The Boundless Hope.

1. Under the watchful Eye.

I sat hidden in the thick vegetation of some National Forest in Virginia. I had finally escaped two days prior and as of this moment I'm being chased into the deep forest, attempting to escape the Wardens and their overseers. I haven't eaten since Bedford, and the last sign I saw was Linville at a small, abandoned grocery store. I found a can of fruit cocktail and some "nonperishables"; it might have been bad. My stomach is growling for some type of anything but mostly I get canned foods. I feel the Overseers circling me like hawks, their boots crushing the sticks, dried leaves and tiny organisms that litter the forests floor. Their ears waiting for even the sound of a worm crawling the floors of this forest. My heavy breath almost giving my sacred hideout away. It's like they can hear your blood running through your veins they can probably hear my stomach growling too. I am safer in the forest; less cameras waiting to catch you sinning and send the overseers to take you in and assign you to a new life, a new family, and new purpose. I sit here until I hear them yell " ALL CLEAR" as sweat beads dripping down my dirt covered face.

Relief. They are gone. I let out a deep breath "I will not let you catch me this time" I said quietly to myself. I had changed out of my assigned clothing and left it someplace back in another town, I'm trying look "normal" if that's even possible anymore. My hair was shaved off when they first captured me, then I was assigned my new family with my new wardrobe as well. Even with this clothing I'm only less noticeable. I don't stand out as much as I do when I'm wearing a bright yellow suit. yellow like the sun; the sun I used to love and bask in freedom. Yellow to them is to represent life energy, and fertility. what else is yellow? Warning signs, caution signs, and sometimes, like in this place it means submission. I had no clue it would be ripped away all so soon. My life I mean, just gone. I will take the night here and continue my adventure tomorrow. I laid down using the gray sack; I had filled with a few cans of water and an extra shirt, along with some random first aid things I stole from my owners. My eyes are so heavy from the weight of these days escaping. when will I reach the end?

-

"Hey Ivy, you look hot today girl." Ellie said as she walked into the sun that was baking my skin into a deep olive tone. "How did you get inside?" I looked up at her smiling "oh you know I know the key is hidden on the side gate; your brother told me last summer and you wouldn't answer the phone so...I'm here" she sat on the grass next to me she looked like she wanted to say something "did you hear what law they passed today?" she looked over at the pool with a worried look, I've never seen that look on Ellie's face. "No." I said shortly waiting for her reply "women can no longer hold a position of authority, skilled professions or jobs effective immediately. What are we going to do? huh? find a random man to pay our bills" she laughed and sighed as a tear escaped her eye. I stood there in shock "so I'm fired from the company?" I asked her "Ivy its effective immediately. I had to hand over the company to Jared." I looked up at her in shock once again. I can't believe this is happening to us. "Well... what are we supposed to do? I am not married. how will I survive?" my eyes welled up with tears as I realized everything, I had worked for was just stripped from me. Graphic Design, my own company I was aiming for, my promotion, the new apartment. Gone; All of it. "You can come stay with me and Jared until once this month is up and I'm sure your landlord will understand Hun. You will be okay. I got you." she whispered and pulled me into a soft hug.

-

I woke up in the middle of the night to the feeling of the cold rain on my face. It was dark and the perfect time to keep moving and I really need some food. I could possibly find a store if I follow the next road I find, or maybe an abandoned house along the way. Most of the houses in these areas outside of the Zone of Reverence are frozen in time, memories of families that could be dead or stolen or maybe they got out; escaped it all. Maybe. probably not. I hate to be that way, but they took everyone and destroyed so many states, they won't stop until they have everyone.