Everything is calm and beautiful. The sun is shining so bright, I can feel it on my skin; I can even breathe it in. The birds are chirping, and the grass tickles my ankle just enough to make me smile. Still, something seems a bit off. I take a final deep breath from the beautiful field before a loud alarm rings in my ears.

I open my eyes and quickly snap back into reality right before I smack the ringing alarm clock on the nightstand to my left. As I lazily sit up in my bed and rub one eye with my wrist, I look out the window to my right. After double checking the alarm clock, I notice how the sun should have already been up by 7:17 AM.

The mornings have slowly been getting darker every day since the war started. Thick, grey, foggy pollution blocks out the sun more and more each day, with new nuclear weapons being tested daily. I remember catching bits of information about the current state of the world. Things about breaking points, bombings, terrorist attacks, and many other things I either didn't care about, or didn't understand. Maybe both, in some cases, as a ten-year-old.

I quickly shrug the thought off and decide to get ready for school. A joyful moan leaves my mouth as I sit on the edge on the edge of my bed and stretch my limbs. I then get up and walk towards my wardrobe, which is located right next to my currently closed door. Without hesitation, I open its doors wide and put on my favourite long-sleeved shirt.

The sleeves are red, but the rest is black, so it looks like there are sleeves coming out from under a regular T-shirt. Then, I put on the dark blue jeans before I head to the other side of the room, into my bathroom to wash my face. If nothing else, the lack of warm water wakes me up a little. I pick up my dark red backpack from the foot of my bed. It's heavy, since I not only have to bring books to school but survival equipments too. I double-check if I packed everything, then head downstairs.

Leaving the door to my room open, I make my way down the stairs. I keep staring at the entrance of the house as I do so, then turn left and walk into the kitchen to find my breakfast ready on the table, but my parents are nowhere to be seen. I drop my backpack on one of the empty chairs and hear some quite chattering behind me, from my parents' room.

I turn around and make my way across the living room towards their bedroom. After knocking politely a couple of times, I put my ear to the door.

"Come in, honey".

I push the door open to find my parents sitting on the edge of the bed and watching the news, which is muted now.

"Unbelievable. I'm telling you, Greta, the government isn't in control anymore, and I wonder if they ever have been. We are this close to having a nuclear war; just take a look outside!" My dad turns the television off and rubs his eyebrows.

"Calvin..." My mother stops for a second and looks at my dad. "Everything is fine. It is perfectly safe to go outside. The government keeps everything under control". She gives my dad that look. I know that look well. They do that something is probably not exactly the way they tell me it is, but even though I know that, it still feels good to hear that everything is fine.

"Come, honey, there's no time for breakfast. You should have eaten instead." My mother rubs my head, and they escort me to the kitchen. I shrug a little with an empty stomach and head towards the door with the backpack in my hand.

"Hey, son! Didn't you forget something?" My dad walks over to me and pushes a small, thick, yellow card into my hand. It emits a loud beeping sound, and a green light suggests that it's on.

"This is the second time you've almost forgotten to bring your identity card. If they ever catch you outside without it, they will either take you to the refugee camp or implant it under your skin and seal it around the chip so it can never be taken out. Do you want any of that?" My dad rubs my back after he finishes.

Ouch. I have heard stories about that. It's not the implantation process that hurts, but the sealing. Especially if I attempt to take it out. "No, it won't happen again. I'm sorry" I say and open the door to leave.

"Take care, honey, and be good today, I'm making your favourite meal for you. We love you," My mom says.

"Yup," My dad adds, now sipping coffee.

"I love you, too, Mom and Dad." I smile, and with that, I close the door behind me.

As I step outside, a bad mixture of a burning and rotting smell fills my nostrils. I am getting used to it though, as much as one can get used to something like that. I make my way towards the fence, walking through a garden that has no living plants in it. I look at it and can't help but smile at how they made my regular fence into a barbed fence, with two guards standing on each side of the entrance. I glance back at my orange-coloured house, with a red roof.

While I am walking, I look down at my yellow identity card. It contains all the information about me, starting with my name. I read it, and maybe even whisper it.

"Baron Lyfeld," I whisper, then continue reading. Baron; Lyfeld; Gender: Male; Age: 10; District: Ignobilis.

