Descending Chaos

1:1. Part 1: The Compound. OCT2044: The Routine.

Every day we wake up at 6am to the high pitch single drone and get into the standard issue uniform provided for us by The Compound Administrators. The set consists of a grey linin tank top which only just extends down to the waist - if you're lucky- and some pressed cotton cargo shorts, fitted with four relatively large pockets (two on the lower thigh section and the other two serving as back pockets). As far as undergarments go, everyone has the same lower piece that's an unbelievably uncomfortable brief which rides up between your legs and in most cases causes chaffing. The women of The Compound are treated to luxury in the Bra department. You tell them your size and your given what closely resembles a sports bra but gives little to no support to your chest.

If you're quick, then you're able to find a few minutes to wash your face or clean your teeth with the water and soap provided in the sink located in the center of the dormitory, but never have I found time for both. Today I decide face is more important, as I got to do my teeth yesterday, or was it the day before that? They're all the same.

Clambering off my bed, dressed in the hideous cloths, I join the sea of grey fabric that encircles one of the many taps finding the two people whose names I know in the crowd. I push past them and greet them somewhat cheerfully for six in the morning.

"Morning Cat. Morning Jess." I greet my friends as we crowd around the small fountain. The pair are barely even awake to form any kind of response to my greeting, so instead I'm given a harsh glare from Cat and a grunt off Jess. I've known the pair since I arrived here and I would call them friends. Yes, they're friends I suppose - well fellow inmates who get along, so I guess you could call them friends. They've not tried to hurt me, so yes, they're definitely friends.

The water's ice-cold as always, but at least it's a clean shade of brown. Splashing it upwards against my also ice-cold skin, I attempt to clean away the ever-persistent layer of dirt. Straitening my standard grey shirt and standard grey trousers, I take my standard grey hairband to tie my hair into a disreputable pony tail

"What 'you intend on doin' today then Nat?" Cat questions me, causing a small snigger from me.

"Same old standard issue Routine - hang on let me help you with that." I quickly respond, as Cat quite amusingly attempts to tie her dirty golden hair upwards into a bun. I struggle to help her due to the quiet impressive number of knots. Finally, after a few minutes, her hair is wrapped up and secured with a tie into what could be a bun or ball of fur.

6:15am is the start of the day, starting with you standing in front of your bed you sing the National Anthem which lasts 5 minutes, the Dorm is inspected taking a further 10, and once your bed is inspected for fault, you receive your standard issue Routine for the day.

Two beds up from me is Sophie (came from somewhere up north to this Center in June after losing her husband to disease, she's kept to the rules and stayed out of sight most of the time to avoid trouble, she never slips up), there's a commotion from the Inspector who belts from the top of his lungs and into her shy pale face: "What is the fucking meaning of this embarrassment?!"

"It's just a stain from the night, everyone in the female wings had it happen and it hap...happens all the time as its part of...it's part of nature, Sir."

"Part of Nature?!" He questions back towards the now terrified girl.

"I...I meant to get it swapped during my cleaning time this morning sir...I'm sorry si-"

"Part of fucking nature is it?! It doesn't happen to me, does it? It doesn't ruin my sheets in the night!" His response is sharp and cold, emotionless like all the Inspectors, as if during your training all the humanity is sucked out of you.