The train to Albium was beyond glamorous to say the least.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating all of the rooms with a warm yellow tinge. Agarwood was crafted to create fine dining settings and floor boards while the couches were upholstered with red velvet.
I wasn't alone on the train. I was with several other people who were my age, heading to other districts for their journey although I was the only one set for Albium. I felt extremely privileged but I still pitied those I left behind. I remember saying goodbye to May, and her tear streaked face was all that was remaining in mind. She agreed to delivering the letter to Lincoln's house but she will be unable to inform me of how well or not that went as she and I alike have no idea where exactly I am headed.
After we dined upon roast chicken and mixed vegetables for lunch, I decided to go look at my room. As I entered, I noticed a girl with bright red hair, lying on the bed across from mine. She was reading a book so I quietly placed my suitcase at the end of my bed.
"Hello there, you must be Hazel! I'm Stacey!" She beamed excitedly.
"Hello." I smiled back.
"You're quite shy. Here I was thinking I could have a party with my roommate!" she joked.
"I've never been to a party before." I replied, attempting to sound more confident.
"I wouldn't worry, you're not missing out on much!" she replied. "So tell me a bit about yourself Hazel. Where are you from? Where you heading?" I took a seat on the edge of my bed and faced her. She closed her book and sat it on the side table before sitting up and facing me. "Well, my name is Hazel Ives. I'm from Zealk and I'm heading to Albium." She was quiet for a moment then what looked like shock surged through her eyes.
"Hazel Ives. Yeah, I've heard of you!" She sat there staring at me with a wide smile on her face whilst I shifted awkwardly under her gaze. "So why don't you tell me a bit about you?" I asked, trying to veer her attention elsewhere.
"Well, as you know my name's Stacey. Stacey Ingham and I'm from
Urica. I'm heading to Niola. Not as much of a dramatic change compared to yours, but it's still better than living in my region!" Unintentionally, I let out an exasperated huff of air at her choice of words. Yes, I was extremely lucky to be granted the privilege of entering the highest region but I was rather offended by how she made my life seem so grand. "I doubt you have any idea of the conditions we live under in Zealk!" I stated crossing my legs on my bed.
Stacey lent back on the wall behind her eyeing me closely.
"What's that supposed to mean?" She asked, amusement evident in her eyes.
"I'm just saying that even though I know that I'm fortunate to go to Albium, you still have no idea what I had to and what everyone has to endure in Zealk." I laughed trying to lighten the situation.
"You really think you're so hard done by?" She looked me in the eye as she clenched her jaw.
"Well Zealk isn't classed as the lowest region for nothing!" I stared back at her, dismissing any ideas I had to try and make this conversation pleasant.
"So tell me dear Hazel, what would you do on a daily basis as a citizen of Zealk?" She smirked as she rolled over onto her stomach, resting her chin on her propped up hands.
"My life's not really that interesting, surely you have more important things you have to do." I said trying to end the conversation.
"Don't turn shy again Hazel, we're just having a friendly conversation! So tell me about what you do. You and your younger sister May!" She smirked once more.
How did she know about May? I hadn't told anyone since I'd left the house. "How do you know about May?" I demanded. She flushed red and stuttered and stammered trying to answer my question. I eyed her skeptically but ignored her behavior as I decided to answer her question.
"Well as you already know, May is my younger sister. She is my only sibling and up until three days ago, it was just her and I. My parents are constantly away on business trips so I constantly have to look after her. After walking my little sister to school, I go to the local pharmacy were I get payed five dollars a week. That five dollars is all I have to feed May and I for seven days. That's all we've got to pay for everything. As I get let off work before I pick up May, I meet some people from around town who inform me of local news and we trade items with each other. During winter, coats and blankets are scarce so we have to make do with what we have or what people have left behind. When I get home wig my younger sister, I make dinner and get her to bed then once I know she's asleep, I leave the house to go meet Lincoln. I usually spend an hour or two with him and then I go home. This happens daily there is absolutely no excitement in my life. As much as I hated it, I'm going to miss everything about it once I start my new life!" I exclaimed all at once realizing I had most likely said too much.
"So let me get this straight, not only do you steal, you always leave your house after curfew AND you're seeing another boy? I must say I'm impressed! Defying the government daily in any way possible. I wonder what they would say if they found out?" She question. My heart skipped a beat and my palms were getting sweaty.
"You wouldn't!" I sternly said.
"You don't know that!" Stacey said in reply.
"But I do, no one likes a tattletale do they Stacey?" I asked trying to turn the blame.
"What's in in for me?"
"What?" I asked utterly confused.
"I'll keep my mouth shut, for now, but what do I get in return?" I considered her question. I had no idea what she wanted but if it ensured that she wouldn't tell the government on me I suppose I didn't have a choice.
Just as I was about to ask her what she wanted in return for keeping quiet, we were interrupted by a knock on the door of our room.
Stacey rose and opened the door revealing a patrol officer with a document held in his hand. "Stacey Ingham? There's been a mistake. Come with me please!" The patrol officer didn't even glance in my direction as he escorted Stacey out of the room.
Several hours had passed and Stacey still hadn't returned. In the dining room, during dinner, I looked for her around the table but not one of the dozen faces was hers. As I returned to my room after dinner, I was surprised to see her belongings no longer in our room.
I thought that maybe she got given a different room or had arrived at her destined location but something in her complete ignorant absence made me think that she wasn't going to arrive in Niola after all.
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Hope you enjoyed chapter five!
I was thinking of writing a chapter in Lincoln's pov so you can all understand what happens to him but let me know if you think I should.
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Finding Fates Way
Ficção Adolescente'Finding Fates Way' is a dystopian story set in the distant future of Australia. The country was renamed by its new founder Estova, and divided into four regions, all of which are named after his four children. Albium was east and where those who ba...
