~Eden~

Feather's POV

Life should be about more than just surviving, Feather thought over Skitters Red's speech. She was the only woman in town who had a job, that being because she was a Red and the mayor's wife. She went over the proper standards of graduation to all of the 18-year-olds. One of them being Feather's adopted sister, Dancer Blue. She could see the calm, redhead from her rusty seat who was seated just behind a group of giggling girls.

"As you girls know. All of your training will help prepare you for your life as a mother and a teacher to your children. The graduation test will only help place you on the rank, to either better your social rank or drop you completely to a Purple. You need to be thinking of your future children's lives and what rank you want them to grow up in," she explained, her voice booming over the thirty girls. All of them sat with one leg over the other, except for the rebel herself, Feather Green. "Only one percent of you will be able to jump up and become an Orange like always, but this year it's two girls and two boys."

Girls glanced at each other in surprise, mainly since the mayor, Jet Red, only allowed one from each sex. The murmured from the girls caused the small renovated library to fill with noise and Mrs. Skitters to clap her hands to gather their attention once more.  They fidgeted back into their correct posture, the metal chairs squeaking. 

"For fucks sake," she mumbled under her breath, crossing her arms. None of this should have been a surprise to them, then again, anything to move up and get a cute boy. I could care less if I become Feather Blue, I'd still have the same job even if I remain Feather Green.

~^~^~

"The speech was nonetheless the same, like every year before. Mrs. Skitters comes, talks about how we are the only human population left on the world and how it is our sworn duty to repopulate the world. Men are forced to protect us from the Undead and go on an exciting adventure beyond the Wall," Feather ranted to her sister, Dancer. "I want to explore and not sit here making dumb babies."

Dancer sighed loudly as she led them out of the library. "You do realize you say this exact speech every year also." Freshly planted white roses and daisies lined their walkway as the sun started to set over the treetops. An incoming rainstorm caused a few men to open the water tower's top.

"At least I am bringing light to the situation."

Dancer stopped and looked at her. "And what exactly is the situation? That men are more superior to women? That we should be up in the front lines with men rather than help repopulate the world?"

"Yeah," Feather laughed before stopping to look at her. She furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at Dancer's serious face. "You really don't see anything wrong with that? Your mother literally died giving birth to you because she was so young." She knew the subject was still touchy to Dancer but she didn't want to see her friend suffer the same fate as her mother.

Dancer's face instantly switch to fury, her voice cracking, "You don't think I fucking know that! There's not a day that goes by when I don't think of her." Her blue eyes glared at her as she towered over Feather.

"I don't see you giving a shit about it," she countered and Dancer backed off. Feather took this as an opportunity to take off her flats that had been bugging her as much as the speech.

Her eyes lowered to the ground while her red hair swung in her ponytail. She tugged on a loose string that was hanging off her dress. "You're acting like I have a choice, Feather. Graduation day for me is tomorrow, you still have three more years."

Feather smiled at her and she glanced around. The street was bustling with people as they entered and exited shops. "But you do. Follow me."

~^~^~

The rain had started to fall by the time they arrived home, both girls drenched and laughing. Feather's curly black hair clung to her face as she flung her shoes next to the door and wiped her face with a towel. Dancer twisted the water out from her ponytail before asking, "So are you going to tell me now?"

"Ah so you do give a shit," Feather laughed from underneath her towel, only for it to be plucked off her head by Dancer.

"Maybe, or maybe because I don't like being left in the dark." Dancer used the towel to wipe off her arms before focusing on Feather.

Feather glanced around her house for her mother but did not see nor hear her. It is Thursday. She must be out with the little ones getting dinner from the market. Feather pulled out a chair and motioned for Dancer to sit.

Dancer sat down the towel, her face masked with confusion and caution. Dancer noticed Feather's hesitation as she stared at her. "You aren't in any trouble with the town are you?"

"No! No... well not yet anyway," Feather nervously laughed before letting out a shaky breath.

"Yet?"

"I want to escape Eden, tonight! With you... I mean if you want to go... with me," she blurted out quickly before sitting on the arm of the post-outbreak sofa. She gripped the sofa's cushion and waited for Dancer to speak.

Dancer watched her with concentration, her eyes blinking with bewilderment. "I was not expecting that... that's like next level shit coming from you."

"I know but what if there are others out there besides just Undead Walkers," she explained from her seat.

Dancer got up and paced the ground before stopping. "You know you sound crazy right?"

"And reckless, and stubborn, and stupid, and all that jazz. I get it a lot." Feather said.

There was a long drawn on silence between the two and Feather grew to be anxious. The rain leaked through the broken windows, despite the number of boards blocking it. She watched as it trailed down the painted red wall, adding to the water stain that was on the wall and wooden floor. The house was a small, two-story home like other Greens, nothing fancy like the Reds and Oranges that lived in huge, decorated, two-story homes. They had what they need to survive and nothing more.

Feather slowly stood up and said, "Say something, please Dance."

"What exactly do you want me to say? That I'll go with you? You're asking for a lot. We could get shot just being seen exiting the Wall, a Walker could bite us, or we could die from the lack of food and water. We aren't trained like the boys are, Feather. We weren't trained to survive!" she said staring at the table. She held her face in her hands before looking at her. "What you are asking is risking everything we already have here. We are thriving here and... and that is why I can not join you."

Feather nodded once as she stood up. She glanced once at Dancer but she had already looked away. "I... I understand." She turned away and headed up the stairs to get some rest before her journey ahead.

~^~^~

Feather pulled on her brother's coat and hat before swinging her bag on. She replaced all of her textbooks and papers with rations, waters, blankets, and first aid equipment. She ran her hand over her drawn family portrait of her parents and two brothers. Her and Dancer sitting at both ends of the goofy boys. She glanced one last time of her room before quietly stepping out. The moon was positioned closer in the night sky making it brighter than usual.

Well fuck.

Feather went down the stairs and stopped at her dad's gun closet. For once she was glad she was a Green. Only Green men were allowed extra military weapons since they were all soldiers to Eden. While she was never taught how to hold a gun, because it wasn't ladylike, that wasn't going to stop here now. She grabbed two of the smallest weapons, the ammo next to them, and a knife before slipping out the door.

She was barely down the front stairs before the front door creaked open.

"I think you forgot this."

She quickly turned around only to catch something in her hands. She turned it on, flashing it in in Dancer's face. She covered her face with her hand, a sad smile on her face. Feather turned the light off and nodded her head in thanks. The moon light's illuminated her as she looked at her, sweats, faded t-shirt, and slip-on shoes.

"I guess this is goodbye," Feather said, playing with her fingers.

She felt Dancer's arms snake around her and pulling her into a hug. Dancer rested her head next to hers and said, "I know I can't stop you from doing this but are you completely sure this is what you want?"

"I am sure. I'd go mentally insane if I was stuck in a house all day," she whispered to her.

She chuckled against her and pulled away. "I could see that. Once you've explored what the world still has to offer, you'll come back right?"

"Maybe," Feather smiled sadly. That's if I can make it out of here first.

Dancer slipped off her green braided bracelet and slipped it onto Feather's wrist. She squeezed Feather's hand once before turning to the door. "You should go before patrol makes it way onto our street."

The two of them shared one last look before the two of them went their separate ways.