Fearless

chapter 2

When I said I wanted adult life to be fun, I didn't mean that. Our "Leader" doesn't know what to do at all. I think she's nuts. She keeps going on and on about some mystery and how we're all going to die. If that's what she wants, let her die, but for now I like to live.

It's been two weeks since my parents left, and the problem with the factory rioters hasn't been solved. Rumor has it that a group of guys is starting to form in our neighborhood who want to overthrow Dumpling. By the way, "Dumpling" is the leader. I don't like her, she kills too much and mercilessly, sometimes without trial. They say fat people are kind? They're not. They're not. Or at least not all of them.

"Nell, do you want a sandwich?" Rick yelled from the kitchen.

"Yes, I do! Thank you."

I was sitting at my laptop, solving some problems. "Just for general information." How can I politely tell them that I'm already well-developed?

The situation in the districts has never changed. Sometimes I think our lives would be easier without the caucuses. We're all different, you can't just shove everyone indiscriminately into whatever caucuses. I wonder what life used to be like in Detroit.

I slamed my laptop and go into the kitchen to Rick's for a sandwich.

The screen comes on, the full-figured lady coughs and starts. "For your own safety, don't leave the house for the next seven days. I'll let you know when something changes. There's a roundup of deserters and rioters going on right now, so you might get rounded up." That's crazy... so, should we all starve to death now? Like deserters are going to run through the streets and throw themselves in front of bullets.

"It's getting more and more miraculous." I said, taking a bite of my sandwich.

"Agreed." Rick nodded with his mouth full.

"I wouldn't be surprised if..."

I was interrupted by a loud knock on the door.

"I'll get it."

"Stop", my brother grabbed my arm. "What if it's a deserter?"

"So what? Don't you want to help him? Maybe it's a poor man who needs help. What if it's a child?" I said sternly, pulling my arm out. Don't get the idea, I'm not completely off my rocker, I'm just terribly curious. Yes, someday my curiosity will kill me.

"If they catch us doing this, they'll shoot us, you know that."

I got up from the couch and walked to the door. The knocking intensifies. Through the peephole I saw some guy, all dressed in black. And it looks like he's hurt. Just in case, I took my taser out of the drawer and quickly unlocked and opened the door.

"Please, help me!" The guy said confusedly and collapsed on top of me.

"Ow! Rick, help me, he's heavy!" I howled, crouching to the floor under the weight of this elephant.

My brother ran up and lifted the guy off me. His shoulder is hurt and he looks exhausted. I gingerly placed my hand on his neck.

"There's a pulse... carry him to my room, if anyone comes in, they won't see him right away."

Rick, radiating unkindness, silently dragged the man into the room, and I have time to examine him. Dark tangled hair, expressive cheekbones, plump lips... It's a good thing he's the one who broke into our house. And I hope I don't regret that thought later.

"He's as heavy as a boar!" Rick complained.

"That's all right. It's good for you."

I gently unbutton and remove the boy's jacket, and examine the wound.