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I felt as if the cimmerian sky had also had a bad day just like me, to the point they started crying which upset me to the point of tears. I was a crybaby and nothing but a sensitive brat as pa would say and it was quite exhausting. Because of this, I had cried myself to sleep and forgot about the whole reason I was having a bad day. It was, moving day and like always I had to say goodbye to my long-time friends.
Saying goodbye was hard because I never knew if I would see them again and it felt as if the two-hour distance was a world away. As time went by I slowly drifted off and for a moment forgot about the crying clouds.
?Oh come now dear,? ma called, as she waited for me by the door of our new home.
?Coming ma,? I replied, wiping my tired eyes as I made my way to her, wondering how long I had been asleep for us to already be here. Ma helped me to my room that was so much bigger than my last one.
?Cool,? I whispered as ma, giggled behind me, I started to play the trucks that were left for me as I silently watched. I didn't mind ma watching but I rather prefer her to play but I knew her answer. ?Sorry sweetie but your father will be back soon.? is what she'd say. It was very odd because it was not like pa would play with me and I didn't have any friends yet either and the thought of playing alone became sad in my mind, I started crying and had no intention to stop like ma, asked me too until she ran and closed the door at the sound of the doorbell.
That must be pa, I frowned, wishing he was still taking his time getting the things he needed from the car. Then it began, the arguing that they had decided to resume after leaving it in the car when they thought I was asleep. Why does he have to do this now, I thought. Just a moment ago we were happy but I guess good things never last.
When pa came in he gave me the same look of disgust that had been building up since the time we left, but I didn't mind because pa still loved me enough to buy me some new toys like he promised. That was enough for a kid like me who was barely spoiled like my cousins.
?Come here Jett,? ma called, I hoped to ma on my way there and was presented with a map.
?Why a map ma?? I asked, hoping for an exciting answer.
?It's a treasure map, that leads to a big sword that pa, had used,? ma replied, as my eyes lit up in joy ma whispered to me that after I find it I must take it to a nice police man who will deliver it to pa.
?You have to find the sword for me and pa,? she demanded, with a brittle voice. I nodded in agreement and ran out the back door making sure I followed the map carefully.
It didn't take me long to find the lake near the treasure but I was quite surprised when I saw someone was already there, a kid like me.
?Hel-hello,? I blurted, waiting for a response from the kid up in the tree?what's that on your head?? I asked, quite curious as to what the big ball on her head that even covered her eyes.
?It's called an afro silly,? she giggled, ?and what's wrong with your eye??
?Oh, it's called heterochromia,? I eagerly replied, her eyes lit up with wonder as she sweetly asked me questions about it. Her name was Antheia, a fitting one for a girl with nothing but leaves and daisy stuck in her hair.
It wasn't long before Antheia decided to join me for the hunt for my pa's treasure that was still hidden. As we hunted for the sword Antheia marked where we were so we could find our way back. She knew a lot about nature, more than any kid or adult I knew, and would go on and on about how pretty lilies are.
Before we knew it night fell and we still had not found the sword, like ma asked me to. At this point, I felt as if it was hopeless and began crying for breaking my promise to ma.
?I'm sorry ma, pa,? I wailed with a snot-filled nose, why can't I find some stupid sword, I thought.
?Why are you crying?? Antheia asked, petting me as I cried into her shoulder.
?Just let me grab my bag? I tell him, only to see him holding it up in his right hand.
?I got it, right here; let's go? he demands, and I oblige.
?I came willingly? I interrupted, but he shook his head.
?What are you two doing out here?? The one on the left barks. I can hear the disgust in his voice as he looks down at us. It didn't faze me, I was used to being looked down on; that was the way of the world.
?We're just heading home? Austin is obviously lying. We were easily 50 miles from home. In the few weeks since our quick departure, we managed to make decent progress, since we were walking on foot.
?Oh, were you?? The constable asks with a sneer. ?Let me see your identification.?
?How did you do that?? I asked, genuinely curious. ?It should have told him we're far from home? I tried to understand how he did it. These tattoos, as they are so nicely referred to, we're given to us at birth. They were used for all kinds of information. With one scan a constable could tell where we lived, who our family was, where we worked, where we went to school, places we frequented, and any social media posts that may have been flagged. They helped the constables keep us under control, as Austin liked to put it.
?Don't worry about it? Austin said gruffly, and I sighed. He was a very secretive person, and of course I understood why. Growing up how we did, you learned to keep your opinion to yourself. If you didn't, there would be dire consequences. You were to maintain the status quo, and never to question it.
?Austin-? I was about to voice my displeasure when he stopped in front of what looked to be the remnants of a house. The house looked to be an old Victorian style, one that was hardly seen in today's world. ?Woah?
?Yeah. We're here? he stated, wasting no time going up to the front door.
?Wait- what if someone lives there?? I asked him, but it doesn't stop him. He continues to walk towards the door, which was left slightly ajar.
?Careful? Austin whispers, opening the door. It opens with a creek, revealing a run down living area. There was no furniture, only a fireplace that was across the room from the front door. The dust had to be at least an inch thick, and there looked to be ash on top of the layer of dust.
?What are we looking for?? I asked Austin, who clearly was looking for something in particular.
?I don't know? he confessed, setting down his back pack. ?My dad lead me here. His research led him here. From his notes it seems like this is the place where we can find out the origins?
?The origins?? I asked, confused.
?Of our world. Of how all of this shit happened? he gestured around him. ?Why we have these stupid tattoos, why were so divided. Why we can't have our opinions, or have any freedom of expression. Why our food is so scarce, and why people like us who search for the truth, end up just like my dad? he ends his rant, slightly out of breath. ?The world wasn't always like this. And I think my dad knew it?
Austin rushes over to the shelf, holding his breath as he opened it. He spends a little bit of time reading, before he pulls out a small heart locket, with the letters T.W etched delicately on it. He picked it up, we both admired its beauty.
?T.W?? I trail off, taking it from Austin's hands. He looks back to the book, but I inspect the locket a little further. It's tiny and silver, and the small little latch is undone. Opening it, I'm disappointed when nothing is inside.
?This is it? Austin looked at me with a smile. ?It has everything!? He's smiling, happy his dad's work and death were not in vain. ?Sixty years ago, there was world war three, caused by something called cancel culture?? Austin reads, and we're both confused.
?What's that?? I asked him, and he shrugs.
?So, what do we do?? I asked him, my heart racing.
?I'm sorry Samantha? Austin whispered, and I cringed at the use of my full name.
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