Yes.
“No.” I lied.
"You think that's fucking funny?" He snarled.
"I said no."The men let me go and I stumbled slightly before righting myself. "I think you're funny, more thananything. We all knowyourrank is a lie. I wouldn't trust anyone up there with you. You should stop bragging about it."
"Jealousy is a bad look, Callahan. Grow up."
A few others mumbledsimilarsentiments. Quickly, Irushedback to my bed and pulled my clothes from my dresser. I shoved an undershirt over my head, wincing slightly at thefrictionof the rough fabric against my sensitive skin. I finished getting ready and went to stand by the door and wait for Milton. My arms crossed andlookingstraight ahead, trying to hide myembarrassment.
Me, jealous? Of Milton?
Yes, I was. Insanely jealous.
"Ready?" Milton slapped his hand on my shoulder, pulling me from mythoughts.
"I suppose."
I kicked off the wall and followed him out. We went past everybody, heading directly to the entrance room. I looked toward the wall to where our equipment sat on hooks.
PARA. Suits! Protect Against Radiation Above. Daddies and DITs, don't go above without your PARA Suits!
I read the sign hanging above them and frowned.
"You think you're ready to try—"Milton motioned with his hands as if he were removing something from his head.
I shook my head, cutting Milton off. I looked around quickly, checking to see if we were alone. "Shut it, will you? I'm doing you a favor, remember?"
"Are you? Or are your motives more personal?" He grabbed the thick suit with his name embroidered on it and began to climb inside it. I didn't respond. Instead, I grabbed my suit and put it on, adding the gas mask last.
"Come on, Cal. I know you've been jealous of me since day one. I never really cared, because you know, I get it. But it's getting a bit much, don't you think? She hates you. You really?—”
"Let's go." I slammed my hand on the giant red button to start opening the bunker. I tapped the code on the number pad below it and went to the ladder. "I don't have the patience for your rambling today."
"Fine, but we're revisiting this," he insisted, following me up the ladder. "But I'll forgive you for everything because today's special. Eleanor is 18 now, and I'm taking that pussy first tonight. Right up there at Risky Rush Park. My cock is going to be buried in her so fast and deep they’ll be no time to get exposed to radiation.”
I blinked rapidly, confused, but kept going up the ladder.
First? What did he mean by that?
Chapter 4 - Eleanor
Celebrate when you can.
"Happy birthday, Eleanor," I said with a bright smile, straightening my posture as I looked at myself in the mirror. "Why, thank you, Milton. I'm glad you came to my party. Is that a present you have there?" I practiced my words for the party so that I sounded surprised to see Milton, despite having been with him only hours before.
I pinched my cheeks to give them some color and glanced down at the counter, picking up the lipstick I had saved from my last exploration above. Should I wear it to my party?
Yes.
I was officially a Young Lady, according to the rules here below. I hit my 18thbirthday and was officially a graduate of the Young Lady program. While there were still many things I wasn’t allowed to do, I was permitted to wear makeup now. I applied the bright red shade to my lips and grinned. Milton was going to just die when he saw me. I hurried to put on my dress and get going. Glancing at the clock on my bedside table, I realized that the party would start soon, which meant I could make the perfect entrance. I hoped Milton would be waiting for me there with all our friends.
My heart raced as if I'd just seen a creepie all the way from the Young Ladies' floor to the recreation floor, four stories down. I rode the elevator in silence, even though I wasn't alone. I was never alone.
"Happy birthday, Eleanor."
I looked up at my protector, my guard, my DADDY.
