Chapter 1

Every day is the same. Same school, same food, same cloths. It rarely changes. We only celebrate when the new ten year olds join the school. I don't see what's to celebrate two hundred ten year olds join us while two hundred eighteen year olds leave us. Our friends must be in our age category we aren't allowed to say hi to our elder or younger siblings.

Everything is planned. Your choices are made for you. Freedom is chaos that is what they teach us in school. You can't have freedom because it's abused with the system everything goes according to plan anything out of the ordinary is bad. You live according to the rules, or you disappear once people start questioning this perfect life they're taken away never to be seen again. That's how it is. You learn to keep your opinions to yourself.

Stay under the radar and you'll be fine. Seventeen years that how I've lived but this is not the life I want to live. Perfection is nonexistent it's horrific, I don't want my children brought up in this world. Not like this either the world changes or my blood line ends because I'm not having a child brought up like this.

"Ella Echoes?"

"Here," I reply instantly. They know we're here I don't see the point in calling role where else are we going to be.

Professor Bane finishes role then gets right back in to his lesson. I listen diligently Professor Bane was actually very interesting he was different. Different was awesome in my book.

As his lesson ended he sent us out with a quick smile and a nod. "Miss Echoes?"

"Yes Professor Bane?"

"I know you're starting to question but it'd be best to hide it," he answered without turning away from his desk.

"What?"

"It shows more and more everyday scoring higher in your work then everyone in your age group."

"Sir I…"

He turned to face me and smiled. "I have always appreciated a student who understands and you Miss Echoes have understood more than you should."

"Please don't r…"

"Report you me? When would I be cruel like that, I'm different just like you but I know how to hide it. You need to hide it though except things with no question do not ponder things and wait."

"Okay sir."

"If I'm correct one month from now you choose your job,"

"Yes sir,"

"Your grades will allow you two different jobs soldier or a hunter."

"Wh…"

"You need to choose hunter, then meet me and I'll tell you where to go, dismissed."

"But…"

"Dismissed!"

I turned in my plain white tennis shoes and left. Marina stared at me expectantly.

"What was that about?"

"Professor Bane wanted to speak to me nothing out of the ordinary."

She shook her head as she followed me to English. Our lessons were as boring as always. I collected my things as our last class ended. Alexander and Marina met me at the door and we walked out. Same thing every day never changing.

"Goodbye," Alexander smiled as he turned towards his road.

"Goodbye Alex," Marine and I said in unison. Just as we were about to turn on our usual route we stopped. Three men began coming down the road towards us. Soldiers no doubt.

We put our hands behind our backs and stand to the side of the side walk. Soldiers are basically above the law. They are the ones who keep the world in check. They are the rulers of us, and we are the underlings. The only one higher than the soldiers is the president. And he wants to take over the world, in my opinion. Not that I would ever say that out loud.

Marine nodded towards them but I stared straight ahead not meeting their eyes.

But I couldn't help but overhear there conversation.

"More of them keep showing up," one muttered.

"I hear they've established another base."

"Sure, and I'm…" it trailed off as they walked away.

We returned to our normal position but I ignored her chatter as I pondered over what I'd heard. Who was setting up base, more of who? We hit my road now. I turned towards and nodded in dismissal she smiled then turned to continue down the road.

The door was unlocked like usual.

As I entered my sibling sat on the couch with their tablets. All four of them are quadruplets very rare but so annoying there nine they enter school next year.

My parents greet with the usual hello, how are you. I decide not to tell them what Professor Bane discussed with me. I head back to my room type up the assigned essay finish the math then grab one of my ten books and read it for the thousandth time till I'm called for dinner.

Bread, carrots, mixed fruit, and chicken. We eat in silence then all head up to bed for lights out at ten a clock. A typical day in Utopia. I sleep dreamlessly as always.

Waking up I brushed my teeth and hair, changed into the same clothes I do every day. I have seven pairs of my outfit. One for every day of the week. There are actually 28 sets of clothes in my room, summer, spring, fall, and winter. They haven't perfected everything.

I say goodbye to my parents then head out the door. As I crossed the street a strange red haired girl began to walk with me.

"Helloooooo," she cooed.

"Hi," I smiled in confusion.

"I'm Max," she held her hand out to me.

"Okay I'm Ella, it's so nice to meet someone new," why is she here, new people never ever come. Her hair was pulled up loosely bangs hanging out.

"So how're you."

"Well I transferred."

"Ahh okay where are you heading."

"School, age seventeen."

"Then you can follow me."

She smiled nodding as she walked at my side. I saw something silver peek out of the side of her longs sleeved t shirt. Hmm.

"Soooo your new to the area have you been to the square it is the only place I think is truly beautiful it has brighter colors then these plain old white clothes."

"Yeah a couple times."

"What made you transfer here?"

"Nothing I just didn't like my old place. I heard Utopia was the best in the world so I wanted to see how it is. So far I am thinking it needs more color and more food."

"There are other places?" I ask excitedly.

"Tons. My personal favorite city is Delta. It has so many clothes and food, but the best place by far is my home with all my buds," She replied staring at the sky as we walked. We were in front of the elevator now but I had no reply.

I stared at her as the doors opened. My whole life they told me Utopia is the only city left.

"Amazing," I whispered.