it sparkles, I don’t know what makes the dome sparkle, but it’s pretty when it does.
There is one entrance between the two Ecocities. I’ve heard it’s guarded by both the Virtuous and Dissolute. I’m not sure who is keeping whom out. I glance up the road as it stretches out endlessly before me. I can’t see the boundary marker yet and it’s discouraging.
Bush overgrown with wild grass spreads out on both sides of the road. I wonder what’s really out there. For most of the year it looks dead, just the dry wild grass. I know it’s invasive and useless, and Dad says it grows faster than his genetically altered crops.
I drop my eyes back to the road and watch it move slowly with each step I take. My feet don’t ache too much if I do that.
“Why, if we are going to spread the news of peace, do we have to wear black?” It’s Ruth’s shaky voice that finally breaks the silence, with a good question.
Why can’t we wear our own clothes? After all, it represents peace. The shirts we’re wearing are form-fitting and not loose like our normal ones. It shows too much of our bodies if you ask me.
“It’s so we can blend in with them, Ruth.” Mr. Demetrius doesn’t sound very convincing. He sounds sad.
Oh boy, the answer didn’t help. It makes Ruth cry harder. I feel the anxiety levels spike around me, and it makes me jumpier. I increase my pace so I don’t have to walk too close to the group. I’m a horrible person! Instead of consoling Ruth, I’m only thinking of myself. I’m not Virtuous. I’m a Dissolute, and I don’t think they can convert me. I’m too much of a coward to ever be converted. It has nothing to do with faith. It has everything to do with fear.
~*~
We’ve been walking for what feels like endless miles. I know it will be getting dark within the hour. I normally go and sit in front of my glofish now. I can’t remember where the day went. I haven’t checked my backpack to see how much food I have, but it will be time for supper soon.
“I’m hungry.” Jasper gives voice to my thoughts.
“We’ll eat later.” Mr. Demetrius sounds even sadder than before, or maybe he’s just tired. I’m tired, and staring at the road doesn’t help anymore. My feet ache and my legs are tired.
Ethan takes hold of my hand and as I glance up at him, he nods his head to the right of the road. I don’t understand what he’s trying to say. I’m too tired to try and figure out some type of sign language.
I frown, confused. I’m about to open my mouth when he yanks real hard at my hand. The jolt vibrates up my arm to my shoulder, and I’m too stunned to even get a shriek out, as we set off at a maddening pace into the bush. I didn’t know my legs could run this fast.
“Faster, Jai! No one can follow us!” There is a slight tone of panic in Ethan’s voice, and for the first time since he told me to stay close to him I feel my stomach bunch together to a point that it actually aches. The ache spreads down into my legs and I’m afraid I’ll fall, but a miracle happens and I don’t.
The knee high grass makes it harder for me to run in, and my chest is starting to burn.
“Faster!” Ethan yells again.
If I lift my legs any higher they’ll go past my ears! What does he mean faster? I can’t get any faster than this! It’s not as if I come with speed settings! If he yanks at my arm one more time, the only speed he’ll get from me is crawling, after I go head over heels into the wild grass.
“Faster, Jai!” He shouts, yanking at my arm.
“My legs won’t go faster!” I wheeze back at him. I don’t think he realizes he’s twice my size. I don’t think he realizes I’m going to drop dead any second.
But, we keep running. The grass keeps hitting against my paints, making a swooshing noise. My breaths are really loud. Oh my word, I’m panting like Mrs. Noah’s gendog! He gets all excited when she comes home in the afternoons, jumping and panting, his tongue hanging out. I hope I don’t look like a gendog. How embarrassing!
“Ethan,” I wheeze. “I can’t.” Another wheeze. Gosh, from panting to wheezing! I’m not