Sunlight filters through the blinds into my room. Moving a pillow next to me, I cover my face. Groaning inwardly to myself, I sluggishly move to the closet.

Looking at the mess that lies at my feet, I pick up a somewhat clean looking shirt and smell it.

“Doesn’t smell that bad, a little bit of deodorant would mask anything that lingers.”

Picking out a black shirt and cargo shorts, I start my day.

Moving out of my room and down the hall way, I switch the T.V. on as I prepare breakfast.

[Their has been recent breakthrough in gene modification. Our guest host, Dr. Fitzhugh, is one of the leading researchers regarding this area. Dr. Fitzhugh, please elaborate on the article you submitted called, “Single Most Important Breakthrough in the 22nd Century.”]

[Thank you. As many of you guy’s recall, the void that separates district 7 from district 9, is filled with many unknown creatures. Our research institute, Scientology of Eugenics, has been working closely with the military to develop a way for humans to be better equipped to survive in this place. My group of researchers and I believe we found a way to transverse this wilderness without any protective equipment.]

[So in other words, you found out how to cope with the unknown energy in this space?]

[Yes. Not only that, we even discovered how to use this energy to perform some of the unexplainable phenomenon we have found. However, the procedure to utilize this energy is extremely dangerous. Around 70% of our test subjects die during their adaptation process. But, I believe, along with our institute, that we can start human trials here soon. At least within the next year.]

[Interesting. I would like to know when this surgery will be available to the public.]

[As of right now, we would say in the next five years. For the military however, we are rushing to get this ready and completed in a vaccine form with in the next two years. So the military would be the first ones to get vaccinated. Right now though, we are currently looking for volunteers to undergo some of our initial experiments.]

Looks like SE wants some guinea pigs for research. They have recently been all over the news, declaring that they have the knowledge to change the whole world.

In my opinion, that is complete bullshit.

Maybe, they did find a way to survive in the monster infested void. Even if they did, they clearly stated only a 30% survival rate.

I better stay away from them in the future. I know I am currently unemployed, but a healthy twenty year old can always find a safer occupation.

Standing up, I scarf down my food, before putting on my hoody.

With my shoes tied, I step outside my apartment and into district 7.

Before the cataclysm, the world was said to be at its most peaceful. No major wars, instant communication with one another, and the beginning of space exploration was just beginning.

However, that all changed years ago when the sun disappeared one day. Not only did our sun disappeared, all of the other known planets also vanished. In its place, a giant fissure appeared in the sky, ripping our planet apart before sucking it through.

It was there that our damaged planet entered an unknown solar system and partially crashed into another planet.

This brings us to today, where unknown energy emits from outside our districts where electronics don’t work.

Looking up I admire the giant plasma field in the sky, blocking out the corrosive energy from coming in. I remember it uses an electromagnetic field to keep us safe in our dome.

I recall in the beginning before the bubble, only those who stayed inside protective housing survived and those outside ended up dead.

However, this has nothing to do with me for now. It’s just something to think about while I’m on these crowded streets trying to make my way to the employment center.

My silent brooding is finally interrupted when I am tapped on the shoulder.

“William Lee. 20yrs, 5’10’’, 180lbs.” a man greets me, holding a facial scanner being shoved into my face.

Nudging the machine out of my face, I stare at the military recruiter. “What do you want?”

Grunting to himself. “Your name appeared on a list of possible recruits to the districts military. Out of 200 possible recruits, you rank around 13th. And….”

Interrupting him, I back away. “Thank you, but I’m not interested.”

Joining the military and following someone’s orders, isn’t something I’m looking forward to. Also the whole part of fighting monsters and dying that comes along with the job. I can be perfectly happy just slouching away inside my apartment. The whole point I’m even out here is to make it look like I am searching for a job.

Walking away silently, I am stopped by a firm grab on my shoulder.

“Hey Will, at least let me finish.” He grumbles.

Pushing his hand off I turn around impatiently. “Hurry up. I’m a bit busy.”

