The East River (On Hold)

Chapter 2

I sat back in the car with my arms crossed listening closely as Jasper tried to explain.

"East River is another territory a few hundred miles east of Northland. I'm surprised you didn't learn about it in school. All the people of East River have black hair and they have green or blue eyes. Similar to the way the people of Northland have Grey eyes and brown hair. People from Northland have been stealing infants from the East River. Mainly females, to be sold once they reach age 18. I'm guessing by the way that woman with you reacted and the fact that Riverian Citizens aren't allowed to travel to Northland, you were stolen from East River as well."

My thoughts are spinning so fast I can hardly keep up. She wasn't my real aunt. I was taken from my real family. I'll be 18 next month. What would have happened to me then?

"I never went to school." I say softly. "My a- that woman didn't want me to go. She said anything I need to learn she could me herself." I think now it was just a way of keeping me in the dark. "Who would I have been sold to?" I ask.

"Some Riverians that we were able to track down were sold as maids, some for... other reasons." He says somewhat awkwardly. I feel nauseated. "If I was meant to be sold why not lock me up? Why was I so free to roam?" I question.

"Were you really free?" Jasper asks. "You couldn't resist if you didn't even know you we're being held captive." I shake my head a small sob escaping my mouth. My entire life isn't what I thought it was.

Should I be hopeful? Finally going to a place where I really belong. Should I be broken hearted about the years of my life already stolen from me without me even knowing? I knew one thing for sure. I was angry. I finally understood while people avoided me. They knew exactly what I was and why I was there. They avoided me to avoid their guilt.

I was angry at myself most of all. How stupid am I to stop questioning things. To not notice that something was incredibly wrong. How could I not know?

"Are you alright?" It was an innocent question. But I snapped. "Do you think I'm alright? I don't know who I am or what I am! I was a month away from being sold into slavery and I didn't even know it!"

I breath heavily trying to catch my breath. I close my eyes for a long while and try to picture the things from my life that were mine and in my control. At this point I could think of nothing.

"What now?" I ask, regaining my composure. "We go back to East River. You'll slowly be introduced back into society. It's going to seem like a lot at first but it gets easier. At least that's what all the others say." I nod slowly. Maybe I would get some say in my life now.

After riding in silence for a while I though of another question. "What were you doing in Northland? You said Riverians weren't allowed to travel to Northland." I ask Jasper.

"I'm an officer in the Riverian Army.", he explains, "I was there on official business." My eyebrows raised signaling for him to go on. "We're trying to negotiate a peace treaty. Part of that treaty would require the Northern government to acknowledge and put an end to the trafficking of Riverians through Northland." I nod.

"How old are you?" I ask. He seems young to be an officer but still old at the same time. Like the things he's been through have aged him beyond his years. "I'm 21." He looks older.

I lean my head back and close my eyes, letting out a slow breath. I pictured East River how I imagined it in my eyes. Clear blue water, surrounded by green grass and the fresh scent of the air. The air back in Northland was not fresh. It was polluted and dry. My village was always dirty, at least it felt like it was anyway.

"How much longer until we are there?" I ask. I hear Jasper mumble something about an hour being left. I don't open my eyes. I spend the next hour imagining my new life.

~~~

The car rolled to a stop and I slowly peeked out my window. I saw green trees and grass stretching out far to the right. Jasper got out of the car and I follow suit behind him. I felt nervous at the idea of having to learn everything new in East River. From simple things like road names to the less simple things.

My feet hit the ground. The air around me smelled of water. Fresh and clean. I turned to my left and saw it. The East River. A steadily flowing river with a city built on top of it. The city was laid out in what seemed to be a series of docks. Connected from one side of the river to the other, as well as other docks. The whole city was on the river, held in place and supported by the docks. Maybe I wouldn't have to learn road names after all.

The water looked crisp and clear as it ran underneath the city. The buildings were built from wood, looking slightly like log cabins. The whole place seemed to have a nature feel to it. It was absolutely beautiful.

Once we exited the car an older man approached us. "Officer Navarra." He greeted Jasper before turning to me, "and this is?" "I found her in Northland." Jasper explains. I feel small and slightly uncomfortable. It was clear from the look on this mans face that he pitied me.  He introduces himself as Captain Richards. "What's your name miss?" I tell the man my name before being escorted away by him and Jasper.

"Where are we going?" I ask. "We're taking you to city hall, for an orientation of sorts. You'll be run through medical tests first to make sure that you're in good health. Officer Navarra will be in charge of overseeing the process."

The sound of the boardwalk under my feet seems to urge me forward. Slightly comforting somehow. We come up to a large building hovering over the middle of the lake, where Captain Richards leaves us. Jasper motions for me to enter the building and I grab onto the door handle with a shaky breath and swing it open.