I felt something tickling my face and awoke to darkness. My back felt achy from sleeping on the small cot on the dirty floor and slowly moved over to relieve it. I yelped when the tickling on my face moved across my nose, realizing some type of spider had been crawling over it the whole time. I slapped it off and hoped that it landed far away from me. Ten years living in the caves littered with those damn hairy things and I'm still scared shitless of them.
I looked over and squinted my eyes to see my surroundings, but like usual, the catacombs are dark, especially in the evening. In the day time the caves are lightened by candles, lanterns, and lit sticks. The elders thought it best to keep the caves in darkness during this times as the hunting parties usually took place at night. Men apparently liked to get drunk and go out looking for 'fresh meat.' To them, it was fun and exciting. To us, it installed fear in all our minds. Even I knew to not go out when the stars filled the sky. During the day it was somewhat better, although it was never any less dangerous. The only people that were allowed to go out were the Foragers. These individuals were the ones who sacrificed their looks by cutting off their hair to blend in and flattened their chests with tight bandages. We were able to keep on surviving because of these women; to have bigger shoes, clothes, and certain necessities. However, most of them were thrill seekers and overly confident. I didn't really care to hang around them.
I slowly sat up and felt around me for the exit and followed the rocky wall of the catacomb with my hands. I don't know where I'm headed but I just need to move; to feel my legs have the freedom of taking steps. I wish I could be outside in the open and be able to sit on the sand at the beach while the sun blasts its beautiful heat against my face. I crave it so much it hurts.
"It's not right, Vivi," I heard hushed voices echo through the hall. I flinched and waited in the darkness. I know that voice...
"Rhiannon, do you think I'd go out unprepared?"
I stayed still, barely let out a breath.
"If you're going, I'm coming with you..." Rhiannon answered back.
My legs moved quickly, yet stealthy. I know that if they heard me coming they'd run. What the hell was Rhiannon doing hanging around Vivi Weston: a Forager? I'm grateful to these particular women, but they're crazy. I'm surprised the elders let them go out; weren't they a risk to the colony? I thought they would have picked responsible individuals and not thrill seekers? Vivi Weston was a nice person, but she almost got caught a couple months ago; she had a moment of reminiscence when she saw her brother while on a mission. This caused her to almost get shot in the head by her own blood. Let's just say, she's been messed up ever since.
I felt my way around until I got to the break of the catacomb where there are two other hallways. I listened carefully, trying to calm my raging heart. I could hear my deep breathing and hoped the two other girls didn't.
Silence.
I inwardly groaned and decided on heading down the path towards the garden station; where we grow all our food. There is a section where we keep livestock as well, but I know that the exit to the catacombs is closer to the greenery. So I definitely have a feeling that they're heading into dangerous territory...
What the hell; Rhiannon better not be doing what I think she's doing. Didn't she warn me not to go out? Hypocrite!
I could see the greenery up a head and the overly large crack in the wall of the rocky ceiling. This gap was what helped us survive down here for so many years as the sun was able to peek through and plants could obtain the energy needed to grow. There was also a tiny creek not too far off the catacombs that leaked through the far side of the caves, so we could have fresh water without having to leave. Although this place was my prison, I'm lucky to live here instead of in the city as a captive.
"Vivi, seriously, we can't leave! I know you want to save your brother, but he's infected. There's no way talking to him will bring the old him back. He's practically dead!" I heard Rhiannon's hushed voice a little ways up ahead. I felt like screaming at the two girls, and shaking them. I guess that's what my mom has been feeling about me leaving the safety of the catacombs. I felt an ache in the chest and a wave of protectiveness wash over me. I have to stop them!
I kept my distance from them and made sure my presence wouldn't be noticed. Rhiannon wasn't as submissive and smart as I thought. If she actually leaves the catacombs with Vivi, my view on her will change. She's obviously too young and immature.
"The time I saw him...he seemed happy. He looked like the man I know! If I can just talk to him then maybe he'll change. He only took a shot at me because he thought I was another man and didn't recognize me! You don't have to come, I'll understand if you don't want to," I heard Vivi reply.
