The Twilight Line

Chapter 1 New Beginnings

The Waterway April 14, 2386 7:54 a.m.

They say you can hear the sounds of the dome failing from the water hole. All I hear is water rushing through the processors. It’s soothing, almost cathartic, the way the waves beat against the cement walls of the waterway. It reminds me of the beaches I’ve read about. I guess it is missing a few things though. I close my eyes and try to imagine what the salty sea air would smell like. I try to imagine seagulls flying in a bright blue sky, and the sun touching my face with warm fingers.

I lift myself from the ground interrupting my feeble day dream. It’s always difficult to imagine something you’ve only ever read about. “Time for school Laney. Put yourself together.” I know I shouldn’t dream about the past so much, but I can’t help it. The past is so much more beautiful than this sad reality. Josie, my best friend, says I’m to nostalgic. She may be right.

I walk down the uneven sidewalk towards the gleaming tower in the distance. The tower used to gleam in that new building way. In all our text books  there is still a picture of the brand new shiny steel glinting in the dome lights. Now it looks rusted even from a distance. Like the rest of us, it only holds an echo of its former glory. This dome has become a pond cut off from the ocean. Only ripples of our past remains, and even those are fading with time. The only thing left is a moving museum of the human race.

As I make it into the inner dome the traffic of people picks up. As a result I have to start walking faster to avoid being run over. Just as I’m rounding the last corner I run right into Loydd Buttrum. “Oh god, please tell me you are just ditching and that you weren’t just waiting here for me.” Loydd smirks at me as his buddies circle around me. “Well, I can’t say you’re dumb. At least not too dumb to know what’s comin’ to ya.” I groan inwardly and grip my bag a little tighter, “Look Loydd, I don’t have time for this. I’m running late already. Please just leave me alone and take your crew of minions to steal some poor kid’s lunch money or something.” I try to push past him, but he steps in my way.

“You don’t get it do you, Laney? We aren’t letting you pass without taking your punishment.” I scowl at him, “My punishment for what? Being smarter than you? Or maybe it’s because I smell better than you. ‘Cause let me tell you,” I wave at my nose, “You really should consider showering at least once a week.”  His face turns a shade of red I didn’t know was possible. “You’re going to regret that, traitor spawn.” What he doesn’t know is I already do. I know what kind of beating I’m going to get now. His fist is raised and I close my eyes, bracing myself for the blow.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I open my eyes to find Nate gripping Loydd’s arm tight enough to make me wince. “You do realize she’s a noble, right? Hitting her can get you some serious time.” Loydd yanks his hand free and rubs his wrist, “Only if someone rats us out. Noble or not, she’s still a traitor’s spawn. No one would mind if I put the fear of god into her.” Nate gets inches from his face. I’m not quite sure how he can stand it, because I wasn’t joking when I told Loydd he needs a shower. “I mind, and as far as I’m concerned she’s not the spawn of anything. She’s a noble lady, and you’d do well to remember it.”

Nate grabs my arm, dragging me behind him as he leaves a frustrated Loydd in his wake. Once we are safely out of ear shot he grips my shoulders roughly. “Wow Nate, and here I thought you were saving me.” He glares at me and I know what’s about to happen. “Look Nate-“

“Are you fucking stupid Laney? It’s one thing to be bullied, and it’s entirely different when you make it worse with that smart ass mouth of yours.” I assault Nate with big puppy dog eyes, “And don’t look at me that way. It won’t work.” He turns abruptly and stomps off. I glare at his back. He’s always been tough on me, but he’s the only one who stands up for me.