The Community (Chapter 1 Preview)

Chapter 1 Preview

Copyright © 2021 by Kristin Holm. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be produced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic and mechanical methods, including information storage and retrieval systems, without the written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotation in a book review.

This story is a work of fiction.

Names, characters, places, and incidents are a work of fiction and are a product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locations is entirely coincidental.

This book contains mature language, violence, and sexual situations and is intended for readers eighteen and older. 

Chapter 1

THE COMMUNITY BY-LAWS FOR THOSE TURNED IN

I. The youngest a person can be turned in is the age of twelve.

II. All persons must be turned in with a full medical evaluation from a Community registered doctor.

III. All persons over the age of eighteen turning themselves into the Community must specify where funds will be sent. Upon completion of the transfer of funds, the person then must turn themselves in to the Distribution Center.

IV. Those in debt have the right to request a transfer to a new household or unit. However, this will result in a fine added to their debt.

V. If a person in debt is returned to the Distribution Center due to poor performance, a fine will be added to their debt.

VI. Upon being assigned to a household/unit, a trial period will take place for ninety days. If the household/unit returns the person in debt to the Distribution Center before ninety days, the household/unit is subject to a fine.

VII. All persons in debt who can no longer work in a classified skill set will be classified as Medical Waste.

VIII. All persons with the classification of delinquent will immediately be classified as Medical Waste.

    Evie sat on the hard chair and glared at the large glass plaque across from her. She could read the words easily, though each line only made her angrier. The words stretched far across the wall, ready for anyone who entered the building. Along with the words etched into the glass, she could clearly see her reflection. Her long brown hair was fashioned in a simple braid that fell down her back. Her full lips were a pale pink with only basic chap-stick to keep them from getting chapped. The only real color on her face were the bright blue eyes she inherited from her father.

    If it were at all possible, Evie would break the plaque into pieces. Or better yet, she'd watch this entire building burn to the ground with a huge smile on her face. She'd hated this building from the moment she'd stepped into it.

    Evie could remember walking into the Distribution Center with her mother and older brother Ryder. Their father had left them behind for another woman, leaving her mother alone to care for two children. Unfortunately, he took all their money with him, leaving them nothing to live on. Her mother, Emily, filled Ryder's face with kisses while tears ran down her face. She made so many promises to the young boy. Promises of paying off the debt soon so he could be free and they could be a family again. Promises to get a job and reunite all of them again. Evie watched with tears in her eyes as her brother was escorted away into the building.

    But as soon as the Community had handed Emily that fateful check, her eyes seemed to change. Evie never did find out how much money her mother received for Ryder, but whatever amount that had been given her was enough to turn her mother into the greedy woman she was today. As soon as Emily's eyes landed on the check, her eyes went wide and a sickening smile spread across her face.