“As I was saying. You’re eligible to join our new branch of our military. They will be outfitted with the newest technology, and will do recon out in the wilderness.” Straightening his uniform he starts walking forward. “Not only that, they will be getting pay similar to our officers and three months of vacation a year. On top of that, they will have two years from now before they will be deploying.”

“Still not interested. I’m not very stealthy and probably have horrible results in any of the training camps.” I replied, turning around and walking away. “Also, I think I’ll do better at a desk job, if anything else.”

Hearing him trying to convince me to rethink my decision, I pick up my pace heading out of the local employment center.

What would most people do if they were approached like that? Some of them might be pressured into joining in. Others intimidated into doing it. While some will just walk away like I did.

No hard feelings to any military personal, but I honestly can’t stand those who boss me around. I would rather be a manager or wait till the perfect job comes by.

I would fight if I had to though. Being a pacifist won’t solve anything now days. Just looking at the streets where a large amount of people sleep at, is a perfect place to be mugged.

If I really had to choose a job, I would be some tech guy working on the new gadgets being produced.

Finally convincing myself I did enough job searching for the day, I head over to the fitness center.

Staying in shape is a status quota in our society. The government doesn’t allow anyone to be out of shape if they could help it. For some of those who do get employed, would end up having to work out here. The only way out is pretending you’re finding a job or live out on the streets.

Checking my shoes and performing a few stretches, I head over to the track. Today’s workout will be running and doing some leg exercises.

Looking around, I start scoping out for some hot girls. It is usually a more rewarding run when you do the carrot and stick approach.

Here comes a hot blonde. I wait until she passes me, keeping my eyes on the prize. One, two here I go. One step after the other, I start running just far enough behind where I push myself, but not to close where I have to slow down. Just at the perfect distance.

I could never understand all those girls who get angry when you check them out. Like hey, if you going to wear yoga pants and a sports bra, you are just asking for someone to stare. It might just be a little game they play.

Sweating hard, I start wondering if she is running a marathon or not. I was planning on just running a few laps, but now I’m starting to wheeze a bit. I’ll just run right next to her and try striking up a conversation. Hopefully, she’ll stop then.

Running next to her, I notice a slight glance from her. Smiling back I run in pace next to her. After a few more laps, I wave to her.

“Nice day for a jog, right?” I tried asking.

Waiting for a reply, she ignores me. Was it that obvious I’m trying to hit on her? Maybe she didn’t hear me?

Clearing my throat, I attempted another greeting. “You come here often?”

Another few seconds later, still no reply. I guess I should give up now. Walking off the track, I head over to the water fountain trying to catch my breath.

It’s just past noon, nothing new going on today. Everyday seems like the same thing. Sometimes I wonder if going out into the wilderness might be more exciting than living here inside of an overcrowded bubble.

If I did go out there, would I get killed by the monsters or become some kind of super soldier from the movies. I won’t ever know, considering I’m not that brave. Unless I have a solid excuse to go out to convince myself.

Sitting on a bench waiting for my fatigue to go away, I notice the blonde heading over here. Hopefully she will notice me. Waiting for her to get a drink, I straighten out my brown hair and remove any creases in my shirt. Seeing that I’m presentable, I continue waiting.

Noticing my stare, she turns towards me. “Hey, were you trying to say something to me earlier?”

If waving to you wasn’t trying then what would be? “Yeah, I was just asking you a few questions, but you never replied.”

She slowly pulls out a pair of earbuds from her pants to show me. “Sorry. I had my earbuds in.”

Can’t believe I never notice that. I guess I was too distracted by her assets to notice. “It’s all right. It was nothing important anyway. I’m William, my friends all call me Will.”

Seeing my out stretched hand, she shakes it. “Aris. So what are you working on today?”

“Nothing much. I’ll be doing some work on my legs. What about you?”

Thinking to herself a bit, she sits down next to me. “I was planning on taking a break for a while. Then afterwards I don’t know.”

This is my chance. All I have to do is ask if she wants to work out with me. I have to take this slowly first. Perhaps build up our conversation before asking the big question. Really hope I won’t screw up this opportunity.

