𝐁𝐄𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑

𝟎𝟎𝟕

A flurry of activity filled the dorm as everyone prepped for the feast. Dresses of all shapes and colors were paraded around, the air buzzing with excited chatter. I stood in the middle of the chaos, freshly showered but utterly lost. Glancing at the other girls twirling in their finery, a pang of self-consciousness washed over me. Unlike them, I didn't own a single dress in the Sanctuary.

"Not even ready yet?" Hayley burst through the door, her eyes widening at the sight of me standing there in my workout clothes. "Seriously, Evelyn? The feast starts in an hour!"

I let out a defeated sigh. "Hayley, I don't have anything to wear."

A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. "That's what friends are for!" she declared, rummaging through her closet with the practiced ease of a seasoned treasure hunter. A moment later, she emerged triumphantly, holding a dress aloft.

It was breathtaking – an emerald green satin that hugged my curves in all the right places, with a daring slit that ran up the side of my right thigh. A gasp escaped my lips. It was simple yet undeniably classy, worlds away from the drab uniforms we were used to.

"Try it on!" Hayley chirped, pushing the dress into my arms. "And then we'll raid Samantha's stash for some makeup!"

"Makeup?" I echoed, bewildered. We weren't exactly known for our beauty routines in the Sanctuary.

A sly grin spread across Hayley's face. "Apparently, Samantha's brooding boyfriend managed to snag some stuff on his last patrol run on the surface," she explained. "Just be careful, some of it might be expired."

Following her instructions, I slipped into the dress, marveling at how it transformed me. Hayley worked her magic with the limited makeup, expertly enhancing my features. As we walked towards the dining hall, a nervous flutter filled my stomach. The dress felt strangely revealing, and the unaccustomed attention I received from the other trainees sent a blush creeping up my cheeks.

The room fell silent as the President and the Commander entered. All eyes turned towards them, the air thick with anticipation. The Commander's gaze swept across the room, and for a fleeting moment, our eyes met. My breath hitched as his gaze lingered on me, a flicker of something unreadable flickering in his dark eyes. Today, he was a stark contrast to his usual military attire. He wore black jeans, a black turtleneck, and a long black coat that draped over his broad frame, exuding an aura of quiet power.

"Now," the President boomed, silencing the murmurs, "the members selected for the resource collection mission are…" He paused for dramatic effect, then began rattling off names.

My heart hammered in my chest as he reached the end of the list. "Frank Wilson, Donny Radder, Navin Goon, Hayley Marcel, Connor O'Dell, and Evelyn Thorne … Thank you all, and enjoy your feast!"

A wave of emotions washed over me. Disappointment at first – I hadn't wanted to leave the Sanctuary. But then, a thrill of excitement bubbled up. An adventure to the surface! It was a chance to see the world beyond the Sanctuary walls, a world I'd only ever seen in blurry news clips from before the outbreak.

Connor, standing beside me, grinned and nudged me playfully. "We're on the same team!" he exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious. "Honestly, I would have been bummed if they'd left you behind."

Hayley squeezed my arm, a reassuring smile on her face. "At least we'll be together," she said.

As we joined the festivities, the Commander seemed to be everywhere at once, overseeing the food distribution and maintaining order. But every now and then, I'd catch his gaze flickering towards me, an intense curiosity glinting in his eyes.

Later that night, after the revelry had subsided and the feast was over, I found myself separated from Hayley and Connor. The crowd had thinned, and a lone figure approached me, weaving through the remaining groups.

A large hand clamped around my waist, sending a jolt of shock through me. I spun around, ready to lash out, only to find myself face-to-face with a leering Xavier. The stench of alcohol hung heavy in the air.

"Well, well, well," he slurred, his voice thick with intoxication. "Look who it is – the little trainee in the fancy little dress."

Recognition dawned on me. This was the same guy who, along with Frank, had made those crude comments about me earlier. Disgust bubbled up inside me, souring the festive atmosphere.

"And you're drunk," I spat, shoving against him with all my might.

Xavier, however, was much larger than me. He barely budged, his grip tightening on my waist. He leaned closer, his face a mask of predatory desire.

"You look even prettier up close," he mumbled, his hot breath tickling my ear. A slimy lick landed on my neck, sending shivers of revulsion down my spine.

Panic surged through me. I struggled against him, desperate to break free. "Get your hands off me!" I screamed, my voice laced with fear.

But Xavier seemed impervious to my pleas. He was about to lunge further, a menacing grin twisting his features, when a deep, authoritative voice split the air