2080

Chapter 10

• February 27th 2093 •

Addilyn woke up beside Harper again. Harper was getting sicker and sicker lately, and Addilyn kept advising her to see the doctor.

"You're going to see the doctor today correct?" Addilyn changed into her tough mud pants and a tank-top with a soft jacket over it.

With 12 years passed, Harper and Addilyn had gotten married and it was agreed upon the three of them that with the help of Jerome, they would have a baby.

Harper groaned sarcastically, but she then let out a serious dry cough and a real groan. She placed a hand on her forehead, regaining herself.

"Please, don't let it slide this time." Addilyn worriedly came to her and kissed her cheek before leaving out the door.

"Mommy!" Said the purest and sweetest voice from down stairs.

Addilyn smiled and made her way down the stairs and hugged her 6 year old son.

"Do you have to go today?" Asher, her son asked, pouting and sticking his bottom lip out.

"Yes, but I will be back very soon. I love you, so be good for mommy and daddy." Addilyn pinched his cheek before hugging him again and standing up and hugging Jerome.

"Please, take care of him. Don't let him do anything he's supposed to." Addilyn giggled and broke off with the end of that.

She waved goodbye and once on her way out of the door, the door nearly closed behind her, but somebody yanked it back open.

"Jerome, everything okay? I haven't even left yet." Addilyn laughed nervously.

"Yeah, I just... I wanted to do something before you left." He rubbed at the back of his neck nervously.

Addilyn looked at him questionably and before she could ask what it was, Jerome had his lips on hers.

"Jerome... we talked about this." Addilyn pierced her lips together as she looked down at the ground, blushing.

"I know, but that's motivation for you to come back. Be safe please." Jerome smiled, placing two fingers below her chin and lifting her head. "Also you forgot your backpack."

Addilyn smiled and took her bag from her, slinging it over her shoulder, "I'll be back in at least 4 days, maybe 5." She said as she hopped off the porch onto the grass. "I will see you then."

Addilyn started off towards the Science Lab.

"Hello, Addilyn." The scientist and Governor greeted her after she entered.

"Gentleman." Addilyn nodded her head.

"You know this is a huge risk?" The scientist said, he was currently rubbing his fingers anxiously.

"I want to free my people. It's only fair to them, I understand the risks." Addilyn smiled.

"Okay..." the scientist shook his head nervously and looked back at the Governor who was smiling. "It will take 2 whole days to get there and depending on how many people you talk into coming, it will take anywhere from 3 to 5 days back." The scientist continued to go on about everything as he handed Addilyn some extra supplies. She took the supplies, slinging them into her backpack and zipping it back up.

The scientist pulled the hatch open to the tunnel and looked back at Addilyn, "you should be back no later than 6 days. The radiation is rare in the tunnels, but you don't want to stick around to find out." He smiled and gave Addilyn his hand to shake.

"I'll see you in less than 6 days then, won't I?" She eagerly smiled,  and started down the underground tunnel system. She was the first in a long time to volunteer to bring people back from the affected areas, it was a huge risk, but by now, her parents were probably retired and someone she knew would be in charge of the community now. She started down the tunnel system, the hall seemed endless, she could see all the way down, it was like a misty fog covered the end of the tunnel, she wouldn't have to go over the mountain range, only through it, this would save her a day going there and back at the least.

The tunnels were lined with a light system, it looked like shattered stained glass, like light was shining through, but it wasn't the sunlight, it was only a fluorescent way of lighting the tunnels; a futuristic way.

Even though it had been 12 years she lived in a modern and futuristic looking world, it was still new to her and she struggled learning new things that she had forgotten about living in the community.

The lighting really made her see through her old ways when she was in the tunnels. She felt so alone and it was so quiet, it made her feel insane. Just when she thought she couldn't take it anymore, and a total of 27 hours passed, Addilyn could see the end of the tunnel. She wanted to run, but she had nothing left in her, no energy, nothing. Addilyn was out of water and she was so thirsty.

The end of the tunnel contained a spiral staircase and a hatch, just like the one on the starting end. Addilyn followed up the staircase where the night began to fade and she couldn't see the hatch, but when she did feel it with her fingertips, she pulled out the locked in lever and driver her shoulder up, nothing but dust rained down on her as the hatch didn't budge.

Addilyn started at it, wiping the dust from her face as she tried it again, and again. It wasn't locked, just blocked. She began to get scared, and come to think of it, when she did live there, she never saw a place that a hatch could've been hiding without anyone seeing it and questioning it. Her parents lied to the community, and most importantly, they hid things from their people. That was a rule, that everything was always on the table wide open for everyone; except this one dirty secret. This one dirty hatch.

Addilyn felt suffocated and she screamed and hit the hatch. After a gruel 10 minutes of this, she heard footsteps on the other side of the hatch. She knocked on it again and called out for help.

Shuffling occurred, some loud and some soft, and then clinking of a chain before the hatch was lifted. For someone who hadn't seen true light or heard true sound in a full day, Addilyn was blinded by the light and all she could see was a hand reaching down to her. She willingly grabbed it as it helped her out of the tunnels.

She was dirty from the dust, she wiped her face once more with the inside of her shirt, because her hands were just as dirty, and when she looked up, the most unexpected person stood in front of her.

Zach.