Optimistic coincidence

Section 1 - part 2

There was 6 sections in total. it's where we slept and also went after work and, well, that's where we lived. In each section were 26 dorms named A-Z which held 6-10 people. Also within each of the sections were common rooms which was an escape from work to meet new people, i guess. I wasn't into all that though. I had my two good friends Guy and Andrew, who was 2093, and the slightest bit older than us at 24.

Andrew was a dark haired lad with bushy eyebrows and deep sea blue eyes. His teeth were immaculate and his face washed from colour, although a lot of us were the same.

"CALLING ALL LEARNERS AND DESIGNERS." the speaker called out at all corners of the room as more than a 1/6 of the room stood to attend their classes. "remember when we were learners?" Guy laughed along with Andrew as i watched the younger men stand. Andrew had joined us after we had found our normal deserted seats at the corner of the room that no one sat at. "what happened to that teacher anyway? you know the one who was kicked because he used to teach us so much about the outside?" Guy asked as he lent upon the table and spoke in a little louder than a whisper.

"you ask too many q-"

"no he's right." Andrew perked up and interrupted. i slouched back down in my seat and gave a quick flick of my head, and he proceeded "well some say," he started glancing around the room and leaning closer as he spoke in a low voice as if no one knew the myths around this place anyway "that he was chucked out with the F's." he then finsihed as he lent back in his seat, as if he was proud of what he had said. "ah, don't be stupid." i spoke up with a roll of the eye as i rubbed the front of my head "well what else are we supposed to believe? where else would they have put him?" Greg said as he flicked my side. i mean sure it was true, the guy just dissapeared, but then again he could have just been put with the elders.

When you got to a certain age and you were too old to work or learn anymore you turned into what's called an 'elder', and they'd send you to section X. It was one of those things everyone accepted because it was retirement and that's how the system worked. you started off learning at the age of 4, and finished at the age of 17. Section 5, the learners and designers - they were 4 - 19 years old and lived separately in their section depending on their age. section 1, the creators and workers, the best stage to be at. 20 - 25 years of age. it also ment Carl would move on soon. section 2 the hunters and section 3 the home guard. they were both around the same age at 26-30 years of age. it was a selective process, as the hunters went to what was called the coloured side, and they had to be strong and fit for the job. they supplied our meat and collected our fruit and veg from the F's. The home guard, well, they patrolled all of the areas in all sections. they were free to go wherever they wanted whenever they wanted at any time of day. Even after we had to be locked into our dorms. They also patrolled all scanners. The ones outside our common room the ones outside our sections and pretty much anywhere you went there'd be scanners checking that you hadn't hid anything in the back of your sweatpants or even sometimes, in difficult situations; people hid knives in their hair.

"CALLING ALL CREATORS AND WORKERS." the speakers finally spoke out after 15 minutes of waiting. Guy, Andrew and I stood at the call and chucked our paper bags into the bin closest to us before walking out of the exit doors and towards the scanners.

"Hey, Lanke, that's not the same guy from section 1 scanners is it?" Guy asked me as he nudged my side, looking over in the direction the officer was. i sighed, noticing the man by the side of the scanner ticking of numbers from his list.

"i know him." all three of our heads turned to the small voice behind us. He was a small guy, his ribs stuck out from his sides and his cheek bones were carved in and looked hollow. he was far from Guys' size, he looked as if he had been starving himself, anorexic maybe, and he was a skin head. a few markings covered the side of his face, which looked like bruises or maybe burn marks; it was hard to tell.

"what?" i spoke up after examining his features.

"i know him." he repeated, his eyes flicking too and through from the three of us. Guy and Andrew gave me the look and a small laugh.

"so?" Andrew questioned, lowering his brows as he crossed his arms. the boy swallowed harshly. he looked like he was just about to throw up. "how old are you?" i spoke in a soft voice, giving him a sympathetic look. "well that's a stupid question, he's obviously 10." Guy exclaimed with a harsh laugh, Andrew too. After giving them a stern look i turned back to the lad who had taken a step forward as the queue grew, and said once again "how old are you?" my voice again soft but firm, trying not to scare him any more "i'm 14." he replied quietly, shuffling about with his hands, "14?" i said slightly shocked as my back straightened. Andrew and Guy stopped their cackling and looked at eachother and then back at the boy. "aren't you a learner? why aren't you at class?" i then questioned the unresponsive boy. he let out a nervous laugh and coughed to clear his throat, all three of us interested in what he had to say "well i," he stuttered as he closed his eyes briefly. they were so dark, almost black. "well they told me i had an IQ that was very above average i mean so above average they put me in classes with older students and well-" he stopped for breath and smiled nervously "well i guess now i'm a worker. they told me i'd be a med one day." he said proudly before lowering his head once again, his eyes still attached to mine throughout. i'd heard about miracle students like himself, they were the ones who made it to section 4; the bright A's. "what's your name?" i said politely, being pushed along in the queue as we approached the scanner "Erick." he said in his high pitched squeaky voice, the ends of my lips turned upwards to form a small smile "names Lanke. nice to meet you, Erick," i said confidently and nudged his small, bony, arm "so about this officer you sai-"

"shh.." he spat out as his eyes flicked around the room.

"woah, it's okay, he can't hear us." i said with a slight laugh, Andrew and Guy turning their backs to us as we spoke. "i'm sorry, i just-" he stumbled with his words and i looked down on him, watching the bones in his body move as his frame stiffened "he does things.." he whispered, his eyes no longer anywhere near mine. something in his voice made me feel nervy. so many sickening and ugly thoughts poured into my mind. what things?

"what kind of things?" i instantly blurted out in a sharp whisper, concerned and intrigued in what he had to say. he bit his bottom lip and stood on his tip toes, searching the area for patrol officers nearby. 20 or so men and we'd be at the scanners. "turn around." he stated quickly and bluntly as he stood back down on his feet, "what?" i questioned, peering over my shoulder,

"just do it." i turned and faced the front of the queue with a frown, peering over the top of the few remaining heads in front of me, trying not to make eye contact with the officers. "his names Hendrix," Ericks' small boy voice whispered behind me, just loud enough for me to hear "he came onto me about a month or two ago." a chill ran through my body and i felt goosebumps rise above my skin. i shook my hair and nodded, gesturing for him to continue. i heard a small sigh before he advanced, "he called my number, 2200 A, and looked me down. after that he took me aside and whispered into my ear," i gritted my teeth. thats what Hendrix did to me. i felt a small drop of sweat upon my brow and wiped it away with the back of my hand. i could hear the boy shuffling around behind me as i watched Andrew and Guy walk through separate scanners. i think i was staring, and i think he was staring back, but Hendrix had a dirty look upon his face. he was smirking at me. "and then he said 'i'm watching you.'" my heart was racing, and i felt blood rush to my mouth "oh god," i spoke under my breath, "oh.. god."