Origins: Before The War

Life Goes On

14th March, 2143

The house is unusually quiet as I lock the gate behind me. I stare around me, straining my ears to hear Onyx's voice. It's going to be a long walk to school, and Onyx was the only thing that made it bearable. No one stays In Alpha, fine there are but they're pretty snobby. Cheryn stays in Beta. I won't see her until I get into Beta, where my school is. I'm going to be alone from now on. And whose fault is it? A voice whispers in my head.

The security guard nods at me as I pass. Miss your brother? They took him away yesterday. Don't tell anyone I said so, though. Don't want to lose my job, do I? I walk closer.

Do you know why they took him? I lower my voice. Believe me, I won't say anything. I swear.

He nods and leans in. They took him because he is an Elemental.

What are they going to do with him? I ask, hoping my voice remains steady.

They have a sort of police force, they call them the Elites. The Elites do their dirty work for them, rounding up the Risks, catching the rule-breakers, you name it. They're also the lab rats for all the experiments the government wants to carry out. And for these reasons, the Elites tend to end up... dead.

I'm sorry, he adds. I shake my head and turn away. I don't want to know, don't want to believe it.

Thanks, though, I stop to tell him.

Today, everything's going wrong.

-

I break into a run as I near the boundaries separating Alpha and Beta. I would have started running earlier, but 1) I have no stamina, and 2) there are officials in Alpha who wouldn't have approved of what they call "unacceptable behaviour". I reach the lane which Onyx pulled me into yesterday, seemingly years ago. Everything's changed since yesterday. And then I'm falling, the force of something or someone sending me tumbling to the ground. I sit, bewildered, on the ground, before finally gathering my stuff and getting up. A girl-probably my age-stands a short distance away, her hand at her mouth. I'm sorry! Are you okay? I recognise her, she's in my class: Ash. Yep, just Ash. I really don't know much about her. She's pretty reserved, no one knows her surname or anything about her family. The teachers only know her by her code (S1660). Nothing else. She's pretty shady.

It's okay. I'm surprised it's taken me so long to fall anyway, I'm probably the clumsiest idiot alive. I laugh at myself. She looks concerned.

You're okay, right? I nod, and she smiles. We're going to be late. Hurry up, Faye. She whirls around and disappears into the crowd of students, and I follow. Maybe it's going to be okay.

-

i'm so tired today and I don't know why. The teachers were all looking at me like they pity me, but they couldn't have known, could they? When break time is announced, I hurtle out of the class. I should be waiting for Cheryn and she'd get pissed that I didn't wait, but...I just don't really want to talk to anyone. They'd just ask so many questions that I don't want to answer now..

I sit down beside the pond, trailing my fingers through the water.

Hello...

I look up to see Ash standing beside me. Hi, Ash right? D'you wanna join me? I mean, I'm not doing anything interesting but I mean, if you wanna you can... Shit. I'm rambling. Like, I have 100% no social skills. She settles down beside me, crossing her legs, fiddling with the zip on her jacket. It's kind of awkward, then-

You... Y'like water too? I always loved water. It's so calm and-

Magical and dreamy and beautiful, isn't it? It keeps me calm, makes me happy. I like how smooth it feels against me and how it glitters when the light hits it at an angle. I turn to grin at her, and she smiles back.

How come Cheryn doesn't want to be with you by the pond? It's nice here but the swings have a bunch of screamy people and it makes my head hurt when I'm there. It's nice... being at the pond with you.

I don't know, I don't think she's a water person. I make a face. But don't tell her what I just did. I laugh and Ash does too. We start talking about random things. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Cheryn there by the swings. She seems pissed, jealous maybe, but seriously, she'll forever be my best friend, no matter what. I mean, I really like Ash and she's really cool, but Cheryn will always be the most amazing person I've ever known.

What colour do you want it? I ask on the way back to class. I know what I said just now, but I really want to get to know Ash better for some reason.

Want what?

Your friendship bracelet. I'm thinking a turquoise. Teal. blue, mint green and some silver? It'll match your eyes quite nicely. I know that, like, nobody really wears these after the age of eight but I like to make them and we're friends and stuff... You'll wear it right? My god, I sound so childish, but hey, even Cheryn wears one (pink and gold)

I don't mind, I'll wear it. Do I have to make you one? I'm not very good with that but I can braid your hair if you want. Or I can give you one of my jackets, I don't think I'll get in trouble for that because Ari always tells me I have way too many jackets at home. How cute. She's rambling away too. I laugh softly. I don't really care, I just feel like making something for you. I like you, you're a nice person.

I love how her face lights up.

-

Faye, hurry up!

I stop packing and stare at Cheryn. She doesn't ever hurry me, so what-

Weren't you the one who suggested going for lunch?

I fake a bewildered face, and then slap my cheek. Cheryn laughs. Idiot.

We're a short way from school when Cheryn stops. Did you have a great time with Ash just now during break? I stare at her, not completely understanding. I'm not stupid, Faye. I'm not stupid. I know you guys were talking by the pond just now. If you don't want to be my friend anymore, just say it. I raise my hands as if in surrender,

My dude, we're just talking!

When did you ever start talking to Ash?

I look down at my feet. Shit happened yesterday, Cheryn, I just wanted to be alone for a while. Doesn't mean I don't want to be your friend. Ash is cool and all and I like her, but you'll always be my best friend. Cheryn laughs. Unless you secretly work for the government, of course. She suddenly looks away Cheryn? She looks at me, something flickering in her gaze. You're not actually working for the government, are you? She looks like she wants to say something, but just shakes her head instead.

No.

Hurry up. I need to get home by seven. Race you to the cafe! Just then, I see a few teenage boys rounding the corner in neatly pressed blue uniforms, and I grab Cheryn's arm.

Ryn, wait. I watch them pass, noting the badge pinned to their uniforms, noting their ramrod posture. Elites.

Faye, what's wrong?

I'll tell you in the cafe. She looks at me, opens her mouth to protest, but I pull on her arm, running towards the cafe. Slow!

Excuse me? She pants behind me. That's outrageous.

You are excused, I laugh. Unfit! She whacks me hard on the arm, and I grin, pulling her into the cafe and flopping into an armchair.

So. What did you want to tell me? The smile on my face vanishes.

They took Onyx.

She stares at me blankly. Who took Onyx where?

The government. They took him for the Elites. Cheryn sits up straight in the chair, turning red, but getting up and putting her arms around me.

Oh my god, Faye, I'm sorry.

-

There's something Cheryn isn't telling me, and I don't know what.