It's the year 2038 and a deadly virus has consumed the world for more than 14 years.
In Denmark, an unknown politician took it upon himself to create a safe space from the infected. As long as you abide by the 8 Obligations, you are allowed to live...
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2039 Clary
"Try to act normal." Luke whispers to me and I nod. My palms are sweating and my heart beating fast. There is no way anyone will believe I am a Protector. Not with this pregnant belly making me look fat. Protectors are always strong and lean. Not obese. And in this gear, I look obese.
"Luke..." I reach out and take his hand as he takes the first steps into the stairwell. He turns around and looks at me. "I'm scared..." I admit.
"It's okay." He steps down again and pulls me into a tight hug. "I am too. But I promise I will never let anything happen to you. Or your baby."
"What about Jace..." I mumble, feeling slightly guilty for wanting even more from Luke. He is already doing so much for me, but I can't just leave Jace here. I can't.
"Don't worry. Once you are safe, I will find him too. I promise. I just need you and the baby to be safe first. And trust me, Jace would say exactly the same. Actually, I think he would kill me himself, if I didn't make sure you were safe first."
"You are probably right..." I say with tears in my eyes. Stupid hormones. I wipe them away angrily as I try to get my emotions under control. Now is not the time to get emotional. "I just hate that he is here somewhere, and I don't know if he is safe..."
"I get that. Believe me, I do. Nothing is worse than not knowing if the person you love the most is unharmed." The look in his eyes changes completely for a second, and I can't help but wonder if it might be my mom he is thinking of. He then shakes his head slightly, as if to release himself from the memory that had him distracted and then he clears his throat. Still, I can hear the sadness in his voice as he speaks, but I pretend I don't. Clearly, he doesn't want to think about whomever it was right now, and I have to respect that. "I will make sure that your love is returned to you unharmed. Trust me, Clary."
"I do. I always do." I answer and restrain myself from hugging him. He is fighting like hell to stay calm and collected, and he doesn't need me to spill my emotions all over him right now.
Luke sends me the tiniest of my smile before climbing the stairs once more. This time I follow him. When we are above ground, we walk fast side by side without talking. No one seems to pay any attention to us. I steady my breath and withhold my enthusiasm as we get closer and closer to the gate. This is it. We are actually going to make it. This is incredible!
My instincts tell me to bolt for the freedom that is right in front of us, and I nearly start sprinting, but Luke grabs my wrist and almost undetectably shakes his head. We have to stay in character all the way. I know that, but I it so hard to do. We are so close. So fucking close.
"Luke?" a Protector approaches us, and my heart begins to race.
"Hey man." Luke responds with a smile and shakes the Protector's hand.
"What are you doing here?" He asks as his eyes wander over me before looking back at Luke.
"Just showing the newbie around." Luke grins. "You know how easily they get lost in the beginning.
