Book 3 - New Fate: Chapter 1
Twelve years! 144 months, 624 weeks, 4,380 days, 105,120 hours, 6,307,200 minutes, and 378,438,000 seconds. That is how long humans have known about the others. The things that go bump in the night are no longer just a scary bedtime tale to scare little kids into doing the right thing. Now it is a reality.
When I was five, the human race learnt that there was something else out there, and I am not talking about the aliens that humans believe existed, no, this was much worse. Because we humans had no idea others did, some branches of the government knew, and not only did they know, but they also took part in experiments that hurt children.
Though this was more than just an oops, we did something bad, " their actions almost caused the end of the world”. Apparently, their gods! Yes, that was what I said their gods got involved and helped write the situation. From there, endless negotiations between the government and the supernatural world ensued, and somehow, the human government agreed to allow the supernaturals into the human realm.
Though there was no real surprise that we, weak and pathetic humans, started dying left, right, and centre. Once the government managed to grow some balls, it was once again negotiated, and it was decided that the supers would only be allowed in for fourteen days every three months. The witches would work to secure the humans.
This became hard as there were too many homes and domiciles that they had to protect, so with more assistance from the gods, they created human blocks where all the people would live for those fourteen days that the supers were allowed into our realm.
Thus, this became our new lives. Nationwide, countdown clocks were installed with pre-recorded messages that would inform us daily that lockdown would take place. Once we were in lockdown, more messages were broadcast that we had so many days until we were released to the real world. It was our normal, it was our lives.
Were there stupid humans who didn’t believe that supernatural beings were dangerous? Hell yes. Did they find out that the supernatural’s were in fact dangerous? Once again Hell yes. We soon became penalised if we breached the lockdown, so much so that they just stopped letting those in who went outside.
“Miley, hurry up, lockdown happens in two days. You need to pack,” my brother calls as I continue to sit by the window staring out at the police and officials boarding up shops and the witches casting protection spells.
“Why Jasper, it's not like this isn’t going to keep happening. By the time this quarter is over, I wouldn’t be surprised if we find ourselves locked in the human blocks working for the supers while they get to run between our world and theirs.” I mutter as I turn my head to look at my brother.
“You know that this is our lives, why are you trying to change your fate?” Jasper grumps angrily.
“Because I want more, I don’t want to be locked up my whole life; it isn’t fair,” I growl back equally as annoyed.
“Miley, this has been our lives for so long, why want more. Just be happy that you are living,” Jasper growls at me again before storming back to his room to pack.
There are rules to being locked down.
1. You are not allowed to leave lockdown for any reason.
2. Your housing chief is your boss.
3. You must complete daily jobs to earn your food and pay for your accommodations.
4. You must have everything plus an additional month's worth just in case
5. If you require medication, then you must bring at least six months' worth with you
So, while my brother may scoff at me, saying that I would be surprised if we eventually lost our ability to live in our realm and were confined to the human blocks. I wouldn’t put it past them. The supers are becoming increasingly restless as time goes on, and each time we are released, there is more and more destruction, which takes longer and longer to clean up and get ready for the subsequent lockdown.
Pushing to my feet, I drag myself down the hall and start packing for the next fourteen days that will be my life.
Finally, after what feels like a lifetime, I finish getting all the clothes and necessities into my suitcase and wheel it out to the lounge room, where I see Jasper sitting playing video games. His eyes briefly leave his game to notice my suitcase, and then he returns to playing his game. I don’t talk to him as I wheel my suitcase to his near the front door. Making my way into the kitchen, I start the annoying task of making sure all perishable food is used within the next two days, so we don’t waste it.
“Jasper, are you ok with broccoli and cheddar soup for dinner? We have a few things that need to be used before we go to lockdown,” I call out to him.
“Yeah, I guess if that is all we have to choose from,” Jasper calls back
I get to making the soup and then looking through the rest of the fridge to see what we can have with it.
“Jasper, dinner is ready,” I call as I move the plates to the table.
We had just started eating when an emergency announcement is blasted.
“We have an emergency! Please stop what you are doing and move to the human block ASAP. I repeat, stop what you are doing and move to the human block ASAP. We repeat, this is not a drill. Stop what you are doing and move to the human blocks ASAP.”
“Let’s go,” Jasper calls as he quickly sucks his soup down and puts the plate in the sink. I, too, gulp my soup down and place my bowl in the sink.
“Miley, hurry up,” Jasper calls as he stands at the front door with both his and my suitcase in his hands.