“You can’t keep running forever”

 

Squeals could be heard throughout the house.

 

“Alurea sit still, please!”

 

The sunlight crept through the curtains, illuminating the room. The squeals had woken me. I sighed; forcing myself to get off the sofa, I start to walk towards the voices.

 

As I rounded the corner, mum was sat on the bed, brushing Alurea’s hair. I spluttered, unable to hold my laughter any longer.

 

“And what exactly do you think you’re laughing at?” She said, glaring at me.

 

Her hair was sticking out with other strands stuck to her face, beads of sweat sitting on her forehead. I walk over, removing a strand of hair that was edging towards her lip.

 

“Morning!” I kiss her on the cheek. “I think you need a wash, stinky”. I burst out into laughter again. I could see Alurea throw her hands to her face trying to hide that she was giggling.

 

“If I wasn’t so worn out I’d get up and slap you, young man.”

A smile broke out on her face.

“I remember when you were like this, used to drive your father mad” she lets out a small laugh.

 

I take her hand, squeezing it gently. It’s been 3 years since the accident, the hardest thing is knowing that Alurea will never even remember him.

 

“Hey Alurea, what style are we thinking today? I’ll do it while you get ready mum?”

 

Instantly Alurea shouts out “A princess braid please!”

 

“You ask too much of your brother” she sighs shaking her head.

 

“I can give it a go, you don’t mind do you Alurea?”

 

“Nope, you’re better than mum at it” she starts giggling again this time she’s attacked by both myself and mum. I have always loved that she’s only cheeky when I let her, and it’s fun to see mum smiling again. We all collapse back onto the bed once we are all out of breath from laughing, after a moment of catching our breath mum stands up from the bed.

 

“Right, I’ll see you both later for dinner ok?” She crouches down and hugs us both in her arms.

 

We both waved goodbye, I turn to start working on Alureas hair. She sits there in silence while I attempt to make a braid. Once I’m finished I take a step back to admire my handiwork, my best attempt yet. I walk in front of her holding out my hand.

 

“Shall we leave now princess?”

 

She takes my hand and we head out towards her school.

 

The halls are empty this morning, making it seem lighter than the usual dreary grey. It was strange, even though the walk felt less dull the halls being empty was not normal. Where could everyone be? Did I miss an announcement about a day off for our sector?

 

Alurea started tugging my arm, pulling me towards the dining hall.

 

“Cole, look over there, can we go see too?” Pointing to a crowd that was gathering around the windows

 

She starts to pull me towards the crowd, I pull back.

 

“You’ll be late for school, it’s just the merchants arriving”

 

She looks upset but nods and follows along. I’m sorry Alurea but it’s best not to know what’s really going on outside.

 

“Don’t worry I’ll get you a gift from the market today ok?” I see this cheer her up, she starts dragging me towards the school area.

 

“I want something for my hair”

 

I look at her, eyebrows raised.

 

“Please.”

 

“That’s better, I’ll find something ok? Don't worry.”

 

As we approach the school area I see a familiar face. I nod towards the guard. “Morning Sam”

 

Alurea let’s go of my hand and starts to run over to him, jumping into his arms when she arrives.

 

“Look, Sam, Cole did my hair today, I could be like the other princesses when we go to the city.”

 

He chuckles, “I think you’ll fit right in”.

 

I’m glad Sam goes along with Alureas fantasies. Everyone else around here usually glares at us or mutters privately, she’s too young to know the truth yet and unlike the others, we want to shield her for as long as possible. I dread the day she discovers the truth.

 

He put’s Alurea back on the ground. I give her a hug and wave goodbye as she walks into her classroom. Once she’s out of earshot Sam starts talking again.

 

“Have you thought any more about accepting the offer for your own place?”

 

“I can’t leave mum alone with Alurea, they both need me there.”

 

“Sleeping on the sofa forever isn’t good for you though Cole.”

 

“I’ll think about it ok?” If I don’t give him hope, he’ll never drop the subject.

 

He sighs. “I know your answer will never change. I hope one day you change your mind”

 

I flash him a smile. “And you think I’m a pain?”

 

He has always been good to us, helping with mum and Alurea. Not judging us for keeping her in the dark about everything.

 

I say my goodbyes and make my way back to the dining hall. Zeke and Kane are standing outside. As I get closer I start to pick up their conversation.

 

“Did you hear about what happened this morning? It’s awkward to even enter the dining hall, his wife has been crying non-stop.”

 

“Can’t you be more sensitive Kane? Not everyone wants to be trapped here forever”

 

“You’re delusional if you think you can ever escape Zeke” I can see that Kane is getting angry, as always when this is brought up. “Have you ever looked outside? There is nothing beyond the borders of the farm, nothing but that shiny metal all around us, we are trapped here, and we can’t change that!”

 

“The merchants come from somewhere, there must be a better place out there. We can hope.”

 

“A better place? Where they come from nobody even cares we are here, otherwise they wouldn’t be sending us their scraps!”

 

At this point it had turned into a shouting match, others in the dining hall had stopped eating to turn and look at them. Before any of them can respond further I step in between them.

 

“Morning, you’ve got an audience so maybe show some respect?” Nodding my head towards the grieving woman who had stopped crying to look up at them both. I put my hand up to cut them off. An announcement starts playing throughout the dining hall.

