The Wasteland

Chapter Two

Small beads of sweat rolled down her forehead as she approached the progressing line, her clammy hands drawn into fists as she attempted to keep them down at her sides. For seventeen consecutive years Guinevere had managed to test negatively, therefore this last year would most likely prove to be no different from the last. After all, It was an entirely rare occurrence for someone in the Newest Generation to be test Positive so late into their growth cycle. By this point in her near-adult life her body had matured significantly, and still she showed no signs of internal contamination. With that fact alone, she had nothing to fear, or at least that was what the Brunette had so desperately tried to convince herself.

"You're fine, Guinevere." She'd mumble timidly to herself, her earlier self-confidence diminishing slowly as the line began to grow shorter and shorter. One by one children began to file themselves in, signing their names down on a sheet of paper and proving their identification using advanced scanning technology before disappearing behind steel gates altogether. Having gone through this procedure multiple times in her life time, Guinevere knew very well what lay behind the high-stacked, metal barricades.

Area 13; The giant, high-tech facility that determined just about every child's fate in this generation, as well as those future generations to come.

Inhaling deeply Guinevere would manage to lift a shaky hand, her right palm slowly pressing against an advanced scanner in attempt to securely verify her identity.

"Identity Confirmed; Guinevere Alistrov." The machine would call out robotically before giving off a long, agonizing beep to finally signal the gates opening. Wasting absolutely no time on the matter she'd soon drop her hand off of the scanner, her delicate fingers stumbling for the pen as she attempted to scribble her name onto a sign in sheet before disappearing into the gated-entrance altogether.

She knew that beyond that point was where things truly became a living nightmare.

A sense of anxiety began to crawl onto her skin like a swarm of insects, her senses dulling with sheer panic as the screams of terrified children reached her sensitive ear drums. There was no doubt in her mind that those wretched wails belonged to the poor, unlucky children who had tested positively this year. Being dragged out of their testing rooms almost right after their results came in, they'd have no choice but have the government do whatever they pleased with them. It was horrifying, really. Yet even then, she knew better than to speak out against the law. It wasn't her place. She processed no power in terms of what was deemed politically correct in her society. Therefore she'd have to keep her mouth shut, just like everyone else in her current situation.

It seemed like hours had passed before Guinevere found herself inside the facilities waiting room, though in reality she had made it through the crowded lines in a mere thirty minutes. Her hands were now gripped tightly at the edges of her sleeves, her stomach turning uneasily as she studied the dimly-lit area. It was decorated just as it was every year, with a gloomy grey-coating of paint that was practically chipping away at the walls along with a few thinly cushioned seats scattered about the room. On the right corridor a series of doors were aligned only a few feet apart, each with it's own designated number varying from 1 to 6.

"Nervous?" An unfamiliar voice would inquire then, breaking Guinevere out of her dream-like trance. The girl that had spoken couldn't have been any older than ten years old, her dirty blonde locks pulled into tight braids that fell messily onto either side of her head. Her face was rounded, pudgy, and freckled, which only seemed to further confirm the assumption of her age.

"Hardly. It's my last year." Guinevere would reply coolly, obviously trying her best at properly maintaining her distant exterior. It was a lie, of course. Every year she would thoroughly convince herself that she'd be fine in the end, and with her elder sister's confidence the idea of never testing positively became quite believable to her. However, there was something about the way Miella had acted that morning that managed to throw her off her game. The way her sister's confidence wavered, well it was certainly more than enough to cause her worry.

The young girl would chuckle slightly, her lips curving upwards into what could only be described as a half-grin half-smile. "Lucky you, it's you're last year." She'd chime happily before adding, "I still have nine years left before my days in this place are over. But hey, there's nothin' you can do about that."

Guinevere felt herself blanch at the sudden revelation of her age, her mouth slowly forming an 'o' shape as to mimic her sudden surprise. The girl was a year younger than she had anticipated, which only seemed to add onto the dreadfulness of the situation. To make matters worse, she seemed to completely accept the fact that one day there may be a possibility of her testing positive on the test. Perhaps not now due to the fact she was so young, and her body and brain still developing, but eventually.

"Molly Hadson, Room 4." The name would echo clearly through the speakers, causing everyone to still as they waited patiently for the subject to make their way towards the official area of testing.

"I guess it's my turn." With that the child would scurry out of her seat, a small thump following soon after as she finally made it onto her feet. With one last smile in Guinevere's direction, the blue-eyed youngling would make her way towards the corridor before vanishing completely into the darkness altogether.

Seconds passed and another beep commenced, signaling the activation of the speakers.

"Guinevere Allistrov. Room 6."

Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest, a slight chill running up and down the curve of her spine as her name was finally announced. Swallowing thickly Guinevere would make her way forward, her movements quickly switching from their usual confident-strut to that of a clumsily horse, barely learning how to stand on its four hooves. By the time she had reached her final destination, the door had already opened itself, revealing a single machine in the center of a blandly tiled room

As soon as she entered the room the door snapped closed behind her, causing the young teen to jump in a sense of pure, tantalizing fear. Allowing herself to take yet another shaky breath, Guinevere would soon glide over to the machine, her hazel visionaries starring intently at its shiny exterior. Carefully she would proceed with placing her right arm onto the cushioned section of the machine, watching as it activated itself and securely strapped her upper arm and wrist into place. Giving off a slight hum, the contraption would reveal a thick, sharp needle which was attached to an equally girth-y tube. This tube led straight into the transparent machine, and into an inner container that would hold her blood until properly scanned by the giant hunk of metal.

Guinevere didn't even so much as wince as the needle plunged itself automatically into her peachy skin, the machine letting off low humming noises as it proceeded with collecting a full vile of the crimson liquid which flowed through her veins. Just as quickly as it had attached itself the machine had un-strapped her, freeing her arm completely before beginning the official procedure of testing her blood for any sort of contamination. A variety of beeps and boops filled the air as the piece of equipment attempted to analyze just what it had been given.

Then for a moment everything became quiet, and Guinevere found a sense of relief flooding through her chest as she began to think she was in the clear. However, that feeling soon morphed itself into horror as the screen of the appliance turned a bright red, and a loud, piercing siren blasted through her room.

Blinded by the flashing lights and deafening noises, Guinevere barely had time to process the glass bubble that had suddenly encased her petite form. "This can't be happening! You guys have to be mistaken, I can't be positive, I'm eighteen!" She'd scream, her fists smacking relentlessly against the sphere that held her captive. "Let me out! Let me out!" Her cries were beginning to grow more desperate and it seemed that those watching her inside the room began to notice this fact as well, for soon a light mist would begin to fizz its way into her encasement. It smelt oddly sweet, like a mixture of hazel nuts and lavender.

The very scent seemed to numb her body all together, starting with her legs and feet and ending with her shoulders face. Not being able to feel or distinguish one thing from another, Guinevere would topple onto the floor beneath her before finally blacking out.

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Please comment and vote if you liked it. Even if you didn't like it. Tell me what could improve. It helps a lot, and gives encouragement for future chapters, also speedes them up if your anxious for future chapters. <3 -Jazmin