Chapter 3

A Chapter by Gracie_Girl429

this chapter is in the perspective of Colin, a high school graduate who works in the city's Control Room.

Chapter 3
     Colin
          "Colin! Come on, man. You fell asleep again?" I lift my head off my folded arms that rest on the metal panel that serves as a desk. I squint at the bright screens that are only a foot away from my face. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the light that sends shafts throughout the dim room. A yawn escapes my mouth and Justin glares at me, half of his face concealed in the shadows.
          "Sorry, Justin. I can't help it," I say apologetically. "I can't take any more of these late night shifts." For the past three weeks, I have had twelve hour shifts that go late into the night, and besides, who wouldn't fall asleep staring at the same still screens for twelve hours? Justin snorted as he listened to my excuses. He has no trouble keeping occupied in this dark little room. I, however, lose interest in everything except sleep. Footage from the cameras that observe the Fence from all angles plays live on our screens. Our job in the Control Room is to make sure that no one tries to get in our out. So, basically, we are here for no reason. We watch the the Fence and it's gate, which no one ever uses. It can open when it is crucial that we evacuate the city, but that has never happened in the history of our whole city. Personally, I see no reason for anyone to leave; everyone knows there is just one fate outside the fence: death. Entering the Dead Mile is a suicide mission, if you could get into the Dead Mile, that is.
Obviously, nothing happens on these screens. It's no mystery as to why I fall asleep so easily. I stare blankly at the Fence and my eyelids begin to get heavy again. Every time I blink, my eyelids resist opening again. Suddenly, Justin claps his hand on my back and says, "Hang in there, buddy. Your shift's over in a few hours." I groan and slump back in my chair.

prev chapter