The word "Ignobilis" always catches my eye, and for some reason it also makes me smile. I've always had trouble pronouncing it. I remember when I asked my parents it's meaning. They said when things went south, people got put into districts based on their income and quality of lives.

The "Pauper" district is lowest. People have almost no rights there, and they mostly live in small, crowded flats. There are more guards there than in any other district.

The "Dives" on the other hand, are at the top. They have all the rights, and the guards are there to protect them from whatever might come into their villas, unlike the lowest district.

And lastly, the "Ignobilis." It's the largest district, and stands somewhat between the other two districts. It's crowded with families who have had an average income and quality of life. Now they live in flats and houses with small gardens, including me.

The three districts are only seperated by huge walls surrounding each other. The only way to cross them is by the gates leading from one district to another. As expected, they are heavily guarded. As I slowly approach the gate of my house, a familiar guard walks closer to me.

"Your IDC," he says, holding up a small machine that reminds me of the handheld scanners they used in the airports untill all traveling options outside the the district were shut down. He keeps looking at me in his lightweight armour with no helmet. The other guard with heavyweight armour from the gate keeps looking at me, or atleast I think he does; I can't see through his helmet with black eye shades.

"You've been here for a while, still don't know me?"

He frowns and grips my arm firmly,‌ then scans my card. His machine beeps three times, and he nods. "Just imagine what will happen if I had to remember all the scum around here." He grins and continues, "So I take it that Lyfeld family is the sassy and disobeying type, right? Maybe I'll let the commander know, so you can be taught some manners. With the Paupers, maybe. You can go now, Baron." He laughs and gives me a firm push on my back with his scanner.

"Ow," I murmur to myself and take a left turn as I arrive at the gate and head towards my school.

As I walk down the pavement, I pass some houses with two guards in front, similar to mine. I walk past the neighbour's light-green house, and the sun is still not up. It's not pitch black, but I could use some light right about now.

I walk deeper into the city, where the flats, apartments, stores, workplaces, and taller buildings are. Taking a look at the old shops makes me frown. The vendors have become very pushy, and everyone seems to work harder than ever.

Even the once always - smiling office workers run in and out of the building, their smiles now absent. They are run by government officers and overseers watching their every step; maybe that's the reason. I check left and right when I cross the road to my school. Some cars and bikes pass by, nothing unusual. Then a couple of army trucks speed past me, packed with what seems to be soldiers.

As I arrive at the school, I sigh at the sight of the barbed fence surrounding it. The extreme amount of guards patrolling around it are are upsetting too. I were approaching the entrance when familiar faces smile at me from the school hallway. Bradley, my oldest friend, and my new friend, Abbie.

I smile back and were about to make my way inside when a hand on my shoulder from behind stops you at the entrance.

"You've been selected for a random search. Step aside and put your hands on the wall," a firm voice says and gives you a slight push.

"What do you think I'm hiding? A gun?"

The guard pushes me firmly against the wall. "You could be, for all I know. Scum." He searches thoroughly, then yanks my backpack open. "All right, you're clear." He grips my shoulder and scans my card before I have a chance to enter my school. "I'd consider what to say next time. Lyfeld."

I nod and shake his grip off, then walk into the school and towards my friends.

Inside, Bradley greets me with a friendly hug and mentions that he's still taller than me, making us both smile. Abbie stands there shyly messing with her long blonde hair, as usual. "My dad said it's better if you just do what they say. You know Aaron? He always gave the guards a hard time, and now he's gone! Creepy stuff," Bradley says.

Abbie nods. "Yup. Scary."

I nod as I head up the stairs to my first lesson.

As I walk up the stairs, I take a look at the walls and the floors above me. It's a wonder how this school is still in one piece. I walk into the classroom and sit down next to Abbie and pay attention to every now and then, but chatter away whenever the teacher isn't looking at me. From the corner of my eye, I see Bradley glancing at me once in a while.

How would I manage to sit through all the boring lessons if I were alone?

The dull sound of the bell indicates that the lesson had reached its end.

"Finally. Hey, wanna sit next to me and suffer together through the remaining lessons? It would be fun." She chuckles. I nod and pack my book into my backpack. After swiftly putting it on my back, I head out of the classroom.

