The World as we Know it

1.

"Creswell. 23 years of age. Achieved a one two in his degree. Specialized in Computer Physics and Programming. Worked for a year at JAVA corporation. Highly praised." The woman wore a green knee length pencil skirt and an armed forces green blazer. Her hair was tightly pulled back into a bun her hands clasped a clipboard in which she read from. The man beside her was in a army general suit. He stared straight forward as he walked down the concrete tunnels of the bunker.

"He and his family were brought in this morning. No resistance."

"See to it that he is given a separate living quarters from his family, we need no distraction."

"Sir." The woman nodded her head an left the general to his duties.

She scurried down the tunnel, her heels slapping against the concrete tiles. As she approached the metal door she flashed her security card. She knew she would have to approach Creswell and welcome him humbly. She hates this part, the new citizens who were gifted were allowed to ask as many questions as they wished after they were separated from their family of course. that part hurt to watch. It was her job to make sure the separation went smoothly. She made sure the mother would let go of her children and the father. wouldn't fight. it was easier when it was a female who separated the families, the males tended to fight less.

She entered the dark viewing room to watch the family she was about to tear apart, so she could cast judgment on the best way to go about the procedure. The eldest Creswell son, the one they were interested in stood away from the family, choosing to lean again the wall to the right while his family huddled in a corner to the left. They seemed uninterested in each other. The youngest Creswell, a young male, looked around the room with panicked eyes as he clutched his mothers hand. The eldest male in the room, whom she assumed was the father spoke to the eldest Creswell son, who glared and didn't respond. 'Ah step-father' she corrected mentally and understood the eldest Creswells distaste for the man. She watched them moments longer, before making her decision and leaving the dark room with the blue hue to enter the grey room where the new recruit stood.

***

"-You will receive your welcome package and breakdown when you arrive at your new home. All able bodies will be called upon within the next 2 weeks with a job we think is suitable for the individual. You will be expected to follow the rules, if you do, you will live a relatively normal life. Now please Mr and Mrs Creswell, say your farewell to your son. You will see him soon I assure you and then would you please leave with the fellow soldiers who will escort you straight to your new house."

The farewell was short, she noticed. This family wasn't close, she could tell that now. The mother would survive without her son. The eldest Creswell stayed leaning against the wall as his family departed and once the door had been firmly shut behind them, a small smirk appeared on his lips.

"There's no need to beat around the bush, I know why I'm here, I know what I'm to do, so could we just move into the part where you give me a home and tell me my duties for tomorrow." she was taken aback by his abrupt approach but only for a second, before a small smile appeared on her lips.

"Benton." She stretched her hand out for him. He looked at it and smirked at her. Brenton smiled right back dropping her arm. She knew she had chosen the right guy.

***

The street was cold and dark, nothing new for the figure walking down it. In fact it was the same as it had been for almost a month. The air bitter but still no sign of snow. She pulled her coat closer around her frame, stuffing her hands into her pockets, watching her breath form a warm mist before evaporating into the cold. It was too quiet she thought, glancing around her. There were no cars passing, no teens smoking weed down the snickets, no late night dog walkers. Just herself and the moon. This unnerved her, she knew nothing good came from a 17 year old female walking the street at 11pm. She turned right at the end of the road and continued on. She could see her house in the distance, her dads car parked in the drive. As she drew closer a small feeling of triumph surged through her. She had made it home safe again and proved to her parents that her work hours were not too late.