I didn’t know what she saw in that prick. He hadn’t even expressed interest in her until he saw me looking. And knowing that I didn’t have the same privileges as him, he only pursued her because he knew it would get to me.
I stormed over to the power box and flipped the large switch, turning the park on. Light erupted from the bulbs that still worked, music blared from the blown-out speakers, and the rides began to move.
I was too far away to see her reaction, which was slightly disappointing. I reminded myself that I wasn’t here tonight to convince her of anything. I was here to watch over the Young Ladies and make sure we weren’t attacked.
I walked around for hours, my gun in my hand, simply observing the fun, not partaking. I caught sight of Eleanor a few times, and each time she smiled so sweetly, it did things to my heart.
God, why was I so attracted to a girl I couldn’t have? A girl who fucking hated me. That was one thing I never fully understood. One day we were fine, the next she hated my guts. And I, being a stupid teenage boy, fought fire with fire. Every time she treated me badly, I retaliated in kind.
"You guys go on ahead. Ride the Cyclone."
I turned at the sound of her voice. Eleanor leaned against the rusted metal rails, waving her friends off. I looked around, and seeing no Milton, I approached her.
"How's it going, birthday girl?" She saw me and lowered her eyes. I took a second to drink her in.
Eleanor was short, but stacked. Her long, brown waves, normally in pigtails like all the Young Ladies, were styled up today. She had bright red lipstick on, which only seemed to makeher even more beautiful. It complimented her dark brown eyes and long lashes. Milton and I weren’t the only ones who’d found our gazes lingering on Eleanor over the years.
"It's fine," she said shortly.
"Did you get everything you wanted?" I pressed.
She didn’t trust me. She crossed her arms under her chest and looked away.
“Mostly,” she sighed. Eleanor always wore her thoughts on her face, and tonight was no different.
"You like Milton," I said.
“It’s not a crime to have a crush.”
"No, but him acting on it is. You know he can't date you. Why even risk it?"
"What kind of life is this?" She huffed. She turned back to me, and sadness filled her face. "You ever want to do more than just your duties to mankind?"
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Go to dances, first dates, and stuff like they did before the bombs. Get married, and?—"
"Have sex?" I smirked.
There was a hesitation, but she answered. "Yes. All of it. I want more than what the bunker has to offer. Is that so bad?"
No, it wasn’t. In fact, I’d been thinking the same thing for a long time. It’s why I had taken… I pushed the thoughts away. I couldn’t trust her to keep my secret. Or could I?
I cleared my throat, prepared to tell her what I’d found when the sound of gunshots pulled me away. My mind and body went into DIT mode, and I took off toward the screams.
We’d secured the grounds, all the Daddies were surrounding the place. How could we get ambushed? I sprinted, my lungs bursting by the time I reached the other men, just outside the gates. It was all Daddies, no DITs. They stood in an ominouscircle. The looks on their faces behind their masks chilled me to the core.
“What’s going on?” I asked through heavy breaths. Milton stepped up to me and put his hand on my shoulder.
“A slight hiccup. The creepies are dead, but now we have to figure out how exactly we’re going to lure her here. She’s probably hiding now.”
“Lure who? What for?” I looked around at all the Daddies.
“Eleanor, the highest ranked Young Lady. I’ve been preparing her for a while.” Milton laughed. I still didn’t understand. What was he saying? “It’s tradition. The Daddies pick a girl, and fuck her til she’s dead. Welcome to the club.”
I yanked myself from his grip and stumbled back in disgust. This was what he’d been talking about earlier. About him being the first. This was no club I was going to be a part of.
Chapter 7 - Riot
