Tunnels

Leave the Door Unlocked

Complexity is in my opinion meaningless. Stupid. When you can have everything so easily and simple, why would you want to have it more difficult. Put a 'type' on everything, you know? And to have names, even for people is dumb. To judge because of simply the naming. Who cares if they're black or white? Or even yellow or cream? People are people. Forever and always. Cassandra? A waste of nine letters for one person. When you could just call them Girl 26 or Boy 11. This is what I'm supposed to think. The way I'm supposed to think.

See cause I'm apart of this society called Light. The Light Society is supposed to be a gateway to an easy life. Full of peace and equality. Personally I see that as peace and equality my ass. This was the same society that killed my parents. My parents were former Tunnels. Another society that were the complete opposite. Each individuals with different minds and thoughts. Wore other colors besides gray. Wore different outfits besides longs sleeves gray shirts and long gray pants. The Tunnels were peace and equality. They were the gateway to light and a fair life. My parents taught me that. And I never forget it.

About 20 years back Light made a surprise attack on the Tunnels. Killing lots of people and leaving weeping mothers, angry fathers, and scared little girls and boys as the aftermath. My parents had survived and snuck out of the disaster and pretended to be apart of the Light Society. I guess they got caught. I was eleven when they died.

I remember the night before, when they tucked me into bed. How I felt something was wrong.

"Don't trust these people remember, okay honey?", mom said.

I nodded, "I know mom you told me already a thousand times now."

"Don't believe anything, absolutely anything they say to you neither alright?", I nodded again and yawned.

"You know we love you Inesmaye, right?", my father said.

"Yeah", I smiled, "I love you guys too."

My parents smiled, "Okay get some sleep", he said then kissed my forehead and mom did too. But they didn't leave like they always do. Next morning, two of the Keepers came to my house and saying my parents died in a car crash. I never saw their body's and there was never a funeral for them. I didn't ask anything or say anything. You're not supposed to question the Keepers. They used violence to keep everything in line.

I cried of course. Not only cause I was sad, but because I was angry as well. They killed my parents and I know that. Or at least. I thought I did. See, cause just now someone bumped into me in the street. Hard. But they also handed me a note. That wasn't open. And it was labeled 'For Inesmaye'. First off Keepers went through all the letters before handing them out to everyone. And second off it said Inesmaye. No one knows my name except my parents and I. Everyone else knew me as Girl 1052. And now I sit here in my room reading this letter for the fiftieth time still finding it hard to believe it.

Dear Inesmaye,

This is a letter from the Tunnels. Informing you news that would be good to hear. Your parents are alive. Inesmaye they are here apart of Tunnels again. They will be expecting your arrival soon as well. Leave your bed room door open. Or don't. I can still get in either way.

Thank you,

From Anonymous.

I read it again another fifty times with my mouth wide open. Ever since I was eleven I believed my parents to be dead. And now this piece of paper comes around and tells me my beliefs for the past six years are wrong?

A knock on my door startles me. And I quickly tucked the paper under my pillow.

"Time to go eat Girl 1052", I heard Boy 1307 says outside.

"Coming", I wasn't worried cause he couldn't come in to my room. Opposite genders can't do that. And can't relate in any activity that could lead to dangerous situations without reaching age and getting approval.

"Hey", I said giving Boy 1307 a smile.

"Hey, ready?"

"Yup."

"Good, you okay?"

I nodded my headed calmly and looked up at him as we walked, "Why?"

"Nothing it's just that you look a bit flushed."

"Oh, probably cause I'm a little mad. Someone bumped me outside and didn't apologize", I said technically not lying.

"Oh, that's surprising. That almost never happens," Boy 1307 mumbled.

I nodded, "I know. I'll be fine though, see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Yeah, bye", he waved and smiled one of his many gorgeous smiles. Boy 1307 was gorgeous after all.

Dark blond hair and bright blue eyes a very handsome but friendly type of face. Girls would kill to be with him after being of age and approved. If they're like then they might be paired with him. Since the keepers pair us up and everything. Lucky I have four more years to be put with any of these pathetic boys. Don't get me wrong though. Boy 1307 is a great guy but not my type. But I don't really have a type.

I got Food and ate it then headed upstairs to my room. I locked the door and sat on my bed. I checked the clock. 7:27. In three minutes everyone would be in there dorm room. By 8:00, everyone would be asleep. No one can sneak out because there are cameras. Except on the third floor. Which is where all the 18 to 20 year olds sleep. Or pretend to sleep. They sneak out and break more than 20 laws. Yeah. They're a bit rebellious. But sometimes the Keepers make surprise check ups on them.

I stared at my door knob. Which was locked. Then took the letter and read it and how it asked for me to keep it unlocked, but also stated that they'd still be able to come in even if it was locked. Hmph! As if... that's possible. You'd need my hand print or the Keepers and the code and key to open it.. So I left it locked just to test this anonymous person. I sat there several minutes staring at my honey brown hands. Trying to stay awake. I'm used to sleeping around 7:30. It was 8:10 now. Well isn't this person taking there time. Or maybe they can't unlock the door. It was 8:50 when I decided the person wasn't coming and this was all a joke and happily fell asleep fast.

I still wondered how the person knew my name though.

....

It was late when I was awaken by a man. Like really late. Like 12:30, 12:42 to be exact.

"I thought I told you to leave the door unlocked."