Walking out of the woods, I'm greeted by the familiar hollow clunking sound of the odd-shaped wooden chimes me and my brother made. Hanging off the edge of my family's cabin porch, they look like lumps of shit dangling from a plate but my parents don't seem to care. That's parental pride for you, makes parents see the beauty in every piece of rubbish produced by their children.

I follow the dirt path which weaves through my settlement and pass cabins, cabins and more cabins. This used to be a summer camp. The only remaining evidence of this being a vacation spot are the faded initialled hearts scratched into the wooden beams. The etchings have deteriorated with time as have the memories of those once teenagers; if they're lucky enough to still be alive.

Nineteen years ago, the owners turned this camp into a settlement, a haven from the Virulence pandemic. The founders were already believers in rejecting technology and anything remotely progressive. They belonged to a niche group who called themselves 'Naturalists', and they dreamt of living off the land and leading a simple life.

Who would dream of living like this? It's boring.

For most of them, it was only a dream and a part-time hobby. They filled their weekends with camping out in the wild and foraging for food but for the rest of their week, these so-called Naturalists lived in houses located in towns and cities. They worked in offices for big cooperations, bought their food in large shops and moaned about the modern fast-paced, rapidly technologically-expanding world they lived in.

In reality, as much as they dreamt of going back to basics, deep down they knew they didn't want to live like this all the time. I don't want to live like this, and I don't even have anything to compare it to. I know nothing about the technology they had access to, but I bet it was more entertaining than a bunch of wooden cabins and growing vegetables in fields.

In the end, the decision to fully immerse themselves in this way of life was made for them by an uncontrollable pathogen called Virulence which rapidly spread across the globe killing every animal that became infected. These part-time Naturalists who didn't really want to give up their easy lives, suddenly decided Virulence was a sign that advancements in science and technology had gone too far. Humans had finally lost control. Our settlement was built on the basis of rejecting modern technology and advanced science. We live simply, and if that's not bad enough, they also decided to reduce physical contact to protect us against Virulence. As basic and stupid and annoying as the concept may seem, it worked. Out of multiple settlements set up across the world promising to keep you safe from death, we survived, unlike the majority.

The Techies also survived with all their technology, but that was probably due to luck.

The path curves and on one side I pass fields, fields and more fields. I need to stop reminding myself how boring this place is.

I squint, and the wall in the distance is just visible; tall and grey it blends with the dull lifeless sky hanging above us. The fields are completely empty of people. No one works on Sunday, it's the day we get to rest, spend time with family and pursue any hobbies we might have which are limited due to the lack of... well, the lack of everything.

One more year of school, and this will become my entire life. Cabins and fields will be all I see till the day I die. That's depressing. I cross my arms and dig them into my stomach to suppress the void expanding inside me.

I nod in greeting to people who pass by. I don't know why I bother. I understand it's polite, especially as I recognise every face and know all their names which happens when you live in a settlement of about hundred and thirty-something people. However, no conversation occurs, it never will. We don't do small talk, not even a simple hello, that greeting is limited to a select few. The lack of talking is another way we reduce the chance of transmitting Virulence.

The most important method is to always keep a safe distance from others. Officially, there is no rule specifying an exact distance but everyone maintains roughly over an arm's length, often more. These customs were conceived by the founders when Virulence was spreading uncontrollably. A new category of pathogen unlike any seen before, invading the host, replicating fast and proceeding to destroy the host's cells. It was always fatal. The problem with Virulence was everyone's symptoms were different, this led to confusion and ultimately a delay in isolating the disease. Initially, the assumption was that the deaths were unrelated. By the time the connection was finally made hundreds of thousands of people were dead and the number was rising rapidly.

The discovery of the pathogen's ability to infect all animals resulted in chaos. To prevent the transmission of Virulence whole ecosystems were burned or poisoned but nothing slowed the spread, and Virulence continued it's death spree while we simultaneously destroyed the planet.

It's true what Zach said, no new cases of Virulence have been reported for over a decade but the older generation still remembers the horrors of the disease, so now the younger generation must live in its shadow.

Turning away from the fields, I veer onto Solitary Lane. That's not it's real name but it suits. The row of small wooden huts are reserved for people who live alone. Mostly old people on the verge of joining their lost loved ones. The couple who separated live here too. It must be awkward, even after separating they have to live a few cabins from each other.

I spot Alma sitting in her rocking chair, wrapped in a blanket in front of her tiny hut, waiting for me. I'm the only person who ever visits her. Every visit, I'm surprised by how old she looks as though the wrinkles and sagging translucent skin appeared abruptly overnight. In my head, I only see the younger version of Alma from when I was a child when she wasn't so stiff and worn down by years of putting everyone else first.

'Happy birthday! How's my brain box of a girl doing today? Or should I say woman?' Alma smiles broadly, increasing the web of lines already scattered across her face.

'I'm alright,' I say, mustering a smile.

'What's wrong?'

