The Haven

Chapter 1

     Tree branches whip across my skin. Rain pours from the sky. Mud seeps in between my toes, but none of this matters. All that matters is escaping. The trees are getting thicker as I sprint deeper into forest. I can't give up. The skin beneath my thin, torn clothes burns with every cold drop of rain, but I can't stop running. I can't let them catch me. I can hear them getting closer, but I won't stop. Thorns stab into the bottom of my bare feet, making me flinch in pain.

     Everything is moving so fast. I hear rushing water in the distance and run harder. If I jump in the river, they won't follow. My feet pound the mud and dirt as fast as they can. I can see the river now, just a ways ahead. Never have I ran so hard in my entire life. Hope glistens in my eyes and a relieving smile grows on my face.

     I'm going to make it.

     Just a little further and I will be free. I run, forcing myself to run faster than I ever thought I could and ignore everything else around me. My eyes glue themselves on the river, my savior, ahead. My arms stretch forward, ready to dive into the rapid waters that will keep me safe. I lean forward, pushing myself harder than I ever have. I'm so close. I reach for the cool water in front of me, my only hope.

     Bang.

     My body crashes down, now surrounded by the cold and wet mud. A severe sting pierces my thigh. I clutch the burning wound as tears blur my eyes. I try to focus on the fading image of the river just a few feet before me as I call out in agony. I was so close. My head is spinning while red blood stains my hands and leg. All I can hear now is the vivid thumps of my heart. Muffled voices approach, and I curl into a ball knowing exactly what is coming. I've seen it happen too many times before.

     "Everything will be better." A calm voice whispers in my ear.

     I feel a small prick on my right arm and everything starts to numb. The liquid my captor injected into me flows throughout my body, making my thoughts drift off and my head feel very heavy. I try to fight it, but I've already lost. My eyes start to flutter, and everything begins to fade. There's nothing I can do now, nothing to stop them. My eyes finally close, leaving me alone and surrounded by blackness.

     ***

     "87 Dove, you may wake now." My eyes open, revealing a man dressed in a white business suit.

     "Welcome to Sector Eight of the Haven." Now sitting upright, I look around the room I'm in. Everything is white, the walls, the floor, everything. Where am I? Who am I? I know nothing.

     "Who am I?" I ask the man.

     "You are 87 Dove, like I said before, a Nova. Please follow me to the director's office. He will explain everything. I may speak no further." With that he turns to the glass door beside me and holds it open.

     Reluctantly, I listen and swing my legs over the side of the bed. The light blue silk night gown I have covering my body ends just above my knees and my feet are covered by small white slippers.

     I step through the door and follow the man as he leads me through a narrow hallway. My eyes wander around the hall, until something catches my eye. I rush past the man and over to the glass wall ahead. My eyes widen in surprise when I see hundreds of people below me. They are all dressed in black and light blue clothing. There are boys and girls of all ages doing various things. Some are playing games, others are eating, and they all look so pleasant. It made me smile seeing how happy and content they all were.

     "Come now, you must speak with the director, then you may join them." The man says as he places his hand on my back and guides me forward.