Society's Game (on hold)

Finding Survivors

My name is Clover. But I am far from the name that has been bestowed unto me, for I am anything but lucky. My older sister, Willow, and I, we live in a corrupt society that concludes our social standard with our financial standing. The remains of the charred planet previously called Earth is divided into three groups: Intruders, the Wealthy, and the Survivors.

Intruders go around looking and killing off any Survivors, the rare class of humans that is shunned by our civilization. So that's why Willow and I stay hidden. We want to stay alive. 

Our parents have abandoned us, before I could even see. But we are managing just fine, even with the few close calls we get into. And though we have never seen another survivor yet, I'm sure we will, because after all, my name is Clover, the meaning behind it ensuring our luck.

 Chapter 1

"Clover! Get down from there! Intruders will find us!" Willow called out, whisper-yelling the last sentence.

"Wait, I have to find it! We'll get answers! Isn't that what you want?" I tried reasoning with her. Currently, I was searching in the archives for the record of my parents. It was deathly quiet with the exception of Willow's beat-up flats scuffing the floor and the rustle of paper every five seconds. Abruptly, we heard the hall door slam open, paralyzing us in fear.

"Willow?" My voice barely below a whisper. Indistinctly, orders were being given along with the sound of boots pounding on the floor, the rhythm getting louder as Intruders headed towards us.

"Follow me. And don't hesitate." Her voice deathly low. She grabbed my forearm with one hand and tugged me along behind bookshelves, avoiding predatory eyes searching for prey. She led me toward a window on the third floor we were currently on and spoke words I wish I never heard from her.

"We are going to jump through that window right there. And you are gonna run. Okay? It doesn't matter where you go. Even if we get separated, you are gonna keep running. Do you understand?" She instructed. 

I choked back a sob. "No, no I am not gonna leave you, Willow. We are in this together, remember?" I whispered. The tears fell freely without me even bothering to wipe them away.

"Look at me." She placed a finger below my chin. "Please. Just for me. I'll be okay." She smiled reassuringly, using her thumb to wipe away any leftover salty tears. "Don't worry." I silently nodded. "Okay, on the count of three. Ready? One, two, three!"

She shoved my body towards the glass, the window shattering under my effortless touch. I fell to the concrete on my right shoulder with an agonizing thud. The impact made me wince in pain, my face tightening, but nevertheless, I executed my sister's clear instructions. Lifting my body weight from the asphalt, I sprinted toward a forest of thin, dead trees that were desiccated from lack of rainfall in the moribund desert. I turned my head just in time to see my dear sister strenuously being dragged away by burly, ill mannered Intruders.

"Willow!" I shrieked in disbelief. She glanced towards me with worried eyes. Go, she mouthed. Go.

I stood there, crippled with utter outrage. Promptly, a heavily-built hand wrapped tightly around my waist, preventing movement, and immediately, the exact moment when I was about to screech, another hand shielded my mouth. My eyes widened before my swift reflexes kicked in. I elbowed the individual behind me and grabbed his arm, twisting it behind his back. I kicked the back of the man's knees, coercing him to kneel against his will. I pulled his other arm back so the two upper limbs were joined together. He yelped in pain, struggling against my hold.

I leaned in close to where my lips were pressed against his ear, letting my emotions loose to control my actions and words. "Where is my sister being taken?" I made sure to speak with venom laced in my voice.