I was taken back to where it all began before the chase. There were five girls were frantically discussing something. I could see the twisted looks of panic on their faces. Even though I couldn’t hear what was discussed, I knew it was important.

Suddenly the girl who seemed to be the leader took two ball shaped objects out of the satchel that was strapped across her body. They shined and glistened under the light of signis. She shoved the balls into the hands of two of the other girls who then hurriedly placed it in their bags. in unison they whipped their heads to the left. I could see floating lights in the distance inching closer. With one last look of each other the girls sprint away in different directions.

This time I followed one of the girls who carried the ball. Her legs moved faster than anything I’ve ever seen. I never knew we could run let alone so fast.

The lights that were in the distance were already following her. She criss crossed her way through the trees, most likely trying to throw them off. In the blink of an eye the girl disappeared, one minute she was there and the next gone. I hovered over the area to see she had fallen into a narrow and dark hole. It looked like the dirt there had been weakened and her weight caused it to cave in. After following her in, I realized that what I thought was caused by nature seemed to be the opposite because we kept walking for what felt like rous until we finally reached an opening in the tunnel to see a cave-like structure that had writings all across its walls. The cave was lit up by a flower which emitted a soft green glow. I hover closer to it to see its petals shaped like triangles and leaves thin strips. It was odd but beautiful. I'd never seen anything like it. I Hover over back to the writings I couldn’t understand any of it but the girl seemed to. She walked along the walls her fingers tracing the deep grooves that formed the letters. I floated closer watching as her mouth moved, whispering the words there. Her eyes began to fill with water and tears streamed down her cheeks. I looked up at the wall, willing myself to understand what was written there and what could have made her so sad. She jerked as if bringing herself back to the present and realizing that she didn’t have much time. She dropped down to the floor and began digging a hole. She placed her satchel in it and covered it up. Giving the cave one last glance she turned around and exited the way we came in. I followed her back to the hole we dropped in from and floated up to the surface as she crawled out. Once She was out she began filling the hole with fallen branches and then dirt. Granting one last glance to the spot she bolted off in the opposite direction from where she started. I continued following her. I felt happiness for the first time in that dream because it looked like she would have more luck than the girl from my previous one and get out of the forest unharmed. But as if to mock my hopefulness my body began to buzz and watchers appeared in front her all pointing to those dangerous tools. It was an ambush . The Dier walked towards her tauntingly . They began to speak and he began to circle her. Again I could not hear what was being said but whatever she did say earned her a slap. The Dier roughly grasped her face, his twisted in a look of hate and rage and began to search her.

Not finding what he was searching for he walked up to one of the Watchers, grabbed the tool and fired. The girl hit the ground in a bloody mess. Just like the other one her life came to an end because whatever she hid was more important than it.

I woke up with a start. More and more these dreams were becoming too vivid for me. I couldn’t help but wonder why this was happening now. I did nothing different from two or even five years ago. Hell, I’ve followed the same routine since I was ten.

Letting out a sigh I slide out of bed. I still had time before the lesser light peeked and I would have to get ready for work. I was tempted to go out for some fresh air just to ease my mind a bit and mentally prepare myself for another labor intensive day. I shake my head knowing that was impossible. The little breeze wafting through my window would have to do.

~~

It had been two cycles since my run in with Juno at the canteen. We decided to ease whatever tension had built up and start over. I'd come to realize that whatever Juno was capable of was going to keep me safe. I’d learn to lower my guard even just a little after observing what would happen for a few days.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Since then we’ve spoken everyday around that time. I picked up a few things during our interactions.

One- Juno was a girl with a fiery attitude and a blatant disregard for authority.

Two -She always disappeared after lunch

Three- I’ve never seen her in the fields despite purposefully keeping an eye out.

And four - despite her saying she knew what life was like in the village I don’t think I’ve ever seen her.

Yes every face was somewhat new but you would always recognise them after a while but I just couldn't remember seeing hers.

