The Winnowed

Chapter 2: Oliver

No one sick is allowed to stay. They could infect someone else, and they can't help us do anything. So as Captain Adeline would say, "If we want to grow, then we can't have anything (or anyone) holding us back".

Adeline is head commander. The Commanders run our government and make all the rules.

Adeline is deeply bitter. I don't understand why everyone trusts her so much. It's like they are under a spell she cast.

When she talks to you she holds herself up like she's an elegant Queen. But she sure doesn't dress like one. She dresses like a business woman from the 1990s. Her glare is so sharp; it could pierce through your skin. She is always glaring. That's her natural look, a sharp, rude, know it all glare.

One time when we were younger, I and my best friend Oliver were with our dads at their work in the Capital building. Every kid until they are old enough to go to school, has to go to work with their parents every Monday and Friday, to learn about good jobs and how important it is to help our government and the Commanders.

Anyways, we were with our dads in the Capital, and Oliver really wanted to leave. It was always so boring there. Everyone doing the same thing, typing on their computers and doing research on top secret stuff we weren't even aloud to see.

We were sitting next to my dad's desk talking about how boring it was, when all of the sudden he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the room, down the hallway, and into the elevator. We were both laughing when unexpectedly, the elevator stopped. Suddenly the doors slowly creaked open, and there she was, glaring down at us. She didn't even say anything, but we both knew we were dead.

Oliver is more of the adventurous, rule breaking type. Very different from me, the nervous, rule follower. But, he always gets me break the rules with him. I have never been able to turn down his playful and adorable smile. He's always been by my side and I honestly don't know what I would do without him.

"Come on you big sloth! We are never going to get to your house on time if you keep up that pace!" he jokes obnoxiously. "That's actually really funny considering I'm ten steps ahead of you!"

We are bringing back food for my family. He always helps me with everything and keeps a smile on my face. But as soon as we arrive, the smile disappears.

As I open the door, I can hear my mom crying from her room, and Oliver instantly shuts the door behind us, so no one outside can hear her. We quickly run down to the basement because we both know why she's crying.

My dad has always been short tempered. And my mom tries to make him happy because she really loves him. But when she does something wrong, she can't stop his wrath, or his fists.

When we get down stairs, Oliver immediately runs to my granddad to show him another painting. Ever sense my grandfather got sick, we have had to keep him hidden away from the outside world. If anyone ever found out he was sick, he would get thrown to outside of the wall to die. Oliver's parents don't even know.

So every week, Oliver paints him a picture of the city, to remind him what outside of the basement looks like.

After dinner, Oliver went home and I went up to my room for bed. As I lay in bed, I think about how much I like my life. It's pretty hard, but Oliver and my granddad make it all worthwhile.

My granddad tells me story's about when he was growing up. He always talks about my grandma Lilly, who died before I was born. He always says how they grew up together just like me and Oliver and that me and Oliver are going to fall in love like they did. I regularly role my eyes in disbelief, but as lay here tonight, I can't help but think how it would be to fall in love with Oliver. Maybe I already have, but right now, love is not the most important thing in my life. As long as Oliver is around, I'll be fine.