Chapter 2: you’ll never return

549’s POV

“What did they say?” Twelve asked as she twisted the cap of her water bottle.

I shrugged, trying to act casual.

“I passed.”

She froze, then her eyes snapped to mine.

I looked away, unable to bear the pity that swirled in those grey orbs.

“Oh five forty nine,” she sighed, dropping her bottle. “I’m sorry.”

I nodded, my gaze fixed on the tray of food in front of me.

“I hope I get picked!” A girl squealed, bouncing in excitement as she walked past our table.

“Yeah? I can’t wait to carry a pup in my womb and fulfill my destiny,” her friend agreed.

I scoffed.

Destiny. Fate. Nature.

They were all cruel forces that subjected us to suffering.

Every girl dreamed of the day they’d be picked, the day they’d finally get to leave these walls and carry a pup in their wombs.

But I dreamed of the day I get to leave these walls and explore the world.

Rumors had it that there were more wastelands than fertile lands. I wanted to see for myself, wanted to see what the world had become since the Great War ended hundred years ago.

“I wish we could be as enthusiastic as that,” fifty nine said, joining us.

“You passed too?” Twelve asked, her voice carrying that edge of dread.

Fifty nine nodded solemnly.

Twelve leaned back, her eyes brimming with tears.

I couldn’t blame her. Being the youngest of the three of us meant she’d have to stay here longer, stay here after we inevitably get picked.

“But hey! You won’t be alone for long!” Fifty nine cheered, bumping her shoulder.

“What do you mean?” I asked, a small frown on my face.

“It means you’ll get picked first,” she shrugged. “And I’ll stay here a long time. Twelve might even leave before me.”

The table got quiet, the three of us sitting in the uncomfortable silence of the truth.

They ranked us based on our physical appearance.

The color yellow was considered the least attractive bunch, the pink were of average and the white were considered the most beautiful.

Every girl with a white dress shared similar features. Blonde hair, blue eyes, defined body carved with strict dieting, 5’5 to 5’8 height.

Fifty nine was the only one in the trio with a yellow dress.

“We could swap dresses,” I muttered.

They both laughed, my words bringing some lightness back to the table.

I wasn’t joking.

“Have you two heard?”

“Heard what?” I muttered stabbing into my salad.

Fifty nine glanced around, as if trying to make sure we weren’t being watched. Then she leaned in, her voice dropping into a low whisper.

“They say a powerful Alpha is coming soon.”

Twelve’s eyes widened, and I normally would’ve leaned back in disinterest.

But not today. Not when I was eligible to be picked.

“What Alpha?” I demanded, my voice coming out sharper than I intended.

Fifty nine furrowed her brows, both surprised and alarmed.

“Relax, will you?”

I swallowed.

“I thought Alphas never came?” I pushed, trying to make sense of her words, “they always send a subordinate. Why—”

“I don’t know five,” she cut in, her voice sharp with annoyance. “I simply heard a rumor.”

“But—”

“But nothing,” she rose, her eyes narrowed. “I’m going to leave now. You’re being weird.”

I watched her leave, her movement relaxed and completely carefree as she joined her other friends on the opposite side of the cafeteria.

Twelve remained quiet, just eating her food.

I leaned back in my seat, but the tension still remained in my bones. The atmosphere between us became thick, the clattering of utensils against plates filling the silence.

“I’m sorry,” I finally broke, my eyes fixed on my plate.

Twelve didn’t respond for a moment, and I almost thought she was ignoring me till she spoke again, her voice soft.

“For what?”

I didn’t look up. “For being weird,” my voice—traitorous—wavered slightly.

I was always weird, always the odd one, the one who pushed everyone away. Twelve had stuck by me because she was quiet, and afraid to explore. And fifty nine—it was unclear why she remained friends with me.

“I don’t think you’re weird, five.”

I finally looked up, but her eyes were not on me.

“You don’t want to be picked. I understand that.”

I stiffened, my breath catching in my throat.

My eyes swept the cafeteria, making sure no one was paying attention, no one was listening.

“I never said that,” I whispered, though the conviction in my voice was missing.

It was a taboo to say those words out. Girls have been punished cruelly for those exact words, they’ve been taken but never returned, they’ve been starved, locked up, the punishment was never nice, never ending.

“You didn’t have to,” she shrugged, taking a bite of her food. “I know because I share the same sentiments.”

My blood heated up, my pulse starting to race.

“Don’t say that!” I snapped, drawing attention to us.

No.

I leaned back, going back to my food, pretending everything was okay but the tremble in my hands gave me out.

“But the thing is,” she finally lifted her gaze, her hollow eyes locking on me. “Girls like us are always sought out.”

I felt that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

“Don’t go tomorrow, five,” she whispered.

“Or you’ll never return to us.”

My eyes watered, my breathing became harder. I wanted to ignore her words, wanted to go back to eating.

But somewhere deep down, I knew she was right.

I knew my days at the breeding facility was coming to an end.

And I could only sit and wait.

To be bred.