The Pause

Chapter 4

Sleep was the strangest thing to be affected by 'The Pause'. With no Day or night cycle most people went for unhealthily long periods of time without resting. It wasn't until The New Government came up with a new time system for citizens to obey, although hardly anyone does.

Rest didn't come easy to Nathan, he spent hours lying awake with bloodshot eyes. His mind scattered. Thinking about his life at home. His grieving father trying to keep it together and look after a daughter on his own. Nathan then considers his sister, his pride and joy. What this world will do to her. I CANT LET HER DOWN, Nathan thinks to himself. I MADE A PROMISE TO HONOUR MY MOTHER AND PROTECT MY SISTER. AND I'LL BE DAMNED IF I LET ANYTHING GET IN THE WAY OF THAT.

"RISE AND SHINE DIRTBAG" Mike yells in Nathan's face as an attempt to wake him up. "The new government won't accept that kind of laziness, and you don't want to have your first impression be you ain't reliable". Nathan reluctantly gets up, moving so slowly he could easily be mistaken for a zombie. "What are we even doing today?" Nathan asks, his voice droning, fighting to stay awake. Mike gets his equipment ready and is about to leave the dorm. "Introduction and briefing. I'm also gonna train for the infamous obstacle course. I hate to think how you and small fry will cope with that. I'll see you in the field" Mike taunts as he exits.

"What's his problem" Nathan asks to himself as he sits on the bed prepared to get his gear on. "I don't really know. My guess is he's an adrenaline junkie" Elliott chirps in. Taking Nathan off guard as he sat quietly through the whole confrontation. "Jesus, I forgot you were here" Nathan says recovering from the sudden startle. "Yeah" Elliott sighs as he stands up. "I get that a lot" he looks down at the floor, cradling his arm. Nathan stands in silence, not sure what to do. He can tell there is something wrong with the boy. He walks over to Elliott "come on. It's our first day and we're already late" they look at each other and smile "let's get this show on the road".

Nathan and Elliott walk round together and find the courtyard with all the other students. Nathan was taken aback by how many had joined. Yet immediately he clocked Mike trying his hardest to impress those around him. "Typical" Nathan scoffed. But then he saw something which left him speechless. Standing near Andrews was the most beautiful girl he'd seen in his life. She had long flowing brown hair, hazel eyes and had a style that was both similar to his yet something so unique he couldn't describe. He didn't know how or why but he felt like he seen her before and that this was meant to be. "Do you know her?" Elliott asks. "Who?" Nathan replies trying hard to act like he doesn't know what Elliott is talking about. "The girl you're not so subtly staring at. Do you know her?" Nathan doesn't respond and continues walking to the courtyard with Elliott following.

I MAY NOT KNOW HER YET. Nathan thinks to himself. BUT SOMETHING IS TELLING ME OUR CROSSING OF PATHS IS FATE