I sit through lesson after lesson with Abbie. They go better than expected, somewhat resulting in a good time with her.

Before I know it, another day of school is over. The quite halls fill with laughter and chatter as I walk down the stairs and front doors.

"So...same time tomorrow?" Abbie asks with her arms crossed.

"Yup. See you guys tomorrow! Or at least you, Baron. Abbie lives relatively close to me," Bradley chuckles.

"Shame you don't live closer to us, we could walk home together." Abbie smiles as I part ways.

I begin my walk home on the busy streets. Officers run around, along with businessmen. They shout at one another, seemingly filling the district with life. Then sun barely lights through the pollution anymore. I were about to cross the road on the well-worn crosswalk when a slim man almost knocks me off my feet as he run past me. "It's here! You can't stop them now! Don't believe them! Hide, get your own shelter before it's too late!" he shouts as he holds a small, rusty and bloody knife.

Three officers with lightweight armour and small handguns run past me, then aim their guns at him. The man drops the knife and puts his hands up. The officers keep aiming their guns on him, then they press on their earpieces and seem to listen to them. They nod once, and without a word, they start firing. The man stumbles back with bullet holes in his clothes and blood pouring out of his wounds. The sight makes me feel angry. The man was obviously no threat, and they shot him.

I clench my fists and frown as I take a step closer to the body lying in a pool of blood.

Two of them walk over to the body and talk as they press on their earpieces. One of them walks towards me and gives me a firm push.

"Get going, nothing to see here. Unless you want trouble, scum."

"He wasn't a threat, and you shot him."

'Hmph. I'd let us decide who's considered a threat and who isn't, if I were you. Or you can find yourself with the Paupers soon." She grips my arm and scans my card. " Ah, Baron Lyfeld. And you don't even live that far. How about I escort you home, huh? I'll have a talk with your parents before I consult with the commander about your fate. I'll give him some very good advice." She laughs and grips my shoulder. Her grip begins to feel uncomfortable as I get to my fence.

One of the guards greet me at the fence and chuckles slightly. I walk down the path to my house and the other guard currently taking with my parents in the doorway. They shake their heads as they give me a disappointed look.

"And...and there he is. See? He must have done something again. I'm telling you, he cannot behave, simply can't. And I feel sorry for you folks. I have to report it to the commander, and with the current state...well...you know, there are quite a vacant slots at the Paupers." He winks and grins at me.

They walk off with a laugh and give my back some rough pats as they do. I walk inside and turn around to face my parents. They stand at the closed door with crossed arms, giving me an angry look.

"Why is it so hard to behave? Am I asking a lot? You simply have to co-operate! Do you want to end up in the Paupers district? We'll die there!" My father slams the door and rushes off to his room.

My mother turns to me and give my head a slight rub. " Please, Baron...just behave, okay? I know the officers are capable of exaggerating, I know them well. But these times are rough...try to behave. It's not easy for us, so don't make things harder, okay? Will you behave?"

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"All right."

"Thank you, Baron. Your lunch is on the table. I'll go and clam your father down in the meantime." She smiles and gives my head another slight rub as I walk to kitchen and sit down before the hot steaming food. Despite how hot it is, I finish eating rather fast. The warm, fresh food feels refreshingly good as I walk up the the stairs to my room.

The following day...

The same sharp alarm rings me awake. I smack on it and get up as I give my eyes a small rub. I walk to my wardrobe and put on my clothes, then wash my face before heading down the stairs with my backpack on. I find the kitchen empty. Suspecting my parents are in their room again, I turn towards it but find the door wide open. As confusion fills the house, I walk towards the front door just as my parents open it to walk inside. I take a peek outside between them to see a man in all black and a fedora walking away swiftly, with two heavily armoured guards by his side.

My father closes the door, and they both turn to me with their arms crossed.

"Well…that was the commander in person. And…there are a couple of new bunkers under construction in case things go south. Too bad we're not eligible to be assigned to one of those." He glances at me and smacks on the door with his fist. "You only had to behave! Nothing more, just to behave! I hope you're happy. I don't know what we'll do now." My father sighs, then opens the door wide. "Anyway…we love you. Have a good day at school, and…please try to behave. Don't do more harm, okay?" I walk through the door and glance back to see my mother shaking her head slowly, then my father slamming the door shut. The pollution covers most of the sun, so the streets are barely lit. I reach the crosswalk to see five military trucks speeding by with such speed they almost crash into one another. As I walk on the crossway, dried blood can still be seen on the road to my left. I walk towards my school and try to blend in with the crowd of students as I walk to the front door.

