Underneath (Foundation/Pre-write)

Chapter 1

My dad the drunk and my mother the suicidal. My sister begged me to come with, but I was only 9 then, so I couldn't leave my mom. 

This was all 5 years ago and my mom hasn't said a single word to me since. They say death changes people, and for my mother, that didn't even begin to explain her. Her bubbly personality faded into a bleached, bland persona. But I on the other hand, had used the sanity I had to keep me the same girl I was when my dad left. 

In the year 3012, the New America's were put into quadrants. And I've heard about books they read a long time ago, almost exactly like this. Districts, sectors, factions. All the same. I guess they couldn't help the fact that separation was unavoidable. 

In New America there are always penalties. Someone dies, you pay. If your suicidal, you pay. If you have too much fun, you pay. But if you can't pay, they take. Not your home, not your electricity, not your water, but your family. Anyone under the age of 18 gets taken from the household. Enough explaining my life. I'm tired of this.

I sat on my front porch. Today is the one day a year that they take. May 5th. Seeing the transportation bus for our quadrant was horrifying. But I kept my calm so my mom didn't know I was leaving. I'm only 14, so knowing I wouldn't see the outside for 4 years was depressing. 

Breathe. Just Breathe.
The bus stopped and two men came off the bus. They were dressed in black and had GRD written on their shirts. I'm okay going to the place they took my friend years ago. Man, I miss him.

"KAITLYN!"

I froze. No one calls me that. Only my- 

"Mom...?"

I turned around to see her face. Her red, drenched in tears face. It ripped my heart to sheds to see her like this. She hasn't showed emotions like this forever. I began to run towards her, for one last hug. But a hand grabbed the collar of my shirt.

"Kaitlyn listen! I love you and I'm so sorry!"

Tears ran down my face, I've held in emotion for too long now. This was unnatural for me to feel this way. I let my body take over and let my brain run. I collapsed on the ground and let the men drag me. My anxiety began to catch up. How was I able to just leave like that. Am I soulless? 

When I finally came back to my senses, we were already driving. The bus was hot, and I was extremely hungry. I didn't want to speak though, so I crossed my arms and sat in a pout. This quickly got boring so I leaned my head on the window and tried to sleep. Suddenly I felt an presence next to me. I quickly snapped up to look a pair of ocean eyes in the face.

"Nice little show there."

Not cool.
"Well I'm glad someone found it entertaining."

He smirks, "Well, I've been on this stupid bus since 5. In the morning. I haven't had any food to eat all day. Plus the three other people on this bus are b-b-BORING!" He said slouching down.

"We can talk, hopefully I'm not boring." I said sitting up straight. 

"Okay, I'll start. Let's talk about why we're here. I'm here because my mom died from illness and my father is a suicidal nutcase." I didn't know how to react. He was just.... So calm and open with all this. "My dad is abusive so I'm super okay with this." He lifted his sleeves to show me a series of scars and bruises.

"Why are you showing me this?" He folded his sleeve back down.

"I don't know really, I usually don't trust people with this." I just rolled my eyes. "C'mon. You'll be here for a few years, make some friends."

"Three and then some." I said smoothly.

"Woah, your only 14?! You'll be here forever!" 

"Not true! That doesn't make it forever." I said slouching down. 

"Your turn to share." He said, elbowing me. 

"Fine. My dad was a drunk in the army. He was MIA for 4 years, then they found the body on home territory. My mom couldn't pay back the debt in the 5 years and here I am." I said. He looked at me like it wasn't enough, so I carried on. "My mom hadn't spoke to me since my dad went MIA and my older sister is now 24 so she's moved on. Me and my mom weren't so close, so I was ready to move on as well." 

"Sounds fun."

"Yup, super."

The conversation died off and I slowly fell asleep.

The bus slowed to a stop. I looked out the window, only to see that we were in the middle of a grass field. No road. Nothing.  

"Everyone off." A guard stood up and announced. I stood up a little to quick and colors fill my sight. The boy next to me grabbed my arm.

"Woah there, you were asleep for hours. Stand up to quick and you'll get a killer headache."

"I don't even know your name and your offering me your arm?" I said with a small chuckle.
Me and him walked off the bus arm and arm. My fatigue hit me hard. All three of us kids are just standing outside the bus. I stood with all my strength because I did not want to embarrass myself already.

The surroundings were lovely. Quadrant One was nothing like this. There was grass for miles. The sound of crickets went perfect with the now setting sun. I took a deep breath in. This might be the last time I'll feel such fresh air. The smell of a Forest, or anywhere really before a storm.
Fresh. Relaxing. Calm.

---Chapter End---

I spent over a year editing this book. I believe this story, is more than a story. I hope this gets some success for I put a lot into this. I already have all the chapters written, but as I double check those chapters, I will post them. Fun fun fun. I hope you guys enjoy. 

-KAC