Grey Lands

A new day

The noise of people muttering rudely woke me up from my sleep. A cacophony of words and mutters buzzed around my throbbing head. Why couldn't they shut up for God's sake?

I bent my head forward and immediately bile rushed up my throat. Nope, not a good idea! From a distance I heard someone faintly call my name, a familiar voice with a worried tone to it.

One quick glance up told me that my best friend was pushing through the crowd like a bulldozer; shoving everything off its path. Suddenly I felt myself being yanked and squeezed by a soft, muscular body.
"It's okay, I'm here." I shivered at the cozy tone of Rahan's voice, letting my body sink into him. "Breathe in, breathe out." He whispered into my ear.

Letting go gently, I squeezed his hand and gave him a smile that only he would understand. I was aware of the stares I was getting from everyone else, but I ignored it and went to the restroom.

Shutting the door gently, I almost ran towards the mirror-to take a look at my appearance.
My normally pale face was crimson in colour, from the well of emotions fighting to take control of me, close to mimicking my flaming red hair. Even my eyes were bloodshot, clashing widely with my green pupils.

Wow I seriously looked like a mess! I scooped up water with my hands and splashed it on me. What the hell was that?   It's been more than two months since I've had that nightmare. Was it a premonition? I clenched my forehead; the pain and the worry was getting too much for me to handle. Three years had passed since Mark was gone, but it scared me to think that the memories were still etched onto me-that it could still cause the same pain as I felt then. I slid down against the door and silently let my emotions out in the form of tears.

Today was the big day. When we would finally be allowed to leave and start our lives again on the new planet. Our numbers had increased beyond our expectations and it was time for us to save the existing human race.

However I did not feel successful.

I drew circles around my temples with my thumbs, just like Maggie had told me to. 1. 2. 3. With each second I took a deep breath. I needed to change my perspective. My concentration had to be focused on today and not the past, after all that's what everyone expected from me. Taking one last breath I opened the door to see Rahan looking warily at me.

God knows what they all thought of me. A lunatic maybe? A weakling for sure, not a leader. How can I afford to lose control like this. My eyes looked down at the ground with shame. Of all days, I had to panic like that today. I closed it again and took a deep breath before looking up hesitantly into Rahan's eyes

With one scoop of his arms he pulled me close, held me tight and gave a small kiss on my head. I relaxed at the comfort of his arms. He held my face and looked at me "We are all there for you. You aren't going to do it alone!" I looked around him and I saw the rest of the people in my cabin holding the same look of reassurance.

I squeezed his hands and we both headed out.

I stood on the flat grass with the sun just rising and looked ahead to see the Salutem spread out in front of me: a gigantic green oval field, with seven huge dorms in the middle in one line, and different store houses, dotted around the place.

Surrounding the Salutem was a huge electric fence, rising from the ground 60 feet high. The function is to warn people against going out, but the main purpose is to protect people from the creatures of the Grey Lands, which lies beyond the fence.