The Dying Generation

Chapter Fifty-Three

Through the door was a set of stairs going down. But at the end of the stairs, I saw light. I took easy steps down the stairs, hoping I wouldn't misstep and go tumbling down the stairs. Upon reaching the end, I was greeted with a huge space! It looked like a mini village, with little buildings, pillars to support the ground above their heads, kids played on the streets while the parents spoke to each other.

"What... is this?" I questioned in shock, from looking at this civilization.

"When the Cannibals took over, some of us had to go underground. We found an area that Cannibals would least likely visit and we made a home." Jennifer explained.
"Your new home is gonna be right over here." She pointed towards a little house which she began to lead the way to.

I of course followed, taken through this new area. She shoved a key into the lock and opened the door, holding it open and allowing me to go through first.
I hesitantly did, unsure if I even wanted to go in. I walked in, scanning over the new house. It looked like a nice, cozy little home. It didn't look like much on the outside, but as soon as you walk in, still small of course, but looked clean and comfortable. My eyes skimmed over the walls, finding a few pictures of Jennifer and Matt, and some family and friends.

While I walked around, I felt someone next to me. Looking over to my right to see who was there, I saw Matt.
"Wanna go see your room?" He grinned, gesturing down the hallway.

I didn't answer him, I just started walking the way he directed the room would be. The hall was barely even a hallway by how short it was, it had a bathroom, my room to be, and a really skinny door I would say would be a closet. Matt reached ahead of me and opened the door, when it fell open, I was greeted with a tiny room with a single bed, a white vanity and stuffed toys everywhere. It had an interesting design to the room, three of the walls were brown wood paneled... I think that's what it was called? Anyways, the final wall was a normal white wall that held a small single window, the only window in the whole room. The view wasn't even much to talk about. Looking out it, you can just see the dark brown world, the walls surrounding the town was basically dirt, but the ceiling seemed to have had a lot more structure for support.

This seemed fairly newly done, as I saw some other workers, working around the area. Either on the ceiling in hopes it would never cave in on us, and some others working on the walls to make it bigger for more homes and space. The view couldn't compare to anything like looking out over a sunny field, seeing the mountains pierce the sky in the background and a little river draw a path into the distance. This view was more... Blah. One constant color and it all seemed a bit dim here and there, not having a lot of lights up.

"So, we've already been working on enrolling you into a school. We just couldn't wait when we heard you were coming." Jennifer stepped up, wrapping her arms around her husband's shoulders.

I turned away from the window with my hand on the window seal.
"How long have you two known I was coming..?"

"A couple of hours, we already had this room set up. Since this was gonna be for Emily. But we thought it would make good use to you. We pretty much as soon as we could, started getting some things worked out. We want you to get the best start on life as possible." Jennifer informed me.

My hand dropped from the window as I took some steps closer to them.
Schooling is still a big deal around here? I guess for really young kids, yeah. But what type of life can you have here? When you're just gonna be in hiding.
"Why am I still going to school so quickly?"

"Well you need to learn how to make a fire, build shelter, how to camouflage yourself, where's the best places to hide, P.E classes, how to climb and build up your stamina and strength so it would be easier to survive out here." She listed out with her eyes up to the ceiling like she was reading it off of there.

Are you serious?..

"So! It's pretty early, so if you would like to, you can take a nap since you've been through a lot and I'll make you some food. You have to be starving by now." Jennifer exclaimed, taking her hands away from Matt who chose to follow her out of the room.
"Is there anything particular that you would like or is there any allergies I need to be aware of?" She poked her head into the room before she left.

I simply shook my head no in response.
She smiled then pulled her head out of the room as she left to the kitchen. I took this as a moment to explore the rest of my room. Seeing some baby toys here and there and I noticed a crib that has been taken apart in the corner of the room. Looking up at the ceiling that slants down towards the bed actually kinda gave the room a cool look.

The room was so little there wasn't really much to look at, I sat up on the bed and eventually got myself relaxed enough to lay down. I had just gotten myself use to being with giants and now this sudden change, and I hardly even know these people! I feel like I don't belong here, like I shouldn't be here.

I had finally made some friends and some people I was beginning to finally feel comfortable to be around, people I felt safe with and protected. Now that's gone, and I'm suddenly placed with strangers who are trying to take the roles of my biological parents. It's just not that simple, I can't go through all this, watched my parents die and then suddenly be placed with these other people who are trying to take their place.

I understand they are just trying to help and cope with the loss of their own baby, but I don't believe it's going to be easy for me. I can't just accept that so easily.
I rolled over onto the bed, onto my side. I stared down at the bedding, seeing every detail of the fabric until eventually sleep had came to claim me.