I wake up in a cold sweat. Sitting up, my eyes begin to dart all over the room, frantically looking around, trying to make sure that I had escaped the world that my mind had so intricately conjured up. It wasn’t really a nightmare, there was nothing that would harm me. What scared me, however, was all the mysteries that seemed to plague that world. One part of me wished it was reality, as the one in which I currently live, was an unwanted cycle that offered no semblance of unconstrained living. Squeezing my eyes shut I silently chided myself for even thinking something so blasphemous. These thoughts would do good to remain as just thoughts. If my boldness went unchecked I’d most definitely get in trouble with anyone who would hear. Because This was a clear show of going against the teachings of the high beings.

Glancing down I could see my legs, a mangled mess of pillows and my blanket that had seen better days. This had to be the fifth day in a row I’ve had this same dream. I peered out the small tattered window to see the lesser light breaking through the clouds. This pulled me out of my daze. It was time to get ready for another day of toiling in the fields.

Scoffing somewhat thankful. I remembered the poor sods who worked in Cromer; they'd have to slave away under the unforgivable heat of their village. I could never understand why the villages had such different climates. Leeside always tended to be cooler and the greater light didn’t seem to affect us as much. On the other hand, Frostforn was a clear contrast to Cromer. The heat of the greater light didn't seem to even reach them.

Trying to be positive despite another day of mundane life, I repeat the mantra taught to us at village school: “If you smile, the work won't seem so hard”. I scoff again at the hypocrisy. Those who taught at the village school had no experience in the fields.

I let out a sigh and tugged off my sweat-soaked shirt on my way to the bathroom. I was tired and fed up of living like this. The girl in the mirror staring back at me seemed to agree. Her caramel eyes lacked the spark she once had in youth and her laugh lines had all but disappeared.

After freshening up, I hurriedly put on my uniform, an ugly long-sleeved pale yellow shirt and a pair of trousers that were a horrible brown. Glancing at the clock I realized I had all but 7 lis left to get out the door if I wanted to be on time and escape punishment. I rushed out of the room into the living area and sat on the little bench near the door to put on my worn-out boots, which were littered with patches. It was clearly time to go down to the hub to receive a new pair but I just couldn’t. It was one of the only things I had left of my mom after all. Letting out a deep sigh I open the door to walk out but stop in my tracks. My eyes catch the small table propped up against the living room wall. Two nameplates and a vase with 3-day-old flowers occupied it. I said a silent goodbye and left.

I inhaled deeply. There was much I didn’t like about this village starting with all the watchers that were stationed at every turn. Or the fact that we had little to no privacy between our houses. The one thing I appreciated, though, was all the fresh air. It carried the fragrance of the flowers.

“Get a move on fielder”.

I didn’t need to turn back to know it was a Watcher already breathing down my neck. It took me all but 5 sil to appreciate the fresh breeze and one was already on my case.

I said nothing... I could say nothing. Everybody knows you don’t interact with the Watchers, you only need to listen to their commands and carry out their orders.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I quickened my steps. My thoughts already clashed with what they stood for. It would do no good if they could pick this up in my actions.

The field was 45 lis away from the residential area on foot and another 15 lis more would get you to where the livestock were raised.

By the time I got there, I was a little out of breath. My fellow workers were already assembled in the square waiting for the Dire to hand us field assignments and tools. Though all aspects of life in Leeside held repetition, you could always count on fieldwork to never be the same. One day, I would be tending to some vegetables, another day, fruits and another day, ground provisions. They always switched it up.

“Odessa Olsen”.... “ssa Olsen”.

The sound of my name pulls me out of my thoughts. I look up to see the Dier watching me with a deep scowl etched onto his face. The Dier and Watchers were different from us. It wasn’t just in the clear hierarchy but their physical appearance. Their skin was like a deep blue, watered down to an almost translucent colour. They were tall. The men had big, bulky builds, a testament that it wouldn’t take much to subdue any of us who stepped out of line. The women I had seen were slender. Their features all resembled each other with few differing physical characteristics. It seemed like a clear case of copy and paste.

With a disapproving look that held a silent warning, he continued.

“Odessa Olsen. Zone B shed ii”

I held his gaze and then gave a deep bow, signalling I had received the order. Again, the less you say to them, the better for you. Sometimes the smallest things would set them off.

I walk off to join my team for the day in the area marked off for working in shed ii casting my eyes down in a silent hello. The number one rule for us was silence was golden; we couldn't speak unless permitted to, hence why our communication was limited to head and hand gestures and the occasional word. I think we’ve all mastered the art of internal dialogue. The field was set up in two zones, which were further divided into 4 other areas, each specializing in a different crop. The sheds were identified by increasing I from i to iiii. Shed ii was where we prepped the vegetables that needed to be planted. It took at most 2 weeks for all crops to reach full maturity. Yesterday was harvest day so today we’d be working like clockwork to replant.

“Now that all of you have received your assignments you may report to your designated area. The only parts of your body that should be moving are your hands and feet. Failure to complete your daily task will result in a week's ban from the Hub. Remember, you lowborns exist for the sake of our high beings. As such, you will be monitored for all 12 rous of your work cycle. When the greater light bursts the clouds, and you hear the bell ring your 30 lis break will begin. Failure to report to the Hub's canteen on time will result in missing your lunch.”

I drone out the sound of the Dier mouthing off these pathetic rules. This is why I hate this village. We had no freedom. Every time I would pass by the ranch area, all I saw were my fellow villagers reflected in those animals. Just like all their worth amounted to was for consumption, all our worth amounted to was for hard labor to please their high beings. I could feel my blood boil the more I thought of our pitiful situation. Why were they the only ones entitled to freedom?

The shuffling of feet signaled our dismissal. As we headed towards shed ii I glanced around and observed my workmates for the day. Unlike the Watchers and Diers, we were one, yes, but we still varied so much in physique and complexion. The young girl to my right was short and petite, her black hair pulled into cornrows, her skin was on the lighter side of brown and glistened, seemingly taking in all the rays the lesser light had to offer. On the other hand the middle-aged man to my left towered us both, his skin resembled the wool of the sheep kept at the ranch. My eyes continued to shift from person to person. All appearing so different. I wished so dearly to hold a conversation with any of them. To at least learn a name or voice my hellos. A wave of sadness washes over me as I accept the fact that this most likely would never happen.