Author's Note: I do not own any characters in this work, except maybe the reader. There are influences from Shadowhunters by Cassandra Clare and A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness present. I do not own those works either. I hope you enjoy this story. :)
It's a day like any other. The sun is shining, birds are chirping, and you're laying on the couch reading a book with soft music playing in the background. Your phone rings pulling you out of the book world.
"Hello," you answer and recognize your dad's voice.
"Y/N, turn on the TV if you don't already have it on."
"Why?" you ask concerned.
"Just do it."
You turn on the TV and see reports of destruction all around the world.
"Dad, I'm scared. Is this real?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so. Do you remember the meeting I went to a few months ago?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"I can't say much, but there is a plane waiting for you at the airport. I'm not going to make it. Take a friend with you in my place. Just get to the airport quick. What's happening all over the world will soon happen there. I love you."
"I love you, too."
You barely got the words out before hearing an explosion and the line going dead. A moment later, your phone goes off with a nuclear bomb warning. You read it and quickly go pack a suitcase. You throw random clothes, and books in it. You don't like to be without reading material, especially on a plane. Sadly you don't have a friend close by to go in your dad's place. Just as you are about to leave, you hear a knock on the door. You open it with suitcase in hand, revealing two men standing there.
"Miss Y/L/N"
"Yes," you answer timidly.
"We are here to take you safely to the airport."
"Wow, cool. My dad didn't say there would be someone picking me up."
"Please walk quickly."
You get in the car and travel to the airport. Traffic is hell and you are glad that someone else is driving. People are panicking and trying to escape the pending doom. The driver gets to the airport and quickly gets you on the plane. Airport staff is running to try and get on, but the door closes and the plane moves before they can get on. Once in the air, you settle and pick up the book you had been reading. You get lost in it again when you see a flash and hear an explosion. The impact rocks the plane a little. You look out the window to see a huge cloud of smoke and fire.
Holy shit Dad was right. I guess the Apocalypse has arrived.
A tear slides down your cheek as you allow yourself to grieve for your dad and others that have died. You've neither seen anyone else on the plane nor heard a captain speak, so you assume things are taken care of. The plane lands in a grassy area after what seems like a lifetime. The door opens and you grab your suitcase. Two people are waiting as you step off the plane.
"I'm Ms. Venable and this is Ms. Mead," The taller of the two says. She's dressed in an old fashioned purple dress and carrying a cane. Ms. Mead is dressed in all black.
"I'm Y/N."
"Yes, we've been expecting you," Ms. Venable says. "Please follow me."
You walk to a spiral looking structure and enter. Ms Mead picks up a detector of some sort and runs it over you and your suitcase.
"Clean."
You and Venable walk through another door.
"Welcome to Outpost 3," she says and shows you to a set of doors that look like servants quarters. You pass the kitchen on the way. Ms. Venable stops in front of a door and opens it.
"This will be your room while here. You won't be needing the clothes in your bag. You may keep them if you so desire. The clothing you're required to wear is in the wardrobe. I see your father didn't make it, such a shame."
You open the wardrobe door and see grey servant uniforms.
"What?" you ask in disbelief.
"Oh he didn't tell you."
"No. My dad said he couldn't say much. He just had me brought here."
"We have purples and greys here. The greys are here to serve and clean. If your father had made it, you would be a purple. His status and money would have helped you. Dinner is promptly at six. Be ready and in the kitchen 15 minutes prior."
Ms. Venable exits the room leaving you to stare at your new wardrobe and life.
Thanks Dad. You think while also wondering why his status and money would've helped as well as why he didn't just pay for you to be a purple. You see that there is a clock on the wall; it reads 4:30 pm. You know it's afternoon because of the outside. A look around the room has you sad, then you remember that you tossed pictures of your friends and family in your suitcase. There is a small table in one corner of the room that you put them on. You're surprised that the pictures didn't get messed up during the travel. You feel a little more at home. Time passes slowly until you get ready and go to the kitchen. It isn't hard to find since you passed in on the way to your room. During dinner you meet Evie and her grandson Mr. Gallant as well as Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt. You immediately don't like Coco. She's stuck up and treats others harshly. You don't mind Evie or Gallant; they are nice to you and other greys. Time passes; weeks, months, you're not sure. It's hard to tell because there's such a sense of monotony. However, in that time you gather in the common room with them and learn about your father from Evie. You're not sure how she knew him, but that doesn't matter. It's one of those times that she tells you that he did experiments with demonic possession and demon blood.
