Outside - a post-apocalyptic novel by Boland Shalini

Author:Boland, Shalini [Boland, Shalini]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: teen fiction, young adult, near future, road trip, postapocalyptic, teen thriller, catching fire, teen romance, outside, Adventure, mockingjay, hunger games, Dystopia, sci fi, the hunger games, ya, Futuristic, teen adventure, thriller, dystopian, young adult sci fi, post apocalyptic, future, shalini boland, suzanne collins
Publisher: Shalini Boland
Published: 2011-12-23T01:23:22+00:00

*

It’s been two days and I’ve heard no mention and seen no trace of Luc, Lissy or Freddie. Everybody I’ve met so far has biblical names and it’s entirely likely that Freddie and Lissy's names have been changed, which will make it an almost impossible task to locate them. I hope Luc’s having more luck than me; the alternative doesn't bear thinking about. What if I never get out of this strange half-asleep place?

I’ve been assigned to the Nursery, which is actually an okay job, if exhausting. All the Close's children are taken from their parents at the age of one and housed together in the Nursery. They’re separated into age groups until they’re nine, when they are split by gender. I’m looking after the three to five-year olds. There are twenty four of them, looked after by four of us: myself, an older woman and two women in their twenties.

Nothing has been explained to me, other than the actual duties I’ve been assigned. Any questions I ask are met with a vague smile and an unenlightening change of subject. Everyone’s on autopilot and there’s no small talk, chatter or gossip - they simply get on with their duties in a kind, but firm manner. The children all behave immaculately.

I sleep in one of the dormitories on Martha's floor. There are four bunks in my room, sleeping eight girls who are about my pretended age of fourteen. I have hardly spoken to any of them, as they come in long after I go to bed and are still asleep when I get up to report for work at the Nursery. They obviously work a different shift to me.

I tried talking to a couple of them last night, but they were just as vague and dreamy as my co-workers. I’m getting a bit panicky now, worrying that I’m going to be stuck here forever, turning into a version of these half-alive women and girls. It’s not scary or dangerous here, but it doesn’t feel right either. It’s too quiet and emotionless. It’s like the life has been sucked out of everyone.

It’s my third morning here and I’ve just reached the bottom of the dark winding staircase that takes me from my dormitory to the maze of buildings where the Nursery is located, when I see a figure in the corner. My heart skips a beat when I realise it’s Luc looking handsome, if a little nerdy, in borrowed clothes. I was beginning to think I’d never see him again.

‘Looking good, Riley,’ Luc grins at me.

‘Back atcha.’ I so want to hug him, but he doesn't make any move to come closer to me, so I stay where I am.

‘How are you?’ He turns serious. ‘Sorry I couldn't get here any sooner and I can't stay long, I'm supposed to be fetching some paint cans.’

‘What's happening?’

‘It's not good news, Riley. I'm pretty sure we've been tricked.’

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