The City Center (The New Agenda Series Book 1) by Simone Pond

Author:Simone Pond [Pond, Simone]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ktown Waters Publishing
Published: 2013-09-24T22:00:00+00:00

The Village

Morning sunlight streamed through the window. Real sunlight. Ava stretched—renewed and revived. Her feet no longer throbbed and the knots in her muscles were gone. She wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and eased her way over to the window. Only a hint of pain remained. Outside a few children ran through the field laughing and playing some sort of game. A tiny bird appeared in the window, zipping up and down, in and out, momentarily dipping into the hanging plant. Ava studied the agile creature.

“Hummingbird,” Rebecca’s voice came from behind.

“It’s so lovely.”

“You look much better.”

“I feel much better.”

“I want to take you to the cantina. You need to eat. And people want to meet you.”

“Me? Why?”

“Joseph is a pretty big deal around here, and you saved his life.”

“I think it’s the other way around. He saved me.”

“I laid out a dress on the bed. I’ll meet you out front.”

Ava put on the simple white cotton dress and slipped her bandaged feet into a pair of sandals. Instead of pulling her hair up into a bun like always, she let her auburn locks cascade over her shoulders and down her back. She met Rebecca outside and they walked through the middle of the village toward a covered area with rows of tables where people gathered to eat. A few girls followed at their heels, whispering.

“She’s so pale.”

“Did you see her eyes? They’re so sparkly.”

“Her hair is so pretty and shiny.”

“She looks like an angel.”

“She looks like a butterfly!”

Ava thought the children were beautiful and innocent; she wondered how different things would be inside the City Center with them in it. She remembered her lonely childhood—she’d been training for Graduation Day since her first steps. Morray had stolen so much from her people, even their childhood.

Rebecca walked to an empty table in the cantina. Many of the villagers looked over and smiled. Ava thought of the café in the South Sector where the mid-ranking residents would wave or ask for a hologram capture. She smiled at the irony of escaping her famous life on the Inside, only to have a similar situation somewhere she had never been. Some of the villagers approached the table and shook her hand, extending warm welcomes and gratitude. Others placed small bouquets of wild flowers on the table. They were pure and understated—no makeup or decorations in their hair. No face glitter or sparkling jewels. Their faces had lines and imperfections, and they were beautiful.

Joseph walked over with a plate piled with warm eggs and potatoes and doughy pastries. “Hungry?”

“Starving.” Ava stared at the food. Where to start? Her meals usually consisted of protein shakes or salads, unless—of course—she was cheating on her diet with Delilah.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Rebecca is a miracle healer.”

“I was happy to help.”

“Thank you again, Rebecca.”

Rebecca held Ava’s hand and stood up. “I have to get back to the facilities. See you later today.”

Joseph motioned for Ava to start eating. He took a warm biscuit from her plate and spread some butter into the middle; it dripped into the nooks.

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