The gym was huge. And by huge I mean massive. Rows and rows of different machines and contraptions created a section of what looked like pain, hurt and possibly death.

I avoided those and went straight to the small tracking in the back behind the machines. The red circle couldn't have been more than 50 ft in diameter. I knew that I would most likely injure myself if I even attempted to use one of the machines in the front so I opted for running instead.

I had never really run before but I overheard that it was a good stress reliever from a group of girls that walked into the diner one time.

The diner. God I would do anything to be there now, even with the annoying twit Greg. I'd probably hug him if I saw him. No. No, I wouldn't. Not even then.

I took a few beginning steps and then broke into a slow jog, eventually getting up to a run.

Focusing on my pacing, I got myself to a steady pace before returning back to my thoughts.

Honestly, living as an Unexceptional was easy compared to the other classifcations. We had better jobs and houses and a better kept sector. We had more security and liberties than the others but we were still not good enough.

We were diferent then them but similar in many ways. We were not allowed in the Untouchable's sector except for certain occasions, we had rations for everything, unlike the Untouchables who could get whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. All the classifications besides the Untouchable's had limits for work and were only allowed to work certain jobs that fit into their classifications role.

Since my classification was the working class we got the better end jobs than the Undesirables and the Unremarkables but they were still barely enough to survive on. We weren't allowed to have more than the Untouchables...that was unthinkable.

By now I had made it four times around the track, my legs were starting to hurt but only slightly and my chest was begging to heave. I wasnt used to running so I decided to take a break to rest.

As I slowed to a stop and looked up to find a bench, the presence of someone in the room surprised me.

Alfie stood in the corner with an amused grin on his face and a cart of towels and bottles in front of him.

"I didn't know you run?" He asked as I found a bench on the back wall and sat down.

"Neither did I." I let out a breathy lap. "Just wanted to clear my head, I guess."

"Ah." He nodded.

"What are you doing in here?"I asked.

"Zara has me restocking in here, apparently they had a training session for the Hunters in here so everything's gone." He shrugged.

"Oh well, let me know if I'm in your way." I said as I stood up.

"You're not." He chuckled.

I took a few more deep breaths before standing up and getting back on the track.

I counted them as I went around and everyone in a while I would look up to catch Alfie glancing at me. He was interesting to watch. When he worked he recounted everything to make sure he had it right and I'm positive he re-stacked the towels more than three times.

By the time I had run then more laps and went to took a break, Alfie was just now polishing the machines.

"Want some help?" I asked.

"I couldn't ask you to do that." He shook his head no.

"Come on I need a break." I laughed and grabbed a cloth from the cart.

I went to the machine next to him and began to shine up on of the bars. We worked for a few minutes until I had caught my breath.

"I think I'll run a few more then head out." I said after a few more machines were polished.

"Thanks for the help." He smiled. "Now catch."

Alfie grabbed a blue water bottle from the cooler he had just stocked and tossed it to me.
His aim went a little high and to my left and when I went to catch it I fell backwards.

"Oh my god are you okay!?" Alfie panicked and ran over to me but I was already laughing.

"Yes." I chuckled. "I'm fine."

He held out a hand and helped me up and I took a long swig from the water bottle.

"Thanks." I laughed again and set the bottle on the bench.

My legs were screaming at me when I started to run again so I slowed down to a jog in hopes to receive the muscles.

I had lost count of how many laps I had made and continued to watch Alfie occasionally.

As I went for another lap a door slammed from somewhere to my right and I came to a stop.

Shay stood in the doorway, anger and annoyance written all over his face and fear struck my heart.

Oh no.

"Forget something?" He asked and my face fell.

Was it already that time? I could've sworn I had one more hour.

"I thought I had more time...sorry." I trailed off.

"Well you thought wrong." Shay growled darkly.

"Hey give her a break, she didn't know okay?" Alfie piped up from where he was as my heart broke for him. Shay was about to let him have it.

"Who are you?" Shay said coldly.

"Alfie." Alfie stood up taller and broadened his shoulders.

"Well Alfie, I suggest you keep your mouth shut. You will shut up and do your job or you will live to regret it." Shay snarled. "Let's go."

I nodded and scurried to get to the door.

"I'm sorry." I mouth to Alfie on the way out an he gave me a bitter smile.

Shay stood at the door way with his back to me and as I reached him I heard Alfie speak.

"El, you forgot your water." Alfie called and Shay's head whipped around along with mine. The only difference was my gaze was calm while Shays could have put the fear of God into lion.

"Thanks." I said as he tossed it and I caught it this time.

Alfie's grimace was the last thing I saw before Shay slammed the door shut and yanked me down the hallway.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" He barked at me.

