Defect

[chapter 1]

Hey guys! Just a bit of background info: I'm currently writing this story for the Novel-Writing Club at my school, so I really nave no clue as to how often I'll update. But then, you should be used to that by now from me..... :(

Sorry this one's so short...

Anywhos, if theres any questions, just ask and I'll answer!

Happy Reading!!!

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I sat up, blinking slowly as the alarm went off. I half expected to wake up to see Ivy standing there, hurrying me into classes. Then I remembered. She got auctioned off a few months ago.

Just like you are today.

I sighed again, pushing myself up in bed. I thought for a moment, considering the emotions coursing through me, and laughed as I realized what it was. Happiness. I had forgotten what it felt like; to be happy. Then I realized I was happy that I was leaving this heck called boarding school, only to become some sicko’s personal slave… and sometimes more.

The smile fell quickly from my face at the thought of Blood Slaves. They were basically the Evo version of Meals on Wheels, and tended to have the shortest lifespan--sometimes even only a few weeks after they turn 15.

I winced slightly as some one’s hand connected with my face with a loud crack. I blinked a few times, staring up at the snarling and spitting face of Ms. Lummox, our educational supervisor.

“You pathetic child…” she sneered. I looked up at her, silent and unblinking. I learned a long time ago that the least painful way of living here was to submit and be quiet.

“What? Too dumb to answer? Of course you are… everyone here is.”

I couldn’t help her, I swear. One moment she was yelling at me, the next, she spun around and snapped at the girl. The one who didn’t have her cot made. I didn’t know her, but the look in those amber eyes was nothing but fear. I could tell she was malnourished- her tiny clothes hung off her body like dishrags, and her cheeks were sunken with bags under her eyes, and chapped lips did nothing to help with her pale skin. I desperately willed her to run, to escape this pain. But the thought came too late. A moment later, she was on the ground, bleeding heavily. I could tell she wasn’t going to make. It wasn’t that much blood, to be honest; the problem came with the fact that she was so weak already.

“Clean that… thing up when you’re done. Remember this. Someday, you will be in her position…” I watched in surprise as her eyes glazed over. Evos don’t have emotions… that’s part of what happens, part of the way they work. And yet… as I watched, I began to recognize the look on her face from the other slaves. From when we saved ourselves but sacrificed others. And ever so faintly, from two huge people, smiling down at me, happy to walk me to kindergarten but sad to see me go. It looked like… regret.

An instant later, it was gone. I had seen a flicker of the human that hid beneath the Evo, something no one had ever seen before.