The Dawn of Overmorrow

part 1

(Chapter 1-Calsa)

"The city's panel has declared a famine! If we carry on like this, we will all die," President Tora held a brave face as tears prickled her eyes and the population of Overmorrow fell into despair.

As I looked around at all the people I've grown up with, I realised most of them were close to death already. Sometimes I think I'm one of few people who are still living. These last few years, it's like the colour and emotion has been stripped from the city. It used to be a place of laughter and happiness, but not anymore.

"To help us, we have had some volunteers to go to the Kingdom of Aeris," she looked around with pursed lips, surveying the sombre, sullen faces. She looked down at her notes, making sure she wouldn't forget anything.

"Those who travel to Aeris and successfully get help will be greatly rewarded." a few shaky breaths, a couple tears escaping her eyes.

"Our volunteers, please come forward: Calsa Jane." everyone's heads turned to look at me, a few murmurs of praise, pity and disbelief. People parted for me, I walked up to the podium, trying to avoid eye contact with everyone.

"Eren Dawson," a roll of my eyes, of course, Eren volunteers. He'll be the hero and end up in bed with every teenage girl in the city. He squeezed my hand for reassurance, to which I pulled away. I refused to meet his eyes.

"And Finally, Eonia Arquez." I looked over at the young girl, her dirty blonde hair blowing in her face. I have her my worst glare, I told her not to volunteer!

I was walking to the bakery in the village to pick up some bread for my father, I had left school the year before after my mother died. And that's when I saw her, cornered by Thiera and her friends, tears streaming down the girl's face as they hit her, kicked her, made her bleed. I couldn't let them do that to her.

"Hey!" I yelled, they looked at me, scared. It seemed everyone was scared of me,

"Back off!" they froze, my patience wearing thin as I walked over to them.

"I said, back off," they scattered instantly, running through the city centre. 'She looked up at me, smiling through the tears and sobs.

"Th-thank you s-so much."

"No problem, I'm Calsa,"

"Eonia, I don't think I've seen you before," she looked confused.

'I like to lay low, stay safe kid."

"Thanks, Calsa,"

Eonia wouldn't meet my eyes as the city broke into hollow-sounding applause. I looked out to the people of the city, instantly my childhood dreams of joining the panel were crushed as I realised how scary it was. For the first time, I felt sympathy for President Tora. She thanked us as she shook our hands, we were due to set off tomorrow.

We left the stage as everyone parted down the middle. Once out of sight I sprinted back to our small cottage, Dad and Jago would still be at the city centre. Once inside I burst into tears. Why had I volunteered? What does Eren think he's doing? What if something happens to Eonia? What if we don't make it back in time?

The fate of the whole city was depending on us three, and if anything bad happened to either of them, that would be my fault.

"Calsa, you in here?"

"Eren get out of my house!" I wiped my eyes violently, he was not allowed to see me cry.

"Woah calm down little firecracker, I just came to say hi." he looked upset which shocked me, I didn't know he was capable of emotions.

"Oh hi, and don't call me a firecracker! Have you spoken to Eonia?" his face went blank,

"Erm who?" yet another eye roll from me.

"Eonia, the blonde girl going with us,"

"Oh no, she ran off before I could talk to her," he looked sincere as he bit his lip. I'd seen more emotion on his face in the last five minutes than in the last few years.

Surprisingly, Eren and I used to be really good friends, until the upper third year at school when we were thirteen. I was contemplating leaving school, even though I could have easily gotten a scholarship to the city college, and that's when he became a carefree-heartthrob. With his green eyes, brown curls and that stupid smile...

"So are you excited?" I snapped out of my daze.

"Well considering we could die or come back with nothing, I'm doing great," I started tidying up just so I didn't have to get swallowed by his eyes. The eyes that made me fall in love with him at age nine.

"Typical Calsa, always-"

"You don't know me Eren, so don't 'Typical Calsa' me!" my cheeks flushed scarlet as he tried to tear down my barricades.

"We both know that's not true. But fine, I'll see you tomorrow," he looked hurt as I shut him down. Once the door was closed, I burst into tears again. I don't think I've cried that much since mum died...

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