Chapter 2 - The Outside World

As I step outside, a bad mixture of a burning and rotting smell fills my nostrils. I am getting used to it though, as much as one can get used to something like that. I make my way towards the fence, walking through a garden that has no living plants in it. I look at it and can't help but smile at how they made my regular fence into a barbed fence, with two guards standing on each side of the entrance. I glance back at my orange-coloured house, with a red roof.

While I am walking, I look down at my yellow identity card. It contains all the information about me, starting with my name. I read it, and maybe even whisper it.

"Baron Lyfeld," I whisper, then continue reading. Baron; Lyfeld; Gender: Male; Age: 10; District: Ignobilis.

The word "Ignobilis" always catches my eye, and for some reason it also makes me smile. I've always had trouble pronouncing it. I remember when I asked my parents it's meaning. They said when things went south, people got put into districts based on their income and quality of lives.

The "Pauper" district is lowest. People have almost no rights there, and they mostly live in small, crowded flats. There are more guards there than in any other district.

The "Dives" on the other hand, are at the top. They have all the rights, and the guards are there to protect them from whatever might come into their villas, unlike the lowest district.

And lastly, the "Ignobilis." It's the largest district, and stands somewhat between the other two districts. It's crowded with families who have had an average income and quality of life. Now they live in flats and houses with small gardens, including me.

The three districts are only seperated by huge walls surrounding each other. The only way to cross them is by the gates leading from one district to another. As expected, they are heavily guarded. As I slowly approach the gate of my house, a familiar guard walks closer to me.

"Your IDC," he says, holding up a small machine that reminds me of the handheld scanners they used in the airports untill all traveling options outside the the district were shut down. He keeps looking at me in his lightweight armour with no helmet. The other guard with heavyweight armour from the gate keeps looking at me, or atleast I think he does; I can't see through his helmet with black eye shades.

"You've been here for a while, still don't know me?"

He frowns and grips my arm firmly,‌ then scans my card. His machine beeps three times, and he nods. "Just imagine what will happen if I had to remember all the scum around here." He grins and continues, "So I take it that Lyfeld family is the sassy and disobeying type, right? Maybe I'll let the commander know, so you can be taught some manners. With the Paupers, maybe. You can go now, Baron." He laughs and gives me a firm push on my back with his scanner.

"Ow," I murmur to myself and take a left turn as I arrive at the gate and head towards my school.

As I walk down the pavement, I pass some houses with two guards in front, similar to mine. I walk past the neighbour's light-green house, and the sun is still not up. It's not pitch black, but I could use some light right about now.

I walk deeper into the city, where the flats, apartments, stores, workplaces, and taller buildings are. Taking a look at the old shops makes me frown. The vendors have become very pushy, and everyone seems to work harder than ever.

Even the once always - smiling office workers run in and out of the building, their smiles now absent. They are run by government officers and overseers watching their every step; maybe that's the reason. I check left and right when I cross the road to my school. Some cars and bikes pass by, nothing unusual. Then a couple of army trucks speed past me, packed with what seems to be soldiers.

As I arrive at the school, I sigh at the sight of the barbed fence surrounding it. The extreme amount of guards patrolling around it are are upsetting too. I were approaching the entrance when familiar faces smile at me from the school hallway. Bradley, my oldest friend, and my new friend, Abbie.

I smile back and were about to make my way inside when a hand on my shoulder from behind stops you at the entrance.

"You've been selected for a random search. Step aside and put your hands on the wall," a firm voice says and gives you a slight push.

"What do you think I'm hiding? A gun?"

The guard pushes me firmly against the wall. "You could be, for all I know. Scum." He searches thoroughly, then yanks my backpack open. "All right, you're clear." He grips my shoulder and scans my card before I have a chance to enter my school. "I'd consider what to say next time. Lyfeld."

I nod and shake his grip off, then walk into the school and towards my friends.

Inside, Bradley greets me with a friendly hug and mentions that he's still taller than me, making us both smile. Abbie stands there shyly messing with her long blonde hair, as usual. "My dad said it's better if you just do what they say. You know Aaron? He always gave the guards a hard time, and now he's gone! Creepy stuff," Bradley says.