"I told you I thought I had more time! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to miss dinner." I raised my voice at him.

"You can't do anything right, can you?!" He exclaimed and that's when I shut down.

I knew no matter what I said right now he wouldn't hear me ,so why waste my breath?

He was ranting next to me but I just let the words flow in one ear and out the other. What happened back in the gym was ridiculous.

Yes I screwed up but he had no reason to yell at Alfie like that. He was innocent and just got caught in the crossfire.

Shay was still ranting by the time we reached my room. I said nothing but swiped my card and opened the door, slamming it in Shay's face behind me.

My back faced the door as I sighed dramatically.

Half of me expected him to burst through the door and continue yelling at me but he didn't. I'm sure he knew that it wasn't worth it, I was done listening.

I set my water bottle down on my nightstand and then went to the bathroom to take a well needed shower.

Once I was changed and bathed I turned off the lights and lamps before nestling down in the cloud of a bed I was given and drifted off to sleep.

--

When I woke up it was dark. The curtains were drawn shut and I could tell that there was no daylight outside, so that meant it was either early morning or I had slept a whole day.

I got out of bed and walked over to the clock in the table. 2:42.

Letting out a small groan I ran a hand through my hair and then stumbled to the closet. After finding a pair of black cotton sweat pants and a black tank top I threw my hair up in a pony tail and went to the bathroom to wash my face.

As I was drying off my face with a towel my stomach growled loudly.

Since I had missed dinner last night I hadn't had anything since yesterday's breakfast. Venturing out for food was now my priority.

I left my room and slipped into the dark halls. Sconces hung on the walls cast an eerie, dim glow over everything. A chill hung in the air and rose goosebumps on my arms.

I walked past the King's chamber and his guards and down the halls until I reached the main room. The Chandelier was dimmed like all of the other lights and two guards stood outside. Passing them I went upstairs and to the left, making my way to the kitchen.

The door creaked when I opened it and I hesitated beige going inside. All of the lights were off and the soft hum of machines buzzed in the background.

The sound of the door shutting behind me made me jump. I walked further into the room and looked around. The light from the sconces outside in the hall let light into the room through the wall length window.

I knew the refrigerator was in the back so I made my way there. If I thought the castle was cold, the refrigerator was freezing.

I found some carrots on a shelf and snatched a few of those before finding a container of roasted chicken.

Escaping the cold of the refrigerator I set my snack on a table and moved a stool to sit there. It was quiet and dark while I ate but I took the silence as comforting.

I had just taken a bite of chicken when I heard a loud creak, the sound of the door opening. Not knowing what to do I panicked and dashed to the back. Hiding behind a mop bucket i heard the sound of footsteps and sleepy grumbles.

"Who the hell left their food out?" The voice said and my hand flew to cover my mouth so i could cover up my gasp.

My eyes widened as I head the steps get closer to me and just when I thought I was done for the steps turned to the left and they walked to the pantry instead.

A few moments passed before they returned and the sound of crinkling paper pierced the quiet.

The sound of my stool moving told me that he had sat down and a following snap sound said that he had eaten one of my carrots. I narrowed my eyes at that one.

The person sighed and a few minutes later I heard the sound of footsteps, trash being thrown away, and then the creaking again of the door.

I uncovered my mouth and out the breath I had been holding it. I wasn't scared because the person had almost caught me, I was scared because that voice had belonged to King Blakesley.

--

After I had finished eating (I had to go back because King Blakesley ate all of my freaking carrots) , I went back to my room, curling up in my bed again.

According to the time on the clock, Lux would be here in three hours to wake me up and send me off to my second day of servitude. I reclined back in the pillows and closed my eyes, not sleeping, just resting.

Part of me was tempted to ask for some type of entertainment but I knew I was not at a good place with anyone right now and I didnt want to push my luck. And I was lucky I wasnt dead yet.

If I even wanted to live I would have to be compliant with what they ordered me to do no matter how much I didnt want to. My stubborness was my fatal flaw and it killed me inside to be forced to serve this stuck-up pretty boy against my will. But I would have to surpress any part of me that wanted to defy all authority and opression if I wanted to live.

The three hours passed by quietly, and when I saw the 8:00 on the clock I got a little excited for some type of human interaction.

Ten minutes later and still Lux had'nt showed and by 8:30 I knew that something was up.

Slidding off my bed I went to the door and slowly opened it only to be met with the backs of two guards. I stepped back, confusion written across my face.

One of the guards on my right noticed my presence and turned to look back at me, his face was stern.

"Please go back inside Miss." He said gruffly.

"What's going on?" I asked and he sighed inwardly.

"Please go back inside Miss." he repeated but a little edge in his tone made it almost sound like he was pleading.