Aquion

The world under the sea, totally unknown too most, but to a few it is their world.  It’s MY world.

“Stuck in a bubble mother! This is our life, don’t you ever get tired?” I sighed and stared at my mother who was washing the dishes in the sink.

 “Sweetie, you know that you cannot leave unless you are a man in the military.” She continued with the dishes, not turning to look at me.

 “Why? Why can’t females join the military? It’s not like we’ll drown.” I pull out a seat and sit, trying to calm myself. “Aaron got accepted and he has asthma!”

 “You know they need more recruits these days, since a lot were lost during Siren invasion in west division.” Mother finished the dishes drying her hands on a towel. “Besides your brother is capable of taking care of himself.” She said as she walked over to take a seat across from me. 

 “Mom, you know he was terrified of a puffer fish swimming outside of the Glass.” I rubbed my eyes; this argument was not helping my ever-growing headache.  “The guy will die of a heart attack when he see’s a shark.”

 “You know your brother worked hard for this.  Besides he’s a medic, not a soldier, for the military.”

 “Alright, I give up.” I say as I throw my hands into the air. “I’m going out for a walk.” I grab my father’s old military jacket and head out.

 “You have to be back before 11:00!” sheyells after I walk out the door.

As I walk forward my hands go straight to my pockets. I walk past the stores, and head straight for the market; I plan to meet my group of friends there.

 I walk near the Glass, the glass that I will forever be stuck in. Around 100 years ago our ancestors built a dome like structure made out of a glass. Not just any glass, an unbreakable one, one that will not grow weak not even as the years pass. How did they empty the water out? They used a machine that sucked water out of the dome and closed the hole. Simple as that. But why build a whole city underwater? There was a rumor that hell would rein on the surface, so out of pure fear a certain number of people put money together and built the city. Not everyone left the surface, obviously. Lots of people stayed, and when the world didn’t end they only laughed at us. Even so no one left, they all stayed. Why leave? No reason to, until the other creatures they didn’t know existed decided to pay a visit. Another civilization lived down here, yet now one knew.

 Aquion, is the city where they lived, and they are called Aquians. They tried to attack us, but couldn’t break the Glass. To prevent any further problems they created the military, and gave them fancy toys and abilities. They are the only ones that can leave this Glass bubble.

 I sigh as I walk into the market, which is crowded as usual. Vendors shout, “Buy the high quality meat here!” or “New products at lower prices!” One of them tries hand me a sample of cooked crab, “Best crab in town girlie. We catch them straight out the Glass everyday.”

He must have some connections to the military staff that goes hunting/meets with the surface for food. In short it’s illegal, if it’s not sold in an official store when it comes to animals.  But not plants, since all the plants are grown here. Almost anyone can buy the soil and seeds. Animals don’t do well underwater. 

“Thanks, but no thanks.” I keep walking until I see the clothing vendor at the corner.  I walked to the front and waited. They should’ve been here by now. 

 “Lynn!” I turn to see my brother and our friends walking toward me. My brother and I have hazel eyes (my mothers color), his hair color is blonde also like my mother, and they look so similar. He even has freckles like she does. I, on the other hand, have my father’s dark black hair and no other resemblance. I walk forward to meet them.

 “Late much?” I ask when I reach them. My two closest friends, Ethan and Faith had arrived. Ethan and Faith are brother and sister, they both hair light brown hair and chocolate colored eyes. Faith always has her hair in a bun; I’ve only seen it down once.  That was on her grandmother’s funeral day.

 “We decided to pick up Aaron on our way,” Said Ethan “Than we got side tracked watching the military leave for the new mission. “

 "Speaking of which,” I look at Aaron. “When ARE you going to head out for your first mission?” I ask.

 “Well, they are going over the basics with me. I don’t need a lot of physical training since I’m only a medic.” He sighed “I know everything already, no need to go over it again. I keep telling my trainer… oh well. I’m heading out in tomorrow.”

 “Where?” I ask.

 “I don’t know yet, I’m thinking no where dangerous, since I’m new.”

 “Yet they bring a medic if it’s not dangerous? The logic.” I roll my eyes.

 “Sometimes sirens like to be bitches and ambush. No matter how safe the mission is supposed to be.” Ethan said, talking from experience. Him and I are one year older (20 year olds) than Faith and my brother (19 year olds). That being said, Ethan has spent a year in the military. While I wasted a year working with my mother in her grocery store, selling fruits and vegetables.

 “That’s why I’ll be there when they need medical attention.” He said

 “You need someone protecting your ass to be able to do anything.” I sighed “If only girls were allowed into the military I could protect you, while you did your thing.”

 “I’ll be fine, like I said it’ll be safe.” He gave me a warm smile.

 “You better be, or else who is going to be the man of the house?” I smiled back punching his shoulder.  “We got to go home, mother says she wants us home before eleven.”

 Aaron nods “Yeah, lets go. I rather not get yelled at again. Mother seems calm, but only on the outside.” He walks past me in the direction of our home.

 “See you guys tomorrow.” I wave a quick goodbye and turn to run after my brother.

 The next morning Aaron went to the Military base to leave for his mission at an early hour of three in the morning.  I awoke around nine and went down the hall to the kitchen.

 “Morning mom.” I yawned. “You need help cooking?” She turned around and smiled.

 “No honey, I’m fine. Take a seat.”  She said while she flipped the pancakes.

 “Yeah, let me serve up some orange juice first.” I walk to the cabinet grabbing a glass cup.

Suddenly there is a knock on the door.

“I’ll get it mom.” I walk over to the door and open it. “Oh. Hey Ethan. Come on in, my mom is making pancakes. You want some?” I am about to turn when Ethan grabs my hand, making me drop my glass cup. It shattered into pieces next to my shoes. 

 “Lynn, what I’m about to say… it’s something bad.” His voice sounds worried.

 “What happened? Did Faith get hurt?” I started to scan Ethan’s face. He is sweating buckets. Meaning he ran all the way here, most likely from the military base. My mother appears behind me wiping her hands clean of pancake batter. 

 “What’s the matter? I heard glass breaking.” She looked at the glass on the floor.

 “There is no easy way to tell you guys this, but Aaron went missing.” He looked at me. “We were short on soldiers, so they sent him on a mission near the Aquion borders. Then we lost contact with him and his team. Apparently Aquion soldiers took them by surprise… ”

 The rest of what Ethan was saying wasn’t registering in my head. Was I really going to lose another member of my family to Aquion?

- first chapter end.... sorry it was short. :P-