Every YA Dystopian Novel Ever

The Toilet

As I was closing the front door of our little house, my mother pushed it back open and came out. She shut the door behind her and turned to me.

"Tia, listen," she started. She took a deep breath and continued, "I know everything will turn out okay. Don't be scared. But just in case, if something were to happen, just remember that I love you so much. We all do. You are the only useful person in this family."

Her voice was starting to waver a little.

I cut in, "Nothing is going to happen, Mom. I'll be fine. And as soon as I'm done with the High Judge, I'm coming straight back here." I tried to lighten the mood. "You're not getting rid of me that easily," I said, hoping my smile would relieve her.

 She laughed super hard at that. Too hard. It evolved into a violent fit of coughing and she sounded like she was going to throw up.

"Bye, Tia," she whispered hoarsely.

I started walking off to the Sanctorum as I heard my mom hurling behind me.

The buildings in the slums are cobbled together from wood and trash and broken dreams. There are small winding lanes over uneven ground which suddenly twist here and there. At this time of day, it's mostly deserted. Anyone home is probably hiding from the cold of winter. As I walk, a light snowfall starts to cover the ground.

We live in Sector 10 of the city, nicknamed the Toilet. It's named after the "10.let" id tag on all plots of land in the area, and only for that reason.

The Toilet is a giant slum in the far end of Wojzinkistaan. Wojzinkistaan is the last habitable place left in the world. It's walled off by giant metal walls on all sides. Nothing is visible from behind those walls. The world beyond the walls is called the Giant Dump.

Wojzinkinstaan is divided geographically into ten sectors. At one end is Sector 1, or Golden City, where all the richest people live. It's a 24/7 party haven. People are spoiled with luxury there. And their technology looks like magic to us.

Sectors 2 to 9 are divided in order of their proximity to Golden City. The closer it is, the richer they are, and the less they have to work.

The Toilet, where I and most others are unfortunately born into, is the poorest place in Wojzinkistaan. Most people here are laborers like my family. I come from a long line of cleaners. My family works in the Golden City. Every day, they wake up well before sunrise and take the long walk to the nearest terminal. An airship drops them at their assigned workplace in Golden City, the mansion of the Wealthington family. 

Until today, I mostly swept streets and dusted storefronts in local parts of the Toilet. I'll probably be assigned to the Wealthington Mansion from now on. I'll get to go inside the terminal. I'll get to ride the airship. I'll get to see the world outside the Toilet.

As I walked the long, long path to the Sanctorum, I saw a familiar face coming up behind me out of the corner of my eye.

"Tia, wait!" his voice cried out.

I turned around and watched him run up to me, his dark brown hair flying back.

"Moa!" I broke out into a smile. "What are you doing out on a day like this?" I gestured at the falling snow.

"Of course I'm out! It's a very special day, today," he winked his coffee brown eyes.

"I thought you weren't coming back for three months!" I said.

Moa Brown is from a family of guards. The Browns are one of the families who live with us, along with the Beiges. 

Moa and I were the best of friends, but I've hardly heard from him since he turned 16 and moved to the training quarters in Sector 6. He hardly ever gets a day off to come and visit, and even when he does, I barely see him and his coffee brown eyes.

"I wanted to surprise you! We have a training mission in the Toilet," he said, "And I feel like we haven't spoken in forever!"

His face changed. It became serious and uncertain. His coffee brown eyes darkened and lowered. "I wanted to tell you..." he started.

"What?" I asked. His face suddenly pulled back to normal and his coffee brown eyes darted back up at my face.

"... Happy Birthday, Tia," he said in a low voice.

"Thank you, Moa. You're such a good friend! We are going to be friends forever!" I said cheerfully.

He pursed his lips and nodded. After a moment, he said, "Let me walk you to the Sanctorum."

I nodded and slipped my arm into his. He looked me up and down with his coffee brown eyes and said, "That's a lovely dress." 

"Thanks, my mom made it!" I replied.

As we walked on, he told me about his new life as a training guard, sector 6, and his new friends. I was even able to forget about the ceremony for a bit. But sure enough, we had finally arrived at the large iron gates outside the Sanctorum. I was even a little bit early.

I turned to Moa and looked into his coffee brown eyes.

"I've still got some time. Let's stay here and talk a little bit," I said.

He shook his head and said, "The sooner you go, the better. Good luck, Tia," he whispered and kissed my cheek.

"Bye Moa," I whispered back. I stared at the iron gate and all the guards out front. I took a deep breath and moved forward alone.

Counter : Coffe Brown Eyes - 5

A round of applause for our first love interest! Who knows how many competitors will he have? How slim of a chance he has of winning? If anyone will be able to remember his name?

Real talk, writing humor is harder than I thought. I keep having to remind myself to make it bad. Like the writing is not good at any point, but it's a long way from the god-awful train wreck of hilarity I want to write. 

I found a book that's more on the nose funny, if that's more what you're looking for. It's a Wattpad Book called "Generic Dystopian Novel" and it is a riot.

Thank you for reading Part 2!