The World Never Ends

Chapter 1: Rite

They always doubted me. No matter how much I told them or how much I warned them, the only response I ever got from them was, “you’re not ready.” It was grating my nerves! 

    My 16th birthday had been three months ago. I had finally grown into a full adult! I was maybe six- foot, and damn near the single most scrawny thing you’ll ever see, but that doesn’t mean I’m not ready!

    I run my fingers through my dark brown hair. I had been letting it grow out a bit, but keeping the sides short, and it didn’t look half too bad. They always gave me praise and such, but when it came down to actually getting stuff done, they always thought I couldn’t do it. If I can’t do it, then how’d I get here in the first place?

    I notice I was staring off into nothing as I turn to face the 49 other kids my age on the train. We were heading to the promised lands, having passed our proving, and none of us knew what was coming. Half of us were cowering in a corner, basically sucking their thumb and rocking back and forth. And they said I wasn’t ready! 

    I scoff and look back out the window. 

    The year is 2045, and technology hasn’t advanced much. The only major change is nuclear fights on the surface, so not many people are going to be on the surface. But damn, the sights from the train are breathtaking. The fallout had devastated over three quarters of the United States, and we ended up winning. Europe is now inhabitable, most of russia is as well, china, blown to hell and back. The only continent that was barely harmed was africa, and they’re suffering with overpopulation and major flooding. 

    We are on our way to America’s new capital, Aeresa, to be able to commence with the final stages of the proving. Everyone is put through a series of tests, and if you are deemed worthy of adulthood, you get a tag inserted behind your neck, and you are allowed access to the places kids are not. It’s the capital’s way of keeping us in line.

    My seat adjusts, and I look over to see a very beautiful girl sit next to me. She has blonde hair, grey eyes, and very fair lips. Her hair is pulled into a tight bun, and she sits next to me with a straight back. She knows how to act. 

    “Nikol,” she said, suddenly. 

    “Rite,” I replied, softly.

    She looks at me, her grey eyes sparkling. “It’s my first time here, I wanted to at least make one friend before this, because we are going to be in Aeresa for awhile, you know?”

    I adjust, slightly intimidated by her gray stare, and I look back out the window. “Yeah, I got ya. Though, didn’t they say it was only going to take like 3 days?” I asked, legitimately curious. She replied with a short chuckle followed by a very sure no. I tear my gaze from the window to look at her, genuinely concerned, and she offers an apologetic smile.

    “From what I’ve heard from last years kids, it can take up to six months,” she says, almost cautiously. 

    My sigh must’ve said a lot, because she pulled me into a hug. “I’m sorry, Rite, I shouldn’t have told you.”

    I lightly pull away, honestly not wanting her to stop hugging me. She smells good, perfume, maybe? The hug was slightly awkward, but I still savored it. There was something about this girl I think I liked. Well, other than her good looks, that is. 

    “No, no, please, don’t be sorry. You did what you thought was right, and thank you for informing me.” I said that with a convincing smile, or at least, she bought it.

    “Oh, good!” 

    I returned the hug, knowing that I might be able to get to know this girl over the next… well, however long we’ll be in the capital, and I was actually able to find happiness for the first time since the proving began.