Separated

Chapter 6

I boarded the smelly bus and fought back tears. There we re 12 other people on the bus, each with forlorn expression on their faces. I took a seat on a ripped up row and put my hand to the window. Azalea rolled her eyes and smiled smugly. How could she do this to me? Disappointed and angry, I let the tears fall.

We arrived at the Stone Gates and I shuddered. "Attention Stones: You will be dropped off at your homes by number. On the bottom of your seat, there is a number. That is your house number. Welcome to the Stone life." He was sarcastic but there was a hint of sympathy in his voice. My seat said 36. Each building was moldy and smelled awful. The Ruby Bus picked up a few people ahead of us, ready to take them to a better life. Too bad the opposite was happening to me. I got off at a tiny house with the number 36 on the outside and slowly opened the door. Four other people were sitting in different corners of the one room house, all different ages. There was an old man and a woman who looked about 30. The third person was a girl about my age and a boy my age. They must have lived in the Stone District before and then failed their test. Stunned and scared, I crumpled into a ball in a corner and wept. The girl and boy knelt next to me and tried to console me. "Hey! It's going to be okay! What's your name?" The girl asked me, taking my hand. "Hazel. What's yours?"

The boy spoke first, "I'm Aspen and this is Willow. The man over there is Weldon and the woman is Opal. They don't live here, they just had to ask Willow a question. It will be okay, they'll explain everything at the meeting later today." I wiped my eyes and stood up. "So, we live together now?" They nodded and Willow pulled out three cots from the wall. I took a deep breath and smiled. I can deal with this. I can do this. I have friends already; it won't be hard to live here!