The Fallen (gxg)

Chp. 1

It was an eerie night when it happened. Something our people are scared of. 

Outside the circle is where the civilian lives, she is so carefree that she didn't even stop to think about the consequence she'll face after. What she did was a very forbidden thing, or at least that was what our elderly people said. 

But we, her friends, never listened to the accusing tones of the elders. We believe that whatever she did will benefit us someday. It may be chaos here inside the circle, but I have my hope in her.

Our elders said that whoever steps a foot outside the circle won't ever return, and I believe that they got this theory based on what happened to her. Unfortunately, the guardians said that she was the first one to set foot outside.

She never really came back and we got zero news about her.

"Will you please give that back!?" 

I irritatingly closed the book I was so interested in when Maverick and Amelie's voices bombarded outside. 

"Guys! Will you please tone it down? I'm trying to read something here." 

When they saw me, they both stood up like a soldier and made serious facial expressions. Yes, my friends are totally drama queens born in the wrong body.

"Your majesty," Maverick said and elegantly bowed.

I huffed in disbelief.

"Guys, how many times do I have to say this..." I sighed and shook my head.

"Yeah, yeah, we're just kidding, right?" Maverick looked beside her and Amelie only nodded.

"Just don't do that again. It's kind of embarrassing." I shyly said and their head went to look around our place.

"Why don't you wanna be called like that? Your parents are the King and Queen!" Amelie said in her high-pitched voice.

"I don't know...it just doesn't feel right. Especially since my parents are the only ones who are doing the real work here, not me." I smirked and sat beside the door.  

They both sympathetically smiled and sat beside me.

Since she disappeared, my parents started to take risks and go outside the circle. All of us tried to beg them from doing it but they said that their plans are already final. Leaving me here with my friends with nothing to do but read any books they can find.

It always makes me happy every time they come back here without any wounds or bruises from a mission. I guess that's one of our strengths, we can perfectly fit in with the civilians but some talented civilians can tell which are not one of their kind. 

"Don't worry, your parents will be back soon." Amelie warmly smiled as she placed her head against my shoulder.

Her gesture made me smile. The two kept me entertained the whole time of my parents' absence but suddenly there was a feeling in my gut, something I have always felt when there's something strange happening around.

"Civilians..." I whispered to myself.

"What?" Maverick asked while jokingly throwing punches at Amelie.

"Civilians!" The guardians both yelled and the ringing of our bell can be heard all over the place. The shrilling noise made me cover my ears. If that sound can only hurt our eardrums a little, it's more hurtful for the civilians. 

"Come on!" Maverick shouted.

She grabbed mine and Amelie's hands and then we were already at the truck within a blink. Maverick yelped in pain and dizzily walked to the passenger's seat.

"Don't worry...I can handle this." Amelie winked and went to the driver's seat. Having that much power can consume our energy. 

I gave Maverick her drink and Amelie revved the vehicle to its full power. 

"Uh, guys where are we going?" Maverick dumbly glimpsed at our surroundings while cautiously looking at me.

"I-I'm sorry, she's using her power on me." Amelie sank in her seat with her eyes glued to the rare view mirror, glued to my eyes.

"What the hell?! You're taking us to the civilians! Turn the car!" Maverick thrashed around and tried removing Amelie's hand from the steering wheel. I watched them while only seating in the backseat to focus my attention on controlling the steering wheel.

"Argh! Damn it." Maverick grunted and watched the change of environment outside. I removed my gaze from Amelie and sat impatiently in my seat. She sighed in relief but gave me a raised eyebrow and a warning look. 

"We need to find my parents first." 

They both went quiet after that. I used this time to focus on channeling my parents' whereabouts. I should know within a few moments but all I got is none...a static, something not good is happening.

"Guys, my parents are in danger," I whispered. They both turned their heads to me and looked at me with worry.

"This is our purpose after all." I heard Maverick whisper to herself before changing her demeanor to a determined one when we are getting closer to the border. Amelie gave me an assuring smile and drove the vehicle much faster.

Amelie slowly stepped on the brakes and swiftly increased the volume of the radio when we reached the border. Two men dressed in uniform stood in front of the car and asked us to lower all the windows.

While slowly lowering our windows, I heard Amelie gulp and nervously removed her glasses. 

"We can do this," I said in a hushed but cheering tone to prepare ourselves. When the windows are all down, the two men walked around the car while carefully examining it. They both nod their heads and went back to the driver's side.

"May I get your IDs?" The man with a more friendly face said. 

We all smiled at him and kindly gave him our IDs. Only civilians can have IDs but thanks to some of our people, they can replicate and produce one.

"Alright, what are you all staying here for?" He smiled and returned the IDs to us.

"Oh, we're here to take photographs and have fun while school break is still around the corner." Amelie formally smiled.

"That's good to hear! Visitors often visit here...rumors changed their perspective about this town." The uniformed man sighed.

"Can we go now, Officer?" Maverick politely said, I stopped myself from laughing at the obvious impatient tone behind her voice.

"Yes! Of course, my apologies for that." He laughed and got out of our way. We all thanked him and Amelie stepped on the gas when the Officer stopped us again.

"Wait!" 

The three of us frustratingly sighed in unison, Amelie stepped on the break again and offered the two officers a forced smile.

"Yes, Officer?"

"Where are your equipment and...what's that again...tripods? I heard that they are pretty bulky. Just curious." He smiled and peeked inside the vehicle.

"They're here!" I said in the most cheering tone I could muster and brought up the tripods in front of me.

"Good, you're all good to go." He nodded and cheerfully waved.

"Great save." Maverick and Amelie said in unison as we finally passed the checkpoint that took like an eternity.