'Suki's not going to come to the woods with me anymore.' I slump into the hard chair positioned next to Alma. We always sit out here, never venturing beyond the threshold into her hut. People don't go into each other's homes. Even though once she held me, our relationship is no longer allowed those privileges.

'Why?'

'Apparently, her parents think it's pointless.' Or rather she wants to impress Seb in the hope they'll settle and touch and make babies. I can't think of anything worst. I'd rather die a boring old cat lady minus the cats than settle with Seb.

'Do you think it's pointless?' Alma asks.

'No,' I say. My thoughts drift to earlier in the woods and the conversation with Zach. Are all Techies so infuriating? Are all Techies so crude? Probably.

'Then why do you give a shit what they think?'

'You need to watch your language. If my parents hear you cussing they'll be having words with you, again.'

'Shit isn't a cuss word. If I wanted to cuss I'd say fu-'

'Alma!'

Alma chuckles. 'Anyway, back to Suki. As you grow up your interests will start to differ from your friends, but that doesn't mean you have to stop pursuing them. If she tells you otherwise tell her to fu-'

'Ok, I will, minus the cuss words.'

Alma smiles. 'What have you got planned for the rest of your birthday?'

'Nothing. It's not like it's my real birthday anyway.' I sigh. No one knows the actual date. I was left at the entrance of this settlement as a small baby. They think I was about six months so my fake birthday is around half a year late. Why they didn't just give me a date six months earlier I'll never know. I stopped asking that question every birthday, years ago.

Alma's glassy eyes rest on mine, sadness mixed with happiness, the strange combination of opposites she displays often; bittersweet she calls it. 'I can't believe it was sixteen years ago.'

Today celebrates sixteen years since my abandonment by the edge of the settlement with no note, no heartfelt letter explaining the reason I'd been left or where I came from, no precious locket with a photo like in the books. Books lie sometimes, but I still think Zach kisses his arms whilst looking in the mirror.

'You were such a clever little thing, so inquisitive even at that age. You reminded me of my two when they were young.' Alma's bottom lip trembles slightly and her eyes dampen for her two daughters who had their own children, none survived. It's in these moments I wish I could hold her, comfort her, feel comforted. She clears her throat. 'You know, if I'd been younger I would have kept you, Kit.'

'I know,' I respond quietly.

Alma was a qualified nurse, her invaluable skills were the reason she was allowed to join this settlement. However, even on acceptance, everyone had to undertake twelve weeks of confinement. It was the final condition before gaining access; don't die of Virulence during quarantine and you're in.

As a baby, I had no skills apart from making adults feel sorry for me by being helpless. Luckily, adults fall for that skill every time. Alma volunteered to become my career for the twelve weeks of quarantine I had to undertake, and the leaders of this settlement didn't have the heart to reject admittance to a lone defenceless baby.

Alma cared for me, fed me and ignored the fact I could have been a carrier of Virulence which would have ultimately killed her. At the end of our quarantine, my current parents took me in because Alma couldn't commit to bringing me up, not if she was too continue her duties as a nurse. Secretly, I'm glad she didn't. I love Alma, she risked her life for me when she volunteered to spend twelve weeks in quarantine looking after baby-me. But if she'd kept me, I would never have gained a brother and he's the only reason I haven't died of boredom in this place yet.

'Why do you think my biological parents left me here?' I ask quietly. This unanswered question is the reason I wake up with a gnawing sensation in the pit of my stomach every fake birthday.

'I think they loved you so much, they were willing to sacrifice their own feelings and life to keep you safe.' Alma strokes the blanket covering her legs. I nod, but Alma doesn't understand what I mean. I don't want to know simply why they left me, but why at the Naturalist settlement? Why not with the Techies or another settlement? Why did they leave me in the most boring place on Earth? Alma continues, 'Those times were unlike any other, but they chose to leave you with us for a reason, and I truly believe their heart was in the right place.'

I don't respond, worried my voice will give away the anger and resentment I feel towards the parents I will never meet, and not just because of them leaving me in the most boring place on Earth. They should have stayed with me or they should have taken me with them.

'No one would blame you for feeling angry towards them. If anything, it would be a little unusual if you didn't.' Alma smiles.

I lean back in the chair and close my eyes. She's right, Alma normally is, but this knowledge doesn't ease the tightness in my chest or stomach.

A bell tolls in the distance, the sound of routine, a reminder of where we should be; mealtime.

'Off you go. Your parents will be waiting for you, and it's never good to be late.' Alma grabs the walking stick perched against her chair. Slowly pushing herself to standing, her joints creak. The movement looks painful but I can't help her, only watch as she struggles to stand.

'Thank you, Alma. For everything,' I say quietly.

'Don't mention it. And, Kit, don't let something which is out of your control affect your future. You've got to enjoy life, you only get one go at it.' Alma kisses the index finger and middle finger on her right hand and I kiss mine; our symbol of affection to each other, the only way we are allowed.