"What?!" you couldn't believe your ears when she told you.
"Oh yes dear. I have no doubt that he even tried on you. Your mother was very weak during the last part of the pregnancy."
A look of realisation hit your face. Your mother had died when you were just a week old. You're not sure how, but you do remember it.
"So that could be why she died soon after I was born."
Evie nodded and you all heard the thump of Ms. Venable's cane. She appeared with two people. They introduced themselves as Timothy and Emily. It's obvious that they are both purples by their clothing. Ms. Venable gives you a stern look and you quickly exit the room. Greys and purples interacting other than at meal times or other serving is strongly discouraged. You go back to your room to think.
My father did experiments?! How?! I need to ask Evie about the experiments and see if she knows anything. I feel like there's been something a little different about me, but nothing evil.
Another undetermined amount of time goes by. You have been afraid to linger in the common room to talk to Evie more about your father. If Ms. Venable or Ms. Mead were to catch you, then you would be punished. You've never done anything to receive it and don't want to find out. You're one of the best greys, so they just give you warning looks.
One evening, well that's what you think it is, the intruder alarm goes off. Ms. Venable and Ms. Mead quickly go to investigate putting on protective gear before exiting the outpost. The scene they find before them is puzzling. A black horse drawn carriage is outside the door. The carriage door opens and a figure wearing a mask identical to theirs steps out. A card bearing the name Michael Langdon from The Co Operative is presented.
"Right this way, Mr. Langdon," Ms. Venable says as she turns to go back in.
Once inside, Ms. Venable introduces herself and Ms. Mead. Michael instructs Ms. Mead to take care of the horses. She does so immediately, sensing a power dynamic struggle.You have gathered with the purples in the common room, curious to find out who the intruder is. You don't care what punishment might await you and take the opportunity to talk to Evie about your father. She tells you that he took blood from from the possessed and injected it in himself to try and control the spirits.
"It didn't work, so he began injecting it into your mother claiming it would help you," Evie continues to say. "The injections made her weaker because her body was protecting you. She was a descendant of the Salem witches and blessed by the angels."
"So I could be a witch and an angel?" you ask bewildered.
"Yes and no. The demonic blood would have diluted it so you might have powers of one but not the other."
"How did you know my parents and get all this information?"
"Oh, darling, I thought you might have suspected something or knew. Your mother was part of a Coven, and I was the leader. Leaders of Covens are called Supremes."
"Wow, no. I guess my father thought the blood would rid me of it, or he just didn't want me to know my ancestry."
Before you or Evie can say anything else, you hear the thump of Ms. Venable's cane and a fearful look crosses your features. Evie gives you a reassuring look. Ms. Venable walks in and sees you as her eyes scan the room. You don't back down from the glare she gives you.
"So where's the intruder?" Coco asks impatiently.
"All will be revealed in due time."
At that moment, footsteps can be heard coming down the hall. As they get closer, everyone can see a tall figure that they assume to be the intruder. You have the best view of the hall and can see that the figure is a man with blonde hair just passed his shoulders. His clothes are dark in colour except for the red scarf around his neck. As he stands behind Ms. Venable, you notice he is clean shaven and has gorgeous blue-grey eyes. You stare for a moment hoping he won't catch you. Thankfully he doesn't and just stands there. Who the hell does he think he is. If Langdon thinks I'm just going to step aside and let him stand as leader, then he's wrong. Ms. Venable thinks as she feels Michael's eyes boring a hole in her. She steps aside, realising that he wishes to speak and stands next to you.
"Good evening Outpost Three. My name is Michael Langdon, and I'm from the Co Operative," he says in a voice smooth as honey. "Humanity is on the brink of extinction. Almost all the other Outposts have been overrun. I am here to make selections for The Sanctuary. This is where those deemed worthy will go to repopulate the earth when it is safe. There will be interviews beginning tomorrow."
Michael looks around the room to see if anyone volunteers. His eyes meet yours with puzzlement, but you think nothing of it.
"I volunteer!" shouts Mr. Gallant.
"Very well then. I expect to see you right after breakfast."
