Lost Soul

Chapter One: Invasion

It wasn't supposed to go like this. Alex wasn't supposed to be here.

The officer's hand trembles as he holds the gun in my face.

"Move, Raven," he growls, but he's shaking from head to toe. He doesn't want to shoot me, I know, but he has to get to Alex.

"I can't do that," I whisper, stepping closer so the barrel of his gun is against my forehead.

"Raven!" Rae shouts. She's got Alex's head on her legs, trying to stop the bleeding.

"Go. You and Erick get him out of here!" I order.

"If... if they leave, I'll have to take you in as an accessory," the officer's voice trembles.

"I know." I nod, knocking my forehead into the barrel of his gun, making him jump.

"Raven," Erick warns, reaching for my arm.

As soon as his skin is on mine, I rip away from him, pushing him away.

"Go!" I snap, not able to look at him.

My stomach twists as Erick sighs and leaves my side.

I can't turn to look and see if they're gone, but the officer starts forward, so I assume they're leaving.

I slam one hand into the officer's wrist and at the same time I slam my other hand into his gun, grabbing it.

I back away from the officer, pointing the gun at his head.

The pistol begins to burn my hand, as it's supposed to.

During a time of war, America sealed its borders from the rest of the world. We built a dome to protect people from radiation from bombs. Or at least, that's what they tell us. It keeps us afraid of the outside.

People became suspicious of everything. Every move we make is monitored. Our buildings are glass for 'transparency'. We have chips in our heads that allow us to use technology better than ever, but the government also uses them to track and control us.

The police are the only ones allowed to have guns. They have biometric scanners so no one can use them except the police.

If you don't scan your finger, the gun starts to heat up and in sixty seconds, you'll have third degree burns or worse.

Still, I don't drop the weapon, and unlike the officer in front of me, I'm not afraid to fire.

"Don't do this," pleads the officer.

I don't want to shoot him. I've never had anything against officers... even though I should.

But they've protected me because of who my mom is, so I've always felt grateful towards them... most of them anyway.

But I can't let him get Alex, or my other friends.

A stinging pain flares through my hand and I flinch. I only have thirty seconds.

"Drop the gun, Raven," the officer pleads.

I have no choice but to listen. But I make a decision. I drop the gun to point at his leg and fire.

He screeches and collapses to the ground, grabbing his leg.

"I'm sorry!" I shout, dropping the gun to the ground.

I turn and take off in the direction my friends went. I have to hope they're going where I'm guessing they're going.

Another shot rings through the air. The entire world goes still for a moment as pain flourishes through my shoulder.