Kept in the dark

Chapter 1

        I woke up one day and it was just like the rest of them. Gray and dark. Well everything in my town is this way. Forced underground by the sun flares; waiting and waiting for the government to come and find us. The flares happened seventy five years ago. A new society rose from the underground cavern, one where we are expected to follow orders on the spot without questions. These commands are given by our sector leader, who for me is a stumpy man named Burt.He is balding and is pudgy in the middle. Its quite weird, his limbs are sticks but his stomach suggest he swollowed another person. You would think a man of his size would care about us just as much as his weight, but he is ruthless. Basically, you step out of line your as good as dead.

        Now you think having a commander that is brutal would make people keep their mouths shut, but my brother Grant didn't heed his warning. When he was younger, his little rants were acceptable but now that he's fourteen he is watched closely by The Overseekers.

In hope that he doesn't open his mouth I let him take his anger out at home.

        " What if there are people up there?" says Grant putting another spoonful of our lab grown food in his mouth.

        " People haven't been seen up there in sixty years Grant," I say," plus they would have told us."

He puts his fork down and stands up slamming his hands on the table " well what if they're keeping things from us? what about that Ashlyn?" His hazel eyes light up with curiosity as he awaits my answer.

        Most fifteen year old girls would feel embarrassed for being shown up by their younger brother, but I KNOW he is smarter than me. No competition.

I set my fork and spoon on my plate, looking him in the eyes " Grant, do you really think if you don't have the answer, then I will?"

        Grant grins stupidly"True you can't match my genius!" he gets up and does a fancy little walk.

I smile getting the dishes into the kitchen with his help. Afterwards he heads to his room leaving me in the living room until my mom gets home.

        My mom works in the exploration mines where they look for places to expand our sector.This is a pointless job for the idiots of society and criminals of The Overseekers. Covered in oil and dust she drags herself to her room. It didn't used to be this way, until I opened my fat mouth.

When I was little I was talking to my friend Sam about how unfair it is that we can't learn about the surface. A teacher walked by and dragged me to a white room where I was locked in. I could hear my mom in the other room talking to Burt

" What have you been teaching that little girl!" growled Burt. I can hear him stop for a second waiting my moms answer, but she says nothing.

" Well I have a deal. You are to be transferred from your governmental position to a exploration mine." Burt gives a cough that rattles the room." Hopefully you won't corrupt your other kid, what's his name? Grant? keep your daughter in line or they will both have a "little accident"."

        The next thing I know is my mom opening the door and pulling me out of the school without a word. She must have known I was listening because she doesn't say anything about it. That was the last time I saw my normal mom and not this dusty dark eyed woman who took her place.

I never told Grant why mom isn't around but he doesn't need me to figure it out.

        I wake up to another day of school; get breakfast, listen to my brother talk about an uprising ,yet again, and get to the bus stop. On the way to the buss stop I look over at by brother and see him scanning the streets.

        I pull him to the side of the street " what's wrong?" he doesn't answer me but point to the town square where there is this strange ray of something. Before I can stop him, Grant starts to sprint to the sources of the light dropping his book bag. I pick up his pack and push through the crowd of people but stop dead in my tracks at what I see.

        When we first made this bunker there was a closed hole somewhat like a gate or a safe lock. In school we were taught that it was opened only when survivors came to take refugee. Since no one has ever come through the hole, shops were built surounding it. If you look at our town, it at the heart of civilization. With the hatch opened, shadows bounce around the walls and light shines on our faces scaring some of the others. Everyone else around me is covering their eyes but I let them burn taking it all in. I spot Grant and grab his shoulder matching his gaze.

        A thin rope ladder hangs from the top and I follow it until I meet a pair of blue eyes. My brother squirms out of my grip as I notice that my fists are clenched. Grant keeps staring at the strange boy hanging from the ladder climbing down. He has blond hair that matches my mom's and brother's.I am the odd one in the family getting my fathers golden brown hair paired with pale green eyes. I can't tell if he is burned, tan, or covered in filth, all i know is he looks healthier than the rest of us.I take a look at his arms and see they are strong. For some reason i cant take my eyes off this strange boy decending down the ladder. As soon as he reaches the ground, guards surround him from all sides ushering him into one of the few cars we have. 

        As soon as the car is out of site I hear Burt come over the intercoms placed all over the square " All students and personnel continue your regular schedules."

Grant stands unreachable so I drag/ lead him to the bus stop. He snaps out of it and takes his seat towards the middle while I sit next to my friend Sam in the front.

        When you first see Sam you would think she's apart of the diamond rat group. It's filled with prissy girls who are what all the guys want. Sam has golden skin even though she hasn't been in the sun just like the rest of us. Matched with her long black hair and brown eyes, she's a looker.

Sam looks up from her backpack and smirks " I thought you left me alone with the rat pack."

I laugh. " Oh yea. I thought it would be fun to see you dress like that." she giggles and punches me.