Broken Worlds: A Class Collection of Dystopian Short Stories

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Welcome back: Savannah River Smith

Date of Birth: 3/20/4001

Time: 10:30 p.m

Video Log date: 3/29/4018

Video Log number: 20

I stare at Savannah's computer for the longest time. The feminine robotic voice announces,

"Press play to watch. Press play to watch."

I don't move an inch. I shouldn't even be here right now. My palms start sweating as I slowly move the computer mouse towards the big red play button. But I need to know. I press down and instantly see her. Her hair is braided in the video. She looks so normal and healthy. The screen loads for a second and then the video begins.

"Today is March 29th, 4018. I've been successful in school and next year I'm graduating."

Her face was passive as she looked at the camera and tugged on her hair.

"So I met someone at school today." She stopped talking and frowned.

"He's not very nice but I don't mind." She shifted in her seat and continued.

"Everyone In Blithe is happy except maybe for him." She twisted her hands in her lap and continues, " He's always quiet and sits alone all the time and I couldn't ignore him like everyone else. So i've decided to become friends with him. I don't think he likes me very much but I need more friends anyways." She stops talking in the video as mom opened the door and poked her head in. Mom in the video smiles, waves, and then set laundry on Savannah's bed. Savannah frowned and turned back to the camera.

"Anyways I haven't seen him at school lately so I'm going to ask around. I can't lose my only friend now. Well, I have to go now." Her voice wavered and the computer screen went black. The woman's voice comes back on.

"Press play to rewatch."

I turn off her computer monitor as my mind races. She'd never spoken to me about a boy. She used to tell me everything. Even the embarrassing crap in her life. Like the time she accidentally tripped and ripped her pants when she was in third grade. I stand up and look around her room before I leave. Her bed is pushed to the corner and the purple comforters is tucked in neatly. Stuffed animals lined her bed and that's when I notice Mr. Grumpy, her old tabby cat, laying in between her stuffed animal monkey and lion. His striped face lifted and he glared at me from his hiding spot. I smile at him and slowly walk towards him.

"Hey Mr. Grump, everyone's been looking for your fat-I mean slim self." Savannahs cat was as round as the damn moon but savannah loves him nonetheless. I slowly crept forward but he stands up and stretches before jumping onto the wooden floor and scurrying through her door. He successfully wedges his body through the door which causes it to creak. It still surprises me everytime he moves faster than lightning. I sigh, I've come to accept his hatred towards me. I often ask why we never got a dog.

"Savannah is that you?" My mom's voice rings out.

Oh no. I severely doubted my mother's ability to hear. Damn the cat and Savannah's squeaky door. The hall light flickers on and I hear mom's feet as she runs towards me. Crap. I look around and quickly made my way for Savannah's bed. I get on my belly and slide under it. It would have been a great plan except for the part where I get stuck half under the bed and half out. My hip won't budge as I struggle and by the time I whisper a prayer, mom's barging in. She screams,

"Ben!"

I swear she just ruptured an eardrum. Don't get me wrong I love her but sometimes I swear she's a banshee in disguise. By the time my dad got here I've successfully pulled myself from under the bed and calmed mom down. That doesn't mean she wasn't mad.