Chapter 7:
15 years earlier - Age four
It’s dark in here…I don’t like it. But the nice man said I would be safe here, that there would be food. He said Mummy went to heaven and that I can’t go with her, but I can!
I just need to find a map to get there! Mummy had a map in her bag. If they had just let me bring it, I could’ve found her! Mummy would’ve wanted me to follow her to heaven, she didn’t like leaving me alone.
“Darlia?” Shayleen whispers from beside me, turning to face me in our bed.
I have a bed now! It’s so warm and comfy. I have to share it with Shayleen, another girl here, but she’s nice, so it’s okay. Shayleen is older than me by two years. She’s super responsible and the nice men call her a star. I want to be a star.
“Mhmm?” I’m so sleepy my eyes are trying to close, but I force them to stay open, holding Mr Muffins closer to my chest.
“Did your mummy go to heaven, too?”
I nod, water filling my eyes. “Mhmm, the nice man said she’s in heaven.”
“My mummy is there, too. Maybe they’ll be friends, like us.”
“You really think so?” I ask, hope filling my voice. I want my mummy to have friends. She’s been so lonely lately, it’s just been me and her. I had Ash, too, but Mummy didn’t have anyone else. I wonder if Ash is also here. If he is, I want to hug him. They don’t let us hug the girls here.
Though sometimes Shayleen and I cuddle in bed; we haven’t been told off yet.
Closing my eyes, I let sleep finally take me, I’m already exhausted. Before I can dream, the lights turn on so bright that they hurt my eyes. Some of the other girls are crying, but I won’t. Mummy said I have to be strong, to not let anyone see my weakness. So I won’t cry, even if I really want to. I will be the strongest, bestest girl here. I’ll make Mummy proud, then I’ll find her in heaven.
When the lights turn back on, the guards walk us from our beds to the bathroom, watching as we brush our teeth, making sure we really do it. They do that a lot. Watch us. Shayleen stands next to me every day before we walk to the classroom.
Today it’s different. On each of our desks is a gun. Mummy said guns were bad, I can’t touch that. I freeze.
“Darlia?” Shayleen whispers, pulling on my hand. “Lia, come on. We have to sit down.”
My legs don’t move.
The nice man kneels down in front of me, his eyes soft and kind. I trust him. “Darlia, what’s wrong?” I sniffle, not realising I had been crying.
“Mummy said guns are bad.” The nice man nods.
“She’s right, they can be. But it’s because she didn’t have a gun that she couldn’t protect herself with. We are just going to teach you to protect yourself.”
But Mummy did have a gun! I saw it.
“Do you trust me, sweetheart?” the kind man asks, and I nod. I have to, he’s keeping me safe and my belly doesn’t hurt anymore.
“Yes…” I whisper, and he smiles.
“Sit down, I promise it’s only to keep you safe.” Hesitantly, I take my seat next to Shayleen who has already picked up the gun and started playing with it. She’s much better at this than I am.
“Alright, everyone, my name is Overseer, I will be the one training you.”
Overseer. The kind man is called Overseer. What a silly name.
I wish Ash were here, he would know what to do. He would make this all better. Ash always made everything better.
Chapter 8:
I am not a people person. I haven’t been trained to make people like me, and although Bella, Kylie, and Lauren do, I’m pretty sure every other girl in this academy hates me for being better. If they want to be the best, they should train for it.
It’s not like I care what people think of me; caring just seems as pointless as trying to pretend I’m something I haven’t been trained to be. And besides, caring in the underground is the easiest way to end up six feet underground. Actually, I don’t even think we would get that luxury.
