Chapter 1

I never fully understood what my world was all about. My suburban town was always the definition of secluded, with its cheap walls that surrounded it. I never knew of the outside world. I never even thought of what lurked beyond the outside walls. In Quintessentialopolis, everything anyone could ever need was within walking distance, from water, to food, even air for the high-class people.

The only things outside were natural. Nothing was natural around me. It was all happy, bright and sweet all the time. False smiles were plastered around me. No animals were around me, only humans. One day that all changed, and is what is the main content of my story is.

The morning my story starts on was fairly normal. I awoke, put on my federally mandated vibrant clothes, which consisted of a bright pink shirt and a bright white skirt. I brushed my hair and teeth and went downstairs to find what was for breakfast.

As always, the dish was gruel. If I wished to live, I would eat it. Our government gave s each a set of tableware based on our incomes from the beginning of our lives. I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth; the only worse one was the Styrofoam spoon. The next level was wooden, then stainless steel, then silver, then for the very elite, the Leader and his family, golden tableware. I envied the stainless steel group and above, since they got solid food.

I ate my gruel. On the television, a man with a huge smile on his face spoke about how lovely a day it was in Quintessentialopolis. He wore a white suit, only his tie was bright yellow. His name was Kent Summers.

“I swear he eats off silver plates.” I addressed this to my mother, as I pointed to the television with my plastic spoon.

“He probably does, sweetheart. Now eat your gruel.” She responded.

The stuff was like grits and oatmeal mixed together, with cheaper and worse quality ingredients. It somehow was gray. I had figured out after sixteen years to hold my nose, so I could shovel it in.

I decided to take a walk. The buildings were all immaculately white with neon trim. The floor was some sort of knock off concrete. It wasn’t nearly as good. Flowers and trees were mechanical, which made the place feel cold to me.

I could never be like my neighbors. I always more substantial, I was more natural and more of myself. I wish the smiles, on the other hand, were not.

A blimp flew overhead. A video was being projected, there and everywhere. The town stopped doing everything as the Leader was projected on the walls of my world. His wife, his one legitimate son and himself were projected.

“Quintessentialopolians, I have come to you with breaking news…” He started.

I knew the rumor was that he had an illegitimate son who would now be my same age- sixteen. He was supposed to be the tallest, skinniest, palest person you would ever meet. That would show he was the bastard, since he woman the Leader married was caramel-skinned and curvy, making Colton, the legitimate son relatively tan. Colton was pretty tall, but not taller than any adults of any importance. So, maybe it was the answer to the pressing question of the gossip media.

Maybe, he was introducing a new type of mush we at the bottom are supposed to eat. At least from stainless steel, up there are solid meals with some nutritional value. I hoped that it would be something better, hopefully.

Maybe his wife was pregnant, though he would sooner give up all his power and run away before impregnating his wife. He preferred impregnating mistresses. His wife had misters. The Leader never even really touched his wife, even to put his arm around her.

The Leader continued, “I have heard that a barrier on the walls of our humble town has been broken. We have a team of specialists wondering how to fix it, so until then, keep all family indoors. Who knows what could come through that door?” He exclaimed. His wife and son nodded. The Leader added, “Make sure to keep everyone safe and inside so we can deal with this matter accordingly,”

The screens went back to normal images, like what a normal town looks like. Everyone raced to his or her house. Personally, I went about my day as normal. I drifted to the huge chunk of wall.

As I came out, a majestic, black, winged creature swept in and perched on my shoulder. My backpack strap protected my shoulder.

“I am your spirit guide.” The raven clarified.

“You can talk?” I asked, a bit freaked out.

“Of course I can! My name is Darcy. I will help you lead your life. All you have to do is lead me into town.”

“Why are you helping me?”

“Good question,” Darcy responded. “I was instructed to go to the pretty blonde who was super smart.”

“Yeah. You don’t seem bad, but why can you talk?”

“My lips aren’t moving. It is telepathic. You and I have a telepathic connection because I am your spirit guide.”

“Cool. I guess we could try this out…” I started.

Darcy said, “That’s the spirit! Now, I can guide you.”

I asked, “Do you even know my name?”

“Lucy Powers.” Darcy responded.  I was a bit shocked. “Get ready for the ride of your life.”