The Unstable | ON HOLD |

Chapter 1:

*Trigger Warning : Very Slight Mention of Childhood Abuse*

My body's desire to stay under the covers and drift back to dreamland was overruled by the nagging voice in the back of mind, reminding me of the importance of getting an education. My toasty feet did not want to feel the sting of the ice-like bathroom tiles and argued that I could just attend school tomorrow. But I had said that yesterday, and knew that if I had another day off school this week, the principal would not hesitate before calling my father. I had no desire for that phone-call. With that thought seated firmly in my mind, I pulled my reluctant body towards the hell-sent shower and felt the cold water fall frigidly and unyieldingly onto my bare skin.

My hair was still chaotic when I finally peered at the time. At this moment, I knew that I messed up. I had to order a droid to ensure my timely passage to school. 

I arrived to school fairly quickly. Stepping onto the grass, I was greeted by my usual assemble of peers. These were your run-of-mill school bullies. They have been tormenting me for as long as I can remember. The ringleader of this group is named Andrew. He's your typical jock; excels at football while being popular with the ladies. It's hard to believe that we were actually best friends in grade school.   

"Hey Smith!" He teasingly called out.

"What do you want?" I practically hissed.

"Is it true that after your mom lost her mind, she was taken in for an adjustment?"

"Screw off"

My cheeks burned from the embarrassment. Andrew and his friends were laughing among themselves.

Entering the classroom, I noticed that everyone's court-issued clothing was properly tucked and tied. My stained, rumpled shirt stood out. Every pair of eyes in the room was focused on me. Red leaked into my cheeks as I made my way across the classroom. The other students seemed to think that I was deliberately trying to disrespectful the court. They didn't understand that my mother was taken in for a mental adjustment last night after she violently beat me for the last 3 years. I really didn't have the time to make sure my clothes followed the stupid dress code.

Mrs. Johnson's sharp voice pierced through my swimming thoughts as I struggled to pay attention. "Miss Smith, would you please care to read this to the class?" her wrinkly finger pointed to the smart-screen. 

"Scientists released an airborne cure to all mental illnesses during the Great Depression of 2100" I mumbled under my breath. "Since then, technological advances have been made. Every legal citizen is chipped with a card that states their mental status. Anyone who is found unstable will be sent to an adjustment center." Several eyes turned to face my direction. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree... right? 

My heart skipped a beat once the lunch bell had finally rung. The door emitted a heavenly glow as I pranced toward my safe haven. All of that glorious feeling came crashing down when I heard Andrew joking with his friends: "Her Mother was a pathetic excuse of a human being. I wouldn't be surprised if Sarah was also unstable." 

Spinning on my heels, I glared in his direction. The corners of his mouth quirked up as his face adopted a smug smirk. By this time, we were completely alone. My lips drew back into a sneer. "Do you care to repeat what you just said?" I spit in his direction. 

He laughed. Hysterically. This made me snap. A fire-like rage boiled over my senses and I busted his kneecap. The crack of his skull against the tile was sickly as a puddle of blood pooled beneath him.

--

Have you ever seen a floor covered in blood? At first glance, there is a simple beauty to it and you notice how the red contrasts with the white linoleum. It doesn't immediately register that what you're looking at is actually blood. Slowly, a stiffness builds up in your body as your mind begins to realize that the beauty isn't actually life's essence. Then, what was a simple beauty becomes repulsion. Seeing Andrew laid out with a meter-wide red polka dot under him wasn't beautiful. It was downright hysterical. Not hysterical as in funny, hysterical as in I couldn't control my reaction.

--

"Please tell me you aren't dead..." The colour quickly drained from my face as I stood over his unconscious body. The corner of his eye twitched. "Please groan if you are awake." 

I felt precious seconds ticking by as I waited for a response. Nothing happened. "Screw you too," I muttered under my breath. The piercing shriek of the afternoon bell indicated that the class would be coming inside at any moment. Blood violently pounded in the back of my head. Each breath suddenly became more rapid and shallow. The High Court seizes unstable citizens for mental adjustments. I can't let that happen to me. Whoever receives an adjustment never comes back the same.

I decided to run as the first children were entering the building. For some reason, my mind was elsewhere and I couldn't help but question why everyone was dressed so nicely. I made sure to slap my sneakers against the floor in a steady, rhythmic pattern as I ran. It helped me focus on my thoughts.

Upon entering my home, I gathered everything I needed to escape. I didn't have much to pack. What I had at the current moment would have to hold me until I got to my next location. Who knew how much time I had before the government showed up on my doorstep? It wouldn't matter if Andrew had been bullying me for the past year. My mistake would outweigh his. 

(Graphic by: marvelity)

(Editing by: skcgalaxy99 and macetrav)