All our meals are eaten in a large wooden cabin which once fed hundreds of children over summer but now feeds the permanent residents all year round. This is the only place where our settlements rules aren't followed. We wash our own bowls and cutlery, placing them on our allocated table ready for the next meal but as we don't have the facilities or enough fuel for everyone to cook their own meals a group of people are put in charge of handling our food.

Every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner the same people touch our food, increasing the risk of contamination, yet we still have to continue to follow the non-contact rule. We avoid any object touched by someone outside our family whilst ingesting food which has had several hands-on. It makes no sense.

I'm the last to arrive at my family's allocated table where four bowls with lids are laid out. I slide into my usual position next to my brother, Mattan.

'Where have you been?' Mattan slings his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close. I sink into his chest, enjoying the solid feel of his body against mine and my tension eases away. He ruffles my hair and I punch him in the arm which makes him chuckle.

'I was just visiting Alma.' I grin.

'How's the birthday been so far?' Daa says as he leans across and kisses me on the forehead.

'Ok.' I shrug.

'I can't believe you're sixteen already,' Dab says, also leaning across the table to also kiss my forehead.

My parents had only been dating for six months when they left everything behind nineteen years ago to join this settlement. Dab was a Vegan chef, but he was also an avid 'prepper' which meant he was actively preparing for Armageddon. Dab believed it would be a worldwide financial collapse which would lead to global chaos, but instead, it was a Virulence outbreak which led to most of the world's population dying. In the end, the cause didn't matter, his prepping was worthwhile regardless if the reason behind it was incorrect.

Another prepper, called Hans, who helped set up this settlement invited Dab to join the Naturalists as long as he bought all his supplies. Luckily, Daa who was a paralegal was allowed to accompany Dab as his immediate family.

My parents took Mattan in a year and a bit after arriving. Mattan's father had died of Virulence on the way to the settlement. Mattan's mother committed suicide in one of our fields. A one-year-old Mattan was found beside her body, soaked in the blood which had drained from his Mother's slit wrists. He should have been too young to remember the event, but he's always refused to do any fieldwork and no one has the heart to force him.

When I survived quarantine, with the help of Alma, they took me in. I was the last admission to the settlement, arriving long after most people had died and the cases of Virulence had become virtually non-existent purely because there were so few hosts left. Virulence's advantage of fast transmission eventually led to its own demise.

'It's not even my real birthday. I was sixteen about six months ago,' I say flatly. Daa sighs and Dab shuffles uncomfortably.

Now I feel bad.

'Let's just pretend it's a normal Sunday. Ok?' I sigh.

'Ok. Suki's father told me she didn't go to the woods with you today. Did you go alone?' Dab says, his brow creasing in concern.

'Yes, but I stuck even closer to the edge of the settlement.' I lift the lid off my dish which has already been filled with food. Vegetable stew. Again.

'I don't want you going alone. We still sometimes get Drifters and...' Daa falters.

'We want you to be safe,' Dab adds.

Safe; the word of the day, of every day. Everything we do, every rule, is to keep us safe. Yet, all I feel is restricted and caged in.

Also, my parent's logic makes no sense because having a companion does not increase my safety. Naturalists can't touch, let alone fight. If anything, my parents are ensuring two sacrifices are offered rather than one to any Drifter who finds us. I stop myself from pointing out this flaw. I want to continue going to the woods, not convince them I shouldn't be allowed to go.

Daa sighs. 'Kit, you need to go with someone.'

I don't bother asking Mattan. He won't come because he spends all his free time with his girlfriend, Mara. None of my other friends will be allowed. I remember Zach's offer, maybe he can be of some use, he's a someone. 'So as long as I have someone accompany me whilst in the woods, I can keep going?'

'As long as you're not alone, we're happy,' Dab replies, looking at Daa who nods in agreement.

I smile broadly. It could work. All I need to do is ensure the boundaries are clear with Zach; no touching and no crude or inappropriate comments.

'You do realise, you'll never convince any of our friends to go into the woods with you?' My brother whispers in my ear, while Daa and Dab dig into their food.

'I've already got it sorted,' I whisper back. I quickly turn to my parents and change the conversation. 'So, what did you two get up to today?'

Mattan looks at me suspiciously. He knows all my friends like I know all of his. There are only eight teenagers in total in the Naturalist settlement, ranging from ages sixteen to eighteen, so we're forced to be part of the same social group. All the other Naturalist residents are either over twenty-five or below the age of ten. I'm guessing mass death wasn't much of an aphrodisiac for people in terms of baby-making.

My parents talk about their day and I nod along, not really listening. I'm certain my parents wouldn't approve of me hanging out with a Techie, especially not alone. The longer I can avoid mentioning Zach, the longer I can continue to visit the woods. How would Mattan react to the idea? I'll tell him if it works out next Sunday and I decide to make it a regular thing.

I doubt it will work. Zach's an arrogant, crude Techie.

Author's note:

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