Hidden ( being rewritten)

Chapter Five

[Autumn]

"AUTUMN!" A loud voice whisper-yelled. I rubbed my eyes and looked up at Jay, who was sitting on the edge of my small wooden bed and shaking me vigorously.

I sat up slowly, stretching my arms and yawning.

"Wha-" I managed to croak. My eyes were watery and my head hurt. Looking outside, I saw that the sun was just coming up. That would explain it. I never had to wake up this early back in Community Orange. If I didn't want to, I didn't even have to wake up at all!

"Jay?"

"Yeah, its me." Jay said tersely. "Hurry up and get dressed."

"Wait...I don't even get to take a shower?" I whined. I was sweaty and feeling gross from all of yesterday's running, and I definitely couldn't get through a day like that.

"You sound like a Special," Jay snapped. "How could you expect us to have running water in the middle of a forest? If you want to, wash up in the lake like the rest of us."

I grabbed the typical Fray clothing Jay had set out for me- a black shirt, red pants, and a black hoodie, and walked out of the small cabin.

Layla was waiting outside, holding in her arms clothes identical to mine, except for the bottoms. Instead of red pants, she had purple.

"Morning, sleepyhead," she smirked. "What took you so long?"

"I'm not used to waking up around this time." I rubbed my forehead. "And I have a horrible headache."

"Hurry up and get ready!" Jay rolled her eyes. "They won't be serving breakfast forever."

Layla and I nodded, and we began to follow Jay through the narrow streets until we came upon the still lake. A woven mat of grass hung over the middle of it, dividing it into two sections.

"We bathe here," Jay pointed to the side of the lake visible from where we were standing. "The other side's for the guys."

"Just...here?" I turned inquisitively to Jay, who had already pulled off her too-large shirt, revealing her skinny frame.

"Yes, you little Special!" Jay said with irritation as she yanked down her pants and leaped into the water. "Sorry, but you don't get your own private bath! Even the leaders bathe in the lake!" She dunked her head underwater and resurfaced a few seconds later, and I could see dozens of Fray girls and women doing the same around us.

"I'm sorry, but I don't want to be naked in front of all these people I don't even know!" Layla protested.

"Come on guys," Jay pursed her lips. "It's either this, or be filthy for as long as you're here. And, it's dark, and everyone's minding their own business. It's not like they're staring at you!"

Layla and I exchanged looks before turning our backs to each other and slowly, nervously tugging off our clothes. I stood at the edge of the lake and gingerly put my foot in the water. It was so cold, my toes almost instantly went numb, and I yanked my foot away reflexively.

It's going to feel better to just jump in and get it over with, I told myself. Closing my eyes, I let myself fall face first into the frigid depths. I gasped, taking in gulps of air as I ran my hands over my bare legs in a desperate attempt to stay warm.

I scrubbed down with the crude, unscented soap Jay passed to me and rinsed it off in less than a minute before hopping out. That was the probably the shortest bath I had ever taken, but the pain was far from over.

If the water was bad, the chilly air on my wet skin was worse. The threadbare towel did little to warm me as I quickly dried off and put on my new Fray clothes.

Layla got out a few seconds after me and I saw that she was shivering. She looked over at me.

"That was the most horrible bath that I have ever taken." I shook my head as I slipped on my clothes. "And that's coming from a Blender thief; I'm not exactly used to hot tubs and spas."

Layla pulled on the shirt. "It was either that or you walk around Fray sector all dirty. To me, it wasn't that bad. At my home, that was the temperature of every bath. I got used to it."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever, I like warm baths...not freezing cold baths."

"Well that's all we have here." A voice said behind me. I turned around and saw Jay, who looked angry. "This isn't the city Autumn, we have limited resources here. Blame the Specials for any inconveniences here. It's their fault we're not allowed in the Communities."

She walked past us. "If you're hungry, follow me."

I looked over at Layla, who had started walking beside Jay.

I managed to catch up with them as we walked through town, past typical Fray homes made of logs and twine and tents, with people selling fruit, goods, and clothes.

"Sup Jay!!" A voice called out. Jay turned around and smiled.

"Hey Genni!" Jay exclaimed as a girl with long, light blue hair hugged her.

Jay looked at the girl. "Genni, I missed you so much! You're so lucky the leaders let you go on long missions to the Outside. How was it this time?"

"Not good. Lost at least six...and they were some of our best. The creatures of the Outside are learning more about us the more we enter their domain. They're getting smarter every time."

"That can't be natural," Jay frowned. "Animals don't adapt that fast. Apparently banishing us wasn't enough. The Specials want us dead!"

"Those things are used to sudden changes, their environment is highly unstable," Genni rolled her eyes. "And you have to stop blaming the Specials for everything. It's really immature. They're leaders, not gods. They can't completely change the way an animal behaves."

"Fair enough," Jay shrugged, though I could tell she was not convinced.

"I'm just really scared for future missions now," Genni bit her lip. "We have to go, it's the only way we can get meat, but it's not like before. Now, every time is risking death or serious injury."

"It'll be fine...I hope." Jay assured the girl.

"Yeah...hopefully." She looked over Jay's shoulder at us. "And who are they?"

"Long story...and we have to hurry or we'll miss breakfast." Jay ran her hands through her hair.

Genni nodded in agreement.

"Mind if I come with?" She asked, twirling her hair between her fingers.

"Of course, anything for an Outside operative."

Genni smiled and we continued walking again. We passed a booth selling handbags made of woven cloth and scattered jewels.

Layla walked over and pulled some coins out of her pants pockets. A girl no older than fourteen carefully counted the money and handed Layla a handbag with purple, blue, and black jewels.

"Thank you." Layla bowed to the girl. The girl giggled.

"I'm not royalty, or a Special...but thank you for the nice gesture." The girl held out her small hand. "I am Zia."

"Nice to meet you Zia, I am Layla. I will see you around town." Layla walked off and Zia waved while smiling.

"Where'd you get that money from?" I asked her. She grinned.

"There was a woman stink eyeing me at the lake, and when she wasn't looking, I snatched coins from her clothes. Payback, I guess." She shrugged.

"Come on, guys!!" Jay yelled. We ran up to her and stood before a small, long building.

"Here, you Community dwellers, is the Fray Sector Dining Hall."