The Swallow

Part II

 The next morning before school was different then the usual routine. Libby had no idea how much could change with one simple power outage. But it did.

Just as Libby walked out of her bedroom into the kitchen, the power went out. This happened one other time in her life, but being in the Fiol Department meant power was their specialty, and her dad would have their house up and running in no time.

But today was different. ATTI's power broke too. And without ATTI, there was chaos.

Libby was caught up in the panic of her household, while everyone scrambled around trying to figure out what to do. As her family burst out the front door, all the neighbors seemed to as well. Everyone lost the power of their ATTI's.

Many questions began flying about the courtyard in the moment of panic as the neighborhood began talking to each other for the first time. As if on cue, the speakers that lined the streets began to sound with the voices of the society Leaders.

"Everyone remain calm. Power is temporarily down due to a mishap cause from outside the borders. All Fiol Department workers are required to meet in District 1 Primary Building. Everyone else, return to your houses and remain inside. Under no circumstance do you leave. Thank you for your cooperation in this inconvenience." the speakers shut off and everyone began making their way to their houses or began walking toward the main District building with final grumbles.

Once inside, it was only Libby and her brother, since their parents were Fiol workers. Oberon was sitting on the couch, knees tucked into his chest as he held them tight. He slowly rocked back and forth, his expression lost and absent as he stared at nothing, gripping his dead game controller.

Libby frowned and walked over to him. "Come sit at the table with me. We can look out the window and watch the birds. They are quite interesting to observe."

Oberon didn't budge, unable to hear, see, or move because of his withdrawal from technology. Libby felt pity for him. She knew everyone else was probably acting like Oberon in their own houses. Is she really the only one who still sees the world and its beauty, unaffected by the power outage?

Of course not.

Rune was like her. "I need to see her," Libby whispered to herself and her motionless brother.

With everyone in their houses, and the society leaders busy with the power, Libby would be able to get Rune without being seen or stopped. She grabbed her backpack and filled it with a few things of importance, and left the house.

With a bit of good sense, desperation, and luck, Libby found the teacher's home. She went up to the door that looked identical to hers and knocked. The door was torn open and before a word could be said, Libby was pulled inside.

"You are crazy, what on earth..?!" Rune was kneeling, holding Libby's shoulders as she stared surprised and worried.

"I needed to see you! You're the only one who's like me! Who might know what to do," Libby quickly responded. Rune's expression softened.

She stood up and took Libby's hand, pulling her into a little room down the hall, shutting the door. "This is a dangerous time for you to be disobeying the Leaders, but there's no better time then now."

Libby looked questioningly at the young teacher, confused with her contradicting statement.

"Listen to me carefully, Libby," gentling taking hold of her shoulders and dropping her tone. "You need to get out of society. You need to leave the Boarders."

The little girl's eyes widened as the words she grew up hearing most was the #1 Rule of Society. 'Never leave the Boarders'. And now she was being asked to break it. Such a simple yet enormous request.