By now my curiosity was bubbling vigorously and it was just about to spill out the pot. Clearly Juno had some big secrets and was capable of doing who knows what. It’s near impossible to ever miss work in the fields. It was one of the gravest mistakes you could make. I’m talking isolation chamber, starvation and who knows what else.

Again today’s lunch was no different from usual. Juno sat with my work group of the day despite not even working with us.

A small smile tugged at my lips in response to hers. Though questions were burning a hole in my throat it didn’t trump the genuine excitement I held being able to speak to her. She was a breath of much needed fresh air.

“Hi Juno. Fancy seeing you here even though I couldn’t catch a glimpse of you in the field.”

Juno shoots me a sly smile.

“You know you probably did see me, it just didn’t register that you did.” she answers feigning ignorance, her eyes looking everywhere but at me.

“Yea right nice try.” I answer, my playful tone morphing into one of seriousness.

Juno realizing that the fun atmosphere had all but dissipated wiped the smile off her face and sat up straight.

I sigh

“Look Juno, I really don’t want to start this again. I like you .. I really do. It’s just really hard to ignore the blatant truth. I mean you’re nowhere to be seen when we’re getting field assignments. I’ve never heard the Dier call your name and I’ve never seen you in the fields”.

I hold her eyes with mine

“You’re not from around here are you. Who are you? What are you?”

Junos' seriousness remained unchanged. She was unfazed by my rant.

Just as she opened her mouth I cut her off realization hitting me like a boulder.

“Oh My Being !!” the words came out in a hushed mumble.

“You’re... you’re one of those aren’t you, the nameless ones. The things that would come to punish all non believers who engaged in blasphemous acts. The things they used to warn us about at village school.”

With that she burst into the loudest laugh I’ve ever heard and looked at me like I had already gone senile.

“woo Dessa... “ she let out, wiping the invisible tears from her eyes.

“I was taking you seriously up until that last bit.. the nameless ones seriously. You believe that.”She shakes her head.

“That’s just another made up tail used to keep you guys.. especially the brats in check. “These “nameless ones” she said using air quotations. “Don’t exist.”

Just like I never believed in the teachings of Venandris. I never believed in that as well. But I couldn’t come up with any explanation as to how she was able to do what she was.

“Look Dessa.” she sighs out using the nickname she had so generously given me.

“I really want to explain all this to you but it’s just not the.. it’s not the right time as yet.”

I know we’ve only just gotten to know each other but I already held her in high regard. So it hurt when she said that. It felt like she didn’t trust me, not even a little bit.

She must have seen that I was a little disappointed in that.

“OK I’ll throw you a little bone. Tonight after lights out. When you hear my voice don’t answer just follow.”

That was the vaguest set of instructions I’ve ever received. I was blown away at how stupid that sounded.

“Juno do you mean follow... as in get out of my house and break curfew follow?”

She gave me a look that signified she was anything but joking.

“Juno you’ve said some crazy things before..”I shake my head in disbelief. “ but you’ve really outdone yourself this time. I might as well hand my ass to the Dier on a silver platter. You know the place will be crawling with watchers. In fact even more than usual,On the lookout for idiots like me who would attempt to sneak out past curfew.”

She raises her hand in surrender.

“ You’re the one who’s so eager to find out my secrets. I’m just giving you what you want.”

Her hands drop to the table. She clasps them and leans in.

“Ultimately it's up to you. Come meet me when signis has risen and potentially scratch that lack of information itch that’s been bothering you. Or don’t come and let that itch turn into regret and eat you alive.”

‘Either way I know I’ll be sleeping like a baby tonight, not a care in the world”.

She was right. She technically didn’t owe me a thing. I was the one who wanted to know. At this point the information she held was more important because maybe just maybe I could have what it takes to be like her and live a potentially freer life.

Sighing I leaned back into my chair

“You’re right, I’ll be there tonight.”

The bell went just as that last word left my lips.