Red

Chapter 2

"If you don't wake up RIGHT NOW red I swear on the town charter that you will regret it!" Violet yelled from the house next door. Oh yeah. We're neighbors.

"I'm coming! I'm coming!" I yelled back.

I took a quick cold shower to wake myself up and threw on my classic green jacket and brown pants. I like to blend in with the forest, so most of my wardrobe's pretty bland. My stupid red hair gives me away much too often. What are the odds that I'm Red and have red hair? Slim to none.

"What did you wake me up this early for?" I asked Violet when she opened the door to her house.

"I wanted to have another birthing rehearsal before the big day tomorrow."

"Why? Yesterday went fine," I replied.

"Yeah, but... but I think we could all be a little more prepared. You never know if-"

"Violet."

"I'm just saying what if-"

"Violet."

"Something could go wrong and it'll all be my-"

"Violet!"

"What!" she huffed, clearly annoyed I kept cutting her off.

"You're gonna do great Violet. The next Violet couldn't have asked for a better trainer. She won't know what hit her," I winked at her as I nudged my elbow into her ribs playfully.

"I'm just so worried that I won't do it right and the next generation is going to be screwed."

"There's no right way to do it. I promise, you'll be fine."

"Thank you," she said. "Really, thank you."

"Ugh, no hugs," I squeezed out of her hug and she laughed at me.

"Now that you've woken me up for no reason... what do you think about doing my rounds with me today?" I asked her.

"YOU want ME to do your rounds with you?" she smiled.

"Once in a lifetime opportunity. Meaning it won't happen again."

"I'd LOVE to! Let's go!" she replied excitedly. She's been wanting to see my work for as long as I can remember. I've never let her... Obviously. But hey, maybe some company would be nice; I usually do them alone, surprise surprise.

I brought her to the outdoor gym first. We did my exercise routine and then ran around my favorite trail in the forest. Then I brought her to my knife throwing class which was a complete disaster. She sucked at it and almost hit one of my students. Needless to say, Burgundy won't be coming back to my class. I wouldn't be surprised if she switched paths all together.

After that we went to the wall; My favorite round of all. I meet up with Indigo, who's task is security, every day at noon to make sure no damage was made to the wall overnight. I bring Violet up to the top and we look out at the beyond.

"I've never seen the beyond before," she tells me.

"What? You've never once seen the beyond?"

"Never. I guess I've just never had the thought to come up here before. It's beautiful," she gazes out at the forest extending for miles and miles.

"This is my favorite part about being Red."

"Why's that?" she prods.

"I love imagining what's out there you know? I wish I could just explore the beyond but I know the leaders would never let me."

"You should." I almost choke.

"What?"

"You should explore it."

"The queen of rules and structure is telling me to go past the wall?" I ask, appalled.

"Well no, not any time soon. But someday. I'm curious as to why we're behind a wall in the first place. What's so bad that we have to confine ourselves from it?"

"Believe me, I've been asking that question for 17 years."

I wave at Indigo when I see her climbing up the steep ladder below us.

"Hey guys! Woah- Violet? Never thought I'd see you up here," Indigo says.

"I'm doing Red's rounds with her today," she answers.

"Never thought I'd see the day you two became friends," Indigo laughs.

I just roll my eyes in response. I don't quite know if I'd consider Violet my friend, but the company's been kind of nice today.

"Red! Look!" Violet almost squeals as she points at something in the beyond.

"What is that?" Indigo and I say simultaneously.

A few miles past the wall there's... a forest fire?