Dystopia (Dystopia Trilogy Book 1)

Chapter 14

Note: This is the 14th chapter out of 20. Each Friday a new chapter will be posted. However, if you wish to read it now, it can be purchased on Amazon, B&N, iBookstore, Kobo, and Smashwords. You can also follow me on Twitter (JMRUL) and facebook.

The squelching and whistling of the conveyer belt as Dana worked beside it rattled her nerves. Thoughts of the previous night plagued her mind. How was she to betray her friends and save her parents? After hours of wrestling with her conscience, Dana realized that in this society, one was not allowed to have friends.

She picked up a plastic container that once held some kind of liquid. Carelessly, Dana tossed it on the conveyer belt that went straight into the recycling portion of the plant. It landed with a thump. Despite being tired, she raked at the pile of refuse she stood upon, sifting through it for more recyclable items. She picked up a half-broken glass bottle and tossed it into the chute for glass items.

"Hey," said Elsie as she and Sanders walked up.

"What are you two doing here?" asked Dana. "I thought you were working in the metals area."

"We bribed the officer to let us come here," replied Elsie.

"Oh."

"What happened to you yesterday?" asked Sanders.

"I'm not sure what you mean," said Dana, avoiding the question.

"Yes you do," said Elise.

Dana looked over at an officer watching her every move. She didn't know how many people knew of the arrangement between her and Seth Michaels, but she didn't want to take any chances. "I can't talk about it."

"What's wrong, Dana," said Elsie. "You seem different."

"Maybe because I am," said Dana.

"Why won't you tell us what happened?" said Sanders.

"Because-I went to Jesse's last night like I usually do. I forgot about the time and had to sneak in. I was lucky I didn't get caught."

Officer Burroughs strolled past. He looked in Dana's direction, and she knew that he wanted to know the contents of her conversation with Elsie and Sanders.

"It might be best if you two aren't seen with me quite so much," said Dana, walking off.

Sanders and Elsie watched her go.

"Lost track of time," said Sanders. "Dana never loses track of time."

"Yeah," mused Elsie. "Something else is going on here. Let's get back to work."

Dana glanced up as her two friends disappeared. She hated lying to them.

"Dana Ginary," said an officer. "You are wanted in Officer Burroughs' office."

Dana dropped her rake and followed the uniformed man to Officer Burroughs' office. They hiked up a metal staircase that curved in circles. The higher they went, the more anxious Dana became. She wiped her sweaty palms on her pants.

"In." The officer held the door open.

Nerves going haywire, Dana entered the small office. She immediately noticed the big window that overlooked the plant. It was one of those two-way mirrors.

"Miss Ginary," said Officer Burroughs, indicating for her to take a seat.

Dana obliged.

"I noticed that you were talking with your two friends."

"I always talk with them," said Dana, her heart pounding so hard she thought it would force its way out of her chest.

"I want to know what you were discussing."