodie over my head and continue my exit leaving their burning stares behind.
Outside the weather couldn't be more perfect. The blue sky stretches as far as the eye can see. Its flawlessness is spotted by puffy cotton-ball clouds adding substance to its vastness. It looks like spring, with blossom trees and brighter green leaves, but it's hard to tell. Only the wind doesn't feel quite right, other than that the Nanites are doing a hell of a job. They erected the dome before building the city inside. At first, it was only a translucent shield meant to make the air breathable again and shelter the construction site. It was only after they programmed the nanobots to execute complex choreographed dances, with molecular-level precision, that the aegis came to life.
After the bombings, the sky turned black as ash and the smoke was so dense it was impossible to breathe. But that was only the beginning. The real enemy has been awakened. Natural catastrophes followed one after another, some flashing in the pitch-black revealing their whereabouts, while others doing the damage in utter secrecy. At the beginning, acid rains burnt everything in their way. By this point, the population more than halved. Then followed the earthquakes, creating a ripple effect so huge there was no coming back. It is said the first wave of tsunamis and hurricanes lasted only a few minutes, long enough to wipe out entire cities.
The last punch that knocked the human race out, were the thunderstorms. Flashing their spectacular, yet deadly bolts of anvil crawlers across the sky, it was Mother Nature's cruel joke of ending up the world.
Those who acted fast and without hesitation hid in the underground too frightened to hope for redemption. The air is still hard to breathe and it doesn't kill on spot. It rather brings a slow and painful death.
The pandemonium lasted for months, killing what was left of the world's last breath. Several months passed until the waters succumbed to the scorched lands, revealing a dead planet not suitable for living anymore. From what it looked like, humankind couldn't stand a chance against two lethal enemies, a viral disease and a pissed off Mother Earth. But aren't we a resilient pest?
The campus is teeming with busy students each following a pre-established trajectory, moving hastily from one building to another. Some are bold enough to venture in their own quests, roaming around and spending what's left of the lunch break. I keep treating them like machines, cold and empty inside, but the truth is we are not that different. Whatever, I let it out still not in tune with that idea.
As soon as I see the front gate, I pick up the pace, striding across the perfectly trimmed lawn. I know too well that if I start running I'll alert the guards. They are always watching with their weasel eyes glued to the monitors.
I can't help but thinking that Tammy is wandering alone in the City. The Iron Guard is more devious and dangerous than ever and I can't afford taking any chances. Who knows where they will attack next? Unpredictable half-brained bastards! I curse under my breath and break out in a cold sweat. God, this girl can walk fast. How could I lose her twice in one day? My heart is pounding making the blood rush through my veins. I roam the deserted city fretting and blaming myself for my stupidity. I have to get my shit together or else this mission has already failed.
I recall the paths she could have chosen to go back home. She usually takes the trail on the river bank, which is less crowded, but now, at this hour, almost everyone is held up either at work or the Institute. The rest of them stay hidden in their miserable homes. The only living souls that enliven the empty streets are the patrolling guards and the stray animals that scavenge the back alleys.
Right when I'm on the verge of giving up, I see her cornering an old brick building. How did she manage to cover half the distance so damn fast is a mystery wrapped in an enigma. My legs are moving on their own and I find myself running after her. What the heck is wrong with me? This girl is driving me insane. I broke my own rule, to never run, so trivial and yet so troublesome. Not that I am the most inconspicuous character here, but rushing is a sign of passive-aggressive behaviour and I'm pretty sure it is in the highlighted section of potential triggers. During our training, we've all learnt how to think like them and we know exactly what to avoid to pass undetected.
I decided to cut her off on the other side of what looks like an old Post Office. They even preserved the year of the monument, with the cursive numbers hand-carved in stone and all. 1920, from what I know, this could be the only heritage left from our ancestors. I cross the rear parking lot, totally aware of the cameras at each corner of the building. They already know where I am, so I don't bother hiding. I take a good head start before dash vaulting over the brick wall, landing softly on the other side. Knowing she's about to diverge from behind the corner any second now, I take a deep breath to man up and, then I stride along the sidewalk waiting for the impact.
1...2...there it is. She bumps right into me, so stunned she almost falls to the ground. I want to grab her elbow and steady her, but that would be way out of line. You've already overdone it in the park, moron, my subconscious decides to intervene.
