Population Zero

Chapter Four

The problem was Asher. Every night we got together he seemed less and less interested in making any moves and it started feeling like he was all talk. Every time I suggested sneaking out he brushed me off and bemoaned the possibility of being demoted or worse, sent off like Benjamin was. He was a coward at best. The night before his 13th birthday he finally started changing his tune.

"I'm turning 13 tomorrow, Lucas." He said with a sorrowful look on his face. "Any day now I'll be sent off to the teenage wing. What do you think it will be like over there?"

I really had no clue. "I'm sure it won't be that bad. Probably just like it is over here, but with harder homework." I said trying to muster up a brave smile. In reality I think we both knew it's going to be hell on earth. Those boys were big, we've seen them at the monthly meetings. They always look angry and disgruntled or fearful and shaken. And those are the level 4's. We haven't really seen any of the lower level teenagers but from what we hear they are in pretty bad shape.

"I'm not ready to go. I'm fine here. Damn Benjamin, he really ruined it for everyone. They never used to be so strict. They used to wait until we were closer to 14 before they sent us off. It's not fair." Asher was looking a bit pale and gaunt and I could see the fear in his eyes as he spoke. We both had heard stories of what it's like over there and it ain't pretty. I wasn't in much better shape than him, my birthday was in a few months and that thought followed me all day from the moment I opened my eyes every morning. It was only a matter of time and apparently, Asher's time was up.

"It doesn't have to be this way. We can leave. We know everything we could possibly know by now. We've talked enough, we've planned enough. We can leave tonight." And as the words crept out of my mouth I knew my courage was fake. I was scared out of my mind at the possibility of being caught. But I told myself time and time again, if not now, then when? We are all going out sometime.

"Let's go out swinging" I said with a grin. Asher grinned back.

"Okay. Let's do this."

Asher and I waited until late into the night when we were sure every last one of the guys was sound asleep. It was a little after midnight and I jokingly wished him a happy birthday. He laughed at this but probably only to keep himself from crying. We were scared beyond comprehension but we had gotten too deep and there was no turning back now. Unfortunately, when we switched on our flashlight and began packing up our bags with essentials, one of the boys woke up and heard us talking.

"What are you guys doing?" A whisper of panic came from Elijah's voice. "No. You can't. I won't let you. We are the only level 4's left. You can't risk this, they'll catch you for sure."

"Oh save it, Elijah!" Ashers irritation was clear in his voice. "I'm 13 now. In a few months Lucas will be 13 too. You have time. Your only what, 11?" He snickered. "You've got no idea what's coming." He sounded brave all of a sudden. It was like he turned into a man when the clock struck midnight. I wonder if that will happen for me too.

But Elijah wasn't convinced. "No. I won't let you leave. I'll report you. It's my duty. If I just let you go, I could get into trouble too. We could all end up in a prison or something! Or worse.." he trailed off. His eyes grew big as he looked towards the door. I imagined he was trying to think of a way to keep us from opening the door without throwing his body in front of it or barricading us inside. He seemed stiff and frozen in place and my chest began to tighten seeing him like that.

"Come on, Elijah. You're my best friend. We are buddies. Let us go. If you don't let us go now, you're gonna wake up the whole cottage and really get us into trouble." A few snores surrounded us but other than that it was peacefully quiet. I worried for a moment that my pounding heart could be heard throughout the cottage but I convinced myself that it was only throbbing inside my own ears.