Caught in the Flames

Chapter 1

The news was playing in the background as Iris and her grandmother were sitting across from each other on the bed and cutting out pictures from magazines and putting them to the side for the scrapbook they planned to make. Iris liked these moments with her grandmother. They were rare since her parents didn't let her visit very often.

"And in other news, an alleged rebel has come to our attention..." the news reporter said in the background.

"Sweetie, turn this up. I think there's finally something worth listening to." Iris' grandmother says and Iris does as she was told, reaching over for the remote and turning the volume to the T.V up.

"An anonymous tip came in earlier this week hinting to someone who might be plotting against the system. No name has yet been revealed but we do know the rebel resides in the specials community. If anyone has any further information on who this person might be, please call this number..." The reporter continues on with background information as the phone number to call pops up on the bottom of the screen.

"Well isn't that interesting. Who would've thought." Iris' Grandmother says.

"Haven't you been wanting this to happen, nana? I would've thought you would be happy right now." Iris says.

"Yes, I have been waiting for this day to come for so long, Iris, but who would've thought it would be a special who was sick of the system? Those folk have it so well, I'm not sure why they would want to change it, but I guess I shouldn't be complaining if it's happening nonetheless, right?" Iris' grandmother says with a slight chuckle as she finishes her last sentence.

Iris just gives a small laugh and a nod as a response as her mind wanders from the bit of information given in the report. The rebel was someone of the specials community, a vague description but information nonetheless, and her mind goes straight to Braylon Torres, a specials that she met over a year ago but the conversation still lingers with her. She has yet to tell anyone of this occurrence, since she knew hardly anybody would believe her anyways. Plus if anybody were to find out when they met, she would face the consequences of being out during a Revealing. No matter how long ago it might have happened.

"Alright, I think you should be heading back home now. Your parents will not be too keen on you spending hours with your crazy grandmother." Iris' grandmother said.

"You're not crazy nana." Iris says with a sigh.

"Tell that to your parents." the grandmother says as she starts picking up the mess that they had made.

Iris helps her grandmother pick up the scraps from the magazine and hugs her goodbye before getting her stuff and leaving. The lady at the front desk wishes Iris a good evening and Iris offers her a smile. She might not like the fact that her parents sent her grandmother to an elderly home, but she was thankful that she was in good hands. That's more than she could say about when she was in her parents' care.

As Iris walks the short way back to her house, her mind wanders to the alleged rebel and the possibility that it could be Braylon. She remembered how he spoke of the Revealings and it was obvious he didn't like the way things were, and the fact that his parents kept this system going made it possible that he had enough of it and finally decided to do something about it. He seemed to have been motivated enough from the hatred he had towards his father.

"Iris, is that you?" Iris heard her father ask as she entered her house.

"Yeah, it's me."

"Can you come to the kitchen for a second?" This time she heard her mother's voice, and without needing to respond she made her way into the kitchen.