Nine

Prologue;

Twenty second birthday

            The loud buzz of the fence standing tall before us rung loud in my ears. I bit my lip until I tasted blood. Niely was staring at me. He had a worried expression written across his pale face.

“Dude.” Niely’s voice was low. “Are you sure we can do this? I mean, what if it doesn’t work? What if we run out of time and the fence turns back on? Or what if we don’t even get to turn it off?” He was panicking.

“Calm down. We can do this. It’s not that difficult.” I swallowed my fear. “You’re strong. You can definitely knock someone out.”

Niely clenched his fist and smiled. “Yeah.” He threw a fake punch. “I am really strong, aren’t I?”

“Just go. Now.” I whispered.

            I watched as Niely ran to the guard in the security booth. I couldn’t hear what he was saying over the electricity running through the metal fence. I knew what he was doing, though. I saw him point to the far left, opposite of where I was standing. He was telling the guard that Jade got loose and ran away. Once the guard turned his head, Niely punched him hard across the face. I watched him drop.

            I ran towards him as he turned off the gate. We had a minute and thirty seconds to get over the tall monstrosity that seemed to be growing before us.

“A minute, or we’re dead.” I whispered as I clutched onto the fence. “Good luck.”

Twenty first birthday

            I woke up to the warm smell of French toast. I smiled to myself as I sat up. Thirty-two and Forty-eight were standing in the kitchen whispering to each other softly. Forty-eight tapped her fellow bitch on the shoulder and they both turned to me.

“Happy birthday, Mr. Oliver.” They said in sync with one another.

“French toast? My favorite.” I smirked.

“We know, Mr. Oliver. We made it special for you.”

            I rolled my eyes, as they were already doing too much talking. I walked to my dining room, which was about five steps from my bed, and sat at the table. I took a big forkful of my breakfast and smiled in satisfaction.

“Fuck this is good.” I said with my mouth full.

“Knock, knock.” Niely said as he opened the door that separated our apartments. “Happy birthday, bro!” He came over and slapped me on the back. “French toast?” He took a piece and shoved it in his mouth. “Mmm. Damn this is good.” He said with his mouth full. Neither of us really had manners. “So I got you two workers for today.” He smirked as he sat across from me.

“Awesome.” I smirked back.

This is going to be a fun day.