The Forbidden Children

12: This is Just the Beginning

Nearing March 6th, 8019

Kadyn POV

The gigantic metal door that separated us and safety opened slowly right before our eyes. My mouth was ajar as Fiona, Alex, Dylan, and Jack shuffled their feet closer to me through the thick sand. In all honesty I had no hope for this place even acknowledging our presence after how Maya and I left. It was a shot in the dark and I can't believe we still hit the target.

Bright white light flooded the developing darkness outside from the grey clouds rolling in, ready to send down rain, lightning, and thunder. The only sound that could be heard was the creaking of the strong, protected door.

It finally stopped as we all tried to shield our eyes from the intensity within. No one seemed to be there to greet us as we started walking slowly inside, grasping our knives, guns, and spears that were hidden in holsters, shirts, and slung on shoulders.

"This isn't setting right with me..." I briefly heard Dylan mutter as we got further into the supposedly guarded place.

"At this point I'm just glad we have shelter, those clouds looked nasty." Jack whispered back as we instinctively huddled together, stopping at a huge desk in the center of the white linoleum covered room. Multiple screens behind the piece of furniture displayed security camera footage, but every area seemed to be empty, including the cafeteria.

"Is this somewhat normal, you did say it wasn't enjoyable living here..." Fiona questioned quietly as I leaned over the registration desk.

"No, it isn't normal at all. Even though it felt like nobody was around me, they held a lot of illegal kids here." I gruffly responded as I went to search through some papers I found but an abrupt cough made me stop dead in my tracks.

"Kadyn Fern, what a pleasure to see you again. I see you brought friends. Lovely." An older woman, who looked to be about in her mid-sixties smiled warmly at me and the others, with no sense of sarcasm or bitterness in her tone. She wore a purple suit with a huge plum pinned onto her cardigan. Her black curly hair framed her face from her bobbed hairstyle and her hazel eyes sparkled under the bright ceiling lights.

"I- why- who?" I stumbled over my words, not knowing if I have ever seen this woman in my life while rubbing my neck awkwardly. I feel like I just got caught sneaking in late by a mother.

"Oh sweet boy, It's Camilla, your mentor. I know it must be odd seeing me out of my white uniform and I know you must have loads of questions. I'm afraid we are low on time though, you all must follow me quickly, stay quiet, and make sure you comprehend every detail I say." She directed her eye contact at all of us as she spun around quickly and began walking quite fast, her purple heels clicking loudly.

"Sweet?" Fiona smiled at me smugly as I rolled my eyes and grabbed her shoulder, making sure we stayed caught up to the best of our ability.

"I don't know how much Kadyn has told all of you, but the Secret Sealed compound was built to protect kids just like you. It was meant to give them everything life had to offer without them being seen by the outside population. Food, education, parties, friends, responsibility, all of it. The founder was so obsessed with keeping everyone here safe, that he made the biggest mistake. He prioritized safety instead of the kids, now you may think safety is the most important, and I dare say I would most likely have agreed. Seeing how the kids were impacted emotionally and mentally took a toll on us though, the employees. I watched the energy of young life get sucked out before my eyes. We weren't allowed to have relationships with anyone, we couldn't speak unless absolutely necessary, the only thing that mattered was our security, that was the only thing we were allowed to care about. Nothing here had any personality. We were robots creating even more robots." Camilla talked quickly while somehow walking even faster. Her arms stayed folded in front of her as her hips swayed in an aggressive manner.