She takes a few steps back, completely abashed about the sudden collision. If only I could snapshot every subtle move of her face, starting from the very beginning and up until she recognizes me. To preserve those little frown lines between her eyebrows from when she didn't have a grasp on what was going on. Or better save the moment her plump lips parted to let the air in, causing the tiny freckles look like they are floating on her pale expression. Her fearful eyes expose two different worlds, so bright and clear they look like gemstones in the stretched white. All those photos of her and they didn't get them right. Water and earth, two powerful elements, are now watching me, waiting for my next move.
I take my cover off letting my hair fall on my forehead. I see her wince, aghast at my unexpected gesture. What the heck? Is she scared of me? From all the possible scenarios, I didn't see this one coming.
What are you doing here all alone?' I ask the first thing that pops into my mind. Her deadly stare is making me uncomfortable. Okay, I admit. It's not the best one I could have started with.
She doesn't say anything for a few seconds. Her silence is making, whatever this is, more awkward than it should. I sway from side to side keeping myself busy, while I chase a bird in the sky.
You tell me! You're the one following me!' She finally snaps taking me by surprise. Her tone is harsh and offensive.
I've met her for five seconds and she already irritates me. I have to agree she looks cute when she's angry, though. Focus Lucas, she's your mission for crying out loud! I grab the bridge of my nose and take a deep breath. With my eyes squinting at her, I prepare for my comeback, but she cuts in taking me aback, again.
If only she stayed quiet, I would have been more careful with my word choice. But no, she had to continue, provoking me more.
Look if you want to report me do it already. What are you waiting for anyway? What do you want?' She barks out one word after another.
I can tell she didn't think it through because a second later her face turns bright red. So that's what has been bothering her. She breathes heavily waiting for my reaction. The ball is in my court now and I'm not going to let her off so easy. Amused by her sassy attitude and now by her innocent face, I start laughing, that hysterical laugh that you can't control and it always ends up with tears. She looks at me like I'd gone mad, but I don't really care. I have to put her in her place.
Listen to me, cry-baby, I have no intention in reporting you to anyone. It's your problem, not mine', I tell her still miffed about her snarky attitude.
Then, I bend over just enough to look her straight in the eyes. It's hard to resist not to lose myself in them. I thought she'd be taller, but she barely reaches my shoulders. Right before walking away, I do the one thing I know will piss her off I poke her forehead, treating her exactly like she acted, childishly.
I've already made a few steps when she yells after me, clearly aggravated. I thought these people don't get angry.
Why were you following me then?' She cuts directly to chase. Her tone has changed. It's flatter now, the kind that usually masks indignation.
All jokes aside, she has to be more careful about her safety, especially when she's alone. I have to come up with something or else she won't back off. I decide to go with the truth. It can't hurt, can it?
Don't be so sure I was following you.' I say, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk with my back at her. I am not sure how much I should give away. Look, the streets aren't safe anymore and that's all you need to know.' It's vague, but it's something and I really hope she will let it go.
She doesn't say anything and I take her silence as my cue to continue walking, leaving her alone on the pavement.
I'm Lucas, by the way.' I shout my name before disappearing behind the corner. My sixth sense is telling me there is more to her than meets the eye and I hate to be the one left in the dark.
TammyHer stomach ache has intensified ten times than it had been the entire morning. She wasn't expecting her day to be all rainbows and unicorns, however, she didn't imagine it will turn this bad. Meeting him was the worst thing that could have happened to her and only thinking about it is making her sick. She cannot believe what a condescending jerk he was, prodding her with his long fingers like she was a child. What's that supposed to even mean? Her subconscious demands with pouty lips. The dialogue in her head ignites the flames of her frustration, even more, her outrage fuming the whole way home.Who does he think he is?' she bursts out through gritted teeth as soon as the front door closes behind her. She fists her hands close to her body, striving to hold on to the little selfcontrol she has left. Her fingernails are digging mercilessly in her palms, while she channels all the anger out of her system. Closing her eyes she
LucasMy assignment surely is a rare sight. It's like she is purposely making this whole operation harder. At school, I don't see her very often, a few glimpses of her coppery hair, to break the dullness of the monochrome hallways. In class, she's always the last to enter, completely ignoring my presence. Then, within minutes before the lecture ends, she keeps glancing towards the exit. Is she looking for new ways to avoid me even more? The only other place where she dares to show her face is the cafeteria, but then she's always with Blondie. What's the deal between them anyway?Much to my annoyance, our table is getting more crowded. I know I am enjoying my senior days, still, Matt and Elias are having a blast. All these new chicks joining us, are giving me a headache.We weren't that lucky to have a normal high school experience, and they certainly are making up for it. Military school is not something you "enjo
