Bliss

Chapter Three

I sleep that night in fear.

My name is Penelope Tamer, I was taken to "safety" by people I do not know, I survived The End, I am scared, I need to sleep, and I need to know what is going on...

When I awoke in the morning, I found many people getting up and out of bed, boys and girls. They all looked to be around my age, give or take a few years. I glanced down and lifted up my bloody pant leg to find my legs almost fine besides tiny lined scars all over them. Whatever the medical woman, Chelsea, put on them must have helped a lot.

I swung my legs over the edge of my bed and stood. I didn't know where I was supposed to go, or what I was supposed to do. I took in the people's faces trying my best to select a trustworthy person to ask my questions to. My eyes set on a girl who had jet black hair and dark watery blue eyes. I slowly made my way over to her.

She snapped her gaze up and smiled at me.

"So you're the survivor?" she asked me politely

I nodded

"Yes, and I am kind of lost, mind helping me out?" I questioned back hoping for a positive response.

"Of course, though James, our leader, would most likely like to speak to you," she said thoughtfully

I agreed with her and she lead me back to the commons that I had been in the day before. Some people stared at me, some smiled, and some just simply appeared interested. Once again, I was lead to the table with the tall man who they called James.

"Thank you Lindsey, I was just about to call for someone to fetch her," James said without even taking a peak up from his breakfast.

"You're welcome," she said nodding, turning to look at me and smile, and then was gone.

"You may sit Penelope," he said in a booming voice after several moments of silence. I obeyed and took a seat across from him.

"I must say, I am very intrigued by you already," he began, unpleasantly cracking his knuckles, "You made it through the impossible. Not just made it through, but miraculously survived maintaining perfect health, with the exception of minor burns,"

"Yes," I answered

"As Veronica informed you yesterday, this is The Living's headquarters," he said, "But, what you do not know, is that we have many facilities underground all over this broken country. We have been building it up for five years now. We, The Living, connect all the facilities with tunnels that last miles and miles. Now that you will be staying permanently here-"

I gulped.

"We will expect of you what we expect of everyone, to obey, work together, and to rebuild what was destroyed. I hope you understand that nothing will be the same anymore," he said, "We ourselves will not live to see a good civilization reborn, but we will begin to build and create it,"

"So I'm stuck here, forever?" I managed out

"Not stuck here, you are just living here," he answered trying to sound kind, it didn't work, "We will begin your training and testing immediately, have it all worked out, and you will be peaceful soon enough. You will come to know this place as safety, a place to plea that you were here when you are not, and a place you know will be the place for the generations to come,"

I nodded, taking it all in.

"Wait," I paused, "I am the only survivor?"

"In Selma?" he spoke in a desperate tone, knowing what was about to pour unto me, "Yes,"

"My brother," I gasped, he was the only known family member of mine that had made it through the first two with me. He was the only one I had left to trust.