After the end

Arwen

Before I even open my eyes, I know what's happened, my third and final relocation. They had drugged me and, while I slept, had placed me at the entrance of a community which would also be my last option of possible survival. I force my eyes open, and when I sit up, my stomach rolls in a way that makes mountains puny. I'm just able to lean over to the side and spew the vile remains of the narcotic out of my body when my holo watch emits a high pitched noise. It's a crypted message, from the head of government herself, president Lugia Malone. My instincts tell me what the message doesn't have to. This is my last chance at blending in before a slow and painful elimination as an example for any other citizens of Moria who feel the need to stand out. Moria, the damned remains of the once flourishing country America, after the horrible attack. What was once the worlds most powerful nation is now no more than a collection of communities, the largest of which is Eden, where I now stand. I walk the meager distance from desert to oasis and stand impatiently as security pats me down and reviews my papers of citizenship. As I wait in the office I hear whispers around me, though it's normal. As an ex-military agent.... no, weapon, it's not uncommon to get awkward stares and even some frightened whispers. But these are different. I'm not able to catch much, just little snippets like "...freak, came from the military is what I heard... bastard doesn't belong here.... even looks different." I force my cheeks to stay neutral, and try to look as normal as I can, though it's no use, the tattoo on my wrist feels like it's burning through my grey fatigue jacket, and the constant staring doesn't help the feeling that I will never be accepted. "Arwen Rochester?" God even my name sounds different. I ride from my chair with an ease that masks my nerves, and soundlessly tread the ten steps to the window. The lady behind it looks kind enough, but I can sense the fear that radiates off of her as I step closer.. "Congratulations!" Her voice quavers and I know her joy masks an imminent fear. "you've been approved! Head through the last door on the left and you'll be assigned your clothing, license number, tags, and living space." As I walk away I can actually hear her let out a sigh of relief. The rest of the security and status that I have to go through passed quickly, and I'm numb to it's effects by the end. The only thing I can even remember is the sheer terror flowing off of everyone around me, and the address of my new home. 11345 Garian Avenue. "So at least I know that I'll be living on the north side, and in a more classy area than the last community....." I walk along the flowery streets and glistening riverways, enjoying how fresh the nature makes me feel. The last community was just a shamble of roughly hewn shacks with a meager supply of food and virtually no clean water. I'm so busy reminiscing, that I don't even notice the oncoming person until I'm flying backwards and hitting the the hot cement. "Oh that's gonna leave a bruise" I think to my self. A hand stretches out to help me and I take it, wincing as I stand, feeling a twinge in my hindquarters, telling me that my tail bone is most definitely bruised, and probably will be for the next few days. "I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there, I was in such a hurry to get to the licensing office and-" I cut the person off there. "It's fine, I should've been paying attention anyway. It's just...The last community I was in was a complete wasteland." A warm laugh fills the air, making me uncomfortable. No ones ever laughed at anything I said, and I was scared that it would be too different, that i would stand out because I'm humorous to nobody. I rise quickly and brush the loose gravel from my hands, before offering a firm shake to the man who helped me. "Thanks again for the help........and the wake up call." I add. The warm bell like laughter again. "Of course!" He pauses, as if considering something and then continues. "You must be new here, because custom states that an honest thanks requires eye contact, the lack thereof meaning you were anything but sincere." Ugh I already hate this community. I let out a weary sigh, and raise my head to look into his eyes, but I suddenly wish I hadn't. Tall, and tan with a somewhat angular face shape that made his features both young and wisened at the same time, complimented by a thick mop of curly blonde hair that made cornsilk look green in comparison. Eyes that spoke of Asian descent, but a deep smoky grey that caused a look of constant contemplation. Full red lips and perfect teeth hidden behind them, but most amazing was his form. It was obvious that he was strong, I was able to feel the muscle in the slight brush our hands had when he helped me up, but he was also extremely tall. Not bulky and large like most soldiers, but instead thin with hard wiry muscles that spoke of many hours spent running and throwing. "So can I help you with anything?" He asks. "I did knock you down after all." I try to speak but all that comes out is a nervous laugh so I shake my head instead. "Are you sure? I can help you find your address" he offers. I know I won't be able to just shake him and run like I usually can, so instead I just give in, I'm to damn tired to care anyway. I hand him the slip of paper and his laugh rings clear once again. "This is hilarious!" He chokes out "I was sent to the registration office to receive you! You're boarding in my families house, and they sent me out to collect you." I roll my eyes. "Great so now I have to live with captain perky pants too?!" I just start walking along, knowing he'll start jogging to catch up, so I keep my chin up and my shoulders back as I walk, trying to project the confidence that so often holds back my wall of emotions, after all they are what made me become known as the militaries greatest weapon. "So an Aurapath?" He asks. That makes me stumble a bit. "How do you know?" I ask, my face turned away for fear that it would tell my story. His laugh again, duller now, sadder. "I'm like you. Unique that is." I turn curious to see what he means, and almost cry when I see it. In his hands , cupped so that the wind won't blow it out, is a ball of white hot fire. "So I'm not alone after all." I whisper. "Yeah" he mumbles. "I've heard there are two others out there, just like you and I, but the government is keeping us apart. I guess they think we'll try to take over or something." He vanquishes the flame and shrugs. "Oh well." He continues to walk, ignoring me as I stand gobsmacked in front of him. "Oh well?" I ask "oh well? You learn you aren't alone in the world, that there are people like us, and all you can manage is oh well?!" He turns to me, his dorky smile wiped from his face. "Trust me" he whispers. "It'd be better if we remain uninvolved in this business, the penalty for even knowing is high." I laugh "yeah sure, just like my greatest power is making cupcakes. Come on, we need to find these people!" He rubs his forehead with his hand, aggravated. "You don't get it do you? You don't even know my name, and yet you want to go on some magical quest like the ones in our storybooks, to find people who may or may not, might I remind you, exist! And you want to do this with virtually no knowledge of location, ability, description, nothing! Aren't you supposed to be some high class weapon, created in the lab for the military? God who would've thought that a deadly weapon would have an idiot teenager mode." At that he turns and continues walking as if nothing ever happened leaving me to stew in the cruel words he spoke. "Maybe he's right. Maybe I am being to trusting in a story that may be just that, a story. But if there is even a chance that there are others like us out there, then it's a risk I'm willing to take." I push on after him, now instead of survival plans rushing through my mind, I have plans for escape each one more wild then the last. But I feel it in me, a calling. I'm gonna find these people, or I'm gonna die trying.