SILVER EYES (GXG)

Chapter 18: Choices

The blaring border alarm pierced our ears as we neared the land. I'd heard it once before, on the day of the terrible acid rainstorm when Heather and I almost died. It went off because the strong winds broke the motion shield that protected the wall from trespassers. But today, there wasn't a gust in sight, and the sky was clear. What could be happening? Outsiders trying to bypass the gates?

We headed back to the Narval House as fast as Heather could pilot Emma, and let me tell you, we felt more like we were riding a rocket to the moon. Heather was tense, really tense. The kind of tension that warns you to be careful about what you say or do because, at the slightest provocation, she could explode like a grenade.

"Here you are." Kate said when we arrived at the gates. A bluish light bar hung from her neck as a collar and she held another one in her right hand.

"What the hell were you two doing?" She asked when she saw us coming in together.

My heart jumped, but Heather didn't even flinch.

"I was showing Grace how to pilot. She asked me to." Not a trace of nervousness in any of her words. She knew how to lie so well.

"Yeah, exactly." I quickly confirmed. My tone, though, trembled.

Kate frowned but didn't dwell on it, I guess she bought the excuse, thank God.

"Catch this." She tossed a light bar my way, and I caught it midair. "You're gonna help us."

"Sure." I said gripping the light bar tightly.

Heather stepped forward. "Tell me everything you know."

"The alarm went off five minutes ago," Kate said, glancing toward the gates. "I just got here, so I have no idea what triggered it."

Heather shook her head as she took a deep breath "This can't be good. We need to figure out what set it off. I'll check the gates." She turned to look at me. "Grace, go down to the tunnels. Report anything weird."

"Sure, no problem."

"Kate," She continued. "You take a look at the electric tower."

We split up, each heading to our assigned spot without wasting a single more minute. As I entered the tunnels, I realized it was my first time down there alone, which made the place feel even grimmer than usual.

The tunnels were our only link to The Other Side, endless underground corridors designed to transport resources without ever opening the gates. Safer this way, you might think... Well, the thing is, when I first found out about the tunnels during my first week here, I was furious. Why build a huge monstrous wall to divide us, only to later dig tunnels that connect us? It didn't make any sense until I learned the truth. They used them to steal the few resources The Other Side still had. Water, seeds, different types of materials could come in... but people could not. Tunnels that only worked one way, convenient right? As long as you're on the right side, of course.

I checked the tunnel's control room and ran a full sweep: made sure the screens were functional, ensured the hard drives with security protocols were intact, and inspected the water system, probably the most important part. Here, it got purified and turned into something drinkable for the Reg population.

Once I finished, I concluded everything was in order, except for that heavy thick air with the sour tang of grime and rust that seemed to stick to your skin while you were there. But well, nothing surprising, just the usual charm of the tunnels.

I came back and joined Heather and Kate at the gates control station, where they were waiting for me.

"All clear in the electric tower, Lead." Kate said.