The Seven (A Selection Fan-Fiction)

1

*Axel's POV*

It's early morning, my favorite time of the day. No one is awake yet, so the streets are completely silent. I don't like interacting with people in this area. I start the engine of my garbage truck and start driving down the narrow roads of Dakota's lower castes. I don't do much, there aren't as many garbage cans since the people here don't have them and they throw their garbage on the streets instead. I drive up to my "house". It's a little apartment in an abandoned building, but it's alright. There are two garbage cans outside of the building, so I carry both of them to my truck and dump them out.  I'll do this until I start to drive into the castes where 6's, 5's, and maybe 4's live. There are a lot more cans, so I'm more occupied. Maybe a little too occupied.

In the corner of my eye, while I had a trash can in hand, I see a group of people about my age smirking at me from a distance. And then I recognize them. Great, just what I need right now. There are six people in the group and only two I don't know. 

I set my can down and walk a little closer to them, but not too close. Don't be fooled, I'm not scared at all. I've grown a lot stronger since the last time I was in the gang. Being a garbage man paid off considering my build. I chuckle because I just crack myself up. 

"Oh look who we have here! The garbage man, Axel!" Gage crackled. Behind him, Dart, Zane, and Sage smile. Of course, Dex is emotionless as usual with his arms crossed. I assume the girl and boy I don't know are new.

"Nice to see you, Gage. Hope you're having a nice life." I said sarcastically.

"Oh, I am. I don't know about you." He replied as he scanned my truck.

"What are you doing here?  You usually don't come around into these castes." I questioned.

"I could ask the same to you. You know I wasn't finished with you when you left." He growled and looked hard into my eyes.

"I don't want to start this with you. I have better things to do."

"Like what? Your 'job'?"

I sigh. This guy doesn't give up.

"Listen, Gage. I'm going now."

"Who said you could do that?" He demanded.

"I did. I'm not one of your little puppies that follow you around anymore."

All of a sudden, Gage charged at me with his fist in the air. When he was close enough, I caught his punch with my right hand and kicked his ribs.  He fell to the ground, but seconds later when he stood up, I was already in my truck. Lifting garbage cans  really does help.