2080

Chapter 2

• May 1st, 2080 •

A few nights passed before she had to go and meet her future husband. Addilyn continued to see Harper late at night in secrecy against her father's wishes, she was worried about being caught. She was worried they would think they had romantic feelings for each other, she only was curious. Every day she managed to round up more and more questions that needed to be asked. Harper and Addilyn had become good friends after learning everything there was to know about the strange girl from absolutely no where.

Addilyn walked with her parents across town to meet her shortly-to-be-husband. She was wearing a blue floral dress and her parents were also dressed nicely. She didn't know why they were trying to impress, they were already impressive leaders. She just wanted to follow in their footsteps.

They arrived at a smaller, but quaint home on the east side of their community. The door was answered by a young man, the man.

"It's so great to finally meet you." He said as he reached out and shook her hand. Addilyn didn't flinch, although she hardly knew him, maybe she was just scared of Harper, scared of someone from the outside.

"You too." She smiled slightly. "What did you say your name was again?"

"It's Zach, what about your name?" He smiled widely back. At least he was confident in his own skin.

"Addilyn." She responded.

He beamed as he stared at her, he was excited to meet her. "Oh god, excuse me! Please come in." He opened the door wider and allowed Addilyn and her parents into his home.

They sat at the dinner table and ate dinner with his family. Addilyns' father's walkie-talkie picked up another walkie-talkie from a far range. The static came in and he jumped up from the table excusing himself apologetically. He left the room and Addilyn listened intently, she tuned the sound of forks on the plates and chewing out and listened intently to the conversation occurring in the other room.

"Come to the infirmary, Patient Jane Doe refuses cooperation." She could hear, they were talking about Harper.

"I'll be right over." Her father replied. He left the room and came back to the table. "The food was delicious, but I'm afraid I have to go."

"Dad, let me come with you, I can talk to her." Addilyn stood from the table and was waiting for her father to stop. "We're friends, she will listen to me."

"Did you guys become friends when you hardly knew her or were you sneaking out without our knowledge to go and see her?" He lifted his head and looked at her disappointingly. He knew everything. "You really think my own guards wouldn't be honest with me?"

"I'm sorry... but if you're looking for answers or for her to cooperate, I can help." She said.

"You will stay here. I will go. If she doesn't cooperate, she will be exiled. That is final." Her father turned and Addilyn sat there ashamed. She went against her fathers wishes and he embarrassed her in front of people she hardly knew. "And Addilyn..." her father injected

"Yes?" She swung around, maybe he changed his mind and wanted her help.

"You're not a leader here and you never will be." With that he closed the front door behind him.

She held back tears well, he always said things like that to her. She looked up and smiled modestly at everyone. They avoided the awkward conversation and stuffed their face, including her own mother.

Later on, Zach invited Addilyn up to his room, although they were to be married without choice, they were still 18 and Zach's mother advised him to keep the door open. Zach scoffed, rolled his eyes and continued up the stairs.