 

‘ALL CITIZENS MUST START MAKING THEIR WAY TOWARDS THE MAIN HALL, THE MARKET DOORS WILL OPEN IN 10 MINUTES TIME’

 

“Great timing, I guess” Kane turns and starts to walk off.

 

I start to follow when Zeke pulls me back. “Cole, can we wait until everyone leaves? I need a word.”

 

I look at him confused. “Err sure. We can wait.”

 

Everyone starts to filter out, as the woman passes us I feel like apologizing instead I avert my gaze, not sure what to say. After everyone leaves we sit down at the nearest table.

 

“Before I start, promise you won’t tell anyone. Not even my parents.”

 

What can be so important that his parents aren’t allowed to know? I nod my head in response.

“Last month one of the merchants told me about an uprising. Rumours of a rebellion forming in the citadel. They have a base near here, they offered to help get me out of here tomorrow when they head back. Cole. I’m taking the offer.”

 

I open my mouth to reply but instead shut it again. What do I say?

 

Noticing, Zeke replies. “You can’t stop me, Cole, I need this.”

 

Something inside of me snaps. He needs this? Doesn’t everyone? At one point, everyone here has a hope of leaving, having freedom. Being able to travel anywhere they wish, asking me to not say anything is selfish. Others here have suffered so much more than him, endured this for longer. We have all watched as others were sent away as the farm was becoming overpopulated.

 

“You need this?” I stare at him.

“You need this?” I repeat. “What a selfish request when others have suffered longer, lost loved ones and you? What? You’re too old to still be fantasizing about all that.”

 

“Cole…”

 

“No!” I stand up, I can’t control my anger. “Kane was right, have you even looked outside lately? Nothing’s changed! We are still surrounded by nothing, how are you supposed to know they are even taking you to the citadel? If a rebellion is really happening, then the best thing you can do is stay out of it. We have no idea who we should be fighting for, we have no idea what they are even fighting for.”

 

I take a moment to catch my breath before letting out a long sigh. I lift my head up to look at him, but he quickly turns away. For a second, I thought I could see tears forming. A part of me wants to reach out, wants to apologize for being so harsh but that part of me that snapped held me in place. Zeke stands up and starts to walk away, keeping his back turned so I can’t see him cry. It hurts, watching him as he gets further away from me, I still can’t move, all I can do is hope he’ll forgive me.

 

Once he is out of sight I turn to look out the window, still processing everything that happened. It’s not until Kane taps me on the shoulder that I finally snap out of it.

 

“Hey, I turned around and you guys weren’t following me. Speaking of which, where is Zeke?”

 

After I don’t reply he walks in front of me.

 

“Hello, are you even listening to me?”

 

I shake my head. “Sorry, I guess I got a bit lost in my thoughts.”

 

Instead of approaching the topic, he turns and starts to walk off, stopping a short distance away “Coming? At this rate, you are going to have to tell Alurea why she doesn’t have a gift.”

 

My eyes widen, with everything going on I had completely forgotten about getting her a gift. I nod.

 

“Let’s go”

 

He puts his hand on my shoulder as I walk past. He could always read the mood but was never good at the supportive side. Even so, it made him a great friend.

 

The market was the same as always, every item had chips or cracks, the clothes were faded and frayed, with holes here and there. Yet it still excited everyone here, it gave people a glimmer of hope that beyond the borders we were being thought about. Everyone always takes something home with them, displaying it as a memento of a better life. It’s all just a fantasy, they know we are here but just send their scraps, they don’t care that we work hard every day to provide them with food and water while they sit comfy.

 

The only reason I ever come to the market is for Alurea, the jewellery and trinkets make her feel like a princess, keeping her hope of becoming one alive. We decided we would shield her from the truth for as long as we can. I spot a stall full of pristine jewellery, I look at the merchant surprised. The old lady behind the stall smiles at me pointing towards a hairpin. There was a pink flower made from fabric on it. It was beautiful, Alurea would love it.

 

 “I told you people cared”Zeke's voice came from behind.

 

I turn around in shock to find nobody there. I look around the room, I grasp the hairpin in my hand. Am I hearing voices now? I thank the lady as I leave, I’ll give this to Alurea later.  Questioning my sanity, I quickly head back towards the dining hall blaming lack of sleep for my hallucinations. The halls were just as empty as this morning, this time I just felt small and alone, trapped in this eternal prison.

 

I was slowly being consumed by my thoughts again when a scream rang out. Next thing I’m aware of is my feet carrying me towards the scream. As I ran I hoped that it was nothing serious, this day

 

But it was even worse than I thought. There standing outside near the edge of the island was Zeke, he was surrounded by guards. Looking out into the empty world.

 

I ran towards him, tears streaming down my face.

 

“Zeke” Words were barely forming between breaths. “I’m sorry!” Each sentence getting caught in my throat. “I should-”, “I didn’t-”.

 

He turns to look. Close to tears he smiles mouthing the words ‘I forgive you’ as he gets closer to the edge.

 

“Wait!” I push past the guards reaching out to grab his arm.

 

“Look!” I point past him. Something was appearing on the horizon, it was getting bigger, coming closer.