Abbie nods. "Yup. Scary."

I nod as I head up the stairs to my first lesson.

As I walk up the stairs, I take a look at the walls and the floors above me. It's a wonder how this school is still in one piece. I walk into the classroom and sit down next to Abbie and pay attention to every now and then, but chatter away whenever the teacher isn't looking at me. From the corner of my eye, I see Bradley glancing at me once in a while.

How would I manage to sit through all the boring lessons if I were alone?

The dull sound of the bell indicates that the lesson had reached its end.

"Finally. Hey, wanna sit next to me and suffer together through the remaining lessons? It would be fun." She chuckles. I nod and pack my book into my backpack. After swiftly putting it on my back, I head out of the classroom.

I sit through lesson after lesson with Abbie. They go better than expected, somewhat resulting in a good time with her.

Before I know it, another day of school is over. The quite halls fill with laughter and chatter as I walk down the stairs and front doors.

"So...same time tomorrow?" Abbie asks with her arms crossed.

"Yup. See you guys tomorrow! Or at least you, Baron. Abbie lives relatively close to me," Bradley chuckles.

"Shame you don't live closer to us, we could walk home together." Abbie smiles as I part ways.

I begin my walk home on the busy streets. Officers run around, along with businessmen. They shout at one another, seemingly filling the district with life. Then sun barely lights through the pollution anymore. I were about to cross the road on the well-worn crosswalk when a slim man almost knocks me off my feet as he run past me. "It's here! You can't stop them now! Don't believe them! Hide, get your own shelter before it's too late!" he shouts as he holds a small, rusty and bloody knife.

Three officers with lightweight armour and small handguns run past me, then aim their guns at him. The man drops the knife and puts his hands up. The officers keep aiming their guns on him, then they press on their earpieces and seem to listen to them. They nod once, and without a word, they start firing. The man stumbles back with bullet holes in his clothes and blood pouring out of his wounds. The sight makes me feel angry. The man was obviously no threat, and they shot him.

I clench my fists and frown as I take a step closer to the body lying in a pool of blood.

Two of them walk over to the body and talk as they press on their earpieces. One of them walks towards me and gives me a firm push.

"Get going, nothing to see here. Unless you want trouble, scum."

"He wasn't a threat, and you shot him."

'Hmph. I'd let us decide who's considered a threat and who isn't, if I were you. Or you can find yourself with the Paupers soon." She grips my arm and scans my card. " Ah, Baron Lyfeld. And you don't even live that far. How about I escort you home, huh? I'll have a talk with your parents before I consult with the commander about your fate. I'll give him some very good advice." She laughs and grips my shoulder. Her grip begins to feel uncomfortable as I get to my fence.

One of the guards greet me at the fence and chuckles slightly. I walk down the path to my house and the other guard currently taking with my parents in the doorway. They shake their heads as they give me a disappointed look.

"And...and there he is. See? He must have done something again. I'm telling you, he cannot behave, simply can't. And I feel sorry for you folks. I have to report it to the commander, and with the current state...well...you know, there are quite a vacant slots at the Paupers." He winks and grins at me.

They walk off with a laugh and give my back some rough pats as they do. I walk inside and turn around to face my parents. They stand at the closed door with crossed arms, giving me an angry look.

"Why is it so hard to behave? Am I asking a lot? You simply have to co-operate! Do you want to end up in the Paupers district? We'll die there!" My father slams the door and rushes off to his room.

My mother turns to me and give my head a slight rub. " Please, Baron...just behave, okay? I know the officers are capable of exaggerating, I know them well. But these times are rough...try to behave. It's not easy for us, so don't make things harder, okay? Will you behave?"

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"All right."

"Thank you, Baron. Your lunch is on the table. I'll go and clam your father down in the meantime." She smiles and gives my head another slight rub as I walk to kitchen and sit down before the hot steaming food. Despite how hot it is, I finish eating rather fast. The warm, fresh food feels refreshingly good as I walk up the the stairs to my room.

The following day...

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