Hey guys, this story is mine so please no stealing

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Rules of the Peace

1. The Creelers know best

2. The Unchanged must have everything chosen for them or they will cause their own destruction.

3. The Creelers will choose an Unchanged's education, career, mate, and date of death. This is to avoid the degradation of genes. To avoid overpopulation and the overuse of resources.

4. Each Pair will only birth two children. The first child is to be given to the Creelers when they reach the age of 10, for whatever the Creelers see fit. This is for the benefit of the community.

5. The Creelers know best

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They ran. It was all they could do really--run and pray. Praying for safety with each shaky exhale.

The darkness was all around them, hiding them from each other and the fearsome beasts that followed. Their bare feet slapped against the cold hard ground echoing in the enclosed space, but that was better than the screams that would fill the night if they slowed down. Nevertheless, everyone knew the Creelers never quit, never slowed down. Eventually some of them would fall behind, slowing the beasts down for a fraction of a second. And sooner or later, unless they could reach the so-called safety, they would all fall.

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The Gang had always existed. Just like the Creelers had always existed. And like always, the two were at war. Though, some said it wasn't always like this. The elders claimed there was a time before the Eternal War. Before there were Changed and Unchanged. In a time where grass was green and the sky was blue. A time before the Incident. However, the youngers tended to ignore them. And who could blame them. This was all they had ever known. A time of peace seemed as foreign as faeries and trolls. But that's because the Incident changed everything. Changing the world and the people in it.

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It was supposed to be the miracle drug. The cure-all. Instead, it became a weapon, as most good things do in the hands of greedy men who crave power. As the Earth suffered, being stripped of its resources, tensions rose among nations, among the common man. People blamed each other, governments, religion, when really they were the ones to blame. They were given a precious gift but instead of appreciating it, protecting it, they craved more and more until there was nothing left to take. That was when the miracle drug was created. It was meant to end hunger, end thirst. Yet before the people could touch this one hope, powerful men seized it, monopolizing its power. Governments went to war over the formula, unwilling to negotiate lest the necessary resources ran out before they'd had their fill. They hoped it would strengthen them, propelling them into a position of power.

They were wrong. The formula worked, but the scientists must not have factored in the measures that men would go to obtain power. When it was clear that the governments of the world would not rest until they had seized the formula, it was altered by fanatics. Men who believed, that by bringing an end to certain enemies, all others would come together. Humanities hope was changed into a deadly disease meant to eliminate their enemies. The drug was placed in bombs that were launched across borders, across oceans. They had not thought that the disease would spread, but it did. It filled the air with volatile particles that brought nothing but devastation and death.

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They called them Creelers, the Changed. The ones the disease had affected before it had finished running its course. However, people were not the only thing the disease altered. It had wormed its way into plants and all manner of creatures. Changing and killing them. Poisoning the air so that it hurt to breathe. Beasts that had been harmless before now turned to savages. Tearing everything in their paths apart. Plants were no longer safe to eat. Obesity was no longer an issue, even among the rich. That was one good thing the disease had done. Tearing apart the line between the rich and the common.

When the disease had run its course, the population of the Earth was reduced in both man and beast. It was then that humanity began to rise again. Plant and beast were both closely inspected for traces of the disease before being consumed. Weapons were prized to aid in the fight against the Changed. The Creelers. Power struggles returned. The few resources were warred over. Finally what was left of the Unchanged realized that if they did not come together, they would surely lose everything to the Changed. Of course, not everyone agreed to this plan. Either way, it was too late. The Changed had won. The Changed ruled those who were left. Their rule was not kind but there was no one to oppose them. Except the Gang.

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Though the rest of humanity was complacent with the rules set in place, the Gang refused to accept their demands. But like every resistance, they were outnumbered and so change would be a long way in coming. That is, if it came at all.

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That year, like in all years previous, the children gathered in the square waiting to be led into the Factory. They were nervous and some were even crying, but none were trying to run. They knew it wouldn't do them any good to try. Their parents had left them there and now there was nothing to do but go forward. Forward through the opening gates of the Factory.

No one knew what happened to the children who went inside. None came out to tell. The corridor they were led through was white, fluorescent lights shining far above their heads. They reached the end of the corridor where the massive black doors swung open to allow them entrance. There, in front of the far wall, stood a Creeler. The biggest one any of them had ever seen. This was Leader. Their ruler. Their king. The one who would decided what would become of them. If they would live. Or if they would die.

That was when they learned of the Run. The young Creelers needed to learn to hunt, to exercise their stamina and strength. And they, the children, were to be the prey.

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It was simple really, or so said Leader. They would be given a chance to run, to escape. If they could make it from the black gates of the great hall to the white gates at its end they would be free. Of course the clever ones amongst them knew enough to doubt this promise of supposed safety. For the great hall was said to stretch for miles and be cast in utter darkness. It was said to be endless and filled with snares. But what other choice did they have? If they didn't run then they would surely die.

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They ran. It was all they could do really. Run and pray. Praying for safety with each shaky exhale. The sound of pounding feet filled their ears, but that was better than the screams that would fill the night if they slowed down. But everyone knew that the Creelers never quit, never slowed down. Eventually some of them would fall behind. Slowing the beasts down for a fraction of a second. And sooner or later, unless they could reach the rumored safety, they would all fall.

Fall to the black hairy beasts with claws for hands and fang filled jaws. Perfect for catching and tearing their prey apart. The beasts with beady red eyes, that glowed in the night. Their forms towered seven feet high, with arms hanging down to their knees. Perfect for spotting and chasing down their prey.

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The children ran. Ran through the dark, with only a speck of light in the distance to offer a promise of hope. A hope that never seemed to get any nearer. A hope that was a lie. They ran. They stumbled. They fell. Fell at the great white gate that was death.

hope you enjoyed this one shot

not sure if I'll continue the story or not depends on if I get more inspiration

sayonara peoples