Scooting a bit closer to her, nothing to noticeable. I start thinking. “It’s pretty nice out today. Isn’t it Aris?”

Slowly she leans forward, retying her shows. “Yeah it’s really refreshing outside today. It’s my first time being out here.”

Leaning back to admire the view, I replied, “Oh. I’ve been going here quite often. I can show you around.”

Sitting back up, she turns to me. “Really? You don’t have to, you know.”

Just one more push and it’s in the bag.

Quickly doing a slight flex, I stand up. “It’s not a big deal.” I say, extending a hand. “Let’s go look around Aris.”

With an awkward grin, she grabs my hand.

“Over in this area we have the lap pool. Next to it is the weights area. The place we came from was the field and track. Finally, inside this building is the MMA place.” I gestured around.

Following closely behind me, I glance back at Aris. Noticing her tied up hair bouncing up and down is rather entertaining. With every place I mention she runs up to it and checks everything out. Sometimes I wonder, if I was ever this hyper when I first came here.

Coming to the end of our journey, we loop back to the weights area.

“This is about everything that’s here. Except for a few areas that have a gymnasium for sports I didn’t mention.”

Slowing down next to me, she stares through the glass. “Thanks for showing me around Will. You want to go into this building?”

Following her finger, she is pointing to the benching area. Watching her turn around, I can see the slight sparkles in her eyes. Nodding my head slowly, I slowly walk next to her.

Is it possible to be this excited? Maybe the answer is yes because she is already grabbing my hand and leading me in. Dear god, it looks like I’m skipping legs today. It doesn’t matter if I did chest yesterday. There is a hot blonde dragging me forward already.

“You know we could do some leg exercises right?”

Grabbing a 25lb plate, she looks at me pleadingly. “But Will, I want to try this out.”

Silently clamping my plate into the bar, I hesitated. “Okay...”

The things I do for people. Sometimes I just have to suck it up. Looking on the bright side, at least I have company.

Positioning myself as the spotter, I watch as the young girl lift the bar with ease. Going up and down repeatedly, I am surprise at how strong she is. Doing a set of 12reps for her size is pretty good. Even though I could easily do it too, though I am twice her size.

Admiring her, I asked. “You’re pretty good at this. You been working out much?”

Wiping her forehead, she sits up. “I’ve been getting in shape before Basic Training starts.”

“Oh, so you’re joining the military. What branch?”

Standing up and racking another 10lbs, she says “It’s the new division they’ve been talking about on T.V. My family was visited by a recruiter, saying I was one of the 200 selected individuals to undergo the new surgical operation they’ve created.”

Sounds slightly similar to what I was told today. Are they scamming people? I remember I was number 13.

Watching her rep out another set, I ask. “Did you ask what number you were out of the 200?”

“189 I think. You work out much? It seems like you know your way around here.”

Helping her put on another 10lbs, I lean back against the wall.

“I like working out. Earlier today a recruiter was talking to me about joining the military. I told him I would have to think about it.”

“Oh, well you should join the new division if you can. Would be nice having someone you know there.”

Great, do I really have to find the recruiter from this morning? In the first place, I think I pissed him off. Secondly, do I need to join just for a single girl? There is plenty of fish in the sea as I recall; well what is still left of the sea after the cataclysm.

“I can let you know later this week. Do you want my number?”

Please say yes. I recall you still have 2 years before you even depart from the district. Plenty of time to get to know each other ‘better’.

Playing with her hair, she pulls out her phone from her sports bra. Handing it to me she says, “Just type it in, I’ll text you after we leave.”

Having a goofy grin, I hurried to type in my digits. Today must be my lucky day. First girl I’ve seen I tried hitting on and after an hour, I got her number/possibly a second date.

Seeing me smiling, she swipes her phone back. “Well I got to go now. I have to go help my family make some dinner. Tomorrow will you be here?”

Stuttering a bit, I managed to stand up straight. “Yeah I will. You should give me a call when you’re here and I’ll come find you.”

Turning around, she starts walking away. “Thanks Will.”

“No problem Aris. Be careful going home.”