Verman

6. Jeremy

July 29, 2055

A few days passed before I was assigned to work in the cornfields again. Ecstatic, I almost forgot to bring food, water, and medical supplies.

It was raining when I stepped outside and by the time I got to the cornfields, my boots were covered in mud and almost invisible.

I took a quick glance around and saw that no one was outside yet. Good. I jogged over to the high fence, which was more like a building surrounding Vermville. I climbed up it using the foot holes the Vermans had made. Once at the top, I jumped down the 12-foot wall and landed hard on my feet.

Scratch, scratch, scratchhhhhhh.

I studied my surroundings and took a tentative step forward.

"I know who you are and why you've come and I want you to leave," a scratchy voice said from around a corner.

"I just-"

"Stop." The voice said it so forcefully I was shocked.

"I-"

"Look," the same girl I'd seen a few days ago stepped out from around the corner to address me. "I don't need your sympathy or your help and it'd be best if you just left Abandonment right now."

"You call this place Abandonment?" was all I could think to say.

"Of course we do!" she said incredulously. "You wouldn't know that though. You're not a Verman."

"Everyone calls this place Vermville, and I had no idea you guys had your own name for it. I like it," I said.

The girl spit and glared at me. "Don't you insult me," she said.

"What? I wasn't trying to insult you. Honest," I said, realizing the mistake I'd made. Of course they'd have a name for this place. They're smart enough for that!

"Argh!" the girl said and sank to the ground. "You really don't get it, do you?"

"I mean, I'm sorry for saying that. I didn't mean it!"

"Oh, so the military is getting teens to be soldiers and then sending them into Abandonment. Wait no, I'm sorry Vermville--"

"I'm sorry!" I said again.

"No," she said. "You're not. You were sent in here on a mission to rid this place of Vermans so you could have it all to yourself. Now isn't that right, soldier?" She spat again.

"No!" I said, "I hate being in the military, I was for--"

"No? Really? So petty." She crossed her arms, looking away .

I went over to her, sat down and took out the bandages and food I had hiding.

She tried to croak out something but her mouth was too dry and she couldn't get any words out.

"It's OK." I handed her some food, which she vigorously bit into. "Do you want me to tell you why I'm in the military?" I asked her.

She nodded, cleared her throat and croaked out, "Fine."

"I was eight years old and asleep when the military came to my house. They stormed in, taking my older brother and sister away for jobs. My parents were so sad and I was, too. The military didn't take me that night, which I was thankful for. But a few nights later, they stormed my house again. They took me away to train for the military and made my parents move away so as to not 'interfere' with my work. I had to work as hard as I could because they threatened to send me to Verm...ah, Abandonment." I paused and saw the girl nod her head in approval and look up at me to continue. "Well, I trained to become a soldier for eight years, always fearful that I would be forced to go to Abandonment. When I turned sixteen, they transferred me and a few other kids to a huge military base. I was given some military clothes along with a medal and a certificate to make me an official member of the military."

"Did you meet The Leader?" The girl asked.

"No," I replied and finished my story. "And I've been working in the military for a year now, not very long, compared to my training. What about you? What's your story?"

"My story can be for another time." She smiled, "I like to keep people in suspense." She stood up, brushed the crumbs off her and began to walk away.

"Wait," I called after her.

She turned. "What is it?"

"Will you meet me here this time tomorrow?" I asked.

"Sure," she smiled.

"What's your name?" I asked. I just had to know.

"Luna." She turned around the corner and was gone.