"No." He replies with finality. Sol's resolve doubles as her anger flairs. Injustice will do that to a person. What is more unjust than everyone having a say in your life but you?

"You will let me go or I will go on my own." Sol demands meeting the much older mans gaze with an unmistakable flame in her amber eyes. Hennisen glares back at her, clinching and unclenching his fist as he considers her words. He looks past her to Darius.

"You will look after her. If she doesn't come back in one piece, I am holding you responsible." Co-op leader Hennisen dictates to Darius, who merely stares back mouth agape like a doe in head lights. Hennisen turns and leaves without another look in Sols direction. She's done it.

Darius relays Co-op leader's words to Lancer, who nods shooting a glare in Sols direction. "Get in." Lancer demands, gesturing to the truck bed. Sol is relieved she doesn't have to walk the whole way and quickly clamors in among the salvaged items before he has a chance to change his mind.

Long expanses of barren land stretch out in every direction from the barely serviceable road they drive on. After the first day the smoke dissipates and Sol catches site of a clear night sky for the first time. Her breath catches at the countless stars twinkling greetings to her. The moon is gorgeous and far more expressive than she knew. Although she is exhausted, she fights to keep her eyes open and fixed on the beauty before her.

They leave before morning. Sol watches in amazement as the sun bright and yellow rises. She learns quickly not to look at it as her retina is scorched. To her amazement the stars vanish making way for the loveliest shade of blue to ever grace her site. Unmarred by anything, an expanse of crystal blue. Large puffs of atmosphere appear in the sky as they drive obscuring the blue in amusing shapes. A vermin in a top hat, an apple with a bite taken out of it.

Buildings that seem to touch the sky appear on the horizon. A city even more rundown than the one they came from, but somehow grander at least in size. At last, the Eco Pod comes into view. A massive structure made from glass and bracings. The sun reflects of the surface nearly blinding them all. The pod is taller and wider than any skyscraper. It's a beautiful structure that sings with hope. They pull up to an unfortunate metal door that mars the majesty of the pod. The truck Sol inhabits lurches forward only moments after stopping disturbing the piles of scraps surrounding her. Acers of lush crop surround them from the moment they enter. Sols stomach aches at the sight of large red apples, the taste of which forever seared in her mind from the few times her father brought some home during her childhood. Thriving agriculture inhabits every square inch of land. Sol looks on longingly as they drive by until they reach the center, where a massive structure cylindrical in shape juts from the land. Sol glares up at it as they approach not only because of the sunlight reflecting into her eyes but because the eye soar it poses among the expanse of beautiful life.

The caravan parks and Sol hops out to begin unloading. A man with a pleasantly round face and kind demeanor approaches the survivalist clipboard in hand. "Forward met." The man greets. "So glad you all could make the journey." He continues politely. "Logical to see you again co-op second Lancer." He bids a second greeting. He begins to look over each item as we unload it comparing them with what he has on the device he holds.

Sol looks around as she unloads. She must find a way to speak to the resource manager in private. She hopes this is the one she emailed with. Others dressed in similar grey garb as the round-faced man come out of the building with trollies. They too hold devices that they print receipts from used to mark goods and identify their respective scavenger.

Sol takes this distraction to approach the round-faced man. "Surviving day, sir." Sol greets, approaching the man from the side while he looks over a generator.

"Surviving day." He responds meeting Sols eyes.

"I am Sol.."

"Oh splendid. I'll take you up to meet with Carlisle right after we are done here." The man interrupts. "I am Bob." He adds politely, bowing his head slightly. The man continues perusing while Sol fidgets beside him nervously. Darius may notice she's wondered off any moment. He has been tasked with bringing her back safely, after all.

"I need to go now." Sol keeping her voice even and her gaze steady.

"I understand you're eager, but I have a job here I must finish first." Bob replies patting Sol on the shoulder kindly.

Sol stifles a groan as she tries to think of a way to make him understand without blurting out the sorted details of her life. "Survivalists are cutthroat you know. Anyone of these scavengers would cut my throat for what I have." Sol regales in a clandestine manner.

Bob nods his head. "Very well." He beckons over one of the other men dressed in silver. "Please take our friend Sol here to the 3rd floor and wait for me there." He instructs shewing us away with a pleasant smile. I attempt to hide myself behind the man as we walk across the open space between the caravan and the bay doors leading into what appears to be a garage.

"Sol!" Darius yells attempting to go after her. He is momentarily stopped by one of the resource workers but pushes past her.

Sol takes off running, the resource worker accompanying her, following suit upon noticing the brute of a man chasing after them. The worker opens an elevator frantically tapping the three once inside. The doors close long before Darius reaches them. The worker eyes Sol suspiciously while they pant, filling the small space with CO2.

They step of the elevator, Sol hesitating as she takes in the intimidating site. Its nothing like the co-op. Where the co-op is a mismatch of falling down building held together by 2by4s and dirt, this place is all glass and chrome that shines pristinely. She eyes her dirty boot as it lands on the glistening linoleum. Glass doors lead out to a garden brimming with life. The worker leads her to more glass doors that lead further into the building. Inside are a table and chairs around.

"Sit if you'd like." The worker speaks for the first time, as he seats himself.

Sol takes a seat on the other side of the table keeping her eyes on the worker who looks away under her scrutiny. A sure sign of weakness. "What is your name?" Sol inquires.

The young man looks up with an unmistakable hint of disdain in the curve of his well moistened lips. He's a pretty boy for sure. Not a spot of dirt on him. Soft brown eyes and even softer pale skin. He laces his uncalloused fingers on the table taking on a haughty demeanor. "Paul." He answers. "And yours?" He adds when Sol makes no response.

"Sol." She answers studying his face sitting back in the chair is if she owns the room. The two sit in an uncomfortable silence for a long while until Bob graces them with his presence.

"Thank you, Paul. You're needed back at loading." Bob dismisses. Paul nods leaving Sol and Bob alone. "Alright, shall we?" Sol stands following Bob out and back to the elevator. Many floors later they arrive. The elevator opens to a small area with a single door. Bob nocks and waits. "Come in." An masculine voice of undeniable authority instructs. 

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Thank you for reading(: I would love any feedback you have to offer (:<3

Word Count: 1300

Total: 7300