The officer from yesterday glances over at me and frowns before turning back to the rest of the officers as I walk through the front door.

Inside, Bradley and Abbie greet me, and I head up to my first lesson.

Of course, I sit next to Abbie. "Well, it's up to us now to make the most out of this day. And don't die of boredom. Right?" She laughs and draws a smile to my face, too. Just like yesterday, the lessons pass by faster with a good friend by my side.

And eventually, the last lesson is about to end. About time, I think to myself as I shove the book into my backpack. When the bell rings, I stand up but suddenly fall back into my chair as the ground begins to shake. I can even feel the vibrations inside my body.

I hear an alarm go off inside the school, then one outside, then one more in the distance…soon, all I can hear are alarms from all around the district. They echo with such volume that my ears ring, and the already unfolding chaos throughout the entire school isn't helping either, but I manage to read the lips of my teacher, Miss Shannon. "Downstairs." She repeats it a couple of times, then makes a run for it. I quickly jump over my desk and motion Bradley and Abbie to follow me.

I try to catch up with the teacher as fast as I can, while paying attention to my friends. It proves to be a hard task, as every second someone else screams into my already pained ears or bumps into me, almost knocking me off my feet. It's a long way down, or at least it seems like it. As I arrive on the main floor, I notice how everyone is running about everywhere, even outside. Some teachers try to gather students, while others push them aside to run for their lives.

Eventually, I arrive on the lowest floor, which looks like a long, dark corridor. I were expecting a bigger crowd. There only seems to be around twenty students, including myself, down here. The smell reminds me of old, mouldy cheese, and it looks more wrecked than the rest of the school.

I and the others are standing in front of a big, thick, rusty door as Miss Shannon scans her card on a tiny computer attached to the wall, then she begins hitting the keys, probably inputting the password. I glance at the white writing above the door: Bunker #D;IG;575;

I turn my head to the right and notice there are at least two more bunkers similar to this one.

Before I have any more time to think about it, someone gives me a push from behind, and I find yourself in a huge elevator. "Stop dawdling!" I glance at the tall student for a moment, before I turn my head back to Shannon. She looks inside, then begins to shut the door. "I'll bring the others." With that said, she shuts the door tight from the outside and turns the wheel on the door, resulting in a loud cranking noise. The lights turn on and the elevator begins to go down slowly. I notice there are stairs to my right as the elevator arrives after what feels like years, in complete silence.

As I step out of the elevator, I find myself in a huge room that reminds me of a living room. The others scatter, and I walk through what seems to be the layout of the bunker. Next to the living room are the living quarters and the restrooms, and after that is the kitchen.

"I found the remote!" I turn around to find one of my classmates, nerdy Peter, holding a remote and turning on the television on the other side of the room. It seems to show our district from a camera placed on the roof of the school.

I can hear the alarms, the people screaming, shouting, cars bumping into each other and even see officers hijacking cars. There seems to be complete chaos. Others around me are asking the questions I myself would like to know the answers to, as well.

'What's going on? What's happening? Why are we here…?' Everyone is focusing on the screen when a huge light emits from somewhere in the district. The television goes silent, and the ground shakes even more. A second later, I begin to see something that looks like a mushroom made out of smoke, then something that seems to be a huge wave coming right in my direction.

The television goes black, and a loud explosion can be heard coming from the surface. I can feel the bunker itself shaking and see dust falling from the ceiling and the cracks. Peter keeps pressing the buttons on the remote, expecting it to come back. After minutes of silence, Philip, the well-known oldest member and bully of the school, who has pushed me into the elevator, turns around. His eyes widen and he mumbles, "My…parents."

I ignore the immediate noise around me, and my eyes widen as my heart suddenly throbs as fast as it can, feeling it in my throat. Uncontrollably, tears roll down your cheeks as I keep staring off into nothingness.

The following day…