Blood

3.

"That's not possible!" I say with an audible gasp.

Tyler nods.

There are only two ways to access the oxygen pumps- the Saviors' Headquarters which is obviously, heavily guarded or from the Outside.
It's not possible to survive on the Outside.

The Outside has faced the worst of the pollution from the Before, before the Saviors that is. There are huge piles of toxic wastes and gases and the water is contaminated. The trees and plants that grow are unnatural and gnarled. There is no sign of animal life.

I shake my head,"Unless someone got through the security."

"That's the problem." Tyler says."Mom was telling Dad that the guards have reported that no one came by and the security cameras were functioning perfectly."

I swallow.

~

Tyler and I walk to down to school on the perfectly paved roads.

Vehicles are not permitted for they cause pollution and make us prone to more accidents.

The only transportation we have is the monorail which is reserved for only the Saviors and the Guard.

We are soon joined by Crystal, one of my best friends, and Jordan, Tyler's buddy.

The ten minute walk seems short as we casually chat with each other.

"My mother said that the Saviors are trying to incorporate fish in our meals!" Jordan says with glee.

His mother works in the labs where they produce our food and water.

I smile. Any kind of change was good.
"How?" asks Tyler,"I mean there is a lake in the next city..."

Jordan nods,"They're trying to get the fish in the lake to breed faster. We'll see how that goes in a few months."

"I hope it goes well, I'm sick of eating the same thing over and over again." Crystal complains, voicing my thoughts.

The school building greets us with warm air as we step in.

We head to class, the comfort of the usual chatter in school.

We sit in out usual spots. Ready for the classes to begin.

My Grandma told me that in the Before, we had to walk to all our classes. Now we sit in the same class and the teachers come to the class.

The day inches forward slowly and I'm barely awake by lunch hour.

We stand in lines at the cafeteria, and receive grey lumps of food.
We find a seat and settle down.

I grimace as I scoop up a mound of the  greyish lump.

It tastes horrible and moldy.

Someone slides into the seat across me.
I look up an internally groan.

Natalie.

Her luscious blonde curls hang around her hair and she flashes me a smile. As usual, the zipper of her jumpsuit is way too low, exposing the top part of her chest.

She turns to Tyler and flashes him a smile,"Tylerrrrr." She purrs.
Thankfully, he ignores her and continues with his conversation with Jordan.

"Ty Ty," She coos and I gag.

She runs a finger down his cheek and it is an effort not to throw up.

Jeez, wait two more years.

The Saviors have strict marital rules. We have to get married at the age of eighteen, as soon as school ends. Luckily, we are allowed to chose who we want to get married to. If we don't find someone, then we are sent to work in the Quarantine. The Savior has banned any kind of romantic or physical relationship before that.

Lunch is over as fast as it began and we trudge back to class.

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A/N: Motivate me to continue updating by VOTING, COMMENTING AND SHARING.

I know the chapters are a bit dry but please bear with me.