Michael turns and exits the room; Ms. Venable follows.
"Way to go, Katniss Everdeen. I wanted to go first."
"Well then you should have said so, Coco."
"I was thinking he would pick someone."
"Obviously not," you say with a smile.
You're glad Gallant is first. You had noticed him kinda staring at Michael the entire time. You couldn't blame him though. Coco storms out of the room leaving, you, Evie, Gallant, and the other residents.You decide to rest before the events of the next day. So you say goodnight to Evie and thank her for the information about your family. You can't sleep because your mind is racing. So you walk out of your room and roam the Outpost trying to shake away your thoughts. You're not really paying attention to where you're going and end up in the common room. There is a small fire going and you curl up on a couch near it just staring in the flames.
"Oh I thought it would be empty at this hour," a velvety smooth voice suddenly says.
You let out a gasp as you see who it is and stand up.
"Sorry to have startled you, please sit back down," he says softly.
"Apology accepted. I should have been more aware of my surroundings. I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd take my chances and walk around to see if that would help. I just ended up here."
"Take your chances?"
"Yes. Ms. Venable doesn't allow the greys and purples to be together except and meal times. The greys are also supposed to just clean, serve, and stay out of the way. Ms. Mead helps make sure of it."
A look of anger flashes on Michael's face before returning to normal.
"So Ms. Venable has set her own rules, then. Hmm, that is not acceptable. Dear one you have my permission to be wherever you'd like. If Ms. Venable or Ms. Mead give you any trouble, tell them to come to me."
"Yes, Mr. Langdon."
"Please call me Michael. I have a feeling that I'm going to get to know you well."
"Ok, Michael. Oh how stupid of me. I have not introduced myself, I'm Y/N."
"That's quite alright. I would've found out anyway since I will be doing an interview with you as well."
There is something about Y/N that is captivating. I must interview her soon to see exactly what it is
"Oh I didn't realise you valued the lives of the greys too. Thank you for considering us."
"It's my pleasure to include you," Michael says with a smile.
What a dazzling smile. I feel like I'm falling in love, but I don't know him. Maybe the interview will help.
"What were you doing roaming the Outpost, if you don't mind me asking?" you ask shyly.
"This was once a school for young men, Warlocks specifically. I had an interest in the school and was here for a time in my youth."
"Oh wow."
You remembered that Evie had told you about Witches, but never mentioned Warlocks. Maybe there was some competition. You thought. You don't mention anything abut Witches just in case. You suddenly yawn and had tried to hide it. Michael saw it anyway.
"I can walk you back to your room if you're sleepy."
"No thanks. I'd like to sleep out here, if that's ok."
"Whatever you'd like Princess."
You smile and blush at the nickname. Michael walks over to a closet you had never noticed and gets out a blanket and pillow. He brings them to you.
"Thanks. I didn't know that was there."
"You're welcome. Sleep well."
You lay down, cover up, and are sleep within minutes. You're awakened several hours later by the sound of Ms. Venable's cane hitting the floor in front of you. You inwardly roll your eyes knowing that she's pissed off with you. So you open your eyes, yawn, and stretch.
"Good morning, Ms. Venable," you say sweetly.
"Y/N you are supposed to be in your room. You're late getting started. I suggest you get to your duties immediately. Consider this a warning. If I find you out of bed like this again, there will be punishment."
"Oh yeah, about that. Mr. Langdon was in here last night and told me that I could go where I wanted to . He also said for me to send you to him if you were upset about that," you say smugly. You're excited that someone has the upper hand. You've grown weary of how Ms. Venable treats others.
"I see," she says. "Well in that case, you will now be Mr. Langdon's personal assistant. If he has a problem with that, then he can see me. Now run along."
You stand up, leaving the bedding on the couch, and exit the common room. I don't even know which room is Michael's. I can tell Ms. Venable hates him. What she doesn't know is that I want to know Michael more. Our conversation last night was enlightening. I sense something a little bit different about him. It not unlike my own differences. Maybe I can get a spare moment to speak to Evie about it. Oh Gallant is going to be super jealous when he finds out about my new position.
Michael senses your presence and quietly snaps his fingers so the door will be ajar. I wonder why she's seeking me out. I didn't tell her when the interview would be. Maybe she wants to thank me for last night.