TammyHer condition is getting worse, despite all her futile attempts to avoid him. Faith decided to act against her will, meddling with both her patience and her sanity. How can she forget about Lucas, when he keeps popping up like this? Especially now, that Sesh is spending so much time with his friend, Matt. Twisting the knife further still, his name has become a powerful weapon against her weakness, an ever-present sound on everyone's lips that's confusing her even more. If it's not about his looks, it's about his arrogant attitude, which, like a magnet, attracts vilifying rumours and lustful wishes. Her life has turned into a sinking ship, going down fast in nauseating swirls, and with ELISA supposing to be next week, she's on the verge of losing it.She has never been afraid of the test before, not like this at least. The symptoms are getting more obvious, impossible for her to ignore them anymore. Besides, deep down, she kn
LucasNavion is exactly my type of sport. It's fun, edgy and dangerous. It makes my blood pump like crazy, but what it's not going to kill me, it surely makes me feel alive. They should definitely introduce it in the Colonies. It might teach them a few things instead of just running after a ball.The try-outs were a joke, but at least we had some fun. We smashed a 30-minutes session in half the time and we still had plenty left to come up with a plausible story for why we were so good at it. Apparently, they dug the idea of us playing a similar game back in our city, and thanks to Elias, who is a master of improvisation, it could have been the best sport ever. The team is alright, not that I had high expectations. As I assumed they are awfully stiff, with few exceptions that are not that bad. I can't say that about the captain, though. Blondie is the worst. He's like a machine, a god damn robot, in the way he moves, talks and even
TammyThey've been less than 10 minutes in Sesh's room and it already looks chaotic. In her attempt to find the perfect outfits, she ventures in the hidden world of her built-in closet throwing clothes everywhere. Some end up lying on the floor, while the rest either get stuck in the makeshift chandelier or hang from the top of the wooden door.Much to her dismay, Tammy, who is sitting on the bed, watches her friend fooling around as she tries on different pieces she thinks suitable for the party. She can't stop wondering, how on Earth Sesh has gathered so many of them in one place, the old kind before the city was created. Her collection looks more like a museum, yet much more colourful and so different than her plain and monochromatic wardrobe.Inside the house and away from the prying eyes, Sesh is back to being herself, singing and dancing with the pinkish robe she's about to wear next. She has always been like an op
LucasDamn it! Where is she? I searched in every nook and cranny and there's no trace of her inside. My head is filling with horrifying thoughts each one worse than the last. Icy shivers puncture my chest forcing me to stop for a second and breathe out the air from my lungs. I ignore the strange pain as I try to clear my mind and focus on the next step.Alright, think Lucas, think goddammit. I haven't spotted anything suspicious all night. That's good. If Iron Guard decided to gate-crash the party we would definitely know. I've seen Blondie earlier with the rest of the team and Sesh is with Matt. If everyone is here, then where is she? Great, I start to puff again. I haven't had any drinks tonight, why am I so slow? I bite my knuckles in despair as I always do when things get out of hand. Somehow, it calms my nerves grounding me to here and now. Knowing how stubborn and childish she can be sometimes, she must have gotten out
TammyHe loosens his grip after she stopped fighting him. With no other choice but to give in, Tammy decided now it's not the time to make a scene and attract unwanted attention. Especially at this time of day when the fog is starting to reveal the hidden city below and break their protective shield.This is the moment her grandma prepared her entire life for. Sometimes is better to leave things be no matter how hard her heart is trying to fight for its rights. She would like nothing more than to yell at him and then get away from there as fast as possible. It might be the illness giving her a surge of courage, although she is far from losing her mind yet.Jerk or not she welcomes his silence like a mask of fresh air, his words still stinging from before. A shy peek in his direction and her insides start to ache. There's no way she will ever talk with him after this. One night, that's all it took for her whole wor
LucasWhat is this place?' Her voice echoes in the whole terminal, cascading in infinite waves. Chaos prevails for a short minute as the vibrations scare off a few birds that found a home under the pitched roof.It's so strange to have her here. No one else has set foot inside the depot for more than a century, and the odds of her knowledge of this place were practically non-existent. I must be punished for something I've done in my previous lives.Before coming on Terra 1, the boys had asked me if I plan to live with them. I bet my face had said it all, as I didn't have to put it into words for them to even know it. It's not that I don't trust my team, but rather I enjoy my own company too much. I can't even imagine them barging in here and breaking the serenity of this place. That's definitely not going to happen. I reassure myself recalling the times we spent together in camp during our training. Let's just say