"Nothing changed yet everything did." - Damon.

—————————————————————————

"What is life?" Julia had once asked me as we walked to school that Monday morning.

"Life?" I had asked back.

She just nodded her head.

"It's a collection of memories and moments that shape us as a person. That's why it's so unique to each one." I had unconsciously answered.

That was one of the many conversations that Julia and I enjoyed. She was always one who wondered about life and what it holds for us. The future and the endless possibilities. If only she had lived long enough. 

All these thoughts about Julia made me stir in my bed which wasn't the greatest of ideas because it would wake my sister sleeping right beside me. I swung my leg off the bed and managed to stand up, despite the creaking of the wooden floor below me.
It was still dark outside, and the world was at peace, my favorite time of the day.

Things were different at this hour. I didn't have to worry about social status, the rules, the endless work and mundanity of life. I could just let my mind wander, going to places I wouldn't dare to go in real life.

I approached the top of the attic and stared out the window into the sky. A few stars could be seen but not enough to satisfy the human eye. But it was still beautiful for me.

The world I had known still laid at the back of my mind. But the world I lived in now, was what I had come to accept. Things were different now. Girls were trained to fight and keep the peace in the homes. Money was of no real meaning anymore. The only thing that mattered was strength. Were you strong enough to survive?

I asked myself that question every time.

"Kate...why are you up here so early?" I heard my mom's voice come from behind.

Turning around I looked at my mom. A small lady but with a powerful sense of survival and love. Her night dress as white as snow, clearly differentiating the black curls that ran on from her head. The only thing that related us to each other.

"I was just looking up at the stars." I answered.

"Ok but just make sure that they don't find you hear after 7. Be sure to make it to your post in time. You will right?" She asked.

"Yes mom. I'll be there." I assured her.

She nodded with a  tired smile and turned around to leave.

I thought about the day that awaited me. The long train ride, the hours of work, on loading and offloading food supply. The little food and pay they gave. The constant worry that someone was going to steal from you. How I had made it until now was still a mystery for me.

I walked downstairs into the bath to take a shower. It was cold. The water was always cold. Those of my kind weren't rich enough to get hot running water, but I didn't mind. I had gotten used to it, and it was great in summer when the sun burnt down on us.
I wrapped my towel around my body and went to find my uniform. A pale blue jumpsuit with two white lines running on each side.
They were called parallel lines. A constant reminds that we were lucky to be alive even if we didn't fit in or belong to the Axis. A reminder to stay in one's place and do as you are told. Now I just saw them as a design in the fabric.

Pulling out a hair tie, I tied my curls into a safe bun. It was going to be a long day and I could feel it.

"Kate, are you done yet? I need to get ready for school." I heard Betty's voice from behind the door.

"Yeah. It's all yours." I said exiting the room. 

"Have a good day." She shouted as I made it to the front door.

"Thanks, you too and please stay out of trouble." I told her before I closed the door shut.

Betty was a free agent which sometimes got her into trouble. She was young and didn't understand the system yet. Which I think was why she got away with it so much. But it was worrisome because once she turned eighteen, she would not be so lucky anymore.

I was now twenty-one. My hand automatically went to the stamp they had put on my wrist. An equal sign. The wound had dried, but the marking was as clear as day. It served to remind me of my responsibility in these systems and how all my actions come with consequences.

The train soon came as we all pushed and shoved to fit in. A can of sardines is what this was. However, the Axis didn't allow for tardy, nor did they care how we got there. It was suffocating. What was only supposed to last half an hour ended up feeling like an hour or so.
By the time I exited the train I was claustrophobic again and sweaty.

Walking up to the booth I handed my card for the lady to scan. Poor lady, she was looking almost white and the fatigue in her eyes made her look like she had died.

I thanked her and walked into the factory finding my post. It was like every other day. I greeted Connor, and Jade who helped to count the boxes. I said hi to Mr. Benny who carefully wrote down the task for the day.
Putting my bag down I looked at the task that was assigned to me. There were no ways I was going to finish this in time for dinner, but it couldn't be helped.

Soon the long tedious process began of weighing the food rations and packaging them. Over and over again. The conveyor belt forever on going.
Moments like these made me wonder what more was there to life. What dreams were lost in the night sky. What purposes went unfulfilled. I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't hear my name called until Connor touched my elbow.

"Earth to Kate." He spoke.

"Yes, I'm here. Sorry." I replied.

"The boss wants to see you." He said nodding to the direction of the office.

I was confused, what could I have possible done to make the boss want to see me? I had kept my head down since I got here and had kept to the rules. A number of thoughts came tumbling into my brain all at once. I wiped my hand on my apron.

