The Future isn't Bright

Eighteen

I held my breath with anticipation. The information hit me like a slap to the face. Were Lance and the others crazy? The Government would kill them if they found out. Not even jail, but kill. Oslo jumped out of his seat and walked to the other side of the room to join the "trainers". I refused to look at him. I still had about a million and one doubts about all of this. Lance bit his lip. He must have been expecting more participation.  

"I was unaccepted too," he finally said, "I wasn't like the others in Mascel. I was scrawny and quiet. Everyone around me, my parents and neighbors, never accepted me as their own. I sensed they were going to leave me with the Lows. I felt lonely, alone, until I met Jenny, Mac, and Timmy. We, like you, also met at a Gathering. We all thought it was pointless and stupid."  

Too good to be true.

"You all met for a reason," Lance look me straight in the eyes, "You all were made and raised to be capable to change the world. In some of you, the genetic code has left a mark. Bicolored eyes. A vast majority of the compound's inhabitants have them."

I swallowed. Ethan stood up and walked over to Oslo and the trainers. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Look, Donna, just because this isn't legal in Femme or Mascel doesn't mean it's illegal here. I'm trusting my gut on this one, and you're not going to stop me," Ethan said in all seriousness.  

"You're crazy," I hissed at him. He shook his head. Chloe then stood up and joined them. My heart sank. They were all getting brainwashed.

"My father told me this day would come," she said, "And he instructed me to trust them."

Lance looked at me and awkwardly fiddled around with his shirt sleeves.

"Listen," he said, "We're good people. We know you're probably hesitant to trust us and that this is happening very fast... But we won't force you to remain with us. All we ask is that you make your decision soon, so that we may return you back to Femme or Mascel before the authorities go looking for you."

By this time, I've had enough of this nonsense. They were probably modern-day terrorists. I stood up and walked to the end of the room, where the door was.

"Donna!" Mac called after me. I turned around and glared at her, stopping her in her tracks.  

"I'll go get my stuff together. Alone," I said fiercely as I walked through the doorway, not bothering to close the door behind me. I retraced my steps back to the place where I woke up not even a full hour ago. I turned one corner, then another, until I heard numerous footsteps. I quickened my pace and quickly opened the vaguely familiar door in the end of the hallway.  

I pulled out my gym bag from under the short bed and zipped it open to make sure everything was in there. I raked my fingers through my hair and stepped over to the nearest wall's only window. I just now realized how different this place, Canada, really was. The skies lacked the yellow tint that was ever-present in Femme. Off to the left was a small lake that was visible from the meeting room, and something that was quite unusual in my eyes. Lakes evaporated years ago. A gentle breeze rustled the synthetic grass on the ground.  

The door opened behind me. I spun around so quickly I lost my footing and tripped, catching myself with my arms on the bed.  

"How graceful," Oslo said sarcastically. I smoothed my tangly hair down and narrowed my eyes at him. I wasn't in the mood for him.

"So you're leaving?" he asked casually, sitting down on the bed. I crossed my arms.

"Well of course," I said, "You've obviously gone mad. Why would you ever agree to stay with them?"

"I don't know," he shrugged, "I don't see why not. And it sounds like a lot of fun."

"Really?" I raised my eyebrows, "They drugged us and brought us here against our will, does that sound trustworthy?!"

"No, not at all. But they just wanted to ensure we didn't know how to go back to this location in case we decided to go back and side with the Government." Oslo explained with sarcasm dripping from his voice.

"This is probably all a dream," I thought out loud, taking a seat on the bed,"Secret organizations are illegal, after all."  

"Donna," Oslo said gently as he scooted closer to me, "It's real. And just think it through. What have you got to lose?" I looked him straight in the face, my eyes wide.

"Oh, I don't know, my life?" I raised my voice. If the Government found out about this, any of this, we would all be dead. But hopefully, I would wake up before any of that happened.  

"You're not going to wake up..." Oslo murmured, obviously reading my thoughts.  

"Stop! Just stop!" I reached for my bag and headed in the door's direction.

"Donna, stop." Oslo said, stepping in front of me. I pushed against his chest, but he wouldn't move. I was tired and weak and I didn't feel like fighting. I put my face in my hands. If this wasn't a dream, then it was a really messed up reality. I felt arms wrap around me, and I didn't resist them, as awkward as they felt around me.

"If you happen to join... And you don't like it... It's not like they're going to stop a hormonal girl with genetically enhanced strength." he said into my hair. I felt the corners of my mouth curve up the slightest amount. I loosened up my tense body with a deep breath, allowing him to embrace me for a little while longer. I counted down from three before stepping backwards away from him.  

"Where's everyone else?" I asked him, changing the subject.  

"Still at the meeting room. I told them I was going to the bathroom, but I could tell they didn't believe me." he said. And then, leaning closer to my ear he whispered "One of them is standing outside your door right now," My neck tingled from his breath, and my breathing intensified.

I looked over his shoulder and at the door, from under which I could see a shadow of a person. I stepped around Oslo and tiptoed silently to the door. I then yanked it open swiftly and silently.  

Mac jumped back in surprise.

"What do you want?" I triggered my sour face immediately.  

"Um, well, I was wondering whether or not you were packing... " she said. I bit my lip. Would staying here be so bad? If I got caught, the consequence would be death. Was my hatred for everyone in Femme and Mascel enough to overthrow all I've ever known? I thought of Ava, Grandmother, my father, and even my heartless mother, who was hopelessly brainwashed by society. But then again, I would be leaving behind everything I’d ever known. If I left now, I might have been able to return to a regular life and pretend nothing ever happened.  

"I'm going," I said, not looking at Oslo but feeling his gaze on me. I whipped my head toward Mac, who frowned slightly.  

“Donna, are you sur-”

“I am,” I lied through my teeth.