In the early evening sun, still burning with heat, i watched Gypsy leap from the boulder into the river down below him. Our people were lucky to have found this particular spot in the rain forest. The trees gave protection to the water, so instead of drying up, we were able to drink, wash our clothes, and from Gypsy's point of view, play in.
"Champ, you seriously have to get in here, the water's great!" As i began to protest, he gathered water in his closed hands, and threw it at me. I jumped up, trying to dodge the flying droplets, and failed. The water soaked the front of the baggy tunic i was wearing, and my bare feet.
"Gees, Gypsy, how could you!" He scrambled out, outstreching his arms as if to hug and console me. i pushed him back towards the river, turned and started to run.
"Carlin, I'm sorry, i didn't think!" Gypsy yelled, already 50 meters behind me. Hell yeah, he didn't think! I hate water. I hate the feeling of being wet. I hate that it looks harmless, but is actually a deadly killer, I even hate the taste. Ever since my father was drowned by the Government Officials that caught him, I've had this fear of water. I didn't think it would matter that much, seeing as the sun would dry up any water in sight. But still, like the river that i had left behind, the sun doesn't destroy everything.
I left the forest, crossed the meadow, and into the clearing that my people had set up to be our village. Our tribe is known as the Dux Tribe, which means 'leader'. The people are decendents from the first protesters that Joe Hawke lead above the ground.
There are around 500 people in our tribe, give or take a few when you count the number of Nomads we pick up, the number of people who leave us, and the number of people who die.
My name is Carlin Hawke. When my father died, i became the last living blood decendent of Joe Hawke. Although my family aren't in power within the the tribe anymore, i definitely have a lot of respect throughout the village.
As i passed the soldiers guarding one of the entrances, they lowered their weapons, and gave me the Lighter's Salute: A closed fist raised in the air. Its the sign of our people, of not fighting with weapons, but creating peace. Its also a sign of respect. I repeated the gesture, giving the soliders a nod and a smile.
Then I started to run, passing the Lecture Hall and the huts that lined the make-shift streets. I began to speed up. I loved this feeling of wind blowing at my hair, cooling me down, moving so fast im almost flying. I let out a laugh, which quickly turned into a groan, as i smacked into Mr Corby.
"Whoa, sorry Sir, let me help you up." The force of the collision threw Mr Corby off his feet, covering him in dirt.
"I think we need to be a little more aware of the people around us, don't we" said Mr Corby, giving me a wink. He brushed himself off, staightened his jacket, and gave me a questioning look.
"Why are you soaking wet, Miss Hawke, and where is Gypsy, i thought you two were inseparable?"
"Gypsy splashed me with water, and i ran away. It's not his fault." I said to my feet, already regreting yelling at him.
"Oh well" He said, smilling at me. " Its your birthday soon isn't? The big 18!"
"Yeah, tomorrow. The Ceremony is on Sunday."
"Really? Well, what is it that you're wanting to become, my dear?"
I lifted my head, squared my shoulders, and said without hesitating, "A soldier, Sir. I want to help my people."
"Spoken like a true Hawke! Well then, i might see you on Sunday. I bid you adieu, Miss Hawke, and happy birthday." Mr Corby turned with a smile and set off in the direction i had come. He may be boring, but there was a way about the 30-something year old man, that i couldn't help but respect.
15 minutes later, i was back in the hammock i was pushed out of this morning. The humid night had set in, and i was only covered by a thin, hand-woven sheet. All i could think about was that tomorrow was my birthday. "I'm going to be 18."I whispered to myself.
As if the night could hear me, the moon was pushed into my eye sight, saying to me "You can be whoever you want to be, even me." I knew it was ridiculous, but it was if that moon was somehow going to give me the strength to fix everything. I would apologise to Gypsy tomorrow, as well as grow old enough to be chosen as a soldier. From there, i had the power to do anything, take down the government, and save my people.
I honestly thought I could save everyone.
But i didn't.
**************
Sorry it took so long for me to post this chapter.
I'm going to be posting more frequently, now i have more time.
please vote and comment!
keep on keeping on
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Nocturnal Humans
Teen Fiction"I'm either going to run fast enough, or I'm going to die." It's thousands of years into the future, and global warming has driven the human race underground, and into the dark. The govenment has passed a law that states that no one is allowed to go...