My heart raced as I approached his office door before giving it three solid knocks.

"Enter." Was his respond.

I slowly pushed the door opened and tried my best not to gasp at the exquisiteness of the room. For a place as shabby as this factory, this room felt like entering another world. The lighting gave it a mysterious hidden forest feel and the picture frame painted a world I had only read about.

"I didn't call you in here to look at this office." He said snapping my attention back to him.

I quietly apologized and sat down.

"I received a letter from the Axis requesting to move a few of our employees to the factory over onto that side. Now I'm not recommending you because you have extraordinary skills or some fantastic abilities so don't get above yourself. I'm sending you there because you fit the age range and are mostly healthier than most." He said without looking up at me.

My brain was just spinning at the mention of the Axis. I had only heard about the likes of them but now I was going to be working so close to them?

"When you are done daydreaming I would like to proceed." He snapped.

Another silent apologies.

"You know how they feel about disobedience and tardy so this transfer is affective tomorrow. You may go home know and collect your things and get ready to get on the 6pm train straight to the north. Here is your path." He said closing the letter and handing me my path.

I stared at it. Then at the time. I had two hours and a half before my life completely changed and if I missed this I would probably be found dead somewhere in the city.

I thanked my boss and ran downstairs. Waving a quick goodbye to my colleague I ran to the station.

The train ride home was full of thoughts. How would my parents react? Who would look after Betty? keep her out of trouble? Who would cook and clean and sew the clothes? My life was here now. Since the great era and system was put in place. Would I be able to able to survive without my mother's constant reminders?

Getting off the train I made it home, to find my mom and dad waiting on the front door my stuff already packed.

"Mom....Dad" I start looking at them. 

My mom's arms embrace me, and I can feel her heart racing.  Through my dad's silence I can read the fear of the unknown that occupied his thought. My dad was a silent man, but his thoughts were as deep as the ocean. 

"Where is Betty?" I asked, trying not to cry. Who knew when I would be able to meet them again? Now was the only time I would be able to say goodbye. 

"She said she would meet us at the station. Let's go before you miss your train and then we actually lose you forever." Dad said, mumbling the latter under his breath. 

We walked in a heavy silence towards the train station as the train was approaching. I had so many things to say, so many questions to ask. So much was happening all of a sudden, I was ready. 

"Mom, I don't think I can do this." I said quietly. 

My mom put her finger over my lips. "Hush my child. Don't speak those words ever again. You know how the Axis feel about weak souls." 

She fixed my shirt and removed the strands out of my hair. 

"You are a strong person, and no mountain is to great for you to climb. You will be alright do you know why?" She asked. 

"No.." I replied. 

"Because you will always have your family supporting you, and you were raised in a strong household. We are fighters alright? And I will always be fighting behind you." She said kissing my forehead. 

I looked at her and read the unspoken words. The fear, the anxiety, all appearing in her deep almond eyes. I could read the room and I was feeling it to. 

"Which Betty make it?" I asked. 

"I am here!" 

I turned around to have Betty run into my eyes sobbing. 

"Kate, what will I do without you? Who will take me to the meadows to watch the sunset? Or get me out of trouble when the boys are behind me? Who will make me apple pie in the winter? Or talk to me in the early wakes of the morning? Why did it have to be you? You are not even special." She cried in my shoulder. 

I laughed a little at the ending which I assume she had inserted to make me smile, but her words were sinking in me like an anchor sinks into the bed of the sea. 

"Betty, don't make it harder than what it already is." Dad said. 

The train soon started to blow and the last call was made. 

"I love you guys so much." I said bringing them into a group hug. "And I promise you that we will see each other soon, I will make sure of that." 

"Come on now, you need to go." My mom said handing me my bags. 

I boarded the train. 

"Don't forget to write me." Betty shouted as the train started to move. "Tell me of all the cute young men you encounter." 

"Be safe dear!" My mom said, her voice breaking. 

I only had enough time to look at my dad as he nodded in a way of saying "Everything will be ok." 

I was torn. I had always wanted an adventure ahead of me, but not like this. Why did this farewell feel like the last one? 

I opened my luggage to find some envelops and notes at the top of my clothing and things. Each had my name on it but the handwriting were clearly from each of my family members. 

"Read them when you feel down." was written on each one of the note. 

I lifted the pack and one slipped onto the floor. Reaching down I picked it up and turned it around. 

"Read this when you are on the train.  - Love Dad." 

I tore it open and that's when my heart burst. Tears streaming down my face.