Entium

Chapter 3

Al stepped into the house - it was only slightly warmer than the frost bitten breeze outside, although not even the welcoming warmth of her home could distract her mind from the conversation herself and Jenny had not 10 minutes earlier. The Robeing would stay stood at the door until it was sure that Al wasn't going to make any sneaky moves of escape. Gently closing the door behind her, she watched as the silhouette glided down the drive of her home. For a few moments, Al stood. All the information was too much and she wished she could somehow write it down, spill her mind onto paper, but she knew she could not do this as if it were to be found by a Robeing, then Al's time in this life would most definitely be up. 

"What the bloody hell is that!?" Michelle yelled. Al's entire body darted towards the direction where Michelle was standing in the doorway to the lounge, she had been so deep in thought that she completely forgot where she had been, and where she currently was. All she could remember was what she had heard...

Michelle snatched the enormous plastic sheet from Al's shoulders and began to unfold it, Michelle suddenly disappeared behind a wall of black plastic. Al could hear her friend laughing from behind the sheet, although couldn't bring herself to even stifle a chuckle. Al was aware that she must eventually tell her friend about her conversation with Jenny at the FCS Pickup, however not now; the least Al owed herself was to allow her brain to soak up the news. 

Shoving her hands into her full pockets, Al said "I'll go and put all this stuff away in the kitchen", Michelle was far too content with the large plastic blanket to pay any attention to her, anyone would have believed Al had brought home a game of Twister. While unpacking the goods her mind had began to slot into place. Al must make sure that the ability to escape was even possible, as there would be so many obstacles in their way. "On this day next week, no Robeings will be patrolling the left-side border" , that was what Jenny had said. It was Tuesday today and that would mean that the morning of next week would be FCS Pickup. This was already a good indication of a perhaps successful escape; either Al or Michelle would go to the Pickup and collect food, clothing, empty plastic bottles for water (of course, if affordable with just £4) and anything else that could allow them to survive the outdoors.

That was the second hurdle; surviving the cruel wrath of the beyond. Unquestionably the two of them would have to move from this city to the next by passing through very rural areas, no pavements, no houses, no roads, it would be safest to travel through a heavily wooded area, as there would be little chance of being sighted by anyone. Many houses and buildings were knocked down as soon as the Entium came into power and this had caused an almost unnatural amount of  woodland to grow over only 2 and a half years, Al and Michelle suspected the Entium had transported some sort of new plant feeder of some kind from the outer countries to grow the trees taller and faster than ever before. There would be no reason for any person to be in the woods or fields other than if they too were trying to escape, and undoubtedly at some stage the Robeings will know of Al and Michelle's escape, but they would not find out until a whole week later.

Al finishes placing all the goods in their rightful places and hauls herself up onto the kitchen counter. She sits for a while and imagines the moment when the Robeings realise their escape.

Three loud knocks. A pause. Three more knocks. Yet another pause. Calling out for another Robeing to come and investigate, one or the other would shout for residents. If still no answer, they would smash down the door, and within 4 minutes of searching the entire house; they would know. The message would be passed on to the other Robeings and a search would most likely take place. Their names would be printed on the tongue of the radio announcer and every single ear throughout the city will hear of their escape. Many people will join the Robeings in trying to find them, the majority do this not because they care but because they want to make a good impression on the Robeings and the Entium. If 24 hours pass and neither Al or Michelle has been found, then the Entium will be contacted. Every city will be on red alert for 2 missing persons. Only death or freedom will welcome them. 

Al stretches her back and rubs her face with her hands. Her skin feels dehydrated and unhealthy for an 18 year old girl. Al ponders whether herself or Michelle are fit enough to travel to a shoreline city and plus what do they expect to find once they get there? The whole thought process seemed alone impossible let alone the actual task of escape.

Michelle may not even want to escape. Who knows, maybe Michelle would prefer it here, maybe she would prefer a life where her only meaning was to create the supposed "perfect child", to be forced to live in the Gravidam and to be forced to carry a baby for 9 months up until the stage of birth, where the baby will be taken away to who only knows where. Maybe after all that struggle and pain, Michelle wants to be thrown back into her own home, only it isn't a home at all, it is a cell. A cell where she must inhabit up until she is needed again to give birth. Who would want a life where every single question that floats around their mind, would never be provided with an answer? 

Al and Michelle were lucky that they had not yet been chosen to be artificially inseminated, although the likelihood of one of them being pregnant this time next year is very high.

She hops down from the counter and walks towards the lounge where her friend sits, unknowing of what burden she may soon have upon her. Al's palms begin to sweat as she grows ever closer to the room; the moment she takes the first step into the lounge the thought of Michelle suddenly turning on Al and reporting her to the Robeings causes Al's heart to beat rapidly, she can feel every single beat spread beneath her pale sweaty skin. 

Michelle stood hastily and looked warily at Al, "What's wrong?" she asks suspiciously.

Al needs to tell her, she can feel the words gathering on her sandy tongue only they won't come out. For all the years she has known Michelle, the two have never discussed escape, no doubt they both  dreamt of it, but Al was always unsure whether Michelle would ever actually go through with it. She listened in disgust to those on the radio who had tried and failed to escape, she seemed to mock them not pity them. Al's suggestion of escape may be too much for her, she may think her foolish and impulsive. Al's worst fear was that she would betray her, refusing to leave with her knowing Al wouldn't make it on her own. 

Al's courage finally grew inside her, and when the words were freed from her mouth, she felt powerless and vulnerable.

"Next week, we can escape. Will you come with me?"