What's Left Of Us

2 - Don't panic it's just the alarm.

"So you're stuck. And alone. And scared. Not great, but you have to think. What are you going to do about it?"

It had been hours since I watched the news. It was then four-fifteen and I still hadn't heard from Daniel. I hope he's okay. The rest of the house was silent and empty and I had no-one to talk to so I was pretty lonely.

I wish we had a cat. It would make these boring days go faster. The sky was already dark, even at this early time. I walked up the creaky stairs and back into my room. It was small, with grey walls. A twin sized bed at the tiny window, and an old wooden vanity. The mirror that hung from above the vanity looked as though it would come crashing down at any minute. But it never did.

I perched on the edge of the bed, looking out the window. The view was just rooftops, old brown slats and tiles. A few arials and the occasional bird flying over the houses.

I sigh. It's really not much but it could be a lot worse. I pull out a book from behind my pillow, and lay back. It's Wuthering Heights. It was one of the only things that I've been able to keep with me since the beginning. It was my mothers favourite and my dad used to have a very good selection of books. I get comfy and open up at my last page. I used to have a little bit of string as a bookmark but we needed that for something in the house. I start reading from where I last left off.

"It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him: and that, not because he's handsome, Nelly, but because he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire. I-"

Ring ring ring. The alarm sounded. Well sh-.

I throw the book down and launch myself out my door. I run back down the stairs and barely even take the time to put my shoes on. I grab the keys off the cracked tiled floor, and throw myself out the door. As I'm locking the door, I see many other people running up the street too. People with children, hubands, parents. But I really don't have time to stop and stare.

I run up the street dodging people and head for the town square. Everything's still covered in snow and it's absolutely freezing.

The town square, which is pretty tiny too, is where you HAVE to go when the alarm sounds. Generally it's to state new rules or beat someone up because of theft. There are always guards posted about, anywhere in town, but mostly in the square so when you go for an alarm they spot you. On a positive note I might see Daniel.

I get to the square and the place is already packed. In the end there's about 28,000 people crammed here. It might not be so easy to spot him.

The alarm is still going, so I use the time to get into my space. I head over to the 'G' section and stand. I swap balance between my right foot and my left. It's a bit of a nervous habit. After a while the alarm stops ringing and almost everyone is in the square. I don't see Daniel. I'm really starting to get worried.

"Attention!" One of the guards shouted, "The senator will say a few words."

Here we go.

The old man walks out, grey hair shining in the winter sun. Senator Barclay is a short old man, stupid and irritating. He lives in the decent housing on the other side of the wall, with the rest of the senators for the country. He's arrogant and insensitive and believes we are lower beings than him and the rest of his silly friends.

"Good morning everybody," Senator Barclay starts, "As of today many of you will be evicted due to the bad housing and the need for new fields. Do not be alarmed this is by only a blip in the peace continuum." he adds, laughing.

Across the square I can hear gasping and crying. It's not the only thing though, I can hear distant shouts and gunshots.

"Not to mention the...uh...new transportation laws will be put into play, concluding that no-one shall have a vehicle, moving or otherwise. That will be all, good day."

And senator Barclay leaves the stage.

The crowd starts to get rowdy and some of the people filter out. I turn round, standing on my tiptoes trying to see over everyone. The place is too packed to see anyone in particular but Daniels 5'11 so it shouldn't be that hard. I move around people, dodging swinging arms and the excessive pushing. I get to the fountain, right in the middle of the square and see if I can see him. Nope. So I do something I knew would get me killed.

I climbed up the marble fountain, and screamed.

Nearly everyone stopped and stared at me. The fountain is a marble statue of the president, no-one can touch it even the senator. I'm in big trouble but I thought it would catch my brother's eye. But it didn't. Only the guards.

Half of them come rushing towards me at like 100 miles per hour. I'm kind of stuck up here so I don't think this is going to work out well.  I try to climb back down the fountain, but lose my footing on a subtle sheet of ice. I yelp, but fall and bang my head off the marble. I'm roll over onto my right, and move my hand to the back of my head. Blood. I start to feel a little dizzy and when I try to get up, i'm grabbed forcefully by hands on both my arms. My vision starts to go black, and I can hear people exclaiming things from all over, but I'm unable to understand them clearly. The hands that are grabbing me are rough and are pulling me in a direction somewhere. I can't make anything out anymore and my head is heavy and sore. My arms and body start to go limp and before I know it,

Everything is gone. 

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How are you guys liking it so far? It's a working progress, I know. But I promise it will get a whole lot better and much more exciting in the next couple of chapters! So stick with me! 

Have a nice day/night x