Refracted

- - 12 - -

I wish I could say, I woke up naturally to Helios' glorious rays, shining through the huge windows of my new bedroom

But that would be a lie.

First thing wrong with what I just said?

I didn't have windows. The entire compound was submerged underground.

Second thing wrong?

My waking up was most certainly not natural, instead it was more due to a heavy lump on my legs, a person at the end of my bed.

"Rachel?" I enquired sleepily.

"No," a gruff voice returned.

My eyes shot open to find a familiar face perched on the corner of my quilt. It was Amir from yesterday.

"How did you get in here?!"

Amir just grinned to himself at my accusation. Was that a chuckle?!

"I hacked the iris scanner," he smiled goofily.

"You did what?!"

So much for security, why would Lucas lie to me saying that my room was private if anybody could just walk in?

"Oh calm down," he returned, "I have designed much more complex technologies than that hunk of junk."

"Oh yeah cos that makes me feel loads better. What do you mean 'designed' anyway?"

"I'm the resident engineer. Since we didn't get properly acquainted yesterday, I thought I'd introduce myself."

"Verity," I muttered.

"I'm well aware but thank you," he laughed.

A smile threatened my furrowed brow and I knew he was already winning me over. You just felt comfortable with Amir, like you'd known him for ages. Warmth radiated from him.

I got out of bed and walked into the bathroom, taking care to fully lock the door this time.

"You're wearing the same clothes as yesterday," he realised.

"What else do you expect me to wear?" I demanded.

"No, it's nothing against you, I only had the clothes on my back when I left my facility but at least I was provided with some new when arriving here!"

"Woah, woah, woah," I said, completely confused, "You were in a facility too?"

I guess it made sense that the others would have similar experiences as I had. It usually took a lot of trauma to turn somebody against the one government that ruled the entire planet. On Terra, there was no escape to another country, no refuge from the Higher Authority's wrath. If they wanted to find you, rest assured that they would.

Amir continued...

"Yeah, the majority of the workers were and then they came here at twenty-one. I don't know about Rachel or Lucas cos their stories are 'confidential' but Elyse also came from a facility and Alex too."

"Elyse?"

"My girlfriend, she led the demolitions group yesterday."

Oh Terra, he was going out with blondie?!

Amir looked amused as he stared at my face and I flushed, again, for the millionth time yet.

"Most people have that reaction when they first meet her but she is really something else when you get to know her," he said.

I didn't know what to say to that so I didn't say anything.

"Oh Terra, sorry Verity, we need to get you some clothes."

And with that Amir, strode out of my room. I followed him (locking the door on the way out) and we headed down into a darker tunnel. I was going to have to get used to this.

On the way to wherever we were going, I didn't recognise a single face. Due to yesterday's escapades, I estimated that approximately forty to fifty people resided on the compound. As far as I was aware, our compound was amongst the largest on Terra due to Zyphia being the capital but even fifty people seemed like a low number. We were completely dependent on building a revolution from these number and we needed everyone's support whether that be Zyphians or Resistance workers or even civil workers inside the government.

You really couldn't underestimate  the United Nations' power.

Minutes later and Amir was holding up two nearly identical tops, both black in colour with blue highlights.

"Amir, I would really rather be eating breakfast than doing this right now."

The sweet aroma of pancakes and waffles snaked up my nose; it was torture knowing that the cafeteria was right next door to me.

I gazed round the store room that we were stood in, alone of course since everyone else had had the good sense to go to breakfast. It was set up like what I imagined a retail store would look like. Yet, retail stores were scarce in Zyphia. Any that attempted to open had been shut down by the Lower Authority. Normal citizens had a provided work outfit and a home outfit, that was it. Everyone was identical and no one got paid enough for anything other than the essentials. I was starting to realise the contrast between society and the Resistance and how lucky I really was to be here. Without the Resistance, I would still be roaming the streets and that was the best case scenario. Here it was different. All the clothes were dark colours (but for practicality and stealth instead) and hung from glistening metallic racks. Infinite patterns  and shapes lay waiting to inspire someone's outfit. It was anyone's dream.

I really appreciated it but my stomach longed for other things.

"Amir, breakfast ends in less than an hour."

"That's ages, besides, you need some new clothes."

"Amir, I have eaten bland cereal every day of the week for breakfast for the past nine years! I need some real food."

"Okay, okay, I remember my first breakfast here and it was pretty awesome. Jeez though, can't you let a guy have some style?"

"Come on!"

I grabbed both the black tops and shoved them into a duffel bag along with a two of everything else: jeans, leggings, basic underwear, sweaters, coats and a pair of sturdy boots. I had outgrown mine about two years ago but the facilities were becoming overcrowded and resources were nowhere to be found. New boots would have been considered an unimaginable luxury.

So I was grateful, in every way, but I was also hungry. Perhaps, now it could be understood why I pulled Amir so hard towards the door that he stumbled and fell over a coat rack. Feeling bad, I hastily helped him up and then we were quickly moving again, maybe a teensy bit more cautiously.

As I walked through the cafeteria doors, the wonderful smell tripled in intensity and quantity. I knew then that I was in paradise.

I sighed in delight and then rushed to the serving stations. Pancakes, waffles, bagels galore and what to put in them? Jam or cream or butter or marmalade? So many choices and the satisfaction that I would get to try them all. As I said, paradise.

Amir, stood beside me as I filled my plate, then another.

"There's no way you are going to eat all that," he laughed.

"Just you watch me." I felt the determination on my face and a burning desire in my heart. This was the moment I had been waiting for.

Amir and I sat on the closest table to the buffet and I began. All the incredible flavours merged and combined to make a super breakfast. I couldn't believe that I had missed out for so long.

"So Verity-"

I immediately silenced him with a hand in the air.

"No talking, only eating," I tried to say, spewing crumbs everywhere in the process.

He got the message though and my new friend and I ate together until the cafeteria closed.