I peered around the corner and squinted under the moonlit room, glaring at the two girls standing off to the far side. I could see them, thankfully, and had to hold in my gasp when Rhiannon stood up on her tiptoes and planted her lips on Vivi's. What in the actual hell?! My mouth fell open as I witnessed my younger sister lip locking with a twenty-year old woman...Rhiannon's only sixteen for Heaven's sake. I didn't know she was into women? She could have told me how she felt. I looked away, feeling embarrassed. I don't think I feel the same way, but how could I when I've never seen a male since I was seven years old?
"Wherever you go, I go," Rhiannon leaned back to look up at Vivi, her hands wrapped in the older girl's hair.
"What about your sister and mom? What happens if we don't make it back?" Vivi seemed somewhat concerned, but I could tell she still wanted my sister to go with her.
"They'll manage," Rhiannon replied without hesitation. My mouth fell open in surprise. I honestly can't believe she just said that! Does she not get that without her, our mom would wither away into nothing? That we love her to the moon and back? She would just leave us, without a hesitation? I shake my head. If she tries to leave, I won't let her!
"You have everything prepared right?" Rhiannon asked cautiously.
"Yes," Vivi leans down to kiss Rhiannon once again and this time I feel the urge to puke; I definitely saw some tongue action there.
"There's no way in hell I'll let you two leave," I step out from behind the corner. Both of them gasp and take a step back. Rhiannon looks horrified to be caught in a situation like this, especially since she was just kissing a woman.
"I-I" Rhiannon starts but I cut her off, "Shut it. I don't want to hear it. I don't care if you like women, but you're for sure not leaving these caves."
"She can make her own choices, Mellie," Vivi speaks up, looking mighty proud. She always used to be so nice and friendly. I guess it was all an act to get on my good side for when she came out that she was dating my sister.
"Shut up. She's a minor, you're an adult. She has no say in this matter. Rhi, go back to the room. I'll deal with you in a few minutes," I hiss angrily.
"There's no rules anymore. The human race isn't what it used to be. I can do whatever I want, Mellie. I can kiss Vivi, be with her, and control my own life. You have no say. Of course I love you, but I feel the same way you do! You've told me countless times about the beauty of nature, about the fresh breeze on your face in the morning. I've wanted to experience all that ever since. I want to be free, Mellie!"
"There's no such thing as freedom, either," I tell her. She stares at me, her eyes blurry with tears.
"There can be. If you fight for it," Rhiannon replies tauntingly. She turns to Vivi and nods. I frown and take a step back when Vivi pulls out a revolver from her waist band.
"You're going to shoot me?" I cry out, my back hitting the rocky wall quickly in fear.
Vivi shakes her head before running towards me. I try to flee but trip over my own shoes and fall down onto the dirt.
"Hel-" I barely shout the plea out before the hilt of the gun knocks me on the side of my right temple.
The last thing I see is a small green beetle scurrying across the ground as my sister's voice echoes throughout the room,
"You didn't have to hit her that hard..."
...
I wake up, feeling an extreme pounding all around my head, mostly in the area on the right side of my face.
"What the?" I sit up and bring my hand to the particular sore spot and gasp in surprise when I find dried blood over a large bump. The memory of what happened comes back to me and I know I need to do something. I look over at the gap in the ceiling and realize that it was just about morning.
"Shit!" I hiss in anger. I'm going to have to alert the elders.
"What the hell is going on?" a very familiar voice screeched from across the room. I look up to see my mom staring at me like I'd grown two horns in the middle of my forehead.
"I-I...Rhiannon left with Vivi, outside," I groan at the pain throbbing around my head and look at my mom. Her eyes widen, and full blown horror breaks out over her face.
"S-She wouldn't do that!" Mom shouts with clear denial. She seems to be trying to persuade herself and not just me. I shake my head and flinch at the pain immediately after doing so.
"Well she did. And Vivi knocked me out with her damn rifle!" I hiss and bring my hand back to the obvious, very large bump on my right temple.
Mom looks around the room and proceeds to grab my hand, pulling me up from the ground. She appears distressed, more than I've ever seen her.
"And here I thought you would have been the one to pull a stunt like this. Congratulations, you're my favorite daughter. When was this?" Mom asks, sounding surprisingly calm, although her expression stated otherwise.
"It was still dark out when it happened," I looked over to the gap in the ceiling and sigh in frustration when I see sunlight leaking through.
"That girl...She's going to be the death of us, our whole colony," Mom nods with her head for me to follow her.
"What're you going to do?" I ask.
Mom stops, her back still facing me, and says, "I'm going to get her."