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13

13

I could hardly focus on the jobs I was assigned; Tate's speech continued to roll in my head. This is the first time I felt excitement. Being in a completely new work area couldn't compete with it.

It was a new experience being seated in the back of a truck full of cargo. I attempted to camouflage my bouncing as we trundled down a bumpy road. Eventually we came to a halt and the door was opened. Placing one hand on the floor of the truck, I jumped onto the ground. Gazing around me, the sun burned my eyes. I shielded my eyes from its intrusive glare.

It's strange how the surroundings seemed to vary from Sector to Sector. The light around Charity seemed to be brighter than the rest. I'll admit, it was a calming aura.

Someone clearing their throat brought me back to reality. A pair of hands thrust a crate at me. I wanted to hide the small smile that came onto my face when my arms didn't buckle under its weight. Maybe I am more suited to my new Sector than I thought.  

A woman in a floaty skirt took hold of another box and hiked it onto her shoulder. She beamed at me, calling me to follow.

She moved light on her feet as we walked down a dirt path towards a tiny building. Inside, it was much cooler compared to outside. The wood creaked under our feet as she showed me to a storage area. She politely directed me to where to leave the supply of medication. When I straightened my back, I took another look at her face. It was youthful and pretty, as if a reward for being in Charity. My memory hitting me, I asked, "Do I know you from somewhere? School?"

She brushed a loose hair behind her ear. "Ah yes, I think we had a few classes together. You were a transfer too right?"

That's it. The Sector Transfer Ceremony. I nodded. 

  "It's a big change. But, easy, you know? It just felt so natural." She said gently, smiling at the thought. I wouldn't say 'easy'. Natural? Maybe, hopefully.    

I was greeted by a dark-haired woman who happened to be wandering around outside the main building. When she noticed me, she waved me over.

"You're one of Finn's friends aren't you? Sine right?"

Oh, she remembered me. I nodded with a tight-lipped smile.

Warmly, she asked me a few non-invasive questions about my well-being.

"Have you got any plans for later on today?"

Raking my brain, I couldn't think of anything. Her face perked up as she invited me back to hers for dinner. I've never been invited to someone else's for a meal. Well, bar the small amount of times my family ate with the Balkers'. But I was only invited because I was related to my parents. As I agreed, she chuckled as she criticised the food hall lacking the kind of comfort a home brought. 

It wasn't long before I was stood outside the little building once more. My stomach hurt, feeling extremely tight. I rapped my knuckles on the door before waiting for a response. It only took a moment until I heard scurrying behind the door and it was pulled open. A face familiar and unfamiliar looked back at me. The resemblance to Finn was so similar, except he was slightly older looking.