Subject No. 13

Chapter One

I scavenged among the wreckage of the place once called New York. I would get in major trouble if any of the authorities found me here, outside the Haven.

Honestly sometimes I hate the Havens. They're more like prisons. Prisons filled with lies and half-truths. They tell us it's not safe outside the Haven. Lies. They tell us that there is nothing outside, nothing but desolate wastelands.Half-truth. There's abandoned cities and wastelands, sure, but there are some stuff worth snatching there.

I grabbed some tinned food and a bottle of water. Could be useful. I needed some extra food besides the amount we were allowed to have anyway.

I grabbed a small gold locket. Bingo! Now this could be sold on the black market! For a good price too.

My eyes locked on the prize. It was a bit of old-fashioned paper money, worth a few hundred at least. I raced across the open, which I would normally be uncomfortable with but for something that valuable....

I ran as fast as my legs would carry me, grabbed it and raced behind a old advertisement sign. I smiled. That would be enough to buy a ton of food.

As I marvelled over my find, I suddenly heard the siren of the authorities. I could get in huge trouble if I got caught.

I held my breath and stayed as silent as possible while trying to keep myself completely hidden until I heard the sirens fade into the distance.

I let out a sigh of relief. I was safe. Time to head back.

I snuck back in through the small hole in the dome. I slid in on my belly. The hole was really tiny. The size wasn't a bother to me though. The officials wouldn't find it easily then.

I brushed the dust off my grey hoody. I raced off leaving only dust in my wake.

The Haven I live in, Metropolis, is, as its name suggests, a haven but, to be honest, feels like a prison. It's a cage that is constantly closing in. It's a trap, meant to catch me, the mouse. People say that Havens are there to stop things getting in, but I think they're actually trying to keep us in.

I reached the place I wanted to go. The black market. Where I could sell my hoards for a good price.
I walked over to Dustbin. Duncan 'Dustbin' Dermot is the guy I usually sell my treasures to. He buys everything for a good price. And he's easy to convince.

"Hey, Dustbin, " I said, putting on my most convincing innocent smile," How are you today?" "Annabel! How are ya?" he says slapping me on the back, "What've got for me today, girl?"

I put the locket and the money on the table. "Oh-ho-ho," he said, rubbing his hands together. I smiled cockily.

This would be easy. "How about 200 minoes for the locket and..." he paused. Minoes are our system of money. "And 600 for the money?" he continued. I shook my head." The locket's grand but 1200 for the money...," I said, beaming. "1000 for the money," he said.

I thought about that for a moment. The money was risky to get but I might not get any higher..."Done," I said, putting out my hand. Dustbin took it and shook it." He took the money and the locket and handed me the minoes.

I wandered around town. I should get something to eat and then head home.

"Heya, Maggie!" I said, waving at her. She smiled and tucked a loose strand of fiery hair behind her ear. "So, what can I getcha?" she asked, beaming.

"Um...." I said, looking at the large selection. "Oh woulda c'mon," she said, playfully, " 'Snot like I got all day!" Could I have the baguette?" I asked, finally making up my mind. "Grand, " she said, "Thought ya were gonna be 'ere all day." She wrapped the baguette and handed it to me. My mouth was already watering. I could smell a baguette from a mile away.

"That'll be 12 minoes, please, " she said looking at the cash register. I handed her the money."Ta." I thanked her and raced off.

I banged into an elderly woman. "Sorry, " I said, checking to see if she was alright. She looked up at me with scared eyes." The Lottery, " she said, trembling,"It's not what appears to be..." She grabbed my and pulled me down."They all went insane! They're experimenting!" she whispered harshly into my ear, " They want to-to-to experiment on the winner..."

I tugged out of her grip. She scared me, I'm not going to lie. I was really afraid. But I convinced myself that it was nothing but a crazy old woman's banter. But that still didn't stop my fear.

I reached my shelter. It was nothing but a small hut made of wood. Made it myself. I know it isn't much but I'm proud of it. Besides there are those worse off.
I fell into an uneasy sleep that night. I couldn't help but think off the old woman's final words. "They want to-to-to experiment on the winner..."