The Other Side

Chapter 3: The Question

It was about 4:00 PM when I heard the front door open. I knew it was mom cause my dad doesn't come home till later. I turned my TV off and went to my door and opened it. I went down the stairs and into the living room where my mom was.
"Hey mom. How was work?"
"Busy like the usual." Was the response and then she sighed.
"Want me to help you do anything?" I suggested.
"Umm," she started. "I'll have Raja prepare dinner. How about you go outside with your brother and play."
I nodded and went to the stairs and went up them. I grabbed my phone from my bed and then went to Noah's room. I knocked.
"Hey mom wants us to play outside."
There was silence for a few seconds and then the door opened.
"Finally! Let's go!" He said and he grabbed my hand and dragged me down the stairs.
"We'll be outside mom!" He called out when we got to the bottom. He swung open the front door and I had to quickly shut it behind me.
A big gust of heat bursted onto my face and I had the most wonderful feeling ever. Noah let go of my hand and stopped in front of me.
"What do you wanna do?" He asked.
I smirked. "Tag!" I gave him a little shove and ran.
"Hey!" He laughed and then ran after me.
***
We played hide and seek, tag, chalk and other outdoor activities. My dad came home while we were playing and he went into the house. The sky grew dark and the street lights came on.
About 15 minutes passed and Noah and I were laughing next to the street light that was at the end of our driveway.
All of the sudden the street light changed from white to red. Our laughter faded and we looked up.
Red? Why red? When I looked in front of me I could see that the other street lights were glowing red as well.
"Lana and Noah!" I heard a call behind us. We both turned around and my mom and dad were at the front door.
"How about you guys come inside. We need to talk." She said and her and my father went back inside.
Noah and I ran back to the house.
***
"Mom, why are the street lights red?" Noah asked at the dinner table. We all had food in front of us, but no one dared to eat.
"Well, we have something to tell you." My mom said and she looked to our father. He sighed.
"Well, uh," my father began. "It's about my job. I, I don't actually work at the super market. I work for the NSP."
He stopped and looked at me and Noah and from our face expressions we had no idea what the NSP was.
"Dad, what's the NSP?" Noah finally asked.
"National Security Program. Our family, your friends, and everyone we know, is actually living in a different society than before. Before it was called the 'Real World'. We were saved from the horrible drought and virus that happened there. We cannot get this virus, however, so there is nothing to worry about."
My mind was blown. I was receiving so much information that I couldn't handle. So I just found out that my dad works for a Security and that we were saved from a drought and virus that apparently can't get?
"Also," He started to talk once more. "My job watches over this community 24/7 to make sure that anyone that is in the 'Real World' can't get in. The street lights out there? They indicate if someone entered the community or not and well...someone has and that's why they are red. But don't worry, the Security if very high here so we are safe."
There was pure silence. No one spoke for a few minutes. I was stunned on what I just received. My dad sighed.
"Well, that's off my chest. Now that you know about it, wanna come to work with me tomorrow? I can show you everything if you like."
What the heck. Everything is happening at such a fast pace.
"Um, uh," I said. "Sure?"
My dad nodded.
Noah was just finishing his dinner when I didn't even touch mine.
"I think it's time for me and Noah to go to sleep. C'mon Noah." I said getting up.
"Lana honey," my mom said. "You didn't eat anything. You alright?"
I shrugged and didn't say anything. Noah got up and started to head towards the stairs and I followed behind him.
When I got upstairs I got my pajamas and went into the shower. I just thought of what I learned within the past 10 minutes. I was just stressed.
When I got out of the shower I got dressed and brushed my teeth. Then I went into my room, shut off the lights, and went into my bed. I laid there for 20 minutes just thinking about what just happened. When sleep took over me, all I remembered was that I was going to my dads work tomorrow. One of the most protective places in the community.