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PART ONE

The Penurious Side
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1 - The Breaking of Captivating Silence

"Nothing's perfect!" The broadcaster announced to the entirety of Utopia.

What a cheap excuse for something you can't fix. Maybe just admit the truth instead of disapproving of something. All the Utopia Council can talk about is honesty and their trustworthiness, how we're supposed to respect them. Though, they have yet to earn it from people like me—who just hate them. They are the true bums of society—looking down on others—having two pedestals instead of one—that we can all stand on and live happily ever after. Is it so hard to just not see people suffer?

You know the highest cause of death in the Penurious? Starvation. Yeah, the one thing that stupid council could care less about. I was surprised to even hear that man even speak to us. That council might not even think we're human. Just because we don't have a couple of paper dollars. How does something so stupid get to decide what side of the fence we're on?

I sometimes complain about our place in society to mom and dad, and they always promise that things will get better, but everyday—I sit—waiting for that day to come true. Sometimes, even leaving me to cry on my bed all night. At least I have friends to look forward to at school.

I can't believe they call this facade of the real world a Utopia. They want us to believe those yellow painted skies are real. And all we're going off of are legends. Why can't we just go outside? Or are the scary monsters going to be out there? Sheesh, they don't need to tell me that every year. It feels like I'm being babied around. Like a fifty minute lesson can cover up my thoughts of just stepping outside of the Utopia.

I knew I was just another kid. I had a good relationship with everybody in my life, though I just wish I could have it better without leaving anything behind. Though I know it's rather I live a life of luxury at the cost of my friends, or I continue living in this trash bag—not knowing if I might wake up the next morning. I just want to have that reassurance, that everything will be okay.


The sun was setting on the Penurious side of Utopia, casting long shadows across the crumbling buildings and dusty streets. I kicked a pebble as I walked, my mind racing about our upcoming test in school. This test would decide whether or not I would pass my grade, and it was a whole lot of dread that was gnawing on my stomach. I just didn't want to disappoint my mom or dad.

I glanced back at my small, run-down house I've called home for as long as I can remember. The paint was peeling, and the roof sagged, but it held memories of laughter and family. My best friends, Liam and Maxwell lived a couple of house downs. They were older, hence why their houses were more worn down. Liam spent more time outside rather than inside his house, wanting to make sure he didn't catch any diseases his family would soon unfortunately succumb to. Maxwell lived in his house normally, and I was barely able to see him. We've spent countless afternoons playing in narrow alleyways, dreaming of a better life.

"Jayden!" A voice suddenly called out to me, interjecting my thoughts. It was Liam, his face clustered with excitement. "You won't believe what I found!"

Liam held up a small, dusty book. The cover was faded, but still readable: "Utopian Guide to Success." My curiosity exploded, and I snatched the book from Liam's hands, flipping through the yellow pages. I then rolled my eyes, realizing what the book was.

Liam's smile faded too upon seeing my reaction.

"One of those stupid rich businessmen from the Affluent side wrote this. We can't get success here. Most of the parents and kids here don't even know what that means!" I exclaimed. Liam needed a facefull of the truth every once and a while, I needed to snap him back into reality. I calmed myself down though, realizing my temper—the sudden need for a better life, had gotten out of control. "Sorry," I apologized.

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